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He lowers one hand down to cover mine and gives it a squeeze.
“At that point, I knew a virus was spreading, but I knew nothing about the later stages of it. Didn’t understand what was going on until the sirens sounded and they went crazy and attacked me. I probably would’ve joined them if the neighbor hadn’t been a cop who had just had to deal with his own family.” I look out the window. Trees fly by as we soar down the highway. I’m not sure why I’m telling all of this to him. He’s an asshole who doesn’t deserve my story. I want to get him to trust me, not spill my guts out to him. I need a new plan, pronto.
“We lasted a couple days together, after the dead rose. I went out to get supplies and came back to a house full of rotters. My sister…she didn’t know. She did something on accident that drew them.”
“I’m sorry you went through that, Griffin.”
He looks at me, and for the first time, I feel like he’s really looking at me. It only lasts a moment before he watches the road again. “I’m sorry you went through that, too, Emily.”
Max’s face appears between our seats. “Are you two good now? Kissed and made up and all that?”
On reflex, I punch him. Then I remember I need him on my side so I can escape, and I immediately regret it. “Shit, I’m sorry.”
William laughs and nudges Max’s leg with his own. “That’s what you get.”
Max howls with pain…no, wait, that’s laughter. I can’t believe he’s laughing. He lowers his hands from his face and leans forward with his elbows resting above his knees with a grin on his face and a drop of red above his upper lip. “Nice hit. Maybe you don’t need that knife after all.”
“It’s mine now, I’m keeping it,” I say, hovering my hand over the knife attached to my belt. They never gave me back my own weapons, so I’ll keep any of theirs I can get my hands on.
He chuckles and wipes the blood away with the back of his hand. “For real though, you’ve got quite the aim.”
“And you’ve got a voice. Your howl was loud enough to wake the dead, and now they’re coming for us.” William points out the window.
“Not for long.” Griffin presses harder on the gas and we sail down the highway, dodging most of the rotters and running over a few. We pass by a large green sign, but I don’t notice it until it’s already passing by and too blurry to make out. “Still trying to figure out where we’re going, princess?”
“Why won’t you tell me?” I bite back, thumping back against my seat and crossing my arms.
“It’s more fun this way.”
“We need to work on your definition of fun.”
Everyone is silent over the next short stretch of time. I’m dozing off in my seat when Griffin’s voice turns concerning.
“What’s this?” Griffin reduces his speed and leans forward. Curious, I lean forward too.
“Dregs.” William spits out the word like a curse.
“Are you kidding me? For two hundred and sixty-six days, I managed to avoid the plague on the apocalypse, but after one day with you, you drive me straight to them.” I turn to face him with my back against the door. “Don’t tell me you’re one of them.”
“We’re not with them, princess.”
“Stop calling me princess.”
“Don’t worry, pet.”
“Stop calling me pet,” I snap at Max next.
“We’ve got your back, Emily. I promise.”
I meet William’s gaze. “Thank you.”
“What, no snappy comeback for him?” Griffin asks, his body stiff. He’s looking all around. Following his gaze, I can see why. There are dregs stationed all over. Most of them are in camouflage to blend in, some hanging out at the tops of telephone poles, and a few of them standing on the ground and on top of cars that are blocking the highway. The line of cars stretches out far enough that trying to go around would be fruitless, especially since they’ve already spotted us.
“He’s the only one capable of remembering my name.”
“I remember your name,” Griffin whispers.
“Right now, all I want you to remember is how to turn this car around.”
