The Grid │ an F1 story

7

Logan finally went back to sleep. Night was the worst part of the day, the roads were blocked, all controlled by soldiers. I think they'd had the same idea we'd had, and it wasn't in my plans. After killing the infected man, I tried to follow the road to Ravenmoor. Our truck belonged to the army, and even though we'd tried to remove its plate, we hadn't been able to. So when I saw the army's headlights and red lights in the distance, I knew we had to avoid them. Ravenmoor wasn't far off, yet the road seemed to be taking longer than expected. I thought I saw two trucks, but I couldn't imagine how many had their lights out. These soldiers had no sense of survival. Mark had taught me very quickly to drive without the headlights on as soon as we got close to a big city, they never did. What I also noticed was that they didn't work as a group. And if only two trucks were at the main entrance, I imagined they'd blocked off all the entrances.

"Why aren't we moving?"

"Because there are trucks. I don't want to take any unnecessary risks." He'd nodded, still half asleep. "Go back to sleep."

"But if you're all alone... You're in danger." He'd turned to me in the passenger seat.

"I'll protect you that way." I'd seen him smile, he always did. He was my only friend here, I'd have given my life for him but he probably had no idea. "Go back to sleep Logan."

"I'll keep you company." He'd straightened, rubbing his eyes. "Do you want to tell me about your nightmares?"

"I don't have them anymore." He didn't believe me, deep down it was the truth.

"That's normal... You don't sleep anymore. Do you miss Frédérik?" I'd shaken my head, he didn't believe me, I didn't really believe myself either. "Tell me the truth."

"Wouldn't you rather go back to sleep, Logan?" His blue eyes stared at me, the little light from the headlights in the distance illuminating us slightly, and I could see his worried look. "I don't feel like talking about it."

"Go to the back, I'll keep an eye on you." It was a bad idea, but I hadn't slept in days. "We can both go in the back, keep the guns, and I'll wait for you to fall asleep..."

"If you fall asleep too?"

"I won't let myself sleep if you sleep, Oscar."

"All right... But not for long."

I'd seen him smile. We were still just kids at heart, no one deserved that. I'd slid into the back seat and picked up our weapons. Then he'd followed me. It was cold out here, so we'd gotten as close as we could on that bench seat, and I'd closed my eyes. He'd put his arm around me, and in a gesture that reminded me of my mother, he'd stroked my hair. Logan was gentle, probably too gentle for what we were facing, and I had promised myself to protect him. I think he wanted to protect me too.

"Sleep well, Oscar. You need it." Then I'd felt his head rest against mine. "I'm here now. You won't have any nightmares."

I don't remember how I'd fallen asleep, but I'd quickly realized how I'd woken up. The footsteps around the vehicle, it was still dark. I could see the flash of their flashlights in the car. I'd shaken Logan awake. Without even thinking, I'd pushed him to the floor between the seats. He opened his mouth to scream, but I put my hand over his face. It must have been the worst wake-up call in ages, but there was no way out. We were trapped. I'd removed his bandana and Western Clan patch and done the same to myself. He had his pistol against him, hands trembling. Our eyes spoke for us. Footsteps were approaching, voices could be heard. I didn't know what to do, hide or face them. And without thinking, he'd shot me so that I'd end up on top of him. No matter what happened next, we were completely stuck. I stood over him, close to telling him what a great friend he'd been and how I hoped we'd continue to be in another life. Leaving defeatist was not the right idea, least of all in a situation like this.