She stirred to my side, waking me. I turned and watched as she stretched her arms above her head and pushed them into the bunk frame. It rocked the bed a little, and she opened her eyes in confusion. She stared at the unfamiliar bunk for a beat before her eyes shot open in realization.

  I lay watching as she turned to face me. Her face grew red and hot, eyes wide.

  “Good morning,” I said.

  She jumped out of bed, brushing her hair out of her eyes. They’d been so sleepy a moment ago.

  “M-morning,” she greeted back, all rigid.

  The self assuredness of the morning before was gone, leaving no trace. She fidgeted with her hands. No doubt looking for a good excuse to leave the awkwardness in my cubicle.

  “I…” she began.

  “You should probably go get dressed. We’ve got work to do.” I said.

  She nodded, grabbing onto the lifeline I handed her and turned to leave.

  Before she left, I grabbed her arm. “Thank you,” I said. Soft as a whisper.

  Although my head still spun from the talk and the sudden closeness, I think it helped me realize a few things. And I hadn’t slept so well in a long time.

  She didn’t turn to face me. I could see her ears redden through a gap between chaotic locks of black. She nodded in acknowledgement, but didn’t stop to say anything before she left. Her soft skin slipped through my grip. A part of me didn’t want to let go. And when her fingers lingered against mine, I thought that maybe she didn’t either.

  I put on a different button-up shirt and donned my boots, and the armor before beginning the arduous process of fastening Stoneflow and Silent Scream to my hip. The dagger still did not have a sheath of some kind. Commander Seluvis, from the pictures, had worn it on her breast. Sadly I hadn’t found something like that sheath, and was stuck weaving a sheath of threads every morning.

  I finished the rest of my preparations and left the tent, heading for the mess hall for a quick bite. On the way, Quinn caught up to me. Her eyes sparkled, and she sported a sly grin.

  “What?” I asked.

  Her smile grew deeper. “Oh, it’s nothing. Did you sleep well?” She looked ahead, kicking her feet out theatrically as she walked.

  Of course she knew.

  “I did. You?”

  “It’s so weird, really. Every time I was about to fall asleep, some kind of chatter woke me up. Must have been the birds.”

  We hadn’t seen birds for days. Not since the day I fought the scorpions and the scourge beast inside the compound.

  “Weird.” I agreed, my face like stone.

  Her face fell. “You’re no fun. I guess I’ll try my luck with Gabriella,” she declared and turned the opposite direction.

  I could already tell the day’s car ride would be filled with teasing and arguments. Still, I couldn’t help but feel giddy.

  The sun hung high in the sky. I hadn’t bothered checking the clock yet. We’d leave as soon as we were ready to, no matter what time it was.

  However, judging by the fact that the mess hall was flooded, I surmised it was around lunchtime. The only people not here were those standing guard.

  Almost instantly, I felt the weight of stares. But they weren’t as heavy as before. The raucous cacophony shifted into a low murmur as I made my order.

  The chef served me without complaint, even adding a little extra to my portion of the mystery-mash. I thanked him and took my seat in the corner of the room.

  There were many familiar faces in the room. Most of them remained nameless to me. But I did catch a glimpse of Daryl and his goons. Julia wasn’t with them. She probably still spent her time with the doc. Whether that be for fear of her condition worsening or something else, I did not know. Or care.

  Despite the look of the food, it was oddly good. The mystery-mash had a purple-ish tint to it and tasted like a sweeter kind of mashed potatoes. I finished my plate with gusto and left the mess hall in a good mood.

  Nyla and both scientists were already waiting for us in the central tent. I was the first to join them despite Quinn looking like she’d been up for a good while.

  Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

  “Ah, Cal. You’re here.” Nyla looked up from a large map. She waved at me to join her and pointed down to the map. “Quinn has marked your route of travel from yesterday. See if it makes sense to you.”

  She looked tired and her hair was a mess. I doubted she got a lot of sleep when we were gone. Not because of sentimental issues, more safety ones. Quinn was one of the most capable whispered fighters, and I was second only to Nyla. With us gone, the group lost a considerable amount of strength. Nyla likely stayed awake to cover that weakness.

  I looked over the map, and traced the snaking markings with my finger. I knew next to nothing about this stuff. Whenever I got lost I used my phone’s GPS.

  I nodded. “Looks about right.”

  “Good. I trust Quinn not to make any mistakes, but another set of eyes for verification is always a big help.”

  “What are the blue lines?” I pointed at the map.

  “Planned routes,” she said and plopped down on a chair. She massaged her eyes with her fingers. “Steward’s been busy laying them out to give our enhancers the best possible coverage.”

  I creased my brow. “But some of them lead back into the city.”

  “They do.” She sighed. “To reach survivors. Scattered forces.”

  “There’s no telling what’s inside there.” The tide spilling out from the Forgotten Lands had overpowered the blockades days ago. Our communications had been dead since then.

