Copyright: Capcom owns the Resident Evil franchise, not me.
Notices: This story contains violence and sexual content. Additionally, this story will contain grammatical or other errors. If you're feverish over the errors, feel free to privately message me about what you find and help me improve.
Summary: The Earth is flourishing, happily. But humans are endangered and on the verge of extinction after the greedy corporation Umbrella knowingly releases a viral plague. Small human civilizations survive including a moving convoy led by the strong Claire Redfield. Her solitary world turns upside down when she meets an infuriating yet mysterious woman named Alice. Claire soon learns about an underground survivor camp through Alice and heads there. However, Claire begins to secretly fear losing K-Mart, who has become her only source of strength over the years.
Feedback: redhope@redhope.net
Homepage: http://www.redhope.net
Write a Review: http://www.redhope.net/residentevil/review/oneshotform.html
List: http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/redhope/
Started: November 11, 2011
Series: One Shot
Copyright: Capcom owns the Resident Evil franchise, not me.
Notices: This story contains violence and sexual content. Additionally, this story will contain grammatical or other errors. If you're feverish over the errors, feel free to privately message me about what you find and help me improve.
Summary: The Earth is flourishing, happily. But humans are endangered and on the verge of extinction after the greedy corporation Umbrella knowingly releases a viral plague. Small human civilizations survive including a moving convoy led by the strong Claire Redfield. Her solitary world turns upside down when she meets an infuriating yet mysterious woman named Alice. Claire soon learns about an underground survivor camp through Alice and heads there. However, Claire begins to secretly fear losing K-Mart, who has become her only source of strength over the years.
Feedback: redhope@redhope.net
Homepage: http://www.redhope.net
Write a Review: http://www.redhope.net/residentevil/review/oneshotform.html
List: http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/redhope/
Started: November 11, 2011
Series: One Shot
Trigon
by Red Hope
Chapter 27
"Et in Arcadia ego," K-Mart softly whispered, eyes fixed on the wonders of Arcadia before her. A warm hand slid over her right shoulder and affectionately squeezed her. She knew, without looking, that it was Claire Redfield.
Like her young lover, Claire too had an awed expression at the beauty that was Arcadia. There was so much life in Arcadia and even hope to be found here. Somehow it seemed to renew the formally drained convoy leader. A new presence made Claire turn her head to the right.
Alice stood behind K-Mart's right side, arms folded against her chest. She shifted her weight to one foot. She had a soft expression, which was unusual. She admired how much Arcadia developed since the last time she'd visited the place. Indeed it was a safe haven from the harsh reality beyond the walls.
"This is unbelievable," K-Mart murmured. She peered up at Alice and gently added, "Thank you for bringing us here."
Alice's lips slightly parted, but words were at a loss. Then her chance was gone because she recognized the approaching male in front of them. She nervously wiped her hand on her jeans then stepped past K-Mart as the familiar friend hurried up the steps of the porch.
"Alice," he warmly greeted, smile bright.
Alice had a gentle flush on her cheeks and was uneasy about the sudden hug. But she kindly returned it to her old friend. She was thankful that Arcadia had taken in the convoy despite her differences with him. Once separated, she revealed a pleasant smile and asked, "How are ya, Luther?"
K-Mart exchanged a curious glance with Claire. But it was the darkness in Claire's eyes that made K-Mart smirk to herself. This was definitely an interesting development in K-Mart's book.
"I've been good. Yourself?" Luther still clutched Alice by the shoulders. Not willing to fully let go just yet.
Alice nodded and smiled, not sure how to answer. She took a step out of his hands then half turned towards her lovers. She held out a hand to them and politely started, "I'd like you to meet Claire Redfield and K-Mart."
Luther stepped forward, hand coming out towards Claire first. He knew who she was thanks to Michael Ford's report. He was about to speak until Alice beat him to the punch.
"This is Luther West, Claire. He's one of two leaders of Arcadia."
Claire briskly shook his hand. "It's nice to meet you."
"You as well." Luther's big smile showed again, bright against his black skin. He then shifted to the teenager beside the convoy leader.
