On The Move

We load as many people onto the trucks as possible but we make sure all the injured, sick, old, women, and children are on. All but a few can fit but the ones that can't are all younger males. They're able to hold onto the sides of the trucks with ease.

CheeChee finally comes back and hands Thane and I several fruits as he eats a few himself. He left earlier to scout out the best route and of course, he had to stop for food. I scratch CheeChee's little tummy as Valen walks over and says "We're ready. Are you sure you don't want to ride in the truck with us?"

I give him a smirk and say "Oh, I'm sure. I'll need to lead the way anyway but if something were to happen, I need to be able to move quickly." He gives me a worried look and I decide to address something before it's too late.

My smirk instantly disappears as I look at him and say "If something happens, keep going. Don't stop, no matter what. I don't care if I go up in flames, you keep going. Make sure our family and the others make it. I will be fine. I promise you."

His face crumbles up in distress as he runs a hand through his hair and says "I don't like hearing that. If you go up in flames..." I cut him off and step closer. I lower my voice and look him in the eyes as I say "I wasn't kidding when I said I've died before. I was shot and killed, Valen. No matter what, you keep going."

Valen's eyes search mine before cursing and saying "Fine... But if you don't come back in one piece, I'm gonna kick your ass myself." I smirk at him and lightly smack his chest before saying "Even in pieces, I'll kick your ass."

I step back and wink at him with a knowing smirk before turning around and walking away. I meet up with Thane and say "Are you ready for this?" Thane gives me a reassuring smile as he nods his head and says "We need to hurry though. A large group of people are moving this way but I can't tell if it's people from the City or Ragers."

I silently curse as I nod my head. CheeChee jumps from my shoulder and takes off into the trees, leading the way. Thane and I quickly follow as the others do the same. Even though CheeChee found the best route, he's still a monkey. While he travels the trees up above, Thane and I move with ease to find the best paths for the trucks.

Once we get into a nice pace, Thane moves closer and yells out "They're chasing. We need to move faster!" I grit my teeth and fall back to signal the trucks. They try to pick up the pace but the trucks jerk violently from side to side, shaking everyone up in the trucks.

I try to keep pushing the trucks but they can't move any faster. They're either going to hurt the people they're carrying, especially the hurt and sick, or they're going to break the damn trucks. I grab a branch and swing myself up to wait.

As soon as the truck moves under me, I drop to the top of the truck and look back to Valen and the others. Valen and my parents stare at me with wide eyes as I whistle out to CheeChee. I turn to them and say "We're being chased. The trucks can't go much faster than they already are so Thane and I are going to loop around and cut them off."

CheeChee lands on my shoulder as Valen tries to argue but I cut him a look and say "Remember what I said earlier. You keep going, no matter what. When you get to Oasis, ask for Fern and Hunter. Tell them who you are and that I sent you. They will take care of the rest. Thane and I will soon follow. I give you my word."

He grits his teeth and clutches his gun but he nods his head in a silent agreement. My parents look like they want to argue but I don't give them the chance. I turn to CheeChee and say "Take them home, CheeChee." CheeChee puffs his little chest out and hits his chest before leaping into the trees again to lead the way.

I look back to Valen and say "He's still a monkey, watch the roads." Valen curses but nods his head as I stand up and grab a branch. The truck keeps going as my parents yell out to me. I pull myself up further and wait for all three trucks to pass before lowering myself on a thick tree branch.

I crouch on the branch and keep my eyes on the surrounding woods as Thane silently appears next to me and asks "Can you feel them?" I narrow my eyes and nod as I grit out "Ragers. I can smell the freak in white." Thane growls in response as we watch and wait for them to come.

After about six minutes or so, we see a truck of their own headed this way. Normally, we would try to avoid them at all costs but we need to buy the others as much time as possible. Before they get to us, I drop down and land in a crouch yet again.

As they fly over a small dip, I slowly stand up. The truck in front slams on their breaks before sliding to a stop in front of me. Thane remains in the trees, keeping a lookout from above. A Rager with red-purple looking skin quickly jumps out and cracks his neck. Ready to fight.

I remain standing in the same spot as the freak in white suddenly gets out of the truck and looks at me with disbelief. When my eyes meet his, a bare my teeth at him. He leaves the door open as he walks past the other Rager and says "You were dead."