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She feels like they have been walking for forever. The journey to Danny had seemed long, but now that she has lost him to Neville it feels like every mile he gets away from her is an eternity.
When she looks back to see if Jason is still following she expects to find that he's left. But no, he's still there. He looks miserable. She feels for him, but she now knows that this world no longer allows her to have sympathy or compassion for a person for long. It's what Miles has been trying to tell her all along. She will hold onto some part of her caring side always, but she knows she has to become more ruthless. More like the world.
They manage to sneak back into town and find Nora and Aaron. Most of the Militia are either on the train, or preoccupied. They procure a wagon from them and put Nora in the back. Charlie sits on one side of her and Jason on the other. A fire is shot and it barely misses them, but they get away. Nora's breathing is ragged and Charlie can tell she's in a lot of pain, but the bleeding has stopped and that's the best they could have hoped for. Jason tries to give her a little water, but she struggles to get it down her throat.
"She's alright. It's just a little cut." Aaron tries to reassure her while leaning across the bench.
"Cuts get infected." She's angrier now for some reason than before. It's as if the whole scenario has finally seeped into her veins and she can't escape the feeling of utter helplessness and despair.
"How far away are we?" Aaron asks Miles beside him.
"Five hours, maybe six." He answers at a clip. Everyone can tell he's worried.
"Five hours?!"
"It's the closest help I know, Aaron!" Miles is also pissed.
She doesn't know how they are going to get help and from who, but as always she has to trust Miles with her life. She also has to trusts that he's not going to hold Jason for money, but then again Jason knows how to take care of himself.
"Where are you planning on going?" Jason suddenly asks.
"To someone I know from back in the day." Miles answers back tersely.
"Who?" He doesn't let up.
"What do you care, Nipples? It's not like you have any better options."
"Actually I do. There is a place I know that is safe about two to three hours from here. We can get medical help and other supplies."Charlie notices suddenly that he had to leave everything on the train, including is pack and bow.
"Yeah, I'm supposed to trust that you aren't going to lead us straight into a trap."
"It's not like I can go back to the Militia now!" Jason exclaims.
"Sure not alone, but if you came with prisoners I'm sure you would be welcomed back like a good ole boy."
"Miles, maybe we should listen to him. Nora might not have five to six hours."
"Charlie, he could be playing you all over again."
"Well you have to decide what life you're going risk, hers or ours. Because honestly right now do you even know if you can trust the person you are going to?" Charlie knows she is bringing up a good point when she sees Miles shoulders sag a little.
Miles is quiet for a good five minutes before finally he concedes. "Where is this person?
"Follow this road till the fork and then curve west. It will be the house with the corn fields and giant tree with branches almost touching the ground." Jason answers.
There is a lull in conversation until Nora starts moaning. She is soothed by Charlie. She feels as if things can't get worse. Nora is hurt, and as much as she hated to admit it, because Nora is hurt it is taking her farther away from Danny.
"Hey, Charlie it's going to be okay." Aaron once more tries to comfort her, but instead it just irritates her further. It's something she's thought over and over again, but now she can see that thought process is as good as poison in her ear.
"It's going to be okay? Really?" She's once more unable to hide her tone.
"Yeah. Why?" Aaron answers back in shock.
"It's this insane lie that people tell each other to cope or something." When she looks over to Jason she sees his sad yes boring into her. "It's never okay."
"Charlie…" Miles tries to reprimand her.
She peers down to the woman lying beside her. "Look at Nora! Look at what happened on the train with Danny." She sees Jason look away instantly. She has an inkling he feels bad about that, but she's too worked up to care.
"Or Maggie. We couldn't save her. Did you say it was going to be okay then?"
"Alright. That's enough! What the hell has gotten into you?" Miles finally manages to silence her rant.
After she calms down with the elapsing of time, she looks over to Jason and sees him watching the scenery, but also not really seeing much. She looks behind her to see that Miles and Aaron are talking nonstop about some old show that used to be on before the blackout, a show about survival. Something about being lost.
"What are you doing to do?" She asks Jason.
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He's not sure how to answer the question. What is he going to do?
"I'm here aren't I?" It's the only rebuttal he can think of.
"Yeah, but are you leading us into a trap?" Charlie demands. His eyes are sharp on her.
"Do you really think I would do that?" He feels oddly hurt, but he knows he has no reason. It's not like their relationship in the past has been built on trust.
"I don't know. I don't really know you. Do I?" She's exasperated and he feels that way too.
"It's not a trap Charlie. I wouldn't do that to you." He looks away wishing he could make her understand, but knowing that he really can't.
"Where are they going to take Danny?" She looks intently at him. He feels like he's in the middle of an interrogation.
"Probably to Philly. Probably straight to Monroe."
"What do you mean probably?"
"He wasn't my assignment. I was to watch and try to bring Miles in, bring him to Monroe. I am guessing they are doing the same thing with your brother." He looks away from her unable to see the accusation in her eyes.
"But why do they want us. I don't understand why we are so important."
"It was classified." He's not sure how much she knows about Miles' past. Being the previous general of the Militia and the co-founder of the Republic might really hurt Charlie to know. Even though he wouldn't mind hurting Miles if that's what it meant, but Jason doubts he would be concerned with that.
"I know why they want Miles." Charlie speaks up looking almost a little ashamed.
"You do?" He's surprised.
She seems to have such a disdain for the Militia. It's the reason he is baffled why she seems to defend him. Is she that forgiving of Miles, or does she not know yet of the scope of impact of Miles' actions?
"Can we please stop talking about me literally behind my back?" Miles silences them.
It takes a little while longer for them to finally reach the house. When they see it in their sights Miles pulls over into the woods where the wagon will be concealed. Jason starts picking up Nora, but Miles is there in an instant putting his hand on his arm.
"I will get her." He almost growls.
"You can't go in there, Miles. It would be like declaring to everyone that you are in the area. She'll remember your name."
"I won't give her a name." Miles shrugs.
"She'll be able to identify you. You have a special kind of ugly." Jason replies with venom in his voice.
Before Miles pulls back to hit him, Charlie steps in. "Guys, Nora is hurt and needs help now. Stop fooling around."
"Well, you are not going to be all alone with her. I don't trust you." Miles shakes his head.
"I'll go with him." He hears Charlie volunteer. He weighs his options. He sees no issue with it since it doesn't seem that the Militia is looking for her.
"Fine. Let's go." He tries to pick up the injured woman again.
Before he continues to move Miles grabs his arm once more. "I swear to you if anything happens to either one of them, I will have your head. You understand?"
Jason feels like rolling his eyes, but just gives a brief nod not wanting to set him off anymore.
Charlie comes up beside him as they walk the long drive way up to the house. He's a bit nervous, but doesn't want to let it show to anyone but especially her. Maybe he can prove that he's not going to betray at least her anymore.
He assures himself that he's never had a problem with Mrs. Noble before. Her being a Militia friend is surely helping him now, but he realizes that this will probably be the last time he's here due to his dismissal. He's sure people won't know about that until the train arrives in Philadelphia though. He can see only one problem going here; Mrs. Noble's daughter. He doesn't exactly look forward to having Charlie know about that old relationship.
But fate is not with him, for only she would answer the door.
"Hey handsome. Long time, no see." The leggy bright blonde smiles seductively at him.
He can feel the burn of Charlie's eyes into the side of his head.