by Lake, D. K.
"Oh, I'm sorry." I mouthed at Ansel.
"It's ok, all water under the bridge now." Ansel smiled.
I heard voices in the stairwell and footsteps and a second later Pope and Lawrence came through the archway with a box of vegetables and food supplies.
"I hope you're hungry." Ansel said.
"Oh, you don't need to cook us breakfast. You've already done enough." I protested.
"It wouldn't sit well with me if I sent you away with an empty stomach." Ansel said.
I took a seat next to Sophie as Margo helped Lawrence and Pope in the kitchen, and by help I mean she stood there getting in the way.
"How's Lane?" I asked, turning to Sophie.
Margo hadn't even bothered to ask.
"He's ok, the same as before. Ansel has been telling us about the safe zones and that there are these Green Banner places that hand out food and medicine, like a volunteer shelter."
"Yes, I heard about it last night." I rubbed my eyes.
I really wanted to take the contacts out but I couldn't until we were out of here.
"Are you ok?" Sophie asked.
"Yes, just tired. It turns out Margo hates the thunder and she refused to sleep in her own bed." I replied and Sophie snickered. "It's not funny, every time I tried to get away she latched onto me like some possessed gremlin." I shook my head and blinked my eyes a few times. "So after breakfast are we going to head back to the others and then decide who's going to the safe zone?" I asked.
"Yes, I think that's the plan." Sophie nodded.
"The sooner the better." I said, watching Pope cutting vegetables with a tea towel slung over his shoulder like the way they do in the kitchens. I wondered if he used to work in a restaurant. I could just imagine him in a white chef's outfit.
"We'll eat and then we'll leave. None of us have eaten since last night, and Hutch and I only shared a can of soup." Sophie said.
"Ok. We eat and then we leave." I knew they needed to rest and refuel as well. "When did you get here?"
"Three-ish. Hutch went straight to sleep, I've been dozing on and off, and Pope slept in the room you two were in."
"He did?"
"Yeah, on the bed, but he was up early."
"And Drew?"
"I don't think he's been to sleep. He's been sitting with Ansel talking all night. I swear the guy never sleeps."
"He needs to." I sighed, glancing over at Drew.
He turned his head and our eyes met and it was as if he knew we were talking about him. He did that a lot. "I don't even know what the time is?" I said, looking around the room for a clock.
"Nearly ten." Sophie answered.
"Wow, I overslept. Surprising seeing how uncomfortable I was being groped by that troll over there."
Sophie laughed.
"Right I'm off to use the bathroom. No one is to bother me. I will be naked." Sophie told everyone as she grabbed her bag from the floor.
"Can I come?" Pope joked.
"Just try it and you'll lose your favorite appendage." Sophie warned.
"I doubt he'd miss it, he probably can't even find it it's so small." Hutch teased, yawning and stretching from his spot on the recliner chair.
"Oi. Watch it!" Pope glared at Hutch.
Sophie left the room and Hutch soon followed Sophie into the bathroom and we all heard a lot of laughing and antics going on in there. Lawrence got so flustered listening to Sophie and Hutch obviously having sex and messing around in there that he put the small stereo on in the kitchen and it started playing songs from the 80s. Poor boy. Ansel didn't hear them, he was in too deeper conversation with Drew. I was somewhat amazed, it was the most I'd ever seen Drew interact with anyone before.
Pope and Lawrence finished breakfast and I helped Margo to lay the table because she got confused as to how many people were sitting down. Sophie and Hutch emerged from the bathroom looking fresh and clean, and Hutch no longer smelled of stale BO. I loved the guy but he did sweat an awful lot.
Ansel stayed by the window and Lawrence took a tray of food over to him. I thought Drew was going to join us at the table but he grabbed a plate and threw some food onto it and rejoined Ansel and they continued whatever conversation they were engrossed in. After breakfast, Pope cleaned up in the bathroom while I helped Lawrence wash up the dishes and clean the kitchen countertops down. Margo had excused herself to lay on the couch because she was feeling tired, complaining the thunderstorm had kept her awake all night. Yeah right. She just didn't want to help clean the dishes.
