Lightness passes between us and I lean forward and kiss him. Despite how much I would love to show him the love of my body right now, I think we both know now is not the time. When the kiss passes, we don’t speak. In synchronized movements we make our way to the side of the fire, curling up together.
As I fall asleep once more in Ax’s arms, I marvel at how much I love being the little spoon and drift off dreaming about what tomorrow will bring.
∞∞∞
The next day we break camp without a word between us. A heavy fog descended over the area in the night, obscuring our vision but doing nothing for the oppressive heat. The mugginess as much as anything else keeps us from talking as we move, but as we get closer to where I think the town will be the conversation picks up.
“Where do you think everyone else ended up last night?” I ask Ax as Brutus trails a bit behind us.
“Somewhere in town, I assume,” he says with a shrug, “Ethan and the guys will have found somewhere safe to wait for us.”
I nod but don’t quite feel his level of confidence.
“You think anyone else ran into The Watch?”
Again, he shrugs.
“No way of knowing.”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes at that but before I can reply, Ax holds out a hand to stop us both. I pause and turn my gaze ahead, letting out a small gasp as the heavy fog begins to clear. From our higher vantage point we can see the fog heavy above a valley below. A stream, I assume the same one we slept by last night, flows just outside a bustling town.
Even from here, I can tell this place has seen the effects of The Split. Though there are new houses and buildings, the older ones have a look about them that I recognize from similar places I’ve stayed. It looks like it was built up quickly but parts of it are still decrepit, like people didn’t want to bother tearing things down and instead left them to the elements.
Thinking back to my own maps and where I was arrested, I realize this small place is probably the next place I would have come if I hadn’t been put in the Tomb.
Brutus comes up behind us finally and looks down at our destination.
“We go there?”
I nod without turning my head.
“Yup,” I reply. “We go there.”
We clean up briefly before heading down, at least ensuring no visible blood stains are on us. We speak briefly and pick the best place to enter from where we think we might attract the least notice. If the others did in fact arrive yesterday, they could be anywhere, but we won’t know until we go down there. The bruises on my face are more faded to yellow, but still visible if one cared to look.
Without further delay, we make our way down the hill and back to civilization. My stomach is in knots knowing the last time I was in a town, I was arrested and thrown into prison. My eyes trail toward Ax and I feel myself smile.
Then again, I suppose that didn’t end so bad.
Gripping his hand in mine, we walk into town.
Chapter Eight
Axle
My senses are on high alert as we step into the township. Right away the smells hit me, so different from hot stone, blood, and sweat like I’m used to. I breathe deeply, letting all the scents pour over me, not caring if they are good or bad. I read a book once that said variety is the spice of life. I don’t know if it’s true, but a lifetime of routine and the same smells, tastes and sights certainly make me appreciate this more.
Manure, I think to myself,bread, hot dye, metal forge…
The recognition comes back quickly. People move around ignoring us, our trio not catching much interest despite our appearance. I am fascinated by them all.
There are certainly more men than children or women, but all walks of life are still represented here. A baby cries somewhere in the distance and my heart pounds in my chest as I try to take it all in. The light itch of familiar demons crawls under my skin, always waiting for me to let my guard down.
“Ax?” Ana whispers lightly, squeezing my hand in hers as she looks at me with worry. The itch dissipates with her touch and I breathe easier.
“Yeah,” I manage to rasp, clearing my throat. “I’m fine.”
She watches me only a second longer before nodding. Letting go of my hand, she walks over towards a small stall that seems to be selling baked goods. The woman behind it looks older, but her posture is strong and rigid. A survivor of the virus as old as her would be rare.