Chapter 240:Last night.
They spent the rest of the evening preparing. Neither Silver nor Ravenna wanted to leave anything to chance.
Death Row Valley wasn’t simply another hunting ground. Even though the mission itself was officially classified as an expedition into the Yellow Zone, its location near the border of the Red Zone made the distinction almost meaningless.
Silver had seen enough of the Yellow Zone to understand how quickly things could go wrong. The creatures they had encountered along the journey were only beasts that naturally lived within the Yellow Zone.
Death Row Valley was different.
The closer they got to the Red Zone, the more likely they were to encounter creatures that had no business being anywhere near their current strength.
Ravenna understood that as well. She checked her ammunition twice before putting it away and Silver did the same.
They also checked their medical supplies, food, water, communication device, spare magazines, and the equipment they had bought earlier.
Their car received another inspection as well. Silver crouched beside one of the wheels, checking the condition of the tires.
Ravenna stood nearby.
"You’re checking that again?"
"Yes."
"You checked it an hour ago."
"And now I’m checking it again."
She shook her head.
"You really are nervous."
Silver looked up at her.
"Maybe."
"You’re usually not this thorough."
"I usually don’t know we’re walking into a place where Dillain found an extremely valuable Awakening Stone."
Ravenna crossed her arms.
"Fair."
Silver stood.
"Besides, the car needs to survive the journey, things happen."
Ravenna sighed, then smiled.
"Hurry, I’m starting to get hungry."
They returned to their room. The sanctuary lights had gradually came on, illuminating the streets.
Silver looked through the window. Even at night, the city remained active.
Ravenna sat on the edge of the bed and looked at the time.
"Three hours until we need to sleep."
Silver nodded.
"We should eat early today and to sleep earlier."
"Agreed."
They had dinner at the hotel room rather than going downstairs. Neither wanted to risk staying out too late. While eating, Ravenna occasionally glanced at Silver.
He noticed.
"What?"
"Are bored or just feel like doing something, or just anything?"
Silver smiled.
"I’m thinking about tomorrow, I don’t think I’ll be bored just yet."
"Aren’t you feeling anything else. Most of the time when we’re together it’s always just planning this and planning that. Which is fine by the way,I love hearing do that, but I sometimes want us to talk about something silly or stupid you know. I know you don’t talk a lot but a little would help... God I feel like a nagging girlfriend."
She took another bite.
"Haah... I’ll talk for both of us if you can’t. You just listen."
Silver paused but didn’t look up at her.
"I’m sorry. I’m not really good at small talk and communicating... shit... I like hearing your voice. To top it off, I was an only child and most of the friends I had weren’t really big talkers. And even in the military, it was even worse. When you’re basically trying to survive of a base full of sweaty men each trying to become a major or general for the incentive. And after my parents died, I might have spiraled and just shut myself off."
Ravenna was quiet for a moment before nodding.
"I noticed that, I didn’t mean to make you feel guilty."
Silver didn’t immediately answer. Ravenna continued.
"But we can even talk about the sky, just tell me the sky is beautiful or something. It’s still small talk, althougha lousy one at that."
She chuckled softly to herself. Silver smiled.
"The sky is dark today."
She burst into full blown laughter after that, then looked out at the glass windows.
"It sure is, there isn’t even on star."
"Do you think it might rain."
"It might, but I’m not sure the base would have notified us if it was about to rain."
Silver took a bite of his food before responding.
"I don’t think they’ll be accurate every single time, but my mom told me if there is a lot of sun during the day, expect rain in a while."
"Really, mine was basically the opposite. It was if it’s cold and windy there is a chance it might rain since the clouds would be pushed towards us."
She took a sip of her water before continuing.
"Have you ever seen an area where one side is raining while the other is not?"
Silver shook his head.
"I’ve heard about it."
"I’ve seen it. We were with Mallory at that time. While we were leaving home, the sanctuary was raining while half of the green zones were not."
"Maybe it’s retribution to your family, you’re an innocent they prosecuted."
She leaned against him until Silver could her warm breath against him. He raised his hand and lightly placed it on her waist.
"You believe in gods and all those things."
"Yes, I can say I’m a testimony of something like God’s existing. There is no other logical reasoning for my reincarnation and the system."
"Then perhaps this is simply another thing that makes you unique. I didn’t expect that from you."
Silver looked at her.
"You’re starting to sound like me."
"Don’t insult me."
He laughed. Ravenna smiled.
"Besides, you don’t even know what happened. It might just be a fluke."
"That’s true, let’s just go with that."
"This is a second chance, so cherish it."
Silver nodded slowly. That was something he had needed to remind himself of more often. He was always thankful for the second chance more than anyone.
Ravenna reached over and lightly touched his cheek.
"Stop worrying."
Silver covered her hand with his, then look up at her.
"I’ll try."
"Good."
They separated and finished their meal before asking the room service to take away their utensils.
Silver checked their equipment one final time, while Ravenna watched him.
"You’re doing it again."
"Last time."
"You said that before."
"This time I mean it."
She laughed.
Eventually, everything was ready. They set their alarms. Five in the morning wasn’t a time either of them enjoyed waking up, especially after everything they had been through.
Silver lay down and Ravenna settled beside him. The room became quiet. For several minutes, neither spoke, then Ravenna broke the silence.
"Silver."
"Hm?"
"Are you really sure about tomorrow?"
Silver turned toward her.
"Yes."
"Even knowing where we’re going?"
"Yes."
She was quiet.
"You know I trust you."
Silver smiled.
"Thank you."
"But I’m still worried."
"I know."
"If something feels wrong, we’re leaving. I can’t stress this enough Silver, no needless theoreticals..."
"Okay."
"Even if the stone is there."
Silver nodded.
"Even then."
That seemed to satisfy her. Ravenna closed her eyes.
"Good night."
Silver stared at the ceiling. Eventually, sleep took them.