Page 81 of Blue Arrow Island
“This is Athena, I need command team one in underground housing block two right now.”
There’s a crackle over the radio and a male voice answers. “Copy that, Athena. Stand by.”
My left eye is swollen, and I have aches and pains all over, but I’m not seriously injured. I pick up my blanket and wrap it around myself.
Vance’s hand is dripping blood where I bit him, a small red pool by his feet.
“Nova, you have to listen to me,” he says, sounding calm and rational. “I was restraining her because she was trying to escape. She’s going to come up with a story.”
“Sit your ass on the cot,” Nova says.
“Youknowme.”
“Did I fucking stutter? Not. Another. Word.”
I scratched the shit out of his face. It’s covered with jagged, bloody lines. Even now, I stare at him, keeping the blanket bundled tightly around me. I don’t trust that he won’t try something, even with a gun pointed at him.
A minute later, Marcus calls out to Nova as he approaches, his deep voice reigniting my fury. Standing in the doorway, she steps into the room and he enters behind her.
He’s shirtless, wearing only shorts. He doesn’t even have shoes on and his hair is a mess. He’s also carrying a handgun, a rifle slung over his back with the strap resting across his chest.
Marcus looks from me to Vance, and then back to Vance again. Niran walks into the room next, wearing shorts, a T-shirt and flip-flops. He’s carrying a gun, too.
“Niran, keep your weapon on Vance while I talk to Marcus,” Nova says. “If he moves, shoot him in the head.”
Vance balks. “Marcus, she thinks I’m the one who did something! What the hell is going on? She was trying to escape!”
Marcus doesn’t respond. Once Niran has his gun pointed at Vance, Marcus leads Nova from the room.
“Niran, man, help me out here,” Vance pleads. “You know I’m a good guy.”
“Yeah, I know. Just be cool and wait while they talk.”
The exchange makes my stomach turn. Just a guy asking another guy to have his back. Even in the apocalypse, some things never change.
Soon, Marcus walks back into the room. His expression is different now, a dark storm in his eyes. He’s still holding the handgun.
“Vance,” he says. “Come with me.”
I’m shaking. Not just from what just happened, but from what’s going to happen next. Do I even have a chance of them believing me? Should I even bother telling them the truth?
“Niran, you can wait outside,” Nova says.
He nods and goes, pulling the door closed behind him. Once it’s closed, Nova puts the safety on her gun, putting her back against the door.
“I won’t come any closer,” she says softly. “Would you rather change your clothes with me in here or out in the hall?”
“He looked at me in the shower,” I blurt.
Her shoulders sink slightly. “I’m sorry. Do you want to change clothes, or would you rather keep the blanket?”
Hot tears spill onto my cheeks, and I swipe them away. I have to get ahold of myself. I can cry later, when I’m alone.
“I’ll change.” I slide off the cot, keeping the blanket secured. “Can you just turn around?”
Nova complies, and I walk over to the small dresser where I keep my clean clothes. The Dust Walkers often wear the same canvas pants and T-shirts the Tiders do. I dress in one of thefamiliar uniforms, feeling more comfortable than I would in casual clothes. Then I add socks and my boots, because I’m not sure I’ll be staying here anymore.
My hair is wild from being wet when I went to bed. I brush my hands through the slightly damp strands.
