Riley,s POV
Another day helping Gemma sort out cans and record what we had left. Today was different though, my stomach churned and twisted. I could feel my anxiety creeping in and getting out of control. I knew we would be leaving in a day or two and you would think that might make me queasy. No, I was excited to leave, I didn't want us to forget what it was like to be out there, being comfortable was dangerous. What made me queasy was the attitude of some people in the camp. Caleb had been making more snide remarks and did anything he could to get a rise out of Aiden. It was easy to see the hate in some people's eyes when they looked at Levi and Aiden.
I've never seen a feral person but the stories made them sound like something out of a nightmare. Creepy, crawling, fast and cannabalist. Lizzy, Libby's younger sister had told me that most people who are bit die and come back like a zombie rotting and not so fast. About 5% or so of people don't die they change and most go feral within a day or two. Libby had only met two other people who were like Levi and Aiden. She told me about some of the ferals she saw. I was amazed and thankful I hadn't encountered any. I was also scared as hell to actually run into one. I saw the looks from other people in camp, they were afraid of the brothers and I was afraid they would try to keep me at this camp when they left. Most people in the camp knew that we were going to be leaving. Gerard always let everyone one know a little early in case they had any special requests. I had already had tons of requests from some of the women in camp. Mostly clothes, hair and makeup products, feminine hygiene anything they thought I'd have a better eye for or didn't want to ask the men for. I was surprised to learn that Libby would be coming with us, happy though that their would be another woman on the road with me.
After I was done with my work in the food trailer I went out to get my dinner. The vegetable soup smelled amazing, someone had run across a garden that hadn't been trampled. I got my bowl and as I headed back to the truck Johanna stepped into my path. How are you? She asked. I'm good I said as my pulse raced. She continued " Caleb and I have been talking about you and Jaco , we would help you if you wanted to stay here or or move vehicles. I forced my face into a small smile as I answered. I'm just fine right now Thanks, and um.. thanks for thinking of us. Johanna looked disappointed but she stepped out of my way and I kept going before she could say anything more. I was so worked up, I knew I wouldn't feel any better until this camp was in the review mirror.
I sat down to eat with Aiden and Jacob they already had there bowls and they were both slurping as usual. Jacob kept peeking over at me, he was waiting for me to say something about all the slurping. I just ignored them Both and slurped my own soup. We were leaving before dawn and all the anxiety I had was using up the energy I usually had to be annoyed at the slurping. Jacob got up to go take his bowl back and I quickly stopped him. I'll take it back, I said. Ok, he said looking surprised as he handed me his bowl. I didn't want anyone trying to talk to him or ask him questions before we left. Caleb had stopped me two days ago when I was looking in on the plants for Zeke. He had wanted to know what I thought about Gerard letting Levi take us out. I told him we wanted to get out, I tried to say as little as possible without being rude to him. Now Johanna was stopping me, it made me stomach turn.
Aiden got up and took all the bowls back. I waved Jacob over to me. He climbed onto my lap and I hugged him from behind. Are you ready for tomorrow? I asked him. Yes I'm ready mom and yes I know all the rules. Don't make me repeat them again. I smiled behind his back. Ok, I relented. I trust you. You better get some sleep so your ready to go. Jacob dragged his chair over and sat it beside the truck then climbed in the back and closed the door behind him. Aiden came back and dragged his chair towards the truck to. I'm hitting the sack to, I drive first in the morning, he told me and climbed in after Jacob. The fire was out and the sun had just disappeared over the horizon. Darkness was starting to take over the camp. This used to be my favorite time of the day, now it's was when all my fears from the day came to light. I tried to relax and listen to the night's full the bugs that were starting to make noise. A few minutes of deep breathes and I was feeling much better.
When I opened my eyes the first thing I saw was Levi. He was still pretty far off, he was walking straight towards me and he looked irritated. I closed my eyes waiting for him to get closer and wondering what could be bothering him. Maybe it was the same things that had been making me sick to my stomach all day. He stopped in front of me. Can we talk? He asked me. Yea no problem. I answered. He motioned for me to follow him. So I did around the truck to the back of our big run truck. It was open and had been cleaned and prepped for the morning. Levi sat on the back of the truck bed. I could tell he was seriously agitated. As I approached him he kept rubbing his head and face. He wouldn't even look at me. Did I do something to you or did I scare you he asked? No I answered truthfully. Then Why! Why do you want to stay with them, I thought we were ok?
I didn't know what to say, I just stood there with wide eyes and my mouth hanging open. Levi was still fidgety and my silence was making him worse. Oh shit! What if he is freaking out, what if he is having trouble controlling himself? Now I was freaking out I didn't know what to say to make him believe me when I didn't even know the full story, he wasn't in a state to tell me. I crowded into him putting my palms on his face so he looked at me. Once he was looking I climbed onto his lap. Then I said. Levi I don't know who told you that but it's not true at all. I want to go with you and Aiden. People a lot worse then you could have found me Levi. I like you, you know I do. His head was still down and I couldn't see his expression. Look Caleb tried to talk to me a couple days ago, I shut that down and Johanna tried to talk to me at dinner tonight. I don't know what they want but I'm 10x more scared of them than I am of you.
Levi stopped fidgeting and looked at me. So I do scare you? He said. I smiled at him, I was just happy he was listening and looking at me. I scooted closer to him and slowly pressed my lips to his. He wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed me back desperately. After a minute I pulled back and looked at him. Yes, Levi you make me nervous and sometimes I'm scared but I'm not scared of you hurting me and I can't say that about anyone else in this camp, well... besides Jake. Levi smiled back at me, he kissed my neck and my chest. If your not scared of me why won't you give me what I want? he asked. He pressed me as close to his chest as possible and spread his hands over my back, I shivered as he caressed lower and lower. I quickly slid off his lap and stood up. He looked angry and a little taken aback like I had lied to him. How about this, I told him. I get a sixty second head start and if, you catch me then you'll have everything you want by the end of this trip.
Levi didn't say anything back at first, he just stared at me..that awkward feeling started coming back. If felt like he stayed quiet forever when it was really about a minute. My heart was starting to beat faster when he started to count. ONE, TWO.... I starting running. We both knew it was a game i was playing for more time, I wasn't ready, yet..and we both knew he would win this one.