“You’re going to overdose on sugar,” Seth cautioned.
“No such thing,” she quipped, taking a deep bite of her pancakes.
“Alright, but you’re going to crash when you come off that sugar high, and you’re going to crash hard.”
“I’ll deal with it then,” Rogue said, flashing him a benign smile.
He snorted and turned his attention toward his own food.
Rogue took the opportunity to study the others around the table. Casey was brisk and business-like, ready to perform her duties. Paul couldn’t stop grinning, ecstatic at the prospect of returning home. Jessica looked calm and collected while Bear ate enough for three people. So did Tony. She avoided looking at David, not willing to fall into a pit of grief yet, and focused on Imogen instead.
The girl fascinated her. She was like a splash of color in a monochrome world. From her bright red hair, blue eyes, and crazy dress sense to her tinkling laugh and sunny disposition. There was nothing ordinary about her.
“Did you sleep well, Rogue?” Imogen asked, seeming to sense Rogue’s interest.
“Very well, thank you. I haven’t slept on a mattress that soft in a long time,” Rogue said, and she meant every word. “Plus, I had two showers. Three, actually.”
Imogen laughed. “I’m glad you’ve enjoyed your stay.”
“Yup, I could get used to this,” Rogue said, returning her smile.
“Well, don’t,” David said in a sharp tone of voice. “This isn’t a holiday. People are dying, and everyone’s counting on us.”
Rogue sucked in a deep breath but refrained from answering. She understood the reason for his ill humor. He didn’t want her or anyone else to be happy after Brittany’s death.
“David, what—” Seth began, but Rogue kicked his leg.
Seth shot her a look, but took her meaning and remained silent. The others followed his example, and an uncomfortable silence fell across the room. David returned to his food, his expression a mixture of anger and embarrassment.
After a time, Rogue reached out and touched his hand. “I miss her too, David. We all do.”
He swallowed hard and nodded. “Thank you.”
After breakfast, they got ready for the trip. Paul and Casey loaded the plane while the rest equipped the Jeep and van. Everyone except for Jessica and Bear. They were more interested in the weapons cache than anything else. By the time they were done, they’d filled the van to the brim with guns and ammunition.
“Right, are we packed and ready to go?” Jessica asked.
Rogue took a last look around the room and shouldered her bag. “All done.”
“Excellent.”
“Wait,” Rogue called. “Are you sure you want to do this? You don’t have to. You could stay here until someone came for you, or—”
Jessica raised one hand. “I’ve got my reasons.”
“Does one of those reasons involve Bear?” Rogue asked with caution.
To her relief, Jessica laughed. “Come on. We need to get going.”
Rogue followed Jessica into the early morning sun and walked toward the waiting Cessna. Casey and Paul were there, ready to take their leave.
“Have a safe flight,” Rogue said, shaking Casey’s hand. She grabbed Paul and gave him a hug. “And say hello to Sandi for me.”
He hugged her back. “I’ll tell her. Be safe. All of you.”
After saying goodbye to the others, he climbed into the plane, followed by Casey. She performed her pre-flight checks before starting the engine.
Rogue stood back and watched as the Cessna took off. It ran down the runway before lifting into the air with effortless grace. To her, it seemed like a miracle, and she kept watching long after the plane disappeared.
“Come on,” Seth said.
They walked toward the Jeep, and she gazed at the vehicle for a second. “Who’s driving? I never learned how.”
“Me neither,” Seth said. “Unless you count a tractor.”
“I can drive, but I’m rusty,” Jessica said. “My dad taught me when I was young, but I haven’t had a lot of opportunity since then.”
“I’ll do it,” Bear said, taking the Jeep’s keys.
“And I’ll drive the van,” Tony said.
It made sense. The two men were the oldest among the group and must’ve learned before the Shift. Rogue shoved her bag into the back of the Jeep and climbed in, joined moments later by Jessica. Bear and Seth got into the front while Tony, David, and Imogen got into the van.
Seth looked at her over his shoulder. “Ready to go?”
“More than ready,” she replied, grinning despite herself.
“You do know that we’re embarking on a life-threatening, possibly suicidal mission, right?” Jessica asked with a quizzical look.
“I know, but I can’t help it. There’s a whole world out there that I haven’t seen yet, and I’m just too excited to be scared right now,” Rogue said with a grin.
Jessica returned her grin. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m excited too.”
Bear grunted. “There’s no point in being scared. We have to face life head-on, or else, we’re stuck forever on the sidelines.”
“You’re right, though I didn’t think you were the philosophical type,” Seth said.
“You’d be surprised,” Bear replied with a grin.
“Well then? What are we waiting for?” Rogue asked, settling into her seat.
Bear drove out of the gates, bouncing across the rough, pitted road. Seth wielded an ancient roadmap provided by Imogen, and they struck a course for the center of Kalama. The van followed close on their heels, its black paint chipped and faded with age.
Rogue tried to contain her eagerness. While this was the start of the adventure she’d always wanted, she’d learned to expect failure too. If there was one thing Brittany’s death had taught her, it was that life wasn’t fair, and no one got out alive.
Chapter 13 - Kat
“Congratulations. You’re pregnant,” Doctor Bloomberg said in his signature baritone.
His gray eyes twinkled at her from beneath bushy white eyebrows, and she was reminded once again of Father Christmas. The way his shirt bulged over his rotund belly and the soft white beard that rested on his
