Sleeping Well?

Posted on Thu Nov 20th, 2025 @ 10:06pm by Bartholomew Addington & Albert 'Bert' Smith

1,157 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Safe Harbour
Location: Dunsbrough, 'Borrowed Flat'
Timeline: 3rd December, 2013

The house was quiet as Bartholomew looked out the window of the flats they had decided was where they were going to rest for the night he as viability was just to low to be able to safely travel. Bartholomew had the first watch but he was not feeling tired as he had slept on the travel to the town and when they had arrived in the flat. He glanced back at everyone asleep where they could in the large open plan space, it was hard to believe that they had once upon a time lived in spaces like this with televisions and computers. “Still awake?” He asked the new comer as he noticed him awake still.

"Yeah." He replied before shuffling his position slightly. "All quiet out there?" He asked, making small talk as he casually scratched his leg but made sure his knife was still in his boot.

"Yeah, the snow is slowing them down a lot, which is nice." It would make it easier in the morning unless they were turned recently or with pretty versatile clothing on. "You should rest." The man encouraged him, hoping that he was not staying awake worrying. Cassandra had commented that he was unsure about the group, it was understable for someone who had been alone for a while.

"No offence, but it's the company. Had bad experiences in the past. Keeps me on edge." Smith whispered. "Just don't want to be left with my pants down. Trust take's a while to build these days. Well, for me anyway."

“I get you. My journey from London was not easy.” Bartholomew agreed not judging the man at all. It had taken him a long time to learn to appreciate the people around him and realise that they were not going to kill him in his sleep.

"Ah, fellow Londoner. Whereabouts you from?" Bert asked, keeping him voice down but shuffling his position to sit up a bit more.

“I lived in London but I am originally from Devon.” The man reluctantly admitted. He tried to not think on his childhood home, he had ran away to London for a reason. Devon held far to much resentment towards his father and the rumours around his mother’s death.

Bert nodded, "I'm a born and bred Londoner, south east London, Woolwich mainly."

"Nice area. I was a police officer there." Bartholomew admitted. "Never thought I would miss the hustle and bustle of that life." He laughed a little as he glanced out the window. "How long did it take you to get up here?" He wondered.

"Being in London actually made me feel safe. Lots of people always about. Now, a single person means potential danger." Bert replied. "I suppose it's taken me from the start to get here. Moving north seemed the best idea. Lots of open spaces and places to get lost in and not be found. Fell into groups on the way, some good, some not so good. The way people just throw lives away when we should be working together not killing each other over precious resources." He shrugged. "That's my take, had I had to leave my last group on a hurry. Killing people for fun, sport or simple resources is not something I want to be part of."

The man nodded as he glanced around the space and smiled a little as Cassandra’s sleep talking as she told someone to eat up. “I fully get it I do but the group and village ate great. There is so many good things about it one the biggest is we do kill unless it is the only solution.” Bartholomew commented. He might hit be a protector and security but the apocalypse had not worn him down to that level. He still dreamed that eventually things would go back to semi normal.

"Something like that seems like only a dream." Bert commented honestly, he'd seen potential in visions like that in the past but greed or the human urge to destroy always got in the way. "How long you been with these people?"

“They are my people. Time is hard to to keep track of sometimes but this is my second winter,” he admitted. “I ran into Cassandra when she got involved with another large group and I realised good people still existed.” He said knowing it would take time.

"It’s nice to hear that." Bert admitted. "Im guessing you dont have any regrets with sticking with Cassandra?" He asked, wanting an honest opinion. He still wasnt sure about staying with these people.

“No regrets other than when it’s the dead of winter and I am freezing cold that I am still alive.” He laughed a little. Winters were hard and winters watching one road for any activeity was worse some nights.

Bert smiled, "Is it me or have the winters gotten colder since the world ended?!"

“Oh hell no. It is not just you. We were very much used to central heating and the all the log hot s warming the world up. We have none of that now and for the most part the earth is healing a little bit but it’s a lot colder and a lot more snow.” Bartholomew agreed sadly. It made things lot colder on an evening, he did not feeling warm for a lot of winter anymore.

Smith nodded, "You reckon all this shit is Earth's reset button? Like the asteroid wiping out the Dinosaurs?" He asked. It had been something he'd been considering for a while, especially since being on his own. He wanted to hear someone elses perspective on it.

“Cannot deny the thought did cross my mine but it feels only half done like whatever is above has only half flipped the switch.” Bartholomew was not a religious man but he did believe in something he supposed. Growing up where he did and having to attend church every Sunday went deep sometimes and came out in crisis situations.

Bert smiled, "Very arsed job indeed!" He replied before sitting himself up. "Want me to take over and let you get some sleep?"

“No. I am good.” Bartholomew assured. He did not think it would be a good idea for the same reason the man could not sleep. Cassandra would flay him alive even if she trusted the man, no one was trusted until they were seen by the council.

Bert nodded, "I get it. Don't trust the new guy. If im honest, i'd be the same." He admitted.

“Cass would have my ass, and she would have my ass if I stabbed you so you are safe.” The younger man said likely with a wink as he looked out the window again. “Get some rest.” He encouraged gently.

Smith scratched his head before nodding. "See you in a few hours." He said before laying back down, folding his arms and rolled away from Bart's direction.

 

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