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I couldn’t be sure exactly how long I slept in the windowless room when I woke, and my first impulse was to check my watch.However, Molev’s steady, slow breathing kept me from moving.I didn’t want to wake him.Not yet.He needed as much sleep as he could get.
Eyes open in the dim light, I stared up at the ceiling and considered what might be happening outside our door.Patrick had likely sent word to command shortly after we’d arrived.It would take days for a response, most likely.Given his current attitude, he wouldn’t contentedly settle in at this base to wait for one.He would want to push on as soon as Molev was awake.
What Molev said before falling asleep rolled through my mind.He wanted Patrick to get us an airlift out of here to save the four women left in the squad, including me.But it wasn’t just our lives on the line if Patrick didn’t get us a faster ticket home.It was all the women on the other side of the western barrier who were still waiting for their ticket to salvation, too.
There wasn’t enough room on the islands for everyone.It was essential personnel plus one companion only.My brother’s medical skills got him there, while my exceptional skill at frothing got me nothing but a front-row seat to watching my brother’s family be torn apart.
I needed Molev on the other side of the barrier, working on a vaccine against infection so I’d get the ticket that I needed.It wasn’t the plus companion option my brother had received, but it was still a way for Zion to join my brother.
With a vaccine, maybe the rest of us would have a fighting chance.I’d witnessed how Molev had killed a hound.It hadn’t been easy.He’d almost died.But itwaspossible.If we didn’t become infected, maybe some of us would live to see the other side of this hell.
“Are you hungry?”Molev asked.
I turned my head and found him watching me.
“You’re supposed to be sleeping.”
He grunted and moved slightly like he was testing how everything felt.
I sat up and checked my watch.Six hours had passed.
“If you want to get up and walk around a bit, we should be safe enough.”
“Explain,” he said, pushing himself up and carefully getting to his feet.
“Safe, as in we can leave this room and look for something to eat and drink without Patrick wanting us to roll out right away.Not this late in the afternoon.Not after last night.He’ll give everyone tonight to rest up if he can.”
Molev rolled his shoulders, and I watched his chest muscles ripple.
“How’s it feeling?”I asked, getting to my feet.
“Tight.”
“I’ve heard stitches can feel like that.Itchy will be next.”
He grunted again.
“Ready?”I asked, heading toward the door.
I was surprised to see Roni and Roland standing guard in the hall.
Roni’s gaze met mine then flicked to Molev.She looked tired.So did Roland.
“Have you been out here the whole time?”I asked.
“Just about,” Roni answered.
“Why?”I asked.
“Keeping our eyes on the prize,” she said.
“The base is smaller, and word spread about you,” Roland said, looking over my shoulder at Molev.“People get curious.Patrick and the commander here just wanted to make sure you got the rest you needed.”
I glanced back at Molev.His gaze flicked to me, his expression indecipherable.Was he second-guessing the reason for their presence too?
“Well, we’re up now.If you two want to find your own bunks, go for it.”
“Nah,” Roni said.“We’ll tag along with you two.I’m guessing latrine and mess, right?”
