We are staying overnight in the treehouse on account of the amount of injuries in the group. I'm leaned back on the wall trying to regulate my breathing. Looking around the small square room we would be in for the night. 

Realistically, the tree house was built for a few ten year olds to hang out in, with space to grow based on the tall ceilings. The wall my back is resting on has the words "rat-boys" carved into it. I smile, but soon am overwhelmed with the knowledge that they may not have made it. 

Fuck. 

Seb walks over to me with a small first aid kit. He sat next to me, not hiding that he was concerned.

"Tobe, what was that?" He asks sitting next to me. He's rifling through the kit grabbing wipes and a small bottle of pills. 

"I don't know, it's never happened before. None of that." I said hoping he would understand I meant everything that had transpired since we got here. I was just to exhausted to speak. 

Sebastian opens the small package of alcohol wipes and begins wiping blood off of my face. He hands me two pills and a bottle of water. 

"Drink half of that now please, you've had a tough day." He said softly. I smile at him, "what can I say I'm a pulp novelists wet dream." Despite his concerns this creates a smile. 

"That's not funny, October." He whispers embarrassed I remember his obsession with pulp novels from when I lived with him. 

"What was that really bad one you read me? The Devil is a Lesbian?" I said laughing quietly not to wake the boys who were sleeping. 

"No it was Satan Was a Lesbian." He said barely containing a smile. 

"Oh yes, how could I forget. That book was rancid." I giggled. 

"I don't know Erin is a lesbian." Sebastian tried to get out with out laughing. My mouth was agape. 

"That is so fucked up, Seb." I say barely containing my laughter. 

"What are you guys laughing so much about?" Stephanie asks. 

"Just making fun of Erin." Sebastian stated plainly. 

Erin scoffs beginning to insult him back. 

During their quiet bickering I realize how unhappy I had been with out them. 

~~~

We wake up to the sun rise, bird calls loud out side the wooden structure. During the night Erin used a walkie-talkie to tell her parents why the group hadn't made back and what happened with me. They decided that their father would drive out to us, for all of our safety. 

I help pack all of the supplies that we had brought, extra food and first aid, before my vision goes black. 

All I can hear is Shawn singing along to a Rufus Wainwright song softly and the gentle hum of a car driving. 

"-ber!" Sebastian is shouting grabbing my arm when my vision and hearing clears. 

"I think your dad is coming." I say with my brows furrowed. And sure enough an old van pulls in front of the tree house. 

Sebastian sighs looking exhausted. 

"Sorry." Is all I can muster. He gives me a small smile before picking up the bag I was packing and leading me outside. 

Sebastian and I settle in to the back of the van, closer than needed for two people in a three person seat. 

~~~ 

After the relatively short ride, we are back at the mansion. I think that if this doesn't belong to someone they live with, then they probably took it over. But that makes sense considering it's an apocalypse. 

In the foyer, Hailey is waiting on the steps for her family. When the doors open she says hello to Jason and Miller, telling them that there is a nurse ready for them. And hugging Stephanie. 

She grabs Erin and Sebastian and holds them both close whispering in their ears. Not wanting to intrude I begin wandering to a small hallway with many paintings, just off of the foyer. So close I can still hear them. 

Scanning each painting, with fascination, till my eyes land on the last one in the hall before the only door. 

The painting is only pastels, light and airy. The paint has been layered so that it comes off of the painting. I begin to run my fingers along the dried paint. 

Suddenly, Hailey is calling my name. 

I briskly walk back out to greet her, my face red. 

She pulls me into a hug, "We need to figure out what is going on." She says still holding me tight. 

I missed her hugs most I think. 

I make eye contact with Seb and he smiles softly at me. And I know that I missed him most. 

A lil history for the queers 

Pulp Novels - a term used to describe a huge amount of creative writing available to the American public in the early nineteen-hundreds. Termed "pulp magazines" because of the low quality paper used between the covers. They were small and easy to throw away when done reading, and cheap enough to do so. 

This was one of the first ways lgbt content was seen in book form, but for that to happen it had to be shown as immoral, dangerous and end in tragedy. This is where the "bury your gays" trope began. there were many laws passed during this time period regarding the restrictions of the gay renderings in books and other media.

"Satan Was a Lesbian" is a real book. It's definitely a book for sure. I don't recommend it though. If you are interested in a general understanding of the book the YouTuber Strange Eons reads the "important" bits and shares them. It's also important to note that most content about Lesbians and their relationships were by and for heterosexual men. 

I hope you enjoyed your history lesson today class their will be a test on the next time.