Free Web NovelChapter 136: Chapter 136 - A Church
Iyisha looked from Reya to Marybeth, standing on the worn carpet in the middle of the apartment living room, and this time the realization came clearly.
So this was the friend.
The one Marybeth had been trying to reach.
Reya recognized her immediately.
"Marybeth!"
She crossed the small space quickly, nearly knocking into the coffee table, not caring.
Marybeth moved at the same time.
They met in the center of the room and hugged tightly, shoes pressing into the carpet as their bodies collided with enough force that they had to steady themselves. They laughed into each other’s shoulders and held on longer than most people did anymore.
Iyisha watched from near the door, aware of Malcolm beside her, aware of the room, aware of everything at once.
Marybeth pulled back but kept her hands on Reya’s arms, looking over her face carefully as if confirming she was really there.
Then she kissed her.
It was quick and certain.
Iyisha blinked.
A memory pushed forward before she could stop it. That night in the hallway, the door half closed, Brix and Marybeth pressed together, both of them high, kissing in a rush while trying to shut the door.
Iyisha had not thought much of it then. She had been distracted, tangled in her own situation with Malcolm, too focused on everything else happening around them.
It was strange seeing her like this after that night in the hallway.
But who was she to judge?
Iyisha shook her head
Marybeth pulled back from Reya, still smiling, and intertwined their fingers naturally.
They turned toward the others.
"This is Reya," Marybeth said. "My girlfriend. The one I told you about."
Reya nodded, dimples showing. "Hi."
Iyisha cleared her throat. "Hi."
Marybeth did not let go of Reya’s hand when she turned toward them.
"This is Iyisha, Malcolm, and Waldo," she said. "They saved my life."
She said it simply, but there was weight behind it.
Reya’s smile faltered. Her eyes moved quickly over Marybeth again, this time not checking if she was real, but if she was hurt.
"What do you mean saved?" she asked, worry creeping into her voice.
Marybeth squeezed her hand. "I’ll tell you later," she said gently. "I’m okay."
Reya studied her for another second, then nodded, forcing herself to calm down. She faced them fully.
"Thank you," she said, voice steady but emotional. "I don’t know what I would’ve done if something happened to her."
Iyisha glanced sideways at Malcolm, waiting.
He remained still, unreadable.
So she stepped in.
"We helped her," Iyisha said. "She helped us too."
Marybeth had told her to pretend to sleep in the cages so she would not be singled out. That bought her time.
Reya pressed her lips together, blinking back tears. "Still... how can we repay you?"
Silence settled for half a second.
Then Malcolm spoke.
"Map of Ohio."
The words were calm. Direct.
Reya blinked, clearly not expecting him to speak at all.
Marybeth turned to her, thinking.
"I think I know someone who has one," Reya said slowly.
She looked toward the open doorway.
Elizabeth stood just outside in the hall, and when Reya’s eyes met hers, it was clear they were thinking of the same person.
Elizabeth stepped back into the apartment.
"Well," she said with a small smile, "this is a pleasant surprise. I’m sure the two of you have lots to talk about. Especially with Reya finally seeing you again."
Reya gave a quick nod.
Elizabeth shifted her attention to the rest of them.
"We actually came to invite you to church," she said looking at them.
A church?
"Our pastor just arrived from Pittsburgh. He uses a map. Anyways, come and meet him. You can ask him yourself."
Iyisha’s eyes went to Malcolm.
He did not react outwardly, but she knew he was calculating.
Maps were not impossible to find. But accurate ones, updated with blocked roads, danger zones, and safer routes, were different. Those were traded carefully. Guarded. Priced high.
A good map did more than show directions.
It reduced risk.
And reduced risk meant survival.
Malcolm gave a single nod.
They needed it.
Reya raised her hand. "We’ll talk to him." She tried to assure them.
She nodded and smiled.
They walked together down the hallway and out into the street.
Iyisha let her pace fall slightly behind.
Ahead of her, Reya and Marybeth walked close, fingers intertwined, shoulders brushing as they leaned toward each other, whispering and smiling like the world had narrowed down to just the two of them. Every now and then Reya would squeeze Marybeth’s hand and Marybeth would squeeze back without looking.
