Day turned to night as we reached the outskirts of the city. We followed behind the Humvee, Mackenzie chatting happily about Doctor Arthur.
"I haven't been able to talk to another doctor in so long. And a Virologist on top of it. With him on our side I think we may have a pretty good chance." She rambled on. What's so great about him anyway? He's a dork.
In front of us, the Humvee pulled over to the side of the road and stopped. I pulled up behind it before stepping out of the car.
James walked up to me. "We should bed down for the night. My teams getting restless and I don't like traveling at night."
I nodded. "Yes sir, we'll follow your lead."
He gave me a nod back before getting back in his vehicle.
"What was that about?" Mackenzie asked as I got back in.
"We're gonna look for a place to sleep for the night." I replied.
"Great, these seats are horrendous." She said.
"I'll be sure to have that taken care of, just for you." I replied sarcastically.
She gave me a little nudge. "Don't act like your ass isn't killing you right now."
I took a quick side glance at her, a small, humorous smile spreading on my lips. "Maybe, but you're not gonna hear me bitching about it."
Laila leaned forward between our seats. "Are you smiling?"
I shook my head. "No, I never smile."
"It looked like a smile to me." Mackenzie said.
The urge to smile grew, but I fought it off. "It was a grimace, not a smile."
Mackenzie folded her arms over her chest. "If you say so... But, I think you're an egg."
I raised one of my hands. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"You have a hard shell on the outside. But, it's easily broken, leading to the soft inside. You put up these walls, but really you're just a big softie that's easily broken... An egg." She replied.
I shook my head. "... Fuckin' egg. You're an egg."
The car grew silent after that... until Mackenzie started to laugh, leading to Laila breaking out into laughter as well.
My lips quirked up, a slight chuckle escaping me. "Whatever. It was a smile. Just don't get used to it."
Mackenzie gave me a look, a slight smile still lighting up her face. "I kinda like it, though."
I felt a blush start to form on my cheeks as the Humvee in front of us pulled into the parking lot of a small building.
We pulled in behind it and I got out, looking back at Mackenzie. "If you tell anyone, I will smother you in your sleep."
She laughed, flashing me a wink.
I shook my head, closing the door with a little smile. Fucking egg.
James and his team stood in front of me. "You stay back with the civilians, we'll clear the building."
I nodded. "Yes sir."
He nodded back before leading his team into the building, rifles raised.
I leaned against the car, gun in hand, when Mackenzie stepped out. "I'm gonna go talk to Arthur, keep an eye on Laila?"
"Sure thing." I replied.
She nodded before walking off towards the Humvee.
Laila stuck her head out the window then. "I think she likes him."
I shrugged. "Good for her."
She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "But, I think you like her."
I shook my head. "She's insufferable."
"She made you smile."
I stood tall, releasing a groan. "What is it with you two?"
Laila shrugged. "I'm just saying, it's easier to just admit your feelings."
I faced Laila. "I don't have any feelings, ok?"
She raised her nose at me. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."
I closed my eyes, rubbing my forehead.
Then, I heard a few suppressed shots ring out from somewhere inside the building. I quickly pointed my gun at the front door. "Mackenzie, get back in the car."
She quickly did so as a few more shots rang out.
Arthur jumped out of the Humvee and ran up behind me. "What was that?"
"Gunfire." I replied, my gun still trained on the open door.
"Get down." I said as a shadow approached the door.
I flipped the safety off, my finger hovering over the trigger, my breathing picking up...
Then, Brock stepped out, his hands raised. "We're clear, grab your things."
I lowered my gun, letting out a relieved sigh.
After grabbing a few things, we headed inside the building, taking refuge on the second floor.
James and his team sat around a little fire they started, swapping old war stories. While Mackenzie and Laila stood off to the side, chatting with Arthur.
I sat on the edge of an old desk, watching Mackenzie. Feelings. What feelings? Just because she's pretty and kind and makes you laugh doesn't mean shit. I mean, she called you an egg.
I rolled my eyes and sighed, just as Samantha walked over towards me. "Hey, stranger. Why don't you come join the rest of us?"
I gave her a quick glance. "I'm ok over here."
She sat next to me. "Ok, then I hope you don't mind some company."
"Whatever floats your boat."
She folded her arms over her chest. "So, how long have you been traveling with those two?"
"Couple days. How long have you guys been together?"
"Few months. We picked up the doctor in California, he was hiding out in a storm drain." She replied.
I glanced over at Arthur. "How do you know you can trust him?"
She followed my look and shrugged. "We don't know if we can trust anyone these days. But, it's the only hope we have."
I studied Arthur, watching his body language as him and Mackenzie laughed. His hand lightly brushing her arm, his back straight, shoulders and pecs flexed.
"I don't like him." I said.
Samantha looked back at me. "Jealous?"
I quickly looked to her. "Of what?"
She rolled her eyes. "Oh, c'mon, I saw you looking at her... If you're not already, you want to..."
I shook my head. "There's nothing going on between us."
Her hands covered mine then. "Well, in that case, maybe you'd like to keep me company for the night?"
I looked down at her hand, then over the Mackenzie, who was watching us now. A look on her face I couldn't quite read. "I'll pass, thanks for the offer though."
Samantha shrugged, stepping up. "Suit yourself, maybe I'll go ask the cute doctor. Since there's nothing going on between you two."
I grabbed her arm before she could walk away. "Stay away from her."
Samantha shot me a smirk. "Like I said, you want to." Then, she rejoined the other soldiers.
I sighed, my gaze drifting back over to Mackenzie. She was ignoring Arthur now, her eyes firmly locked onto mine.
She flashed me a little smile before saying something to Arthur, then walking up a flight of stairs next to them.
I stood up from the desk, following her up the stairs...