Stoupající

15

The train ride to the outskirts of Amity is unbearably long.

I sit between Uriah and Lynn, my back against the wall, and watch Eric at the opposite end of the wagon glaring daggers at Four, not even pretending to listen to what Preston is babbling on about.

"Eric seems to be in quite a mood," Lynn comments to my right.

I snort. "When is he not?"

She laughs. "Right. I really can't imagine working with him."

"He's not that bad," I reply automatically and she raises her eyebrows. "He can be nice, he just doesn't want to be. Anyways," - I clear my throat - "What's new with you? I feel like we haven't talked in ages."

"Well, you are pretty busy," she responds with a kind smile.

I grimace. "I'm a horrible friend, aren't I?"

"For working hard? Yeah, terrible," she smirks at me and I role my eyes. "No, really, though, I'm glad you enjoy your position. As for me – I've been dating someone."

My eyes widen. "What? How could I have missed that? Why didn't you say something? Who is he?"

Lynn's smile disappears and she frowns. She swallows and turns her face away from me and toward the ground, like she is afraid of my reaction.

"It's ... it's a girl, actually."

"Well then, who is she?" I correct my earlier sentence and her head snaps up in surprise. "What, did you really think I would judge you for liking girls? You're my friend, I'll support you no matter what. And we can't help who we fall in love with."

I am the expert on that subject after all.

"Thanks," she smiles, her eyes glistening. "How about we sit down for a cup of coffee when we get back and I tell you all about her?"

"I'd love that."

We are interrupted by Eric informing us that we are about to reach our destination.

"Stiff," he addresses me, looking at me for the first time this evening. "Since this is your operation, wanna tell them the next steps?"

"Sure," I clear my throat while getting up and face our team. "The train stops just a couple of miles outside of Amity. Since the rails are damaged from thereon, we will have to walk about half an hour to the next train station near the fence which connects to the subway system. We do not expect to run into any trouble, though the cameras do not reach as far as we would need them to in order to know what is going on out there. So be careful and keep an eye on our surroundings."

I look at Eric again and he nods.

When we step off the train an ice cold wind is blowing snow into our faces and despite my winter gear I am shivering within a couple of seconds.

"I'll check for the easiest way down from the platform without breaking our fucking necks," Eric announces before making his way to the first flight of stairs, the snow crunching beneath his heavy boots.

"He's pissed you've taken me with you, isn't he?" Four shows up next to me.

"Extremely," I answer.

Four grins. "That's the only reason I'm here, isn't it? He did something to piss you off and this is your retaliation."

"Oh please," I reply, smirking. "Of course it's not the only reason. It's the main reason, but I do think your skills and knowledge are of value here as well."