Naya's POV
The car ride back to their base was silent, save for the occasional question from the man I presumed to be the leader. Keisha huddled close to me, her exhaustion evident as she rested her head on my shoulder. The road was rough, each jolt and bump a reminder of how fragile our situation still was.
I tried not to think of the feeling of being claustrophobic in the truck, I prayed it didn't take long as I took deep breaths to calm myself. It was never a good idea to stay amongst men as they were unpredictable.
When we arrived, the gates creaked open, revealing a sight that left me momentarily speechless. Rows of stacked flip-top trucks formed a towering makeshift fence, a testament to both ingenuity and desperation.
Inside, the scene shifted dramatically. This base was alive, bustling with activity. Voices carried through the air, mingling with bursts of laughter. The scent of food wafted past, tantalizing and warm, a stark contrast to the cold emptiness I'd grown accustomed to.
For a brief moment, I allowed myself to think, Maybe this wasn't such a bad decision after all.
As the vehicle came to a stop, Keisha and I climbed down, greeted by curious, smiling faces from a gathered crowd. It was a strange, almost disarming welcome. The quiet man who had tossed us the water earlier gestured for us to follow him. He still hadn't introduced himself, and I couldn't help but wonder who he really was.
The settlement itself was an intriguing mix of sturdy buildings and patched-up tents, each structure speaking of resilience. As we walked, I marveled at how they'd managed to create such a haven in what felt like such a short time. Six months. That's how long I'd been gone, yet it felt like I'd stepped into another world entirely.
We were led to a small tent, where the man paused at the entrance. "Wait here," he said, stepping outside.
I couldn't hold back my curiosity any longer. "Can we at least know the name of the man who helped us?" I called after him.
He stopped, turning back with a faint smile. "Lucious. Lucious Crow," he responded lightly.
Introductions followed, and then we were left alone, but not for long. A woman soon appeared, carrying a plate of food. I stared at it in disbelief—it had been so long since I'd seen a proper meal. The sight of it, more than enough for both Keisha and me, brought an ache to my throat.
"Thank you," I managed, my voice thick with emotion. The woman smiled warmly before leaving us.
Keisha and I ate in silence, savoring every bite. The food filled not just our stomachs but also a void of hopelessness that had lingered for far too long. When Keisha finally curled up and drifted to sleep, I stayed awake, lost in thought. The warmth of the tent and the distant hum of the settlement were comforting, yet questions gnawed at the edges of my mind.
The flaps of the tent parted, snapping me out of my thoughts. Lucious stepped inside, his expression unreadable.
"its been agreed to let you stay," he said. "the leader of Wraith Base would see you later though,"
I blinked, momentarily thrown. Wraith Base? The name felt strange, almost foreboding, but I set it aside. There were more pressing matters.
"I'm grateful for your kindness," I began carefully, "but I do have questions—if you're willing to answer them."
Lucious shrugged. "Ask away."
I hesitated for a moment before diving in. "Do you know what really happened? You seem... organized enough to have some idea."
His eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of suspicion in his gaze. "You've been here all of thirty minutes, and you already think you know us?"
I offered a small shrug. "Observation is kind of my thing," I admitted. "I used to be a scientist."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Wraith Base was formed for one purpose: to help those in need and fight against factions that don't adhere to our policies."
"Factions?" I echoed, my curiosity piqued. "There are others?"
Lucious scoffed lightly. "Where else do you think survivors are? Scattered in the wind?"
His words hit harder than I expected. I hadn't considered the possibility of other organized groups, let alone multiple bases.
"Although many lives were lost during the quake," he continued, "some survived. And those who did have been searching for places they can call home."
"That's admirable," I said earnestly. "What you and your father have built here—it's incredible."
Lucious's expression softened, but only briefly. "We do what we can. But not everyone agrees with us. Some factions... they want control. Power."
I raised a brow. "Power? Over what's left of the world?"
He chuckled darkly. "Exactly."
For a moment, he seemed to debate saying more. Then, with a shake of his head, he muttered, "I've said too much."
He turned to leave, but I reached out, my hand brushing his arm. "Please," I said softly. "We've been on the road for so long. We don't know what's happened out there."
Lucious hesitated before sitting back down. "The largest faction out there is called the Ascendant Authority," he began. "They've been dominating what's left, imposing their laws and their will."
His tone grew darker as he spoke, his frustration evident. "They're led by a man named Alister Vale. He acts like he owns the world."
I froze at the name, my heart sinking. Alister Vale. The name sounded familiar—too familiar.
"Vale..." I murmured, my mind racing.
Lucious didn't notice my reaction, his gaze distant as he continued. "They're the reason we fight. They're the reason Wraith Base exists."
For the first time in months, I felt something stirring within me. A mix of fear, anger, and determination.
Alister Vale wasn't just a name from whispers in the dark. He was someone I had known before the world fell apart. I dare say someone I looked up to.