#bethandesther

[twolostgirls]

Do you know what happened to your parents, Beth? What killed them?

.............

I just remember one thing I saw. A symbol, I guess.

...It was painted on the wall of the center they were near. I never saw it before.

But I haven’t forgotten it.

[twolostgirls]

We’ve been walking for hoooooours.

Not hours.

Oh, no, you’re right. It’s been days. Weeks! Months, maybe years, ages, eons—!

We’re going to stop for camp soon. Look, why don’t you scout ahead with Indiana for camp, and I’ll start gathering some food and water.

Just take the map and follow the path. I’ll use the compas to catch up.

If you’re sure... c’mon, Indy.

... [sigh]

[twolostgirls]

Are you okay???

We are...

We’ve walked a long path the last few days. But... we’re going to settle down in this one help center. For a while. It’s larger and has more than the last few, but... still.

[twolostgirls]

We should be checking the radio...

Time away won’t kill us.

But our friends—

They’ll be f—

[Urrrrrrr... dhhhhhhuuuuuhhhr...]

What’s that noise, behind us—

—?!?!

Ohmygod—

[Hhhrrrrhhhh.........]

Beth—we need to run. Now—

They’ll follow—!

We have to go.

...!!!

Beth... Beth?! What are you doing—?!

We need a weapon! This axe will—!

We need to go!! You can’t even use that thing!

[Beth struggles, but manages to pull out the axe, dropping something else in the process.]

See?

BETH!!

[Before Beth can fight, Esther pulls her away and they run.]

Come on!!

[twolostgirls]

Do you and Esther get along well for the most part, Beth?

I mean...

For the most part, yeah. We have spats. Like everyone. But... we’re okay.

...We’re all we have.

[twolostgirls]

I suppose you've got no choice but to take a different path in life. Any ideas?

I don’t know.

But I won’t be the first to change course, and I won’t be the last. We do what we have to.

[twolostgirls]

You haven’t been back in a while. Are you both okay?

Mhm. We’re okay.

A lot has happened. We’ve met new people—

I found out what happened to my parents...

We became closer with those we already began to meet over the radio.

Some good some bad. It’s been primarily stuff over radio. I’ve gotten close with people like Twelve, and Som... Audrey... it’s been nice. Some chaos too, but I think that’s given with the world now.

[twolostgirls]

What was that????

B—Bethany’s parents... th-they’re dead.

Sh-She’s too far away, to have heard me. I-I relaxed. Mostly. She’s... probably asleep. In the tent. I...

God, what do I tell her.