“I’m coming for you,” River says. “You can try to defend yourself, but it won’t matter.” The rage in his eyes makes me shiver. “I am River Benett, the destroyer of Father, his army, and his city. I’m coming for Denver, Hector. I’m coming foryou.”
As fast as I can blink, River lunges. I look away, but I still hear the impact of the lizard against one of the trees.
“He would’ve followed us,” River says. “I didn’t want to kill it.”
“I know. I would’ve done the same.” Although I wouldn’t have told my enemy that I was coming to kill him. I wonder how many more lizards will spy on us, but I can’t turn paranoid.
“At least we know for sure where they are headed,” Timothy says.
River returns to sit on his sleeping bag, his head bowed.
I take a breath and say, “River Benett, you can carry me on your back tomorrow.”
He raises his head and smiles for the first time in days. “Thank you.”
*
We move much faster with me on River’s back. Timothy can run fast as well, and unlike me, he doesn’t get tired. What should have taken us two days ends up taking us a single one, though we do stop for the night on the side of the road since we don’t expect the restaurant to be open so late. During the early hours of the morning, we make our way to Molly’s Burgers, and there are already people there.
“Stay close to me,” River tells Timothy.
We step inside to old music playing. The air smells of fried food, but the place is warm and comfy, mostly painted in red and white. About a dozen customers sit inside, and one is wearing dark sunglasses even though there isn’t much light.
“Red!”
Roberta comes over and hugs River warmly. Her blonde hair is short and curly, and her bluish uniform has a stain on the right shoulder.
“I think I remember you,” she tells me.
“I’m Finn.”
“Right right. It’s been a while. And this is… oh my.”
“Timothy Brown. Pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”
“I thought I saw everything this world has to offer, but I guess not. Do you eat?”
“No, but Finn is quite hungry.”
I don’t mind him saying that since it’s true.
“Go and sit,” Roberta says. “Oh, and where’s my dearest Josh?”
River’s face falls. “Kidnapped by Raiders, but I’m going to get him back.”
She covers her mouth. “Those fucking… I’m livid!Livid!”
“They’re taking him to Denver. Maybe he’s already there.”
She opens her mouth and quickly closes it, but the look in her eyes speaks volumes.
“I’ll save him,” River says sternly. “And Caden.”
“Do you have a radio transceiver that I can use to speak with my Hive?” I ask.
“Hmm, I think that Hank got his hands on one a couple of months ago. Don’t know if it’s working, though—he’s a hoarder of junk. I can also find someone to pass over a letter, but that will take longer.”
“We’ll try the radio transceiver first,” I say. “Right after we eat.”
