On the run...

[subserv_elijah]

We leave Brendan's place, unbeknownst to him, just at dusk, hoping and praying that was can get out of the boundaries of the settlement before anyone realizes we're gone. Hugos' got to know I'm missing by now. He was purposely checking on me less, these last few days, but he would have gone outseld to check on me by now. I can only imagine his

Comments

[subserve_aaron]

*I'm still a little in shock that we got through the settlement and over the fences without trouble. We're not totally safe yet -- Hugo could easily track us down with better transportation and in better condition than we're in -- but I feel like we've made it over one hurdle.*

*I'm exhausted, though. And Elijah clearly is, too. I feel awful for pushing him so hard, but I have to. It's a way to keep myself going, too. All the adrenaline rush is gone now... yes, he's out of that hellhole and yes, we're together again, but we have no idea where we're going, only a few days' worth of supplies, nowhere to sleep, and Elijah's wounded within an inch of his life. I'm trying so hard not to despair, and I have to savagely bite my lip and clench my fists not to just cry because everything is so hopeless. I owe Elijah more than that.*

*I notice he isn't walking next to me and I turn back, blinking against the cold wind. He's stumbling, staring at the ground and dragging the chain behind him. We have to stop and get some rest. This isn't going to work.*

*Stopping, I wait for you to catch up.* Lijah, let's look for some shelter, okay? We need to stop and rest.

[subserv_elijah]

*When I finally catch up to you, I let the rest of the chain that isn't dragging just fall out of my arms. It's not that it's that heavy, but after a while, I'd swear it's doubled in weight. I stop and look around, look further down the road we've been traveling parallel to, then back the way we came, and there's nothing out here. Nothing. Just... desert, and more desert.*

*Stop and rest. Oh, God, that sounds like a great idea, except... what about Hugo? I'm afraid to stop... but I don't think I can keep going, not tonight, anyway. I feel like I'm going to collapse.*

Where? *I ask, in response to your comment about finding shelter.* There isn't anything... anyplace... *I turn again, trying desperately to see in this black night, but all there is, is the dirt road, and further off, dunes.*

We've got a blanket, right? *Shielding my hands from the wind and blowing sands, I look at you.* D'you think we can set up something, you know... at the bottom of a dune or something? Cover up and just wait till morning? Unless... *I shrug, trying to think of something else, but we don't seem to have many options. I sigh. This is all my fault. That we're out here like this, and we'll both probably either die out here now, or get caught trying to escape, and... that's all a little much for my concience right now, considering everything.*

M-maybe you should go back, Aaron. I... I don't want... *something to happen to you on account of me. My eyes well up, but I at least have the excuse of the blowing wind this time.*

[subserve_aaron]

*I checked the packs before we left and yes, we have a couple of blankets. I know there aren't any good places to stop, but... I can't handle seeing Elijah in pain like this. I feel like I'm making it worse by pushing him to travel further.*

Yeah, we have a couple of blankets. I think we should be somewhat protected on the far side of one of those dunes. And no one would be able to see us from the road. I think we could rest for a couple of hours and then get up before dawn and get further down the road... there may be some better shelter closer to the hills that're a couple of hours from here, like a cave or something.

*I hope I'm right in remembering that there are hills north of the settlement. I thought I did, and I tried to confirm it on a map in Brendan's study, but I had to sneak in and only caught a glimpse before he returned and I had to get out.*

*When I hear Elijah suggest that I should go back, I want to close my eyes and turn away, but I force myself to move closer to him. Not touching, not yet, but close enough so that he knows I'm very much there. And staying.*

No, Lij. I'm not going back now, not even if you told me you wanted me to. I love you, and I'm not going to leave you out here alone. We're in this together, okay? And that's what I want.

[subserv_elijah]

*I just stare at you, while you tell me that you love me, and you aren't going to go back... any my heart swells, despite my feelings that I'm going to get us both killed here.*

Thank you. *My voice is mousy, barely audible.* I just don't want anything to happen to you, Aaron. 'Cus... I love you too. *The hint of a smile flickers on my lips before I look out to the hills, to get my mind on something else.*

You wanna look for a place out there, then? *I nod my head, eyes looking toward where the dunes start appearing off to the side. I start gathering up the chain once more, looping it around my arm, ready to go on to wherever you want to stop and rest. My muscles are sore and exhausted, I can feel my wounds sticking and pinching under the bandaging, and I must be spiking another fever, because it's cool out here, and I'm sweating under my clothing, more than just from the walking. I'm so ready to sit for a while and try to sleep. I feel like I could sleep and never wake up, and it still wont be enough sleep.*

[subserve_aaron]

*I smile back at you, relieved that you believe that I want to stay with you. And... there's a little thrill that runs through me when you say you love me. I don't think I could get tired of that.*

*Following where you're looking, I nod.* Yeah, let's head that way. *I'm hoping you'll fall asleep once we get there and won't try to keep watch; I don't need sleep nearly as much as you do right now, and I want you to get as much as possible before we travel further. I'm still not sure what to do once the sun rises, so I need the time anyway to think of some kind of plan.*

*Shifting the packs, I start to head towards the dunes, looking to make sure you've got the chain and you're moving okay.*