But before I can step away, Menace frees the pack from my shoulders in one swift move, then slings it over his back.
“What are you doing?” I scamper away from him, desperate to keep distance between us.
“It’s a long walk,” Menace growls.
I grab a strap and try to free it from his dense body, but he just ignores my attempt. Anger stirs with helplessness, and I lash out and punch him in the chest, which isn’t easy. I’m eye-level with his proud pecs. “Give me back my things!”
Menace doesn’t even flinch. “No.”
“What do you mean, no? Those aremythings!”
Poppy joins us. “Menace, don’t be stubborn.”
“Everything is everybody’s responsibility down here.” Menace tilts his head and intensely studies me.
“Not that bag. It has my medicine and weapons coded to only me. Don’t you fucking touch my stuff! I worked really hard to save that!”
“Medicine?” he asks. “For what?”
“None of your business.”
Menace pushes me on with the group. “It’s a long trek with no break. I can carry it. I don’t want to carry it and you.”
I draw a gun, desperate to keep my roots, the only things that can keep my augment’s existence quiet. “Give me my shit!”
Menace is fast and swats the gun aside. He grabs me, controls the gun, and pulls me back and against him so that my ass is crushed against his hips and his rigid length.
He’s fucking hard right now? Seriously?
He whispers in my ear, “Stop fighting me. I’m trying to help you.”
“You’re not helping me unless you let me carry my bag. It’smyresponsibility.” I writhe in his grasp, desperate to be away from him.
“No.”
I break myself free, let him keep my gun, and storm up ahead of the group near Tumble and Bomber. I’m so pissed I can’t think straight. I want my medicine, but I don’t have the energy to fight him for it any longer.
Poppy turns back and walks up to Menace, looking like she’s talking to him by the dancing red light in their eyes. I hope she can get through to him so I can get some medicine soon, or I’m going to be in trouble.
Wrapping my rifle strap around an arm, I steady the gun between my hands and savor the last few hours of peaceful hunting before the migraines start.
I take a tunnel that weaves in and out of the main passageway and let the shadows fold in around me. I’ll be no help to anyone if I’m as good as bait. So when the pain takes me, at least I can draw some welvirs away and be a distraction from the camp until my time is up.
I fucking hate Menace.
