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I nod, even though I refuse to admit my reasoning. I barely acknowledge it to myself; telling him would be another whole story.

“How long do you think we will be traveling to this place in Georgia?”

I huff in annoyance. This was a bad idea; he’s already getting on that small nerve I have.

“Do you plan to ask questions the entire time?”

His steps falter for a moment before he rights himself. “I just like to know things.”

“From what I gather, you know a lot of useless information; you don’t need to know much more.”

His head snaps to me, clearly flustered, and I feel anger rolling off him.

“I’m very smart, for your information. And just because I want to know where we’re going doesn’t mean?—”

“Strike one,” I grunt.

Peeking over, I watch his mouth drop open, probably fishing for words that he won’t risk saying now. Noah might be annoying, but he also oddly knows when to shut up—sometimes.

We step out onto the road and continue on walking. Noah keeps his head down for the most part, showcasing he might not be so bad on this trip.

* * *

After walking for some time,I finally see a department store ahead. I hadn’t planned on stopping anytime soon again, but I know Noah didn’t plan this far ahead. I might be a bastard, but I’m saving myself the trouble of having to share what little supplies I have.

It’s not long before Noah must realize we’re going in there because he opens his big mouth.

“Are we going in there?”

“Yes,” I grunt.

I can feel his excitement even this far away. I don’t tell him not to get too happy because the chances of this place being stocked are close to nothing.

Thankfully he doesn’t say or ask anything else. We make our way across the parking lot, stepping over garbage that litters the parking lot. Overgrown bushes and grass line the building.

The front doors are completely smashed, allowing us to step through. I strain my ears, waiting for any sudden movement from inside the store. I slow my steps down, enough that Noah nearly walks right into me. I hold my breath when I feel the heat radiating off him.

“Is… do you hear?—”

I pick up my pace, ignoring him. Making my way across the store, I led us towards the hygiene products. I come to a stop, grinding my teeth when Noah once again almost runs into me.

“Noah,” I growl.

“Yeah, I’m sorry. Wasn’t paying attention there,” he whispers.

“Just… get some things that you need.” I ordered.

Noah folds his arms over his chest, narrowing his eyes. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he was pissed about something, but there’s not a single part of me that cares.

Liar.

“Just do it.” I don’t wait for him to say anything. Turning on my heel, I keep a steady pace until I reach the other side of the store. Needing to get far away from him.

I don’t understand this almost tug-of-war, the irritation I feel when he breathes too heavily. But the magnetic feeling to keep an eye on him. I don’t even understand why I brought him along. I should have just left him with his dead friend. Ghost always said I was weird with emotions. Not that he had much room to talk; that man is—wasjust as closed off as me.

But I can’t think about that right now. I can’t think that my best friend, my only friend, might be dead.

I make my way over to the food section of the store. Most of the shelves are picked through, not that I’m even surprised. We don’t have time for me to go through each aisle. Shooting down the canned foods, I almost scream in relief when I take in some of the leftover cans. I’m not entirely sure what Noah likes—not that I care. Ignoring that little voice in the back of my head, I grab random cans of spaghetti and soup. Never been much of a soup eater, but right now you can’t be too picky. Stuffing more food than I would take into my bag, I grab a few bottles of coconut water, again not that we have a choice to be picky.