by Ciara Knight
My lips parted to confess my fears then stopped. Ryder held tight to the handle by his right side and stared out the front. I glanced in the rearview mirror. Raeth had curled into a tight ball with her eyes shut in the back seat.
I couldn’t tell them. This was something I needed to keep to myself.
I was probably just being paranoid. Blame it on all those years Mother monitored every move I made while aboard the ship. However, at this moment, there was no way she could know what I was doing in the middle of nowhere.
“Watch out,” Ryder yelled.
I slammed on the brakes and we slid to a halt. A pile of old rocks blocked our path. Too large to maneuver over and with a ditch on both sides, there was no way around.
I took several deep breaths then got out of the car. Only one person could help us get through. I opened her door and held her hand. “Raeth, hon? We need your help.”
Raeth smiled and jumped down from the car, tentatively scanning the world around us. “Need s-some heavy lifting? W-what’s w-wrong, big brother. T-too heavy for you?”
“Watch the perimeter,” Ryder ordered as he followed Raeth and I readied for whatever followed.
The wind blew a fierce warning for us not to linger. Howls echoed in the distance and I wondered what kind of creatures we had to fear out in the wilderness. Certainly nothing worse than what we’d faced already.
After a moment, I heard stones break and slide. Raeth worked quickly to clear our path. I liked the woods, but my powers were almost useless if there wasn’t any metal around to pull energy from. And I couldn’t pull it from the car or we’d be stranded.
It must be nice to pull energy from nature—a never-ending supply at your disposal from which one could draw power. Not that it had done Raeth any good on Mother’s ship. It seemed each power had its own pros and cons, its own limitations.
“Let’s go,” Ryder shouted from behind.
He waved me into the driver’s seat while he and Raeth remained outside. I watched through the rearview mirror as Raeth recreated the barrier. Smart thinking. Not surprising, considering how Ryder always had a strategy.
With us safely back in the car, I barreled on. For several hours, we went through the same scenario of Raeth clearing the path, or driving around things. The sky turned a deeper orange and I hoped we’d reach where Maggie had set up for us to sleep that night.
Of course in the morning I’d have to face the Neumarians. If I was right, we were driving to face hell on the horizon.
“What is it?” Ryder rested his hand on my lower thigh and I relaxed.
“Nothing.”
“Tell me. We’ve been through too much to keep secrets now,” Ryder pressed.
“I’m thinking about what’s ahead, trying to prepare for what’s to come.”
Ryder touched the back of my neck. “Don’t worry. I know what Maggie said, but I won’t let the rebellion turn you over. Uncle wouldn’t have sent us if he believed they’d harm you.”
His hand slid over mine, pulled my white-knuckle grip loose of the steering wheel. He kissed and lightly massaged them. “We’ll be fine.”
“It’s not that.”
“What?”
“We shouldn’t have escaped.”
Ryder’s brow furrowed. “Why do you say that?”
“Unless…”
“Unless what?”
“Unless the assassins weren’t sent to kill us, at least not immediately. My mother would have another plan.” I swallowed hard. “This could all be a ruse to figure out where we’re going.”
“Can the assassins’ ships fly over water?”
“I don’t know. From what I understand, the storms are fierce on the ocean and no ship that size could make it far without additional resources. Only my mother’s ship could make a trip like that…and the ocean runners.”
“So, if we make it to the coast, we have a chance?”
“Yes. Maybe. Let’s hope we have enough fuel to get there. But even then, the assassins will make their move before we can board the ocean vessel.”
An icy current flowed through my body as I thought of all those people on the vessel unaware of what was coming. Would they stand a chance?
Ryder squeezed my hand. “Don’t worry, we’ll make it.”
“N-no w-we w-won’t.” Raeth shifted forward and grabbed the back of the seat. “N-not enough fuel.”
