The Listener

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The trip ended up taking four whole days. We drove south until we reached the border between the Military South and Information North where the Empire’s weakest security is said to lie, according to the Renegades. From there we went due west, as I had previously predicted we would. The only stops we made were to continue switching cars, though I was never told where this seemingly endless supply of vehicles were procured from. If I had to bet I would say they were stolen from the closest town, clandestinely taken through highly illegal means, but I didn’t verify. It was one of those few things that I preferred not to know.

The four Renegades took turns driving so we could be moving continuously. I felt bad that I couldn’t contribute on that front, but I didn’t know where we were going; let alone how to drive the car to get us there.

Nate had found great amusement when I had admitted to my ineptitude, teasing me merrily in the confines of our getaway car, as only he could manage. The rest of us seemed downright grim in comparison. “You don’t know how to drive? I thought that was the first thing every sixteen-year-old on the planet learns. Hell, the twins are only fifteen and they know.” He chuckled.

“I grew up on the Isle, Nate. It’s called public transportation.” I responded wryly while fighting the rising heat in my cheeks. It was a silly thing to be embarrassed about considering our current situation, but here I am, the living proof that the skill of driving was still a desirable social status mark that all teens long to boast.

I had been surprised to find out the twins were fifteen. Not only did they look older, but they acted older too. I suppose that is what this world did to you. It shoved children and teenagers into adulthood before their time and paved the way with violence and abandonment. I didn’t dare ask where their parents were because I didn’t want the question in return.

It was the night of the fourth day when I finally realized we must have been getting close. Quin was behind the wheel again when the lights on the car were turned off. The moon and stars were out shining brightly, but he still had to slow down for a few minutes to allow his eyes to adjust.

A part of me wanted to know how close we were to The Empire Army, but the smarter side luckily overruled the curiosity. I kept silent.

We drove through darkness without making a sound for a couple of hours, though it felt like much longer. I was surprised that Nate was able to keep his thoughts to himself for that long. It was the longest stretch he had kept his mouth shut since I had met him.

I knew exactly when we passed into safe territory. Tension rolled off everyone in waves as they visibly relaxed. Nate added his own personal style of commentary to the moment. “Holy shit, we made it!” he let out a loud whoop and Lynne dissolved into giggles that sounded much like mine had after being shot at, relieved hysteria.

“You thought we wouldn’t?” I inquired, but then immediately regretted it. I’m not sure how I would take it if he told me the truth, and judging by the way Lynne sobered up so quickly, she didn’t either. I had accidently weighted down everyone’s light mood.

Luckily, Nate seemed to sense our trepidation. “Aw, hell, beautiful! Of course not!” Nate relaxed back into his seat between Lynne and I, and casually slung his arms to rest on our shoulders. “With Quin driving slower than a grandma on a motorized scooter, they would have never spotted us.” He was ridiculous, but it was exactly what the group needed to hear. Lynne and Quin laughed loudly while Quin cast mock glares at Nate, pretending to care about the insult to further Lynne’s laughter. Even Will laughed his quiet chuckle that sounded rusty from disuse.

I smiled lightly, wondering how long it would be before laughter came easily to me. I hoped that it would be soon.

We drove for another hour after Quin had turned the headlights back on. We had reached a city that I wasn’t sure what to make of. It looked nothing like the immaculate, propaganda-plastered streets of Empire Isle. It looked… lived in. The streets and sidewalks were dirty from tires and shoes trekking down their paths. Will rolled down his window and I could smell the delicious scents of spicy foods cooking nearby. The buildings weren’t as tall as you found in Empire Square, but they all seemed to be full of life even this late at night.