Page 91 of Smoke and Flame

Morlie trotted to keep pace with them.Usually, she would have been frustrated at their long strides and rapidity, but she wouldn’t complain.She was anxious to get there.

An hour and a half later, after running, walking, and practically crawling, Morlie stood before the vehicle.Her eyes began to burn just as much as her lungs.Her hands burned from all the tree climbing, and she was exhausted.Every muscle in her body hurt so bad she wanted to drop to the ground and stay there for a week.

They don’t know Morlie's speed.She couldn’t blame her friends for the haste because when they would try and offer to take a break or carry her, she declined every time.Now she wished she’d tossed away her pride and allowed Irad to scoop her into his arms a half hour back.

“So, is it yours?”Fafner slowly walked around the truck.

Morlie nodded, unable to speak because of emotions tightening and the dryness of her throat.When she tried to take a step forward, her legs wobbled.

“Here.Drink.”Eilidh shoved the jug of water in her hands.

Giving her a weak smile of thanks, Morlie popped off the cap and immediately started drinking.Once she felt better, she placed the top back on it and moved toward the vehicle.A wave of nostalgia washed over her.She didn’t have any memories of her father driving the truck.It sat in an oversized underground parking garage with everyone else’s.However, he’d occasionally take the family to it, and they’d all pile in, sing songs, or talk about all the places they would drive to when the government gave the ‘all clear’ to return above ground.

They never made it.

Lifting a hand, Morlie swept it across the driver side window and cleared away all the dead leaves and grime so she could peer inside.There wasn’t much in it but a tattered and faded blanket.She saw Linda open the passenger door from the car's passenger side and climb in.Morlie grabbed the handle on her side and pulled it open.

“This is awesome,” Irad leaned against the inside of the driver's door.“I remember when we lived in Germany, my family had a car when I was a juvenile.But after the Great Disaster, we all took flight and joined the rest of the thunder here.”

“Since we don’t have to hide who we are anymore, there isn’t a need for us to have cars,” Fafner added.

“And they caused a large portion of the air pollution that exacerbated the global issue,” Saphira added as she climbed into the pickup.

“I don’t know anything about that other than what I learned in school.They told us that it had nothing to do with anything humans did.It had more to do with Earth changes like the Ice Age billions of years before.”Morlie shrugged as she ran her hands over the steering wheel while she sat in the driver’s seat.

“Human government.”Fafner shook his head from the front of the truck.He lifted the hood and peered inside.

Morlie allowed him the comment.She wasn’t sure what was true anymore since they never taught them in school about shifters.

“How long did it take you all to drive here from the human territory?”Eilidh asked as she got in beside Linda, making the other young woman slide to the middle of the bench seat, causing the blanket to get crushed between their hips.

Morlie shrugged as she watched Linda reach for the radio dial.Morlie looked past the wheel column and noticed the keys were still in the ignition.She had no clue how to drive.Kai had promised to teach her once she was better.It never happened.Grabbing the keys, Morlie pressed the brake as she turned.

The car made a few sputtering sounds but never really started.She did it again harder but came up with the same results.

“No fuel.”Irad tapped the gage where the needle rested on empty.

Banging her head against the back window, Morlie sighed.“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know what?”Linda drew her name into the thick layer of dust on the dashboard.

“Anything.I don’t know how long it took us to get here.I was so sick for so long, and I wasn’t aware of anything.Not even driving beyond the wall.”Morlie stared out the front window through a watery haze.She sniffed, trying to keep the tears from falling.

“It’s okay.”Eilidh consoled her.“You’re better now, and you’re here.You and Kai are safe.The Mckenna will make sure of it.”

Morlie nodded but was happy that Irad had moved away from the door and walked to Saphira and Anguis's mini picnic in the back of the truck.It allowed her to get out of the cab and the despondent emotions trying to cave in on her.

“Come eat, Morlie.We’ll need to head back soon.”Eilidh coaxed her to sit with them on the truck’s bed.

She wiped her eyes and saw the tailgate was down.Climbing up, she folded her legs and received a chunk of bread and an apple from Anguis, who sat beside her.At first, she ate silently, listening to the others discuss what new training section each would start the next day.They passed around the food and water items from Fafner and Eilidh’s sacks.

When Morlie finally looked around, the others either had kind smiles or compassion in their gaze.It made her feel like she was a part of the small group.

“Okay.We need to start making our way back.”Eilidh closed her empty bag before she jumped over the side, landing silently and effortlessly on the ground.

“We should be back well before the evening meal,” Anguis said.

“Your mind is always on food, Anguis,” Linda teased.

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