#cowp

I have not yet decided if I am going to discontinue the COWP story I was writing. I’m going to put it on a hiatus until something is set in stone - whether that be continuing it or putting it out to pasture early. I keep reading it over and over and I don’t know if I like Sadie enough to continue it.

Thanks for reading.

She spotted a boy across the way – head full of black hair and eyes as green as freshly polished emeralds. He looked shy as she was somewhat captivated by him, not realizing she was staring until he looked at her. She quickly looked away as she gulped softly..

Who could the boy be? You’ll have to find out ;)

Chapter Three: Trial Days

"Are we there yet?" Sadie asked softly as she looked at her brother through her tired eyes as she was covered in his favorite hoodie, the scent comforting her even being hundreds of miles from home now, "Not yet." He spoke softly as his eyes held baggage of sleep deprivation. They had been on the road for almost four days, only two stops made. He let out a slow exhale as she sat up, "Let me drive for awhile.." Concern dripped from her words as he let out a harsh sigh, "I'm fine. I promise. Just get some rest." She pursed her lips as her thin brows furrowed, "You're the one who needs rest." He glanced at her, seeing her stubborn look as he smiled sleepily, "Alright.. Okay." He pulled over slowly as he yawned, getting out with her as they switched seats. She got in as they closed their doors at the same time, letting herself take the time to cover him up with his hoodie like he did for her. He looked at her, "You're stubborn.." She smirked at him, "Just like.." She trailed off as she frowned. He nodded, "I know." She gave a hard nod before pulling back onto the road, driving for a good few hundred miles before a dreaded tapping started under the hood.

"No..No.. No!"

She slammed her hand against the wheel as the Hummer lurched to a stop. Empty. She laid her forehead against the wheel between her thumbs as she sighed, Braxton looking at her, "Guess we're walking." She groaned at the thought, closing her eyes as she could already feel the pain in her muscles from trekking for miles. He got out as he put on his hoodie, looking for a road sign to no avail, "We'll have to play it by ear for awhile." She got out as she closed the door, flopping against it as she slumped her shoulders with a sigh, "I don't think I can." He walked to the side where she was as he smiled softly, "Just try." She looked at him then averted her eyes for a moment as she thought about her options - none. She pushed herself up from the car as she huffed, "Fine." She went to the back as she got her stuff, slinging her packs onto her shoulders. She watched her Brother adjust his holster that held his favorite custom .44 magnum as she smiled softly, "Are you still going to give that to me one day?" He chuckled, "One day. But not anytime soon."

Miles later, Sadie was lagging behind as her legs were burning from the amount of walking done for what seemed like hours. Braxton looked back at her, "Just a little more. My book shows a base is just ahead. Then we can rest." She nodded, the thought of food, water and a possible bed put a boost of energy in her body as she caught up to him despite knowing she would pay for it later. She looked at him as he smirked, ruffling her hair as she let a weak smile form on her chapped lips, her eyes looking forward again at the road. It was odd, not seeing busy highways anymore as the virus seemed to wipe out everyone in a matter of days which left her thinking they were the only two people left alive - amazingly. The short, slender eighteen year old and her older, twenty-one year old brother being the two left. The thought made her think of her birthday she celebrated just yesterday as she frowned

'Some birthday..' She thought to herself.

As they found the base, there was nobody there as Braxton found a way inside the fence. She followed him as they looked around the barracks for life: No one. She sighed as she wanted to know if anyone was left as she began to think of her friends, neighbors and everyone else that she lost. She gulped at the lump forming in her throat as Braxton called to her, "Over here! I found food." She looked up as she jogged over, sure enough seeing the pantry full of food that was held in the cafeteria - or what was left of it. Settling in for however long, Sadie put her stuff by a cot her brother set up for her as she sat down, figuring it was the closet to a bed she was going to get. She looked up as Braxton smiled, holding something behind his back as she raised a brow, "What are you up to?" He pulled out a box as she looked at it, "It's a late birthday present.. I picked them up while I was stationed a few days in Japan." She took the wrapped box gently, running her fingers over the paper before tearing it open as she savored the moment of normality. She widened her eyes as she opened the box to be greeted with two sheathed katanas. Braxton sat by her, "Yes, they are real. So be careful." She took one gently as she unsheathed it, watching her reflection in the cold steel as she admired the weapon. She smiled. "They're beautiful." She looked at him as she sheathed the blade again, "Thank you." He nodded then hugged her.

"For my warrior of a sister.." He spoke softly.

She smiled and giggled softly, "I don't think you have to worry about me having to kick any butt besides zombies." He chuckled as he helped her put the katanas on her back in their dual sheaths, "Why is that?" She looked at him, "I don't think any guys are left to flirt with me." He laughed softly, nodding, "That might be true." He got up as he sighed, "We'll stay here until I map out a proper route from base to base." She nodded softly as she looked at him, sweeping a stray strand of her raven hair behind her ear. He looked at her, "I may be gone some mornings on scouting or supply runs, so if you can't find me, don't worry." He smiled then stroked her hair gently like her Father use to. She tensed slightly as he pulled his hand away a bit, "Did I do something wrong?" She gulped, "No.. It's just.." He sighed as he looked at her, "I know.." He kissed her forehead before going to his own room. She took off her katanas and jacket as she folded the article of clothing neatly, setting it down and laying back as she slowly exhaled as her eyes watched the ceiling, "This world has taken so much from me.." She spoke to herself as she frowned, hands clasped over her stomach as she felt herself breathe, a sort of reminder that she was still alive and this was not a dream.

