𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐔𝐬

CHAPTER 8: BOTTLED PRESSURE

We had finally reached it. The border of Indianapolis. After suffering from a lot of this cursed city, we saw the ruined plate that said: "Come Back to Indianapolis Soon!", and Mason decided to vandalize it, writing "Fuck Indianapolis".

"Fuck Indianapolis," he said.

"Fuck Indianapolis," I replied.

"Fuk Imbibabois," Maya mimicked.

We all chuckled. I never noticed how I missed these days, where there was nothing but the road ahead of us. No survivors, no Gluttons, no annoying buildings full of dangers, just the road, and nature.

I inhaled, closing my eyes and feeling the breeze on my fur, it gave me peace, hope, and determination to keep going. We still had a lot to go through, but if we survived this first part of the path, there was nothing that could hold us down.

"Let's go," said Mason, and he took the first step outside of the city.

The first time I walked on a desert road, I was afraid that we were in a fragile position, where anyone could ambush and attack us, but now I realized how good it was to have a clear view and not having to worry about a potential threat on every corner.

And then there was Mace. I enjoyed his company so much. He makes me feel safe, even though the world is falling around us, and even so, I know he needs my help as much as I need his.

I wanted to know what happened with him, why was he like that, why he refused to talk about the way he avenged me and Maya. But I also realized it shouldn't be easy to talk about the way you kill people.

I didn't stop thinking about it, though. The way he always came back without a scratch, and with liters of blood in his paws, made me afraid of him, only a little, but still... afraid.

"What do you think that'll happen when this is over?" I asked, trying to break the tension.

"What do you mean?"

"When you finish your task, and I come back to my town. What will you do?" I repeated. "You'll stay in Long Island and spend the rest of your life there?"

Mace stood quiet for a few seconds, probably thinking about what I said, but then he just shrugged and said back:

"I don't care about the future. When I finish what I have to do, I'll improvise, I guess,"

I thought twice on whether I should ask the question or not, I could be about to ruin everything I managed to build with Mace until now, or I could be onto what I have been planning for a long time now.

"You could come with me," I said. "To Da'Mell,"

"Wasn't it Ga'Bell?" he asked.

"Ga'Bell was my town, Da'Mell is our sister town," I explained.

"Who the hell chooses these names?" he provoked.

I chuckled and looked forward. There was still a lot of path to cover, but, somehow, I knew that it wouldn't take too long to reach our goal. Not when Mace was around.

"Who knows?" he said. "Maybe. Someone gotta teach your guys how to survive,"

A smile appeared on my face instantly. I felt that I was making progress with Mace. He went from hating me to considering me his blood, and now he was going to go to my village!

"Why are you smiling?" he asked.

I tripped on my feet and almost fell. My face was hot and I started sweating a lot. I knew these symptoms, and I didn't like them. I didn't like them the first time, and I definitely don't like them now.