WHEN YOU FINISH SAVING THE WORLD ✸ Joel Miller

xxiii. Fear

[ CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE ! ]
fear

THE FIRST THING WE'D DONE WAS GET moving. Joel somehow knew exactly where to go, while Ellie and I were clueless with Parker--who hadn't been listening to what anyone was saying--behind us.

The sun was beginning to set, and the sky had already taken on a deep blue hue, making it difficult to tell where the horizon ended and the shadows began.

The air was still and quiet, and the only sound we could hear was the gentle murmuring of crickets in the distance.

We stood in silence, the three of us, eyeing each other with anticipation, until Ellie finally spoke up. "So how do you know where we're going?"

Joel shrugged, his jaw set, but he didn't say anything.

The grass was still damp from the morning dew, and we had to tread carefully, as to not slip. I noticed the little details of the landscape around us—the way the grass rustled beneath our feet, and the way the wind whispered through the trees.

I felt a sense of awe, of wonder, of something that I had never felt before. It was the thrill of the unknown, and it made my heart beat a little faster.

We kept walking, and soon enough, the sun had almost disappeared from the sky. The stars had begun to twinkle, and the moon had taken its place in the sky, its pale light guiding our way through the darkness.

The night was getting colder, and I could feel the wind blowing against my skin. I was beginning to feel exhausted. I wanted to give up and rest, but I kept moving, hoping that we were heading in the right direction.

FINALLY, AFTER WHAT FELT LIKE an eternity, we had arrived at our destination. Or so we thought. Joel pulled out the map in his pocket as we observed the river in the distance. Sure enough, we'd been staring at the River of Death, meaning we were finally here.

The sound of horses whining and rushed footsteps near us and as I look up all I can see is half a dozen men and women on horses with rifles in hand.

I'm quick to grab Parker and Hayden's hand as Joel takes ahold of Ellie's, attempting to find a way out, ready to take off when the others surround us, centering us in.

I could hear my heartbeat in my chest and it echoes in my head. I attempt to spare Joel a glance to communicate a way out through our gaze but he's already raising his hands in surrender, as does Ellie.

I can feel Hayden's finger loop onto the strap of my backpack and I want to grab her hand and squeeze it but as their guns land on us all I can think of is to mimic Joel's body language.

"We ain't lookin' for any trouble, we're just passing through." Joel says, his voice unsteady as the cold disrupts his breath.

"Drop the guns." One of the men say, and Joel slowly but surely slides off the strap of his shotgun, causing me to do the same.

"You three," the same man says, appointing his head to Parker, Ellie and Hayden. "take two steps back."

I can hear Joel's breath quicken and I don't think I've ever seen Hayden so afraid. "How 'bout we just talk this through?"

"How 'bout you just shut the fuck up?" he's quick to snap as he inches his gun closer to us, showing no fear.

The girls obey, stepping back and I can feel her worried gaze on me, but I'm afraid that if I look at her, it might cost us our lives. "We're okay." I whisper under my breath, just loud enough for her to hear.