Chapter 19 – I’d Like You to Know Me Better

October 28th 2027 11:31

After having both cried together, Pov and Carrie finally tired themselves and calmed down.

There they were, sitting on the ground beside the river.

‘I’m sorry…’ Pov apologized. She really meant it.

‘… Don’t ever force me into a vehicle again,’ Carrie said, staring at Pov, eyes weary from crying.

Pov… nodded. She understood the unfairness of all this. How Carrie did her best in order to make sure that Pov wasn’t alone, and yet she had forced her into a vehicle. Maybe Carrie’s character wasn’t as bad as Pov thought it was. No. She was a good person.

Carrie stood up. Pov followed along.

With her hand, she gestured for her to hand over the luggage.

‘I can pull it,’ Pov said.

Ignored. She still had the gesture.

Pov handed the luggage to Carrie, then she opened it. Although she had been through a tough experience, it seemed that she was quick to change mode and put her focus back on what mattered. The inside of the luggage was miraculously dry. It was the type of luggage that had a latch instead of a zipper, and honestly Pov didn’t expect it to be waterproof.

There were clothes inside. Dry. She had been considerate of Carrie and chosen clothes that she might’ve liked, such as blue trousers and shirt. There were also dresses for Pov.

Carrie looked around. No one else in sight, she tossed the dress to Pov and grabbed the shirt and trousers.

They both changed into dry clothes. Then, Carrie, pulling the luggage, began walking beside the river. She glanced over her shoulder, making sure that Pov was following.

‘Where are we going now?’

‘The capital city,’ Carrie answered.

Back on track, Pov thought.

Follow the river and they would get to the capital city.

‘Is it far?’

Ignored.

That part of Carrie wouldn’t’ ever change it see—

‘… I don’t know.’

Was she being considerate? Did she remember what Pov said? About how she felt alone if she ignored her? ‘… Thanks. For voicing your answer.’

‘… It’s painful.’

‘Well, you can hum as an answer, perhaps? I’ll be fine with that.’

‘… Mm-hm.’

They walked beside the river, descending.

‘What do you think will happen to the ship?’

‘I hope it sinks to the bottom of the river.’

‘… I hope so too then.’ Pov smiled.

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November 2nd 2027 09:32

The past few days, they had gone through an uneventful travel. And when Pov said uneventful, that meant that it was full of walking, three meals a day routine, insects biting her, her biting insects (don’t ask for details), sleep early; wake up fast routine, and so on. The trees nearby provided shade from the sun, the ground wasn’t difficult to walk on, and descending was easy because gravity helped. Also, they didn’t have any random encounters. Like meeting the earth tribe or having been woken up by people with rifles.

Uneventful. Peaceful.

No sign of Odyssey or the others from the city so far though, Pov thought.

‘Do you think that Odyssey and the others are safe?’ Pov asked Carrie.

‘Doesn’t matter.’

Pov had learned that when Carrie said things like that, it wasn’t that she was heartless. It was just that Carrie was very efficient with her thinking. Thinking about Odyssey and the others didn’t matter, as her worry wouldn’t change the result. If something was beyond her control, she would just ignore it and focus on what mattered. And in this case: getting to the capital city, so that she can have food that tasted good.

Carrie will be Carrie, Pov thought. Maybe she should think of her as a good example and follow her. I wonder how she gets that kind of thinking… From her family perhaps?

She was curious, but the last time she had asked about her family, she was told to shut up. It was a touchy subject. Personally, Pov herself would feel annoyed if someone were to ask about her own family.

Maybe I should open up to her first!

Carrie had never shown interest in Pov; therefore, never asked questions for a conversation. Perhaps Pov could start a talk about herself.

‘Carrie, have I told you about how I started… being afraid of being alone?’

‘You haven’t.’

Figured. This wasn’t something that she normally would talk about after all. To Carrie, and only Carrie alone, Pov asked, ‘Would you like to hear it?’

‘No.’

‘No?’

‘No.’

‘Why not?’

‘You’re going to share how your fear developed, then in exchange you’ll force me to tell you mine. No.’

‘That wasn’t my intention! I-I just wanted you to know more about me, that’s all. I can tell you my story and you don’t have to share yours. I promise!’

‘I’ll pass.’

‘You’re not the least bit curious?’

‘I don’t care.’

‘You don’t?’

‘I couldn’t care less about how you became afraid of being alone. What matters is that you do. And that it’s a pain. For me, more than you.’

‘Rude…’ Alright, plan failed, Carrie had no interest whatsoever in Pov’s story. Guess she had to think of something else. ‘Is there anything you’d like to know about me?’

‘What kind of thing?’

‘Anything. My favorite food, my favorite color, what I used to do before the announcement of calamity. Anything.’

‘Do you have any skills that’s useful for survival? Catching fish, making traps, spotting edible plants?’

‘… Nope.’

‘Figures.’

‘… That’s it? That’s all you wanted to know?’

‘Yes.’

‘Are you just not interested in others, or am I uninteresting to you?’

‘Mm-hm.’

‘That’s not an answer.’

‘Mm-hm.’

‘Carrie…’ Pov sighed. It was as if there was a distance between them that she couldn’t close. Perhaps, the longer they were on a journey together, the more they would get to know each other. Yes. Surely.

Afar, Carrie and Pov could see buildings. Skyscrapers.

Capital city.