Claire took over the introduction and grasped K-Mart's shoulder again. "And this is K-Mart." Once K-Mart took Luther's hand, she factually stated, "While I keep the convoy together, she keeps me together."
K-Mart was shaking hands and couldn't hide a blush thanks to Claire's compliment. She then jokingly added, "Not an easy job either." She earned a soft nudge from Claire.
Luther withdrew a step and chuckled. "I can imagine." He rested his hands on his hips and turned his focus to Alice. "It's been a long time... too long."
Alice folded her arms and canted her head. "It's only been nine months."
"That's a lot of time in this day and age," Luther debated. Still he hadn't let go of his smile. But it faded as he looked at Claire Redfield, the leader of the former convoy. "I hope you've been treated well during intake...?"
Claire put away her curiosity about the nature of the relationship between Luther and Alice. She instead glanced at the walls and windows of the building's porch they currently occupied right now. Her head bobbed several times as she looked at Luther West again. "Very well... thank you."
"I'm glad to hear." Luther lowered his arms. "After tomorrow, your people will be moved from the hospital ward and assigned quarters... if they wish to remain here."
Claire considered this then answered, "I don't think there's anybody that wishes to leave Arcadia."
Luther's eyes flickered to Alice, briefly before going back to Claire. "Does that include yourself?"
K-Mart's next heartbeat was unsteady after Claire's tension rippled into her. Not giving it any thought, K-Mart cut into the conversation and answered, "It's undecided just yet." Luther's brown eyes honed in on her, but K-Mart held her ground, for all of them.
Luther was amazed by the fact that K-Mart seemed to speak for Claire Redfield, who didn't deny the teen's answer. But another sideway glance at Alice made him realize that Alice was in the same boat as Claire and K-Mart. He barely contained his frown but nodded at Claire and K-Mart. "I understand." He hesitated but added, "You're welcomed here anytime... for however long."
"Thank you," Claire kindly replied. She was indeed grateful for his hospitality.
"Tomorrow I'd like to offer you a tour of Arcadia," Luther mentioned.
Claire seriously considered it, especially because tomorrow was an important day.
K-Mart seemed to sense Claire's distraught about the offer so she met Claire's questioning look. "I'd like that." And it was true because K-Mart wanted to see everything that Arcadia had within its walls.
Claire nodded and caught Alice's silent agreement too. She nodded at Luther. "In the morning?"
"Midmorning," Luther promised. "After they're done serving breakfast." He took a step away from the group. But he focused on Alice. "Maybe we can catch up one evening."
Alice faltered, initially yet she owed this much to Luther. "Yes... we'll catch up."
Luther was grateful and flashed a smile. He then decided to depart the women's company. "It was nice to meet you, Claire and K-Mart."
"You too, Luther." Claire then hastily added, "And thank you for the kindness."
Luther paused and smiled, warmly at the former convoy leader. "Thank you for bringing your people here." He didn't explain his words and instead strolled off the porch then down the steps.
Claire slotted her eyes once she noted Luther's sheathed sword on his back that glinted under the late afternoon sunlight. She waited until he was far away from earshot then targeted Alice with her dark green eyes. "And whaaat was that?"
Alice shook her head once and casually answered, "Just another old friend."
K-Mart barely hid her grin after clearly hearing the jealously in Claire's voice. But she decided to poke the fire more and teased, "He seemed like more than an old friend."
Alice's expression darkened in silent warning at K-Mart. She easily realized what K-Mart was attempting to do, especially with Claire.
"You seem to have a lot of old," Claire emphasized, "friends here."
Alice inwardly sighed thanks to K-Mart fueling Claire's obvious jealousy. But it also made her pause because it revealed Claire's deeper emotions.
K-Mart attempted calming the situation after confirming Claire's emotions. She gazed up at Claire and argued, "At least they're old friends."
Alice suddenly pointed at K-Mart and hotly whispered, "It was nothing like that." Her spiked temper was unusual between the three of them.
K-Mart broke away from Claire and easily quelled her lover's temper by taking the extended hand into hers. She rested her other hand on Alice's hip and softly responded, "I know."
