Chapter 28
Navigating their way through the woods, it felt fantastic to be out with her brother once again.
Each time Veronica returned home, she did her best to make sure she had time alone with each of her siblings.
Bryson wasn’t going to be happy about being left behind for the expedition, but she couldn’t babysit him and keep her head focused on the dangers around them.
She kept her eyes trained on their surroundings, knowing that everywhere they went, there was a danger posed.
Conner, for his part, seemed entirely relaxed, as if they were out for a morning ride that was no different from the others they had taken together.
Veronica knew just how dangerous it truly was, though, and she couldn’t let her brother’s laid-back approach to things affect her.
Before long, she could see the tips of the buildings above the tops of the trees around them that let her know they were near the city.
Bringing her horse to a halt, Veronica dismounted and tied the animal to a nearby branch.
It had been quiet enough on the ride, and her nerves were on edge.
Given the size of the metropolis, she had expected outliers for the last half mile of the ride. Instead, they saw no one.
“I don’t understand why we’re stopping,” Conner said. “As far as I can tell, everything looks clear.”
“It’s not a matter of what it looks like. More of the idea that we have no clue what we’re walking into. You made a comment about how valuable the motorcycle is, but the horses are just as valuable at this point.”
“You do realize that I have friends here in the city, right? I think you might be a little more worried than you should be. It’s not like the people I know are going to attack us.”
Veronica sighed. “I know it’s probably the way you’re used to it being, but things are a lot different now. There’s a good chance we won’t run into any of your friends here. You’re going to have to make a decision.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, there are two things you can do, and I just need to know which one you’re going to choose.”
“I’m with you. Whatever you think is best is what we’re going to do.”
“I need to know you’re going to do what I say. So, you can either just head back now, or you can follow my lead. Those are really the only two options you have here.”
She was absolutely certain her brother was unhappy with her barking orders at him, but Veronica was more concerned with keeping them safe.
If Conner couldn’t understand that, it was something he could take up with her later, not when they were in the heart of a dangerous mission.
To her surprise, her brother didn’t argue with her.
It was nice that someone was being reasonable.
Thinking about the conversation with her mother, Veronica knew everything was starting to change.
There had been respect in her mother’s eyes she hadn’t seen before.
It was heartbreaking it had taken the end of the world for that to happen.
Moving quietly through the forest, she held her weapon at the ready as they approached the outskirts of the city.
There was a wide berth of land that stood between them and the main road leading into the metropolis.
Veronica didn’t like being out in the open but couldn’t see another way in.
When her brother tugged on her arm silently, Veronica was ready to send him back to the homestead.
If he couldn’t follow her direction without question, she didn’t need him there distracting her.
Spinning around to face her brother, she glared at him, ready to snap.
“I’m just about to lose my cool with you. If you’re not going to be able to get in line, then maybe you should just go ahead and turn back that.”
Conner rolled his eyes before pointing to his left. Veronica quickly looked in the direction he was pointing and realized that there was a side road there she hadn’t noticed before. Initially, when they made their first approach, the road was covered and shrouded in trees and bushes.
“I’m not trying to start any problems, and I’m certainly trying the best I can to follow your lead on this, but I think that might be a bit better way to go. I figured I would pass it by you first, since you have a habit of thinking I’m trying to step on your toes,” Conner said sarcastically.
She rolled her eyes. “I just don’t want you thinking this is some sort of game we’re walking into.”
“I understand that, but I also don’t want you to think I’m trying to take charge. I just wasn’t sure if you even noticed the road was there.”
“I didn’t see it before, but you’re probably right about it being a better route to take. Why don’t you lead the way?”
It was a much better approach that led through the residential area of the city.
While she wasn’t sure if it posed more or less danger of being surrounded by the community’s locals, she was hoping to get in and out unseen.
Darting from one tree to another, they made their way down the gravel road.
Until it turned to pavement at the city limits.
She hated feeling exposed, but there was nearly no sign of others as they walked.
Every once in a while, she would see someone poking out from behind a curtained window around them, but they made no attempt to step outside and talk with the travelers.
When they came to a crossroads, Veronica immediately turned for the main part of town, where they would find the shops that might still have the supplies they needed.
Conner grabbed her arm, though, jerking his head in the direction of the strip of houses in the opposite direction.
She hated the idea of splitting up but knew he was anxious to check on his friends in the area.
Plus, it was only supposed to be a scouting mission.
If there were supplies or a government in place in the city, she needed to know.
“I really don’t like the idea of us not sticking together. I know it’s the best way to get in and out of here as quickly as possible. You go that way, but you better make it fast. I’ll meet you back here in about thirty minutes.”
“That’s not what I was trying to say,” Conner said. “I think it would be better if you just came along with me. We’ll be able to get some help and go to the commercial district together. It might not be as quick, but I agree with not splitting up.”
Veronica sighed. “I know you want to check on your friends, and I completely understand that.”
“It’s not that I just want to check on them. I honestly believe that if we can find one of them here, they will be able to lead us in the direction of the supplies we need.”
“I promise that everything is going to be just fine. You head over in that direction, and I’ll head over here to see what I can find.”
“Shouldn’t we just stay together?”
“It might be a better idea to split up just because I’m much quieter by myself. It’s less likely that anybody keeping an eye out on the area sees just one of us than if they happened to see us both moving together.”
“I don’t know,” Conner muttered.
“You’re the one who said you have friends in the area. I assure you that nothing is going to happen, and it is going to be much better if we split up just temporarily. Just stay low, and keep as quiet as possible, and I promise everything is going to be all right.”
He nodded. “I’ll be back in thirty minutes. Just make sure you’re back here in that same time frame so I’m not standing here worried about it.”
“I promise I will be here.”
Veronica watched her brother jogging in the opposite direction as she turned to head off for the main part of the city.
Thankfully, she was familiar with the area, just like Conner.
The farm and feed store she was looking for was roughly a half mile into the heart of the commercial and business area.
She made good time, reaching the side of the building before long.
Her heart started to race the moment she saw people wandering the streets.
Each one of them had a weapon, obviously patrolling the area.
If there was going to be a trade to be made, she knew she was going to have to expose herself.