Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
✲꘏ ꘏ ꘏ ꘏✲
I took James's automatic rifle from the foot of his bed. It was made of stainless steel. As I passed Scarlett, glancing at her only from the corner of my eye, I stepped outside. Looking around, I drew a deep breath of air thick with the stench of sulfur and gasoline. Carrying the weapon, I walked to another military building where the reserve ammunition was stored.
As I came back outside, I nearly collided head-on with Scarlett.
I hadn't expected her to follow me.
For several long moments, we simply stared at each other, our expressions unreadable. I pressed my lips together, while she let out a quiet breath of relief.
"You know you're not allowed inside that building," my friend scolded gently. "If the brigadier general—or even the senior lieutenant—finds out that you personally returned the rifle of that soldier who just died, you'll be in serious trouble."
"What concern is it of yours?" I muttered with a shrug as I walked past her.
Scarlett, however, refused to let me go and continued after me.
"What concern is it of mine? Elizabeth, you're my friend. I don't want to see you get hurt."
She threw her hands into the air dramatically, her blue eyes still glistening with tears.
"Don't worry about me. I always manage to get myself out of difficult situations. You know me."
I hurried to reassure her before she slipped completely into one of her dramatic moods.
"Most of the soldiers are asleep now. The guards saw me enter the building but didn't stop me."
"That's strange."
"What's strange about it? They're exhausted," I replied, lifting my eyes toward the sky.
Stopping, I turned to face her and folded my arms across my chest.
"Listen... will you keep me company tonight? I doubt I'll be able to sleep after..."
"After James died?" she finished softly. "Of course I'll stay with you. I doubt I'll be able to close my eyes either."
She nodded, and together we walked toward the next building, where the mess hall had been set up.
The moment we entered, I headed straight for the kitchen without even looking around.
Opening one of the cupboards, I found a concentrated chocolate ration bar. I tore off the wrapper and devoured it as though I were a wild animal that hadn't eaten in a hundred days.
Once the first wave of hunger subsided, I began rummaging through the cabinets in search of something more substantial.
