Blotted Out - Chapter 5.1

You know it's going to be a decent day when you wake up to the smell of bacon. Johnny was still asleep, so I carefully stepped around him to the ladder and climbed down. Following my nose to the smell, I felt my the bandage on my arm. Surprisingly, it didn't hurt at all... Whatever Ben had put on my arm must have been extremely powerful.

In the kitchen, Ben was standing over a griddle, spatula and all. Hearing me, he turned around. "Breakfast in about ten." I simply nodded, looking over at the clock. It was nearly seven.

"You let us sleep in?" Ben was already turned and cooking again.

"Yes," he said simply. He turned the griddle off, stepping back. Leaning against the counter he looked at me. "You know, you don't have to be so rude." Apparently my prediction about the bacon was wrong.

"What are you talking about?" Really, I knew exactly what he was talking about.

"We're all just trying to help. We're good. You can trust Martin - if he is who he says he is, then he's one of your main supporters."

"Well that's real reassuring." Ben looked disgusted to even be talking about this, but he continued on anwyway.

"Listen - all I know is who I can trust, and I know you can trust me, at least." I eyed the boy. He seemed genuine. Letting out a huge sigh, he leaned down, his voice soft and quick. "I'll tell you more later, I promise Magdeline. I've been in your shoes more than once, and I know what you're feeling. Whenever I get the chance, I'll tell you all I know. You just have to promise you'll trust me till then, okay?" Ben's brown eyes were guarded, and I really didn't know what to think of his sudden outburst.

Luckily, I didn't have to say anything. Martin walked in with a yawn. "What's cookin'?" Ben pulled back, making no hesitation.

"Bacon."

"Just bacon?" Martin looked at Ben in disbelief. "You trying to starve us, boy?" Ben turned back to his bacon, and laid the pieces out onto a plate.

"No, just rations, sir."

"Why would we even need rations?" Martin's question was only met with the grim look of Ben as he carried the bacon past us to the table. Martin took a seat, muttering something about "stupid," and "boy" under his breath. Ben didn't say anything - although I'm guessing he got the hint.

Wanting to think about what Ben had said, I went to check on Johnny. He was still sleeping soundly, so I sat down on the bottom bunk, reaching for my bag. Ben had set it here last night, and by the looks of it, everything was still there.

So he's not a thief, I thought to myself. He did say I could trust him - and that he would explain everything "when he got a chance". Which could mean never. He could chose to "never get the chance". I can't trust him - but at least I know he won't stab me in the back for the moment being. Literally. I would keep an eye on him, but it shouldn't be too bad.

Johnny stepped down the ladder, and I stood up. "Sleep well?" He rubbed his eyes and yawned.

"Where's mommy?" His words struck a chord in my heart - he must've not remembered she wasn't here...

"She's not here," I stroked his hair as he sat down next to me, leaning his head on my shoulder.

"Oh. Martin said she would come meet up with us later in a bit, and we're going to go on vacation." So Martin had lied to Johnny. Another reason why not to trust him. 

"But it might be a little bit," I reminded him, giving him a quick squeeze. "It might be a long time..."

"That's alright." Johnny hopped up from the bed. "We'll be waiting for her."

I didn't want to do this. I couldn't lie to Johnny. Standing, I led him to the kitchen. "We're having bacon," I told him, pulling a chair up for him to sit.

I snuck a look at Martin when I sat down. He was already finishing off his share of bacon, and was wiping off his mouth with a napkin. Ben had left while I was checking on Johnny. I forked a few pieces of bacon onto mine and Johnny's plates, and dug in.

The bacon was a little limp for my taste, good nonetheless. I looked at Martin after I was done. "Where is he?"

Martin put the plate in the sink. "He went back to get some supplies. And transportation."

"Where are we going?" I already knew the answer though.

"I can't tell you yet, Maggie. Alright? We're just going far away from here." A minute later, Ben appeared with four bags, along with four other hoverboards. Johnny immediatley sprang out of the chair to Ben.

"Do I get to ride that?" Before Ben could answer, I stormed over.

"He can't ride one of those. He's only 6," I informed him.

"That's fine, I'll just go get my two-boarder," he disappeared momentarily, and came back carrying a large hoverboard with a seat connected. "It takes a lot of force to steer it since there's so much weight, but we won't have to make a lot of turns."

"When are we leaving?" Johnny was nearly doubling over with excitment.

"In aproximately five minutes, we need to be on the road." He handed me two backpacks and threw one at Martin. "Everyone put these on - They have supplies for about one or two full days for one person.

"How long will it take?" Maybe Ben could answer my question indirectly.

"About one day if you don't stop. Around one and a half if you rest." Ben swung his backpack over one shoulder, and handed out the hoverboards. He spoke softly into Martin's ear before turning around again.

"Alright. This trip will be a hard one, but I have been trained to make it safe for all of us. You will see many intriguing animals on the way - do not touch them. The terrain is mostly smoothe, and as you might of already seen, very grassy. There are about two water sources on our way there. We will stop once at night, and get up at dawn. Two or three breaks will be added in to eat, or find water. I will lead, you," he pointed at Martin, "will bring up the rear." He nodded quickly before heading back to the front door.