Chapter 921 Chapter 921
Marie followed Nichelle down the hall. She smiled at her. “You’ll get used to where everything is.”
“I just want to feel helpful.”
Nichelle nodded. “I get that. When I’m not studying, I help in the kitchen or packing and unpacking totes.” She turned and opened a door. “The supplies for each vehicle that goes out are so important.”
They walked into a room with tables lined along the wall. They had different colored totes sitting on them.
Nichelle looked around. “Webb should be here in a minute. I saw the truck coming in.” She shrugged. “Have a look around.”
Marie nodded and went over to look in one of the totes. It looked like it was full of medical supplies, and the one beside it was, too. When she looked in a different-colored one, she saw that it contained food items.
“Webb came up with a color system so when they’re out, they know what in each instead of digging through them all.”
“It’s a good idea.”
When she heard humming, she turned to see Webb coming in, pulling a flat cart with wheels. He stopped and looked at Nichelle and then at her.
Marie double-checked that her neck was covered.
“Are these ready to go?” Nichelle pointed to the totes.
Webb nodded. “Mostly. I just unloaded the supplies, and we’re sending these to Zain, along with some cases of things.”
“We came to help.”
He pushed the cart to the side and shrugged. “Cool.” His mouth may have said it was good, but the look on his face was saying he was unsure.
Nichelle pulled the phone out of her pocket. “Oh, " she looked at Marie. “Are you okay here? Fionna is going to let me do the assessments on your friends.”
“Assessments?”
She nodded. “Probably just letting me practice a full medical checkup.”
No one had said they weren’t feeling well.
“We’re trying to get as much info as we can on different clans, so we have a better understanding of everyone in the community.
She felt relieved. “Muna feels sick quite often.” Maybe they could figure out why. Too often her friend would sleep more and had no energy.
“What clan is she?”
“We’re not sure. Many of us are orphans and have been with Cassius' since we were little.” She looked at Webb for a second and then back to her. “I was a baby. My mother was injured, and we were being hunted, so she told them to leave her behind and keep me safe.” It was one of the reasons she tried to meet as many new groups as possible, watching the women, hoping there would be something familiar.
“That’s so sad. Do you know what clan you’re from?”
She nodded, might as well tell them the truth. “My mom was a bear clan.” She glanced at Webb. “My dad was one-form.” His expression didn't change until he looked at Nichelle, who returned it look. “Cassius thinks that’s why I don’t shift.”
“We can do some tests if you want. For Muna too. We, well, not me, but the medical researchers have figured out a way to recognize what clan most are from.”
“Muna would love that. What about young children? Can you tell with them? I think it would make Sagan feel better if he knew what clan he was.” She just wanted to see him walk around without wearing that old, tattered mask and feel good about himself. An eight-year-old shouldn’t feel ashamed.
“I can ask.”
Marie nodded. “Thank you. Averyana, Muna and Shandi would love to know their clans. Cassius too because they’re all close to the change.”
Nichelle looked at Webb. “So far, all I get to do is stock supplies, cleanup, and take blood pressure.”
Webb grinned. “You have to start somewhere. Everything each one of us does is important.”
Nichelle gave him a bored look. “Did Kobie tell you to say that?”
“No.” He grinned, “But I heard her tell Akira that. You guys are the future, and you’ll be much more prepared than we were.” He looked around. “I started delivering messages to clans and settling bickering. Now, I supply most of the teams and keep them moving forward to find all of our kind.”
Nichelle’s phone beeped. “I have to go. Are you okay staying to help Webb?”
Marie looked at the totes. “Yes. I’d like to help. All I’ve done since I got here is make food and pack food.”
Webb shrugged. “Food is a very important thing.” He patted his stomach.
Nichelle laughed. “I’ll come find you when I’m done.”
“Thank you,” Marie said again as she watched her leave the room.