Chapter 61 Be Aware of the Strangers

All of us searched for anything we could find that is still useful inside the motel. Roanie was right. Most of the vehicles here are run by gasoline and the station is still working. Jayson filled all the gallons we use to reserve some for the long journey and filled the tank of the car.
We rested all we could for our last stop today and then we have to start the long drive tomorrow morning. Timothy fell asleep on the mattress that Li dusted for him. It must feel really good to sleep on a soft bed again and forget the worries. He also needs to recuperate until his shoulder heals. The painkillers must be working well for him because he stopped complaining from the pain.
We don't have to worry about the long drive to the border of this Zone which will take us almost twenty two hours. We all decided this would be the last stop so Roanie prepared and planned to make foods which will mostly be crackers. She planned to make some soup for us and meatballs and some energy drink that we could use for extra kick so we could still stay alert for the dangers while we will be on the road.
Roanie kept on planning about the food she could cook based on the supplies Li and I took from the supermarket in the city she used to live. There should be enough for a whole month if we use all of it wisely and to make it more enjoyable to eat, Roanie jotted down all the ingredients available so she won't have to look for them again one by one at the back of the car.
Li and Mona are still ignoring each other. Mona busies herself by checking on her medical kit supplies and her stack of medicines. Good thing we all have the medicine we need from any infection we might get, Timothy's inhaler and for some unexpected ailments like fever or cough.
We are all secured. We have guns, we have the food and the medicines we need. We are all capable of taking care of each other. The problem now is I could there is a tension going on in our group that had never happened before. Besides my irrational jealousy of Roanie, Li and Mona have their own misunderstandings and Timothy and Jayson are both fighting for their own ego. I could feel Timothy has a thing on Roanie which Jayson and I should be happy with but sometimes, I could see Roanie's eyes looking at Jayson secretly and it's starting to make me feel worried for me and Jayson's relationship.
I feel like Roanie is much more girlfriend material than me.
It's almost dark and we all gathered around the fire again that Jayson had made from the woods he found inside the facility. The ceiling is high so we don't have to worry we might accidentally set this place on fire.
Roanie prepared toasted bread with margarine, fried meatloaves and instant ramen soups. I hate when the temperature suddenly drops when the night comes and we all have to get thick clothes and gather on the fire to warm ourselves. Good thing our bodies are strong enough to endure such weather or else, one of us might be suffering pneumonia right now.
"I hope we have met you since we got out of the bunker," Li said to Roanie as he munched on the loaf of toasted bread with meatloaves on top of it. "It's easier to process things when you're satisfied with the food you're eating."
Roanie smiled at him and I watched her look at Jayson, looking if he's also pleased with the food. Jayson, as appreciation to her effort, raised his food on her and gave her a smile which made her smile more sweetly, making me want to roll my eyes on her but I shouldn't.
I hate to admit but the food she made is really good.
"Yeah, my mother taught me how to cook. I could do better if I have the right ingredients though." She answered Li and she sipped on her tea. "How about you Jayson? You were the cook in this team before me, right?"
Jayson look at the reaction on my face first before he answered Roanie's question and he sipped on his tea. But I didn't look at him and I don't want Roanie to think I'm being jealous the way she looks at Jayson.
"Well, I used to live alone after my mother died. I had to do a lot of things on my own since I don't like relying on people when it comes to my personal needs because of the job I had. So I taught myself how to do things on my own. Cook, house cleaning, how to wash my own clothes, and more so..."
"I wonder how many girls you have met. There is no way girls won't notice you, Jayson." Li commented, his words sounded a little slur and when I saw what he's drinking, it's not tea in his cup but brandy.
"Oh my god, Li are you drinking?!" I cried to him which made Mona look in his direction, her face worried and concerned about what was happening on Li. She shook her head and stood, taking the cup from his hand and before Li complained about it, she pointed on his side of the mattress, where Timothy is already sleeping. Li mumbled incomprehensible words but he obliged to Mona's angry look and threw himself on the mattress, being drunk as hell.
Mona gestured sorry to us and me and Jayson just smiled at her, telling her it's ok. She decided to get some rest too and went to her bed to get some sleep. I don't think I could sleep yet, though. It's too early for me and I can't leave Jayson with Roanie here. Even though I trust him with my whole heart, I don't trust the girl.
"I just want to thank you again, guys for helping me survive that catastrophic event of my life. I don't know what will happen to me if you all didn't appear suddenly in that place." She said as she looked at Jayson. I wonder if she's seeing me beside him though because I seem invisible in her eyes.
I cleared my throat before I spoke. "It's fine. We did what we had to. Besides, we never want anyone to be left behind, especially when someone has a talent like this." I told her and she smiled at me, a little awkward but sweet.
She's about to say something again when we heard something from outside. Footsteps! Perplexed, Jayson quickly extinguished the fire with a bucket of rainwater to not let the newcomers see our location and three of us quickly moved to look at the window on who's coming.
We all saw five huge men in black leather clothes, their hairs are colored with ridiculous cuts, making them look like gangsters or something. Jayson stepped away from the window and woke up the rest to let them know that we're all in danger and we have to stay alert of what will happen. Good thing our car is on the other side of the building, out of sight of these men. I got more terrified when I saw all of them having weapons in their hands.
"What are we going to do?" Roanie asked me nervously, her face pale as a paper after seeing the newcomers with weapons.
"I think they are also looking for a place to stay for a night. We just pray they won't enter this part of the building. They would probably be gone by tomorrow. We need to be as silent as dead so they won't catch our presence here."
"I'm scared, Harriet..."
"Me too. Just do what me and Jayson would tell you all to do and we'll be safe." I hissed at Roanie as we both stepped away from the window with careful feet. Jayson had already told the rest about the bad news and Li's scared face is the first thing that caught my attention. I don't like when he's looking like that. He always had this tendency to panic and lose his cool. I'm scared that him, being a klutz, would bring all our lives in deep danger.
"Let's see what these men will do here."