Page 55 of Us Defiant Few

She must’ve made a mistake.

Khalani replayed every word, searching for the spot where she’d messed up. He’d been so attuned with her for those brief moments, and for the first time, it felt like Takeshi was coming home.

And now…

He prowled down the desolate road like a man plotting unholy revenge. He gazed ahead, playing with something in his pocket, a million thoughts seeming to race through his mind.

But she was privy to none of them.

Even though his lingering gaze burned, like a secret part of him wanted to be as invisible and necessary as her next gulp of air, he didn’t react on those urges.

He chose to walk away for good, and the renewed distance between them was greater than before.

And Khalani wasn’t only losing her mind.

She was beginning to lose her faith.

15

Even when I’m awake, my nightmares still smile.

“Can we take a break?” Elise asked, briefly slipping off her sneakers. Khalani flinched at the amount of blood seeping through her socks.

She had no desire to look at her own feet. She’d grown so used to the stinging ache from open blisters, the pain almost felt normal.

“The Cof is close by. We’ll rest there,” Brock said, taking a big swig of water before powering forward.

“What the hell’s a Cof?” Serene panted, trailing after him.

“It’s one of the landmarks the Death-Zoners found. You’ll understand the name when you see it.”

Sure enough, when they reached the top of a hill, a small building rested in the valley below. Their steps quickened, desperate to find shade from the sweltering sun.

The one-story structure had all its windows blown out. It may have been a vision of gleaming gray stone in the past, but the building was now covered in dust and sand. Her gaze lifted to a large half-torn sign dangling from the front.

COF

The rest of the letters were missing, long erased by history.

“Are you sure this building’s stable?” Elise asked warily.

“Yes. Most Death-Zoners stop here at some point. Let’s go.” Brock led the way, walking through the open doorway marked by eerie scorch marks around the frame.

The knot in Khalani’s throat tightened as she followed, wondering how the burn marks got there.

Were people inside the building when it happened?

She took a quick sip of water, the air growing warmer when they all gathered inside. The space was a chaotic mess. Wooden tables and chairs were haphazardly overturned in every direction. A large counter stood at the far end of the room, reaching Khalani’s hip, with a broken cash register laying on top, completely empty.

Takeshi’s predatory gaze scanned the room, his large muscles taut, like he was preparing for bloodshed.

But Spade was right. Nothing alive remained in the Death-Zone.

“Cozy,” Winnie remarked, and they all gave her an incredulous look.

Elise slowly approached a fallen chair, staring at it like it was God’s greatest gift on earth. She propped it upright and sat with a heavy sigh, a genuine smile brightening her face.

“That good?” Adan asked with a grin.