Stepping out of my bedroom, the first thing that met me was silence—and the camper had never felt so empty before. Where once I had been used to spending all my time on my own, the days blending together in numbing monotony, I now found the quiet unsettling. 

My gaze searched over the RV, comforted by the changes which had begun to appear as the weeks and months passed by swiftly, Jason’s presence showing in small ways.

Though his bags had been unpacked and neatly stashed away, his laundry was mixed with mine in the basket, small tools for maintaining his guns left on the dinette table. It was clear which sides we usually sat at, soft decorative pillows dismissed to my bench. The kitchen showed signs of Jason’s handiwork as I padded to the fridge—the oven no longer occasionally lost heat, and with his improvement’s to my water system, I didn’t have to carefully monitor how often I used the sink.

I bent over to retrieve bottles of water, carefully filtered so we didn’t have to carry as much back to the RV; it had been a relief to not lug heavy gallon jugs back every other day, reducing our time spent out in the open. 

Shutting the fridge, I snagged granola bars on my way past the pantry shelves—they were near to overflowing with cans and boxes now, fresh from a food run. I never had to worry about when I would eat next anymore.

Pushing open the camper door, I descended the small metal steps into the abandoned tunnel. I made sure it shut before turning to the pulley system Jason had installed; tarps settled over the glossy surface of the camper. It was to hide it in the unlikely event that somebody walked far enough into the tunnel to see the reflection of light off the camper exterior. 

I followed the tracks to the tunnel entrance, the clang of metal making me stiffen for a moment before my gaze found the source of the noise.

Jason’s newest project had been stabilizing the scaffolding at the mouth of the abandoned tunnel, ensuring we had a good vantage point—a place to protect ourselves in an emergency. He knelt on one of the platforms, a hammer in his hand as he worked to straighten a bent metal pole, his dark hair slightly dampened with sweat. 

The passing months had brought warmer weather as winter gave way to spring, and Jason’s intimidating layers had stripped away into more comfortable clothing. I could see his muscles flex through his thin shirt, the short sleeves showing more of his thick arms—skin tanned from the amount of time he had spent in the sun. His worn jeans hugged his legs in a way that made my face heat, swallowing as I watched him brush his dark hair back from his face.

It was rare I had moments to watch him without being questioned over my misplaced attention. Leaning against the tunnel wall, I felt my throat tighten as Jason paused for a moment, stifling a yawn. I knew he never slept well. Though I had kept to my words from his first night with me, not wanting him to get annoyed with me interfering again, it was hard to listen to him suffer in his sleep. The nightmares seemed to never end, and I hated that I couldn’t do anything for him, because he had done so much for me. 

I had never felt as safe as I did with Jason—not even before the hackjaws had changed everything… I wished there was something I could do to make him feel the same way, to chase away whatever haunted him at night.

A scuff of noise distracted my attention away from Jason, my pulse jumping as I realized it came from behind me—a grating scrape of metal that set my teeth on edge. I dropped the water as my hand immediately reached for the pistol at my belt. Jason had given it to me with a stern command to watch the safety and I hadn’t gone anywhere without it since. 

I flicked the safety off as I turned toward the noise, tense and alert as I braced myself for quick action. 

Carrot’s nose bumped my leg, her tail wagging. The sound had been her paws shifting some scrap metal that Jason had set off to the side, her soft woof greeting me. She looked at the weapon in my hand, tilting her head to the side in curiosity. 

A gentle, low chuckle sounded from Jason, who straightened to look at me, wiping his hands off on a rag before he flung it over one of his broad shoulders. “Those are some good reflexes you’ve developed. Looks like all that training has done you some good,” he murmured, stepping closer as he smiled down at me, impressed. “You know, seeing how much you’ve improved…it made me want to talk to you about something.” 

I lowered the gun, clicking the safety back on before I put it back in the holster. My gaze dropped for a moment as my jaw clenched, afraid of what he would tell me—if he wanted to move on—and knowing I had no right to argue. It put an ache in my chest, my smile strained when I forced myself to look up. “Compliments this early in the morning, what a surprise,” I said, picking up the bottles I had dropped and checking for leaks. Satisfied, I walked forward to offer one to Jason, Carrot keeping step with me. “What did you want to talk about?” 

He took the bottle of water, cracking it open and practically downing it. Trickles escaped over his strong jaw as he threw his head back, his Adam's apple moving as he swallowed. He let out a satisfied sigh, replacing the cap as he wiped his mouth on the back of his hand. He grinned at me, saying, “I was thinking it was time we got you your own guns.” 

It had been a battle to keep my eyes from following the path of water down his throat, but his words had my gaze snapping up to his face, lips parted in surprise as I stared at him. “My own guns?” I repeated, a slow smile turning up my mouth as excitement bubbled in my chest. 

Though I had only become interested in firearms after meeting Jason, it now felt like a major milestone—like my hard work had finally earned his trust. Carrot’s tail wagged rapidly, brushing against my legs, as she read the air between us, and I patted her head as I struggled to find words other than ‘thank you’. “Where do we go? I’m sure ammunition stores were the first places that were looted… it must be hard to find weapons now,” I said, a hint of disappointment in my voice as I imagined scouring the city. 

Jason seemed amused as he looked down at Carrot, a hand on his hip as he said to her, “I think he’s excited, huh girl?” Carrot barked and panted contently at his words as if she understood him perfectly. Jason’s light, blue-green eyes flashed to meet my gaze as he answered, “I have a contact. He sets up shop at a corner in the city most days a week. Been consistent for the past two years so I think it’s a safe bet. He’s usually loaded to the gills and you’d have a hard time robbing him so… What do you say? Care for a little adventure?” 

I held my breath for a moment, so my response wasn’t embarrassingly immediate. “I’d really like that!” Clearing my throat, I tried to sound more reasonable, to dampen my excitement. “It’s still early enough that the hackjaws shouldn’t be very active, and I’m sure we can handle a quick run.”

Stepping passed me, I watched as Jason winked, gathering his tools before he whistled for Carrot to follow him and said, “I have no doubt.” He jerked his chin toward the stairs, calling over his shoulder, “C’mon then. I want to change before we head out. You can pack us some food and treats for our good girl. Should leave soon, it’s a bit far.” 

I was beaming as I followed him back to the RV, trying to ignore the way my heart had fluttered at his words. Glancing at Carrot padding behind Jason, I couldn’t completely smother the glow—the pleased surprise I felt over a single simple word that made us really feel like a family after all.