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The atmosphere was tense with hurry, but Rain couldn't leave like that without changing. She had worn the same blue jacket and white t-shirt since yesterday and the fabric clung to her in a way that made her skin crawl.
There was no denying, she had begun to itch all over. Luckily she had brought extra clothing.
Quickly she pulled off the blue jacket and swapped it in with a black tank top and a green jacket she had once taken from Zeb's closet.
Her thumb rubbed the edge of the fabric, then she brought it closer to her nose.
Zeb's scent still clung to the jacket, but was faint, almost gone. Now mixed with hers.
She wasn't going to deny the fact; she missed them. Her mother. Her step brother and even Paul.
Mom would be worried by now, since she couldn't reach them. The thought crossed her mind. A small grin curved her lip before she could stop it.
"Probably thinking I've burnt the house down." she muttered quietly, letting out a short breathless chuckle.
She slammed the locker shut and when she turned Lily was there. She stopped, her eyes dropping slightly.
Lily stood in front of her with a grim look that settled over her face.
"Where are you going?" The question came unwavering as she sized her up.
Rain clicked her lips then she exhaled. She crouched to Lily's level, one knee pressed against the cold tiled surface.
"I'm going to search for Grayson,.... with the other." she said, her voice softened. "Hopefully we can also find help."
Lily's expression changed. Whatever softness she held in her eyes hardened into something stern.
"Rain…"
Nora's voice cut through from the corridor. "Hurry up before Mason charges his mind." She said quickly.
Rain turned her head towards that direction "Coming." She yelled, standing to leave. Lily's fingers caught Rain's sleeve, not hard at first, then slowly tightened.
Rain paused, not because Lily had held her back, but because she could feel it.
The tremor in her hands
"Are you okay?" Rain asked her forehead, forming a crease. "You are shaking." She squatted down again, placing her hand over her head for a temperature check. Lily didn't flinch.
"Don't go."
The words flew out of her mouth, quietly and unexpectedly.
Rain looked at her.
Her sister's brows were furrowed tightly. They were pulled together into something scared and pleading. Something that made the hairs on the back of Rain's neck stand up.
"Don't worry." Rain said softly. "I'll be back before evening."
But her face hardened even more. Rain assumed she was worried so she tried to reassure her, "I'll be fine—
"You don't understand." Lily cut her off. Rain simply stared at her, confusion flickered across her face.
Lily's gaze narrowed, the corners of her lips lowered as her fingers dug into Rain's skin causing her to wince the words 'you're hurting me'
"Don't bring him back."
Rain went still. Her eyes settled fully on Lily and slowly started to realise. The look on her face wasn't worry, it was fear.
Rain knelt a little closer, her brows raised slightly. "Bring who back?" She asked quietly, but Lily didn't respond. She just held the same expression, her lips vanishing into a thin line.
"Grayson?" Rain asked.
Lily swallowed. Her eyes moved aside as she shook her head, avoiding saying any words.
Rain exhaled, she shut her eyes for a second, her grip firm on Lily's shoulders.
"Lily?" She called, "is there anything you want to tell me?"
Her eyes wide, waiting for an answer. Lily's gaze returned back to Rain, for a second it looked like she was about to say something.
"I—" she hesitated. Rain nodded once urging her to go on.
Footsteps cut in. Mason walked over to them, grabbing Rain lightly by the shoulders. Rain turned sharply.
She had been too focused on Lily that she barely noticed him
"You know we don't have all day right?" He said flatly, pulling her upright. "Come on big sister, let's go." Mason insisted, tugging at her jacket.
Rain glanced back at Lily, her gaze lingering on her for a fraction longer. Lily didn't move, her knuckles clenched into a fist.
She hesitated, her chest pulling hard. Rain didn't know what Lily was about to say, but from the look in her eyes she could feel it.
It mattered.
But she didn't have the time.
"Rain.." Mason called again. This time, she turned to him with a quick nod then stood up.
"I'll be back soon." She mouthed like she needed Lily to believe it more than herself, then she walked out the door.
Lily watched her as she left. She didn't move from the spot she stood, not immediately.
Her fingers loosened slowly, then curled back again as Rain and the others disappeared into the corridor.
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Rain stepped into the school's drive way. Lily's words refused to leave her mind.
Don't bring him back?
She thought of all the reasons Lily could have said that, but nothing really cleared. Engines came alive one after the other. Doors were opened and supplies tossed into the backs of the vehicles.
Luke and his group moved first, disappearing into the woods. Then the others followed.
Rain climbed onto the pickup with Dave and Nora as Mason started up the engine. Her fingers tightened slightly against the seat as the car jerked forward.
Her chest felt heavy, as she remembered the look on Lily's face. The thought of staying behind with Lily crossed her mind, but she had started this, and she wasn't planning on stopping.