Alice sighed, shoulders slumped now. She looked from K-Mart to Claire and noted how Claire hastily scanned the quiet porch. Most likely Claire was glad there wasn't anybody on the porch with them when K-Mart was being openly affectionate. And Alice couldn't help running her fingers through blond strands, pulling a few away from K-Mart's face.
Claire shifted on her feet, not use to things quite yet. She nodded at the parking lot in front of the hospital and mentioned, "I'm going to grab a few things from the truck." She was already on the move down the porch.
"We're coming," Alice promised.
K-Mart separated from her lover and followed the convoy leader. She fixed her hat on the way after Alice had shifted her hair some. Right behind her, Alice's footfall echoed against the floorboards.
Claire went to the bottom of the steps and paused on the worn concrete sidewalk between the white house that'd changed into a small hospital and the cracked parking lot. She scanned all the vehicles that once made up her convoy that now seemed ghostly. But steadily her attention centered on the chained linked fence and sealed gate straight ahead that kept them on lock down. On the outside of the fence by the gate were two guards posted for everybody's protection. Moving forward, Claire approached the Ford F-350 that'd protected them several times over.
"So who is the second leader?" Claire prompted Alice. She was opening the rear truck's tailgate.
Alice hesitated but quietly answered, "Karena LesProux."
K-Mart furrowed her eyebrows at Alice. "Her last name is French."
Alice simply nodded.
Claire easily detected Alice's displeasure and grinned because she was able to sense it now. She amusingly stated, "I take it you two don't get along."
Alice puckered her lips slightly and coolly remarked, "We don't see eye to eye."
K-Mart leaned against the truck's side while Claire pulled out what they needed for tonight. "Not an old friend huh?"
Alice's dark eyes cut to K-Mart, and she huffed in answer. "She's not the... sweetest person around."
Claire had a few items in her arms and turned to Alice. She dumped them into Alice's arms. "Don't worry... I can be a bitch too."
Alice held Claire's eyes and realized that in this world it did take a bitch to lead people through Hell. Similar to K-Mart and Claire, Luther's kindness thankfully balanced out Karena LesProux's ugly side. However, that didn't erase Alice's past run ins with Karena before the great outbreak. Shaking off the memories, she moved away and allowed K-Mart to help Claire.
"Ya know," K-Mart gently started, "We're all in the same sandbox."
Claire loaded a few items into K-Mart's arms. "I can play nicely," she teased. Yet, she still took Alice's forewarning seriously.
K-Mart huffed because she didn't totally believe it. She rolled her eyes as she turned on her heels. "I gotta grab my pack."
"I got it, K." Claire had already planned on it since K-Mart's hands were full. She slammed the tailgate then went to the front passenger door.
K-Mart and Alice waited for Claire beside the porch's front door. Once Claire stepped onto the porch, K-Mart entered into the makeshift hospital and was greeted by a guard. She sensed Alice close to her while Claire followed behind them. As she passed through the downstairs, she studied the new faces that were from Arcadia. In the former house, several nurses and doctors along with a few soldiers were in charge under Michael Ford's orders.
As K-Mart rounded a hallway, she spotted one of the last convoy members stepping out of an examination room with a doctor in tow. A slight shiver went down K-Mart's spine despite her examination had been performed hours ago. She had nothing against doctors or nurses, but she disliked exposing herself despite the necessity of it. Her thoughts were shaken by the sharp rise of tension from Alice.
"Hello, Alice," the doctor huskily greeted after the convoy member brushed past all of them.
Alice barely contained her sneer but politely replied, "Hello, Michaela." She refused to ask anything and draw out a conversation.
Michaela placed her hands into her lab tech coat's pockets. "It's been some time. How's solitude treating you?" She faintly flicked her head to the right to get blond strands out of her face.
"It's suddenly gotten a lot less lonely," Claire Redfield cut in. She stepped around Alice and K-Mart. Quickly she read Michaela in no time flat but yet held out a hand. "Claire Redfield. And you are?"
