World In Turmoil

20: A Forlorn Family

The Yalntenos. -1
Drove on in the black gloom of the late night, a faint glow radiating from far behind them. The city, the life. The world they had left far beyond the horizon.

The lights of the Kavarek 02 shon out over the length of the road. Stretching into the night of the Amarosa Vally.
Their destination, was somewhere only Beth Yalenteno could tell you.
Though... right now. She wasn't one for words.
Stoick as she was, she kept her eyes on the road. Foot on the pedal.
Never letting up.
She hadn't said a word for the entire gut-twisting drive. Even when Martek had demanded they swap and let her rest.

Martek himself, sat in the back, cradling his only remaining child with a desperate grip. His face was pressed into her hair. Dry tears streaked across both their faces. Their sobs reduced to a quiet whimper.

The silence of the drive had haunted them all for the past hours.

Martek lifted heavy eyes, and looked past the old cloth seat in front of him, to Beth. His cracked voice sent slow whispers through the car air.
"... nice choice. But... Do you think it still works?"

Her reply was slow and equally as soft.
"It needs to..."
She said, letting it die into a wisp of breath.

Turning his gaze, Martek joined his wife, in the silent searching of the darkness. The unspoken dangers of night warranting more watchful eyes.

"Tomorrow." Beth began.
"No." he cut in quickly, determined, "No we can't. Not yet We need to wait until they're out of Terrestrial-Radar range... or..."
"Shush. You wouldn't wait that long." She said, trying some humor.
He gave into a small laugh.
"No... no I wouldn't would I."

Pause hung in the air for a moment.

"I... remember our old days." She whispered.
"Yeah... they were... fun." He said, his eyes falling back down to his daughter. As he stroked her sooted hair.
"...though It seems they are back."

Beth fell silent. An ear deafening silent. The type of silent only a mother can make. Her hands quivered, tiny tangents of squeamish recollections jumping into her sleep deprived mind.

"Yes..."
She finally said.
"We were supposed to get away from all this."

Voice like a little brass instrument, Martek said, "You can't escape the Forever Cold War..."

She burst out giggling for the first time in 10 hours.
"Shush you. You know I think that title is silly."

"Oh come on," he said, tone warming to her teasing. "You loved it the first time."

She laughing weakly, "It was late. I wanted you to shut up."

"Ah." Martek started, a slight grin at the tip of his lips, "So that's why you married me... I always wondered."

The two burst out into a tired fit of laughter, the car swerving slightly. Then, thankfully, returned to the road. Tears of remorse and tiny bits of joy filled their eyes. Only to fall away as quickly as they had came.

He put on a weak smile, and looked back down to his daughter, continuing to speak,
"Where is the Protectorate base by the way? It's been so long since I checked a map..."

"I... I don't think that would be smart."

"Incase they're with them?"

"Yeah." she affirmed. Her shoulders beginning to sag. "Those jets that flew over us a couple hours back, didn't seem to of gotten into any trouble with the Big Guys..."

"Your right, don't worry. It's safer this way." he said, tilting his head up slightly, giving beth a curious look.
"Beth... look. We need to swap, I can see your head beginning to bob."

She cast him a quick glance, "You're no better."

Sighing, he yielded.
"...Then drive, my bride. Drive."