Marigold

Rindul approached the tunnel leading to the underground sanctuary where the few remaining survivors were hiding. Two were standing topside with rifles at the ready, while several others loaded a cart attached to a six-wheeler with what supplies they could carry. Both guards took aim at her with their weapons when they approached and immediately lowered them with a sigh upon seeing who it was.

“Hells Rindul, you need to start whistling or something when you come up on us like that.”

Rindul whistled. And then smiled.

The pale, dark haired man rolled his eyes. “You’re a riot.” he nodded back toward the evacuating people. “Toby spotted three marauders headed this way. They’re searching everything Rin. Rippin’ up the ground, tearin’ down walls...like they’re looking for something. Our camouflage isn’t going to hold up, we don’t have enough ammunition. This is the last group to evacuate to Last Autumn. Glad you made it back in time. Where’s Miller?”

Rindul shook her head as she tossed him Miller’s rifle.

“Didn’t make it? Damn...he was our best marksman.” the pale man turned to guard standing next to him. “Go ahead and head out. I’ll do one last sweep with Rindul and we’ll head out on the bike.”

The guard nodded. “If they track us to Last Autumn, we’re humped. We only got enough fuel to get there.”

The pale man nodded as he pulled out a pocket watch and flipped it open studying its face. “S’pose we’ll cross that bridge when we reach it. Get goin’.”

The guard slung his rifle over his shoulder and slapped Rindul on the shoulder. “Only grab what you need, they’re moving in fast.” He stepped back and added, “Stay safe you two. Last thing we need is our lucky charm getting snatched by those beasts.”

Then he was gone, jumping up on the cart as it rode away.

Rindul looked at the pale man in confusion.

“I thought you were clever Rin,” he said as he headed toward the tunnel.

She rolled her eyes as she fell in behind him. She punched his arm lightly to inquire what the lucky charm comment meant.

“You’ve been on more outings than anyone else and survived. We have food, water, clothing, ammunition and other...luxuries thanks to you. Sure, lotta people die when they go out with you, but not everyone. We’ve heard the stories. Anyone with logic knows them folks got themselves killed because they didn’t follow your lead. Your lucky Rin. Or somethin’ supernatural.”

Rindul blinked several times but said nothing, as usual. She’d never thought of herself as lucky, only overly paranoid and cautious.

“Anyhow it--”

A crude spear slammed into wall in front of him, causing them both to jump back.

The dark haired, pale man planted his feet into the ground and in one calm, smooth motion, flipped the rifle up over his shoulder and into place on his shoulder to aim. Taking less than a heartbeat to line up his shot, he fired just before the marauder barreled into him.

Rindul remained motionless against the wall as she watched the giant on top of Jon twitch a couple times before going still. Her friend coughed as he rolled the large corpse off him.

“Well that’s not good,” he said looking at a large knife sticking out of his side. “Or that,” he added, seeing his knee bending opposite of how it should.

Rindul rushed to his side to pick him up but he pushed her away.

“You’ll die. You know there’s more of ‘em.” he winced. His face was now white, void of what little color he had. “Take this,” he handed her back Miller’s gun. “And this,” he handed her his watch. “And these,” the last item was a small white paper bag with a marigold flower on the front of it. “If ever...if you get somewhere to plant...get some bees...grow the world...golden honey…” his words came between labored breaths.

“You know where the bike is. Can’t go back to the bunker. Take it and go.” he swallowed and smiled one last time. “Survive Rin.”

Only after he closed his eyes did Rindul stand up and sprint away from the tunnels.