When we start to come up to where more houses used to be, I realize we’re now in a more populated area. I want to ask Wade where he thinks everyone who used to live here has gone off and hid—or if they had even gotten that chance. But the air between us is so uncomfortably weird that I hold my tongue.
Mia leans over to whisper something into Ian’s ear and afterward steps back to walk beside me and Wade. “What’s up, chicken butt?”
“Nothin’ here, cow ears.”
Wade rolls his eyes. “I see this conversation is about to get real stupid.”
“Stop your fussin’, English muffin,” Mia says on a giggle.
“Whatever,” Wade says. He hesitates, but eventually speeds up his steps to catch up with Ian.
“Soooo,” Mia begins, after Wade leaves us. “What were you and Wade all bent up out of shape about?
This is almost too stupid to repeat. “Wade thinks Jason likes me.”
“I think McHottie likes you too”
“McHottie?”
She nods toward Jason.
“Yeah, right. He’s cool. I think he sees me as a little sister or something.”
“Siblings don’t look at each other the way you two do.”
I whip my gaze to Jason. He’s so far ahead of us I know he can’t hear anything Mia and I say, but I want to make sure. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I whisper to her, trying to convince myself more than her. “We are not looking at each other any kind of way.”
“Puh-leez. I’ve known you since forever. I know when you like someone. Plus, the faraway look you get when you look at him is not hiding your feelings, girl.”
I do my best “you are so wrong” impression. “What? I don’t have any feelings for him. I don’t even know him.”
“You probably know him better than anyone else here besides Ken.”
“That’s because we’ve had a couple of conversations.”
“My point exactly. You and Jason have talked. He hardly talks to anyone else but you.”
“Stop trying to start stuff. I don’t have any feelings for Jason. He’s just a real cool person.”
“Sure.”
“Plus, he’s older than me.”
“By what, a couple of years?”
“He’s in college.”
“Was in college.”
“And he’s not my type.”
She looks at me in shocked amazement. “You have a type? Hmm… all these years and I never knew you had a type.”
“Whatever. You know my type. A cross between Captain Picard and Indiana Jones, with Denzel Washington swag.”
One side of her mouth rises in a smile. “That is so f’d up.”
“What? I like men with power, a sense of adventure and sexiness.”
“No, my dear. You like old farts.” She rolls her eyes. “You need to get laid.”
I cover my ears with my hands. “I’m not hearing this.”
She pulls my hands away, leaving us to struggle for a couple of seconds. “Think about it. We’ll need to repopulate the world, it may be up to you and Jason. MJ and Shayla and Ian and my kids. We’ll be related, for real, then.”
I shake my head. “I can’t believe you’re talking about this. There is nothing going on between me and Jason. And we definitely aren’t going to repopulate the world.”
“It has to happen and I say it’s not a bad choice. You could either have Jason or Wade.”
I give her a hard stare. “How the heck did Wade get into this scenario?”
“Between him and Jason they’re pretty much fighting for some Sinta love.” She says “Sinta love” in a deep, singing voice.
I can’t believe how ridiculous she sounds. “Wade does not think of me that way.”
“Um, yes. Every time I turn around its either him giving you ‘please notice me’ looks or Jason giving you the ‘I would jump your bones in a heartbeat’ look. Personally, I like Jason’s looks better. It’s like he wants to ravish you on the spot. Wade’s look is more like a puppy dog’s, ‘please, like me’,” she says, whimpering in a baby voice.
“I can’t imagine either one of them watching me like that. No one has ever looked at me like that before.”
“That’s because the guys at school were intimidated by you.”
“No they weren’t.”
“You had your whole life plotted when we were in the fifth grade. Who wouldn’t be intimidated? Everyone knew you had big plans and dating high schools boys wasn’t a part of it.”
“No, it wasn’t.” I kinda regret that now. If I had more dating experience I would know about “the looks” Mia says are being passed my way. I would also know what to do about them and how to handle them without making myself appear like an awkward fool.
“I think the two of you would make a good couple.”
“Who?” Which one, is what I really want to ask.
“You and Jason. Too bad he’s going to D.C. and you probably won’t ever see him again.”
The thought of not seeing Jason again creates a stab in my chest.
“He has a mother and little brother to get to.” I shrug, trying to seem like I don’t really care. “Besides, I don’t think he would go for someone like me.”
She grabs my arm and pulls me close. “Look at him. He’s a bad boy. He’s got that bad boy swagger to him. And you are clearly off limits to him. Yeah, he would totally make a move on you.”
“Why am I off limits?”
She brings up a hand and begins to number them off. “You’re in high school, you’re a good girl, you’re vulnerable, inexperienced and after a week or two he won’t see you again.”
I’m starting to think that I really should be taking offense to half of the things she’s said.
“Plus I don’t think his dad won’t approve of a Jason-Sinta union.”
“You see it too? I swear I think that man hates me.”
“I think he’s a little short with you because he sees Jason wagging his tongue in your direction all day long. If I didn’t think it was cute I would probably find it irritating too.”
