Dont think they knew about it, Cade muttered.
He released my hand. Climbing up the small hole we were in he lay flat against the grassy hillside as he scanned the horizon. He turned over, looking in the other direction before scurrying back down to us. The dump is about a mile away. I dont see anything coming this way.
Where are we? Jenna asked softly.
Cade shook his head. I dont know, but we need to get moving. If they discovered that pipe then theyll know where we went. Lets go.
I refused to look at Jenna as we fell into line behind Cade, heading toward a copse of trees that did not appear nearly thick enough for my liking.
***
I was relieved, and exhausted, when we finally came across the highway. The sun was beginning to set; we would not have much of a break
before we tried the inevitable crossing. I had not allowed my thoughts to turn to Aiden and Bret since we had been separated. For the first time I wondered where they were, if they were ok, if those things had chased them too, or if they had made it to the gas station already as theyd had a much easier and closer route than us.
I numbly accepted the bag of chips and half full bottle of water that Cade handed to me. I was starving, so hungry my head hurt yet I ate the chips slowly, and barely tasted them. Well have to move quickly, Cade said softly.
I studied the two lane highway. We would have to dart across it before reaching the median, which was dotted with trees and scrub brush. It would be ten feet of refuge before we would have to run across two more lanes in order to reach the safety of more woods. Though those woods were nowhere near as thick as some of the ones we had traversed earlier.
Cade handed me the duffel bag containing our supplies. I frowned at him as he turned away, making his way to the edge of the woods. I snapped out of my strange stupor to hurry after him. What are you doing? I hissed.
Im going to go out there first. Make sure its safe.
Like hell! I retorted sharply.
He glanced back at me, his face half hidden in the shadows of the woods as he knelt down to study the road. Do you want another replay of the bridge?
I froze, my mouth parting slightly as the horrifying reminder of those events slammed into me. I glanced back at the open expanse of highway. Unlike the bridge there were no lights to illuminate the road, but after the events at the dump I could almost feel the aliens lying in wait, hovering over us, and setting a trap to take us down. Well find another way.
There is no other way.
Ill go with you.
He was already shaking his head. His gaze drifted to Abby. You dont want to leave her alone.
Stop using her against me!
His jaw clenched for a moment; then he sighed softly and relaxed slightly. Im not using her against you; I just need you to stay here Bethany. Ill be back. I promise.
I wanted to find solace in his words, I couldnt. You cant promise that.
No, I cant. I frowned at him. I had expected some kind of reassurance, some more false promises even. I was slightly taken aback by his blunt admission. But if you come with me, and something happens, these two will be left alone. They need someone to lead them.
I shifted slightly, glancing over my shoulder to make sure that I was out of earshot. Im the one that has completely collapsed in this situation Cade, not them. Theyre holding up far better than I.
He rose slowly to his full height, moving subtly closer to me. I could feel the heat of his body against mine. That may be true, but you are still stronger than them Bethany. You reached a snapping point today, but many would have reached theirs years ago if they had carried the same burdens as you. You will not reach it again, I know that
You cant know that, I interrupted.
Of course I can, I know you . Youll get them through this, because you have to. If they lose us both, they wont make it. Trust me on that.
I bit my bottom lip as I continued to frown fiercely at him. I wanted to believe him, but a part of me believed he was just feeding me a line of bull in order to get me to stay behind while he tested the waters. I could almost see the gears turning in his head, the thoughts bouncing rapidly through his brain as he tried to think of some other way to dissuade me.
Without you?
What? he asked blinking in surprise, thrown off by my questioning him instead of arguing further.
Do you honestly believe that I will be able to keep it together without you?
He shifted nervously, I could tell he was hesitant to say his next words, but say them he did. You kept it together after your father died, until me. You kept it together today, until me. Im the reason you fall apart Bethany.
Thats not true! I protested vehemently.
He glanced over my shoulder; his jaw clenched tight, a muscle jumped in his cheek. It is true, without me you will make it through this
Thats awful of you to say! Especially after everything that has happened! I hissed, growing infuriated with his words and the absolute belief he had in them. How could you believe that Im stronger without you!?