wickedchouette | (no subject)

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[When the car radiator overheats for the third time in a week, Alfie takes it as a sign that it's finally time for more than just another quick tune-up.

They're in a deserted area, which is both good and bad. On the one hand, most of the dangerous gangs are still in urban areas, the way they had been before the world had gone to shit. Out here in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by miles and miles of fields with only the occasional small copse of trees, they're not likely to run into anyone at all, much less anyone dangerous. But on the other hand, if they do come across anyone, there won't be anywhere to run to or hide. Alfie, as always, has his pistol tucked into his coat pocket, and they have more weapons stashed away in the trunk. But they're a small group - no match for the bigger gangs with armored trucks and heavy artillery. If they meet one of those, they'll be slaughtered.

With his sleeves rolled up and the hood of the car open, he leans in with his tools, carefully tinkering away. He can't afford to make a mistake here - replacement parts are rare and precious. When he hears footsteps behind him, he doesn't dare look away from his work as he says sharply:]

Stay back. You don't want hot steam to the face.

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How? How are we supposed to do that? [ Settle. Breathe, Royce tells himself, and he does, just taking a second. ]

The antibiotics, Royce. Focus on that. Yeah? We can do it.

[ Okay. Focus on that. Royce runs his fingers through her hair gently. ] That doesn't help her now. It - if she...

[ He swallows hard, and then just nods, hiding his face. ] Alright.

I don't want to push on more tonight, on this road. If anyone's set out traps, put glass on the road to pop the tires--

[He shakes his head.]

You could drive. You could see.

[ He hesitates, because he doesn't want to leave her alone, but they need to get to the city as fast as possible. It's clear he struggles with the decision, but finally, he drags in an unsteady breath and nods. ]

I can drive. I can see fine. [ It practically kills him to let go of her. ] You need to watch her. Keep an eye on her temperature. Tell me if she gets worse.

I will.

[When Royce moves, Alfie settles himself in his place - keeping one arm around Gwen, and one around Mercy. He runs the back of his hand across Gwen's forehead, and swears under his breath. It's bad.]

Right. Drive quickly.

[ Royce crawls up to the front seat and drives as fast as he can justify, white-knuckled and terrified.

In the back, Gwen stirs, after a few minutes of driving. She opens her eyes slowly, dizzy and unfocused, and murmurs Royce? - which gets Royce to tense in the front. He answers - I'm right here - but Gwen is already glancing up at Alfie. ]

Oh. It's so dark outside, the two of you should be resting. [ Her voice is quiet, faint. ]

[She's awake, and she's lucid. That's a good sign. Alfie sighs, pushing her hair back from her forehead.]

We had some rest.

[ She shivers when he pushes her hair back - and then just doesn't stop, settling into a constant tremble. She's cold, but not, and her eyes are a little glassy when she tries to focus. ]

You look so worried. [ Gwen sighs out, smiling weakly. ] It's just a fever, I've had worse. [ A beat. ] I'm sorry, I'm making this harder on us.

Next week, I'll break my leg. Show you up.

[He pats her hand.]

Don't worry about it.

[ It makes her laugh, at least. On Alfie's other side, Mercy shifts and opens her eyes, rubbing at one sleepily. She sniffs, and then hides her face against Alfie's arm.

Gwen goes quiet, but a bump in the road makes her cut off a quiet little whimper that Royce's ears pick up. He grits his teeth. Mercy tugs a little at Alfie's sleeve to get his attention. ]

[Alfie settles his arm more securely under Gwen's head, trying to give her something like a pillow. Then he turns to Mercy, taking her hand.]

Did we wake you?

[ She rubs her eye again and nods, looking up at Alfie with a mournfully sad look. ] I had a bad dream.

[He pulls her close, tucking her securely under his free arm.]

Do you wanna tell us about it, or do you wanna talk about good things?

[ She curls up close, and Gwen reaches over to rest her hand on whatever she can of Mercy's. Mercy sniffs. ] Mom went away in my dream and we couldn't find her. I don't wanna talk about sad stuff. Can we talk about something nice and good?

Tell me what you wanna do as soon as your mum is better. Anything you like.

Really? [ Mercy shoots a glance at Gwen, who smiles a little and nods. ] Okay... well, I want us to all play a game. Can we all play tag? Or hide and seek?

You know you and your dad are gonna trounce us, yeah?

[ She giggles. ] Maybe.

[ Gwen laughs as well, another weak sound, and then murmurs: ] Truly the masters of hide and seek. It took me years to find your father the first time.

I'll play. But it won't be much of a fair game.

We'll go easy on you! [ Mercy says, giggling, and Royce finally speaks up quietly from the front: ] Don't be a sore loser, Solomons.

[ Teasing! Teasing. It's a break from the tension, but it won't last terribly long. ]

Don't go easy on me. Give me a challenge.

[He gives Mercy a wink.]

[ She laughs again, delighted, and babbles for a while longer at Alfie. Gwen falls asleep after a few minutes, and Royce falls silent, just driving as far as he dares to. It's hours before they get to the city, but they do arrive at just after dawn. Royce pulls the car around to hide it, and glances over to the backseat, looking exhausted. ]

Solomons. Awake?

[He's not - he'd fallen asleep curled up with Mercy, with his hand still on Gwen's forehead. But when he hears his name, he stirs.]

Yeah.

Gwen. [ Royce says, mostly to indicate he wants to know how she is. She shifts a little in her sleep, expression twisting slightly - her fever isn't getting any better. ]