Chapter 98 The Pack Brother

All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.

-Martin Buber

Emma

I'm not sure what happened between Will and Burns when they were trapped together, but since then, Will has toned down. He's not a friend yet, but at least he's not openly hostile anymore.

We cleared the other tunnel two days ago only to find a dead end.

I'm not sure if I should feel happy or disappointed. It would be good to have another exit, but at least we don't have to worry about Seekers sneaking into our hide-out. For now we're using the cleared space for storage.

And the storage space is exactly why Nate has called us together.

"We knew it was going to be difficult," Nate says, "and for the past few months he greenery has produced enough to keep us fed, but we don't harvest as much as we did at the start and our storage is starting to slink fast. We need to go out on another raid. A bigger one this time. One that will get us enough for weeks.

Arashi narrows his eyes. "A raid like that is dangerous, Nate, it takes careful planning, a lot of stops in different places, far away from here. Last time we did something like that..." he pauses, "it didn't end well."

A silence settles over the group and some cast uncertain looks on our direction. They must be talking about the day we found Nate. That was when they lost one of their friends, TJ. Are they afraid of losing someone again?

"It doesn't have to be risky." The words have left my mouth before I even realize. When everyone looks at me, I continue. "I mean... Burns could just walk into a store an..." But they don't let me finish.

"Not this again," Tom says.

"We're not going to let him go back to warn his friends," Arashi says.

I narrow my eyes. "After all this time, you still think he'd do that?"

"He didn't have the opportunity," Arashi casts back, "if he's there with his friends, what would stop him from selling us out?"

"I would never do that," Burns says.

"Sorry mate, we can't take your word for that," Evan tells him.

The others look uncertain and suspicious too.

"I'll go with him," I say.

"Of course you will," Arashi scoffs.

"Why are you all being so blind and stupid?!" I growl in frustration.

"You don't seem to understand the risk," Marcus now interferes.

I give him a cold glare. "I don't understand the risk?" I hiss, "I was the one that was taken before. I think I understand the risk all too well."

Two arms wrap around me from behind. That's when I realize I'm shaking. I lean back against Burns' chest.

"She does make a point," James muses.

"What are you saying?" Tom says stunned.

James looks at him and then at the group. "I'm not saying we should let him go. I'm just thinking about the possibility."

"It's too risky."

"Accepting him here and letting him stay is not the same as letting him out of here and entrusting him our lives."

"Calm down already," Blake interrupts. He looks around. "I'll go with them."

"Who said anything about him going anywhere?" Arashi says.

Blake sighs and rolls his eyes. "I'll keep a close eye on him. I'll bring the gun. If he betrays us, I'll shoot. Happy now?"

"I don't know," Philip hesitates, "even if we agree to this, he'll have to go into a store at some point. He could still warn the other aliens then."

"I'll go with him," I say, "I've done it before."

"They'll know you're human."

"I'll wear sunglasses," I answer.

"I won' let anything happen to any of you," Burns says quietly.

"I don't know Burns," Nate speaks up.

"You can't be serious," I say, "you really think he would betray you? He saved you. He saved me."

Nate's eyes and voice are kind. "It's not about what I think, Emma. It's a group decision. If the others aren't comfortable with Burns leaving, then we can't let him go."

"But can't you see how much easier things can be for all of us?" I plead.

"Oh screw it!" Will suddenly yells. Everyone looks at him and I blink confused at his outburst. "Just let him go on a raid. Then we'll know once and for all. I'll even come and if he makes one false move, I'll shoot him myself and any alien in the vicinity that might have heard."

"What are you saying will?" Blake asks surprised.

"I'm saying we're not gonna get anywhere arguing. If he really can get us supplies, then it's all good. If he betrays us then we'll finish this once and for all. And go on like we always have."

"Since when are you so trusting towards him?" Arashi questions suspiciously.

Will shrugs. "Just decided to give him a chance."

"Are you mental?"

"Shut up Arashi."

"I guess if Will is going too..." Philip says hesitantly.

"At least Will won't hesitate to shoot," Marcus muses.

