Chapter 48 #2
“I have something for you.” After dropping the pile of meals by her down knee, Vega took two and extended them out to him.
He kept his hands tucked against his chest, apprehension building.
Vega nodded at him. “It’s food. For you and whoever you want to share with.” She pointed to the pile in front of her. “All of this.”
He slowly reached out and took the packs from her, studying them. One second he was looking at the package of food that read Beef and Vegetables, the next he stood on the bucket, startling Vega as he yelled for the whole neighborhood to hear. “Hey, guys! Vega’s got food!”
The sound of excited children filled the street, followed by the echo of footsteps running towards her. Vega turned, greeted by a little girl with her arms outstretched, wearing tattered clothing barely holding on by threads.
Before long, kids and parents alike stood around, taking what Vega had to give. It didn’t take her long to run out.
They had five vehicles with soldiers in their convoy, pulling up behind the already forming line. “Stay here. I’ll go get some more,” Vega told a young mother with a toddler on her hip and another on the way. Soon, if the size of her stomach was any indication.
Vega hadn’t seen Solum since Saturnalia, but it was clear by the state of this town, there was likely nothing left of the farmland that used to feed their entire realm. People were only able to survive off what they had or could grow on their own.
Vega cleared through a small crowd of children, their laughter bringing smiles to the faces of their families. She paused halfway to her destination, a smile of her own forming at Bridger talking to the driver of the lead convoy vehicle. He was too far away to hear, but Vega knew what he was doing.
Meyer stood at the one on the end, already passing out packs of food to the forming line in front of him. The kids were elated to meet Meyer Ignis, the original bloodline of Ardor. He gave the kids warm smiles, passing out high fives like candy.
Behind Meyer’s smile, she could see the pain in his stare. It killed him to see the people of his territory like this.
Vega could feel someone staring, but she didn’t have to worry about who it was. She found him instantly, eyes locking on the ones he already had fixed on her. “Our realm hasn’t been the same without you.”
Vega only hoped they could carry on without her if—when—the time came for her to leave again… She might already be as close to death or dead as she could be, but that didn’t mean her soul was safe.
After handing out all the dried food they had, they got back on the road.
Vega waved at everyone standing on the street even though they couldn’t see her.
She rested her hand against the glass when they reached the edge of town, finally letting it fall when it was out of sight and they were back in the vast and lonely desert.
Meyer and Bridger discussed the plan once they got there. Vega listened, putting her two cents in when necessary. Thankfully, they stayed on the outskirts of the rest of the feeder towns. Whether that was intentionally done by the lead driver or not, Vega was thankful for the route.
If she had to drive through another starving town with nothing to offer, she might break.
“We enter together. Meyer, you show your face, let your parents know you’re safe and not being forced against your will to be here, and then leave to handle the citizens,” Bridger reminded as they pulled into the outskirts of Ustilo.
“Who I’m going to assume will be on high alert the second they realize we’re here. ”
Meyer nodded, watching the city roll into view with a solemn expression he did his best to hide. This was where Meyer grew up—the place he’d called home all his life. Vega knew it wasn’t easy to feel like you no longer belonged.
The deeper they got into the city, the more worried Vega became. The streets were empty, and everything was too quiet. “Where is everyone?” she asked as Death rose on alert, dissipating from its dragon form into the shadows cast around her mind.
If Ardor was quiet, there might as well be a red flag waving high in the sky.
Bridger and Meyer shared a glance at one another, dread sinking to the pit of Vega’s stomach.
“I don’t think we’re making it out of here without bloodshed,” Bridger said, his tone taut.
There were no guards outside the Ignises’ home like there should be. The grounds were quiet, and the people of Ardor who were protesting the injustice brought upon by Marlena’s latest impositions were nowhere to be found.
When they exited the vehicle, Bridger closed the door and placed his hand on the small of Vega’s back. “Plan’s changed. Stay together. No one leaves my shield.”
Vega nodded while Meyer held his fist out in front of Bridger, who returned it with a quick bump of his own before giving orders to the rest of the group.
Meyer extended the same to Vega. She glanced at his hand and then at his small but genuine smile before returning the fist bump. “Welcome to the A Team, Sparks.”