History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives.

-Abba Eban

Burns

We watch as Arashi and Emma hand a filled backpack to Zander, who is waiting outside of the truck. This is a clever way of raiding. Less Souls around to worry about. From the other side, a new tuck arrives. This is also a Food truck, but it parks farther away for the shop than the first one, closer to where we are hiding. Closer to Emma, Arashi and Zander.

I wait nervously for the driver to climb out, afraid that he will spot the others, but I need not worry. They are out of his line of vision and he walks towards the shop without even a glance in our direction.

Once the driver is out of sight, Nate turns to Ellen. "Go get the supplies they gathered so far and tell them to hit this one next." He nods at the newly arrived Food truck.

Ellen nods and scurries over to where Emma, Arashi and Zander are. They've found a hiding spot behind some rocks where I can't see them anymore. Instead I focus on the shop again. Two Souls have just left the store. They're laughing and talking together. Gail and Nate shift nervously next to me and keep glancing in the direction of the others.

I'm tense too. I need to be ready to interfere. When the two climb into their own trucks, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. My eyes move to the others again. They are closer now and Nate is motioning for them to climb the next truck.

The three walk towards the truck, but pause halfway.

I frown. Why would they stop? Is something wrong? I glance at Nate. He seems worried too. Arashi and Zander are in some sort of discussion. It looks like they're arguing, but we can't hear them from where we are siting.

At least they keep their voices down.

Ellen reappears at our side, placing a heavy backpack on the ground. "What's going on?" she asks, looking at the trio by the truck.

"Hell if I know," Nate growls.

"Zander," Gail hisses. She sounds angry. "Don't be a fool."

Zander has split up from the other two and hoists himself onto another truck. 'Medicine' it reads on the side.

"What is he doing?" Gail growls.

"He is your guy," Nate counters.

Gail points at Zander. "I did not tell him to go off on his own. Who says your guy didn't tell him to climb that truck?"

Nate throws up his hands. "There's a reason I asked Arashi to come on this raid. He keeps a clear head. He knows not to split up."

"Uhm guys..." Ellen says urgently.

Gail and Nate stop their argument and follow Ellen's pointed finger.

Another Soul has left the shop and walks towards his truck. The truck Zander is on.

Nate is already on his feet and at the truck before I can blink. The Soul hasn't seen him yet, but he will in a few seconds. I hurry after Nate. I have to protect him, protect all of them.

"Hi there," the Soul calls, "admiring my truck?"

I turn to the Soul and step in between him and Nate. "Sorry," I say, "we didn't mean any harm. We were just curious."

"That's alright," the Soul says. He tilts his head. "How did you get here if you don't mind me asking. I saw all the other truck drivers inside. You didn't come by foot, did you? The next town is miles away."

"Car trouble," Nate blurts out before I can speak, "we're up ahead. Had to walk back here to get some parts."

"That's most unfortunate," the Soul says sympathetically, "I'll give you a ride back. You shouldn't have to walk so far in this heat."

"That's okay," I say nervously, "we wouldn't want your delivery to be late because of us."

"I'm sure they'd understand," the Souls says.

"It's really not necessary," I wave him away, "we're not finished here yet. You'd only have to wait."

"If you're certain..."

"Definitely," I say, "but thanks for your concern."

Nate clears his throat. "We should go, Blue," he says, "I'm sure this man has more to do than chat with us."

"Oh, I didn't even introduce myself," the Soul speaks, "Ocean Dreamer. Nice to meet you."

He came from the See Weeds. There's a pang in my heart. Ocean was a See Weed.

"Blue Cloud," I say, "and this is Night Dancer."

"Blue," Nate urges again.

Another Soul has exited the shop and is already close to his truck, the truck with Arashi and Emma inside.

There's nothing we can do. If we try to stop the driver, we will endanger our friends.

"Well, I won't hold you up any more," Ocean Dreamer smiles, "good luck with your car."

"Thank you," I blurt out. Normally I would have politely ended the conversation, but now Emma is in danger. "Goodbye." I take Nate's arm and pull him back to Gail and Ellen while the truck drives away from the parking lot.

"We need to follow it," I say once we're back with the others. "Nate, Emma and Arashi are still inside."

"I know, Burns," Nate says with a grim look, "but we can't just follow after that truck. It's too risky. Arashi has a good head on his shoulders. He'll find a way to get them out. He knows how to get home."

"You don't know that," I say, "what if they're discovered? We can't just do nothing. Emma is in there. I have to find her. I need to protect her. What if it was Sophie?"

A backpack is dropped next to us and Zander crouches down. "What's with the long faces?"

"What the hell, Zander?!" Gail hisses angrily, "what were you thinking, going off on your own?"

"What?" Zander shrugs, "I had an opportunity. What's the big deal?"

"You were supposed to stay together," Gail snaps at him, "have each other's back. Why can't you just do as you're told?"

"What's your problem?" Zander growls, "I got us medicine while the other two are getting food."

"The other two," Nate growls, "we're stuck in the back of a truck that now drove away, because you were off playing hero."

"What do you mean 'drove away'? Why is that my fault? Why didn't you stop them yourselves? Isn't that why you stayed behind? To be our backup?"

"They were trying to save your ass, Zander," Gail hisses, "you were almost discovered and while they were trying to save you, their truck drove away."

"What about you then?" Zander asks, "why didn't you do anything?"

"Then we would have all been in danger," Nate says.

"Could you guys stop arguing?" Ellen interrupts, "you can blame each other later. Right now we need to think about Arashi and Emma."

"Please Nate," I say.

Nate sighs and runs a hand across his face. "Ellen, go with Gail and Zander to where we left Gail's car. Take our spoils with you. If Burns and I are not back by morning, go home and tell the others to evacuate. You know where to go."

Ellen nods, but her face is pale. She doesn't think we'll make it back.

"Nate," Gail starts, but Nate interrupts her.

"Get yourselves to safety, Gail. Same goes for you. If we're not back by morning, evacuate your group and sent word to Max and Russell."

"What are you going to do?" Gail asks concerned.

"Whatever we can," Nate answers grimly, "don't worry about me. I have Burns with me."

"Let us help, Nate," Gail offers, but Nate shakes his head.

"The less people come, the safer we are. Besides, if we're caught, someone needs to warn the others groups." He turns to me. "I don't know what will happen from here, Burns. We can only try to find them for so long, but I can't risk the others."

I swallow the lump in my throat. "I understand," I say, "thank you."

He presses my shoulder. "I care about them too, Burns, but I can't value one life, or even two, over the fifty-six others." He smiles sadly. "That doesn't mean we won't try. It's the least I can do to repay you for everything you've done for us."

"You should go then," Ellen says quietly, "but hurry Nate and be careful. We really don't want to have to evacuate four groups. Where would we all go?"

He nods solemnly. "I know. Stay safe." He pulls me with him to the car Arashi drove and the others split off towards the van.

This wasn't supposed to happen. This was going to be a simple raid. And now I lost Emma. Again.

I can't let that happen this time. Even if Nate hadn't decided to follow the truck, I would have.

I sit next to him in the passenger seat. I wonder which one of us is more anxious. I would do anything to get Emma back safely, but it might mean I have to hurt one of my kind. For Nate, this rescue mission is even more dangerous. He is human. I know all too well what can happen if he is discovered. I have witnessed it firsthand.

But we have to try. For the people we love. We will succeed.

Or die trying.