“So that means I should probably stay away from Jason then.”
“Why would you do that?” she asks, as though she just didn’t give me a reason to.
“He’s trouble. Nothing good could come of this.”
She smirks. “Oh yes, he is and yes it can.”
I’m suddenly reminded that Mia’s favorite pastime used to be reading her mother’s erotica stories. “Gross.”
Mia pushes me away with a laugh.
“Stick close and keep your eyes peeled,” Ken says over his shoulder. When he catches us laughing he rolls his eyes.
Mia and I straighten our faces and clear up our laughter. When he turns away we look at each other and hide our giggles under our hands.
We do as he says and press so close together that we’re almost stepping on each other’s heels. The guys have their guns out and drawn, even though we all know it won’t do much to stop the aliens. I have the knife in my hand. It also won’t do anything, but it gives me a little peace of mind. I want a gun. With a gun I could pick the aliens off from a distance. Captain Page said the guns wouldn’t kill them, but I’m thinking it’ll slow them down enough for me to get away.
We keep at the ready. There’s no evidence of people in the streets—or what’s left of the streets. But we know they could be hiding in some of the buildings that haven’t been destroyed, but the aliens probably patrolled in those places first. People could also hide in a building that appears as if it’s on its last legs yet is still structurally sound, but my guess is that the people have moved on, just like we are.
As we approach what is clearly starting to appear like the remnants of a downtown, we become more cautious. If that’s even possible. We’re already on high alert. My senses tingle with each wind that blows, birds that squawk, or rustle of a lone piece of paper crossing our path. Each step we take is quiet, unheard. Each breath we take is shallow. Our ear
s are tuned to the noises around us; there’s nothing loud.
Off to the right, I hear pitter-patter of animal feet. Everyone, as well as myself, is scanning the surroundings, watching every shadow, every movement, praying we don’t see seven foot-tall reptilian monsters. I don’t want to, but I’m watching out for them just the same.
We get to a cluster of what used to be shops that had lined a main street. Ken motions for us to follow his lead. We don’t question him, as we quickly get behind him, organizing into a single file. We crouch as we walk, sticking close to the bricks and other pieces of the buildings. My heart slams in my chest so hard it hurts. Thoughts race through my mind.
What if we do see aliens?
What should we do?
I look to Wade but he’s not paying attention to me. He’s peering at the surrounding buildings. I glance at Ken, but his back is to me.
I want to ask them what the plan is if we run into any aliens.
Are we going to stay and fight?
Should we run?
If we run, where do we run to?
Shouldn’t we have a meeting place?
What if we get separated?
I shake all the intruding thoughts from my mind. There’s no need in working myself up. If anything goes wrong I’ll follow everyone else. And well—if we split up, I’ll follow the majority.
Time to pony-up and put on my big girl panties.
If aliens come I’ll follow everyone else. I’ll survive.
Ken stops us in front of a sign.
Goldie’s Army Supply
Ken turns toward the slabs of concrete that used to be a part of the building. We all watch him, waiting for his direction. He lets out a heavy sigh and puts a booted foot on a slab of building.
“We could use some supplies,” Jason finally says. “Especially some rain gear. It won’t do us any good to survive the aliens only to die from pneumonia.”
As if on cue, the loud crack of thunder erupts across the sky. The rain isn’t coming down yet, but I can tell it’s coming soon.
“Yes. We need to get in there,” Ken agrees.
I use my hand as a visor above my eyes. I don’t see how anyone could get in there. If I breathe too hard I could knock the building down. It’s shifted to the side. The roof is slanted, with one entire side touching the street and the other high in the air. The windows are busted out, but shards of glass are protruding from the frames, as if warding off any enemies, like the structure itself wouldn’t be enough to deter looters. The door is smashed and unusable.
Ken takes a closer look, peering through the windows. Now MJ and Wade are behind his shoulders trying to see what he sees.
“They may still have guns,” Jason says.
“And sleeping bags,” MJ adds. “I know we need weapons but I’d kill for a blanket.”
“What about clothes?” Ms. Burgess asks. “Are there clothes in there?”
“I know this sounds like a crazy request, but I could really use a toothbrush,” Mia says. She uses a finger to rub against her teeth.
I can’t stand it any longer. I’ve been trying to keep my distance from Ken, but I’m up on his back by now. I want everything they’re asking about and more. I’d like to spend tonight with clean teeth, a gun in my hand, wearing clean clothes, while snuggled in a sleeping bag.
“We can’t get in there. It’s too dangerous,” Ian says.
Ken takes a step back, letting everyone else peer through the windows. “It’s a chance we have to take.”
Wade kicks at the remaining glass that lines the window. It cracks. The sound seems loud against a silent backdrop. He bends, resting his hands on his thighs. “I don’t think I can fit. I’m too big.”
Ian stands beside him and puts a leg through the window. He tries to fit the rest of his body through but then withdraws. “I could get through the window but there’s so much shit blocking the way.” He takes a quick look at Ms. Burgess. “Sorry. There’s too much stuff blocking our way.”
That’s it. We can’t get in.