  “I know.” She groaned. “I won’t force you to go. Our contract is about cooperation, not self-sacrifice. But this is something we need to do before we can leave. We owe it to the soldiers who fought to protect this land.”

  I looked away. I didn’t owe them a thing. If I could have decided for myself, I would have left this place the day I stepped foot back on Earth. But things were different now. If I didn’t go, then who would accompany Quinn and Gabi?

  I ground my teeth, and clasped my hands into fists inside my pockets.

  “I know it’s not ideal,” she said. Her voice was soft. Understanding even.

  I took a seat, far from hers. “It isn’t. Far from it.”

  “But it’s the way things are.”

  She couldn’t just send her people into the unknown when she herself stayed behind. It wasn’t right. I was about to retort when the tent door opened. A blushing Gabi walked inside with Quinn close behind. She hovered behind the tanned girl’s shoulder like a hawk, whispering into her ear and giggling like a schoolgirl.

  Nyla shot me a glance before receiving the two. They joined us around the table, and not long after the scientists did too. Gerrard cradled a cup of coffee that would have made the old me yearn for a taste. But I had no appetite for it.

  I didn’t hide my scowl as discussions began.

  Time passed slowly. I took it all in from the side. Quinn and Nyla greeted each other with familiar warmth. They didn’t bother hiding it in front of us anymore. I doubted the rest of the squad knew. Something like that would quickly start rumors of favorites being shown.

  Gabi struggled to meet my eyes. I wondered where the self-assured girl from before had gone. Would she really let herself be ordered into danger? She wasn’t even blessed. The armored jeep wouldn’t even withstand a hit from the Handholder or the doctor, much less a blast from the Slitherstitch. She was helpless and didn’t even know it.

  “Cal?” Quinn asked.

  I snapped out of it. “What?”

  She clicked her tongue. “Are you even listening? We’re hitting two enhancer spots today. You good with that?”

  “It’s fine.”

  She eyed me suspiciously. “Good. First is here,” she said and pointed at a beige part of the map. The desert. “I think it’s safe to say we’ll be running into more of those worms. Second is aaall the way over here, by the edge of the city.”

  Nyla held up a hand. “We can’t expect Caleb to make journeys into the city. He is not part of COBA, and does not have the same obligations.”

  Quinn looked between us. “But we can’t-”

  “I’ll figure it out,” Nyla interrupted.

  Gabi glanced at me. Fuck.

  I rubbed my eyes and groaned. “God damnit I’ll do it. But if things get bad, we turn around. I don’t give a fuck who we let down. Our safety comes first.”

  Nyla smiled and clapped. “Good. Then let’s get to it right away.”

  Everybody stood to leave. I planned on following when Gerrard tapped me on the shoulder. “Lad, lend me a moment, would you?”

  I nodded and let the others leave first.

  “I made this in my spare time,” he said and rummaged through his pocket, producing a finger-sized cartridge. It was hollowed out in the thick of the body. “It’s far from perfect, but I thought you should have it. There’s not a lot of material left, but I could probably make a few more if you need it. Give it a look and tell me what you need changed.”

  He dropped it in the palm of my hand. It was light, and cold. And almost perfect. The only thing missing was the magic liquid. I smiled and slapped his shoulder softly. “Old man, you’re brilliant!”

  He chuckled. “I’m glad I could improve your mood. Stay safe out there.”

  I nodded and left the tent, joining the others by the jeep. Nyla had already helped fasten the enhancers to the back of the car. The dents in the left side had been repaired with scraps of metal, but the scars in the hull showed.

  Gabi had already taken her seat in the driver’s seat. Quinn lingered with Nyla by the passenger side. I sat down in the back, readying the radio for our first check. Nyla knocked on my door, grabbing my attention as she cracked it ever so slightly. “Thanks for this. I’ll remember it,” she whispered.

  I grunted in response and caught Gabi’s eyes in the rearview mirror. Her brow was furrowed. Was she angry?

  Quinn hopped into the passenger seat with a holler. “Alright lovebirds, let’s get this show on the road!”

  Gabi groaned and turned the key in the ignition. The engine rumbled to life. She threw an accusatory look at Quinn, who only laughed in response, before we drove out of the compound. Much like the day before, soldiers opened the gate for us with looks of weighty anticipation. They wanted out. All of us did.

  With daylight to guide us, Gabi didn’t have to drive as slow. If everything went according to plan, we’d have both enhancers planted before evening fell. She took a sharp turn into the desert, driving with confidence unbefitting someone who’d be going into enemy territory in a few hours.

  I finished the radio check while the two up front argued about something. I struggled to keep up while talking with Steward. Or maybe my mind was just someplace else. Either way, I would have to man up real soon. Although we only needed to skirt the edge of the city today, I anticipated something worse than the worms would come after us.