Page 30 of The Dire Legacy

Even Mom would have taken hours to heal from broken bones.

No. She really could have moderate healing rates like me if she wasn’t badly hurt during the crash.

Fuck. How would I find out? It’s not like I can hurt her on purpose.

But, I might be able to actuallytouchsomeone?

My hands shake as I pick the kindling back up. With my head in turmoil, I work my way back through the trees to the lakeside where only the reflection of the rising moon offers any light.

She’s still huddled beneath the blanket, her shaved head is barely poking out.

I make the fire without talking, focusing on the task at hand. It isn’t until the flames dance in her green eyes that the silence is broken by anything other than the gnawing of bones by my pack.

“It’s weird hearing them eating people and thinking that I’m hungry.” Her voice is muffled by the thick fabric of the wool wrapped around her.

“I have real food. Okay, it’s freeze dried shit from twenty five years ago, but better than what they’re eating.” The cart has several large totes full of it. “Spaghetti with meat sauce? How about stroganoff?” I toss each to the side as I call them out.

“I’ve never had a choice before.” She’s so quiet, I don’t think she intended for me to hear her.

Was she the one that the restraints were for?

“Spaghetti,” she says loud enough for her words to carry across the water and echo back from the far hill.

“That’s a good one. I’d worry if you held out for chili.” I try to add some levity to my words as my guts churn.

Is she a convict?

The blanket ruffles around her neck as she shakes her head. “I’ve never had it.”

“Really? I thought it was a staple at every prison.” I dip a pot into the lake to fill with water, but I can hear her catch her breath.

“Why would you think I was in jail?” Her toe fidgets in the sand and she stares into the base of the fire.

Raking coals into a hollow, I put the pan on them to boil before rolling back onto my heels.

“I saw the cuffs on the plane. The rest of the bodies were dressed like guards except for the pilot.” My palms raise to face her. “No judgment. I grew up locked behind walls, too.” I don’t think she’s quite ready to hear why I was kept away from everyone as a child.

She hugs her knees tighter to her chest. “Not everyone in chains did something wrong.” Her face turns to look out over the water.

The tired gaze gives me the impression she’s done talking about it. Maybe another day she’ll open up.

How long will she be with us? Would anyone sane really want to stay with a pack of monsters?

“Well, tomorrow I’ll send some scouts out to find the nearest town so you can get to where you’re going.” Steam rolls out of the bag as I hand it to her with a fork. “You’re in the middle of the Idaho forests, in case you were wondering.”

Her hand darts out from the confines of her blanket and takes the package carefully by the corner. “Thank you. Idaho, huh? I thought it would be all potato fields or something.” A hint of a smile dances over the corner of her lips before she purses them and blows across her hot food.

“Ah, yea. I think we lost some farming status a while back. There’s not many besides just subsistence at the moment. Most of the big ag is closer to the Mississippi. Less manpower needed.” I sweep my arm towards the heavy trees behind us. “Too many places here for critters to hide.” Grinning, I know my teeth stick out and let my ears perk erect. She needs to know I’m one too.

A creature of the shadows. Not fit for humanity.

To my surprise, she mirrors my expression. “Hiding isn’t a bad thing. It’d be nice to disappear.”

I let out a low chuckle as I wiggle a more comfortable seat in the sand. “I’d say falling out of the sky is a good way to do that.” Toeing my soggy boots off, I drape them so they can dry by the fire. My socks follow and I push my feet into the earth that still holds warmth from the sun.

I might as well take off these wet gloves, too. They make it hard to eat with.

She just needs to keep her distance and not try to die anymore today. I can’t save her if I have to touch her.

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