The Eden Projects (EDITING)

Chapter 42. Honey and Gasoline.

- Kasper -

Every part of him bristled against the cold. "Let's go!" Kasper shouted.

The last rag tag members of their group emptied as many storage units as they could. Loading up everything into the remaining working trucks and cars. Tear-down went a lot faster than he had originally thought. Everyone there was itching to leave. He couldn't blame them. He was too. Zak and he had finally realized just how low on supplies the group had gotten.

They were out of bullets (at least in an amount that could be useful), they were low on food and rations, and morale. Now he understood why they used the traps. It was necessary. Morning had begun by the time it took them to reach the base again. Kasper barked out orders within the next several minutes of their arrival and after all but a few scattered moments, a majority of the camp was bustling. Malcolm made it obvious that he would only help the people he knew still supported him and was completely useless anywhere else. Kasper was already working out a plan to be rid of him once and for all.

"Kasper-" Riley ran up, her dog was nowhere in sight. "-do you have a second?"

He set down the rope he was working at detangling and looked around, nodding to Zak who stood expectantly next to Ace. He held his arms out as the Avian piled coats into them.

"What is it?" Kasper folded his arms. Mentally closing himself off to any aggression she might have, or otherwise planned to create.

"Well- I-" She clasped her hands and took a step forward.

"Is it the dog? I haven't seen it all morning."

"What? No, he's inside." She bit back her words.

"Well what?"

Riley fidgeted, glancing around quickly before she lunged, wrapping her arms around him. "Thank you."

What is she doing?!?

He struggled against her, What is she thinking!?! and took one step back, she followed. The warmth of her breath on his collarbones sent a tingle rocketing through him from head to toe. His balled fists loosened and his shoulders relaxed. This is a trick- The smell of her was intoxicating and her pulse on him was strong enough to wake every urge he thought he had killed. Slowly, he placed an open hand on her shoulder. What do I do?!? It was warm and he clutched the fabric of her jacket. He wanted that warmth for himself.

"Thank you for what you did in the tower, and now. Ace told me you cleared a base for us."

He looked over to Ace who caught his gaze instantly and winked. Confusion over ruled the goodness of the moment. Why would he say that. They were dead center of the gravel lot, and now, the center of a sweeping attention.

"I don't know how to help you. I don't know if I can." She whispered and smiled at the passersby. They looked them over, some relaxed and others shook their heads in a disagreeable annoyance. "I know you don't mean to hurt people. That has to count for something." She let go. "If they see us trust each other, work together, then we can make something of this." Riley looked at Ace. "Strategy."

"Y-you're welcome..." He held his breath. Unable to stop his hammering heartbeat.

Woah.

With a smile she turned and left him there. Breathless. He looked around and felt his cheeks flush. WOAH. He stepped backwards and moved himself out of the public eye, disappearing at the backside of one of the units. Clutching his shirt he ran a hand against his arm. His pounding heart started to quiet and he peeked around the building. Riley stood shoulder to shoulder with Jack, seemingly unfazed and already helping load the last bundles of supplies. "What the hell was that..." He bristled against the warm and fuzzy feeling she brought him just as Zak strode around the corner.