Chapter 13 – I’d Like to Know You Better

October 28th 2027 04:27

For the past week, everyone had been doing their job properly.

Odyssey had convinced his trusted colleagues who could be persuaded, had gathered the people who were about to be exiled, had gained a bus for getaway, and had collected them all here in this warehouse.

Carrie, meanwhile, had done her job as a distraction splendidly. She had been taking food as normal, but when they needed more intense diversion, she would just steal a rifle and fire at random. Toward buildings. Toward food supplies. At times, she would shout things like, ‘FOR THE CAPITAL!’ to sell the whole thing. If anything, she had become well known enough that she was dubbed as the woman from the capital who wanted to ruin this city.

Pov too had been doing her job. She had been cooking food. She had made excuses for Odyssey and herself. And… well, compared to Odyssey and Carrie, she hadn’t been doing much. But at least she wasn’t a burden! That part was important!

Anyway, here they were, at this warehouse, around the bus.

Currently, Odyssey’s colleague was filling the gas tank. And now they were waiting.

‘Odyssey,’ one of the exiled, an old man, the landlord, had approached him. And Pov could hear them. ‘Young people like you shouldn’t worry about this old man. Yet, you did anyway. You’re a brave man. Thank you.’

‘It’s still too soon to say your thanks,’ Odyssey said. ‘We haven’t escaped yet.’

It wasn’t that Odyssey didn’t like being appreciated, Pov knew, it was that he would rather be realistic. Also, he was a bit paranoid as the plan had been going too smoothly. Said that it was suspicious. But Pov would believe that that was just his caution speaking.

Nothing to worry about.

Pov looked around, searching, then found Carrie standing in one corner of the warehouse, arms folded. She approached her.

‘Are you also on edge? Like Ody is?’ Pov asked.

… Carrie shook her head.

‘You’re optimistic that this plan will succeed then! That’s good to know.’

… Carrie shook her head.

‘What? You’re neither optimistic nor pessimistic? How is that a thing?’

‘It doesn’t matter.’

‘Sure it does. Having a positive or a negative outlook can change things.’

‘It doesn’t matter.’

‘Then what does matter?’

… Ignored.

‘You don’t know, do you?’

No answer.

‘I’ll assume that you don’t know.’

This warehouse was crowded with people. At least two dozen people were there. Difficult to be alone in this place, and Pov liked that. Though… it seemed to her that Carrie, despite being in a crowded place, still somehow managed to be alone. Weird.

Anyway, she decided to stand beside her. Arms behind her back.

‘… Is it too much to ask? If I say that I’d like you to communicate more so I get to know you?’

‘Why would you want to know?’

‘Aren’t we comrades?’

No answer.

‘Well, I feel that we’re comrades. And comrades should know each other! Tell me something about yourself. Come on. Give me something.’

Silence.

‘I’ll wait.’

---

20:36

‘We’ll get onto the bus the moment we receive the signal,’ Odyssey explained to everyone. ‘The signal could arrive at any moment now and I need you to be prepared. We’re so close to escaping.’

Pov and Carrie were still standing in the corner.

Finally, Carrie opened her mouth, ‘I want to eat food that tastes good.’

‘Hm? Oh. Yeah. I know that. Go on…’

‘It’s an old story. I once ate at a campfire with my family. I don’t remember what I ate there, but I remember that it was good. Ever since… I just—want to eat something that tastes the same again. That’s all.’

‘… You do know that food that can be cooked at a campfire is limited, right? I could’ve helped you more with getting the food in your memory if you’ve told me this!’

Silence.

‘Ah, I didn’t mean it as a complaint. Well, it is a complaint, but… Hm… Thank you for sharing this with me. If you have more stories to share, feel free to. I can help you get to the food that you want.’

‘… What kind of food can be cooked at a campfire?’

‘Usually meat. With pepper. Roasted. I doubt you’ll find ice cream there. Could also be canned food. I don’t think it’s fish unless your campfire was near the ocean. Was it near the ocean?’

‘I don’t think so.’

‘I don’t think it’s fish. Was your father a hunter?’

‘He can hunt.’

‘Could it be… meat from the wild? Deer? Fox? Rabbit?’

‘He usually sets traps for rabbits.’

Pov could hardly believe this. She and Carrie were… communicating! Proper communication! And she was getting somewhere! ‘Then we should try rabbits next, when we have the chance to.’

Carrie nodded.

‘Oh! Maybe we could ask them about the food! Surely that’ll be faster. Where’s your family?’

Silence.

‘Carrie?’

‘Shut up.’

… Only this time, and this time only, would Pov comply with obedience.

She’s still full of mystery, Pov thought, but I believe that I got to know her better. Maybe she and I aren’t so different.

---

20:44

‘The radio should’ve been buzzing by now…’ Odyssey said. ‘Perhaps something has gone wrong…’

The tension inside the warehouse grew. Everyone was worrying if the plan was failing. And—

Bzzt!

The radio buzzed. Unexpectedly.

This brought hope toward the people. Odyssey picked it up. Silent. Waiting. Then, the voice that came up said:

‘I am willing to turn a blind eye to what you’ve done.’

Kez.

This isn’t good. Their plan had been blown.

Odyssey addressed the people, keeping his microphone on mute, ‘Get onto the bus! We’re going to force our way out! I’ll buy us as much time as possible here.’

The people complied, started entering the bus.

The radio, Kez, continued, ‘Let me speak to your leader.’

‘I am their leader. It’s me, Odyssey.’

‘… Do you take me for a fool?’ What? Odyssey was telling the truth though. ‘There’s no need to cover for your leader. I know who it is. The woman from the capital city.’

Um… there’s a HUGE misunderstanding going on here! Pov thought. And… of course, of all the people he could have picked, it just happened to be Carrie.

She… doesn’t have communication issues, right?

Surely she could stall for time?