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A few seconds of silence passed, then Carter shook his head and looked up at Maddie, the smile returning to his face. “Man, your family is gonna be so happy when you get back,” he said,shaking his head. “Your dad and Josh were planning a search trip to go out looking for you.”
“How far is the new settlement from here?” Maddie asked, her voice hopeful.
Saff shifted the strap of her rifle on her shoulder, glancing around either side of them.
“Only like two days. It’s not that bad of a hike, either,” he said. “The group that was already living there didn’t want us traveling too far for supplies. I guess they’ve had issues lately with raiders, so they’re trying to be extra safe.”
Saff swallowed down a new dryness in her throat. Once a group of raiders wanted to get in, they usually didn’t stop until they did. And now, she wanted nothing more than to make sure Maddie understood that. Even if it meant telling her the truth about her past. Even if it meant Maddie hated her for it.
“If we start going back today,” he continued, “we could probably make it there by tomorrow night.”
Maddie’s other hand moved back onto her arm. It made the stiff muscles in her upper body relax slightly.
She released the breath she’d been holding.
Carter’s eyes flicked back to her, regaining their cautious curiosity.
“Um—yeah,” Maddie mumbled, and for some reason Saff liked the hesitation in her voice. “Yeah okay. I guess I—I guess I have all my stuff with me.”
Carter’s eyes slid back to Maddie. “Have you been staying somewhere?”
Saff stiffened, and Maddie’s hand squeezed her arm gently.
“No,” she answered. “Well, we—I was keeping my stuff safe somewhere. But I have it all with me now.”
The thought of Maddie leaving right there and then felt wrong. Something about it left her feeling uneasy.
Carter gave her a small smile. “Perfect. We can get Dean and then start heading back,” he said, taking a step toward Maddie, and holding his hand out. “Here,” he said, placing his hand on Maddie’s arm. She jumped slightly at the sudden contact, and Saff resisted the urge to step between them.
His eyes flicked up at Saff, but this time they held an almost sheepish, awkward look.
“That’s—that’s okay,” Maddie said, keeping both hands glued to Saff’s arm. “I can stay here while you get him.”
Saff liked that answer.
Again, Carter looked back and forth between them, and Saff could see him trying to piece something together. Trying to work out the dynamic.
“Okay,” he finally answered, staring at Saff with a look that wasn’t quite a warning, but also definitely wasn’t friendly. Then he looked back at Maddie. “I’ll be right back, okay?”
Maddie nodded, giving him a timid smile.
He took two slow steps back, looking cautiously between them once again. Then he paused for a second before turning around and jogging back through the store.
Saff’s eyes stayed on his back, her hand finding its grip on the handle of the rifle once again.
After a few moments, Maddie shook her head. “I can’t believe they’re here.”
Saff didn’t respond. She didn’t know what to say. She was happy for her, of course. Happy that she’d found people from her group that she obviously trusted. Happy that she’d soon be reunited with her family.
But also, it just felt too fast. Like it wasn't supposed to happen that way.
She cleared her throat. “You trust these guys?”
Maddie nodded. “Yeah. Carter is my brother’s best friend. I’ve known him since we were kids. He’s a good guy.”
Saff nodded slowly. “And the other one?”
Maddie shrugged. “He’s fine, I guess. I don’t know him that well.”