Wither With Me

CHAPTER 49 - BURDEN

For most of the journey, the truck zigzagged and took sharp turns without rest. Occasionally, heavy objects collided with its sides, followed by hoarse cries, which sounded muffled and distant from within the vehicle. Although the back compartment lacked windows, they weren't needed in order to guess what was happening. The streets were surely infested with shamblers.

Nora held Lilian's hand firmly. So small, so fragile... Her sister's gaze was lost in the wall ahead, her head swinging from side to side following the vehicle's movement, making no effort to stay upright. Nora looked her in the eyes, knowing that she wouldn't find anything pleasant in those dark pits.

The bond that united them was falling apart. Lilian didn't seem to be aware of her presence anymore. It was like trying to speak with an unconscious person. ¿What could she possibly achieve? Perhaps all she hoped to do was comfort herself. She was right where she wanted to be: on her way home, with Lilian by her side, and surrounded by people willing to fight for their safety. However, she felt more vulnerable than ever.

'Lilian... Can you hear me? Are you there?'

[*whispers*]

'Lilian, sweetie?'

[*whispers*]

Holding the tears was no easy task, and her face must have contorted in a strange manner, since it caught the attention of the soldier accompanying them. "Are you okay, miss?" he asked, observing her from the opposite side of the compartment.

"Yes, yes... I'm sorry. Must be the nerves." replied Nora.

"Try to stay calm. You'll be safe soon. Is the girl alright? If I'm not mistaken, you understand her better than anyone."

Nora shook her head.

"I see... Come on, don't worry, I promise you'll—"

"This is Captain Isaac, from Alpha team, talking to all units." a voice emerged from the radio in the truck's cab. "We have visual contact with the evacuation point. Charlie team, initiate the distraction maneuver. All the other units, stay in formation and get ready to secure the perimeter. Over."

"This is Charlie." said the vehicle's driver. "Understood, Alpha. Initiating distraction."

Seconds later, the truck took a notorious turn to the left, after which it kept going in a straight line. They had changed direction.

'What's happening? Distraction...?'

"Excuse me, is everything okay?" asked Nora.

Something wasn't right, it hadn't been right ever since they left the research center. The other trucks carried a large number of civilian and military personnel. However, the only other people in Nora's truck were Lilian, and two soldiers, driver included. It wasn't a coincidence, that was for sure.

She couldn't help but think that those soldiers had no reason to give her an explanation. Communication with those people was uncomfortable, as if they stood on the other side of a wall; but she had nothing to lose by asking.

"Don't worry, everything's okay, so stay calm. We'll be there soon."

"You can tell her, Quinn." said the driver, from the front of the truck.

"Are you sure, captain...?"

"Yeah. What does it matter? It's better if she knows what we're doing. She's directly involved after all."

"Alright... You see, miss, we're going to take several laps around the perimeter of Kurtis Tower. We'll be the last ones to get there."

"What? Why?"