Kellen watches her, mutters a curse under his breath, then disappears down to the fire.
What the hell is going on there?
I glance over at Aggie, who is sleeping on her side, hands pressed under her face. She really likes Kellen, at least, she likesthe distraction he brings. I wonder if she knows about Rachel, because there is clearly something happening there. Do I tell her, or do I claim ignorance? I don’t like keeping anything from her, but at the same time, I really don’t know if there is anything to tell.
Maybe it’s nothing.
“One of you fuckers is lying.”
I flinch, shocked by the sudden burst of a voice.
It’s Zeke.
I turn just in time to see him coming out of his section, first aid kit in hand, waving it around. Confused, I shake my head. “What are you talking about?”
Ace comes up from near the fire, his eyes narrowing on Zeke, and Tatiana slowly wakes from her sleep. Aggie is out, unbothered by the little outburst. Sitting up, Tatiana rubs her eyes, trying to focus. Rachel crosses her arms, glaring at Zeke like she’s already sick of his shit even though he just started speaking.
“Someone is taking medication, and I am certain of it. I have been keeping track, counting, and there are painkillers missing. Someone is fuckin’ stealing.”
Everyone falls silent.
We let it go last time, but to be fair Zeke has been over the top keeping everything under lock and key so that we have it if we need. He is a survivalist, and the fact that he has noticed, means he’s right. Someone is taking pain medication. But who?
“Okay, let’s calm it down and see if we can figure out what’s goin’ on here,” Ace says, putting his hands up.
Kellen joins the group again. Zeke glares at all of us, his eyes fixing on Adrian.
Adrian throws his hands up. “Don’t look at me. You know I suffer from constipation, Zeke.”
God, he’s strange, but we love him all the same.
“Someone better speak up,” Zeke goes on, glaring at all of us.
“Don’t look at me,” I throw my hands out. “I’m with Adrian on this one.”
“Okay, look,” Ace says, always the peacemaker even though right now, his face is black and blue. “Here’s the thing, we’re all here together and we’re all goin’ through it, so we should be able to rely on each other and help each other through whatever shit times we’re having. So, if you took them, just speak up and we can work it out.”
More silence.
“Just fuckin’ speak up,” Zeke barks.
I spin on him. “Listen here, buddy. Screaming at people isn’t going to help. You need to take a step back and stop being so fucking full on.”
Ace’s brows go up at my outburst.
Zeke even looks shocked. “Those painkillers could save us one day, so yeah I’m goin’ to be angry about it.”
“I understand that,” I say. “But we’re all in this together, and maybe we need to give whoever it is a chance to speak up without being fucking attacked.”
Aggie is awake now, sitting up, her eyes darting between us as she is trying to put the pieces together.
Zeke doesn’t stop. “Well, this ain’t about you, Gracie, so shut the fu—”
“It was me.”
The voice comes from the most unexpected person.
Tatiana.