"Maybe it's time I start taking back.."

Chapter One: Who Knew

"Braxton!! Wait up!" Called a seventeen year old Sadie as she ran after her older Brother through  the woods near their house, listening closely to his foot steps to see where he was going as he laughed, "Keep up, Sadie!" He chuckled as his dark hair flew back against the wind. She giggled, "It's not fair, you're taller and faster!" She spoke as it was true, her short legs not carrying her as fast as him through the foliage and past the trunks of old and new trees.

"Braxton!"

He laughed as it echoed through the open air.

"Brax-"

She yelped loudly as her foot caught an exposed root, causing her to fall forward to an unforgiving forest ground as she groaned and looked up to see the mop of hair that was Braxton, "You okay?" His cheeky smile replaced with a frown of worry. She nodded, her raven hair riddled in colorful leaves of Mother Nature's autumn harvest as she picked them out slowly while he helped her up, "Come on, I think I smell Mom's famous apple fritter." He picked her up and carried her on his back as she giggled, "I love you, Brax." He chuckled as he walked back home, "Love you, too, Sis." He spoke as he crunched through the leaves.

"There you two are." Their Mother spoke as she was just getting dessert from the oven, the aroma spreading through the house and bringing a certain comfort to Sadie as she slid from her Brother's back onto the cool hardwood floor. Braxton smiled, "Smells great, Mom." The caramel haired woman smiled, "Good. But no sneaking bites." She wiggled her finger at her eldest child as he chuckled. Sadie walked over to her Mother as the woman smiled, gently grabbing her cheeks and kissing her forehead, "My beautiful daughter." She spoke as Sadie's cheeks were pink.

"Do I hear my two children back?" A male voice called as a tall, muscular man walked into the kitchen with hair as black as charred coal. Sadie smiled and ran over to him, hugging him, "Dad!" He picked her up as he hugged her close, "There's my sweetheart." She giggled as he set her down, stroking her hair softly as he looked at her, "You look so much like your Mother. Both stunning. I'll have to keep those boys away at school." She blushed softly, "Dad! Stop!" Braxton laughed, "She's right Dad. Plus, no one will bother her with me around." He ruffled Sadie's hair as he groaned playfully, "Hey!"

"Theodore. Can you help me set the table?" Their Mother asked as Theodore, their Father, nodded before walking over to retrieve plates from the cabinet. Sadie went to her room to draw as she watched out her window to the forest, smiling as she loved the view from her room - peaceful, serene. She was a nature lover like her Mother, Tawnya; a modern day hippie who stood for her rights and spoke her mind. A total contrast to her Veteran Father, Sargent Theodore Eden Peck, a respected military man. War and Peace bore the child who now sat sketching a simple landscape from her bed, watching the leaves fall to the ground.

At dinner, the family laughed and retold memories told so many times before but never lost their meaning or humor. Sadie ate politely as her Mother looked at her, "Honey, your Father and I are planning on going to the Caribbean for our second honeymoon next week. You and Braxton are going to be in charge then. Can you handle it?" Sadie nodded, swallowing the bite she had before speaking, "Yeah. I can handle it." She looked at Braxton as he nodded also to confirm her reassurance. Tawnya smiled, "Good. I'll hold you to that." She smiled wide and continued eating as Braxton looked at his Mother, "Mom. Are you still okay with me enlisting?" He gulped softly as she hesitated for a moment, her green eyes looking at him over her reading glasses, "Yes. I am, as much as it kills me. But, I know you want to follow your Father's foot steps." He smiled then got up to hug her tightly. She smiled softly, "Alright, alright. Now, eat before it gets cold.

That night, Sadie was reading as her Brother knocked on her door frame, "You busy?" She shook her head, closing her book slowly as he came in to sit beside her, "I didn't want to tell Mom but.. I already enlisted. I leave next week. A day after Mom and Dad leave." Sadie furrowed her brows, "Mom is going to kill you." He raised his brows, "Not if she doesn't know." He smirked as he held up a finger. Sadie rolled her eyes as she knew her Mother well enough to know that nothing ever got past her, especially to do with her children, "Mom has an instinct." He sighed, chewing his lip, "I know. That's what has me worried." She smiled softly as she ruffled his hair like he did to her earlier, "I think she'll forgive you." He chuckled then ran a hand through his hair, "Goodnight, sis."

"Goodnight, Brax."

