There’s a short hum of voices from the front before a long, screeching groan permeates the air. I wince from the force beating against my eardrums.
“Shit, that’s fucking loud,” Killian bellows, earning a backhand from Calder.
“And yelling is supposed to make it better, how?” I chuckle at that.
Before long, the convoy pitches forward. Are we drivingintothe wall? Oh, no, no, no. It’s all I can do to keep my mouth shut as we pass a group of gun-wielding Enforcers before darkness surrounds us completely. I’m going to vomit.
Deep breaths. In through the nose, out through the mouth.
My father’s words will not assist me here.
I’m stuck in a tiny space, where the only light is the dimmest haze offered from the front of the vehicle. What I’m able to see of the walls is even worse—they’re nearly touching the vehicle on both sides. What if it collapses and we are stuck in here until we die of suffocation or dehydration? I’m no stranger to being confined to small margins, but at least there I knewsomeonewould open the hatch door, even if it was an Enforcer. Now I’m stuck in here with an entire team of them.
One in, two out. Three in, four out.
I count and count as my ears grow fuzzy, my eyes aching from how hard they’re scrunched closed. Time passes slow. The only thing I focus on are the number of breaths I take in line with the number of rotations from our tires. As long as the tires are moving, we’re not stuck.
I’m nearing three hundred when the sound barrier spreads and my eyes spring open to the light of day once more. Given how that took forever, I’m quite curious how long it took to build this damn perimeter. I don’t recall any mention of that...
Regardless, I do not want to do that again. I can manage life out here just fine, no need to go back to the training center when this is over.
“This is as far as engines go,” Elias yells as we finally, blessedly come to a stop. “On footfrom here.”
Warm air caresses my lashes as I step out of the convoy. It smells like damp bark; wet soil instead of metal and bleach. We spill into a clearing, ensuring every person and pack is accounted for before trudging behind our leaders through blistering heat. How much sweat can my undergarments soak up before it’s considered a biohazard?
I’m certain I passed that line hours ago.
Half our group is about to drop from exhaustion when Arayik barks, “We’ll camp here.”
There’s a collective sigh.
Quiet murmurs filter through my head as I pull my assigned tent from my pack and lay it out in front of me. After some staring, Calder appears, handing me a pole, pointing with his chin. “Push the collar until it clicks.”
I do. “Thank you.” It’s a genuine remark—stars know I would not have figured that out on my own. I watch him erect his tent, confused by how easy it seems.
It’s not long before we stand near a low fire and chew rations that glue to teeth. It’s not the best, but jerky is good protein and will last our entire trip. As will the crackers, though those are far dryer. My tongue quickly learns the art of consuming these with as little water as possible, knowing we need to drink it sparingly.
“Just over a day’s march.” Arayik pushes into our group, creating a space for himself. “Terrain will pick fights. Weather too, so rest up, we set off at first light.”
“Watches,” Kellen announces as the Commander retreats to his tent. “Rhyne and Till first. Forven, Vion second. Hasten, Crowell third. Ashford, Eston fourth.”
Fourth watch is the black before blue. Not ideal—I’d rather have first, but it’s better than second or third. I stash my gear by the tent flap before finding a place away from camp to pee. I hadn’t considered how I would during the day when the othermen just stand to relieve themselves…I’d soil my clothes if I try that.
A thought comes to me as I crouch behind a small bush: could I repurpose a piece of bark to work how a penis would? As long as the material wasn’t necrotic, I see no reason why it wouldn’t. Plus, it has to be more sanitary than baring myself to the ground like this. Clean and cunning all in one.
I’ll search for a usable piece tomorrow when there’s light.
I nod to Calder and Malcom when I return, practically falling into my tent. My hands lift to remove my mask out of habit, pausing at the laughter outside. The chances of someone walking in here while I’m unconscious is probable—I guess I’ll be living inside this thing for the coming days.
Every bone in my body sinks into the bed roll, praising me for finally giving them a break from the pain. Sleep claims me quick.
A rough shakeof my shoulder wakes me what feels like minutes later. “Up. Fourth watch,” Pax says.
That was the least restful sleep I’ve ever gotten. Waking once an hour to strange noises, then to a kink in my neck, does not make for an ideal night of sleep.
Outside, the air bites. Icy dew laces the grass and the stars sit low and bright in the sky, like they’re fascinated by our team and wanted a closer look.
Pax waits at the designated perimeter. “North and east are yours,” he says, nodding to my left. “I’ll take south and west. Check-in every fifteen.”