Soon after everyone was ready to leave and we said our goodbyes to Ansel and Lawrence and made our way back outside. The streets were covered in puddles from the rain the night before, and the air was crisp and refreshing. A cool blast of air hit me in the face, helping me to stay alert. I was tired from last night, so tired I could probably lean against a streetlight and fall asleep. We kept to the side alleys and didn't run into any trouble. We made it back to the abandoned clothes store that the others were still hiding in. Lane was still in bad shape and needed our help. I switched out my contacts for a fresh pair which felt slightly better.
"Right, who's going to the safe zone to try and find medicine for Lane?" Alice asked. Duke raised his hand. "No, I need you here with us." Alice said and Duke put his hand back down and flashed me an apologetic look. Nick was still fast asleep in the corner on the floor, he'd made himself a bed out of discarded clothes from the front of the store.
"I'll go." Sully slid off the counter in the kitchen area.
"No, I need at least two of you here in case anyone shows up." Alice said.
It was like she had already decided who she wanted to go and who she wanted to stay. It was clear Sully and Duke were her favorites.
Margo picked up a magazine from the table and flopped onto the couch next to Lane. She obviously didn't want to come with us. I thought she wanted to help Lane? She got bored of that idea quickly.
"I'm gonna stay, keep an eye on Lane." Sophie whispered and I nodded.
"Drew and I will go." Pope spoke up.
"I'm in." Hutch added.
"Ok. Have you got everything you need?" Alice said.
Drew wandered out of the room to light a cigarette.
"Yeah, it's not far, there's an entrance about twenty minutes from here. We'll be back in a few hours if we find what we need." Pope said, and he caught my eyes as they were about to leave. Oh no. They were so not leaving me here.
"I'm going too." I said.
"I don't think that's a good idea. You can stay here with us." Alice said firmly.
"No, I want to go." I snapped. I hated Alice giving me orders.
"Alex, you'd be safer here." Pope assured me.
"No. I won't. It's a safe zone, I'll be perfectly safe there with you guys. You can't make me stay." I glared at Alice.
"No, I can't but we are helping to look after your friend. Maybe you could stay with him and keep him company for a change?" she said, eyeing me.
"Alex stays with me." Drew said from the doorway and stepped back out again. Take that, Alice. I wanted to stick my tongue out at her but I thought better of it.
"We'll have to leave the guns here." I said, placing my gun on the table. Everyone turned to look at me with a frown.
"The army confiscates guns. If we march up there with guns they'll just disarm us so we might as well leave them here for now." I suggested. "And I'm guessing they're gonna search us when we get there."
Seeing as though they had no other choice Hutch and Pope laid down their guns, and Drew didn't have one anyway.
We left the store and made our way to the safe zone entrance. I was a little nervous. Lawrence had told me they only test your temperature to check if you are infected. I had a normal temperature according to Nick so I should be safe and no one should suspect anything, and I had my standard contacts in so I looked like any other regular person. I really hoped we'd find what we needed. Lane was running out of time.
Chapter 19
When w
e reached the border that dived the safe zone from the neutral zone, I was surprised to see a dozen other people waiting to get in. We quietly joined the end of the line. Drew was pacing all over the place and couldn't stand still, his eyes darting everywhere, keeping watch of the guards. Pope looked just as fidgety without his gun. And Hutch was flipping his knife in his hand like some pro.
"Do you think they'll let us out again once we get what we need?" Hutch queried.
"Should do. That's what Ansel and Lawrence said." Pope replied. "Unless you suddenly get a high temperature and then they probably won't let you back out."
"You think they test you again on the way out?" Hutch mused and Pope just shrugged.
