AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Behind Maddie, she could see James walking back toward them.
“Maddie, your mom is still back there helping with the food,” he said as he approached.
“Kay,” she replied, resting her chin on the handle of her cane.
“Saff,” James started, “Do you want to meet the boys at the front gate?”
She considered it for a brief moment. “Yeah.”
He nodded. “I think I'll head over there with you.”
“Are you going to go outside the wall, too?” Maddie asked, her body straightening.
He shook his head. “I won’t do the full patrol check. I just want to hear the details of what went on last night for myself.”
Maddie nodded, and Saff couldn’t tell if she looked more anxious after hearing that, or less.
“Do you want to head over now?” James asked her.
“Yeah, sure,” Saff replied, pushing her chair back and standing. “Maddie, do you—”
“I think you should stay here, Maddie,” James cut in. “Your mom will be back over here in a minute. She can show you around everywhere when she's done.”
Maddie looked like she was about to argue, then thought better of it. “Okay. Sure,” she muttered.
He walked around the table and placed his hand on her shoulder. “We'll catch up with you guys a little later.”
Maddie smiled in a way that didn't touch her eyes. “Be careful,” she said.
“Always am,” James replied with a smile.
“Both of you,” Maddie continued, with a stern look.
James watched her for a second before glancing over at Saff.
She cleared her throat awkwardly. “Yeah.”
They walked through the doors and into the bright light outside; the sun having risen in full force. The air hadn't heated yet, but she could already tell that it would be a hot day.
She pulled the sleeves of her hoodie up on her arms above her elbows and made a mental note to ask Sylvia about getting the contents of her backpack. She would definitely need a change of clothes by the end of the day.
Saff used the walk to catalog her surroundings, filling out her mental map of the settlement.
She could easily see how they organized the different blocks of houses, some converted into work areas or buildings that served a specific purpose for the community, while others appeared to just be used for normal housing. She wondered which one Maddie's family was staying at—which oneshewas staying at.
After a few minutes, they came to an area she recognized, a large green gate entrance appearing before them.
“You know anything about engineering?” James asked.
Saff shrugged, unsure of how to answer that. “As much as anyone else, I guess.”
James smiled, and again she was reminded of Maddie, the smile she never understood.
“What do you think of the wall?” he asked.
Her eyes scanned the bits of it she could see. “Which part?”
“All of it.”
