Chapter Twenty Eight:
When I came to, I instantly laugh as a unatural response. I was covered in trash, and some how I figure the water didn't survive the fall.
"Everyone okay?" I call out." Still laughing from the shock. I all I got was grunts and moans from people as I stood up. Dusting myself off walking over to Jacob.
"Let's not do that again." Soc moans rubbing his neck. "Good news we all survived including the stuff."
"You are insane. You know that?" I said lifting up Jacob who arm is black and blue. He bruised it saving us.
"It was well worth it. I couldn't let us die."
"Jacob!" Nyx said with a serious tone. "I didn't think the day would come, I kept telling myself you'd turn on us during the trip. But you saved our lives. I can only forgive you for everything. Friends?" Nyx stook out his hand to met Jacob's.
"Yeah dude, we're cool. More then cool, we're friends. Once this is done I want a fair rematch, last once, in all honesty wasn't?
"Sure man," He said shaking hands.
"Get a room!" Leon cries out from further away. "If the three of you done, I think we found something."
I can't believe we fell nearly three stories, from the second floor to the ground level. The lot It was empty save for a few car left to the rot. Reaching for the lighter in my pocket I spark it up to get a glimpse of the interior with the two of them in tow. It was quite but appear as people took residence at one point or another. There are bones, I can't tell of what but there rather human shaped. Leon find a not so ruin medium sized moving truck and broke the driver's window to open the door. I walked over as he sat inside looking for secondary pair of keys.
"What are you thinking?" I ask him puzzled.
"If we can get this sucker to run, we'd reach out destination in no time."
"Even if it did still run, look the gas tank is nearly emptied. We'd get at best ten miles close enough to Jorge palce." Nyx said.
"Be optimistic, we've been dealt shit from the start For once let's get a leg up over the situation. The wagon was good and all but it won't last a storm let alone those high winds." Leon mentions.
"He's right you know? But give me an bit I could hotwire this baby on. As for fuel, I think we could manage to syphon from the remaining cars." Curie said her mind preparing to work.
"Alright, Nyx and the rest of us will search for supplies from the other cars and get their gas. Jane and Soc you can start bringing the supplies to the back of the moving van.
"Alright but let me explore the battery, it might need some maintenance. For gathering gas I found a closed container some lengthy tube figure something out." He said pulling up the hood.
Nyx, Jacob and I went to work putting something together, Leon went car to breaking the windows and observing the fuel gages. Jane ran up to us and rag which she found on the ground.
Leon guided us towards a car that had half of it's gasoline left. I insert one end of the tube inside of the car while Leon held the rag around the opening. This way something wouldn't escape. Nyx held the canister while Jacob blew inside as hard he was able. Suddenly the gas drips out and fills the canister about twenty five percent of the way. The process is done over three more time till we had a full can of gas. Tired and exhausted we lay on the floor from doing a tedious process, whenJane is smiling with another canister filled to brim.
'One of the cars had an emergency stash, we found it right after you guys did the first car. We decided to watch you suffer because it was fun.' She said to me and Nyx who began to chase after her. I was to tired to fight.
With the tank filled leaving us a canister and a quarter left, the supplies were stored and pack neatly and as surprise two couches were the already stuff in the back. Taking advantage we put them in a position where we could all have a seat.
We found a flashlight and other supplies from various cars. I found box of crackers lying in one car. Although stale it would provide us with energy.
"Jane!" We called out who seem to disappear. When she had reappear her hand was being held by a small girl, no older then six. She was freighted and all covered in dust. Her clothes were dirty and torn. The child's skin a bit burnt in some places throughout her mostly faintly fair skin. Her hair was left black and messy.
'She all alone her mother got sick and died here a few days ago.' She told both me and Nyx.
"Jane said her mother passed away not to longer ago, she been alone and afraid." Nyx reports.
"What's that got to do with us?" Soc said rasing his brow."
"She's alone we can't leave her here, prehaps we can find a place for her." I said walking up to the small fragile child, who got frightened and hid behind Jane. I crouched down to her height and smiled. "What's your name little one?"
At first she was shy but Jane nudge her out from hiding. I went to stroke her face as she let me before speaking. "Elizabeth."
Leon and the rest walked over to her to comfort her. She was scared at first, but warm up to the group.
"I'm no longer the youngest," cheers Curie."That makes me a big sister."
"I suppose so runt," laughs Leon.
"Ross is right we need to find her a safe place." Jacob said patting her head.
"There simply not enough supplies to go around, we have to leave her." Soc disagreed.
"Enough! She one of us now. We will manage, beside I think our new friends a immune." Nyx commanded.
Elizabeth ran off into the shadows for what appears a second or so and returns with a can food and water. "Mother left me with food, I've just been to afraid to leave. The scary people are upstairs and outside." She said holding up a rather large box. "I don't mind sharing."
"You see, now let's get going we're wasting time." Curie said a bit with Soc.
"Yes please I'm scared momma might wake up in one of her fits."
"What fits?" Asked Jacob.
