Page 14 of The Outsider

“But—”

“No,” I interjected. “Just like our PNC trip together. If I tell you to hide, or to run, you’re going to do it. No questions asked.”

She sighed. “Do we have to do this every time now?”

“Yes, damn it,” I said, hitting my thigh for emphasis. “Because if I’m going to lose my sister, I won’t lose you, too.”

Claire softened and pecked my lips.

“Alright. I promise.”

A day and a half after we left, we finally saw it in the distance: massive concrete walls rising up out of the landscape. Even a kilometre away, it was intimidating. We stopped—me to marvel, Claire to feel whatever mess of emotions she must’ve felt. I couldn’t fully see her face, but I felt her arms tighten slightly around me.

“You okay?” I asked, touching her hand.

“Yeah,” she sighed. “I just never thought in a million years that I’d be back again. And in the early days at the camp, when I used to daydream about going back, I always imagined I’d be welcome.”

I squeezed her hand. We started walking again, cautiously moving northeast, toward where Claire thought the breach was. It was maybe a half hour till sundown. Darkness would be our only ally here.

“We must be getting close to the patrol area,” Claire said anxiously.

Sure enough, the landscape changed. Fewer trees, and rough paths worn into the ground. Another minute, and we discovered a small billboard. Unlike most billboards I’d seen, it looked in decent shape—no rust, just a little overgrown.

NO ENTRYwas written across the top. Underneath that, there was a picture of a stick figure getting his head blown off.Charming.

“That warm compound hospitality,” I muttered, rolling my eyes.

Claire nodded. “It’s not going toimprove.”

I sighed. “Climb on, then.”

I bent so that Claire could get on my back, then secured my hands behind her knees. Carrying her and both of our packs was not my idea of fun, especially because it made me slow. But it was the best way to hopefully slip past the heavy machine guns that topped the compound walls.

I made the long walk to the riverside. It was quiet—no signs of defences triggered. No sign of patrols, either. It made me uneasy.

As we got closer, I watched the heavy machine guns that topped the walls. My heart was hammering hard against my ribs.

After a moment, Claire let out a long breath. “It’s working.”

“How can you be sure?” I asked, giving the guns a doubtful look.

“Well, if it wasn’t, we’d probably be dead.”

“Awesome. This place just keeps growing on me.”

We followed the river until we faced the northwest wall. The breach appeared in the distance just as the sun was setting. The concrete was smashed, and a small tunnel had been carved out. Someone had patched the outer wall with what looked like part of a chain-link fence. Easy enough to cut through, but the other side was dark, and I wasn’t sure what to expect.

I looked down at the river. It probably only hip-deep, and the current wasn’t strong. I touched the water—cold, but not freezing. I estimated the other side was several metres away. Crossing was doable, but risky.

“There’s no other option,” Claire said, voicing my concern. “This is the only way in. The main gate is heavily fortified. The side gate was only ever opened to maintenance workers. Using either of them would draw attention to us immediately.”

I nodded. “We’re lucky it isn’t too cold. The water’s still gonna be a shock, so prepare. Hold on tight and keep the bags and guns above water as best you can. We’re gonna move slow and steady. Ready?”

We slowly, carefully shifted so that both packs were elevated—one on her back, and one held above her head. It took longer than I liked because we had to make sure that Claire’s body was always in contact with mine, protecting me from the guns.

Finally, I lowered myself into the water, still carrying Claire on my back. The water was only hip-deep, but the cold shot through me.Goosebumps covered my skin, and Claire gasped as the water rose to her knees.

“You alright?” I asked as I took a step.

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