“Let’s go. We need to find a place to hide out before daylight.” I glanced at the dumbfounded scout. “Take care of yourself. It’s best to travel at night when the beasts are less active.”
“Thanks. You, too.”
We headed away from the camp as five men, sending curious looks our way, sprinted to their comrade. I smiled knowing they feared the worst, but that they’d find him alive and well. We were here to kill monsters, not people.
“I don’t understand what’s going on?” Gage fell into step beside me, her face creased with confusion, fear, and a bit of anger. “As our leader, it’s your duty to keep us updated on your plans.”
“I’m still working that out.”
“We’re going to reach that mountain. Then what?”
“I said I’m working on it.” I increased my pace.
“Trouble?” Fawke took Gage’s place at my side.
“A bit. I don’t know what to tell people. We might not live to make it to the mountain. With scouts, scavengers, and Malignants, the fighting will only increase. When we get close, I’ll have a plan. The group needs to trust me.” Trying to work out what was best for everyone gave me a headache.
Again, I let hatred for the wheel and everything Soriah rise up. Why had I had such bad luck as to be the new leader? I’d prefer someone else make the decisions for the group. Stalker my hide. We were nothing but spies and wanderers.
“Hey!” A shout came from behind us.
Fawke and I whirled, guns raised, as two men raced toward us. “That’s close enough,” Fawke said.
“We have a proposition,” one said.
“We’re listening.”
“Our friend told us how you didn’t harm him or steal our things. How about we join forces until we reach the city’s edge? Strength in numbers, you know?”
I glanced at Fawke. We hadn’t harmed their friend, but that didn’t mean we could trust them.
“As the leader, it’s your call,” he said.
“What do you think?”
“It’s a risk, but he has a point. The closer we get to the city’s center, the thicker the Malignants.”
And I did say I wanted more people. “Okay. We’re looking for a place to camp for the day. Catch up to us.”
“Thanks.” They turned and darted away.
Their shouts pulled a few Malignants from the shadows. Fawke’s and my guns finished them off easily enough.
We were blocked by another toppled building. More fires burned the closer we got to the center, filling the air with the stinging odor of gas.
“I guess we’re spending the day here.” I hated the openness. I scanned the buildings closest to us. “Fawke, maybe we can stay in that one.” I pointed to a four-story building that showed promise. At least we’d be out of the open.
“The wagons won’t fit.”
“We’ll place guards. Malignants won’t steal our supplies, and a couple of guards can alert the rest of us if scavengers show up.”
“Let’s check it out.” He led the way into the dark.
When we didn’t find anything to alarm us, we told the others we’d camp there. As was the norm, Fawke and I took the first watch. I hoped the scouts showed up soon. Other members of our group might shoot first and ask questions later.
I leaned against the wagon and trained my gaze on the road in front of us. The weak sun blocked by gray clouds failed to pierce the gloom. I missed the fake sunshine of Soriah.
“The longer you’re here, the more glum you get.” Fawke’s worried gaze settled on my face.
“That’s because for every obstacle we climb over, there’s more, and I’m not talking just about finding a way over buildings and around rusted vehicles from a century ago.”
“I’ve told you many times what a good head you have on your shoulders. You’ll make the right choices.”
I shot him a quick glance. “Will I? I’m not sure I can continue under the pressure.”
“You can, and you will. We’ve seen more cooperation from Soriah under your charge than ever before. They see the value in you. Now, you need to see your own value.”
I smirked. If I went through with the idea I toyed with in my mind, I’d become a rebel. One of the very people we hunted for. My mother would be mortified and shunned. Would my freedom be worth that? Only if I could find a way to free the people of Soriah from President Cane’s rule.
I rolled my head on my shoulders, trying to release the kinks caused by stress. In the growing light of day, I spotted the scouts coming our way and prayed I hadn’t made a bad decision by allowing them to temporarily join us.
“Hard to get the wagons around this.” A burly man I guessed was their leader, motioned to the wall.
“It is. We’ll spend half the night trying to clear a path.”
“Why not ditch the wagons?”
“We have supplies and a tent. We can’t always find a place to sleep out of the acid rain.”
He shrugged. “We manage. Name’s Lloyd.”
“Crynn Dayholt. This is Fawke.”
“Closed spaces are claustrophobic,” he said. “We’ll sleep under your wagon.” He tossed his back in and climbed under, the other four following.
It relieved some of my worry to know they wouldn’t be sharing my group’s sleeping quarters. Two guards at a time could guarantee these men didn’t try to steal our supplies.
We now had five extra pairs of hands to move debris. Our travels would be easier for however long we traveled together.
All I had to do was keep them a secret from Soriah.
18
When we woke that evening, the scouts were gone. I glared at Shane and Lara. “What happened? You were on watch.”
“We fell asleep.” Embarrassment flickered across Shane’s face. “Lara isn’t feeling