The next few days that carried into the following week, Sadie spent time learning the house chores to do for her Mother aside from endurance training and self defense with her Brother. She cherished the moments like she had with Braxton, enjoying seeing the look of pride on his face when she improved on something that she couldn't do before when they last practiced. She was quickly surpassing him in hand to hand and close combat weapons but still had some work to do in shooting. The day finally came for her parents to leave for their trip, her lending a hand to packing and laughing with her Mother, but something in the back of her mind screamed at her that something was wrong. She ignored it, chalking it up to her anxiety that was natural to a teenager like herself. She carried the last of the luggage down to her Father as he was packing the car, "I didn't know we were moving there, Tawnya." He teased as she flattened her brows, giving a sarcastic laugh, "Very funny, Theo." Sadie giggled as she handed the suitcase over. Braxton watched them from the door way of the house, secretly packing his own bags without his parents knowing. Tawnya looked at him as she smiled, holding out her arms, "I can't leave without a hug from my son." He pushed himself off the frame as he smirked, walking over to hug her as she smiled, "I'll miss you both so much." He smiled, "We'll miss you too."

After they exchanged goodbyes, Sadie waved to her parents as she sighed, "Brax?" He looked at her, hands in his pockets, "Yeah?"

"I have a bad feeling.."

"Don't worry."

"But.."

"It'll be alright." He hugged her tightly as he rested his chin on her head gently, "I promise." She nodded then closed her eyes as she took his words for granted, returning inside with him to do the chores her Mother left her. She went to bed that night, the feeling still lingering in the pit of her stomach as she sighed, almost feeling ill. She couldn't take it as she got up to get a drink, hearing rustling in the kitchen as she froze. She grabbed a book on shelf in the hall as she slowly made her way downstairs, gulping then jumping out as Braxton yelled and looked at her, "What the hell are you doing?" She lowered the book as she frowned, "I thought you were and intruder.." He walked over to her, taking the book gently, "You seem really on edge lately.. and why are you up so late?" She looked down, rubbing her bare arm, "I couldn't sleep.." He smiled softly as he dealt with this before, "Hot cocoa?" She nodded as she perked up a bit, a small smile as she followed him to the stove where he heated some water. He made his famous hot chocolate as she took a mug of it gently, taking in the aroma as she already felt at ease, sipping it as the warmth washed over her body in a comforting aura. She smiled as he looked at her, "Feel better?" She nodded as she continued to drink the chocolate beverage until it was gone. She returned to bed as she soon fell asleep under her covers.

She woke up to her Brother's voice as he stood over her bed, "Hey." He spoke softly, respecting her sleepy state as she smiled softly, "Hey." She noticed his army fatigues as she rubbed her eyes, "You have to leave already?" He nodded as he sat by her, "My flight to my base leaves in an hour." She nodded, looking at the clock, "At 6 AM?" He smirked, "The life of a soldier." He chuckled then kissed the top of her head, getting up, "Meet me downstairs." He then left as she took a bit to wake up before shuffling down the stairs as his bags were by the door. She looked at him as he sipped the last of his coffee in the kitchen, glancing over the newspaper as he saw her, "There you are." He smiled. She walked over to him, "I guess I'm all alone now." He stroked her hair, "Dad and Mom will be home in a week." She nodded, looking at him, "And you?" His smile faded, "I don't know. But I'll write everyday. Email, FaceTime, anything I can when I can." She sighed then nodded as she smiled softly, staying strong for him. He smiled once more, "Plus, you can kick some serious butt. I don't think anyone will try to break in to the house." She giggled then followed him to the door as she saw him off to his car, waving as he drove away, crossing her arms once again in the cool morning air as she turned on her heels to go back inside. She took a moment to look around the empty house, not knowing what to do with all the space as she sighed. Most teenagers would throw a party or trash their parents house but Sadie wasn't like that. At all. She closed the front door and locked it as she then padded up to her room to grab her sketchbook before coming back. She sat on the couch, turning on the television for background noise as she sketched.

Then, a news bulletin came across.

"Breaking News from Wellington Airport, Flight 1087 crash landed today into the ocean, killing the passengers on board and the pilots." The broadcaster spoke as Sadie looked up, "What?" She whispered to herself as she turned up the volume in a panic, "On board was honored veteran Sargent Theodore Eden Peck and his wife, Tawnya Morelynn Peck, both perished in the crash." Sadie felt a scream catch in her throat as her tears flooded with a mind of their own. She choked on sobs as she gripped her sketchbook to her chest, the faces of her parents on the screen paired with the word 'Death' was too much to process as she screamed, "NO!!" She ran to the phone, stumbling due to her blurred vision as she had to stop herself from falling a couple times. She grabbed the phone as she tried her Brother's phone, hearing his voicemail, "Brax.. Mom.. Dad.. They're dead.. They're dead, Braxton!!" She cried as she could barely speaking, hanging up the phone as she sank down against the wall.

"Braxton!! Wait up!" Called a seventeen year old Sadie as she ran after her older Brother through  the woods near their house, listening closely to his foot steps to see where he was going as he laughed, "Keep up, Sadie!" He chuckled as his dark hair flew back against the wind. She giggled, "It's not fair, you're taller and faster!" She spoke as it was true, her short legs not carrying her as fast as him through the foliage and past the trunks of old and new trees.