Chapter 125 The Collaborators

"It's true, we shall be monsters, cut off from all the world. But on that account we shall be more attached to one another."

-Mary Shelley

Emma

I'm not sure how we ended up in this setting. It's like Nate had randomly put this group together, but I'm sure he has his reasons.

I'm paired with Arashi in the one car we own. We don't use it much, but Nate wanted the extra room. We're not just shopping for us, but for Gail's group as well.

In the van behind us are Nate, Burns and Ellen. The others told me Ellen was originally from Gail's group before she moved in with Nate's. The groups met when they unknowingly raided the same warehouse. Ellen and Evan hit it off right from the start.

We're meeting Gail somewhere in a canyon, halfway. They're up in El Dorado, near Hellhole Reservoir. Life is hard there for them, but they get by.

Her group holds eleven people, half of what our own group holds. It's still a lot of mouths to feed. Two of them are teenage boys. One is a toddler, a little girl born underground. She especially needs nutrition and clothes, so a pharmacy is on our list of places to hit.

Arashi parks the car under a rock overhang and we climb out to join the others. Gail is already waiting for us with one of the guys from her group, though her eyes are wry as they land on Burns. Even while our groups stay in contact and trade, they don't see Burns as often as we do, who live in the same hide-out. I've long since stopped being bothered with it. As long as no one tries to harm him.

"Gail," Nate greets them, "Zander."

Gail nods again. "What is the plan, Nate? What can you do for us?"

Nate takes out a map and unfolds it. "We've discovered a truck stop down this road. It's in the middle of nowhere. Hardly any other traffic. Only one person managing the shop. It's the only place in miles where trucks can fill up. We're guaranteed to find something big there."

"You want to raid trucks?" I blink. It's actually pretty brilliant. The drivers will be occupied in the shop while we can empty their cargo. But... we are at risk of being seen by other truck drivers.

"It's the fastest way to get what we need," Nate says.

Zander looks doubtful. "We'll be in plain sight. We could raid one truck while another arrives. We'll be seen."

"That's where Burns comes in," Nate explains, "he'll keep other Souls occupied while we finish the job. Arashi provides backup."

It's a new way of raiding and I suppose it's no more dangerous than walking in and out of a store. It might even be less hazardous since we won't have so many onlookers.

"It's worth a shot," Gail nods.

"What do you think, Burns?" Ellen asks.

Burns thinks for a moment. "It can be done. It's less risky than entering a store where there are so many Souls around. Still, we'll have to be quick about it."

"Alright then," Gail nods and she looks at Nate, "how did you want to do this?"

"Ellen stays with me," Nate decided, "we'll be on the lookout. Burns too. He'll be the distraction if necessary." He looks at me. "Emma and Arashi. Emma's light on her feet. She can climb in and out of trucks quickly. Arashi will be there to protect her and do the heavy lifting."

Gail nods. "Zander, go with them. I'll stay with Nate."

Zander nods. "Sure thing."

I study him carefully. I don't know these people well. The different human groups don't meet too often. We all want to keep a low profile and only go out if there's no other option. But sometimes we trade and exchange information. And they all make use of Burns, even if some are still wary of him.

Zander is a sturdy man. I estimate him in his early forties. Stubble adorns his cheeks and he has grey eyes. It's somewhat funny that a man like him is following Gail's lead, who is closer to my age. Both are carrying a weapon.

In our group only Nate and Arashi carry a gun. Ellen has a knife in her pocket.

"We'll take the van," Nate says while looking at Arashi, "you three can go by car. We'll leave Gail's car here. We'll come back for it later. It's well hidden. No one will find it."

"Works for me," Gail agrees, "let's do this. I'd rather not stay out for long."

We split up in our assigned groups and make for Nate's truck stop, though we park well away from it. We don't want anyone to remember the vehicles. I still remember what happened last time.

We hide at the edge of the truck's parking lot. There are five trucks present at the moment. No drivers are in sight.

"Which one, Burns?" Nate asks.

Burns studies the trucks carefully. "That one," he points. It's the truck farthest away from the shop. On one side sandy rocks offer some cover. 'Supplies' is written on the side of the truck in bold letters.

"'Supplies' can mean anything," Zander comments.

Burns smiles at him kindly. "They will deliver to a department store. If you're looking for food, I'd suggest that one," he points out a large truck with 'Food' written on the side. "It will have coolers inside too, but the truck is parked too close to the shop."

"We'll take Burns' truck first," Nate decides, "we can wait for another food truck. If it takes too long, we'll raid the usual way." He hands me, Arashi and Zander each a large backpack. "Store what you can, but be quick about it. We don't know how long we'll have before the driver returns."

