Page 142 of His to Burn
I risked looking out of the window and saw nothing but a field.
The same twisted wreckage.
A beautiful sunrise.
“We can get out,” I said quietly.
Asia nodded, but didn’t speak. She went to move, but I squeezed her hand, the one that I still held.
“No matter what,” I said.
She looked almost embarrassed,but nodded at my words. She got out without saying anything, and a moment later, the others emerged.
“Everybody okay?” she asked.
“We’re fine,” Lourdes said.
Miles nodded, and so did Elliot and Bridget. Caitlin just stared off into the distance but looked okay.
“All right, everybody, take a minute, then let’s move. We’re going to get to Uncle Levi’s today,” I said.
I was determined to make that happen.
This trip had already taken forever, and even after all of our close calls, there hadn’t really been anything that we couldn’t handle.
But that wouldn’t last.
It couldn’t.
Within fifteen minutes, everyone stretched, relieved themselves, and eaten a quick meal of trail mix and we were on our way.
“It’s less than five miles,” Asia said a few hours later, her voice was a mix of excitement and trepidation.
“It’ll be there,” I said.
“I didn’t say I thought it wouldn’t be,” she said, looking at me.
“You’re not the only one who’s observant, Counselor. It’ll be there,” I said.
Asia, being Asia, would never admit to it, but I knew the fears had creeped in. She was worried about whether her uncle would be there.
If he’d take her in.
I wasn’t, but I had to get her there.
“Less than a mile,” Asia said a little later.
There was excitement in her voice, and everyone, even Caitlin, picked up the pace.
I was going to smile, but something flashed out in the corner of my eye.
I turned, hoping I was wrong.
I wasn’t.
From the slow, lumbering gait, I could tell the undead were behind us.
“Move!” I whispered urgently.