Blake looks annoyed at that statement, but to his credit he doesn't comment. I for one don't know what I'm hearing. Will is on our side now? Though the prospect of being condemned to both Blake and Will for a longer period of time is not something I'm looking forward to. Last time proved to be disastrous.

"Well, how about that?" Nate asks, "Will volunteers to go too. Does that suffice?" He looks at the group. They still seem uncertain, giving each other worried looks.

"I think we should risk it," Kelsey is the first to speak up, "Burns protected me when those rocks came down."

"He's never done anything to harm us," Logan nods.

"He didn't try to escape," Milo agrees.

It's Anna May however that decides for everyone. "Make sure to bring back some protein," she says, "we hardly get that nowadays."

"That's settled then," Nate nods content, "Will and Blake. And Burns and Emma. You'll leave on the morrow. Remember, we need enough supplies to last us a couple of weeks. Will, Blake, make the necessary preparations. Burns Emma, come with me." Burns and I follow Nate out of the common room and towards his sleeping space. He looks at us with a serious expression. "I'm taking a great risk here," he says. When I'm about to protest, he raises his hand to stop me and continues, "I know you realize the situation we are in. The last of the human race is in your hands, Burns."

Burns nods. "I will keep you safe."

Nate nods and looks at me. "You still have that pill I gave you?"

I nod slowly. I can feel the blood withdraw from my face. Will I really have to use it at some point?

Burns clears his throat. "Perhaps you should give me one too."

"Burns..." I say startled.

He looks at me. "Emma, if Seekers capture us, it won't matter if I'm one of them or not. I will never give them the information they are looking for, so they'll find another way of getting answers."

Nate sighs. "Alright," he says. He moves to a small cabinet and takes a small bottle from a drawer. He shakes out one pill and hands it to Burns. He folds Burns' fingers around it and presses his hand for a moment. "Be careful out there," he tells us both, " I know Burns won't draw suspicion, but listen to Will and Blake. You are all responsible for each other's safety."

I take a deep breath. We are really doing this.

Nate places a hand on my shoulder. "Are you sure you want to do this, Emma?"

"I can go alone with Blake and Will," Burns says softly.

"No," I say determined, "I'm coming. I want to be with you." Will may have toned down, that doesn't mean I trust him with Burns' life for a few weeks. I look at Nate. "Do you need anything in particular?"

"Batteries," he answers without hesitation, "clean water. Ask Will, he knows." He sighs. "Go find Will and Blake. Prepare for tomorrow. Don't take any risks and come back safely. All of you."

I bite my lip and nod. I know I have done this before with just Burns, but I can't help being nervous. There is so much at stake this time.

"Come," Burns takes my hand and guides me away. I glance at him. Isn't he at all nervous? Or is he just happy for the chance to be in society again? Funny that he should now be the one to reassure me instead of the other way around.

...

Blake and Will are hunched over a map in the game room. "This road will keep us far away from the big cities," Blake says, "it's safer to hit smaller towns and the mountains will shield us from prying eyes in between raids."

"We need to get farther away from the hide out," Will counters, "this road is safer at night."

"It will be safer to drive during the day," Burns interrupts their discussion.

Both look up at him, Blake curious and Will cautious. "We can't walk around in broad daylight," Will says.

"That's the whole point of me coming with you," Burns says, "I can. You can even go into the store with me as long as you don't draw attention. But if you are uncomfortable, you can stay in the car and I'll go in alone."

"You're not going anywhere alone," Will growls.

"Calm down Will," Blake says, "squirky can go with him. She did it before. Or I will go."

Will doesn't look convinced but he has no other option than to agree. "I want to be able to see you at all times," he tells Burns.

"It will be alright," I say, "just trust Burns."

"That's easy for you to say," Will says, "but it's not just your life."

"I know," I say. I sigh. "Is there anything specific we need? Nate mentioned batteries. And water."

Blake nods. "Yes. And canned food that will hold. Medicine if we can find it."

Burns leans over the map and studies it carefully. "This is a good place to start."

I don't know where he's pointing at and it doesn't matter much to me where we go. I just want us to get back safely. No matter how easy it is for Burns to get us what we need, this is still dangerous and our little group isn't exactly tight-knit. If this doesn't work then it's over. One way or another, the next few days will determine our future.

I hope we will live to see it.