After I park between the trunks, my head thunks against the back of the seat.
My life was never meant to be hard.
It certainly wasn’t meant to behere,stranded on the side of the road in a beat-up vehicle. Selfishly, I wonder how much simpler it would’ve been if I’d just followed that predetermined path that had been laid out before me.
I wouldn’t be staring at a plume of smoke or facing a two hundred mile walk to complete an impossible task.
Entering the city without detection will be difficult enough, but finding him when he doesn’t want to be found? That’ll be damn near impossible.
Bash was always too smart for his own good.
Me, though?
Luck and charm have long been my tools of trade. The first has failed me, and the second is worthless out here among the dust. What should’ve been a straightforward drive is now a days-long walk, and there’s no point in delaying the inevitable.
I unlatch the door, and a whoosh of balmy breeze offers relief from the unbearably hot air trapped inside the vehicle. The hatch needs some encouragement as it shrieks open, and I appraise my supplies.
Water is an obvious choice. I fill several bottles and load them into the backpack, then tuck my uniform around them.
Loath as I am to wear the damn thing, it’s necessary.
I grab another change of clothes, along with extra pairs of socks and underwear, then pack the empty spots with enough food to last me a few days. My fake ID and what little coin I have are shoved into a side pocket.
As I’m getting ready to close the back, my attention locks on something else. I stare at my shaving kit for far too long before grabbing it and cramming it inside, and slam the hatch with another of those loud squeals.
The bag is heavy as I sling it over my shoulders, but not impossibly so. I step out of the cover of the trees and shield my face as I glance up at the blinding midmorning sun. It’s hot, but the temperature is slowly lowering. Winter is coming, and the night will offer some relief. I suppose I should be thankful for that.
The road is too dangerous, so I chart a course through the dirt instead. I stay close enough to follow the path, but far enough to be missed by passing drivers. Raiders would be unfortunate, military more so, but right now, I’m alone. Dust is already forming grit on my skin and sweat trickles down my spine as I heave a long sigh and head due south.
Darkness has fallen, and with it, the promised cooler night air. I step carefully, studying the terrain as I walk. Compared to humans, species from our side have heightened senses, though I can’t see in the dark nearly as well as Elas or Ronan. They are predators down to their very bones.
My kind relies on our cunning instead of brute strength. We aren’t prey—not even close—but predators of a different sort.
In the months since I lost my eye, I’ve had to adapt. At first, my vision wanted to double when my brain was searching for input from something that no longer exists. Weakened peripherals on my left side are a disadvantage, but I’m adapting to the new reality.
I can see well enough as I dodge holes and avoid rocks or roots that might trip me. A rolled ankle won’t do me any favors out here, so I stop to rest on a large rock to plot my course.
The expanse ahead of me is filled with brambled underbrush, and I chew on the inside of my cheek as I survey how far it spreads.
The plants are low to the ground, but their briars are needle sharp. Unfortunately for me, they form a thorny blanket as far as I can see. Unless I want to add a few extra miles to my already exhausting trip, I’ll have to stick to the road.
Not ideal.
My mind wanders as I walk, trying to distract myself from the ache in my feet. As best I can tell, I’ve walked at least twelvemiles so far. I’m exhausted, but I need to get further before I stop to rest for the night.
The rumble of an engine pulls me out of my head. Lights crest the horizon behind me and cast my long shadow over the dusty terrain. The flat expanse is endless around me. No rocks to serve as a hiding place or trees to offer shelter.
Not trapped, but stuck in an open arena.
My ears twitch at the growling purr of the motor. It’s higher pitched than the military vehicles I’m used to hearing, and revs as it gets closer. My hand rests on my knife as I turn toward them.
A single headlight momentarily blinds me, and I shield my face as the silhouette of a motorcycle comes into view. A man’s frame sits on top of it, and from what I can tell, he’s human.
He twists the ignition and plunges us into a stark silence.
“Evening,” he says, rolling the bike forward until the light is no longer shining in my eye.
My grip tightens on my weapon, and I blink as the green hues clear from my vision. Moonlight gives me enough glow to examine him, and my shoulders loosen a notch. He’s big, but not unmanageable. I could overpower him in a scuffle.
