The Eden Projects (FINAL EDITING)

Chapter 42. Honey and Gasoline.

- Kasper -

"Let's go!" Kasper shouted.

The last ragtag members of their group emptied as many storage units as they could. Loading up everything into the remaining working trucks and cars. The tear-down went a lot faster than he had originally thought it would. There was an unmistakable urgency to it all; everyone was itching to leave, driven by the same restless energy to go- go- go. 

He couldn't blame them. Zak and he had finally realized just how low on supplies the group had gotten, they surveyed the nearly empty storage units: out of bullets (at least in an amount that could be useful for anything other than a group suicide) check, dipping into an uncomfortable need for food and rations? Check, and morale was in an all-time plummet. Now he understood why they used the traps; it was not just cowardice after all, it was necessary. 

Kasper was already plotting out the most efficient way to eliminate the dead weight that was dragging them down and after a total of ten hard thought minutes he had found the exact way to do it. Those who don't contribute die. The perfect plan. It would be the new rule in their new home and Ace... oh Ace... he would only make things that much harder. Best not to think on that too long. He coiled a several feet long rope up into a spiral.

"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 as he was handed coat after coat until his arms were full.

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

She looked down and took a step forward.

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

"No, he's inside. He's fine."

"Then what?"

"Do you trust me?" Riley fidgeted. 

"Do I have a choice?" 

"Don't move." 

"Why?" 

Glancing around quickly she inhaled softlyy and lunged, wrapping her arms around him.

What is she doing?!?

"Riley-" 

"Thank you."

WHAT?

"You have no idea how big this is." 

He struggled against her, What is she thinking!?! The warmth of her breath on his collarbones sent a tingle rocketing through him from head to toe. A knot curled its way up into his throat. She's trapping me. Kasper's mind raced. He felt his mental pistons misfire. Or maybe not... His balled fists loosened and his shoulders relaxed. This is a trick- right? The smell of her was intoxicating where it gathered right under his nose and her pulse on him was strong enough to wake every urge he thought he had killed. Or not... Slowly, he placed an open hand on her shoulder. Careful despite the swelling strength that corded up his arms. She's warm. His palm settled against her back and he clutched the fabric of her jacket. Say something! "What are you doing-" 

"Thanking you." She pressed in tighter. 

"F-for what-" 

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

He looked over to Ace who caught his gaze and smirked. They were dead center of the gravel lot, and now, the center of a sweeping attention.

Zak, on the other hand, looked like something else. Shock darted across his face as he nearly dropped the pile of jackets he held.