I looked down and watched the red line dip and knew Raeth spoke the truth. I pressed the brake, rolling us to a stop. We only had one can of fuel left, which wouldn’t get us far. For all of Maggie’s planning, it looked like we would be stranded in the middle of the wilderness.
Ryder opened his door and hopped from the vehicle. I followed him to the rear and watched him rummage through the supplies in the back. Sounds of animals in the distance unnerved me. I’d never liked the unknown.
I stood behind Ryder, watching the perimeter. He unlatched a small black case and I nearly yelled in relief at the sight of the weapons.
He took one of the pistols and shoved it in his belt and handed the other to me. “We should sleep in the vehicle. We’ll be protected from the elements.”
I scooped two shiny, silver blankets and some food into my arms. “We’ll need to keep the engine off all night to preserve petrol.”
“W-what w-will we d-do tomorrow?”
“Don’t worry, Raeth. We’ll figure somethin’ out.”
I shot Ryder a sideways glance and shuffled around the car to the driver’s seat. He dumped the remaining fuel into the tank and joined us.
“Best to be fueled up, ready to go.” The strong odor of petrol remained on his hands. Of course, I didn’t smell like flowers either. What I wouldn’t give for a real shower.
He slid the geo-map from the dash. “Starting with the full tank plus two canisters of petrol, we’re—”
“Can only go th-three hundred and t-twenty-two more kilometers on w-what’s left in the tank in combination and with w-what you put in.” Raeth leaned forward and took some bread from the small pile of food.
“How would you…Never mind.” Ryder gave her a warm smile. “Always a math genius, weren’t you?”
It looked like the emotional issues didn’t impact her mental abilities.
Raeth yawned and leaned back in the seat, rubbing her eyes.
“Get some rest. We’ll all need it,” Ryder’s voice sounded brotherly.
I rose onto my knees and leaned back over the seat to cover Raeth with one of the blankets.
“You always be watching out for my sister. Thank you.”
We both sat quietly and ate, waiting for Raeth to fall asleep so we could speak freely without upsetting her too much. Once the slow deep breathing started, Ryder opened his mouth but closed it again.
There was so much to talk about, so many things still left unsaid between us.
He leaned into me and rested his forehead against mine. We both closed our eyes and enjoyed the moment.
Static shot between our lips, and I pressed mine to his. The tight knot between my shoulder blades released, allowing me to lean further in.
The world silenced. No gun blasts, fire bombs, engines revving, or screams. Only his touch, kisses, and gift pulsing through my body.
I longed to return to the cool lake water and warm sun, to swim beside him and rest on the sandy beach in his arms.
He pulled back and held my hand against his cheek. “I’ve missed you. For the first time since the war, I’m full of hope. You’ve given me that.” Ryder squeezed my hand tighter. “When this is over, will you stay with me? I mean, Raeth and me?”
For a moment, my heart soared to the skies. He wanted me to stay with him, but then so many other emotions weighted me back to the ground. “If the European rebels don’t turn me over to my mother—” I chuckled. “I…I would love to return to the Resort Territory.”
“What of the rebellion? What of Raeth? I thought you cared about her now?”
“I hoped you two would both go
with me. We could live freely.”
“Don’t you think your mother will look there for you?”
“I…I haven’t thought that far ahead.”
“You would be safer with us, fighting. We can win this war. Then everyone can find their own Resort or Oasis to live freely. We’ve come too far. We can’t turn our back on everyone.”
“I wasn’t born to fight like you. My mother would be the first to tell you that I’m not cut out to fight.”
“You can when it’s for the right reasons.”
He took the food from me, moved it to the floor, and scooted closer, taking both my hands in his.
I pulled away. If my suspicions were true, I’d never be able to get close to anyone. Mother would torture and kill anyone I had a connection to. It took me a long time to see it, but she would stop at nothing. “I’m tired of war. First, people are tortured and I’m forced to watch.”
“You had no choice.”
My stomach rolled. “Then friends and family die. When is it enough? When do we cross the line and stop being human ourselves?”
