Briar looked over at Riggs who was watching her and Calista and he just shook her head. She was curious about his story but since he didn't speak, she couldn't imagine what he's been through. Briar's imagination wandered to what he might look and sound like, if he was from America, visiting America, or maybe he had some kind of weird scars on his face as to the reason he wore a mask.
"Are you on earth with us?" Lake asked, waving his hand in her face.
"Sorry, I was just thinking about Riggs and what his story might be," Briar said, snapping back to reality. "Have you tried talking to him?"
"Yeah, he won't speak a word. I can feel his eyes on me sometimes like he's watching me on purpose," Lake said in a hushed tone.
Briar rolled her eyes. "Why are you so suspicious of them?"
"Well, we don't know them. Two, this is the end of the world. People get stupid and desparete. It seems like everyone just goes mad and thinks they can be the next in control and have power over the weak. This is now about being smart and safe," Lake explained.
"Since we don't have guns to protect ourselves but they do, I'd say it might be best to keep your thoughts to yourself," Briar said, annoyed. "If they find out you're suspicious of them, they might drop you and me right alongside you! And I'm not going to die because you don't trust them. I need to get to Florida and find my parents."
"They never said they'd take you," Lake said, shoving his hands in his pocket and leaning against a wall.
"Then I'll ask," Briar argued.
"And if they say no?" Lake argued back, getting in her face.
"Then I will ask you to go with me."
Lake chuckled. "And if I say no?"
Briar looked him up and down as if she was squaring up. "Then I'll go alone."
"Alright, love birds," Calista said through a backpack towards Lake. "Let's hit the road and look for guns and ammo. I don't want to stand out in the open like this when we don't know what else is out there. We need to find protection just in case something goes horribly wrong or we run out of ammo."
Briar gave Lake a look and caught up with Riggs who was casually walking away from the market. Lake was a bit aggravated with her for being so naive. Or maybe she was right and he just needed to trust these two a little bit.
......