We are the Monsters Final part of Chapter two

Cleo had used a good chunk of her credits to pick out a specific meal at the market for the two of them, but it wasn’t enough to lift Evin’s spirits. She took the news of Cleo’s morning departure harder than usual, devolving into a sour mood throughout dinner. Idle conversation, tales of Cleo’s adventures, and even mentioning her encounter with Benji did little to pull her out of her funk. Even Cleo finding film for her polaroid camera landed flat.

“I have to do this, Eve.” Cleo said, using her pet name when everything else failed to get a reaction. Evin acted so grown up, she often forgot her sister was only thirteen.

“It doesn’t make me hate it any less.” She wiped at her cheeks, tear tracks shining in the light of their solar lanterns. “I mean, you just got home this morning. You get one night here? Even the scavs get three days off between runs.”

“There’s something attacking our teams. Babel says we need to get ahead of it.”

“Yea, Babel says.” Evin snapped, rolling her eyes. “Babel said she would ask if there were others willing to make the trek. Babel said she would talk to you about my idea. Babel has said a lot of things in these last few weeks. All of which mean nothing if you’re still doing this alone. If people don’t volunteer, then make it mandatory, like with the scav teams. And yet, here we are.”

“Evin…” Cleo reached across the table to hold her hand, but she yanked it away. The chair skittered across the floor before falling back as Evin jumped to her feet.

“They’re doing this because they want to punish you for being different! They’re pissed because their loved ones died but mine got super powers. They want you to run yourself into the ground like you owe them something. Like this is your fault or like you had any control over what happened.” Evin was shouting, uncaring their neighbors could hear every word through their paper-thin walls.

Wrapping her arms around Evin’s shoulders, Cleo could feel how badly she was shaking. Within moments the front of Cleo’s shirt was soaked in her tears.

“I almost lost you once, Cleo.” She sobbed. “Every time you leave, it feels like I lose you all over again. I can’t… I can’t…”

“Shh. It’s ok.” Blinking back her own tears, Cleo rocked Evin back and forth. Guiding her over to the couch, she pulled her into a laying position with Evin’s head on her chest. “Babel did listen. She’s sending your two instructors on the road with me in the morning. I thought you knew.”

“Really?” Blowing her nose on Cleo’s shirt, Evin took her time catching her breath. “I’m sorry I yelled.”

“And I’m sorry for not seeing how much this upset you. I should have said something sooner.” She would understand. Cleo told herself. She would have to understand.

They could no longer fit comfortably on the couch, but still they managed to pretzel themselves together in a somewhat compatible position. Evin sniffled, breathing shakily, one arm wrapped around Cleo’s waist.

“When will you be back?” Evin asked, thickly.

“I honestly don’t know. Babel only said that Elysian needed help or assistance with something. It could be a standard two week run; it could be a month. It all depends on what she asks of us.” Cleo shrugged.

“Maybe…” She whispered, propping herself up on one elbow to look Cleo in the eyes. “Maybe someday, I could be your partner. When I complete the required courses and my time as a scav, we could be a messenger team. Then we wouldn’t have to be apart from each other that long.”

Cleo’s heart sank. Evin wasn’t training to be a scavenger. She was training to be her support. Pulling her down, Cleo kissed the top of her head. Evin didn’t belong out there, she belonged here safe and supported by others like her. Only Cleo belonged out in the wastes with the other monsters.

“Yea, that sounds perfect.” She lied.

Nestling down into the crook of her arm, the two girls laid in the dark. A tightness gripped Cleo’s heart knowing what she planned to do the following morning would upset Evin further. But for now, the two were sisters, having survived against the worst the apocalypse could throw at them. They could survive this.

Eventually the tears dried up and when Cleo thought Evin had fallen asleep she whispered “I love you baby girl.”  

That’s it for now!! I hope everyone has enjoyed Cleo’s adventures up till this point. Keep an eye out for more information on her story in the future! Thank you everyone for your support and kind words. I’m excited to keep sharing Cleo’s path (and the fate of the world!) with you.