Genesis 2.0 (Monster Apocalypse Survival) Sci-Fi/DarkFan/Horror

Chapter twenty-six

Andrea

I know they're using their angel mind-meld stunt to communicate without me. I see it in the shared looks, shifting facial expressions, and looks they try - but fail - to keep between the two of them.

I try telling myself that I don't care, they're celestial siblings, and bound to have many secrets, but the more they carry on, the angrier I get.

"Will you two stop talking about me?" And the way they both halt dead in their tracks confirms my suspicions.

"Andrea--" Daniel abandons his place as leader, and starts back toward me.

"I don't care," I say, with a shoulder shrug. Throwing out both hands, he gets the silent message and stops mid-stride. "I don't care," I repeat more firmly. "How much longer till we get there?" I ask, hopefully deterring him from saying anything else that's not directly related to our destination. Unless, that's what he and Aeriel were discussing, and if that's the case, I just made myself look like an idiot.

Not like I need much help in that department.

"A few hours," Aeriel supplies, and narrows her eyes at me. "Are you alright?"

"Fine," I lie through my teeth. "Just fine and dandy, can't wait until we get there and I can look for the journal."

"Maybe this is the actual location," Aeriel supplies, her voice more chipper than usual. Instead of comforting me, as I'm sure she meant to do, I feel worse. Three years of living hand-to-mouth, and one day I'm thrown into an impossible quest. As if my life doesn't suck enough, karma decides to dump the whole pile of shit on me at once.

"And if wishes were meatloaf, I'd be swimming in gravy," I add, and walk past her. I'm bitchy, and I know I'm bitchy. I'm getting on my own nerves, so I can only imagine how my escorts feel. I stomp past where Daniel stopped, and keep going without looking at him.

I now understand the phrase, 'bone-tired,' cause I'm there. Every step I take is a monumental effort, and I just want to collapse, and let the desert claim my body; let the scorpions and other creepy-crawlies eat my exhausted carcass.

"Is there anything I can do?" Aeriel asks when she catches up with me. "I can carry you for a while?"

I laugh. The mental image of a ragged-looking me, clinging to the war-angel's back is too funny. Once I start laughing, I can't stop, and soon, I'm on my knees in the scalding hot sand, tears rolling down both cheeks, and great wracking sobs vibrating my chest.

"It's useless," I manage between gulps of air. "We'll never find that damned tree. Why me?"

Cool air kisses my overheated face, and I crack one eye to see both angels standing over me, their faces scrunched in twin looks of confusion. The shade is wonderful, and I cry even harder.

"Think she's broken?" I hear Aeriel ask. "She looks broken to me."

"She's not broken," Daniel argues roughly. "She's tired, hot, hungry, dirty, and human. She needs a break." His declaration warrants no argument. "Let's camp here for the night."

"Perhaps Jophiel can lend a hand?" Aeriel offers.

"Yes," Daniel agrees, and I feel his arms as he pulls me into them. "She's more than earned a reprieve."

"I'll take care of it," Aeriel murmurs, and I hear her boots crunch on the dry sand when she walks away.

"Where's she going?"

Daniel stands, lifting me along the way. I throw both arms around his neck, and stick my nose in the crook between shoulder and throat. Inhaling lightly, I pull his scent into my nose, almost sighing when the stress leeches from my body. It feels so good to have someone else to lean on. It also feels good having someone else pull watch duty. It's been an eternity since I relaxed.

"She'll be back," he promises. "She's going to make a call."

I frown and the mental image of the angel holding a cellphone to her ear flashes through my mind and I giggle.

"Not that kind of call," Daniel chuckles. "Just rest."

I can't stop my eyelids when they flutter closed.

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Has Andrea finally cracked?