Discernment

Chapter 39

We set up camp in Missouri, though this time, we slept a good distance away from the militants. There was no way we were going to sleep near them after what had happened. Athena's become even more unstable than before now that she knows the soldiers were the ones to destroy her home. We had lookouts to warn when they were approaching our makeshift tents and cars. Kyanna just sat alone, glaring at the militants while sawing into a brown, leather boot she found off to the side. Just sawing a single line. "You hungry, Kyanna" I ask, finally giving up from watching her. "No." She says with a powerful, deep tone. "You sure?" I reply. "Yes. Leave me be, Thomas." Kyanna replies, not even turning to me, and only staring at the absent military truck.

I sigh and walk away from Kyanna, over to Fay and Indigo. "You two doing alright? How's your arm?" I ask them, but focus on Indigo. "It's doing better. A lot better, actually. Fay knew a medical trick to fix it, as well as my ribs. It's all still sore, but that should clear." Indigo says. "Good to know. So, what do you think of the soldiers? Think they can still be trusted?" I ask them. "Of course not. They may not even be leading us to Fort Bragg. Now they're probably plotting to kill us off one by one in our sleep." Fay says. "And that's why we'll be having shifts, Fay. We'll be keeping close watch on these people." I explain to her. Indigo swallows a drink of purified water and then clears his throat. "Hey, you know what's been fucking weird? I have barely seen any biters since we've left Oregon. There's some here and there, though they've thinned out since we've left." Indigo says. "Can't argue with you there.. It is weird. We may have been in such a densely populated area, we were just used to it." I reply softly, standing over them who were leaning against a tree. "Hey, Thomas. You should go check in with Alyson. Seeing you two together? I ship it." Fay says. "You ship it? What's that supposed to mean?" I reply with a laugh, giving Indigo the same expression he was giving me. "You two are meant for each other. Now.. Go. Talk to her. Leave me alone with my man. Yeah?" Fay says, flicking her hand at me, pushing me away. "Fine, fine. I'll leave you two be." I say, laughing as I turned away.

I didn't go talk to Alyson, she looked too interested in her book. I decided I'd sit on the trunk of a car, looking around for anyone else to talk to. I glance over to Theodore who's staring at an open, dying field, and he readjusts his blackened shades to fit his face. I looked passed him, to see what he may have been looking at if he could actually see. "Beautiful. Huh?" Theodore says to me, almost as if he knew I was near him. "Y-Yeah.. It is." I reply. "I know, I can't see. But, if I could, I'd expect this place we're at to be beautiful. Know what I'm saying?" He replies. "It is, in case you're wondering." I tell him. "Yeah, yeah. You can see. No need to brag man." Theodore chuckles. "I.. I wasn't.. Uh.. Nevermind. Sorry." I say, not meaning to offend him. "Hey, no harm, no foul. I'm not upset by it." Theodore says with a slight smile, now readjusting his glasses again. "Alright, thanks man. I'm going to go.. Check on the others. Talk to you later." I mention to him.

"Smooth move, Thomas." Alyson nudges me and approaches me as I was walking away. "What's that?" I asked her. "What you said to Theodore. Trying to tease the blind man.." Alyson says with sarcasm behind her voice. "Oh, hush. Him and I know it was an accident that turned into a joke." I reply, turning red. "I know, cutie. I'm only messing with you. You going for a walk? Can I come along?" Alyson asks. "Cutie, huh?" I reply, looking away as her and I walked down the dirt trail. "Yes, that's what I called you. Cutie. It fits you. What's the matter? You embarrassed or something?" Alyson laughs. "Embarrassed? No. I don't- I can't get embarrassed. Embarrassment shows a sign of weakness. And as the leader of this group, weakness is a burden." I say to her. "That got deep fast.. Anyways, how's it a burden?" Alyson replies.

"Think about it, Alyson. If I show weakness, that's a sign that these people - my new family - will lose trust in me." I say to her. "What do you mean, Thomas? You're an excellent leader." Alyson responds with a comforting tone. "I mean, I was told by someone that Kyanna was talking about my leadership. Saying that it was only decent and that decent will not get far. And Kyanna's right. I have to step up my game. Anyways, what I'm saying is that I need to lead this group with more.. Strength? I guess you could call it that." I explained to her. Alyson looks away at the ground and to the plains as we walked, and now breaking the silence, she looks back up to me and asks, "What's your story, Thomas?"