Chapter 398: Chapter 398: Scorching Sun (3)
Wendy wanted to learn how to ride a horse, and Evelyn Ford felt she should practice too. She had a premonition that after the drought, they might have to leave this place again.
During dinner, Evelyn explained her plan. Officer Graham had no objections. Rather than coddling her, he hoped Wendy would learn more skills. She would grow up eventually, just as he would one day grow old. He couldn’t protect her forever.
"I wonder how long this will last."
"Just like every disaster before, we’ll get through this one too."
Wendy suddenly sighed, and everyone turned to look at her.
"What’s wrong?"
Wendy shook her head. "I don’t know. I just feel... annoyed."
Officer Graham smiled. "That’s the price of growing up. The older you get, the more worries you have. Do you still want to grow up?"
"Yes. When I’m grown up, you won’t have to work so hard."
Officer Graham was very gratified.
After the meal, Evelyn gave a packet of medicine to Officer Graham and asked him to pass it to Taylor Vance. Officer Graham understood her intentions. He asked about Taylor’s condition, and Evelyn told him everything in detail.
"He has two years at most. Besides the physical trauma, he has a psychological burden he can’t let go of."
Officer Graham had never pried into Taylor Vance’s private affairs before. Hearing what Evelyn said made him feel terrible.
"His burden is probably not just his family, but also his grudge against the Holloway and Hooper families."
Evelyn Ford nodded. "Exactly. Please try to talk to him for me. We don’t lack medicine, so tell him not to worry about that. As for the Holloway and Hooper families, that score will be settled eventually."
"Okay." Officer Graham took the medicine and left. Watching the setting sun, Evelyn’s mood gradually improved.
Starting this month, the days had become noticeably longer and the nights shorter. By the time the sun had completely set, it was already around nine-thirty. The others had come out of their cabins. Quincy and Miles Vaughn were playing badminton. Evelyn went over to watch for a bit. They were both pretty average, and at one point, Quincy even sent his racket flying when he tried to return the shuttlecock.
"Evelyn, want to play?"
Evelyn shook her head. "I don’t feel like moving."
"Where’s Ronan Kendrick?" Quincy glanced around, a little disappointed when he didn’t see him. Evelyn looked at him, amused.
"Why are you looking for him?"
"No reason, just curious." Quincy sidled up to Evelyn and said mysteriously, "Evelyn, Ronan Kendrick isn’t actually human, is he?"
Evelyn was speechless.
"If he’s not human, then what is he?"
Quincy said with a completely serious expression, "I suspect he’s a demon. First off, his looks aren’t normal. What man looks like that? He’s prettier than a woman, and his skin is unnaturally pale. I’ve observed him before. He doesn’t sweat, he doesn’t get pimples, he doesn’t even have blackheads. And his hair—that has to be its natural color, right? It’s not from being poisoned. How could he possibly be poisoned?"
She had to admit, Quincy’s analysis actually made some sense.
"Too bad he’s not a demon. Please, believe in science."
Quincy’s expression grew solemn. "It’s the apocalypse, and you’re telling me to believe in science?"
Evelyn coughed. "Have you ever seen a ghost?"
"No."
"Well, there you have it. If you’ve never even seen a ghost, how could you have possibly seen a demon?"
Quincy felt like Evelyn was messing with him, but her expression was so serious, it didn’t look like she was lying at all.
"So he’s really human?"
"If he weren’t human, do you think I could have survived this long, being with him every day?"
Quincy nodded. "You have a point. Besides, Ronan Kendrick has a shadow."
"Then why is he so powerful? That doesn’t conform to science either."
"Some people have high IQs, while others are intellectually challenged. Some people have hyperthymesia, while others can’t even remember what they ate yesterday. Do you think that conforms to science?"
Evelyn successfully persuaded Quincy. "Then where did his special abilities come from?"
Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "He was probably born with them. If you’re so curious, go ask him yourself."
"Never mind. I’m afraid he’ll beat me up. I’ll stop being curious from now on."
Evelyn yawned and got up to head back to the cabin. "Who’s on patrol tonight?"
"I think it’s Peter Owens."
Evelyn nodded. "Got it."
Back in the cabin, Ronan Kendrick was reading. Officer Graham hadn’t returned yet, and Wendy had gone to the stables, so he was alone in the bedroom. Evelyn walked over to him and saw that he was reading a mystery novel.
"Quincy just told me he suspects you’re a demon," Evelyn said, unable to stop herself from laughing.
Ronan pulled her hand into his. "He has a good imagination."
"I don’t know why, but I feel a little panicked."
Ronan put down his book and pulled Evelyn closer. "Panicked? Is it because of the weather?"
"That’s part of it."
Evelyn poured herself a glass of ice water. "I just feel like something bad is going to happen. It’s making me restless."
Evelyn look at Ronan. "Let’s prepare some things for everyone in advance. If there really is a sudden emergency, we might have to flee on our own again. No one will be able to look out for anyone else. The most I can do is prepare an emergency kit for each of them."
Evelyn took out a box of lighters from her space. She had bought them wholesale online for fifty cents each and had purchased several thousand.
"Lighters, medicine, and some rice and flour too."
Evelyn frowned. "I hope I’m just overthinking this."
"Evelyn, don’t put too much pressure on yourself."
Evelyn’s mind was a mess. She shook her head. ’It’s not that I’m putting pressure on myself. It’s my sixth sense telling me that something bad might happen soon.’
’The kits can’t be too heavy, or they’ll be a burden. I need to keep the weight to around eleven pounds.’
"Let’s give them some seeds. I don’t know what’s most important... pumpkin and corn seeds. I’ll pack half a pound for each person."
"Ronan, you have to believe me. I have a really bad feeling. It was just like this back in Aeridor—I was panicky, restless, and my right eyelid wouldn’t stop twitching."
Evelyn was especially worried about Taylor Vance and Zion Lowell. They were both older, and if another major disaster struck, their bodies might not be able to handle it.
’And Zoe, too.’
But everyone has their own fate. When that moment truly came, Evelyn wouldn’t be able to save anyone. After all, her space still couldn’t hold living people.
Ronan gently patted Evelyn’s back. "If you’re really that worried, why don’t we leave? We can go far, far away from here."
Evelyn gave a bitter smile. "Disasters don’t choose their locations. Where could we possibly go?"
Hearing footsteps outside, she figured Officer Graham and Wendy were back. Evelyn didn’t continue the conversation.
"Evelyn, Ronan, is it a good time to talk?" It was Officer Graham. Evelyn put her things back into her space before going to open the door.
"Mr. Graham, come in and talk." Officer Graham didn’t move, just stood in the doorway.
"I just gave the medicine to Taylor Vance and convinced him to take it. I talked with him for a long time. His psychological burden is indeed heavy." Officer Graham’s expression was a little grim.
"He’s still carrying a badly damaged cell phone. He told me that the last time he spoke to his parents, he had to hang up in a hurry because of an urgent matter. And before his daughter blocked him, she called him once, but he missed it because he was in a meeting."
Officer Graham sighed. "He’s carrying a heavy sense of guilt. It’s a burden he can’t seem to overcome."
