Rebel Heart

"Where were you headed when you fell out of the sky?" Mrs. Watson asked.

"South, I think," Lana said vaguely. As much as she liked Mrs. Watson, she feared trusting anyone ever again. "I was with some … ah, well, others who knew where we were going."

"Rebels?"

"Yes. PMF members."

An awkward silence fell. Lana lifted her soup again and sipped.

"Your condo was likely broken into," Mrs. Watson said after the long pause. "You can stay here tonight. Probably safer. I put up boards on all the windows. No guarantee we'll survive the night, but you probably understand that."

"I'm beginning to," Lana said. She set down the bowl, emotions bubbling again. "Mrs. Watson … I have nowhere else to go. After tonight. I mean, I know where I should go, but I …"

"You're scared?" Mrs. Watson asked with a gentle smile.

Lana nodded.

"You should be. These are scary times. I'll give you as much ammo as you need. People overestimate how much food they need. As long as you have water, you only need to eat once a day."

"I can access the emerops storage facility," Lana added. "Walking across the country seems crazy."

"In my time, walking was the best way to evade being caught," Mrs. Watson said. "I never told you I was one of the original members of the special ops security teams, did I?"

Lana shook her head.

"I was on their first team in the East-West War. The second team had the benefits of genetic modification. We didn't. We had to rely on our wits as well as our bodies to get into and out of some really rough places. If you need to walk cross country then walk cross country. Maybe by the time you get there, this all will be over."

"You're a wise woman," Lana whispered. "I've never been on my own before this. I don't know if I have what it takes. I'm not like you."

"Get some rest. The guest bedroom has been ready for visitors since my daughter died ten years ago. In the morning, I'll feed you, pack you a bag, and send you on your way. Mission first, my dear."

"Thank you, Mrs. Watson." Lana smiled, amused at such hardcore words from a woman whose frail frame would struggle under the weight of a laser shotgun. Still, she heard the wisdom of hundreds of special ops missions in Mrs. Watson's voice. Mrs. Watson was right; Lana needed to complete her mission, even if she wasn't sure how to do it.