Page 26 of Unrest
Tex scoffed. “Your gun for some fucking ten cent noodles?”
Sean eyed him and Texas Harry let out another low sigh. “Whatever man. Your gun.”
“Deal,” J.D. said softly.
“Um, hi J.D.” I stepped forward. “I’m Amber. My friend over there is the sick one.”
He grimaced as he glanced at his couch. “What’s wrong with her?”
“Nothing contagious. But do you mind if I see what you have in the medicine cabinet?”
He shrugged. “There’s nothing much, but go ahead.” He went down into the cellar and came back up with ten packages of ramen, then closed the cellar door and slid the rug back over it. I went into the bathroom and opened the mirror cabinet. My heart leapt when I found vitamins and cranberry pills with some other herbal remedies. What were the chances? I ran back into the living room area, beaming, and collided with Ry.
“Antibiotics?” he asked.
“No, but cranberry!”
His forehead scrunched in confusion.
“Cranberry pills are good for your urinary tract,” I whispered. “It helps keep new bacteria from growing.” I chewed my lip. “Don’t tell her I told you.”
He nodded. “What can I do to help?”
“Let’s melt some snow and get the water boiling.”
We worked quickly readying water to drink and use for ramen. Rylen worked by my side, our arms brushing now and then in the cramped space. When the soup began to boil, Rylen whispered, “God, that smells good.” He leaned forward enough for the steam to hit his scruffy face, and he closed his eyes. I stared, jealous of the damned steam. When he opened his eyes I quickly looked away and chugged more water. My stomach was about to burst, and for a second I felt sick from drinking so much so fast.
The guys were loud and boisterous, all except Tater, who sat by Remy’s feet staring off into space. She slept soundly through it all. Someone had turned on the fireplace, which sent a cozy warm glow over the room. The small space heated quickly, and my bones finally began to feel thawed. Sean and J.D. stood in a corner talking. I watched their curious eyes on one another, and nearly smiled to myself.
I brought a bowl and glass of water to Remy, along with a handful of pills. She sat up, wincing, when I nudged her awake. I showed her the pills.
“Two for your fever, and two cranberry pills. Take them with your dinner, and try to eat all of it.” She nodded and her eyes rounded when she saw the soup. She lifted shaking hands to take it.
Soon we all had heaping, steaming bowls. J.D. and Sean sat at the tiny table together. The rest of us sat on the floor. We were too happy to care. For five minutes it was completely silent except the sounds of eating. When we finished we continued to sit there, but the silence turned expectant.
“So,” Texas Harry said. “What’s your story, J.D.? What are you doing alone out here in the middle of nowhere?”
The guy blushed a little and rubbed his arms. “This is my partner’s parents’ cabin. We came up here together from Arizona when . . .” He rubbed harder, holding himself tighter. “When his parents were taken away. We were all supposed to go—everyone in the city—but my partner, Thomas, was freaked out about some things he’d heard. So, we came out here instead. It was crazy. There was a border patrol, and so many cars were trying to leave the state that the border patrol couldn’t catch all of us. Thomas had a Rover, so he just went right off the road and took off into the hills.”
Before anyone could ask questions, he rushed on, getting emotional. “Thomas left three days ago because we were running low on food. He was going to Salt Lake City. It should have only been a day trip. And the day after he left, a helicopter came down. I got in the cellar, and two people came in. I think they were DRI. They didn’t find me, obviously, but when I came back out later they’d taken everything of any value. Every scrap of food and snacks that were left.” He swallowed hard. “I don’t know why Thomas isn’t back yet. H-he’s probably hiding somewhere or . . . or he’s helping someone. He’ll be back soon.”
Oh, no. We all looked around at each other, sharing similar expressions.
“No,” J.D. said, stubbornly lifting his chin. “Stop looking at each other like that. He’s not . . . he’s notanything. He’s fine.”
“You should come with us,” Remy said softly. Her cheeks were red and chapped.
J.D. shook his head. “I have to stay here and wait for him.”
“Listen, man,” Matt said. “We understand—all of us had to leave people—but it’s not safe for you to be out here alone—”
“I’m not leaving.” His voice was firm and final. “If you tell me where you’re going, maybe he and I can meet you there. Eventually.”
“Can’t do that,” Tex said.
J.D. exhaled. “Oh well, then.” He tried to sound nonchalant, but his expressive face and gestures gave away his worry, and my soul hurt for him.
“I’ll stay with you,” Sean said. The room stilled.
