Alone by Gary Chesla

was hoping it would be better outside of town.” Tony replied. “I can understand that you might be leery of answering my questions. So why don’t you ask me questions. I’d just like to talk with you.”
    There was silence.
    “I promise I won’t ask you any more questions today. I just want to talk. You can let me know when you are ready to answer questions.” Tony said, then added.  “Please?”
    After a long silence. “Are you alone?” Trish asked.
    “Yes, I am alone. I had a friend, but he was killed. I only lived because I was able to run in here and lock the dead out.” Tony replied.
    “You have food in there?” Trish asked.
    “Yes. I found food stored in the building when I came here.” Tony answered.
    “What can I get to trade you for some food?” Trish asked.
    “Nothing.” Tony replied. “As long as I have food I would be happy to share with you. I would just like to be able to talk with you.”
    Again there was silence.
    “It’s safe here so far. I don’t know where you live or what it is like for you where you live. You can tell me that when you are ready. But I thought maybe you might want to stay here with me for a while. It would be nice to have someone to talk with.” Tony added.
    “I have to leave now.” Trish said quickly.
    “Will you come back tomorrow?” Tony asked. “Sorry I know I promised not to ask you anymore questions today, but I hope you will come back tomorrow.”
    “Will you give me more food tomorrow?” She asked.
    “Of course I will.” Tony replied. “Just talk on the radio and let me know when you get here.”
    “OK. Bye.” Trish said then the walkie-talkie was silent.
     
    Tony sat back on the lawn chair and studied the edge of the clearing, watching to see if he could see which direction Trish went. But he could not see any movement. She was good.
    But she also seemed strange. He thought of her reactions to some of his questions. How she felt the living that existed now were worse than the dead. That no one was willing to help anyone else.” Everyone wanted something.” she said. She seemed to be suspicious of him when he had asked her questions.
    He swore he had heard fear in her voice at times.
    What was life like now out in the world? He was so excited to try and contact other people. He had just assumed everyone else would be just as excited to find others, but Trish sounded afraid. What was it like for her? What was she afraid of?
    Could life in the world now be survival of the fittest? Dog eat dog? Could it be that bad?
    Maybe it could be that bad. It was certainly bad in the city, but all he had to deal with was the dead and finding something to eat. Trish seemed to be more afraid of the living than she was of the dead.
    Tony hadn’t thought of that possibility. He had always assumed when the virus struck that people would band together to help each other.
    But then again, why would they? They never really did that before the virus. People had always seemed out for themselves to get whatever they could. People had always expected someone to give them what they needed. Someone else was always responsible for their problems. It was always someone else’s responsibility.  It was never their fault; it was always someone else’s fault.
    Maybe he needed to rethink his plans to leave the warehouse and explore the towns around Uniontown to try and find other people.
    Trish had given him something to think about, whether she had intended to or not.
    Hopefully Trish would tell him more if he could make her feel comfortable with him.  He needed to get a better understanding of what was waiting for him when he left the warehouse.
    He needed to use his head and be realistic. He had a good thing here at the warehouse. Even if he decided not to go out to look for other living people, the time would come where he would have no choice but to leave. The food here would not last forever.
    It would be better if he could find out as much as he could from Trish.