Page 38

"Suburbs, then country."
Maddie nodded slowly.
Saff looked up at the sky again. Off in the distance were darker clouds, and a brief image flashed through her mind of Maddie walking through the pouring rain, trying to keep the GPS protected.
She gritted her teeth, blinking the image away. Her side hurt so badly that every breath she took echoed with pain throughout her torso, making it hard to think clearly.
Maybe it was smarter for them to stay together. Maybe Maddie was right, and it would be a better bet to get supplies from her group in Oakridge.
No.She immediately shoved that thought away.
But she didn't have the energy to keep it out for long.
Maybe it was in her own best interest to stay with her. She was injured, after all. And if the bunker didn’t work out, she’d need medication and supplies from somewhere else. If Maddie’s group was in Oakridge, then going there and trading with them would be worth it.
Maybe it made sense. Maybe it was actually the smarter decision.
Survival at all costs. Her father's voice echoed in her head.
But she couldn't tell if it was an argumentfororagainststaying with Maddie.
"Do you want any more water before.." Maddie began, trailing off and leaving the question hanging in the air.
Saff lifted her hand to gently massage her temple. "It looks like it might rain."
Maddie frowned slightly, but nodded.
Saff cleared her throat, hating how uncomfortable she sounded. "The way I'm going is in the same general direction as Oakridge,” she continued. “Are you positive they would give me some supplies and medication if I got you there?”
The corner of Maddie's mouth curled up in a tiny, almost imperceptible smile. And it made her instantly want to retract the suggestion.
"I'm not trying to help you," she growled. "It just—it makes more sense for me." She shook her head. "Just right now, I mean, with the headache and the–"
"Cut?" Maddie finished, an amused smirk dancing across her lips.
Saff stared at her for a moment, blinking. Something about that smirk made a voice inside her head scream that she should walk away—runaway.
But something else kept her standing there, unable to move.
Before she could react—or run—Maddie stepped forward, lifting her hand out in front. Her fingers gently, but expertlyfound Saff’s shoulder, then moved down her arm until they wrapped around her bicep.
Maddie took another step forward, inserting herself beside her once again.
“Yes, they’ll give you whatever you need,” she said, the smile still detectable on her lips. “Which way?”
***
Within an hour, dark clouds coated every inch of the sky. The wind had also begun to pick up, and Maddie shivered beside her.
"Is that—did I just feel raindrops?" Maddie asked in horror, tilting her face up to the sky.
Saff pulled her forward, quickening their pace.
"Is it going to rain?" Maddie asked.
Saff glanced up at the ominous clouds. "Maybe."
"What do we do?"