“When we get to Madras, can I stay with you guys?”
Stella glanced away from the road for a moment. “Well, yeah. Of course.”
Mercury nodded and echoed her friend. “Yeah. You can stay with us as long as you want.”
“Even though you think you’re probably gonna leave Madras?” Gemma studied both of the women. “I mean, I know I’m a kid, which can be a pain in the ass for you, but I want you to know right now that, no matter what, I want to be with you guys. Even if it looks like it’d be a better choice to leave me at Madras.”
“We’ve already told you that you’re not a pain in the ass. And better choice for whom?” said Stella, her eyes back on the road as she slowed and steered around two stalled trucks and an SUV on its side.
“Me. Well, or you guys.”
“It’s not better for us to leave you somewhere, and if you want to stay with us, then that’s the best choice for you,” said Mercury firmly. “You’re one of us now. Plus, Imani would be really pissed.”
Gemma grinned. “She’s a mama bear.” Then her smile slid from her face. “But, um, what if whoever is in charge of Madras says I should stay?”
“No one in Madras is the boss of us,” said Mercury.
“And no one will take you away from us.” Stella sighed. “We won’t let anyone take those kids in the back away from us either. Not if they want to stay with us.”
“Shit,” said Mercury.
“Right?” said Gemma, her grin returning. “I told you kids are a pain in the ass.”
“Little kids are a pain in the ass,” countered Mercury. “You’re a teenager. We’re used to your particular brand of ass pain.”
The rapping on the rear window made them jump.
“Shit! I wish we had a better system for that,” said Mercury as she turned to look behind them. “Every damn time I almost pee myself.”
Imani shouted through the panes of glass. “The kids have to go potty!”
Mercury nodded and gave her the thumbs-up sign. She turned around. “Did you hear that?”
“Yep,” Stella said. “I’ll find a place. I’m pretty sure we’re close to Warm Springs, so it’s a good idea to stop before we have to deal with whatever as I do my best to speed through that town.”
“I gotta pee too. Like, bad,” said Gemma.
Mercury raised her brow. “For how long?”
Gemma shrugged a shoulder. “Awhile.”
“Next time only hold it if we’re fleeing for our lives,” said Mercury. “The last thing any of us needs is to deal with a UTI.”
Stella shuddered. “The scourge of womanhood.”
“Seriously,” muttered Mercury.
“Oh, hey! That looks like a river ahead!” Gemma pointed to the left side of the road.
“Good eyes, kid,” said Stella. “And the rain has finally let up. We can stop by the river so everyone can wash their hands and whatnot before we head out.”
Stella pulled to the side of the road in an area clear of stalled cars. There were no homes anywhere around them, and as they sat in the cab studying the land, they could see no movement except scrub and junipers swaying in the breeze. The highway was above what, upon closer inspection, looked more like a deep gulch that was swollen with rain than a true river, though they could see a rickety wooden bridge several yards away, perched over the rapidly moving water.
“Does anyone see any green fog?” Stella asked as she rolled down her window and peered through the gloom.
“I don’t,” said Gemma.
“Neither do I. What does your gut tell you?” Mercury asked.