You mean worse than the world being invaded by aliens? Luna asked. Or worse than being grabbed by a guy with a gun at a press conference?
I dont know, Kevin repeated. He got the feeling that he should probably go after Chloe, but he didnt feel strong enough to do it yet, and in any case, he also had the feeling that Luna wouldnt be happy with him if he did.
I figured she would have told you, Luna said. I mean, you looked to be having a nice talk when I showed up before.
It sounded almost jealous, but why would Luna be jealous? She had to know that she and Kevin would always be best friends, and nothing would come between that, right? And as for anything else well, that would imply that Luna was interested in being more than just his friend, and Kevin couldnt really believe that would ever happen.
She didnt really say much, Kevin said. Just that she ran away.
Looks like shes good at that, Luna said, with another pointed look toward the door.
Luna, Kevin said. Can you at least try to be nice to her? I mean, I dont know why youre even mad at her. Id have thought youd get along.
Because were both girls? Luna said.
No! Kevin said hurriedly. I mean, because youre both He tried to think of the right words. Would tough be right? Chloe certainly looked it, while Luna didnt, but Kevin knew from experience that she was.
Were nothing alike, Luna said. She called me a cheerleader.
She made it sound like an insult.
Well, you were on the
Thats not the point, Luna said, but then stopped. Okay, though. Ill be nice. I guess if were all stuck in a bunker together, well have to get along. But Im doing this for you, not for her.
Thanks, Kevin said.
Of course, if theres some new signal, then were not going to be able to stay in the bunker, are we? Luna said, sounding as though it was all pretty obvious. Maybe it was to her. Luna had always been good at coming up with plans for things. Quite often, theyd been plans for getting into more trouble.
Kevin hadnt thought it through yet, but Luna was probably right. If there was a new signal, then they had to find out what it meant, and there was only one place they could do that.
I think we have to go back to the research institute, Kevin said.
Even though we barely got out of there the first time? Luna said. And we dont know whats on the message, and we dont know if it will do any good when the aliens have already taken our world. It could just be sorry, we tried to warn you.
What if its not, though? Kevin countered. I mean, do you really believe theyd send a message all the way across space for that?
No, I guess not, Luna said, looking more serious now.
What if they found a way to beat the aliens, or force them out of controlling peoples bodies? Kevin said. What if they give us some way to make this better? We have to go back. Well I do. I mean, you might be safer if
Finish that thought and Ill punch you, Luna said. Of course Im going to come.
But I thought that
You thought youd leave me behind while you had an adventure by yourself? Luna demanded.
Kevin shook his head. I thought that wed finally gotten somewhere safe. I thought maybe you wouldnt want to give that up. I have to be there to translate the message, but no one elseow!
He rubbed his arm where Lunas fist had connected with it.
I told you I would, she said with a broad smile that suggested she wasnt remotely sorry. Im coming with you, because someone has to keep you from getting grabbed by controlled people. Besides, if theres anything there that will let us turn around and kick their asses for what they did, I want to know about it.
That was part of what was so incredible about Luna. She didnt give up, even when everything said that it was the sensible thing to do. Shed fight anything, up to and including an alien invasion.
Did I ever tell you how amazing you are? Kevin asked.
You dont need to tell me, Luna said with another grin. I just know. Frankly, youre lucky you get to be my friend.
True, Kevin said. He turned serious for a moment. We need a plan if were going to go back.
Well need supplies, Luna said, starting to check items off on her fingers. Well need food, maybe tools to get inside, masks
Chloe said that the vapor was gone, Kevin pointed out.
And how does she know? Luna countered. Okay, maybe, but Id rather have one with me just in case. You can have the job of telling her that were going.
Maybe shell want to come with us, Kevin said.
Luna made a face. I guess its better than leaving her here and wondering if shell let us back in again. Ill get started getting supplies together. You go and talk to her.
***Kevin made his way through the underground complex, looking for Chloe. It took a while to find her in the tangled corridors and storerooms, but eventually he heard her ahead. She seemed to be talking to herself.
I cant do it I cant do it
Kevin cautiously looked through a doorway to find Chloe sitting on the floor of a storeroom. There were things scattered around in a spread that didnt look accidental. It looked as though shed swept her arm along one of the shelves, knocking everything to the floor. She had her head in her hands and seemed to be crying.
Chloe?
She looked up as Kevin approached, wiping away her tears as if afraid they might be used against her.
Im fine, she said, before Kevin could even ask if she was okay. Im fine.
I used to say I was fine when people asked me about my illness, Kevin said, moving to sit down beside her. It mostly meant I wasnt.
I just get upset sometimes, Chloe said, and Kevin guessed shed picked that word carefully out of all the ones that had come to her. I do stuff without really thinking. Its part of why people said I was crazy.
I dont think youre crazy, Kevin said.
Chloe sighed. You dont know me yet. Did you just come here to see how badly I was messing up?
No, of course not, Kevin said. We I think that we need to go back to the NASA research institute. With what I saw, there might be a message, and it might be important.
You want to go into the middle of the city, to a place that might be full of them? Chloe replied. Thatsthat doesnt make any sense. We could go anywhere. There are the Survivors in LA, or my cousin up north
We need to do this, Kevin said. Lunas collecting supplies, and well work out a plan for getting there safely. You could stay here if you want, though. You dont have to come with us if you dont think it would be safe enough.
You dont want me to come with you? Chloe said, and now she sounded as upset as shed looked before.
Thats not what I said, Kevin said.
Its what you meant, though, isnt it? Chloe shot back.
No, Kevin replied. I just thought you might not want to come. You said yourself it might be dangerous.
Chloe shrugged. Whatever.
Chloe, Kevin said. I dont want to
Whatever, Chloe repeated, in a dull tone. Do what you want. I dont care. Go off and make your stupid preparations.