Veil Of The Undying

Chapter 15

Aria

I don't know if it's because I hate myself and am projecting, but it feels like everyone around me despises me, especially Ava. She's friendly to everyone, especially Ronan.

Earlier, we picked up two men who are now sitting in the back with Ava. She has that charming personality that makes it no surprise she's chatting them up.

I'm grateful to Ronan for putting me in the front seat; I'd hate to be stuck with two men.

I'd much rather be back home, locked away in my room, with Kai nagging me to get out of bed.

Ronan pulls the car over on the side of the road and turns to the two men. "We're tired, so we're taking a break. This is also a bathroom break, so go if you need to."

He turns to me and hands me some toilet paper he grabbed from the supermarket earlier. I prefer to wash, but I don't think he needs to know that.

"Stay close to the car. If we see anything, we need to be ready to drive off immediately," he instructs everyone. Then he pulls me aside.

"Look, I know you're not the bravest, but out of everyone here, I can only trust you. Your friend might go with whoever she feels safest with, even if it means betraying us, taking our supplies, and leaving with these men. I'm going to take a nap, but since you've been sleeping while I was driving, stay up and keep an eye out. If you see anything suspicious, tap me. Okay?"

At least someone trusts me. Ava may seem selfish, but I understand her drive to survive. I won't judge her for that. I nod in agreement, ready to keep watch.

I sit close to Ronan so I can wake him if anything goes wrong. I don't trust my legs not to freeze up when I need them most.

Ava is getting along well with the older man, giggling and chatting like the world hasn't ended. The younger man, on the other hand, looks both angry and sad. They seem like brothers or at least close relatives. They're fortunate to have each other; having a sibling around during this nightmare is a luxury I don't have.

I reach for my bag, finally pulling out some food. I've been so preoccupied with thoughts of Kai that I've hardly eaten today.

"Slow down on the food, will you?" Ava's snarky comment cuts through the silence.

Honestly, I'm fed up with her bitchy behavior. "We all have our own bags for a reason. Unless I'm eating from your bag, don't tell me how to eat my food," I snap, pulling out a protein bar.

"Marcus and Liam don't have their own bags. Don't be greedy; save some for them," she retorts, deliberately trying to paint me as selfish. I don't care.

"Since you like them so much, why don't you give them your food? And Ava, you're not my parent. You're just a stranger I met. Don't talk to me like that again."

"Bitch," she hisses.

I roll my eyes and continue eating, trying to ignore the mounting tension.

Ava and the man she was chatting with eventually take a nap, leaving just me and the younger man awake.

Bored and struggling to stay awake, I decide to sit next to him. Maybe the danger of being so close to a man will keep me alert.