Michaela freed a hand and took Claire's in a strong shake. "Doctor Michaela Schneider."
Claire finished looking over the doctor's features, which were distinct. Now the last name confirmed that Michaela most likely had German heritage. "I hope you're treating my people kindly." She was reminded too much of the Austrian doctor from the Indiana Jones movies that shared the same last name. Claire's mind jumped to whether or not this Doctor Schneider also secretly worked for the Nazis or rather Umbrella.
"Of course, Miss Redfield." Doctor Schneider gave an instant smile. "We've almost completed our examinations. I believe there are three left." Her accent became more apparent as she continued speaking to the former convoy leader.
"Great." Claire decided to test her own weight in such matters. "I'd like to hear the final results."
Michaela Schneider was slightly hesitant until Claire slotted her eyes in warning. "I will... take it up with Michael Ford."
"You do that," Claire ordered. She signaled for K-Mart to go first.
Michaela watched them go, but she called, "It's good to see you again, Alice."
Alice flashed a toothy smile, which showed her long row of K9 teeth to Michaela and nobody else. She enjoyed the dark glare from Doctor Schneider. She turned and followed Claire and K-Mart.
K-Mart hiked up two flights of steps to the second floor where a former living room waited for them. Once inside, she ran her eyes over the twelve empty beds that lined the walls. She inwardly sighed because she was both grateful for a bed but saddened not to be alone with Alice and Claire tonight. Hopefully tomorrow would be better quarters than this one.
"Doctor Schneider sure gave me warm fuzzies," K-Mart chided. She was separating the things they'd taken from the truck.
Claire set K-Mart's pack on the middle bed because she and Alice would sleep on either side. "What a jerk," she muttered under her breath.
Alice chuckled while she setup her things on the foot of her bed. "And here I thought you liked smartass blondes, Claire."
The convoy leader was putting her pack on the last bed, which was nearest to a window. There was always an exit within her reach. She peered darkly across to Alice. "Only ones that aren't walking around and prodding my people like cooking meat."
Alice slightly flinched and wondered if that was directed at her.
Claire pulled up short once she barely caught the fact her response somehow bothered Alice. She didn't quite understand why but decided to soften the unintended blow. "Thankfully neither of you fall into that list." She had her head down again as she pulled out a few items from her pack.
K-Mart sat on the foot of her bed and looked over at Claire. "I do fall into the smartass list." She enjoyed Claire's grin from under the hat's brim.
However, Alice kept to herself as she organized the supplies. Her back was to Claire and K-Mart now while thoughts about Doctor Schneider and Karena LesProux ran through her mind. They were people that she didn't care for and disliked dealing with for many reasons.
"So now what?" K-Mart prompted the group.
"Dinner?" Claire suggested first. She looked over at Alice's stiff back. She sensed that Alice wasn't with them in the conversation and went around the beds until she could grab Alice's shoulder. Sharply blue eyes locked on her, and Claire repeated, "Dinner?"
"Yeah," Alice murmured, "That sounds good." She drew the zipper across her pack to hide the contents in it. She faced the pair after Claire released her.
"I hope it's as good as Otto's cooking." K-Mart stood up and followed her lovers out of the quiet sleeping quarters. "I can't imagine what they have here for meals."
"A lot more vast than what you've had in the past two years," Alice revealed. She softly grinned at K-Mart, who perked up at this news.
"Really?" K-Mart was indeed interested in dinner now. She reached behind after she felt her handgun had shifted some. She adjusted it in her waistband then fixed her jacket over it.
"Don't get your hopes up," Claire suggested. She followed Alice down the stairs to the first floor. They had to go to neighboring building that'd been more recently built to handle the dining requirements. Like K-Mart, she had no idea what to expect for food until she was hit by some very taunting smells. She entered the dining hall after Alice and went slightly wide eye at the buffet table off to the left. Already she counted at least half the convoy eating and most likely due to the wonderful food.
"Wow," K-Mart whispered. She was dazed and not sure how to proceed until Alice's hand gently pushed in the center of her back. She moved forward and goggled more at all the food in the buffet line. The hot food giving off tantalizing scents was an overload. She was handed a plate from Alice but still not sure where to start.
