Page 10 of Shattered Home

When Murphy was quiet for longer than comfortable, I wondered if I overstepped some sort of invisible boundary. Some boundary that said, hey, we don’t flirt when we’re trying to survive and people could be dying in the towns.

Except, just as I was about to take back my words, Murphy winked, that charming grin gracing his lips. “That’s just an added bonus, Alessia.”

My heart rate kicked up at the glint in his eyes and subconsciously, my body started leaning toward his. His eyes dropped quickly to my lips, before meeting my eyes again, and I wondered if this was an idiotic idea.

Our bodies had an inch of space between them, and any thoughts of this being a bad idea vanished from my brain. I closed my eyes, waiting to feel the pressure of Murphy’s lips, when a voice sounded.

“This is an emergency broadcast. I repeat, this is an emergency broadcast.”

My eyes snapped open, meeting Murphy’s wide gaze. In tandem, we turned toward the radio, the stupid radio that had ruined my moment. After two months, this was the moment it wanted to broadcast.

Murphy jumped to his feet, taking the few steps to the hooked up radio. He twisted a few knobs until the static of the voice became clearer. Pushing myself to standing, I joined Murphy, listening intently. I may have harbored resentment toward the anonymous voice, but that didn’t mean I didn’t want to hear what it had to say. Maybe these were the answers I had been waiting for.

“This is a national safety alert. Due to the ongoing crisis, all citizens are asked to relocate to the nearest government aided camp. Please listen to the following coordinates for your corresponding location.”

The voice continued to drone on for what seemed like another hour, listing off various coordinates that meant nothing to me. However, from Murphy’s pursed lips and focused eyes, I knew they meant something to him.

Finally, the coordinates ended, the voice repeating the beginning of the message. The hope I had for answers swiftly faded, however, I knew this wasn’t useless information. Murphy had said he wanted concrete proof there was something out there before we left the woods. And now we had it.

“Do you know which coordinates are closest to us?” I finally asked as Murphy unhooked the radio and stuffed it back into his bag.

Murphy didn’t say anything as he began walking back toward the camp and I had to hurry to catch up with his long strides. Not enjoying the fact that he was outright ignoring me, I grabbed his bicep, pulling until he stopped walking and looked at me.

“Does this mean we have somewhere to go? You wanted proof, we have it.” I scanned his face, trying to decipher what he was thinking, but his face was blank.

“We’ll talk to the others,” he stated before gently releasing my hold and continuing to walk.

My heart plummeted at his words. I knew what he really meant. We’d talk to Rainer. And I had a feeling that after that conversation, I’d be no closer to leaving these godforsaken woods.

Chapter Seven

The sun crept beneath the horizon when we finally made it back to camp. No one paid us much attention as we stepped into the clearing, too focused on their own tasks. I took the moment to glance over at the others, studying them, trying to decide who I could convince that at least checking out the camp was a good idea.

I didn’t bother to glance at Rainer; I knew he would shut the idea down quicker than the words could leave mine or Murphy’s lips. Emmanuel and Elizabeth were at the fire, cooking meat over the embers. They may be willing to leave, if only for the safety of Stephanie and Lucas.

Speaking of the twins, I couldn’t spot Lucas, but Stephanie sat before Sasha as she braided her hair. The small girl’s cheeks were hollow and her eyes sad. The days were beginning to take a toll on the children, the excitement of camping in the woods finally fading.

As for Sasha herself, I wasn’t sure where she stood. I didn’t know much about her except that she had blended easily into the group since day one, her ability to roll with the punches something I admired.

Finally, my eyes landed on Mina. Besides Murphy, she was still the only one I truly talked to. Usually, she immersed herself into the group, but tonight she sat underneath a tree, her legs curled up to her chest.

Slowly approaching her so I didn’t catch her off guard, she gave me a small smile as I sat down. The imminent night made it hard to make out her features, but the last few glimmers of the sunset glinted off the tears tracking down her cheeks.

“Are you okay?” I asked gently, placing a soft hand against her arm.

She didn’t respond right away, and I briefly wondered if I was overstepping a boundary. However, as selfish as it may be, if Mina was struggling, she could be the ally I needed to convince the others to leave the woods.

“If you ever need to talk, I’m a great listener.” I tried again, smiling when she looked my way so she’d know my words were sincere.

I may have had an ulterior motive for wanting her to open up, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t a good listener. Being a nurse, bedside manner was a part of the job and I happened to think that was the thing I was best at.

Mina picked up a small twig by her hand, snapping the piece into fragments as she finally began to speak, her voice low so only I could hear. “I’m just wondering why we’re still here. Obviously, there are others out there. Shouldn’t we be trying to find them?”

Her voice cracked on the last words and I wondered if there was a them in particular she wanted to search for. Rainer and Murphy had fled together, the family of four were still with each other. And I knew my reasons for being alone, but so were Sasha and Mina. I had no clue if they had any family back in town. We had all been so careful to not talk about life before, as if it made it easier. But maybe that had been a mistake.

“Are you trying to find your family?” I asked and Mina gave a short, sad laugh.

“No. I wouldn’t even know how to begin. They live all the way in New Jersey, I’m only here for college.”

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