"She becomes like the scarry people then goes back to being dead but I'm a good hider."
"Her mother's a Crank!" Nyx said as we got her stuff into the van. "Far Gone it would appear, we have to move now."
Jacob took the driver's seat as Soc took passenger. The rest of us got into the back and sat on the couches, making sure to put Elizabeth supplies with ours. The first attempt wasn't going to well as the engine stalled. He started it up again. Curie left it the paper clip inside the gage to turn off and on the engine.
Once again the engine roared to life but stalled this time awaking the Cranks on the upper level who roared and flew down the stairway behind us.
"Damnit get this thing moving." Screams Leon.
"I'm tryin." Jacob said giving it another whirl.
There was a loud bam against the back doors as a face peer through the window the Cranks camping around the vehicle.
"Mother!" Elizabeth scream at the top of her lungs. Trying to break inside was a female all torn up and very aggressive.
Elizabeth mother began to pound on the glass of the back door, screaming and cursing. So she near the Far Gone. The ability to talk albeit slurred. Her mother repeated a lullaby I'm over drawn repetition. Elizabeth begins to cry waiting to get away from it, each repeating line darker and scarier. All the other Cranks pale in comparison.
"Go, go away mom. Go away." She said through her tears.
"Elizabeth!" The mother voice screeches like a bird of prey. It's too much for her to handle. That's when Jane wraps Elizabeth in her sheet taking the child in a warm embrace to keep her mind off her mother. Jane desperate to talk and calm her down, failed to but it didn't matter as Curie did all the talking.
"Jacob is the car in drive?" I yell as the truck is being rocked. Somehow knowing what way the car operates. "The shift has be on D."
"It is now. But nothing."
"Try again." Next thing the truck came to life taking of in a fast motion mowing down the Crank who happen to be in the front of us. I leave the driving and navigating to those two. Peer out the back window it see the swarm pursing us as the truck hasn't made it out of the parking lot.
Elizabeth mother is faster then I expected her to be she was right on our trail nearly reaching the back doors. Just as she come into contact, I slam open the door on her head, hoping I caved in the skull. This way she could be out of her misery. I wasn't hundred percent sure, but I sure wasn't about to go look.
Soon enough we barrel out the lot and down the sand filed streets, the storm subsided while we was out cold. The couch is a nice reprieve from walking. Elizabeth and Jane are playing some simple game, Leon and Nyx are having a conversation. This van is our home and transportation to the promise land. That sandstorm was a blessing in disguise, although we nearly died. One could not ask for a better reward.
Prehaps Jorge could be brought into taking care of her, he does seem to have the space and army to look after her, where we are heading, it's no place for a child. She's immune which make her a target for WICKED. But then again would she be better off with them. She young, they would put her through the same training children go through there. By the time she get of age for the Maze Trials, a Cure might be available to everyone. They would set her free. These are the options that are wrestling in my head. No matter what, I'll find a home for her.
"Big bro, im thirsty." She said sweet and innocent. Thus I realized she was looking up at me and no one else.
"Sure give me a moment." I said smoothing out her hair.
She had caned water, but only Soc could manage to open it. He is mechanically apt after all. We had two jars left. Compared to her ten cans. Opening the half empty jar no one said a word.
"Drink it all up but slowly," I spoke softly giving her the jar.
She drank the whole jar in a mere matter of seconds. How thirsty was she?" Neitherless I smile as she hugs my leg. She so short. With the droplets left I take a piece of sheet and wipe her face clean. She was starting to look better. If only we could clean her clothes. She was in a dirty off white dress and stockings. I guess to keep the sun from burning her legs. She had black lace dress shoes and underneath a yellow undergarments. If only we had a way to clean off ourselves and clothes.
Each of us had a distinct scent which we've grown in a custom to. But a wash would be so pleasent. After all the blowing sand earlier, I regret having known there is sand wedge in certain sensitive places.
By now we was atlest three miles out of the city. Elizabeth and Jane had snuggle up for a nap. She not once question why Jane never spoke. But it made sense when she talked about her brother who was a mute, their parents teaching him sign language, this was before she was born. But she adapted In order to speak with him. Back before bad men killed her brother and father. We're all she had at this point too.
For all this trauma she is carefree, a bit to young to grasp it, but she knows what the difference is. I fear for her adult life, it's going to hit like a tidal wave. For her sake I hope she never loses that smile of hers. It brings a warmth to our group.
I still think back to the day of the escape. Seeing my mother picture. Not remembering who she is, what's she like. But she been working for WICKED and Ava Paige. She couldn't be all the wonderful. I don't recall a father figure and although vague it's if I hadn't had one my entire life. Then their Newt on one hand, is what I am feeling normal. I missed our time in the Maze. When he open up to me the night the Grievers storm the Glade. I can't get his blonde silky hair out of my mind. Then we have Teresa, the woman I think I love. But how true is that, all I know it's one sided always have. Minho, I miss how he would run me ragged in the Maze.