Claire had a grin at her young lover's lost look. She scanned over the food then asked, "You still like grilled chicken, K?"
K-Mart blinked then looked at what the convoy leader was pointing at down the line. Her mouth instantly watered at seeing the grilled chicken with BBQ sauce on it. She had direction now and hurried down to the food.
Claire toyed with her empty plate and wasn't sure where to start, like K-Mart. She cleared her throat and peered up at Alice next to her. "Is this normal for them?"
Alice was already spooning out a decent serving of mix vegetables. "It didn't use to be." She pointed at the dish she'd just taken some of. "The veggies are really good... all of it freshly grown here." Maybe the conversation would help Claire get over her hesitation.
The convoy leader shook her head and decided to follow Alice's lead for once. "Grown here?" she murmured now that she was closer to Alice.
"Yes... you'll see tomorrow during the tour." Alice strolled away and decided to have the chicken too.
Claire blew out a low breath. This place sounded more and more like Camelot. She just hoped it didn't find its ending the same way that the one did in the old stories. Shaking off her thoughts, Claire followed Alice down the buffet and put together a small plate. She then found the drinks and took a glass of water before finding the table that K-Mart had picked out.
Alice sat down at the head of the table while K-Mart and Claire were on either side. She noted that K-Mart had patiently waited for her and Claire despite the food's temptation. She sadly smiled at her lover's consideration.
Claire eyed her plate and tried grasping how such good food was available nowadays. It was a blessing. After taking her fork, she started the quiet meal between them. However, the dining hall had a low din of conversation among the convoy members. Everybody was excited and attempted painting a picture of what Arcadia truly was like once they were able to freely move about in the city.
K-Mart tried not eating too fast or else her stomach would pay for it later. She paced herself and waited a few minutes before getting seconds. But she came back with a bowl instead that was filled with cut fruit.
"That looks really good," Claire commented to her lover.
K-Mart peered up after eating a fresh piece of cantaloupe. "It's amazing."
Claire decided she'd have the same after clearing her plate.
Alice softly grinned at the hungry pair. She pushed the vegetables around but still slowly ate them. The chicken was long gone because it was much more palpable on her tongue.
"You want anything else, Alice?" Claire prompted. She was standing up, dirty plate in her left hand.
"No thanks." Alice offered a smile to the convoy leader.
Claire debated whether to take Alice's plate but the vegetables were still there. She let it go and left the table.
K-Mart noticed how long it was taking Alice to eat them. She pointed her grape that was skewered on the fork's tips. "I thought the broccoli was the best."
Alice nodded and continued finishing her vegetables.
K-Mart's lips turned down at how it seemed to be a chore for Alice. She withheld her comment because Claire came back to the table. She grinned at the full bowl of fruit.
"I love cantaloupe," Claire remarked. She popped a piece into her mouth.
"It's really good," K-Mart agreed again.
Claire chuckled at K-Mart's appetite that beat out most people. "You going to study tonight, K?"
K-Mart shrugged and replied, "I need to really catch up on my journal."
Claire nodded then looked over at Alice, who was finally done her meal. "I want talk to Michael. Can you join me?" The history between Alice and Michael could come in handy, in Claire's opinion.
"Yes." Alice pushed the dirty plate aside then looked at K-Mart. "We'll need to have our radios on."
K-Mart held her fork straight up. "I got it." She waved her fork around before piercing an apple slice.
Alice grinned but snitched a lonely grape from K-Mart's bowl. "Thanks," she teased after K-Mart glowered at her.
"You could lose a finger that way," K-Mart taunted.
Alice's grin shifted into an evil smirk. "Now I don't think you want to do that." She chuckled, deeply at K-Mart's bright blush.
K-Mart cleared her throat then nervously glanced at Claire, who was usually the most uncomfortable among them. But surprisingly this time Claire was mirroring Alice's dirty smile. A low breath expelled from deep in her chest.
Claire stretched out her arm some and hastily stole the second to last cantaloupe slice from K-Mart's bowl.