Ian is the smallest of the guys. If he can’t make it through it appears as though we’ll spend another night on the ground with bugs crawling through our hair and up our nostrils.
Ian turns to me. “How about you, Sinta?”
“What about me?” I know what he’s talking about, but the surprise throws me for a loop.
“No,” Wade and Jason both blurt out at once.
“It’s too dangerous,” Ms. Burgess says.
I let my gaze shift to the window. Glass is everywhere. Ms. Burgess is right. It’s starting to look really dangerous now.
Ken motions for me to come to him. I take a gulp of air.
Put on your big girl panties, remember?
No one says anything as I walk slowly toward him. I know they all think it’s dangerous, but they also want provisions. I want them too. When I reach his side he sizes me up.
“Go straight to the guns first,” he says.
“You don’t even know if she’ll fit,” Jason says, coming to my side.
“Oh she’ll fit,” Ken replies, without looking at Jason.
“Guns first,” I repeat. To everyone else I sound firm and strong. What they can’t see is that my knees are practically knocking together. Thank God that my sweats are so big.
“When you get to the guns, yell out and tell me what you see, okay?”
I nod.
“Well?” he asks.
“Yes?”
“Do you need an invitation?”
At first I don’t understand why he’s asking me that. Then it hits me. I scramble to the window. There’s a shirt across it, covering what’s left of the glass.
“Bring me back a new one,” Wade says.
“Right,” I reply.
“You don’t have to do this,” Jason says. “We can figure out another way to get in.”
“I have to.” I’m smaller than everyone else. I can get in and get what we need. “I’m ready.”
Chapter Thirteen
I gently place my hands on Wade’s shirt. Luckily the glass doesn’t penetrate the cotton material to stab me in my palms, so I swing my leg across the window sill and into the building, or what’s left of it. My foot lands on the ground, crunching on glass. Instinctively I lift it up, fearing that the shards will penetrate the worn-out rubber on the bottom of my sneakers.
I glance back at Ms. Burgess. She has her hands over her mouth. I know she wants to tell me not to go, that it’s too dangerous, but wanting and needing weapons is stopping her.
I know what I have to do.
I want weapons just as much as everyone else. I give her a reassuring smile and she sniffles and closes her eyes. I wanted to let her know that it’s going to be okay, that I know what I’m getting myself into. But I still don’t think that is enough to relieve her of the guilt she’d have if anything was to happen to me.
Ken hands me his oversized flashlight.
“Thank you.”
“If you get stuck or something goes wrong, you holler out. I’ll find a way to get to you,” Jason says.
I look up at him. He has concern written all over his face. I know he doesn’t want me to go but this is something that must be done.
“I won’t,” I say.
“Sin, you have to promise me that,” he says.
I shake my head. “The lizards might hear me.” Without stalling anymore, I lower my foot and swipe what I can out of the way. This time when I put my foot down, there’s hardly any sound at all. Not thinking about it, I bend my body and squeeze through the opening.
In my first breath I take in the old and stale smell of the building. It doesn’t smell like rotting food or anything, but of air that has been sitting for a while. It’s dark…darker than it is outside. I turn on the flashlight. I can see why Ian wasn’t able to get any further. There’s stuff everywhere, making it like a maze in here. A lot of the ceiling has fallen, making it impossible to climb across the top of the debris. The only other op
tion is to try to go under all the mess. Luckily the shelves that have toppled can provide an easy way to get around. I can crawl through and under them, using them as a tunnel of sorts.
I spot a way through, farther down and on the left. I shuffle along the wall, putting distance between myself and the only way out and clamping down on the panic attack that’s threatening to seize me.
No time for that.
The only noise that can be heard is me kicking stuff along the floor, out of my way, and my heavy breathing. As I kick up dust, disturbing what hasn’t been touched probably since the invasion, I feel the tickle of particles in my nostrils and in the back of my throat.
A sneeze erupts from my noise.
“Gesundheit,” I hear Ian say.
I wipe my nose with my forearm. “Thanks.”
When I reach a spot where the ceiling is too low for me to continue standing, I bend my knees and keep going, hitting my butt with my heels, stretching out my hands for balance. Every now and then I reach out, touching the ground to stop myself from falling over. There’s a faint “clang” as the heavy flashlight strikes the floor, but other than that and my shuffling there’s no sound at all.
The light from the flashlight is the only light I see. I aim it in front of me, letting it guide me to the opening that I can squeeze through. I get through the first opening and the next one without a problem. After I go through each shelving unit, I pray that nothing topples over me. I’m afraid that, despite Jason’s promise, no one will be able to come and pull me out, so I’m careful not to touch anything. I stay on the move, searching for another opening and, I when think I hit a dead end, I use the flashlight searching for another way forward.
I don’t see one.
My heart picks up its pace. If I can’t get through, we won’t get the items we need. The thought of turning back around and telling everyone I failed makes me want to cringe. They won’t be mad at me, but I don’t want to let them down.
I swing the light of the flashlight again.
Against The Darkness (Cimmerian Moon) Page 14