I wasn’t exaggeratingto Micah. It’s a long hike through woods that get thicker and more overgrown the deeper we go. It’s a little past noon before we reach the ragtag community near the Market.
After some discussion, I leave Micah nearby in thewoods, in shouting distance from the Market in case it comes to that, and walk into the large clearing where a table is set up for negotiating trades.
There are always folks hanging around the perimeter on market days. It’s one of the few times that people gather in any numbers. Most of them are regulars I recognize but never talk to. I see a few of Logan’s soldiers, including the big man who never talks and a small woman with a long, braided ponytail who’s with him fairly often.
Despite the size difference, I’ve always assumed the two are a couple. Not that I’ve seen them acting remotely lovey-dovey. It just feels like they’re together.
She’s pregnant, I realize, when I give her a quick once-over. There’s a noticeable curve to her belly under her shirt.
Shit. Talk about scary. I’d be terrified to get pregnant in the world after Impact.
I brush off the distraction as I get in line at the trading table. It’s a little slower than normal, and almost thirty minutes pass before I get to the front.
The woman I talk to is in her fifties. She looks over my assortment of toiletries and over-the-counter medication.
It’s a good haul. I should get a lot for it.
We barter back and forth a few times until we agree on the standard weekly provisions (bread, goat cheese, and eggs) with a sack of vegetables and canned tomatoes, plus a slab of bacon and two packs of homemade jerky.
I’m pleased with my loot and have trouble carrying it all out of the Market clearing and into the woods where I left Micah. I haven’t gotten into the trees yet when a smarmy voice says, “Need help with all that, little lady?”
I whirl around and grab for my gun. I don’t pull it out of my belt holster but keep my hand near it when I see the speaker is one of Logan’s men.
It’s the greasy guy I sometimes see in Cleverly. My heart races, and my palms go cold.
It would be foolish beyond measure to aim a gun at one of Logan’s soldiers, but I really don’t like this guy. I don’t trust him.
“I’m fine. I don’t need help.”
“You can’t carry all that stuff and hike all the way home by your lonesome.”
He doesn’t know where I live. Hedoesn’t. But he knows I’m often in Cleverly, so he must guess it’s a distance away from here.
“I’m not alone,” I say firm and loud but as nonconfrontationally as I can manage.
I’m always defensive though. My attempts at being nonconfrontational don’t always work.
“Now whatcha gettin’ all upset ’bout,” the greasy man says. “I ain’t gonna hurt such a pretty little thing.”
“I’m not bothering anyone,” I say, just as loud. “I’d like to be left alone.”
The big guy and the pregnant woman are walking toward us. The woman is frowning in the greasy guy’sdirection, and the big guy is doing some sort of sign language with her.
He must not simply be quiet. He must not be able to talk at all.
My eyes are darting back and forth between the greasy guy and the approaching couple. Hopefully the woman is coming to defuse the situation and not make it worse. But she works for Logan, just like the men.
I wouldn’t trust Logan’s people to ever do the right thing.
Damn Logan.
“Now, why you actin’ all standoffish? I just?—”
“She said she wants to be left alone!”
I gasp at the deep, familiar voice coming from behind me as Micah steps out of the surrounding woods.
A rush of relief washes over me. I was fine—I’m sure I’d probably have been fine—but Micah’s presence is going to change everything.
