The Unknown

xxxix.

"Do we have to decide now?" Kole asked. "Like, immediately?"

Kyle stared toward the boundless wilderness beyond the city. "We should leave soon, before it gets any colder. And since we're already here at the border..." He shrugged.

Shaun and Rosalie approached us as other members of the group split off to confer with each other.

"I'm with you," Shaun said. He looked serious and worn, with dark shadows under his eyes. I hadn't seen him crack a smile since Jade's disappearance.

"And I'm staying." Rosalie smiled politely. "Now that we've been home...and my dad...I can't leave him again." Her words were spoken with a firmness that told me she wouldn't change her mind.

Shaun stepped forward, placing a tentative hand on her shoulder. "They'll be watching his every movie, Rose," he said gravely. "He might even be arrested when Jason tells them about him harboring all of us."

"I know," she said softly, her smile faltering, growing pained. "And if he goes to prison, I'll be there when he gets out. I'll be careful," she promised, meeting each of our eyes. "And I expect you all will, too."

***

It took half an hour before a clear divide formed.

Kyle and I were positioned closer to the rugged freedom on the far side of the fence. Around us, Dorian, Shaun, Soren, and Zara had assembled. Nearer to the heart of the city stood Ana, Jack, Kole, and Rosalie, who all wanted to stay.

"Are we decided, then?" Dorian raised his voice impatiently over the hiss of frantic conversations. 

Everyone went quiet, glancing between the fractured groups. Some eyes looked uncertain and scared, others resolute and determined.

"I guess this is where we say goodbye," Rosalie said, her voice cracking on the last word.

I raced forward, bridging the gap to crush her in a final hug. This time, some waterworks seemed justified; tears sprung from my eyes without shame.

"I know you can survive out there, Tess," she whispered. "Through and through, you're incredibly brave and strong. I'll never forget you."

My face crumpled, and I hugged her tighter. Through blurred vision, I saw that everyone else was also exchanging goodbyes. To our right, I vaguely registered Jack grilling Kyle for last-minute advice on how to fight soldiers. 

After a long moment, I composed myself, pulling away. "That's way better than my goodbye speech. I was going to say: 'The only time I ever get to feel tall is around you.'"

She burst into laughter through her own tears.

"But really, Rose, you're too good for this world, and I've been so lucky to know you. You've always been the sunshine in everyone's lives. I'll miss you forever."

***

Working together to survive creates bonds like nothing else.

I cycled through everyone who had chosen to stay and exchanged well wishes. Even those I hadn't been close friends with were difficult to say goodbye to, like each of them was taking a piece of my heart with them. 

By the time everyone was disentangled, the moon had climbed midway up the sky, blanketing the ground with a soft glow of light. Slowly, our two groups parted ways. I glanced around at my ever-shrinking family, trying to swallow the idea that I might never see the others again.

"And then there were fewer," Soren muttered.

We walked mostly in silence, nothing but the sound of brisk wind, crunching leaves, and swishing jackets between the six of us. Kyle guided the pack as if taking on an unspoken role as leader.