The line moved forward and the four of us shuffled forward. In front of the line, there was a large metal door and there were two guards on either side of the door, holding guns, and two more men dressed in army outfits checking everyone before they went through. I was right about the body searches. Everyone had to empty their pockets onto a tray and a guard would pat them down, and if they were carrying a bag it was tipped upside down and the contents checked. The guards let them have their handheld weapons back, but no one was foolish enough to bring a gun. While we waited outside, others from inside the safe zone were let out and left quickly, hurrying to wherever it was they came from. When it was our turn Pope stepped up first.
"State your name and purpose?" the guard asked, another one was stood next to him with a clipboard.
"Uh...medicine?" Pope said confused.
"And your name?" the guard with the clipboard said impatiently.
"Pope Wyatt." Pope replied.
"Ok, empty your pockets into the tray." the other one ordered.
Pope did as he was asked and let the guard do a quick body search and then a thermometer thingy was placed in his ear that beeped a second later.
"He's good to go." the guard said and told Pope to collect his belongings. Pope picked up his things and waited by the metal door for us.
Hutch went next and passed the simple test that was causing my insides to churn. I suddenly felt sick. Ohmigawd, what if I didn't pass? What would they do to me? Shoot me on the spot? I started sweating and Drew must have noticed my sudden discomfort because he turned to me and pulled me back a step.
"It's ok, I'm right behind you. Try to calm down. They don't know anything." Drew murmured in my ear and gave me a gentle nudge forward.
With shaky hands, I dropped what little I had in my pockets into the tray and handed my bag to the other guard to look through.
"Name and purpose." the guard asked.
"Alex James. Medicine." I said automatically as the man slid his hands along my arms and under my boobs. He was getting a bit handsy and I caught a glimpse of Drew and saw he looked pissed and had his eyes on the guy's hands as they roamed down my body. If the guard wasn't careful about where he was putting his hands I was sure he would end up with an arrow in his head and that's the last thing we needed. I turned to Drew and gave him a reassuring smile. The guard popped the temperature thingy into my ear and I dug my fingernails into my palms. Please be normal. Please be normal. Beeeeeep.
The guard checked the results. "She's fine. Send her through."
I let out a breath I had been holding in and collected my things as Drew was checked. He wasn't happy to hand over his crossbow for all of two minutes. Drew checked out all fine and we were allowed to pass through the metal door. The other side was not what I had been expecting. There was a market set up, the wide street filled with stalls and sellers. People were wandering around everywhere. People using push-bikes to get around and carrying baskets. I could smell food in the air, coming from a nearby stall that was selling grilled food. The smell of food only made my stomach churn more. Ugh. Not now. I really didn't need to be seen hurling in the middle of the street with all these people watching. I had just passed through security but if they saw me getting sick surely they would drag me back out the door. I grabbed Drew's arm and he looked over his shoulder at me with a frown. I probably looked green from the look on his face. I scanned the stalls and saw a gap between two of them and beelined for it with Drew right behind me.
"Hey, where are you two going?" Hutch called.
I made it to the back of the stalls and ducked down behind a stack of crates while Drew stood right behind me.
I threw up all my breakfast and it took me a minute for the feeling to pass.
"What's wrong with her?" Pope asked, having followed us.
Drew didn't respond because he probably didn't know.
"I'm fine, just the security measures made me freak out and upset my tummy." I said, sitting on the side of a crate to search in my bag for my water bottle. It was true I had been a nervous wreck during the security check.
"Really. I'm fine." I said, standing back up and smiling the best I could.
I felt like shit. I was tired and would be hungry soon seeing how I threw up all my breakfast.
"Let's go." I urged and Hutch reluctantly moved his feet and Pope followed. I think they were worried I was going to upchuck again. Trust me, if I was I'd go as far as sticking my head in my bag so as not to be seen.
