"Can we leave?" I ask Jexton and he nods. The woman stutters and looks between Jexton and I with an upset expression on her face. "Well, you guys could always stay here," she suggests and I feel the urge to scream again. "there's fresh food and water and I have a television set and an extra bed." as the woman names every reason why Jexton and I should stay, my head begins to ache.
Why does everyone always want to get between me and Jexton? Between me and freedom?
"That sounds great, and it's very nice of you, but I think Farrah and I are fine on our own." Jexton saves me by saying. I try not to show my relief, but by the way the woman looks at me, I can tell she is hurt.
"After he's out there on the loose?" the woman asks, making me feel even more uncomfortable. I apologize and she shakes her head. "That's alright, dear." she says and attempts a smile while nodding. "At least let me make you a meal. You two look like you haven't eaten in days."
Oh, you have no idea.
"I feel as if it's weird that I know your names but you don't know mine." the woman says, and Jexton and I look at her simultaneously. "I'm Gwenthie Patterson; but you can call me 'Gwen' or 'G.'" Jexton and I nod and Gwen gestures toward her small living room. "Have a seat, watch some television." she says and Jexton and I sit next to each other on the small, scratchy couch.
We stare blankly at the tiny screen that is playing a black-and-white show about a young boy who gets lost on a stormy night and is found by his dog a few days later. It's oddly comforting to see a household that was genuinely similar to mine.
German families were not allowed to have high-definition or colored TV. If some were lucky, they could buy films, but only ones from the early ages. I shiver at the thought of the Consilium community living in all the riches and modern technology that continues to grow and better over the years; whereas Germans or those who live outside of the community live as if it is the Great Depression.
An aroma sails through the air from the kitchen and I can't help but grow impatient. Time passes slowly and the only thing on my mind is finally eating a home cooked meal after living with an empty stomach for so long.
...
"Kids," Gwen's voice sounds from directly behind us and Jexton and I turn around simultaneously and look up at her. "the food is waiting for you at the table." I smile at her and stand from the couch. I quickly walk toward the sweet aroma of food and sit in front of a bowl filled with yellow broth and chunks of all kinds of things floating and submerged into it.
Jexton sits next to me and gives a disgusted look to the soup sitting in front of him. I glare at him and thank Gwen. "What is it?" Jexton asks, trying not to sound disgusted; but fails. "It's my famous broccoli and beef soup. I make it every Wednesday." Gwen kindly answers and Jexton and I enter the kitchen. We sit down and eye the food, then Jexton takes a bite.
"Wait, you know what day it is?" I ask and Gwen nods. "Yes, I have a calendar hanging over there." she points at a wall in the kitchen and my head turns in the direction in which she is pointing. I quickly stand and walk to the paper nailed to the wall and take in its appearance. "Today is the 3rd." Gwen says and I examine the calendar. September 3rd, 2108.
"This is insane." I say and look out the window beside me. I turn around and walk back to the table and take my seat.
...
When Jexton and I are finished eating, we thank Gwen for all she has done and collect our things.
"Wait!" Gwen says as Jexton opens the door and begins to step out into the cool midday. We turn to her and she holds a finger up, then disappears into a room. She reappears a few minutes later with a blanket and a cloth bag. She hands me the blanket, then walks into the kitchen. She fills the cloth bag with a variety of fruits, a few water bottles and a loaf of bread. She then hands the bag to Jexton and half smiles. I look at her curiously ans she nods in assurance. "You'll need it." she says and Jexton and I thank her.
I wave at Gwen and she smiles as I close the door behind me. I almost feel bad, but I am much more comfortable being on my own or with Jexton than living with a kind stranger or my abusive older brother.
"Why are you so quiet?" I ask in an upset tone as Jexton and I walk down a smoothly paved road in silence. He's ahead of me by a few feet and I decided to keep my distance.
He dodges my question as if he hadn't heard it and I grow concerned. I jog to catch up to him and stare at the ground as we walk in sync. He re-positions the bag of food on his shoulder and sighs.
"Jexton, what's wrong?" I ask and he looks at me. "You're acting different." he shakes his head and looks ahead again. I sigh and look to the ground again.
"Why did you never tell me you had a brother?" he finally asks after about ten minutes of silence. I look up at him, but he keeps his focus on the open road ahead.
"Same reason why you never told me you did." I reply. I look for any signs of impact but there are none. He doesn't look at me or nod like he usually does. It worries me a bit, but I ignore it. His behavior is a bit intimidating; making think that he may have something new up his sleeve, but I force myself to not think in that way.
A question climbs out of my brain, but I swallow the words before they can escape my mouth. There is no point in asking Jexton where we are going because I know I will receive the same answer as every other time I have asked. So, I decide to trust my instinct and the new and transformed person beside me named Jexton.
YOU ARE READING
Us Against The World
Adventure" We stand there for a few more minutes just pointing our guns and staring at each other. My arms begin to hurt, but I know that I cannot let my guard down. I know that eventually I will die; but I don't want it to be like this. If anything, Jexton...
