Chapter 99 The Raiders

There ain't no journey that don't change you some

-Cloud Atlas

Emma

We pass nameless towns and deserted planes. By now, we're far away from Grandview Mine. I'm still not sure where we're headed. I can't see much from the back of the van.

Blake is at the wheel with Burns in the passenger seat.

That leaves me with Will.

He's sitting across from me and every once in a while he stares at me.

The ride has been mostly silent. Will and Blake seem focused on the task at hand. I'm not sure what Burns is thinking, but I'm feeling on edge. I'm worried something will go wrong.

"Hey," Will's voice draws my attention. He had that cautious look again. "Keep it together, alright? This was your idea. Don't make me regret this."

Burns looks back at us. "We'll be fine. It's just like we did before, Emma."

I nod. "I know."

"We're almost there," Blake says when we pass a road sign. "What's the plan?"

"We'll find one of the smaller stores," Burns says, "we'll take what we need and we'll come back to the van and move to the next."

Blake shakes his head. "You make it sound so simple."

"It is that simple," Burns answered.

"For you maybe," Will huffs.

Burns smiles apologetic. We left in the early hours of the night so we could be well on our way when the sun would come up. By now we're halfway across the state. We decided Blake will be the one to accompany Burns, mainly because he is calmer than Will and Will doesn't like the idea of me and Burns going on our own. It's a sensible decision, but I'm not looking forward to staying behind with Will.

"Here," Burns hands Blake a pair of sunglasses to shield his eyes. I contemplated bringing my contacts, but then decided against it. They were never much of a disguise anyway. "Remember," Burns continues, "just stay calm and smile at people. Pretend they are your closest friends."

Blake takes a deep breath. I know he said he isn't scared, but now that it comes to the actual deed, he looks a lot less sure.

"Look at that," I make an attempt at a joke, "Blake Southerby afraid of doing groceries."

He casts me a halfhearted smile through the rearview mirror, but I can see the slight tremble of the corner of his mouth. "I'll bring you back some chocolate chip cookies," he answers me.

I smile at him comforting. "Burns will keep you safe."

"We'll be just fine," Burns says.

"If you betray us," Will warns, "I'll kill your girlfriend here and I'll come after you one way or another."

Hurt flashes across Burns' face and he looks at me with a tortured expression. I know he's worried about leaving me alone with Will, but surprisingly enough, Will's threat doesn't bother me like it would have a few weeks ago. I lean forward and kiss Burns. "Bring me some hot tea? I haven't had a cup on weeks."

His smile is weak, but he nods.

I look at Will. "Anything for you?" He snorts and looks away. "Coffee for Will," I say.

"Where should I park?" Blake asks.

Burns looks up and points. "There is fine." He looks back at me and Will. "It's time."

I nod and Wil and I crawl under a blanket in the corner of the van. If someone would happen to look in, they can't see us. It's just a precaution. Which doesn't mean I enjoy being crawled up against Will.

I hear both doors open and close again and then it's quiet. It's still early morning, so there won't be many people out on the streets yet, but the stores are already open.

I sigh. I trust Burns completely, but I'm still nervous. There's always the risk that Blake will be found out.

"I can't believe I agreed to this," Will mutters.

"It's only going to make things easier for us," I say in response, "we can take back whatever we want now. Food, batteries, clothes, soap."

"You are so quick to trust him," Will growls.

I sigh. "I grew to trust him," I say, "when I just met him, I was just as suspicious as you. I wanted nothing to do with him. I was afraid of him." I pause and I know Will is waiting for me to continue because he doesn't make a snarky comment. "When we met, I was injured," I say, "he didn't know I was human at first. I wanted to run right then and there, but I couldn't. When he did find out what I was, I was certain he would hand me over to the Seekers, but he didn't. Instead, he helped me get away and brought me home with him. I didn't trust him so I ran, but he brought me back, took care of me when I was sick. He didn't even flinch when I attacked him. Instead he gave me my knife and told me to hold it if it made me feel safe. And I still didn't trust him. So I tricked him into going away with me and I ran again."

"Is that when you were taken?" Will asks.

"Yeah," I say.

"So how did you end up with him again?"

I grit my teeth. I don't like thinking back on how close Sky was to Patt, the Seeker. "I made her look for him."

"Made her?" he sounds skeptical.

"She was in love with the Seeker that took my life from me," I hiss, "she wasn't really aware of me yet, so I filled her head with images of Burns."

"Why?" Will asks.

I sigh again. "I'd rather she'd be with someone that had known me than with the Seeker that had stolen my life." I look at Will now. "I didn't even know if he cared, but I just didn't want to be forgotten. But once he figured out I was still there, he brought me back. He's never given up on me, no matter how often I betrayed him. So yeah," I finish, "I trust him."

It is silent for a while.

"We'll see," Will finally says. He shifts uncomfortably. "How much longer is this going to take?"

"They'll be back soon," I say, "Souls don't rush things. Burns is just making sure they won't stand out." Though I understand why he is so on edge. I used to feel the same way. Also, I'm guessing Will is used to being in control. Now he has to rely on Burns and watch from the sidelines.

"... sure this is enough?"

Blake's voice reaches us through the closed door.

"If we would take more, it would raise questions," Burns answers, "we can go to different stores."

"Hm, smart," Blake comments.

Next to me, Will takes his gun and holds it ready. He silences me with his eyes and my heart skips a beat. What is he planning?

There's a rap on the side of the van. "Emma? Will?" Burns asks quietly.

I glance at Will, who gives me a nod, and I slowly sit up and tap on the door. It opens slightly and Burns peaks in. I can feel Wil's gun press against my back.

Blake peeks in over Burns' shoulder. "Everything alright?"

Will sits up behind me and flicks on a flashlight. He shines in Blake's eyes and then puts the light away. The gun disappears and I can breathe again. "Seems like you're still you," Will huffs.

Blake rolls his eyes. "Just move so we can load the groceries." He picks up a box from the trolley behind him and pushes it inside.

Will and I both move back so we can arrange our supplies and still stay out of sight.

"And finally," Blake smirks and holds up a paper bag and a small tray with two steaming cups. "Breakfast," he grins and hands over the items before getting in the front with Burns.

I open the bag and take out a croissant while Will inspects our goods. I sip my tea while the van drives off and look over Will's shoulder.

Jerrycans with water, a few packs of cookies, two sacks of bread rolls, yogurt, soda, soap, a bag of apples, a tray with strawberries, vegetables, canned soup, cheese, butter, toilet paper, tea and coffee.

"We need more," Will comments.

I grit my teeth. He could at least be grateful.

"We will," Burns says calmly, "but we'll go to different stores in different towns. If we take things in great batches, people will ask questions. I don't want to draw attention. And I don't want people to remember us. We need to blend in."

Will narrows his eyes in annoyance, but nods. He takes the coffee from the tray next to me and takes a big gulp. "Well then," he says, "where are we going next?"

Burns smiles. "Wherever you want."