Chapter 140 - Where the birds hide (1/2)
A sudden movement rocked me awake and I found myself on Grant's lap. Loud voices rose around me as I wiped my sleep away. The lorry rattled to a stop. Grant gently shook me. I gave a curious glance at our new allies, they were all frowning. It seemed I missed part of an important discussion.
”Thanks for the ride,” said Grant with his neutral smile. Demos was already getting up to follow the other artificial hopping off the lorry. I quickly gathered my thoughts.
”Are we getting off—? but Grant was facing away towards Angus. They both ignored me and went on with their conversation.
”Are you sure about this?” asked Angus. ”Do you understand that the military will nuke the sire if they can't get Atlas back?” he leaned forward making large gestures with his arms.
”We'll take our chances,” Demos paused at the edge with his back turned. We were the only two still inside the lorry. Grant helped me to my feet. I gave him a puzzled look when our eyes met. What was going on? My legs nearly gave up under me and I grabbed Grant for support.
”Careful,” he warned. ”You look pale, did you eat today?” I rolled my eyes at him.
”Food wasn't my priority,” I pointed out. Angus got up and we both glanced over at him.
”Think about her,” he shouted. Grant urged me over the edge where Demos waiting with over arms. I didn't hesitate one second. No after his prolonged absence. Demos winced when I jumped into his embrace.
”Are you ok?” he quickly put me down, I searched his face. The lorry's rear lights flash red over his light smile. He touched his bandages.
”I'll need special care,” he gave a nervous laugh. Back inside the lorry Grant's voice rose to an unusual hard tone. I turned as he was talking to Angus.
”...I'm precisely thinking about her safety. She needs food right now and a warm shower. I can't just hop on a boat without any plan. Not after what happened when we got here. Did you already forget our little trip at sea? I don't think all the personal working on this island will fit on those few ferries. It's a long journey back to the continent and we are not sure what's waiting for us there,” a man wearing a security cap shook his head as Grant.
”War!” Alter added in a dry tone. He stood a couple of steps away with his arms crossed over his chest. His face was grave bathed in the red light of the rear lights. ”We escaped from certain destruction. We had to pull strings to get on a boat to this island. The humans don't want us. The terrorist group is gunning us down on the streets and the government only cares about human safety. We are left to our own demise. So, thanks for caring but we can fend for ourselves,” without waiting for an answer he turned around and walked away, the little group of a dozen artificial followed. Angus slowly sat down while nodding. Grant hopped off the lorry, we got a little distance from the vehicle.
”I'm sorry,” Angus muttered then knocked on the side of the lorry. It roared to life, in a cloud of smoke it sped into the night. I stood there staring after it as the rear lights turned to tiny dots.
”Come on, let's go,” as I looked around I noticed we were in our neighborhood. It was the room that led to the city center the one I used when I trained with Olga. I bit my lower lips as the last image of her face flashed in my head.
-We'll get her back
My head slowly turned towards the voice. I only saw two shimmering dots. Under the blanket of darkness, the sky seemed larger and oppressing, the field where we stood was only a black line on the horizon against a dark blue starry dome. Demos reached for me, his warm fingers slipping into mine.
-Just for tonight, can you let it go? I know it's nearly impossible. But can we just empty our heads and walk home.
”Ok,” I whispered. We walked quietly side by side. We were close enough to brush against each other. The other artificial were off in the night, only Nicolai stayed behind. He gave us enough space so we could be comfortable. His silhouette stood solid against the only hotel's building on the horizon. Demos was right, it was impossible to keep the questions at bay.
”Just say it,” he sighed. I didn't wait a second and dove in.
”Are you going to fight Atlas? Is that why you stayed behind?” Demos tensed beside me, Grant kept quiet. A light rustle in front of us caught my attention. Nicolai quickly turned away, he must have heard my question. When they refused to answer, I stopped in my track in the middle of the road.