In The After Life

Chapter 10

Staring had become our only form of communication. It was a contest of sorts and winning came at a price. Miles wouldn't look at me so much as through me, like my head was transparent and he was fascinated by an object two inches behind my skull.

His eyes that I once fell into as my salvation instead turned my stomach every bit as badly as meeting a stranger after dark. Those long looks was how he told me of his bitterness, how he hated me for letting our loved one die, and that forgiveness was not his strong suit.

I guess those were our final days unbroken, though I can say without a doubt, nothing ended the way I thought it would. "How are you two?" I decide to break the awful silence and I see Daniel smile.

"Well my hands are numb and I've been dying to go to the toilet for the past few hours but beside from that I'm great but that's just me" Daniel says and I feel guilt as maybe I haven't tried hard enough to help them.

I look over to Miles who isn't interested in the conversation. I notice the poor condition of the place they're having to stay in and it all but feeds the fire to escape this place.

I stand up and pop my head out the tent to the guard stationed outside the tent. "My friend needs to use the bathroom would you mind taking him?" I ask as I know we have a tent that they're using as camp toilet.

"I've been ordered to not allow the prisoners to leave this area, they've been provided with a bucket" I rolled my eyes at the guards tone but I know those are popes orders I'm hoping.

"Well I've spoken to my father directly and he said when I'm visiting them what I say goes and I wouldn't want him to think his guards are disobeying him now would we?" I give him a sweet smile

He is definitely fighting with the new information but he sighs. "Tell him to hurry up and that I'm armed and will shoot on sight if he try's anything" I give him a sort of curtsy and pop my head back in.

"He'll take you but please Daniel be smart he has a gun and won't think twice about shooting you. I'm going to get us out I just need more time" I whisper and he just walks out the tent where the guard awaits him.

I wait a few seconds before I sit on the floor and stare at Miles. I know he's stubborn but I'm stubborner. He'll cave once he figures out I'm not leaving until he talks to me.

When our eyes lock over the wooden pole his usual soft expressions of only a few months ago have evaporated. Miles holds my gaze, but instead of the warmth of a best friend it is with an icy hostility.

I crack a joke about it all being a "strange staring contest" and expect a chuckle but his face is impassive but tilted back a little so he's literally looking down on me.

After a few seconds he turns his
head to the entrance, eyes just as still; then he speaks with the same robotic tone I've heard him use with teachers at the school, "He's dead Vera." I bite my lip as my throat constricts

As much as I hate to say I forgot for a second what has happened. Whether it's because death is going to be expected or I just got caught up in other things the pain that I felt in that moment is back.

"I know Miles and I'm so sorry, he didn't deserve it. He was a good man and an amazing father and I can't imagine the pain you're feeling now but-" he laughs as a tear spills down his face

"But? But what Vera, there's nothing we can do and that's he's gone? I know he's not coming back I watched as that psycho pulled the trigger to the bullet that lodge into my fathers brain!" He shouts and I flinch at his harsh words