Chapter 16 – The River

October 28th 2027 08:26

Darkness.

Truth be told, Pov was jealous of Carrie. Jealous that she was deathly scared of vehicles… And not of being alone. Because the problem with being alone was that… at times of unconsciousness such as this, she would have enough awareness to know that she was…

… alone…

Carrie could escape from her fear by knocking herself out. But what about Pov? No. Such an escape wouldn’t be possible for her.

I’m scared.

Here, in this darkness, she was alone. No one else beside her.

She hated this. A lot.

Someone save me…

---

08:28

Pov gasped for air.

She could see Carrie’s profile: pitch black eyes and short black hair, against a sky-blue backdrop. She was there with her. She wasn’t alone. Thank good—

Whap!

Carrie slapped Pov. Hard. What was that for?!

‘Do not ever force me into a vehicle again!’

‘You…! Really? I helped you with your fear by knocking you out!’ She showed her palms which were bleeding due to how she had pressed on shattered glass during her crawl. ‘You think this wasn’t enough and that you have to slap me?!’

‘You wouldn’t have gotten injured if I wasn’t in a vehicle in the first place. All you had to do was tell Odyssey to let me go!’

‘You would’ve died there!’

‘And I have told you that I’d rather die than enter that damned bus!!’

‘You’re a horrible person!! Maybe I should’ve left you to die! Then I wouldn’t have to experience all this and feel bad because of how unappreciated I am!’

Carrie raised her hand, ready for another slap. Pov closed her eyes. However, the slap never came. Instead of a whap, all she heard was a click of the tongue. Carrie dismounted from Pov, stood up, and started walking away.

‘Where are you going?’

Ignored.

Scared of being alone, no one else around, she quickly got up and followed her. Away from the river and into the woods.

---

08:41

Bwoosh!

Carrie had gathered twigs from the nearby woods and started a campfire. They were still wet and cold due to having been carried by the river; gaining warmth from the fire was nice. She had also gathered some fruits for them to eat. Like apples.

Although Carrie was still mad, she tended Pov’s wounds. Reluctantly, silently.

With gentle movement, she took out the tiny glass shards which had remained stuck. Once she had taken them all out, she cut her own shirt with her pocketknife, created a makeshift bandage, and wrapped Pov’s hand neatly with it.

Pov opened and closed her hand. It hurt a bit, but she could move them just fine.

Carrie did the other hand. And just like that the first aid was done.

‘Thank you, Carrie.’

Ignored.

Pov sighed. She’s still mad.

At the campfire, sitting on a rock opposite each other now, Pov started a conversation, she asked, ‘What had happened?’

‘You got me onto a bus.’ Actually, it was Odyssey, but she didn’t correct her. ‘You hit me thrice with the back of a rifle.’ She averted her eyes from her furious stare, guilty. ‘Next thing I knew I was in the water.

‘Nothing good ever happens when you get onto one of those. Nothing.’

… You would prefer dying, sure, but I’d prefer you living. ‘… You’re welcome,’ Pov said.

Carrie took an apple for herself.

‘Anyway, I mean, what happened after that? I remember the bus falling off a bridge and into the river. But I lost consciousness. How did we end up here?’

She bit her apple. ‘Tasteless…’ she remarked.

‘Anything is mostly tasteless for you.’ Pov sighed.

‘Shut up.’

‘No.

‘Here. Give me the apple. And lend me your pocketknife.’

… Carrie tossed the bitten apple. She took out her pocketknife, and—

‘Please don’t toss that.’ Pov reached her hand out. She handed the pocketknife. As she began peeling the apple, she continued, ‘What happened after that? How did we end up here?’

Ignored.

‘Talk to me. When you’re like that, it makes me feel alone even though you’re around.’

‘… The current carried us away. I managed to grab you. And I made sure you’re not alone. I’m considerate. Unlike you.’

Pov sighed. You’re going to keep hating me over that, aren’t you? ‘… What happened to the others?’

‘Swept away by the river.’

‘I hope they’re alright.’

Silence. Was this because she couldn’t say anything or because she had nothing to say? A mystery that Pov believed she couldn’t solve.

‘Here.’ She handed the apple back to her. She had peeled the outer layer, decoratively.

She looked at the apple, which now had a smiley face. ‘What’s this for?’

‘It makes the apple tastier.’

‘You didn’t even add any flavoring.’

‘Take a bite.’

… Carrie took a bite. ‘It’s the same...’

Well, I had hoped that would work.

Carrie looked at the apple. Deep in thought. ‘It’s the same apple?’

‘Of course.’

‘… I see.’

---

10:22

Although the month was close to winter and the air was cold, it was clear skies above and the sun still gave out enough warmth. Having felt dry and warm enough at the campfire, Pov and Carrie continued their journey.

They had been walking for about an hour now.

Because they were stranded in who knew where, without anything much in their possession, they had to restock supplies. Had to gather clothes, food, and water. And the best way to do that was to find remnants of civilization and restock supplies there. Even a place like the old and abandoned settlement that Pov had lived in before would be good for restocking.

They had decided to walk along the river, because—according to Carrie—it would lead them to the capital city. Also, because they might encounter the people who had been on the bus with them.

I hope they’re all alright.

‘It just has to be that…’ Carrie muttered.

‘Hm? What?’ Pov remarked. What did she find? She followed her sight, toward the same river far ahead. She could make out a small silhouette floating on the water. At this distance, its size was like a single grape. At this distance, its real size was too big to be a human. Too rectangular too. ‘What is that?’

‘… A ship.’