Arashi nods at Nate. "Leave it to us." He motions for me and Zander to follow him and we circle around the parking lot until we reach the rocks next to the truck.

"What's the plan?" Zander asks.

Arashi studies the road and the parking lot a moment. "Emma and I go in. You stay here and catch what we hand you. Nate and the others keep an eye on anyone that approaches. You'll serve as a second sentry. If someone comes, take the spoils and run. Don't worry about us."

I glance at Arashi nervously. Don't worry about us? What is that supposed to mean? But part of me knows. If we're discovered, we either shoot our way out or we take one for the team.

Neither option makes me comfortable.

Zander nods.

No one asks my opinion.

"Now," Arashi says and we move forward.

Zander holds the tarp aside and Arashi gives me a boost before pulling himself in after me. Zander hand us the backpacks. When Arashi turns on his flashlight, we take a careful look around. We've hit the mother load. And everything is neatly organized as usual. A clipboard hangs from one of the crates and Arashi studies it. "Thank you for making this so easy," he mutters.

He opens one of the crates and motions for a backpack. I hold it open for him and he starts filling it. It's camping gear. Flashlights, utensils, blankets, sleeping rolls. All is neatly stored in separate sections of the crate. There are magnesium sticks to create fire, and even if it's too dangerous for us to use in the mines, the other groups will benefit from them.

A large grin appears on Arashi's face when he opens the next crate. Knives. And I don't mean the kitchen variety. No. These are of the kind I've seen on television. The ones for surviving in the wild.

"Jackpot," Arashi mutters. He starts digging around in the crate and pulls out a small sheathed dagger like knife. It has a short strap attached to the sheath. He measures it a moment and nods while holding it out to me. "Take this and keep it with you."

I hesitate. After all this time, I still don't like weapons. I remember my pocket knife that I tried to use against Burns once. I couldn't even wield that, let along this one, but the expression on Arashi's face tells me he won't let me refuse.

Reluctantly I take the knife and stare at it. The strap is far too short to fit around my waist.

Arashi sighs. "It goes around your leg," he says while taking it from me. "You're right-handed, right?"

I nod and tense when he secures the weapon around my right thigh. The gesture feels way to intimate, even if Arashi's touch is indifferent. He turns back to the crate right after fastening the straps and inspects the rest of the items.

I bite my lip and tentatively touch the knife. I guess wearing it doesn't mean I have to use it.

When the first pack is full, Arashi hands it to Zander, who is still outside, and starts filling the second pack.

"We shouldn't take too much," I say, "we should leave some room for other supplies from other trucks."

Arashi nods in agreement and carefully we climb down to rejoin Zander. We hide behind the rocks again.

A few minutes later Ellen joins us. "Nate told me to collect what you have so far," she says, "you're still in the clear. A food truck just arrived. That's your next hit."

We look back at the parking lot and sure enough, the truck is there. Zander stands up, but Arashi pulls him back down. "Wait."

Two Souls have exited the shop and cross the parking lot. They are in deep conversation and their laughter can be heard even where we are.

The two part ways as they climb in their respective trucks. We watch as they drive away and Arashi makes us wait five more minutes before moving to the next truck. He looks in the direction of the others and I follow his gaze.

Nate nods towards us and indicates that we should move in.

Ellen takes the backpacks from Zander and returns to the others.

Our next truck is closer to where Burns is with Nate and Gail. As we walk towards, it, Zander notices a third truck with 'Medicine' on the side. "You guys hit the food truck," he says, "I'll raid that one. We'll be faster if we split up. We're close enough to Burns that he can interfere."

"We should stay together,"Arashi says.

"We are together," Zander counters, "the trucks are close, back up is close. The longer we stand here, the more risk we take. We need medicine. We can't let this opportunity pass. I'll be quick." He rushes towards the truck and climbs aboard before Arashi can stop him.

From the corner of my eyes I can see Nate and Gail make heated gestures. It's obvious they're not happy with Zander's actions, but there's not much we can do now. Arashi takes my arm and tows me towards the truck we were supposed to raid. "Quick," he hisses.

I can just see a glimpse of Burns' worried face before Arashi boosts me into the truck.

"Shouldn't we go with Zander?" I ask.

"No,"Arashi says curtly.

"But..." I protest.

"The others will keep an eye on Zander," Arashi hisses impatiently, "start packing. We need to be quick."

With only one backpack, there isn't a lot we can take. We pack as much as we can, mostly canned food, but also some fruits and vegetables.

Voices outside make us pause our raiding and Arashi motions for me to hide.

Another voice sounds. Burns? I can't be sure. The voices seem heated before fading out. Then an engine roars to life and Arashi and I are thrown off our feet by the lunge of the truck.

I gasp in horror.

We're driving.

This truck's leaving. With me and Arashi still on board.