With Arms Wide Open

Chapter 12

"Ryder, Addison has tried reaching you through vidcon again." Sam said.

Ryder groaned, plopping her head down on the desk.  "Tell her I'm not here."

"I have. She said to be sure you contact her the moment you return. But I assume that since you haven't actually been absent that you are asking for me to continue stalling?" He asked.

"Exactly. See Sam, you're getting it." She smiled, watching the small holographic sphere pixelating beside her.

"Thank you Ryder. I am pleased that I am becoming more efficient in my understanding of human deterrence. Though Cora has informed me that the correct term is 'slacking off'. Is that term more accurate?"

She rolled her eyes and sighed. "No Sam, we're not 'slacking'. We're just...buying time until Reyes or something about the Charlatan comes up. Why waste everyone's time if there isn't anything to report, you know?"

He rotated slowly, processing her explanation. "Understood. I will continue to elude Addison and I will alert you immediately if anything from Reyes or of importance arises."

"Thanks Sam."

Once she heard the dull beep of the node disengaging she slumped in her chair, letting out a heavy sigh. Days had passed since her meeting with Reyes with no word or supposed sign, and Stars had she been searching. From dawn to dusk she'd roam the wastelands in hopes of coming across a hideout or a group of scavengers with some kind of bone to pick with the Charlatans men. She'd be out there right now if it weren't for Lexi ordering her to take a day for rest.

'Just because you have Sam in your head doesn't make you any less human. You need rest and nourishment. That is not a request.' Ryder recalled the beloved yet, pushy doctor say before practically ordering her to her room. But how could she relax? Everyone -herself included- was starting to get antsy, itching to leave and move onto the next adventure. Not to mention Addison was becoming more and more difficult to avoid with each passing day.

She stood from the chair, hearing the wheels roll across the floor as she paced the room. Maybe Reyes has just gotten back from some shifty meeting and  is emailing her at this very moment. Maybe he hasn't heard anything yet. Or perhaps he has heard something and just forgot to send word? No. He wouldn't do that. He knows how important this is, right?

She stopped in the midst of the room, rubbing her hands over her face. "Maybe I should pay him a visit, just in case." She walked through the door as it opened and started to make her way toward the cargo bay when a familiar motherly tone called out to her.

"Where do you think you're going?"

She froze, almost reaching the end of the hall when she saw Lexi leaning against the doorway of the medbay.

"I-I was just going to go for a stroll through the market." She lied.

"Mhmmm." Lexi hummed, not looking up from the data-pad she was pretending to read. "Don't think you can lie to me Ryder. You're terrible at it."

"Oh come on Lexi!" She groaned, stomping her foot like a child. "I'm the Pathfinder. It is my job to...you know...find paths. How am I supposed to do that if I'm locked away in my room?"

"You've only been 'locked' in your room for two hours." Lexi chuckled. "Have you even slept or eaten?"

"I rested enough and I'm not hungry." She lied again, feeling her mouth coat with saliva and her stomach rumble from the very word alone.

Lexi eyed her carefully. "Have you received word on your objective?"

"Y-no." She sighed. "But that's exactly why I should go! So I can find out if I'm missing something."