Saving Chloe

Chapter Six

"Well, that guy knows how to tell a story," Calen muttered as soon as Martin was finished. That was probably the first and only time Calen ever stayed quiet during one of Martin's shows. I don't know why, but every time Calen was finished with watch duty, he'd come into my room. Probably to hear Martin's dialogue, even though he'll complain and rag on him the entire time. It's really annoying, but he does anyway. I don't know if he actually believes a word Martin says or if he just wants some bizarre explanation to believe in.

"Tell me about it," I reply back, not knowing what else to say. I lean my head on his shoulder and his hand starts petting my hair in perfect Calen fashion. "Do you think it's true?"

"What? The story? Or that the crazy drunk man was real?"

"Both."

"Martin is an expert story teller, and I wouldn't put it past him to start making things up."

"Does it make you want to visit Volunteer Park?" He back away from me and gives me a disapproving look.

"You know we can't leave the house! We're not running low yet! We're not due for two more days."

"And even then," I interrupt him, "it's always Mom and Joshua who goes."

"Exactly my point."

Making a deep growl sound, I throw my head back and wince as I hit the wall. "I'm just so sick and tired of being trapped here!"

"So you want to walk where a supposed Invader thing has been spotted?"

"Thought you didn't believe in that sort of thing."

"I don't." Yet, the look he was trying to hide told an entirely different story.

"Then what's the big deal if we go?" He gave me the same censorious look. I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. "I don't understand why you're making it a big deal! I used to go on walks all the time by myself!"

"Yeah, before the Crazies."

"Do you really believe people weren't this crazy before the Arrival? You obviously weren't opening your eyes! People have been doing these kinds of things for a while now, and I don't believe it all of a sudden started with the Arrival."

"Alessa." There it is! That imprudent and patronizing tone he always uses when he wants me to drop my point of view and just admit he's right. He's not always right.

Putting his arm around my shoulder, trying to pull me closer, I fight back. "No! No, Calen! You can't keep me locked up here forever! I will go out, and you ignoring me and telling me no just proves I will do it!" He gives me this I-Know-Even-Though-I-Wish-I-Didn't look. "So you can either escort me or watch me leave and die because you weren't there to protect me."

He glares at me. "I'm pretty sure all the Crazies have to do is look at your face and they'll fall down dead."

"So is that a yes?" My smile turns smug. He shakes his head and I watch it fall into his hands as he makes over exaggerated sounds. And I take that as a yes.

Neither of us took long in preparing, long sleeves and lots of layers, despite the warm air, and Calen's loaded weapon. He even snuck one of Joshua's pistols for me. Safe keeping, he told me. But I really hoped we wouldn't come to the point where I'd actually have to use this damn thing. Calen put it on lock before handing it to me. I honestly didn't know what to do with it. If I ever had to shoot it, I'd probably do more damage to myself than the target.

"We'll work on aim later," Calen had whispered to me. "All you have to focus on is scaring them. Once they're scared, they freak and leave." He didn't imply whether or not they came back with backup or confidence. I didn't want to know. "If anything happens to me-"