Shackled Freedom

17. The Hesitation

The forest stretched endlessly. Everything looked the same with the dark, starved trees. They leaned into each other, uprooted from the sandy ground that cracked into crumbs wherever the trees' roots pulled it apart.

The road was largely fine, more stable against the weather than the nature surrounding it. Seonghwa said that had been the purpose while building it. He was impressed to see how well it resisted the apocalypse, but few used it to get to the CRC. Especially once the bombs started falling.

Their ride was still bumpy. Broken branches covered the path and the occasional dead tree hung far over the road, forcing San to go around. Once, they jumped out of the car to haul a larger branch aside by hand. While it wouldn't kill them to ram it, it might damage the car enough that it needed repairs to drive further. Jongho assured them he could fix it, but Seonghwa argued it wasn't worth the hassle. Thus, they piled back inside to continue their way. Jongho got to sit in the trunk for once and Yeosang cradled Seonghwa with the greatest care, mindful not to get his cable that attached to the battery entangled somewhere. 

Yunho stared outside into the bleak landscape. A sigh stuck to his lips since they didn't seem to be getting anywhere, but he didn't voice a complaint. They were all tense about what was to come. 

"Let's rest soon. We need to fuel up," San spoke up after a while of prolonged silence. His voice pulled them from their scowling.

"I can need some time to stretch my legs," Yunho groaned. Yeosang tentatively hummed, still mindful not to get in anyone's way, as if they were waiting to find a reason to evict him. The scare about the fouls died down, but they were watchful of what else might lurk between these trees. Few animals made it in these harsh surroundings and those who did were steered by the fungus that needed no water to survive.

San pulled them to a stop once Mingi confirmed this spot was as good as any other. They all needed some fresh air as they opened the doors. Wooyoung hopped outside on soft knees and slung his rifle over his shoulder. Nothing moved in the forests, but he wanted to come prepared.

Mingi went off to smoke and scour their surroundings in the meantime. While Yunho freed Jongho and retrieved the gas canister, Yeosang learned how to prop up Seonghwa the way he demanded. He perched on Wooyoung's seat and San came around to lean against the open door. He looked cosy, clothes rumpled from the long drive and maybe car rides weren't so bad even if they churned through Wooyoung's stomach. Few could afford to be exhausted from a trip in utter safety. 

If the mission failed, perhaps this was the way to live. Team up with these people and live safely in their shelter and car. Luck must have found Wooyoung after such a long time.

"How are we doing? Almost there?" San asked Seonghwa. Yunho called from the other side of the car.

"We better be, otherwise the fuel won't be enough!"

Few traded fuel since it served little other purpose than making fires. Not that anyone was out here they could trade with. 

"It's not risky to drive through the night out here, but I want everyone to get enough rest. Tomorrow at noon, we should arrive," Seonghwa assured them. Though giddy to reach their destination after such a long trip, Wooyoung wondered what they would find there.

San glanced into the skies. He had propped one arm into the open window of the door, looking handsome and Wooyoung shuffled closer to lean against the other side of the opening. When San's eyes briefly met his, the raider smiled under his bandages. Wooyoung's heart foolishly leaped in his chest, so much more violent than he was used to. Whatever San did differently than Yunho, he did it right. Wooyoung was constantly swarming for his attention.