#Chapter 71: Alex’s Curse

Alex offers to help me clean up the kitchen while Ryan packs supplies. Rita’s leg is a lot better. She also offers to help, but Alex tells her to rest, his excuse being that he hopes we can go back to the Ayzena base in the next day or two, and that he needs her at full strength if this issue isn’t resolved. “I want to come with you,” Rita argues. “I deserve the right to kill some rogue scum.” “You’ll get your chance,” Alex assures her. “Just not today. For all we know, this will be a bust and we’ll come back empty handed.” Rita reluctantly agrees and reclines on the couch, elevating her leg. With a little privacy, I get nosey. “Doooyyou. Think. You’ll find them?” Alex keeps his hands busy and his eyes on his task. “I think we’ll find them today.” “Really?” I ask, my hands emersed in hot, sudsy water. “They were close enough to find you, which either means their base is close by or they have scouts watching the woods. My money is on a nearby base.” “Be careful,” I say, my voic