Nick stood with his hands on his hips next to Henry, surveying the situation.
“We’ll just push this one out of the way.” Nick pointed at the car to the right as he spoke. “Let me see if it’s unlocked. If not, I’ll get it open.” Nick smirked as he held up his fist, then put his hands on his hips like a super hero.
Henry chuckled a little. “I can get it open. I have lock picking tools.”
Nick waved Henry off. He walked up to the passenger side and, sure enough, it was unlocked. Luckily, the keys were in the ignition. “I’ve got keys!” He climbed through the car and tried to start it. It took a few tries but, eventually, he got it to turn over. There was enough gas to drive over to the side of the highway before it sputtered out.
Claire and I went over to the car and started searching it for supplies. I popped the trunk, and it was like hitting the jackpot. “Water!” I was jumping up and down. There were three unopened cases of water. Claire came running back to the trunk. She began to jump up and down with me, clapping her hands like a happy seal.
“Oh, my god! That’s wonderful!” It was the little things, like not dying from dehydration that made us excited. We unloaded the cases of water and put them in Henry’s truck.
“Nice score, ladies.” Henry smiled, while he was siphoning gas out of the abandoned car. I couldn’t help it. I smiled back. I was so elated that we had more water. We were already so low back at the apartment that we had started to ration it out.
“This isn’t it. Just wait and see.” I felt like a kid in a candy store. I walked back to the other car. Claire was pulling out cases of different snack food items. There was even a huge pack of quilted toilet paper. I was so excited to see that. What girl wouldn’t be?
“Someone must have hit up the warehouse store before they decided to take off,” Claire said as we cleared out the rest of the car, finding tissues and some clean blankets in the back seat. I definitely needed those tissues since I was in touch with my psychotic, hyperemotional, crying side. We headed to the car Henry was siphoning from, but there wasn’t anything worth taking in that one or the last one.
I looked at Henry and he was sitting on the road, rubbing his temples again. He looked like he was in tremendous pain. I felt I needed to help him somehow so I went to him. I loved him, no matter what lies he told me. I couldn’t shut it off like a switch. Although, it would be much easier on the both of us if we could.
“Are you okay?”
“Uh, yeah. I will be.” His graying eyes looked cloudy. I knew there was something seriously wrong, and I was worried out of my mind. I knelt down in front of him, and brushed the hair off his forehead.
“Do you need some water?” I whispered.
“Uh, yeah, actually. That would be absolutely fantastic if you could grab me one.” He managed to give me a small smile. I spotted Sophie watching our exchange.
“I’ll be right back.” I rubbed my hand over his hair again. He sighed and leaned into my touch.
I headed to the back of the truck, and Sophie followed me. “What’s going on with him, Sophie?” I was angry and I wanted answers.
“I think he’s just dehydrated. He has been boozing it up quite a bit lately for some unknown reason.” She was implying his binge drinking was my fault? I felt the urge to wipe that snarky bitch’s face all over the pavement.
I looked at her with my best “fuck off” look, but I decided to keep my thoughts to myself. I knew if I had said anything, there would have been a battle to the death. I grabbed Henry a bottle of water, and went back to him.
“Here.” I opened the bottle for him, and knelt down to meet his eyes again. I gently touched his cheek. “Henry, please tell me what’s happening to you.”
He looked away, as if he was ashamed. “It’s nothing. Don’t worry yourself over me. Thanks for the water, love. I appreciate you grabbing it for me.” He gave me another little smile.
I looked at him for a moment. “I can’t help but worry. You are scaring me. I don’t know if you are sick or what, but I know it’s something. I will get it out of you, one way or another.”
“Elaina, love, please. I am begging you. Don’t worry yourself over me. I will be fine. We just need to press on.” He reached up and put his hand on my cheek. He was cold…Arctic tundra cold. I jumped back a little because it took me by surprise.
“Why are you so much colder than usual? Are you sick? Are you coming down with something?”
“No, no… I’m fine. Trust me.” I didn’t like the sound of that.