I take a deep breath and open my mouth, but it’s useless to argue. Instead of the angry words festering in my throat, I simply say, “Fine.” I keep my eyes on the ground. “I think it’s best if you wait here and I go into the town. I’ll find some supplies and we’ll just spend another night here.” I don’t wait for him to respond before storming off. Maybe I just need some time alone, when the weight of my brother’s crimes doesn’t hang between us.

TWELVE

I work my way through a subdivision and head in the general direction of the big building I saw from above. The Collapse happened quickly enough, wiped enough people out, that looting wasn’t really a huge problem. Yes, a few cars litter the street and there’s some destruction, but mostly the town is quiet. Nature is creeping her way back in with overgrown yards, roots pushing up sidewalks and branches growing through power lines. I have to change directions and back track a few times, but eventually I reach what looks like a grocery store. It’s a lot bigger than I thought, but definitely a good find. I just hope it has what I need.

It’s a strain to force the doors open. Their tracks are rusted and the grating sound they make when I am able to get them to move is loud. At least it seems like no one else has been in here recently. I slip through the opening I create, just barely squeezing through. Windowless, the store is nearly pitch black, the only light coming in through the dingy glass of the doors. I flick the lighter and cup the flame with my hand to prevent it from going out. First thing to do is find a better source of light.

Alone time hasn’t really helped as much as I’d hoped. My eyes aren’t threatening tears anymore, but the back of my throat burns from holding them back. Why do I even care what he thinks of Jace? Because I care what he thinks of me. Even more aggravating. I’m not some delicate girl that needs people’s approval to function, in fact, I’d much rather not worry about other people at all. Yet, here I am worried that my alien friend is mad at me, that he won’t forgive me for something my brother did. And just a little part of me that had butterflies when Lir gave me his undivided attention is crushed.

Whatever. Once I get Jace back, I’ll never see Lir again anyway. My stomach twists at the thought, but I press on. There are much more important things for me to worry about, like food and supplies.

It’s not just a grocery store. Clothes racks line the front and there are many other sections. As much as I’d love some clean clothes, the metal edge of the lighter is starting to burn my hand, so I make my way to the back corner.

Automotive stuff. Not very helpful either right now. I turn and walk down the back of the store. Toys. Electronics. Sports. Camping Equipment. Now that’s what I need.

The first camping aisle I go down has seen better days. Hasn’t everything though? Cookware, camp stoves and a variety of utensils. The items are out of order and scattered on the shelves. At some point, they were picked through, but carefully by someone who knew what they wanted. Strange.

Further down, I find lanterns and flashlights. Batteries will be hit or miss. It’s been too long since the Collapse to rely on them even if the packages are still sealed. But butane should work just fine. I spot a butane lantern, grab it off the shelf and scan the row of fuel canisters for one that will fit. The second canister fits and I fiddle with the settings until a bright light fills the area.

Even though I picked one of the smaller ones, the lantern is still heavy and awkward. I take it to the next row over and leave it sitting on the floor. It puts off just enough light that I can see either end of the aisle. Backpacks and sleeping bags! I grin and start shuffling through the packs. Once I’ve selected two, I do the same to the sleeping bags. This town must have really been out of the way for all this stuff to be here. I know Dane sends out people to gather supplies. Even Jace and I raided a few nearby towns when we lived on our own, but we often didn’t find anything useful. This is great!

I shove a few more fuel canisters and two candle lanterns into one pack and then take the other in search of food. Anything even remotely cooler looking, I avoid. There won’t be anything useful in there, but there are at least five aisles lined with plastic packages and cans.

I pull a can of beans off the shelf in front of me. The can isn’t dented and it hasn’t expanded. Probably safe. Thank goodness it has a pull tab, because my stomach practically twists into a knot at the thought of some real food.

My fingers dig into the can and I get one bite carefully into my mouth before I give up on manners and just start shoving it all in. I don’t stop until the can is empty. A smile on my face, I slide to the floor and laugh. Who knew beans could taste so good.

For the first time in days, I relax. I’m still filthy, but at least I’m not really hungry. There’s more than enough stuff in this store to get us the rest of the way to the city and even farther if need be. Who cares if Lir is mad at me?

I’ll get my brother and then I’ll never see the alien again. Not if I can help it. All I need is my brother. Hell, I wanted an excuse to get out of Bridgelake anyway. Now, I don’t even have to worry about telling Jace I want to leave. We never have to go back again.

But I promised Emily. But Jace won’t leave Flint behind.

But I do care what Lir thinks of Jace, because I care what he thinks about me.…. And what if it’s true? My brother has always been there, protecting me, teasing me, supporting me. What if I don’t know him at all?

Six months ago I hadn’t even been able to leave the house and it’s not like he would have said, “Oh by the way, Sis, I killed a few erks today.” As far as I know he’s never thought one way or another about the E’rikon, but even Flint was calling Lir names and it only makes sense that Jace would share his friend’s mindset. And Dane? Always sending my brother off on one important errand or another… maybe one of them was the retrieval of whatever it is that has brought the E’rikon out of their city and landed my brother in their hands.

What did you do Jace? As the truth of Lir’s accusations sink in, tears form wet tracks down my cheeks and drip off my chin. I don’t even bother to wipe them away.

He’s next to me before I can even rise to my feet. He puts his hand out and pulls me to my feet, pulls me into his arms. I bury my face in his chest, sobs shaking my shoulders and wetting his shirt.

I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Over and over again. They’re the only words I can find.

“Me too.” Lir holds me steady and rubs one hand over my back. “Me too.”

We both tense at the sound of a gun cocking. I pull my head up and I can just see them over Lir’s shoulder. Three men, two of them with guns pointed directly at us.

Lir leans forward and whispers into my ear. “Stay calm. I won’t let anything happen to you.” He pulls away from me and turns toward the men as he steps in front of me. “We mean you no harm.”

The man in front, the one without a gun pointed at us snickers. “You wouldn’t get a chance to. Stu there is a crack shot.” He jerks his head toward the man on the right. “And Dale’s not half bad either.”

“I would appreciate it if you’d lower your guns. We’re unarmed.” Lir holds his hands in front of him to demonstrate.

“I’m sure you would boy. Why don’t you bring that girl out front here?”

Lir’s throat bobs as he swallows. He keeps his hand out, but motions me forward with one of them. “Come on around, Jax.”

My hands shake, but I do as he asks, stepping forward with short slow steps until I’m beside him. I take deep breaths through my mouth and fight the urge to wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans, the beat of my heart like a drum in my ears.