We wandered the streets looking for a Green Banner building but we soon thought to ask as some buildings had been covered in flags and colorful materials and it all looked very different than it used to and finding this place was proving hard. Graffiti artists had even been busy, leaving behind decorative artwork all over the buildings. I didn't think anyone was bothered about a little graffiti anymore, and it did brighten the place up. We were given directions by a little old lady that was peddling antique jewelry. I never thought to ask what she was selling it for. Did money even exist anymore?
Before we got the chance to leave the lady was suddenly in front of me blocking my way. She moved fast for a little old lady. Zipping around the stall like the Flash.
"That's a very unique necklace you are wearing." she said, pawing the moon-shaped necklace around my neck before I could move away.
"Uh, thanks." I said, waiting for her to let go but she didn't.
"I can tell it belonged to a very powerful woman before it came into your possession." she said, her blue eyes studying me. "Some say that certain pieces of jewelry choose who gets to wear it and that sometimes we don't have a choice."
That felt familiar. I knew as soon as I saw the moon necklace I wanted it, felt drawn to it.
Hutch was looking at her as though she was crazy and trying not to smirk, Pope was just yawning, and Drew was frowning, watching the lady like a hawk.
"Do you feel as though you could part with it? I have many items for trade, does anything call to you?" She finally released my necklace but kept her hand on my arm and waved her hand across the table.
"Uh, it's not for sale." I said, trying to move away but she held on tight for a frail old lady.
Drew came over to stand by my side, glaring at the old lady and warning her to let go and her hand fell away and Drew pulled me in front of him and we started to leave.
"You should be careful. Not everyone will fall for those eyes." the lady said loud enough for us all to hear.
My footsteps stopped. What did that mean?
"You may think you've got all these people fooled but I know what you are." she said, walking around to the other side of her stall.
Hutch shook his head and walked off but I couldn't help but stare at her beady blue eyes. I had a feeling about her, something was off.
"And what is that?" Pope asked with a confident smirk on his face, knowing she was just saying that to get us to stop so she could sell us something off her stall.
"You walk among us but you're one of them." she hissed.
I felt rattled. She knew what I was. What I could do. One of them? Was I one of them, is that what I really was? What the hell? Now she had me freaking out.
"Ok, enough of the crazy talk. Thank you for your help but we're leaving." Pope said, positioning himself in front of me.
/> Drew took my hand and pulled me away as my feet refused to move on their own.
"She knows, Drew." I whispered, my breathing unsteady.
"She doesn't know shit." Drew responded.
"Just ignore her, she's a nobody." Pope said.
I looked over my shoulder one last time and found the lady watching us. I shuddered, she gave me the chills. I tried to forget about her as we searched for the building.
We found it easily enough. Green banners flapped around in the wind on the front of the building.
"Literally green banners." Pope muttered.
"Why green?" Hutch asked as we strolled toward the building.
I caught sight of a young child playing in the street with a puppy. I could live here. It seemed nice. In here you were safe. But step out into the neutral zone and risk being captured and bundled into a van. I wondered if anyone in here knew what went on out there? It didn't seem fair. A world divided by just a wall. This place was thriving and people were going about their daily tasks, but on the other side people were struggling and some living in poverty.
"The color green means safety to some." Drew's voice brought me back to the real world and I tore my eyes away from the street and followed them inside.
Inside there were cots lining the walls and the place was packed with people moving around and sitting on cots. Some looked sick but not from the virus, they were sick with other ailments, most of them older in years. Maybe I was wrong and not everyone had it so good in the safe zone.
I stayed out of the way. I didn't need to pick up anything else and carry it back to the others and make Lane even sicker than he already was. There were volunteers walking around the place wearing green polo shirts and were easy to pick out.
"Stay here. I'm gonna go and see what they have to say about getting our hands on some meds." Pope said and the rest of us decided to wait outside in the fresh air.
"It's a bit stuffy in there." Hutch complained. "Why aren't those people in the hospital?"
"'Cause the hospitals aren't interested in anyone over the age of sixty-five." Drew mumbled.