STATIC → newt , tmr [EDITING ; VERY SLOW UPDATES]

chapter vii

Tiago continued to fiddle with the arrow in his hand as they drove. There was no conversation, just the engine and Frypan's quiet humming. Tiago was sure that if Newt was next to him instead of Brenda they'd be talking. Newt was always asking if he was okay, if his leg was causing him pain. Tiago hated the concern. It made him feel weak. It made people see him as helpless, and if he was helpless, he couldn't protect people because they were too busy protecting him. Tiago prioritized everyone else's safety above his own, and he knew it would eventually bite him in the ass. He knew it was the worst trait to have in this world of kill or be killed. If he kept up his overprotective nature, Tiago was sure he'd fall into the 'be killed' category eventually.

The sun was beginning to go down by the time they reached the mountains. Tiago had tried to sleep at one point, his head resting on top of Brenda's, but he hadn't quite managed to fall into unconsciousness. Brenda had managed to fall asleep. Tiago didn't doubt she was exhausted from fighting for her life and trying to save Thomas as well.

The truck slowed to a stop, making Tiago lift his head. He shook Brenda awake. Her head darted up from his shoulder. Jorge cut the engine, and then everyone was getting out of the car. From the pile of cars he could see through the front window, Tiago knew they had to walk from here on.

Frypan moved to open the back of the station wagon. He climbed out first, followed by Brenda. Tiago slung his bow and quiver over one shoulder, his backpack over the other, and shuffled towards the back of the wagon to climb out. He managed to do it alone, letting out a hiss of pain when he imbalanced the weight on his legs. He adjusted himself and found that he could tolerate the ache in his injured leg. Brenda gave him a questioning look, but Tiago shook his head.

"I'm good." He then noticed how sick she looked; her eyes were sunken in, dark purple circles underneath them, and her skin was paling. Tiago frowned. "Hey, are you okay?" He put his hand on her shoulder.

Brenda nodded, brushing his hand off, and moved around to the front of the car. Tiago shifted his frown to Frypan, who also looked concerned. They locked eyes, and Tiago knew a silent agreement had formed between them; keep an eye on her. They followed her to the front of the car, joining the rest of the group. Tiago found himself automatically sidling up next to Newt. The blond looked up at him curiously, seeing him walking by himself. He looked like he wanted to say something, but he refrained and faced forward again.

"Well ... I guess we're on foot," Jorge announced, his voice echoing slightly in the canyon they were inside.

The group started moving forward together. Tiago was cautious. Why were all these cars piled up here, anyway? He glanced at one of the cars, looking inside the window. On the other side was unmistakably a bullet hole. Tiago narrowed his eyes. He glanced up, seeing Newt leaning inside the opposite window of the car. The two locked gazes, and Tiago could tell he felt something was wrong as well.

"Hey, Jorge, do you―"

Suddenly, Tiago heard a shot fired. He immediately ducked.

"Get down!" Jorge yelled out.

"Take cover!" Newt cried, ducking down himself.

Tiago could see everyone dipping behind cars, head swiveling around as they all tried to figure out where the bullet had come from. Tiago yanked his bow from his shoulder, loading an arrow as quickly as he could.

"Hey, is everyone okay up there?" Thomas called.

"We're fine!" Teresa replied.