In Case of Emergency

3.

"Fran said it's empty," I tell him while the rest are asleep and he keeps watch.

He rolls his neck. "Aren't you tired?" he sighs.

"Aching too much to sleep." And it's true. Whatever painkiller Silas gave me was either meant for dogs, already wearing off, or both. "A Glock, was it? Were you a cop?"

"Army." He only speaks because I drag it out of him.

"To pay for college?"

"To pay the bills."

I don't want to push that particular topic, but my curiosity burns. "So why an empty gun?"

"In case of emergency."

I wait for him to continue.

"It still has one bullet."

"And... what is it for?"

"An emergency."

"What good is a single bullet if you're surrounded by the Turned?"

"You really have no idea, don't you?"

If I could throw my arms in the air, I would, but that'd only irritate him. "Alright. Why do you travel with them?"

He snorts. "What is this, an interrogation?" Guess there's no way not to irritate him. "Fran and Silas are my cousins and Surya is her partner. I owe Silas a favour, so I'm helping them to the camps."

"You're not staying?"

"Who knows if the army'll take me back. Go to sleep, Eden." He pronounces my name like one would pronounce a death sentence.

I do manage to sleep, but not without the same dream. I wake up as tired and aching as I was the night before. For a moment, I think I see a flash of sympathy in Bronte's sharp eyes, but it's gone as soon as it appeared.