Moving On

After packing our stuff back up, Titus pulls out a map and says "We need to head to the next base. This one has been destroyed so there's no point in staying here. We need to find out what happened to everyone out here..."

We all nod in agreement and load up. As Cruz drives the truck with Titus sitting on the passenger side, the rest of us ride in the back. As we drive away, I can't help but look in the direction the city is in. We're getting further and further away... Maybe I should have called my parents before I left.

~~~~~~

As they move farther out, Thane can't help but watch the kid and his side profile. He's obviously upset about being out here and he can't blame him. If he had known this was going to take longer, he would have sent word to his own parents.

It doesn't matter now. All that matters is finding out what happened out here and making it back alive. Thane's eyes travel down Valen's neck before moving back up to his soft jaw. He really can't help but feel like the kid resembles a girl.

His soft grey eyes, his slightly full lips... Thane quickly shakes himself out of those thoughts before tightening his hand on the gun. No matter what, he's going to keep the kid safe. He turns and glances at Troy with cold eyes. This guy might become a problem out here...

~~~~~~~~

After a few hours, we finally decide to stop and take a break. I couldn't be happier! Not only was I starting to get sick from all the bumps on the dirt road, I was also turning into a freaking potato chip out here under this sun! I jump down off the back of the truck and head to the first large tree I see.

Most of this was woods but the roads we travel on have been cleared out for large trucks and cargo trucks used in trades with other cities. I lean up against the tree and stretch out as Thane says "We're going to take a break for thirty before loading back up."

I groan and look over to see the others doing the same as me. Luckily, we don't have to worry about fuel while out here. The trucks are solar-powered so as long as there's enough sun, the truck will have no problem with the long mileage.

They may be solar-powered but my ass sure isn't... Thane walks over and hands me a water bottle as he asks "How are you doing?" I give him a grateful smile as I say "This is all a first for me but I guess I'm okay. It's just super hot."

Thane nods and takes a sip of water before saying "If it gets too hot, just pull your shirt off for a while. It helps." I almost choke on the water before nodding my head. That may work for you and the others but not for me!

I slide down and plop my butt down on the ground as Conner waves at Thane and says "I need help with Titus." Thane nods and hands me a sucker before walking over to help. As I relax under the shade, I unwrap the sucker and pop it in my mouth, grateful for the sweet treat. When I hear the bushes behind me rustle, I freeze.

Maybe it was just the wind... I wait for it again but when it doesn't come, I start to grow uneasy. I hold my gun close and try to keep my breathing steady as the others around me continue to talk and relax, completely unaware.

Just be the wind, please just be the wind... Only, as I sit here, I quickly realize there is no wind. I quickly get up and spin around with my gun lifted. I look into the woods behind the tree with sharp eyes but I can't see anything.

The sun shines down through the branches of the tree, acting like tiny spotlights as the others start noticing my behavior. They quickly and silently get up and lift their guns in the same direction as me and whisper "What is it?"

I silently shake my head, unwilling to look away even for a moment. Suddenly, Troy yells out causing all of us to turn. A large purple vine has wrapped itself around his leg and was now trying to pull him into the bushes!

Troy starts unloading his gun into the vine holding him but he only manages to clip it a few times because of the angle. Cruz starts shooting it as well but when bright purple liquid shoots out of the vine from the bullets, Troy starts screaming out in pain.

It's poisonous! I lower my gun and quickly run over. I lift my hand and quickly use my wind power to cut the vine and create a splash shield. As soon as Troy is free, Cruz spins his gun around to his back and grabs Troy's arms.

He quickly pulls him back as Thane and Conner finally make it over. Conner helps Cruz pull Troy further back as Thane walks up to me and says "Fall back, quickly." I listen to Thane and quickly help load Troy into the back of the truck just as more vines start appearing.

Thane grabs the front of my vest and rips me up to the back of the truck like I weigh nothing and yells out "Go go go!" The truck's tires spin and kick up dirt before quickly pulling away. Troy cries out in pain as Conner pours something onto his leg.

My heart races in fear as Thane says "Next time, your ass better be the first one on this truck. Got it?" I slightly nod but I can't really agree with him. They needed help lifting Troy, plus... I felt like if that thing came after us again, I would use my wind power or something else to fight it off.

Isn't that how teams are supposed to work? I glance over to Thane to see him helping the others with Troy but when he looks up and sees me watching, he gives me a hard look before looking away again.