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When she was done, he glanced up at her, one eyebrow arched. “And you were really that surprised Sylvia wanted to lock you up when you arrived?”
Saff looked back down at the table, avoiding his gaze.
Josh blew out a low whistle, stepping forward and reaching for the shotgun.
Saff’s hand dropped to the cold, thick metal as she threw him a warning look. “That one’s Maddie’s.”
His hand paused in midair, giving her a look that was more curious than challenging, before slowly retracting the hand.
She caught the tail end of the smirk on James’ face before it disappeared, immediately replaced with the stony expression he’d held before.
“Then I think we’re ready,” he said, releasing a deep sigh.
Saff nodded, stretching her sore neck from side to side before walking to the couch where Maddie sat.
Maddie quickly placed a hand on her leg, grinning, and Saff stilled beside her, casting a glance at Erin, who was no longer paying attention to them.
Although something sparked in her chest every time Maddie touched her, she was still getting used to having it happen in front of other people, much less that person’s family.
And something in the way Maddie’s grin held a slightly teasing edge told her she was all too aware of the thoughts going through her head.
“Okay,” James breathed, “let’s go through it all one last time.”
Maddie groaned beside her as she leaned back on the couch, dropping her head into the cushion.
“If we’re moving at a good pace, it shouldn’t take more than three days to hit the coastline. Then maybe another half a day to get to the harbor.” He paused, clearing his throat. Saff turned her head and saw him tracing a finger over the map she’d already memorized the night before. “The harbor will likely attract more infected and—other people. We’ll need to try to use the radio to get through to my contact at the safe zone so they’ll know we’re coming and send one of the boats to pick us up.”
He leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest before continuing.
“However,” he said slowly, “if we can’t get a hold of them, then we’ll have to wait until we get out of the canyon and then shoot off one of the flares.”
Saff frowned. That was the one part of the plan she’d argued against. Sending off a flare would alert and attract everyone and everything nearby. And she wasn’t sure they were fast enough to get away if need be.
He went quiet for a moment, as if waiting for her to argue against that once again. But she bit the inside of her cheek, keeping the words to herself. They’d already disputed it relentlessly the night before and hadn’t come to an agreement. There wasn’t any point in wasting energy on it again.
After a few seconds, he continued. “I have the location of where their boat will arrive, so once we get to the harbor, we’llfind somewhere nearby that’s safe, and that will allow us to watch out for it.”
He finished, taking a step back from the table and glancing between them all.
No one offered any response, beyond Josh giving one small nod.
“Okay,” he said, releasing his arms to fold up the map. When he was done, he walked over behind Erin, resting his hand on her shoulder. “Josh and I will switch off helping you walk.”
She gave him a small, appreciative smile, placing her hand over his. Then James gave Saff a small nod. They didn’t need to say it out loud. They all knew that she would be the one guiding Maddie, because that’s what Maddie would want. And really, that’s what she wanted, too.
He leaned down, pressing a kiss atop Erin’s head. Then squeezed her shoulder as he straightened back up.
“I guess it’s time, then.”
Chapter forty
It was quiet. Too quiet outside the walls.
Maddie wondered if they all felt it—heard it. The lack of human presence she’d gotten used to hearing from behind the walls.
It wasn’t a bad thing, exactly. The swish of the leaves as the wind blew through while the birds chirped nearby was pleasant, calming. Yet somehow, it felt different from when she and Saff had traveled alone.
This time, an uneasy feeling settled in her gut.