Reia- A Novella (COMPLETE)

Chapter 15

"We have to get out of here," Marfa told them as they got into the car.

"Where are we even going, then?" Hazira asked, making a sharp turn and cutting through the parking lot. "There are settlements popping up in the foothills of the mountains, from what little news I've gathered, but the richest people are heading all the way south, even as far as La-"

"We can't leave," Morai interjected from the back seat. (Morai didn't particularly like this situation. But he couldn't very well drive, and Marfa took the passenger's side, so it was the back seat for Morai.)

"What?" Marfa said, spinning around. "Are you insane?"

"Marfa," Morai pleaded. "Listen to me. I've got a different perspective now." He gave Marfa a significant look.

"After... after almost dying, you mean?" Hazira said gently.

"Uh... yes. Exactly," Morai lied.

"What are we even supposed to do?" Marfa asked, giving Morai a look right back. "We don't have the power they do. Do we?"

Morai was growing irritated.

You know very well that we've got an advantage now, he thought angrily, fists clenched.

Marfa jumped suddenly, staring at Morai with wide eyes.

"What?" Hazira said, anxiously turning to Marfa and trying to pay attention to the road at the same time. Morai was confused. Marfa couldn't very well hear what Morai was thinking, now, could he?

"N-nothing," Marfa said quickly. "My leg... just acting up."

What did I just do? Morai asked Marfa, silently.

Marfa gave him a look that said simply, "I know as much as you, kid."

How?! Morai thought, his thoughts awfully anxious. How has this all happened? What does it even mean?

Hazira shivered in the front seat. She muttered something to herself about going crazy. Marfa and Morai looked from her to each other, agape with fear and awe.

I guess I have to be careful, then, Morai thought, directing his thoughts at Marfa only.

Marfa nodded slightly, raising his eyebrows.

"Ok, seriously," Hazira said, coming to an intersection. "Where am I going, now?"

Morai had an idea- like an instinct. He hated it.

"We need to stay in the city," he said. "If there is anything we can do to stop this, we need to try."

"Try what?" Marfa argued. "We have no plan, no resources, no-" But Hazira suddenly hit the gas, making a sharp U-turn in the intersection and heading back for downtown. "Hazira!" Marfa shouted. "What are you-"

"Marfa," she said, glancing at him. "It's not her. It's... it's me."

Marfa stared at Hazira, who was not herself, but a puppet being manipulated by Morai. Hazira's eyes had turned a dark marble green.

"WHAT THE HELL, MORAI?!"

Morai-Hazira slammed on the brakes and the car screeched to a stop. "Don't scream, Marfa!"

"WHY NOT?" Marfa shouted, opening the door and getting straight out of the car. He started walking deliberately towards nowhere.

"Where are you going?" Morai-Hazira shouted. "If you wander into the city alone you're doomed!"