It looked easy.
Natural.
Iyisha lowered her gaze.
Malcolm’s hand moved beside hers as they walked, large and steady, fingers relaxed but close enough that she could see the faint scars across his knuckles.
She wondered what it would feel like to slide her hand into his.
Just once.
Just to see.
Their hands brushed for a fraction of a second when the sidewalk narrowed.
Heat rushed to her face instantly.
Oh gosh, Iyisha, get a hold of yourself.
You are not even lovers.
She bit the inside of her lip, forcing her eyes forward.
What were they, then?
Not strangers.
Not exactly partners.
Fuck buddies?
The thought made her cringe.
It sounded crude. Cheap. Like it erased everything that happened in the quiet moments between them.
But what else was there to call it?
They walked farther until the street opened up near a tall chain wire fence that divided the quarantine zone from the inner city. Armed guards stood at intervals along the barrier, watchful but relaxed.
"Are we going to the inner city?" Iyisha asked.
Elizabeth, walking ahead of them, glanced back over her shoulder.
"No," she said. "We have a church in the quarantine. You’re lucky he’s here right now."
"He?" Iyisha asked.
"The pastor," Elizabeth clarified. "He moves between zones."
"So you can jump between zones?" Iyisha pressed.
Elizabeth smiled faintly. "Usually no. Not without trouble. But if you have a permit and you stay through quarantine time, you can."
Iyisha nodded, absorbing that.
"We’re close," Elizabeth said.
They turned a corner, and the church came into view.
It had once been a restaurant. The old name and faded logo were still mounted above the entrance, sun bleached but readable. The surrounding buildings were empty, windows dark, doors chained shut, which made this one stand out even more.
The front windows were cleared.
Chairs had been arranged inside in uneven rows.
About seven people were already seated, talking quietly.
At the front stood a man wearing a cowboy hat, a tucked dress shirt, and plain trousers. He stood with his hands resting on the back of a chair, posture relaxed but aware, like he was used to being listened to.
Iyisha slowed slightly.
This was the man with the map.
The man at the front noticed them immediately.
He paused mid conversation and tapped the shoulder of the man he had been speaking with.
"Elizabeth. Reya," he called out warmly. "You brought friends."
He walked toward them with easy confidence, smile wide but not careless.
He reached Waldo first and extended his hand.
"Welcome, brother."
Waldo shook it firmly, returning the smile.
Next, the pastor turned to Malcolm and offered his hand.
Malcolm did not move.
For a brief second the air shifted.
Not hostile. Just measured.
The pastor’s grin widened slightly.
"Cautious man," he said lightly.
He withdrew his hand without offense and turned to Iyisha instead. She stepped forward and shook his hand. His grip was steady.
"My name is Pastor Rick," he said. "Call me Rick. Or pastor, if you prefer."
Elizabeth stepped closer.
"This is Iyisha, Malcolm, and Waldo. They arrived about an hour ago."
"Welcome, welcome," Rick said. "Please, have a seat. The sermon’s about to start."
Reya cleared her throat gently.
"Pastor, actually... they came to ask about a map."
Rick’s eyes shifted back to her.
"They helped Marybeth," Reya added, gesturing toward her.
Rick looked at Marybeth with renewed interest.
"So you’re Marybeth," he said, smiling. "Our Reya’s been waiting for you."
Marybeth smiled back and shook his hand.
"Thank you for taking care of my Reya."
Rick laughed softly at that, amused.
"Well," he said, straightening his shirt, "we’ll talk about the map after."
A woman near the front called his name, signaling that everyone was seated.
"Sit down," Rick told them, already stepping backward. "We’ll discuss it later."
As he turned toward the front, he threw Iyisha a brief wink before facing the small crowd.
Iyisha glanced at Malcolm.
He had already shifted his weight, stepping slightly back toward the exit, posture subtle but clear. He was ready to leave if this turned into something else.
She reached for his arm before he could move farther away.
"Let’s stay. We need it," she whispered, leaning closer so only he could hear.
Her fingers tightened around his sleeve.
The map was not optional.
