Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June Page 0,324

Jules.

Get Mia better.

Go to Galla and open the Stonewell safe.

I was compartmentalizing, breaking up the obstacles in our way into manageable bites that felt easier to swallow. We walked briskly back toward the entrance of the underground city, keeping an eye and ear out for anyone else. “Think this will be enough?” Kemper asked.

“No. But it’s better than nothing. Once her glucose levels are up, she’ll be able to eat more,” I replied while thinking once again about Lilly. Was she with Payne, too? She loved the little boy; it wouldn’t surprise me if she put up with Linda Stonewell to keep him safe.

I paused to breathe in the fresh air just outside where Cyler had everyone setting up camp. Kemper saw me stalling and moved up to stand beside me. “We’re so close,” I whispered while fixating on the cracked, sandy pavement at my feet. Happiness was a flighty emotion. It felt like fragile wings fluttering in my stomach. But Kemper was like a giant exhale, lifting those wings up and making me feel like I could fly with a big enough sigh.

“We will get there in time, Ash. I know this is hard, but we can do it, I promise. Look at all those people still alive,” he said while gesturing off in the distance. “I was starting to wonder if anyone was left.”

I followed his gaze and stared at the moving bodies in the distance. More tents had been set up. He was right. There were still survivors, still good people who would later go on to rebuild the empire. It was empowering.

We started walking towards the city, and I had to smile at the significant change in conditions. Cyler Black and the other leaders of Dormas had been here three hours, and already the main walkway was cleared. People were shuffling about, happy to have direction and systems. “Cyler wastes no time,” I mused out loud as a young girl walked by holding tattered blankets with holes in the fabric.

In the main room where Maverick was watching Mia, I made quick work of making juice. Huxley and Patrick weren’t back yet, and I was worried about them, Tallis, and Jules.

“No word from the others?” I asked while stroking Mia’s hair. Despite it being hot underground, she felt cold to the touch.

“Patrick returned an hour ago, but Huxley isn’t back yet. They split up to cover more ground,” Maverick answered.

That residual, wing-clipping fear shot through me. It was slightly irrational to worry. Despite recent events, I knew in my gut that my men were more than capable of taking care of themselves. Huxley was like me, he needed to feel like he was doing something, and I had a feeling that he wouldn’t return until Jules and Tallis were reunited with Mia.

Maverick held the cup up to Mia’s lips and put some of the sugar mixture in her mouth. I watched in appreciation as he handled her with care and compassion. It was one of the many things that I loved about Mav. And now that I had some experience working in a clinic, I realized more than ever the toll it had on a person to feel so responsible for and empathetic towards the world. It took a certain level of sacrifice to pour your soul into the survival of others, and the light in Maverick seemed to overflow from his fingers.

“How’s her heart rate?” I asked in a low voice as more people fluttered by, carrying various supplies. Cyler was working on taking inventory of what everyone had and seeing what he needed to get.

“Still slow, but it’s getting better. She’s got bruising I’m worried about, but I can’t do much for the pain. A woman told me she fought Lenny when he brought her in.” I gently slid closer to her and lifted up the tattered shirt that smelled like piss to inspect her bruising. Sure enough, deep purple spots littered her side and stomach. Anger like a fist balled up in my chest, and I wanted to let Huxley loose on Lenny once more. What was it with men thinking that, to save the majority, you had to sacrifice those you deemed unnecessary or less than?

“Can you get me some sponges and warm water? I’m going to wash her and find some new clothes,” I said before reaching across the table for some scissors. Maverick paused at my instructions, then a small smile lifted the corner of his mouth.

“Yeah, let me get that.