Page 109 of Beyond The Maples
Figuring out Willow's needs is the hardest bit. There's only so much dust she can breathe in at one time before we start to have major issues. Linden fights meon several points, but I'm surprised he doesn't push back more on leaving. I tell him a little about what I've heard about Zaphira—about their technology and how they live very much like how Arcadya used too, which I think helps entice him. Who wouldn't want to leave this dust bowl if they had the chance?
Where we're struggling, though, are all the unknowns. I don't even know yet how many people are coming. I haven't secured our passage with the twins, and that part sends Linden into an absolute spiral.
"It's not going to be a problem," I say, exhaustion settling in as I flop back on the couch.
Willow has already started packing, which I told her was wildly premature. I told them I'd send them a coded letter when the time came to get ready. I've drawn a map with the meeting point and the distance they'd have to get on their own, which luckily isn’t far.
"Do you have any money squirrelled away?" I ask Linden.
With my government cheques and the medical coverage, he should get more than they spend right now.
He nods.
"Good, bring that with you and pay the twins half of whatever you have as a show of good faith. I'm going to have to bribe them to take us into Zaphira instead of Soland, but it will be worth it. They've crossed both borders several times."
Linden nods again, worry creasing his forehead.
I lay my hand on his and squeeze. "It's gonna be ok. It will be hard, but it's going to be worth it. We have to get out of here, Lind."
"I know," he says quietly, sounding defeated. "Things are even changing at the university, and at the hospital."
I quirk my eyebrow in question.
"There's often military presence now. They claim there have been raidshere, but I haven't seen any. If I had to guess, it's civilians who are so desperately trying to get medication for themselves or loved ones."
I purse my lips, unsurprised.
"I'm sorry, Lin. I know you've worked hard to get as far as you have. I hope that there will be opportunity for you to keep going with your studies in Zaphira. Who knows what it will be like there for science and medicine?" I smile encouragingly at him.
The rest of the night is mre relaxed, we gossip about random townspeople, and Willow fills us in about some of the drama at her school. My body sags with relief as I listen to their idle chatter, both gunning for my attention in adorable, subtle ways.
"Oh! And Giles is missing! Marta took over the diner," Willow says with a cheeky smile.
"What? Really? What happened to Giles?" Deep satisfaction curls in my gut.
"No one is sure— he just disappeared. Some think it's like all the other disappearances, but I'm not sure. I think someone finally got fed up and buried him somewhere, and no one cares enough to report it. According to my friend whose sister works at the diner, Giles got even worse after you left. Openly humiliating and assaulting the staff," Willow says.
I wince, thinking about all the girls I left behind at the diner. At least when I was there, Marta and I acted as a bit of a buffer. I feel a pinch of guilt wondering if Hollis is okay... but I don't ask, afraid of the answer.
"I bet Marta murdered him with her frying pan," Willow continues, and I snort. I wouldn't be surprised, there's only so far you can push a woman.
There's a comfortable silence for some time before Willow decides being nosy is her new favourite pastime.
"So, did you and Deacon decide to finally go for it once he showed up at training? If that's not a grand, romantic gesture, then what is!" Willow looks at me with moon eyes.
I frown.
"Oh, because you are suddenly an expert on grand, romanticgestures?" I tease.
"Oh come on, Maple. You have to know he's been crazy about you since we were kids," Linden says, surprising me.
"No, he hasn't," I argue.
"He followed you into the freakin' army, Maple! Open your eyes," Willow states dramatically.
"Trust me. For a split second, I thought maybe… but he basically turned me down. He loves me, just not in that way."
Linden frowns now, like nothing has made less sense to him.
