The activity inside and outside the Arsenal is chaotic, full of high spirits. We’ve won. We’ve done it. All our work and plans are now reaping their reward.
But that tension is still roiling in my gut, and when I meet Ben’s eyes, I can see he feels it too.
Maybe it’s remnant of a too-bleak view of the universe, but that was too easy.
It still feels like we’re not done yet.
27
We’ve been planningand practicing the withdrawal as much as we have the assault, and having Robin and his crew with us makes the job even more efficient.
With Robin’s vehicles and a few dozen extra people to carry cargo in their packs, we’re able to take even more of the stored weapons and ammunition than we’d planned.
Everything we can’t take with us, we move into the factory to be blown with the machinery.
The body count isn’t as great I feared it would be. Four of us have been killed—including Tony, which is more than a personal loss since he’s always been our medic—and several more are injured. But it could have been so much worse. We did get lucky, but also all our planning and practice paid off.
Throughout the night, I say goodbye to my people as motors and transports are filled with as much as they cancarry and driven away by small groups headed in different directions. It’s bittersweet since so many of these people have been with me for so long.
But we’ll regroup in six months and make another move. For now, we need to get clear as quickly as possible before the shift change at dawn, when the Capitol will discover what’s happened and immediately launch a military response.
I’m watching as Robin’s crew loads crate after crate of brand-new automatic weapons into the back of his pre-Fall cargo truck.
When it’s full, Robin pulls down the door and latches it. “That’s all we can carry. We’ll head out. I’ve got connections with villages up north, so that’s where we’ll go. We’ll pass out as much of this stuff up that way as we can.” He pushes his hair out of his face. “I’d like my crew to be part of your regrouping in six months if you’ll have us.”
“We would be honored. Our missions align more than I thought they did, so we can do a lot more together.” I extend my hand.
He takes it, squeezing mine with his strong grip. “Agreed. Thank you. I thought a victory like this was out of reach. Only a dream. Everyone did.”
So did I. For so long.
I nod as our eyes meet. We understand each other. He’s a friend now as well as an ally.
Then he lets go of my hand and gestures toward his gathered people. “Saddle up! We’re headed north.”
He shoots me one more dry grin over his shoulder as he climbs into the driver’s seat of the cargo truck.
I wave and smile, standing beside Ben as we drive off.
When I glance up at Ben, he’s glowering.
“What?” I ask. “You still don’t trust him?”
“I trust him. I just don’t like him. Never did like the smooth, charming type who’re always talkin’ out their ass.”
That makes me laugh. I squeeze Ben’s arm. It feels like years and miles from yesterday’s heartbreak.
He turns, looking like he’s going to kiss me. Then he stops himself. “Let’s finish up here and get out.”
“Agreed.”
It’s not long until dawn now, and there are only a dozen of us left, including Vella, Roderick, Chelle, and Ryan. Vella will take one small group and Roderick the other. Then Ben and I will cross the border and drive into the wilderness.
Things might not be completely settled between me and Ben, but six months in the wilderness with his family sounds like paradise right now. Peace and rest and safety—without spending every moment fighting for our lives.
I need it.
Maybe then I’ll get clarity on our relationship.
