Chapter 688 Chapter 688
Deva accepted a gummy bear from Amari and sat on the floor next to the chair she was in. The house wasn’t big enough for the number of bodies in it. When they’d finally gotten all the kids fed, Tesha and the people who had been waiting for them here took them outside for exercise.
Calum leaned against the wall by the door, looking into the small den that Illias was in.
“Okay.” Illias came out and handed him a piece of paper. “It took some planning, but I think we finally got it.”
Illias had been on the phone with Devin, Blaise and a few others since they’d come back from their run. Setting up transport for so many had been complicated.
Calum looked at the page and nodded. “Looks good.”
“Oh.” Illias held up his hand. “Before I forget. The winter gear will be here in a half hour.”
Deva glanced at Amari and saw that she also hadn’t remembered they were going back into the snow on this transport.
“It may not be everyone’s favorite color or whatever, but sizes should work for now.” He shrugged.
“When will the others be here?” Calum motioned to the paper.
“In an hour roughly.” Illias went back into the other room.
“Okay.” Calum looked around the room. “We’re going to stagger leaving. First out is Calla and Creed.” He paused to locate them in the crowded space. “You’re taking the male to the center and the two women to Arcadia. In four hours, so grab a nap if you can.”
Creed blew out a breath. “Long drive.”
“They’re all going to be long,” Asher mumbled.
“Konner and Terah will be leaving shortly with Willow.” Calum didn’t look up. “In six hours, Gideon, Amari, and Tripp will be taking the four boys under ten.” He looked at Amari and then Tripp. “We’re not one hundred percent of their clans yet, but for the time being, they’re going to stay at Vesper’s clan. One of the Alliance researchers is there.”
Amari and Tripp exchanged a look.
“Will that be a problem? Going there?”
Tripp shook his head. “No problem. Researchers?”
Calum crossed his arms, the page being crinkled in his hand. “They’re going to do some blood tests, check the DNA markers, and hopefully, it will give us a clue about their clan.”
“They can do that?” Calla asked.
“Yes.” Shaelan stood up. “They’ve been collecting various samples and were able to note the minute differences that tell us which clan they are.”
“Cool.” Calla shrugged.
“It will help if they can be placed with their own clans while we find relatives,” Shaelan glanced at Calum. “At least that’s our hope.” She sat down.
“Okay.” Calum looked at the page again. “Next, two teams are going out at the same time. Roughly in ten hours. Kelii, Tait, and Illias are taking four of the teen girls.” He looked at the paper. “We don’t have the location yet. Deva,” he looked at her. “You and Taggart are taking the other three teen girls.” He grinned. “One of them is going to Noah’s; they’ll meet you later to get her, and the other two are going to the factory. They’re the same clan as Fallan.”
Deva nodded. She didn’t know what clan that was, but she was excited she was going to get to see the factory.
“Asher,” Calum looked at him. “You, Journee, and Andi will be taking the five girls under ten—two hours after the others leave. We’re waiting on a destination.”
“Okay.” Asher hugged Journee closer to him.
“Shaelan and I will stay here and close up this location, and then we’re taking my mom to the factory.” He shrugged. “Any questions?”
No one spoke up.
“Go find a place to rest if you’re heading out soon.” Calum turned and looked at Amari and then Deva. “You are heading to get the other two rides.” He motioned to the room Illias was in. “Illias has some cash for you in case you need to grab anything.”
Deva looked over at Taggart. He had been very quiet since their run, and she wasn’t sure what was going on inside his mind. Getting up, she went to the hall where all of the totes had been stacked. They needed to be divided up, with everyone going in a different direction.
Journee followed her. “We thought the same thing.”
Deva opened the first one. “I’m just trying to avoid thinking too much.”
Journee smiled. “I don’t know how to do that, so if you figure it out, please share—” She shrugged.
“I don’t either,” Deva confessed. She looked around, trying to decide how to go about sorting the supplies. “I think we need to take some into the kitchen to empty out.”
Journee nodded and picked one up.
“How are you doing?”
Journee set the tote on the table and looked at her. “Everything is so different.”
“I imagine it is.” Deva had almost forgotten that she’d been on that island for so long.
“Now I can’t stop thinking about Emi, my sister.” She went back into the hall and got another tote. “I don’t know if she’s alive or—” She looked out the window. “I don’t know what to tell Madilyn.”
Deva picked up the next tote and followed her back to the kitchen. “I hope you find out about your sister, but I think she’d be happy that you have her daughter.” Deva couldn’t think about lost people right now. She needed to focus on the hope more.
Journee put the tote down and looked at her. “I don’t know anything about looking after children…”
“Hey,” Deva put her hand on her arm. “Don’t worry about that. There’s enough help if you need it.” She nodded. “I have three little sisters. They’re older now, but the age Madilyn is?” She grinned. “Easy. Food, fun, and hugs. That’s what my mom used to say.”
“Food, fun, and hugs.” Journee smiled slowly. “I can do that.”
“Let’s get this started before I have to leave to get one of the transport vehicles.”