Chapter 4The Scorch: He Gave His Ticket to a Student and Watched His World Burn

David's brow furrowed.

"What are you smiling about, June?"

His eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Are you doing this on purpose? Trying to back me into a corner, to force my hand into taking your mother?"

I opened my suitcase on the bed, not sparing him a single glance.

"Don't worry," I said, my voice flat. "My mother and I won't interfere with your two spots on the Ark."

I began dumping my belongings into the suitcase, then went to the closet and started pulling out old keepsakes—anniversary gifts, photo albums—and tossing them into the trash.

In the apocalypse, they were just junk. Including all the sentiments attached to them.

David picked up a small, stuffed bear from the trash—our third-anniversary gift. His face darkened.

I didn't want to talk to him anymore. I packed my things and moved them into the guest room with my mother.

The next three days were tense. Resources were tight, and each meal was just a small cup of water and a protein bar.

But on the last night before our departure, I woke up thirsty and saw Chloe in the kitchen, using precious ice cubes from the freezer to soothe her face.

I said nothing, but the moment she saw me, her eyes filled with tears.

"Mrs. Blackwood… my skin was just so dry… I just wanted a little hydration… I'm sorry, I won't do it again…"

David, drawn by the noise, came out and shot a cool look in my direction.

"June, she's just a kid. Don't be so hard on her."

I was stunned. Just yesterday, he was complaining that my mother was a burden, and now it was clear he was saving our rations for his "kid."

My eyes met Chloe's over his shoulder. The feigned vulnerability on her face slowly hardened into a triumphant, knowing smirk.

I was too exhausted to fight. I simply collected my and my mother's rations and returned to my room.

David started to reach for me, but then let his hand fall, that strange, suffocating feeling returning to his chest.

The third day arrived. I hauled our luggage to the designated pickup point, my mother leaning on my arm.

When David saw me, he immediately pulled me aside, his voice tight with agitation.

"June, do you really have to follow me? Are you this desperate?"

"I already told you, you and your mother are on the second transport! Can't you understand plain English?"

"Besides," he added, his voice rising in a crescendo of self-righteousness, "even if I didn't take Chloe, and I took you instead, would you really abandon your own mother? I'm doing this for your own good!"

Once again, he was launching into a tirade on behalf of Chloe.

A bitter, self-mocking smile touched my lips. "Who's following you? I told you, you don't have to worry about our tickets. I have my own way."

David's brow tightened. He grabbed my arm. "June, you haven't worked in years. What 'way' could you possibly have? Can you stop being so stubborn?"

His words almost made me laugh. The single research fellowship at the Institute all those years ago… it was mine. I gave it up so David could have his career.

I wrenched my arm from his grasp. "David, please don't make me regret every single moment I spent believing I wasn't blind."

He stared at his empty hand, his face twisting in anger as he shouted, "June, everything I've done is the result of careful consideration! Why can't you just trust me one more time!"

Not wanting my mother to hear, I pulled my luggage away from him. "You don't need to worry about me."

David opened his mouth to say more, but just then, a sleek, armored vehicle rolled to a stop in front of us. The Noah's Ark.

I helped my mother toward the ramp. David panicked.

"June, are you insane? You don't have a spot! Are you planning to storm the vehicle?"

He shot a look at Chloe. "Get on, quickly, before someone takes your seat."

Chloe flashed a smug smile and hurried forward. But as she stepped onto the ramp, an official in a crisp uniform blocked her path, checking a datapad.

"Apologies, ma'am. This transport was chartered by Director Quinn to collect Ms. June Vance and her mother. Please do not interfere with our duties."

In an instant, the color drained from David's face. He looked like he'd been struck by lightning.