In the distance, Opal seemed to shimmer in the heat. Her brown eyes became molten when she recalled a time when life seemed simple. A time when she was a part of a family. She didn't cry anymore. It was time to be a leader.
Climbing into the front seat, Jane slammed the door shut and turned the engine on. She was one of two grown ups who could drive. At the age of twenty, she and her two younger sisters were the only survivors in their family.
"Ready Opal?"
"Ready Jane."
Opal closed her eyes.
"Where to?"
"Just keep driving. I'll let you know when we get there."
The engine whirred in an ancient blue truck. Images flashed through her mind. A petrol station. Deserted homes. An abandoned farm.
"Stop at the farm around the corner from the pharmacy.
"OK."
Supplies were running low. They need tinned food, medicine and more petrol. Jane pulled a pair of black Ray Bans from the glove box. She put them on and hummed the song One Kiss by Dua Lipa. Opal opened her eyes. Anxiety plagued her when they pulled up by the barn. There was no sign of life except for half a dozen chicken pecking on the ground at the back of the house.
"Something's not right."
Opal felt like they were being watched. They jumped out looking for the cause of her anxiety. In the house, everything was covered with a thick layer of dust. Jane got to the kitchen and started searching through the cupboards.
The creak of the back door made her stop. A gruff voice demanded that she turn around. A tall thin woman with skin the colour of leather pointed a shotgun at her.
Who the hell are you? "
"I'm. .."
Opal stormed into the kitchen.
"Lady, drop the gun."
She pointed it at her. Jane stood between them.
"She's only a girl. We're only here for supplies."
The woman aimed the gun at her forehead.
"Get out of here!"
Her arms shook and the gun went off injuring Jane in the thigh.
"Ah!"
She fell to the ground with both hands on her left thigh. Opal went up to the woman.
"We have kids to feed. What can you give us?"
The woman collapsed in a chair. She held her head between her hands.
"The chicken, you can have three."
"Thank you. What about medicine?"
The woman shook her head. The front door swung shut. An old man in blue overalls dropped a bag he was carrying.
"Irma, what did you do?"
He picked up the shotgun and aimed it at Jane. Opal lifted her up.
"We were just leaving."
They walked two steps towards the door.
"No you don't."
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