9.1 Proposal

Frowning lightly, you ignore James' comment and quickly pick up the discarded map. Sighing in frustration, you find it's been slightly smudged during the earlier scuffle.

"This was all but finished." You mutter in annoyance and tentatively try smoothing the wrinkled paper. "Now, I might have to start over."

James lets out a lazy yawn before throwing his arm over your shoulder. Shooting him a less than pleased look, you shrug the heavy appendage away before stepping forward into the light.

"I don't know why you're bothering with it to begin with." He comments casually, seemingly unperturbed by your cold shoulder. "You already have the original."

Your back reflexively tenses at his unexpected words. You hurriedly attempt to calm your nervous expression before turning to face the man. Giving him your best impression of a confused look, you try to read his lackadaisical expression.

"The original?" You ask feigning further confusion while unconsciously fidgeting with a lock of hair.

"Don't worry," James smiles slyly as he reaches forward and gently pulls your hand away from your face. "Your secret is safe with me."

You remain silent and continue studying the man's increasingly mischievous expression. Breathing in softly, you hesitantly slide your fingers along the back of his hand in what you hope is a friendly gesture.

"How did you know?" You inquire, keeping your tone light and boarding on flirtatious.

"You're not as subtle as you think." He admits, glancing over at your makeshift bed where the map is currently hidden. "Thankfully to my knowledge, Boyd hasn't picked up on that yet."

Nodding absentmindedly, your thoughts quickly race through a series of possible scenarios. Your attention is unfortunately drawn away when you feel James' hand tighten around your own.

"I'd like to keep it that way." You hear him continue speaking while placing his other hand on your shoulder. "You're not the only one who's grown tired of his dichotomy."

"What exactly are you driving at?" You question, tilting your head slightly in genuine confusion.

James pauses briefly before leaning down to speak in your ear. A small shiver runs through your body when his warm breath brushes against your still flushed cheek.

"You remake the map with a few minor adjustments." He states in a low voice, his tone uncharacteristically serious. "Then we use the real one to get out of here."

Your eyes blink quickly in surprise and unexpected guilt. You're unsure why you feel **** to trick the surly older man. It is true he's been nothing more than a thorn in your side since arrival. Nevertheless, you find yourself rather nonplussed at the idea. Biting your lip apprehensively, you pull your head back and look at James' now stern expression. Regardless of your ultimate decision, you know there is only one answer you can give him without risking reprise.

"When do we leave?"

His previous smile quickly returns to his face as he gives your hand a small squeeze.

"We'll have to time it right." He begins in an excited tone, only furthering your conflicted feelings of guilt. "Boyd keeps wasting all his time on this foolhardy idea of getting one of the planes working. I'm sure we can use that to our advantage."

"Or we just say we're testing the map's accuracy out again." You hear yourself thinking out loud before you're aware of the words coming out.

"I knew there was a reason I liked you." James beams smugly, moving his hand up to gently nudge your chin playfully. "I mean, aside from the obvious reasons."

Stifling your natural urge to retort sarcastically, you instead offer him a small smile. Perhaps he is right and your time here has run its course. However, you're not entirely sure his companionship will be needed. Deciding to worry about this later, you give the man another smile before gingerly placing a hand on his arm.

"I'll get started on the new map." You direct while trying to remain agreeable. "You start making the necessary arrangements?"

James nods eagerly before pulling you into an unexpected hug. Your body tenses in surprise as you feel his large body press against yours.

"You have no idea how happy you've made me." He admits softly, his voice boarding on emotion. "I've been dreaming of leaving for months now."

The twinge of guilt increases as you now find yourself feeling suddenly sympathetic towards the young man. Sighing softly, you hesitantly try to relax your muscles while allowing the embrace to continue.

"Okay, okay." You quickly breathe out as his arms continue tightening around your small frame. "Don't get too excited, we don't know if there is anything out there worth finding."

James clears his throat quickly before somewhat reluctantly pulling away. He nods brusquely while brushing his shaggy bangs out of his face.

"I know." He replies while obviously trying to stifle his anticipation. "But a campground will probably have supplies if not people."

His hopeful demeanor nearly causes a wince to flash across your face. You had momentarily forgotten about your half lie about the nearby campsite. You had the fortune, or possible misfortune, of being set up there during the unexpected world destruction. While you had miraculously survived the ordeal, you're more than certain that you were the only one in the area with such luck. Still, it may be worth heading in that direction as it is near the border of the state. It has long haunted you that you had decided to head in the other direction. While the neighboring state had been a further distance from the town you had intended on visiting, there is a good chance it sustained less damage. Swallowing your feelings, you give the man an encouraging nod before moving to being your new task.