Across the Deadzone

Chapter 19: Ophelia

I stood just outside the entrance to Hemmington, the wall to my back.
The morning air was almost chilly. Almost. So used to the scorching heat that pervaded most of the Earth, the temperature change brought on a shiver, even with Becka's jacket wrapped around me. I rubbed down the goosebumps on my arms, knowing that I wouldn't be wearing the extra article of clothing for warmth pretty soon. The sun was beginning to peak out from behind the rocky cliffs. Soon, I'd need it to protect my skin from the sun's rays.
If the yellowish haze that had fogged the atmosphere since the solar flares hadn't been there, I'm sure there would've been a perfect sunrise in the sky.
I squeezed my eyes shut, conjuring up a picture. Pink would dominate the backdrop, with streaks of blue and dashes of purple. I drew up such an image that I almost convinced myself it was really there, but when I opened my eyes, the yellow fog remained stubbornly in its place.
With a disgruntled sigh, I started picking my way carefully down the steep, winding road to the desert floor.
There was an itch at the back of my mind that made me pause, made me reconsider for a second, and called me crazy for leaving. With some difficulty, I forced it away.
At the bottom of the incline, a small, mismatched group of people gathered. There were four of us, myself included.
There was one man, who I assumed was the Uber because of the blue scarf wrapped around his neck and the cooler full of water bottles he had beside him.
The other two, both girls around my age, clasped each others' hands, looking optimistic. Well, the one with dark hair and bright blue eyes did. She was bouncing on her heels with a half-concealed smile on her face.
The other, who had long, curly blonde hair tied up in a loose bun, had her lips set in a tight line. Still, her eyes softened whenever she looked over at the woman beside her.
The man appeared at my side, introducing himself as Coatés. He was short and muscular with a bald head. His skin was dark and leathery from spending his days toting people around the Deadzone, but he had a cunning smile that somehow put me at ease that, with him, I'd have a chance of surviving this trip.
His voice was thick and rich- like syrup- as he asked for forty dice to cover the cost of him risking his life. I blinked but bit back my surprise at the price. I didn't want to end up paying more than what he thought was suitable.
I fumbled around for my bag of dice, fishing out forty as he'd requested.
Coatés quickly counted to make sure there was enough before giving me a full-toothed grin. "Pleasure doing-" he started before pausing, his eyes fixed on a point above my shoulder.
"Looks like we've got a late comer," he commented, frowning.
I spun on my heel and felt my jaw go slack. Wystan was making his way down the slope, his backpack thrown over his shoulder.
"No," I moaned, biting my lip and glowering at him.
He joined us at the bottom of the cliff, introducing himself and handing his share of dice over to Coatés.
I grabbed his sleeve and pulled him away from the group so no one could hear our conversation. "What the hell are you doing?" I asked him sharply, keeping my voice low.
"I'm coming with you," Wystan said as if it were no big deal. Timber bounded down the slope after him, her tongue lolling out of her mouth. "And I think Timber is, too."
"No." I shook my head. "It's not safe out here."
"That's kinda the point," he replied. "Once the Uber drops you off at the checkpoint, you're gonna be by yourself. Even I know that's not a survivor's move."
"You know what's really not a survivor's move?" I asked, my voice coming out harsher than I meant it to. "Bringing a dog and a person who's been stuck inside since the apocalypse began with me into the Deadzone."
He didn't seem deterred by my words. "Too late. I've made up my mind."
Timber reached us then, and I reached down and scratched her head, letting out a sigh.
"Wystan, I am begging you: go back inside."
He smirked crookedly. "I already paid."
"Then ask for your money back!"
"I'm pretty sure it's non refundable." He crossed his arms smugly across his chest and I let out a low growl. Looking up toward the sky, I thought, you're really testing me, universe. I closed my eyes for a moment, quickly regaining my composure.
"Fine," I said eventually, making him grin, an odd sight in the face of what he was about to deal with. "I can't stop you. But if you die..."
"I won't," he promised me. Timber barked in agreement. I turned back to the group, not giving them the satisfaction of another word.
The last thing I needed was to become a babysitter.
When I looked over my shoulder, Wystan was already introducing himself to the rest of the party. They were all smiling as they shook hands.
As Coatés called that it was time for us to move out, I felt the guilt begin to seep in.
If I had just stayed, Wystan wouldn't be out here right now. And neither would Timber. But I owed it to my sister to explore every possible outcome. If she was alive out there, and I didn't look for her... I wouldn't be able to live with myself.
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I hurriedly turned back to Wystan, who was still conversing with the two girls as we walked.
Taking the new, sheathed knife I'd bought in Hemmington from my belt, I shoved it against his chest.
"Don't lose it," I said gruffly.