He pulled my head to his chest and rocked me. “Shh, it isn’t your fault. Trying to do the best you can. You’ve been forced to choose to fight your own mother. I can’t imagine how that feels. Don’t have to decide anything now. Sometimes, you make stops on your way to where you want to go. Maybe the European Rebellion has a plan—”
“That’s it.”
“That’s what?”
“Stop on the way. Get the map.” I wiped tears from my cheeks and grabbed the small device. “Here.” I pointed to a dot on the map east of us.
Ryder shrugged. “What about it?”
“That’s where most of the council members and their families live. They commute to the queen’s castle on the steam train. We can make it there. Then take the train to the coast. I’m sure we can figure out how to get to the meeting place from there.” It was a long shot, but our only real option. “But there’s one problem.”
“What?” Ryder asked.
“The steam train won’t just be full of council members, but also the queen’s guards. And they’ll be instructed to shoot us on sight.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
We bounced over several rocks and I jerked at the seatbelt cutting into my neck. “It won’t be that easy this time. The guards will know of our disguise from the Mining Territory.”
“Not too far now. Will we make it?” Ryder dropped my hand and leaned over me, blocking my line of sight to the plumes of dark smoke that floated into the morning sky. “The fuel is half what we had anticipated.”
His shoulder brushed against my arm. The same involuntary response stirred my blood alive. Who needed coffee when they had their own personal adrenaline rush at their side?
“I’ve n-never seen a t-train before.” Raeth shot forward and pushed Ryder out of the way, breaking our energy.
Ryder leaned back and raked his hand through his hair. His lip curled in the corner like it always did when he was thinking. “Neither have I. Gotta figure out a way to get on board without being detected. Any cargo going?”
“It’s hard to say.” I drove over a few broken tree branches and watched the stick drop to the red line on the fuel gauge.
Cracking the window, I wiped at the foggy windshield. Damp earth, a richer scent than at the Mining Territory and industrial chemicals mixed together, filled the interior.
“Best we stop outside Slag Territory. Probably not many vehicles like this one there.”
“You’re right. No cars. Just horses, mules, and a few motorized scooters.”
Raeth knocked on her leg that had been beaten and rendered nearly useless. “W-we have to w-walk?”
“I’m afraid so. We’ll help you, but it would be best to keep that leg covered. I think we could pass for humans and reach close to the train that way, but only council members and their families are allowed to board. We’ll have to think of something once we’re there.”
Our vehicle rolled to a stop and we sat staring out the window at the line of buildings ahead. Smoke stacks soared higher than the tree line.
“That’s Acadia West, part of the ruling territory. I’ve ridden on the train and walked around the station a few times, but never ventured into the city. I wished I had paid more attention to the area, but the first time I traveled here was right after my father’s death.”
I sighed at the memory and Ryder stroked his thumb over my palm.
“S-so b-big.” Raeth sat back and pulled the small red ball from her pocket, rotating it in the palm of her hand.
“Don’t worry, your brother will figure out a plan. He always does.”
Ryder’s eyebrow arched. “Might be best if we stick to the less populated areas, try to blend in.”
I got out and pressed my hand to the vehicle. “Goodbye, Mags. Thanks for all you did.”
Ryder rounded the vehicle and stood behind me for a moment, not saying a word. Then he moved my hair and kissed my neck. “Mags is strong. I’m sure she made it.”
My soul greedily absorbed his touch and craved more. He stepped away and helped Raeth from the backseat as I shoved water and the pistol into my belt.
Cautiously, we walked to the edge of town and entered a series of bombed concrete buildings. A cold feeling of loss crept up my legs. At the edge of the last building, I pinched my nose to block a putrid scent. Coughs drew my attention to the corner of a series of makeshift board, brick and sack cloth homes. An old man clutched his chest and fell to his knees.
I rushed to help, but Ryder blocked me with his arm and led the way with a cautious step. The sounds of babies crying, coughs, and moans haunted my ears. I cupped my hand over my mouth and took a breath but nothing kept the stench at bay.
