Reaping by Makansi K

Author:Makansi, K. [Makansi, K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Layla Dog Press
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

17 - VALE

Spring 8, SA 106, 10h10

Gregorian Calendar: March 27

At the conclusion of the meeting, we’d told Luis and Rose’s friends to lay low for now, and spread the word, if possible, about what they’d learned.

“We’ll tell you our plan as soon as we can,” Remy said. “We need to get more food, untainted, wholesome, for you to eat and share with your friends.” I noted she didn’t tell them not to eat their MealPaks, hoping, I supposed, that the placebo would kick into effect sooner than later.

“You know,” Eli says as we trudge back, “the chemicals in the MealPaks are only half the equation. Soren’s right. We need to get seeds from the LOTUS database in production.”

“I realize that,” she says. “You and Soren can head back and lead that effort any time. I’m not stopping you, and I didn’t ask you to come rescue me.”

Eli starts to protest, but Remy stops and turns to him, her hand resting lightly on his chest.

“Eli, I know you want to protect me. I know you love me like a sister and I love you like a brother, but you don’t have to stay. LOTUS is important. I know that. Vale could stay with Bear and me. We could go Farm to Farm talking to the people and the rest of you can go back and lead the raid to get the seed printer. Maybe that’s the best thing.”

I don’t say a word and neither one of them ask for my input. I’m heartened by the idea that we could work together on the Farms, that we’ve reached that point, but now that I feel like I’m truly a part of this team, I don’t want to break it up so soon.

Eli doesn’t say anything, but he nods and grabs her hand, and we head back to the cave. It’s around one in the morning before we finally crawl under our blankets. Remy, I note with satisfied relief, snuggles in at Eli’s side instead of Soren’s.

The next morning, I roll over on the hard ground and push myself up on my elbows. Everyone is still asleep, or at least still tucked into their bedrolls. There’s only one thing missing: Jahnu’s head, usually pressed close to Kenzie’s bright red hair.

I stand up and stretch. I look outside and note that Jahnu’s got a gas stove out and is heating some water. I walk outside and he smiles up at me.

“Hey,” he says.

“Morning. You been up for a while?”

“Yeah. I couldn’t sleep. Everything happening has set my mind on edge.”

This is more than he usually says to just about anyone other than Kenzie or Remy, so I sit down to savor the experience.

“I know what you mean,” I say. “It’s like listening to thunder rumble across the lake before a storm breaks over the city. Something big is building and all we can really do is wait and be ready when it comes.”

He nods. “It is like that, isn’t it. I miss watching those storms roll in over Lake Okaria.

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