Free Surviving Earth: Makayla's Journey by Cora A. Murray

"Then let us take this watch. You and Lainey can take the next in a few hours."
     
    I am too tired to argue. My body is on the point of passing out from sheer exhaustion. "Ok, but wake me at the first sign of trouble or in three hours." I say.
     
    "We will." Both Blu and Logan say in unison.
     
    Wrapping up in the thin blanket I'd found earlier, I snuggle beside Tessa and Survivor. The nights are much colder now and I hope the few blankets we found will keep the kids warm, Gage doesn't need to catch anything else. My last thoughts before closing my eyes are of Clara and Beth. I keep repeating over and over in my head, I'm coming. Please, please be alive . 
     
    I awake with a start and hear banging coming from several places. A hand covers my mouth before I can move. "Shhhh, Mak. They're trying to get in." Blu says from beside me, fright clearly evident in his eyes.
     
    Patting him on the arm, I sit up grabbing first my katana then my Glock. I see Logan's shadow standing against the back wall. He looks up, he's clearly unsure what to do.
     
    "Should we wake them!" He asks, pointing to Lainey, Gage, Tessa, and Ricky.
     
    "Let's not, yet." I say softly. 
     
    He just shakes his head.
     
    "Damn, I thought this was the safest place to be. Now I feel trapped." I say, stroking Survivor's back. He was now awake and growling. "Shhh boy, let's not wake the kids."
     
    Just as I move from his side the box at the end of the attic bounces in the air. Aiming my Glock, I'm ready for whatever tries coming in this room.
     
    "Blu, wake them, but keep them quiet." I say, looking around for an exit. At the end of the room, I see a bright light shining through a small round window, at least we can get the kids out of here. "Find something to break the window with, Logan." I say directing his attention to the window.
     
    "On it." Seconds later I hear the window shatter.
     
    Shaking Tessa and Gage I say, "Come on wake up. You have to get out of here."
     
    Gage looks around and shakes his head no. " I can help, Mak. Let me help." He says, stifling a yawn.
     
    "You will be helping if you can take my gun and look after your little sister and Ricky." I say softly, running my hand through his hair.
     
    Even without any light I can see he is still pale, the dark circles under his eyes more pronounced. He needs some food and water so he can rebound from the infection he had.
     
    Bundling each child up, we lower them out the window. As soon as they drop down on the roof, I hand my Glock to Gage, "Watch over them for me, ok?" I ask, my brow lifted. I know I am putting heavy pressure on a sick child, but he wants to be in here to help. "Lainey, come on you can fit." I look at her and nod at the window.
     
    "Y'all will need my help." She states simply.
     
    "No, I need you to watch over those kids if something happens to me." I say, wrapping her in the thin blank. Tears come to her eyes as she hugs each of us, reaching for Survivor.
     
    "Please be careful." Lainey says, holding Survivor in her arms.
     
    "Blu, go." I say directing him to the window.
     
    "Hell no! I'm not leaving you two in here alone, I can't go, it's not right." He says, while clutching his gun to his chest.
     
    "Please, I need you to look after all of them, please Blu." Grabbing him I give him a fierce hug. "Now go."
     
    Turning away from the window, I look at Logan, he's staring back at me. A couple more boxes bounce off the floor. They are looking for weak spots.  "So this is it, huh?" Logan asks softly.
     
    "I hope not. I want all of them safe. Logan, if you can fit through the window I need you to go as well. Look after my little adopted family. Go find my bestie for me.” I say as a tear slips from the corner of my eye.
     
    "Sorry, but I'm not leaving you, Makayla, we’re in this together." Logan says, drawing me into a tight hug.
     
    "Mak, Mak?" I hear Tessa yell for me from the open window.
     
    "Shhhh, Tessa." I respond.
     
    "Mak, the sun is coming up.