She buckled the holster around her hips.
“You do not want another Progg to see you with that weapon,” he said. “He will kill you on the spot.”
“I’ll get a pack in town.”
He nodded. Was he making a huge mistake to part with his weapon? Yeah. But he didn’t care. Nothing mattered anymore. He accepted he lacked the ability to kill on command. As a soldier, he was a failure.
He could not restore all she had lost nor give her the life she might have had, but he could grant her freedom and ensure her safety. He slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out Knife’s medallion. “If you wear this, any Progg who sees you will let you pass.”
“No!” She backed away. “I won’t wear that. I am not a traitor.”
“You are safe from me, but you will not be safe from others. You don’t have to betray anyone. This will ensure your safety.”
“I’d rather die than wear that.” Her eyes flashed.
She was being foolish by refusing the protection. “Have it your way.” He pushed the medallion into his pocket. “Well…I’m—”Sorry.He didn’t dare say that again, so he started off down the road.
“Where are you going? What are you going to do now?”
“Continue the search,” he said dejectedly. “The town you mentioned—Big Creek—it’s this way, isn’t it?” Grav was undoubtedly dead, but he couldn’t give up. Without a purpose, what was the point of living?
“Yes. Another mile or so.” She bit her lip. “I’ll walk with you. I’m headed that way.”
* * * *
What the hell am I doing?
After kidnapping her, he’d let her go—and handed over his weapon. It probably wouldn’t work like he said—only a crazy person handed the enemy his weapon—but Chloe intended to test it when they parted company. Unlike a handgun, his vaporizer was so light, she hardly felt it around her waist. The holster weighed more.
She probably should have hightailed it to the double-wide, gotten the bicycle, and pedaled the fuck out of here, but she was closer to town than the house, and she had Kevin. She couldn’t expect the dog to runalongside the bike for ten, twenty miles, even if he’d been in great shape, which he wasn’t. Another reason to go on to Big Creek. She had to get dog food—and food for herself, fresh clothes, and a backpack to carry it all.
She snuck a peek at Rok. Shoulders slumped, he shuffled along.He looks like somebody stole his puppy.The spurt of pity stirred a stronger surge of anger.Why should I feel sorry for him? What does he have to feel dejected about?
But she couldn’t help wondering what the heck was going on in his head. His behavior confused her. He kidnapped her then let her go and handed her his weapon. He killed her family—well, maybe not him, but his people—then apologized for it. Hethankedher for a ho-hum breakfast.
Who are you?
Who was anybody? She wasn’t the same person she’d been before the invasion. The trio hadn’t been who they’d seemed at first, either.
“What will you do if you find your brother?”
“Haven’t thought beyond that. It will depend on him, I guess.”
“How long have you been searching?”
“I just started. My unit was camped northwest of here by many muh-ruga.”
A squirrel ran across the road.
“Ruff. Ruff. Ruff.”Kevin took off after it.
The squirrel darted up a tree, leaving Kevin barking at the base. The squirrel’s chitters taunted the dog whose yaps grew more enthusiastic. What would once have been an ordinary, forgettable incident turned extraordinary and momentous. A dog and a squirrel. Might there be other dogs? Cats, too?
She wiped away an emotional tear. “Tell me about your brother.”
He shrugged. “His name is Grav. He’s five years older than me.”
She waited for him to say more. “That’s it?”
