Just Survive

The road was desolate and empty. Ashley walked alongside Colby, the two of them keeping their eyes peeled for danger. They were only traveling together until they reached a settlement where there was permanent safety; they’d go their separate ways after that.

Ashley looked up at Colby from under her brows. He had been quiet most of the time since they left the motel room. Normally he would be talking about anything other than the current crisis. She hoped it wasn’t something negative.

“We might have to hunker down for the winter if we don't get far enough in time,” Colby said. There was a chance they could starve, or freeze to death. But Ashley didn’t want to consider the possibilities. “I know you're worried, but let's stick with the plan. We should make a good run of it today; this is what we came here for, right?”

Ashley nodded.

They were going by a seasonal road when Colby stopped suddenly. Ashley followed his gaze as she noticed something ahead of them. A car sat parked on the side of the road, a few feet off to the left. It was dark, but it looked like someone was sitting in it.

“Stay back….”

“Colby….”

“Something's wrong,” he hissed. A weak voice came from the vehicle.

“Help… please... help me……” it cried. The woman’s voice sounded pitiful. She sounded broken.

Ashley felt sick. “What do I do? Should I help?”

“No, wait,” Colby replied quietly. He moved forward cautiously, getting his gun ready.

The car didn't look like it had been driven in at least a day. When Colby got close, he pulled aside the front door and peeked inside. A man’s body was on the ground on the other side of the car. In the front, a woman was sprawled across the seat, clutching a bloody blanket to a wound on her chest.

Colby knelt beside her. “Ma’am? What happened? Who did this?” She opened her eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks. Colby felt his heart skip.

“They attacked us…..they killed my husband….” She said, her strength fading. Tears rolled down her face faster.

She looked at Colby desperately. “He’s dead….he died defending me. I can still hear him calling…” She started sobbing again.

It took Colby a second to understand what she was saying. She had to be referring to her husband.

“Look in the backseat….if I move, I’ll bleed out….” she rasped.

Colby glanced behind him, seeing nothing suspicious at first glance before he turned back to see. He moved some blankets around, finding something unexpected; a baby sleeping in a laundry basket.

“Is she okay?” the woman asked, trying to reach for the infant. Colby handed her the blanket, helping her hold it to her chest. The baby was warm, despite the cold weather. Her little chest rose and fell peacefully. “Thank you…” she breathed, wiping tears away. “I don’t know how I’m gonna be able to keep her safe…”

“You’ll be okay…we’ll get you looked at,” Colby said, lifting the woman out as carefully as he could.

Ashley tried to get the woman comfortable, while Colby carried her outside. She was shaking uncontrollably. Her teeth were chattering, no matter how hard she tried to stop them. Her skin was grey and sweaty.

Ashley wrapped her arms around the woman as Colby placed her onto a patch of grass. The baby started to cry.

“Stay awake….stay here for your baby…” Ashley pleaded, moving the bloody blanket aside to look at the wound. The woman had been stabbed repeatedly, and there wasn’t much hope of saving her. It hurt. She looked so weak.

“Her name is Jenny….she’s six months old….” she whispered.

Ashley nodded, trying to stay brave. “Alright Jenny, I’m taking care of you, okay? We will take great care of you.” Jenny whimpered as she continued crying. Ashley held her tight, rocking gently. The woman’s arms reached forward feebly.

“Can I hold her one last time?” Ashley nodded and handed Jenny to her mother. The woman kissed the baby's forehead, then held her close. “Oh, God….please take care of them….” she said weakly. Then she closed her eyes and faded into unconsciousness.

“What happens now?” Ashley asked, watching her body relax. Colby stayed silent, thinking over their next steps. Ashley waited patiently, clutching Jenny.

“Keep her comfortable,” Colby said, finding a shovel.

“What are you doing?” Ashley asked, wrapping the unconscious woman in a blanket.

“Digging a grave for the husband,” Colby said firmly.

Ashley felt her stomach lurch.

“Colby….”

“I have to do this, Ashley…..I can’t leave him rotting on the side of the road.” Colby paused, nodding to the woman.

“She's not going to last long.” He said.

Ashley nodded gravely. She barely left the woman’s side, only making a fire for warmth. The baby whimpered, wanting her mother.

“Shhh, baby. Mama needs to rest.” Ashley said, holding the woman’s limp hand. The woman woke up, eyes barely open.

“My name is Sarah, my husband's name is Martin. I need you to take care of my baby, okay? Please...” The woman began crying once more. Ash wanted to comfort her, but it would just make things worse.

“I promise,” Ash told Sarah.

Sarah lived a few more hours before taking her last breath.