Page 65 of Claimed By Ruin

“Fine.”

“What exactly am I showing Steven?” I asked.

“Just giving a quick tour to show him how we’re holding on in case Christopher has some things to offer to help us out,” Asia said.

“Yeah, it’s all routine,” Steven said.

“Fine.”

I started walking, Steven behind me. He was almost looming, even though he was five inches shorter than me. I let him. I clocked the Beretta he had strapped to his ankle. Saw the knife tucked at his back. The other handgun he gripped like a talisman.

If he was worth a damn, he’d know that a Beretta at his ankle was impractical, making it hard to run. A revolver would have been a better choice. The knife at his back may as well have been on Mars, because by the time he managed to fumble with his waistband enough to get it out, he’d be dead three times. The gun in his hand wasn’t a problem. The idiot had the safety on, which was probably good, since him shooting himself was something I easily imagined.

“Sounds like you’re familiar with the farm,” I said as we walked towards the largest barn.

“Yeah. Levi used to run this thing when I was a kid, helping out the unfortunate townsfolk.”

“Were you one of them?”

“Yeah, but I worked here in summer. Saved up enough money to pay for baseball,” he said.

“So why the fuck are you doing this?” I said. I stopped. Looked at him.

“I’m doing what everyone else is: surviving. And watch your fucking mouth,” he said.

“There’s the barn, Steven.”

Steven looked around. “Still clean as a whistle. Levi never compromised on that.”

I said nothing, and quickly showed him through the other buildings.

“Got good supplies. What’s in that building?” he said.

“Nothing,” I responded.

“Then you won’t mind me taking a look.”

I started walking, Steven still beside me.

“You call this nothing?” he said as he looked at the supplies lustfully.

“It’s nothing of your concern,” I said.

“It’s cases of formula. Diapers. Canned goods. Things people need,” Steven said.

“Yeah. Things people need.”

“So you certainly wouldn’t mind sharing,” he said.

“The people here need these things,” I said.

“But we’re a community,” Steven said, mirroring Christopher, but poorly.

“We are,” I said.

I was about a foot away from Steven when I looked at him.

“Steven, it’d be good if you left and didn’t mention any of this to Christopher. I’m giving you a chance that I wouldn’t give others. You should take it.”