Page 20 of Rok's Captive
She shrugs me off and turns away, arms crossed, shoulders hunched, and I know she’s fighting the urge to let those tears fall.
The other women have fallen silent, watching our exchange. I can see the relief in some of their faces—relief that it wasn’t them who drew the short straw. Others look guilty, torn between volunteering to take my place and staying quiet.
Erika steps forward. “We’ll take care of your sister, Justine. I promise.”
I nod, grateful for her words even as Jacqui keeps her back turned to me.
The rest of the day passes in a blur. I’ll take three hydration packets, three emergency rations, and a makeshift sun shield fashioned from the reflective emergency blanket. Alex gives me strict instructions about preventing heatstroke.
As night falls and the others settle in to sleep, I can’t. Wrapping the sun-shield/emergency blanket over my shoulders, I crouch in the sand just outside the entrance to the bus. Someone exits behind me and I know it’s her even before she speaks. I’ll always recognize my sister.
“This is crazy,” she whispers, settling beside me. “You don’t have to do this.”
“We drew straws,” I remind her. “And someone has to go.”
“Then I’ll come with you.”
“We’ve been over this. Two people means twice the water needed.”
She falls silent, and in the dim light filtering through the tear in the transport, I can see tears shimmering in her eyes.
“Hey,” I bump her shoulder with mine. “Remember when we got lost hiking in the San Juan Mountains? You freaked out, but we found our way back before they even organized a search party.”
“That was different. We were sixteen, and there were trail markers.”
“Still. I’ve always had a good sense of direction.” It’s a weak joke, but she manages a small smile.
“Just…” She swallows hard. “Just be careful, okay?”
“I promise.” I squeeze her hand. “I’ll be back before you know it.”
Morning comes too quickly. As the first hints of light appear on the horizon, I stand outside the transport, equipped with my meager supplies.
“Keep the beacon active,” I remind Erika. “If rescue comes while I’m gone…”
“We’ll send them after you immediately,” she promises.
Alex gives me a final once-over. “Remember, walk only during the coolest parts of the day. Find shade during peak heat, even if it means making less progress.”
“I’ve got it.” I nod.
“The formations look like they’re about five miles out,” Mikaela says, studying the horizon. “Should be able to make it there by tomorrow morning if you pace yourself.”
“Here.” Tina hands me a small object she’s extracted from one of the cases—a compass-like device with Xyma markings. “It seems to point consistently in one direction. Might help you keep your bearings.”
Everyone has advice, last-minute suggestions, and words of encouragement. Everyone except Jacqui, who stands slightly apart. When my eyes land on her, that lump in my throat pulses. It’s the same mask she wore during Mom’s funeral. The one that reveals nothing, even when she didn’t speak for months.
This is killing her. And I know it.
If she’d been the one to draw the short straw, I’d have felt the same way. Heck, I’d have taken her place instead.
Finally, it’s time to go. I adjust my makeshift head covering, check my supplies one last time, and face the direction of the stone pillars.
“I’ll be back in two days.” I say it with more confidence than I feel. “Three at most.”
Jacqui finally steps forward, and pulls me into a fierce hug. “You better be, or I swear to God, Justine…”
I pull away, give her a smile that I hope looks brave, and turn toward the desert. The bastard sun is just beginning to rise, casting the bus’s long shadow across the sand. The rock formations stand silhouetted against the lightening sky, seeming both impossibly far and yet so close.