It was him who believe I could be a Runner. Id kill for Fry's food right about now. I know if Nox was alive his optimism and witty banter would appreciated about now. I hate also being in the dark about Orwell's life. I let him die in the Maze and I left him inside that machine. How could I've don't that? I to suffer from cowardice. And above it all, my best friend, Thomas. Right now his life is in my hands, and each passing moment it feels as if he slipping further away from my reach. Just like I let Toven die, as I was powerless to stop what happened.
In the end, I'm a failure letting people down. I'm scared what tommorow brings. How much do I need to lose before I snap. I guess the Flare eating T my brain right about now? I close my eyes shutting out the thoughts. As long as I breath I'll do and be better. No sense in giving up now. I force myself into this resolve.
I jerk back up when the sound of rain patters hit the truck. "Jacob pull over, we can capitalize this rain storm." I said.
"How so?" He replied
"Isnt it obvious." Soc said. "We refil our water source.
"All of us can use a good wash, even our clothes." Nyx said, getting the attention of the others.
"Alright then. Firstly unite the curtain and empty the nets. We can store clothes under the net and above the van to get cleaned. We cut the curtain in eight equal parts for towels. Once we done we get back in cover up and wait out the remainder of the storm to our clothes dry." Curie said a little to happy.
"You make it sound simple." Leon whined.
"You're small brain make it sound hard. And this shouldn't be a surprise. Guys stick together and the girls stick together." Curie retorted again.
"Yay one massive sausage fest." Whines Leon even more.
"Just don't look," Nyx snicker.
"Feeling incompetent Leon." I teased.
Leon face grew red in anger. But eventually we made the towels. The girls got out putting their clothes on one side of the net that Soc attach to the roof. They went there own way, carrying the waterproof tent. I guess they will store their towels inside.
It was our turn taking off out sneaker and putting them aside with our socks. We all got undress save for underwear. Everyone managed to stuff their dirty clothes to be wash. Lastly we each took a turn leaving as we left behind the underwear.
I headed in one direction, the rain felt so good even for a downpour. It was just like the shower in the factory. Cold and brutal yet I managed it. Letting the sand come clean off my body, I made sure to do a good job. I did my best to not look anywhere but forward. You couldn't hear a sound but the rain hitting the sand as the was sky dark as night.
"How crazy is this, it's so reminiscent to the open showers of the Grove." Jacob said from across from me. I didn't even notice he was next to me.
"You scared me." I said rather caught off guard.
"Not my intention, just reminiscing. Things became different when it was the Drone, I had a personal tub to bathe in, funny right? Who could imagine being brought back to nothing could be so humbling. It was just like the old times. I was once the keeper of the Runners, there the friendship and camaraderie was irreplaceable. I'm glad I got this wakeup call." He said lost in thought.
"I was a Runner too. The Glade although hell was the best parts of what little I remember about my life.
"Welp I'm as clean as I can get, let go dry off." Jacob ushers for us to head back.
The two of us walk back to the van, no one else has returned. I reached inside grabbing two towels passing one to Jacob. Drying off was a bit itchy with a curtain. But it did what it intended. We'd would have to wait to the rain stop and the sun comes back to have our clothes dry. Getting inside the van and closing the door, I get my sheet and cover myself like usual. So did he, it was the plan to remain cover to clothes were done. I could feel the defining build of my body. But Jacob was much more muscular than I was. He did have years to work out. He been his Trial for three years and rule the Drone for two. He was like Minho, his body was more defined and could break through like a tank.
"It totally slipped my mind, but back when I was within WICKED Outpost, alot of people had been strung to these machines, keeping them in some sort of stasis. Curie, Leon and myself found your brother attached. Wilhelm correct? We wanted to save them but it was impossible."
"Even if you manage to save him, I'm dead to him. He renounced me."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I deserve it, he was our leader back then and all I ever managed to do is undermine him and caused him to fight in the Drone."
"One day we'll save him. You'll prove that your different." I said placing my hand in his shoulder.
"You think so?"
"We have all but to try." I say warmly.
As the rain pour even harder more and more of the others toweled up and huddle in the back. Everyone look better, it was nice to see Elizabeth no longer grimy. All she could do is smile covered in the sheet with Jane and Curie.
"Lets pop out the cracker's and snack." Soc said shivering."
"Did you manage to purify the rain water?" Nyx ask."
"No need, it's safeish."
"Safeish, I don't like how that sounds. March out there and add the tablets." Curie said demanding."
"It's fine, we need both that and the iodine for a rather risky water source. Beside we have her caned water."The truck broke our into agurment for a while, no one willing to get drench again. But it didn't last longer until we all began laughing like a pack of moron's. These might be the last days before everything gets trunt on its head. We must treasure them.
The road ahead is going to be painted with hardships. But for now it was okay to be at ease. I won't worry to much, things are looking up for us and even if we wasted nearly three days of travel, the truck will see us through for some time. We are safe and clean, tomorrow we can worry about what's next. I happily am enjoying myself with the company of friends. And little Elizabeth has brought life to this group in ways I didn't expect. For now she safe, we're all safe. That's all the matters in the here and now.