Snippet #2212328

Eve was silent, ignoring the comments and sneers from the people around them. They would all be dead soon enough. Just like the others. Just like everyone. She ran a hand over her face, turning to Blake when he asked her to get some spare batteries and another torch. Frankly, she wasn't sure she had enough money to get something so precious, but she would do what she had to. Her eyes popped toward Samara, then she looked away. Her brown gaze slid toward Nicole at the raider's warning and she nodded. She waited a few seconds longer, closing her eyes and steeling herself to leave the false safety that the hotel provided. Then, Eve turned and headed out the door, keeping her bow and flashlight firmly in the grip of each hand.

The blonde moved through the market area, eyeing the merchandise and the merchants alike. She spotted a woman watching over a table full of different goods, batteries and torches included. Eve stopped in front of the table and eyed her desired goods. She pointed at several of the batteries and one torch. "How much for these?"

The price that the woman gave was astounding. Eve pulled the small amount of money she had from her pocket and shook her head. "Will this do?" She asked, holding out the wad of cash.

"Is that the amount I told you?" the woman asked, sneering.

"No ma'am, but I don't have any more," she said in a quiet voice.

The woman was eyeing the two gold rings on Eve's hand. Her own wedding band still sat on the left ring finger, and her husband's was worn on the thumb of that same hand. She snatched her hand back and shoved it into her pocket. "One of those rings, plus the cash, and it's all yours," the woman told her.

"No," Eve whispered. She couldn't do it. Could not give up those rings. She turned and strode away from the table, running a hand back over her hair. What could she do now?

"You need batteries, little lady?" A deep voice at her side asked.

Eve jumped and turned to face the man. "I- yes, I do. Do you have some I could buy?"

"O'course. Follow me," he said, putting a hand on the small of her back and leading her toward one of the shops in one of the buildings. Inside, he pulled out the same number of batteries that she had been looking at, and even slid two torches her way on the counter.

The blonde pulled the cash from her pocket and held it out. "This is all I've got. You can have it."

The man clicked his tongue. He stepped closer and she backed up into the counter. "I don't want your money, sweetheart."

No, no. Please, her mind screamed out. She should have known. Could she do this? To survive? To help the others survive? When she said nothing, the man went back to the door and locked it, then returned to her, grinning. "Don't worry. I'll be gentle," he promised.


Eve knew her half hour away from the group was surely up by the time the man rolled away from her. She was going to be late, and she just prayed they didn't leave without her. She got up and quickly dressed, feeling so dirty as those laughing eyes watched her. She slung her bow and quiver over her back, then scooped the batteries and torches into her coat pocket and hurried out the door. She ran as fast as she could back to the hotel, forcing all thoughts from her mind. If others could do it, then she could too. It was no big deal, right? She hurried into the hotel and looked around frantically for the other members of the group. Please, please let them be here. If they weren't, she would simply walk out into the middle of those night crawlers and let them have her. It would just be easier that way.