"Seriously!" K-Mart drew her bowl closer and pointed her fork at the two older women. "Get your own."
Claire chuckled but continued enjoying the fruit in her mouth.
"Yours taste better, K," Alice softly teased. She then eyed a red fruit in K-Mart's bowl. "Can I have your cherry?" Her smile slightly showed some of her teeth, but the sharp ones still well hidden behind red lips.
K-Mart blinked and looked down at the cherry after realizing there indeed was one among the fruit. But Alice's request sounded more suggestive than just about fruit. "I... uh..."
Claire chuckled and saved K-Mart by plucking the cherry from her own bowl. She held it out to Alice. "You can have mine."
Alice found Claire's playfulness unexpected but wonderful too. She eyed the cherry dangling by the stem in Claire's fingertips. She retrieved it, gently and popped the whole thing into her mouth.
K-Mart shook her head and reminded, "Stem... you don't eat it."
Alice swallowed then quickly parted her lips to reveal the stem captured between her teeth.
K-Mart glanced over at Claire after Alice pulled the stem back into her mouth. A warm heat was developing between her legs.
Claire arched an eyebrow once she realized exactly what Alice was doing with the cherry stem. She looked at K-Mart, who now stared at Alice again. "How's the fruit, K?"
K-Mart furrowed her eyebrows and confusingly looked at Claire.
The convoy leader grinned and indicated the nearly empty bowl on K-Mart's side. "Fruit... how is it?"
K-Mart nodded a few times then looked at Alice once more. "Good," she distantly answered. She slotted her eyes after Alice retrieved the stem from between soft lips.
Slowly Alice placed the tied cherry stem down on the table for both women to see. She enjoyed how Claire and K-Mart stared at the tied stem. She folded her arms and rested, contently in the chair.
"Right," K-Mart murmured. But before more could be said, her attention snapped to a new arrival.
"Hello, Carlos," Alice greeted. She couldn't see him since he was coming up from behind. But she smelled him.
Carlos Oliveira paused and studied the back of Alice's head. Were there eyes there or was Alice just a good guesser? He shrugged it off and instead stayed focused on his mission. "Michael Ford is looking for you, Claire."
"What a koinkidink... so am I." Claire lowered her gaze to Alice. "You ready?"
Alice simply nodded.
Claire looked over at K-Mart and mentioned, "Alice is going to grab a radio."
K-Mart understood the silent order. "Alright." She watched the two older women stand up. "See ya both later."
"See ya, K," Alice offered. She took her empty plate and also Claire's nearly finished bowl.
Claire didn't say goodbye but tapped her fingers against the table to get K-Mart's attention. Once she had it, she saw the assurance that told her K-Mart was fine alone. She departed the table, her fingertips brushing off the table.
K-Mart sighed and watched her two lovers follow behind Carlos. She tilted her head after she realized how Claire and Alice walked closer together than when they'd first started out weeks ago. She chuckled and folded her arms after she leaned into the chair.
Once Alice and Claire left the dining hall, K-Mart was drawn to the tied cherry stem. She picked it up and studied it to only confirm it was definitely tied in a knot. "Damn," she muttered in appreciation. About ready to leave, K-Mart was warmed to see Otto and Johnny coming into the dining hall. She opted to visit with them for awhile before going to the shared quarters.
Finally on her bed, K-Mart discovered how comfortable it was, especially compared to the truck. She would hopefully sleep good tonight, long and hard. She pulled out the radio and her journal and caught up on her entries under the room's firelight. Later she was disturbed by Betty coming into the sleeping quarters. She offered the nurse a smile before going back to her journal.
Betty was getting ready for bed and passed K-Mart without a word, headed to the bathroom. She suspected a few other female convoy members would be in soon. Most likely it was close to nine o'clock or later. When Betty settled under the bedsheets, the door opened and in came Claire followed by Alice and two others including Doctor Green.
"How'd it go?" K-Mart softly asked her lovers.
"Good," Claire answered. She wouldn't give anymore details, at least not here.
