It had been three days since her dad had gone out looking for supplies. It had been one day since he was set to return "home" with the supplies he set out to get. Home for them was the auto shop they had owned back when the world was still ONE PIECE and they'd gotten enough business to keep them standing in their relatively small town. When everything fell apart, they were sure they were going to have to abandon it and find somewhere else to hold themselves up for the rest of their lives, which could end up being short. Hundreds, maybe even thousands, didn't even make it past the first twenty-four hours when those things started tearing apart anyone who made any noise.
Somehow, they were able to keep the auto shop still standing. It didn't look the same as it used to, though. It was all boarded up to make it as secure as they could. It took a long time to get it this way, too. Violent rainstorms were used to mute the noise of nails being hammered into boards that kept out anyone and anything looking to get inside, which took some time to build. Electric cords were cut up to make sure nothing could power on and create noise, not even the hum of electricity. The inspection pit was small but spacious enough that they could use that enclosed area to sleep in mainly or use the hot plate to make their meals. It was working for them.
Now her dad was gone, and she couldn't stay tucked away in the pit waiting for him to come back. He might not come back at all. So she took the bull by the horns and packed a bag, slipped her machete into her belt loop, and went outside for the first time in weeks it felt like. She knew the direction her dad intended to take, so she headed that way. Hours were spent on foot, mindful of the debris she stepped over, careful when she thought things were gonna get a little too noisy. She'd always been pretty independent, but when it came to her dad, she hated being without him.
Ahead of her looked like an old mom-and-pop-style convenience store, and as hungry as she felt in her belly, she worried that any food the store might have had would be wiped clean now. Who knew, though? There might have been a can of corn hash that nobody else wanted. She didn't either, but nobody could afford to be picky anymore. Brown eyes gave a glance at her surroundings. She didn't see anything or anyone yet, so she trudged on to the store to see what supplies she could find.
Once she was at the door, she hesitated to open it. It could make any loud noise. For all she knew, the fuckign thing was locked, and she wasn't going to risk smashing glass to break in. Her hand gripped the knob tonight before slowly pulling it toward her. No bell rang out, nothing tumbled to the ground; it was quiet. She felt a breath she'd been holding onto leave her. Now to find supplies . . .
☆ ───── @tornmask for emmett !
