6. Winner

A Chapter by WritersBlock

After leaving Don's house the couple started to walk further into town. They both lived a block away from the Tiens. Where the dirt road ended concrete began. The pavement had cracked and crumbled over a period of decades while small shoots of vegetation erupted from every opening. The neighborhood tried to maintain it but to no avail. As long as there was a path to commute everyone was content. Most of the houses were like Don's, boarded up, dirty and in shambles. But inside there were people, people who were enjoying each others company. They spoke, ate, and reminisced. It was a play on the senses, the world looked so dead on the outside. But inside it was more alive and happier than it had ever been.

Quinn was lost in his thoughts listening to the hymns of gasoline generators in the distance. What few street lights existed flickered on. Taylor was doing a balancing act on the curb using her arms to counterbalance. After a few failed attempts she finally gave up and started walking in the street. Noticing her forehead starting to sweat Taylor began wiping it with her forearm, it was eighty degrees out and humid.

"So, now that we're alone Quinner, want to tell me what's on your mind?"

Quinn felt his mind go blank for a moment. He really didn't feel like talking about it. But he knew Taylor meant well and he could confide in her. They had been friends ever since a scouting crew found her and her father. They had been commuting from another city and got lost. They found Cinder City and decided to camp on the outskirts. Taylor was only four at the time. Luckily the elders took them in and provided a safe haven to live. That's when Taylor moved across the street from Quinn. Back in those days Quinn would sit outside his porch and cry. He hated his life, he had no friends and only his mother. Most children his age had friends but for some reason no one bothered being his. Until one day Taylor sat beside him.

Quinn, angry and confused, started to wipe the tears from his face. He tucked his knees to his chest, folded his arms and rested his chin on his elbows while looking away. All the other children walked past him giving awkward glances. But Taylor was different, her father raised her to be caring and understanding. Whenever he saw the chance for her to hone these skills he made her take the opportunity.

8 yr old Quinn : "What do you want?"

8 yr old Taylor : "Oh, nothing. Just wanted to see what my house looked like from over here."

"It looks the same way it always looks."

"Oh yeah? How would you know?"

"Because I live here, stupid. Are all girls this dumb?"

"I don't know. Do all boys cry as much as you?"

"..."

"I m just kidding." She nudged him with her elbow.

"Yeah, very funny. Ha-ha."

"Hey, what's your name by the way? Or I'm can I call you Crybaby?"

"...its Quinn."

"Quinn, eh? Cool name. I m going to call you Quinner though, sounds like winner. My name is... Taylor. Pleased to meet you."

"...Really?"

Taylor giggled. "You're kind of weird. Yes, really. I moved here four years ago and no one has ever tried being friends with me and I noticed you don't have any either."

"I think it's because I m different."

"Why are you different?"

"Because I have only one parent, everyone else has huge families. It's just me and my mom. My mom isn't normal though. She's really sick."

"Oh... You know my dad is a medicine man. Maybe he can help her?"

"No, not that kind of sick. She's sick in the head."

"Oh, I m sorry I asked."

"It's fine, Taylor. I'll be okay, I guess."

"Well, I guess that makes me different too. Maybe we can be friends." "Really?"

"Yeah, my mom passed away when I was born. So its only me and dad. That makes me different too, right?"

"Yeah, I guess it does."

"It's sad, I never even got to know her. My dad says she's was really pretty and kind. He said I look a lot like her too."

"Yeah? My Mom says I look my father."