Ryder rested his left hand on the pistol. “You okay, sir?”
I hooked my left arm in Raeth’s and held my pistol along my right side, not sure I’d know how to fire the thing.
The boney old man with rotted teeth welcomed us to his world. “Son, whatcha doin’ out there?”
“Sir?” I asked. “Son?”
“My boy, I knew you’d be comin’ home. They said you ain’t made it, but I knew. Never stopped believin’.”
The old man’s clouded eyes showed a life time of loss and sorrow. I moved my hand away from my gun and helped the man up. Ryder stood, checking the perimeter.
“I don’t think it’s a trap,” I reassured him. “You live near here?”
“Yes, not like the olden days back home, but we make do. You his bride?”
Leathery skin raked my cheek and I had to force myself not to pull away from the foreign sensation. I’d take the deep wrinkles and leathery skin over the feel of cold metal any day.
“Show us,” Ryder ordered.
I glanced at Ryder, standing with feet shoulder width apart. Always suspicious, ready to fight, even if the man’s dear old wife had hobbled out from a corner. “Come. Let me help you inside.”
“Sweet girl.” He tapped my face with his gnarled fingers several times in a loving gesture. “Did well, my son.”
Raeth wobbled ahead next to Ryder.
The man squinted at Raeth. “Who’s she?”
“A friend.”
“She hurt?”
“She’ll be fine.” I didn’t know how cognizant the man was, but knew I shouldn’t chance Raeth no matter how frail the man appeared.
The man pointed a crooked finger at a small open doorway. “Here, here, my dear.”
“Uncle, where you been?” A young male voice greeted before I followed him in. The nephew stood hunched in half. He was tall and looked like he hadn’t eaten in months. “Who’re these—”
“We found your uncle lost and thought we’d help him home.” I gave a warm smile.
“Thanks.” The bright green eyes narrowed at me and I knew he could be trouble.
“Uncle, rest here.”
“You see my son? He’s come home. We’ll be fine, now.”
“Y
es, yes, Uncle. I see him.” He lowered his uncle to a mat on the dirt floor.
Raeth half fell over next to him. “Can I s-sit w-with you?”
The old man smiled and nodded. A second later, Raeth snuggled up next to him as if he were Ryder.
“She’ll be fine.” The young man waved us out the door.
“Listen, we don’t—”
“Shh, not here.”
We followed him back out the way we came. Ryder’s hand remained on the gun at his side. No one spoke until we reached the edge of the ruins.
“My name’s Penton.”
Ryder didn’t respond.
“Can’t believe I’m meetin’ someone from the rebellion.” Penton’s face lit up. “I mean, I knew you’d come someday, but I didn’t—”
“We’re not with the rebellion.”
Penton shook his head. “You can trust me. Look.” He lifted his torn sleeve and revealed an ink drawing of a slanted letter T.
“What does that prove?”
“I’m a sworn protector of the Triune. Been waitin’ for my day of callin’. Now you’re here.”
Ryder’s brow furrowed with confusion.
I examined the small letter on the back of his wrist. I’d seen it somewhere before, but where? “Triune? Calling?”
“You don’t know? But you have to be…I thought…”
Ryder grabbed my upper arm, pressing his thumb deep. “We’re part of the rebellion.”
“We are.” I yanked my arm away. “But I don’t know of this symbol.” Maybe I was naive, but I sensed we could trust Penton. He couldn’t be more than fifteen, but his hands were dirty and blistered from years of hard labor.
Penton waved his hands as if doing magic. “The one hope to free us. Three that join to destroy all evil.”
“Oh.” I trusted him, but I knew better than to tell him that the scavengers, a handful of the Wasteland residents, and a handful of Neumarians had already ruled us the Triune. This kid would probably tell half the people in the city we were here to save them. That was the last thing we needed if we were to keep a low profile.