AN: Hi guys, it's been a while since I've updated but here's chapter 7! Hope you like it. Reviews and criticisms are welcome!
They spend days out in the wild, Emori and Murphy being thick as thieves and Cleo being the back up person in case things went awry and also because her blue hair just really stood out. Usually it never did go awry so she's merely tagging along as Emori and Murphy look like they're in wonderland together.
She sees how Emori looks at Murphy and it makes her uneasy. Murphy seems to be at ease with her too. The whole thing just made Cleo feel left out and alone.
Murphy paints himself with rabbit's blood to appear injured, which had been the primary disguise to lure in scavengers, who'd they'd steal from.
The plan went on as usual, Murphy appearing injured on the ground, Emori distracting the scavengers, and Cleo taking what she could. It isn't as different as her life before so she didn't really complain. At least there's some sort of familiarity left. Cleo puts down the stuff she'd taken a little far from the wagon and comes back to take more.
"Let's go back to the cave. We've got enough for the day. And John, we have to talk about getting my brother back." Emori declares.
"You know that's not a survivor's move, Emori." Murphy replies. Cleo fades into the quiet, not bothering to join them. Emori didn't even think of her opinion is, which could've helped Murphy change his mind.
"Cleo?" Murphy calls out to her. His voice just pains her. Reminds her of the person she'd lost.
"We have to go before sundown." He continues. She nods absent-mindedly, following their trail.
"Hope you aren't too sleepy, princess. This place isn't exactly a place to relax and unwind." Emori says this almost condescendingly. And from Cleo's experience, it's something she's heard over and over before.
"I am an insomniac. And don't you think having 97 years worth of sleep is enough, no?" Cleo holds her composure not allowing Emori to see her get angry just yet.
"Yeah, a long time to sleep, sleeping beauty." Emori snickers. Murphy laughs along.
Cleo keeps quiet even when they've reached the cave. She keeps to herself, warming up to the fire while Emori and Murphy plan out the details. It doesn't take long and Murphy finds his way to her.
"You okay?" He asks. "You aren't normally that rude." He says this frankly. And that's what Cleo likes about him. His honesty.
"She thinks she knows about how it feels knowing the world is going to end one day and you're going to be part of it." Cleo rambles. She's frustrated and tired of keeping it all in.
"She thinks I'm a privileged princess incapable of surviving but I'm here, aren't I?" Murphy isn't sure of what to say since she's never really revealed any personal details about her life. She'd mentioned tidbits and those weren't enough to create a whole picture. "I used to steal from people."
"Why?" He's curious. She didn't seem like the kind to steal, because she looks like she has it all.
"People take from people. They take from everyone until nothing is left. I wanted them to feel the same."
"Well then, how do you feel about taking for yourself? We need some other supplies." He proposes.
"I miss the chase, let's do it." Cleo flashes him a smirk.
He gets caught off guard. What else did he not know about her?
Murphy prepares himself again for the next steal. He's lying, pretending to be injured on the ground as three men make their way toward him. As he is about to do the routine, the men take him by force instead.
"Where is the other girl with you?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Murphy spits out, checking the vicinity for any sign of Cleo or Emori. He sees Emori running away and he sighs in relief. She's safe. But as for Cleo, he couldn't spot her.
"Just show us where the girl is and we'll be peaceful with you." One of the men suggests, eyes scanning the area for a sign of a girl.
"She ran away. No point looking for her." Murphy argues, earning him a jab in the stomach.
Cleo weighs her options. She'd get lost in this forest alone. And Emori's left them for dead. Her eyes spot a symbol in one of the packs of the men. Becca's company logo. Cleo knows the big risk of doing this but it could be the only way to get out unscathed.
"Listen, I'll give you this," Cleo holds up one of the two chips, making sure they see the logo clearly. Murphy looks up, astonished at the turn of events. Cleo is right ahead of him, saving him. "and you let him go." She orders.
The men look at the chip in wonder. "Where did you get that?" One asks.
"No point asking where. I know you want it." She pauses. "All I ask is his freedom for two of these." She replies.
"Not gonna happen, little girl." One man sneers.
"Get her!" Cleo scrambles to run but eventually two versus one becomes unfair and she's caught.
"We're taking that." A man takes the chip from her hands. She looks over to Murphy who has an unreadable expression on his face.
They stay tied up while the men lead them to a place called 'Polis'. It's nighttime when Cleo decides to break the silence.
"I'm sorry, Murphy." Cleo apologizes.
"You should've just ran away." He says.
"I couldn't leave you behind." Cleo confesses. "I'd get killed out there. My chances of living are higher with you nearby."
"You sure about that?" He almost laughs. "I'm a living magnet for trouble, Cleo."
"So am I." She replies. "Better to attract trouble together than alone, no?"
"Not sure about that since I've always been solo." He answers. He briefly wonders how Cleo attracted trouble way back when.
"Not anymore. I'll be wherever you are." She promises. Again, she catches him off-guard.
"Why me? Why are you so nice to me?" He asks, perplexed.
"Because I owe you. And you deserve it." She replies. He isn't convinced. She scoots closer to him and gives him a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you." The words feel foreign in his tongue, but if anyone deserved such words from him, it's Cleo.
AN: How did I do?! Please tell me! Lmao. Thanks for reading btw. I appreciate it. :)