For Children of Sands

It crackled on the radio
Through bright plumes of the sun.
The announcer said the age of faith was dead
Though the adolescent nation
Was just looking for salvation,
The beast of reason reared its ugly head

Further away from the town hall, the school, the court and the small cluster of homes which most of the residence used, the gang found their own temporary homes. They took two one storey houses which were next door to each other. In the single bedroomed one lived Jake and CC, in the other, two bed house, Ash, Jinxx and Andy.

They rarely stayed there, and when they did, it was only for a week. Constantly on the road, searching for survivors, for a link to the outside world. There were always assignments. They were never free.

When the rest did come, they always found some joy in it. It was still the evening of their arrival, the sun was setting on the horizon, the final orange and red rays were licking the scenery and dripping it in a bloody tint.

In the backyard of his house Andy rested on the lush green grass. He finally found the time to scrape the travel grime from his skin and change to a set of fresher clothes. For now, he could simply enjoy the slowly cooling evening air and the taste of alcohol on his tongue.

Over on the small wooden patio, Andy could hear a set of soft foot steps padding towards his stash and careful fingers wrapping around the bottle of whiskey.

“If you take that bottle, I swear I will tell everyone your real name, Jeremy.” Andy mumbled lazily as he rolled over onto his stomach to see Jinxx looking over at him perplexed.

“How did you know it was me?” Jinxx asked, he still held onto the bottle.

“Jake and CC are out in the scrapyard to fix up the cadillac and I think I would’ve recognised Ash’s boots a mile away. Now let go of my drink or your secret is out.”

Jinxx raised his hands out defensively as he walked off the patio and joined Andy on the grass, they didn’t attempt to continue the conversation. Andy shifted onto his back again to admire the darkening sky.

Jinxx was a strange character, but he was someone who Andy had known for a long time and trusted like a sibling. The short but very dangerous man was not always this quiet. Five years ago Jinxx had moved to a Texas suburban town with a mind full of dreams and the love of his life by his side. It only lasted for two years. If the infection hadn’t spread, who knew, maybe at thirty two Jinxx would’ve already had a family and a career.

Wordlessly they watched the evening sky rush by above and as the stars began to glow, the comfortable silence continued between the two men as they took small sips of undiluted whiskey to warm them in the rapidly cooling air, it was broken violently as they heard Ashley’s drunken slurs of muffled lyrics coming from the house. Eventually the drunken outlaw stumbled out onto the patio, his boots clicked loudly against the polished wood making Andy and Jinxx cringe. They weren’t used to being able to make as much noise as they wanted so habitually remained silent.

“Beautiful night, huh? The stars look nice.” Ash spoke in a mostly sobered voice.

“Uh huh. The only upside of not living in a city anymore. Or cities existing.” Andy answered, his eyes strained on the unfamiliar constellations.

“Aw, what a way to spoil the mood.” Andy could hear the childish pout in Ashley’s voice. “But you could make it up to me. Wanna know how, princeling?”

“How?”

“Sing for me!” Ash chirped excitedly as he planted himself on the grass beside Andy, eyes glowing but with an unhealthy glaze.

“I’m not singing.” Barked Andy, he pushed himself up on his elbows and glared at Ash and his unwavering intoxicated grin.

“But why not?” Ash laughed at the angered expression which Andy wore. “I remember in high school, you used to love singing. You said you would be in a band one day and- and- Oh hell, the dreams you had. Heh. I remember you know. You could never reach any of the high notes, you even made me cringe!” Ash collapsed in fits of laughter and lay against the damp grass still laughing

“I’ve improved since then! You can’t judge me for how I was at sixteen.” Andy protested, a deep red flush took over his skin.

“Well I don’t know. Can’t say much until I hear you~” Teased Ash with a sly expression as he rolled to better see Andy “I know how much you enjoyed being a little rockstar and dreaming your dreams.”

Andy scoffed. “Well I’m not the old me anymore. Things have changed. The past is dead!”

Ash looked down onto his friend of many years and smiled a sober smile, full of sympathy and remorse. “For the first time in my entire life I actually wish I was one of the undead. And if I were, I would bite you and the old you would become come back.”

“Don’t, if you wish hard enough it might actually come true.”Andy protested but the comment made him smile.

“Like that would happen. I’m Rambo baby!” He yelled before throwing his head back and taking a deep swig from his bottle.

Notes