“Why?”
“I just can’t. You and Cary go back and stay safe.”
“Time to go, Felix!” Waller yelled out.
“I’m sending the women back; we don’t need them for this!”
Waller walked over to them, and she did not care for the way he was looking at her. Faith used to be quite chubby before the nukes hit and the food became scarce. She had filled out in all the right places early on, but eight years of little food had made her skin pale and weight loss extreme. She was one of the few women who maintained some curves, but she liked to hide them under bulky shirts and pants.
“We need someone to distract the soldiers bringing the shipment. She looks innocent and perfect.”
Felix pulled her behind him. It was the first real sign in many years that he showed he was protective of her, and she wasn’t sure whether to be thrilled or angry. What he said next made her decide on being angry.
“She’s clumsy and slow. You can see she’s not in shape like the others. She would only be a hindrance.”
Waller walked around them in a circle, his people watching the whole exchange. “Felix, you agreed that all your people would participate. All of mine are here and ready to go. Are you trying to back out of it?”
“No, of course not.”
“All our people go. We split the goods between the two of us. We’re leaving now.”
Felix waited for Waller to walk away, then he turned to face her. “You will follow my orders.”
“Don’t I always?” Faith said with the anger surfacing.
“I mean it, Faith. You can be mad at me all you want. I know you hate me, but I am still your brother, and it is still my responsibility to look after you. If I tell you to run, you run.”
He didn’t give her a chance to respond before storming off. Felix thought she hated him. How could he think that? Their relationship had really gone off the rails. She wanted to run to him and let him know she may not like everything he has done, but she still loved him. This wasn’t the time. She prayed that after this supply grab, they could find time to talk things out. She longed for a closer relationship with her only living relative.
She moved to stand by Nox, careful not to look at Waller. Maybe he would forget she existed if she stayed quiet and out of the way.
“What was that all about?” Nox asked.
“Waller wants me to be a distraction.”
“How did Felix take that news?”
“He’s pissed but refused to back out of this grab.”
“Be careful. I don’t like the way Waller is looking at you and Cary.”
“Me either,” Faith whispered.
Faith sneaked a look at some of the women in Waller’s tribe and shivered with dread. They all had hardened looks, suspicion and fear in their eyes. Their expressions reminded her of when they had gone to a local animal shelter, and they passed by several badly abused dogs. They were broken but resigned to their fate. She didn’t want to end up like that.
Waller and Felix stood ahead of everyone, and Waller spoke. “Everyone be ready to do whatever it takes. Follow my orders and this will all go smoothly. Screw it up, don’t bother to return.”
What the hell? What kind of shipment was coming? This night was getting worse and worse.