K-Mart nodded in acceptance to the vague response. She returned to her journal and noticed Claire and Alice getting ready to sleep. But K-Mart wasn't quite ready and finished up her last entry.
"K-Mart, you probably need to turn on your overhead light," Alice suggested. "We're going to blow out some of these candles so we can sleep."
K-Mart was baffled until she looked over at the wrought iron bars of the headboard. She hadn't realized there was a small reading light clamped onto the most upper bar. "Uh..." K-Mart set the journal down then reached across to the light's knob. She turned it and expected nothing but instead the swirly bulb under the lamp brightened up.
Alice softly laughed at K-Mart's awe over the lamp.
K-Mart was dazzled by the fact there was electricity in Arcadia. She didn't think it was real and touched the fluorescent bulb, which was warm to the touch. "Wow," she murmured.
"Wait until you see the bathroom," Alice whispered. When honey brown eyes cut to her, she explained, "There's running water here."
K-Mart didn't believe it and twisted around until she saw Claire Redfield coming out of the bathroom. She could tell Claire had washed her face, red strands damp. "Is there running water in there?"
Claire set her toiletry bag on her bed. "Yeah, K."
K-Mart hastily tossed her pen into the journal's open pages then popped off the bed.
Claire stood there but turned her head as K-Mart rushed by. She furrowed her features at Alice and asked, "She didn't know?"
"I guess not," Alice answered then shrugged it off.
Claire twisted around when K-Mart's voice rose up.
"Wow!" K-Mart padded out of the bathroom but was pointing at it. "That is so fuuuu..." She bashfully smiled at Claire, who shot her a dark warning look for the unformed cuss word. She lowered her hand and quietly finished, "That's amazing." K-Mart removed her hat as she approached her bed. "I'm so taking a shower tomorrow."
Alice quietly laughed at the teen's excitement, but she could understand too. She then heard Betty's own laugh from at the other end of the quarters.
K-Mart dug out her toiletry bag but directed her question at Alice. "So how do they have electricity here?"
"Nuclear power... from the underground facility," Alice answered. She could tell Claire was listening too. "But it's fairly limited and shouldn't be wasted either."
"Makes sense," K-Mart murmured. She hurried to the bathroom with both pajamas and toiletries. She didn't take long to get ready for bed.
Alice was ready to lay down after only stripping some of her weapons and clothes off. She planned to rest for a few hours before milling about the place. Once the sheathed kukris were propped against the wall, she laid down and placed her hands under her head.
Claire crawled under the sheets in her bed. She tucked a Beretta Cougar under the pillow, a habit that'd never leave her. On her back as usually, she shut her eyes and softly called, "Goodnight."
"Night, Claire," Alice returned.
"Sleep tight... don't let the zombies bite," K-Mart teased.
"K-Mart," the former convoy leader warned.
K-Mart couldn't help a chuckle but focused on the journal. From the corner of her eye, she noted that Alice had turned on her side so the light didn't bother her. For a moment, a stray thought about Alice's recent and strange behavior crossed her mind. But letting it go, the pen continued softly scratching across the journal's white space for over an hour. Finally drained, K-Mart closed the journal and stared at its worn cover. Briefly the murdered woman, Kathy Barnes, surfaced and made K-Mart thankful that their fate didn't match the poor woman's. Some part of her hoped that Alice had inadvertently avenged Kathy Barnes, who was most likely murdered by one or more of the robbers that'd also attacked them.
Blowing out a breath, K-Mart straightened up and quietly put her journal away then gently placed the closed pack onto the floor. After sitting up, she noted Doctor Green diagonal across the room, and K-Mart offered a smile. Surprisingly the doctor returned the smile before K-Mart laid down and switched off the light.
A soft moan filtered from between K-Mart's lips. The bed was incredibly comfortable and soothed a worn body. With closed eyes, K-Mart's last thoughts were on the safety she felt in Arcadia and with both Alice and Claire next to her. Tonight would be a good, solid night of rest that would help her welcome the next chapter. Tomorrow at first light, K-Mart's eighteenth birthday would welcome the beginning of a new life.