Pablo’s aching heart weighed a ton in his chest. Andrew tossed another bag beside his in the back of the van. A shade was cast under Andrew’s eyes, enhancing the bags formed by exhaustion and emotion. Opening the new backpack, Pablo shoved rubbing alcohol, gauze, medical tape, and a small kitchen knife into its empty shell. He tossed it further into the van with three others.

Pablo couldn’t help but wonder about his parents. His madre and step-padre arrived in Hawaii yesterday on their honeymoon. Did the eruption on Honolulu affect them? No siblings, no grandparents, no one to check on him. Eighteen and grown, he promised his madre he could take care of himself and look after the apartment. He scraped over the raw and tender meat of his knuckles. Punching Icari over and over had torn the skin off his fists. Would he ever hear from his parents?

“I’ll grab you another,” Andrew offered.

Pablo muttered, “Thanks, man.”

A feminine throat cleared behind him. His brown eyes closed as he prepared himself. The perfume Lynn had applied in the morning still drove Pablo crazy eight hours and one apocalypse later. The scent held fresh and citrus nodes which made him want to drink from her like a tall glass of lemonade. She was the only distraction he wanted at the exact moment he needed it.

Lynn spoke in a soft voice, almost husky. “So we’re heading out. I wonder what’s next.”

Wherever she went next, Pablo would follow. He opened his eyes to find the heaviness in his heart had lessened slightly.

Tameka rushed by with a large duffel while stuffing books into it.

Andrew passed her and asked, “What are you taking those for?”

She answered with a backward shot. “The world’s ended. Electricity won’t last forever. You’ll thank me later.”

Andrew grinned widely in response. “I can think of better things to do to pass the time,” he countered.

Pablo couldn’t help but smirk.

Tameka’s face grew serious as she pointed out, “Dwindling supplies of contraceptives will make that less and less appealing.”

Andrew and Pablo winced at the same time. “Fuck,” Andrew muttered.

Unable to delay it any longer, Pablo faced Lynn. Her long braids complimented her exposed, umber shoulders. Sure, the exposure happened because of rough fighting after the apocalypse had started, but it looked good on her. Her soft brown eyes scanned the storefront, watching the flurry of activity.

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Pablo asked her, “Where are we going? To check on our families?”

When Lynn’s eyes met his, the weight in his chest lifted like a rising sun. The warmth of it infused Pablo and promised him everything would be okay. He wanted to tell her how he felt, but he needed to wait for the right time.

Lynn explained, “Xelan said he’d send people to check our houses.” Definitely not the right time. “We can give them our addresses after we arrive at his secure facility. Not everyone seemed sold on the idea, but he said it’s important for us to stick together. He really needs to get there to treat us and set Rayne’s arm.”

Pablo asked, “Secure? Why didn’t we go there in the first place?”

Lynn’s eyes darted to different members of the group. A bunch of eighteen- and nineteen-year-olds milled out of the bookstore, ready to pull their hair out. They were accessorized with blood-soaked bandages and wraps. Some limped, some groaned, and some moved as little as possible. She said, “I think there was some drama about Xelan being a potential traitor, but I don’t know the full story, yet.”

Pablo examined the tall alien as he exited the store. Xelan towered over Sagan by almost a foot. He spoke a few words to Matt in a deep timbre. Sagan focused so much on the conversation while multitasking the kit that she didn’t notice Xelan sparing her a glance here and there with open admiration and respect. She stood in well for Rayne and shouldered the burden without hesitation. Pablo thought it one thing for the humans to acknowledge that, but for a man like Xelan to recognize it distinguished him from his blood-sucking species.

Pablo said, “There’s no way that man is a traitor.”

Lynn sighed as she added, “I agree with you. He’s too fine.”

“Motherfucker!” Pablo slipped off the edge of the van and plopped his ass hard on the pavement.

“Are you okay?” Was Lynn pretending to be naïve? She held her blood-caked hand out to him.

All his aching muscles told Pablo to accept it. As she pulled him from the ground, he gaped at Lynn. “You can’t possibly think that ancient thing is attractive?”

“Oh I can, and I absolutely do.” Lynn snickered.

How could Pablo compete with that? Xelan was a good six inches taller than Pablo, and the Icari could probably bench-press a brick house.

Sagan approached the back of the van, asking, “You two ready to go?”

“Let’s hurry this along, people!” John shouted, limping by on unsteady footing, but at least he was walking on his own.

Lynn answered, “Yeah, we can be ready to go when you are.”

Pablo asked, “Do you need anymore help? How’s Rayne?”

The brief smile Sagan gave him almost sank his heart back into the pit. “She’s still unconscious. Xelan went back inside to get her. Jack won’t leave her side.” She bit her bottom lip and peered at the white sedan parked behind them. “Matt wants to go with us. Him and Lucy.”

Lynn asked, “Does he know what he’s getting into?”

Sagan shook her head. “No more than you two.” She offered another exhausted smile. “Let’s head to Iona before it gets any crazier.”

“Iona?” Lynn walked alongside her. “Why does that sound familiar?”

“Yeah… where is it?” Pablo added.

Sagan nodded to the van. “Head out, and I’ll explain on the way.”