Special case. Part two
Jones arrived when the horizon was wrapped in heavy purple clouds. Foxy's car stood next to the bonfire with its bonnet standing guard, like a watchdog. Completing the protective circle with his car, Jones jumped out of the chair, stretched his legs and pulled a backpack with supplies from the passenger seat. A kettle was already hung over the fire, and it emanated a pleasant draft of smoked meat.
A small palm lay on the shoulder of the engineer. Jones turned around:
— Glad that you... that you're both here.
— Your rear really is in one piece, — Foxy laughed, shrugging her shoulders. In her hand, the sniper held a bag of dried bread. After a short hug, the girl pulled away, put her hand in the bag, took out a toast and held it to her hood, holding it up.
— Been saving it for you, — Jones chuckled, following the gesture with his eyes.
— Yeah, right! Get to the campfire, you're late!
— No more than Duncan!
— He has a lot on his plate, — Foxy said sadly. — He took on the dirty work, as always... We will discuss after dinner.
They ate in silence. Jones tried not to knock the metal bowl with his spoon very much — the lonely wandering around the Wasteland shook the already simple manner. Foxy sighed wistfully, occasionally throwing pieces of crackers somewhere behind her back and resenting in a whisper when someone or something did not want to eat them. Jones did not pay attention. Foxy's habits are well known to everyone.
When the meal was finished, the girl was the first to break the silence.
— We don't have to think that they all will fight to the death, right? Duncan... he's nervous, and so am I. I want to think that there is not a lot of strong people, and the majority, most likely, will just quit in time, — Foxy said quietly, cracking a dry bread crust in her fingers with a crunch.
— Isn't this too much pity for strangers? — Jones' words scraped his throat. — Kindness is a good thing, but we are not in that position. While Ivy's going out of her way to make help us make friends with someone, it's best to stuff emotions far away and get to work.
— I agree with that. But I can't say that I don't worry. Duncan, of course, has more people than the other guys, but... — Foxy began, sharply lifting her head and looking somewhere over Jones' shoulder.
Catching her gaze, the Engineer smiled with a dry but friendly chuckle.
— Our beautiful knight is going somewhere behind my back?
— Yes, — Foxy smiled, squinting happily. — And don't you try telling me that you did not miss him.
— Big deal... - Jones grinned, adding more dry fuel to the fire. — Not that much!
A growing engine roar ripped through the twilight. Duncan put the car as he should have — finishing the circle, spikes facing outwards. They always did that.
— Thank you for responding, — said Duncan, walking up to the fire with a canvas bag in his hands. — Besides you, I have no one to discuss the future with.
To be concluded..
