Finally Home

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28th December 2017

Kota's POV

After two years of travelling, we had finally made it home. We all stood in silence as we gaze up at the two-storey mansion we once called home.

The thought that Sang, my Ten, could be in there was enough to bring on the tears of relief. It seemed like we were never going to make it back home, back too her.

All I could think of every time I picture her, she is on her knees begging us, me, to take her with us too. I had refused adamantly, and it's because of me, that's she has been alone in this fucked up world.

It was almost like she knew something was going to happen. If I had just gotten over my fears, she would have been with us, safe and sound.

Now, I don't know what to expect.

Will she be waiting for us? Will she forgive us? Will she still want to be with us?

Taking a deep breath, I wipe the tears from my face and look to my brothers, my brothers who have had to face the same insecurities as myself.

"Come on. Let's get this over with." They all nod mutely, and push the gate open and trudge up to the house silently.

Luke was the first at the door. He tries to open the door, but finds it locked. Looking over at where we keep the spare key, he goes to retrieve it and finds that it is still there.

It actually amazes me that our home is still standing and in relatively good shape. Most places had been destroyed or picked apart by those looking for food or a place to sleep.

The door opens slowly, but stiffly, like it hasn't been open in a long time.  I pray it's because Sang hasn't had to use the front door.

All at once we are calling out Sang's name, all spreading out, going in different directions.

I know they are thinking it, I'm thinking it. But the house looks like no one has been here in a very long time. There are sheets chucked over the furniture and the layer of dust is thick.

I make it to the kitchen and see that there is a note on the fridge. It's faded enough that it's almost impossible to read, but I can make out what it is saying.

Hello my boys.

If you are reading this, then you have made it home.

I waited as long as I could, but I couldn't wait anymore.

In the place where we keep things hidden I have the place where I will be going.

I'm sorry for not being here to greet you.

I have faith that we will once again find each other.

I love you for all eternity, and look forward to the day we will see each other again.

Your Sang.

I feel the tears that I had stopped before now again sliding down my cheeks. I look behind me and see the rest standing there looking at the letter.

I hand it over and run to where she has said she hid the information of her travels.

In Owen's bedroom there are loose floorboards and a safe hidden under it. Falling down hard onto the ground I start ripping up the floorboards to reveal the safe and try and remember the code.

But come up blank.

"Luke." I call out as loud as I can. Maybe he will remember, if not at least break into it.

He comes running into the room.

"I can't remember the code." I say to his panicked face.

He quickly drops beside me and gets to work opening the safe.

Within seconds he has it open and we both stare down at the contents.

Inside there is a folder. Written on top it says, 'Sang's journey home'. I hesitantly reach down and grab it and fall back onto the ground and I open it.

Inside there is another letter.

Hello again my loves.

I am sorry that you are having to read this, and that I'm not here.

In this information you will have my route that I will be taking on my journey back to finding you.

I'm sorry I left, but the longer I was away from you the harder it was getting. I waited a year, but the food was getting low and I wouldn't have lasted much longer here.

In every city I stop at I will place a 52, so you will know that I have been there. Every time I stop at a city or town I will wait there a day before continuing on to the next town.

Have faith my boys, we will be together again.

Love you all so much.

Yours forever,

Sang.

I put the letter aside and pick up the map. The map is so large that I have to scoot back and place it on the floor.

The others have finally arrived and were spreading themselves around the map.

I have to admit, she is one beautiful, brilliant girl. She has detailed exactly where she is going, making sure to stay away from any water crossings. I follow the line to where she was going, and see that it ends up at Greenville.

I also notice that she is taking the long way there.  Which would explain why we never crossed her on our journey home.

I look up at the others who are still focused on the map.

"So what's the plan?"

Owen pulls his glasses off and cleans them before responding.

"I think we need to take the rest of the day and night to recuperate, load ourselves with what we can, and head out at first light. I don't want to stay here any longer than necessary, but we also can't pass out from fatigue. That wont help us find Sang any faster."

We all want to argue and say that we should leave straight away, but the fact is, we are exhausted. The closer we came to home, the faster we travelled, until we were almost running the rest of the way.

I gather the map back up and put back in the folder.

"Ok. Gabe. Gather everyone two sets of clean clothes. North and Silas, go gather all available weapons and ammunition. Nathan and Luke, get all the food that's left, Doc. Gather all medical supplies, Vic. Gather all remaining hygiene supplies. Owen and I will grab the backpacks and sleeping bags. Anyone have any questions?" Everyone shakes their head no, all too tired to argue. "Ok, bring everything you have to the dining room and we will pack everything we have up there. After that everyone have something to eat and get some rest."

Everyone disperse at once to compete their task. I'm about to head down to the underground bunker where we keep most of our provisions when I hear a yell from North.

"Guys, come and have a look at this." We all run the remaining distance and find North standing in front of a row of bags.

"What is this?" I walk around him to find that there are nine bags.

On top of each bag is a name, one for each of us.

I pick up mine and pull the note off.

Hello Kota.

I took the opportunity to pack you some bags full of provisions, clothes, soap... you get the idea. I figured when you returned home that you would all come looking for me.

I also know you would all be tired and I hope this helps you in getting the much needed sleep that you would so clearly need.

I haven't put the weapons out in case someone ever stumbled upon this area, so you will have to get those yourselves.

The remaining food is locked up with the weapons. I made sure there was enough for nine of you to last a couple of weeks.

Safe travels my Kota,

I'll see you soon.

Love you 52,

Your Ten.

"I love our girl. Even in troubled times, she still looks after us." The others are reading their notes as well, and I can see that they are all silently crying.

"Did you expect anything different? She has always been a kind and gentle soul. I just hope that she made it all right out there. It was tough on us, and there were nine of us. I just pray that she is safe." North says in a gruff voice.

North stopped yelling a long time ago, the once loud angry guy, is now quiet and very rarely speaks.

"Princess is smart guys, always has been.  She has faith in us, let's at least do the same for her." Victor says, and for the first time in two years, I see what Sang calls fire eyes had come back with a fierce vengeance.

"All I know is that I am never letting her out of my sight again when I find my cupcake. Not because she can't protect herself, but because I don't think I will be able to function again with her out of sight." He laughs lightly to himself and we all stop to stare at him. Luke hasn't laughed or smiled in so long, we all haven't actually, that the sound was so foreign to our ears. "I can see it now. At first she will accept it, but over time she is going to get so frustrated."

We all chuckle, knowing that she will end up frustrated with us, but at that moment, we would take it. Just to know she is within arm's reach again, we would take anything.

"Come on guys. Let's put these in the lock up and get some sleep, since Sang has once again taken care of us. Grab some food and go get some sleep. Will be up early tomorrow, we have a long journey, and the sooner we leave the sooner we can get her back."

With nods all round, we put the bags in lock up, grab some food that Sang had neatly placed out for us and head upstairs to bed.

We all sleep in pairs, or groups of three, so that we are never alone, and are all asleep before our heads hit the pillows.