Surface R: Reunion

Part 01.2

::TREY::

I watched with satisfaction the thrashing trees beneath us. "Nice work, Rhys. That's stopped them."

"Unfortunately, only temporarily," Rhys said, ever pragmatic. "and that was the last of the spray. I hope we've seen the last of injuries. I can hear winces from up there. Jenny's power would go handy, if only we didn't send her ahead to the next base."

I frowned. We're running out of weapons.

"But they don't know that,"

I nearly jumped out of my skin as Jonah materializes from my shadow.

Rhys only widens his eyes a fraction before relaxing. I check my watch immediately, breathing deeply to get my bars back to stable level.

"For fuck's sake, Jonah," I cursed, trying not to glare. "can you not do that?"

Jonah bows his head in apology. "I' m sorry, but I can only appear and reappear from shadows. From which shade I come through, however, is something I can't choose." He said.

"Yeah, yeah, you can only get the bearing of the locations." I sighed. "I know, but please, if you do come out of a shadow, try to make a signal first? Like, a tap, or whatever. I mean, I don't want to burn you."

Jonah nodded once more. "Duly noted, sir."

"And don't call me sir, I already told you. You and Leon are even older than me." I complained.

Rhys cleared his throat to get our attention. "Jonah, anything to report?"

"Yes," Jonah nodded, "Kytes is on his way back. Since he'll be traveling here on foot, he'll be able to tell us which is the best route to take."

Rhys sighed. "Just as well, I don't think they'll try anything like that for another couple of hours at least, but by that time, we should be ready to move. Jonah, go get some rest. You'll need it."

"Understood. Thank you." Jonah left.

Rhys looked over to me, "Evacuation can no longer be postponed, I fear."

"Lori's condition is still—"

Rhys shook his head, "No Trey, we can't risk more casualties, then Lori wouldn't be our only problem." He said. "We can't take our chances."

"I know," I gave in. I don't like this—but there's only one thing we can do. "Put the word out that we'll be leaving in a few hours. Everyone is to take only what they need. I also want a check done that everyone, who's not yet in the Southwest base , is present and preferably alive. Ask Lexie to help you there, and I want a watch posted over those trees."

Rhys nodded. "Trey, how are we going to get out of here? The base is surrounded."

"Leave that to me. Just get everyone ready to go."

Rhys nods one more time and takes the main corridor, calling out some names. I take the side door to the flight of stairs that leads to my room, quickening my pace. I can hardly believe it's true.

Nina, my baby sister, here after so many years. And my best friend, Thomas. They're sitting together on a mattress, watching and being watched by the crowd of children sent here at the first sign of danger.