Crossover

Chapter 6: The Road

Zedron didn't need to get me, for I woke as soon as the carriage stopped. I stayed put for a while, just listening to the quiet.

When I did finally get up, it would be as dark inside as outside, if there weren't two lamps that hung from the front of the carriage. We were nestled in a small dip between two dunes, just off the road. The camel was detached from the carriage but was tied to it still, with a rope around his belly between his two humps. Zedron was cooking on a kerosene stove, and sipping from his water flask occasionally.

"Kefira," He said as I approached. "I'm just heating up some soup. It's getting cold, and you'll be thanking me in a few minutes."

"I'm already feeling it." I replied. "When can we get going again?"

"Soon." He said. "Brent needs a bit of a rest."

"What about you?" I asked.

"I'm fine." He handed me the flask. "Here," he offered.

I took it and raised it to my lips, sipping carefully. As I suspected, the clear liquid burned as I swallowed, and when I breathed in after it smelled like fumes.

"How did you get this?" I asked, as I sat down on the small ledge beside where the stove was. "Alcohol is illegal in the dunes."

"You won't tell will you?" He asked, with a cheeky smile.

I shook my head in reply. "You're drunk." I said, taking another sip. It was warming me up.

"Shh..." he said, bringing his finger to his lips. "It'll be our little secret."

I smiled in the dim light, hoping he wouldn't see.

Zedron noticed. "That's the first time you've smiled since I met you." He laughed.

I quickly stopped. What was I doing smiling and having a good time when my daughter had been taken from me? She was probably being tortured right now, and here I was smiling and drinking with a man I'd only just met today. "Let's just eat and get going." I muttered, taking one last sip from the flask before handing it back.

Zedron split the soup between two mugs, and gave me one. Steam rose from each of the cups, and I could feel the warmth seeping through the ceramic, warming my hands. I took a small sip, testing the temperature. It was creamy corn and black pepper, one of my favourites. It wasn't the cheapest, but in comparison with fresh fruits and vegetables, it was a steal. "Ah..." I sighed. "This takes me back years."

"Good memories?" he asked.

"No. Horrible ones."

"Oh?"

"I lived off this stuff when I was little," I admitted. "I grew up on my own, so it was hard for a while."

"Me too." He said. "I never knew my parents. I lived with a few of the traders around here. Then when I was older, I worked in the hotel here for free lodging and food. When I finally saved up enough, I bought the buggy." He patted the side of the carriage. "I've had a few trading jobs, but the dune city isn't faring so well now."

He drank the rest of his soup from his cup. "I was going to stay, sell my buggy and see if I could work as a mechanic. But I found you, and now we are here," He said, as he folded the stove back up, and put it into the storage hold. "Would you excuse me for a moment? I need to go relive myself."

I nodded. "Did you want me to wash up?" I asked.

"Sure." He replied. "Just rinse the cups and the pot out with water from the large tank, okay?" He wandered off into the dunes.

I finished off the last sip from my cup and opened the small lever to rinse off the cups. The water glugged out, washing the small pieces of food into the sand. Shaking them dry, I packed them into the storage as well.

The camel whined. "Hey!" I snapped. "Quiet."

He wouldn't shut up.

I walked over towards him. "Seriously, Quiet." I said, annoyed. This was why I hated camels. They were nothing but stubborn, loud pigs.

I just passed the door of the carriage when someone grabbed me from behind. My arms were pinned to my sides, and I felt the sharp edge of a knife pressed to my neck.

The attacker pushed me up against the side of the carriage, and clipped my hands together behind my back with handcuffs. He then released me.

I turned around, eyes wide. There were three of them, all wearing black leather jackets and steel toed boots. They'd probably come on horses.

"You're under arrest." The one who had attacked me growled, flashing his leather badge.

I fought against the metal cuffs. I had some previous run-in with Deressan law enforcement when I was younger, and each time they got bolder and bolder. "For what?" I spat. I tried to hide my fear. I had no idea what this was about.

"Aww... give it up, you pretty little thing." One of them said. "Just tell us where your partner is, give up the cargo, and we'll let you go. Someone with the looks of you shouldn't have to spend time in jail."

"What cargo?" I asked. I waited for them to realize they made a mistake, but I could see they were out for blood. This wouldn't end well for me. I had to keep them talking, just until I could get the gun from my boot. "There must be a mistake. I'm just travelling." I said.

The third laughed, then slapped me. "Don't play coy," he said. "Where is he? Where's Zedron?"

"I...I..." I stammered, trying desperately to think. My gun in my boot. I needed it. How could I get it?

"Look!" Exclaimed the first one. "I think she's gonna cry." He stuck out his bottom lip in a fake pout. "Boo hoo..."

Anger flared inside of me. I knew at the moment what to do. They thought I was weak, and I could use that to my advantage. I let my knees go weak, and crumpled to the floor. I let my eyes close as I hit the dirt, and with my cuffed hand I reached into my right boot, pulling out the gun and hiding it in the folds of my dress, tucked into my belt.

"Nezaku!" The second one swore. "She fainted. Nice going Cap."

The first one, Cap, let out grunt of annoyance. "Fine." He barked. "Spread out and look for Zedron. And put her inside the stupid buggy of his. We can use it to transport them."

The second one lifted me roughly and dragged me into the carriage. He put me down on the thin mattress in the corner, then searched around the small room in the dark. Finding nothing that suited his fancy, he left, closing the door behind him.

I struggled to sit up. The cuffs bit into my wrists, and made it hard to move.

From outside I heard muffled yells and then a loud pop. I threw myself back onto the mattress.

"Mui cara," I muttered quietly. What the hell did I get myself into?