"Evelyn Ford and Ronan Kendrick are very capable, but we still have to be careful in a place that could leave an expedition team with no survivors. They say the Cannibals have long lifespans, averaging a hundred and fifty years."
Evelyn Ford found that unlikely. "Cannibalism leads to prion diseases. It would only shorten their lives, not lengthen them."
"That’s true. In any case, once we enter the Forbidden Zone, we’ll find out for ourselves if there are really Cannibals in there."
Officer Graham and Wendy started preparing dinner. Worried the smell of hotpot would linger in the RV, everyone moved the tables and chairs to an open space to cook. Thanks to the storage batteries and generator, there was no need to gather firewood.
"Come and get some watermelon, everyone! You can tell it’s sweet just by the smell. Come on, one slice for each of you, help yourselves." Quincy placed the sliced watermelon on a plate, and everyone took a piece.
The watermelon was huge—an authentic Premium Watermelon grown in the safe zone. It had a thin rind and was crisp and sweet, not the least bit mealy.
"It’s so sweet! How was it preserved for this long?"
Evelyn Ford just smiled. "Impressive, isn’t it?"
The desert wind was picking up. Ronan Kendrick was only wearing a sweater; he wasn’t afraid of the cold, but seeing him dressed so lightly, Evelyn still grabbed a military greatcoat and draped it over his shoulders. To be honest, she suspected he was deliberately showing off his sweater.
"This fish... you didn’t catch this at sea, did you?"
"We did. There’s king crab, too. Want some?"
Quincy was practically drooling.
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
Evelyn Ford made a zipping motion across her lips. "I just need you to keep quiet. You’re way too loud."
Quincy nodded quickly and mimed zipping his own mouth shut.
After five hours of driving, the vehicle needed fuel. Ethan Dawson had been worried they didn’t have enough gasoline, but he was completely reassured when Evelyn Ford, without a hint of stinginess, readily handed him two full barrels.
Once the hotpot was ready, everyone gathered around and began to eat. As for the few who were unable to get out of bed, their meals had already been brought to them.
"Will it get a little cold tonight?"
"It won’t. The heat is on, and we have electric blankets."
Evelyn Ford glanced around. "We might get a visit from some wild animals."
"Are we allowed to hunt?" Ethan Dawson asked, looking at Evelyn.
"Of course. Why not?"
"You’ve got a handgun, so you’re on hunting duty. We’ll be waiting for the fresh meat."
All Quincy could think about now was feasting. The past few years of poverty had truly traumatized him; he had lived every day so carefully that he never even dared to eat his fill.
Ethan Dawson waved his hand dismissively. "Even the best cook can’t make a meal without ingredients. I may have a gun, but I don’t have any bullets."
"No way. You don’t have a single bullet left?" Evelyn didn’t believe he could have used them up so quickly. He hadn’t even used his handgun recently.
"I still have a box," Ethan Dawson explained hurriedly. "But not many."
"Then you’d better use them sparingly. We still have to cross the Forbidden Zone and the desert. There are unknown dangers ahead on this journey, and weapons are crucial."
Evelyn was full. She got up and stretched to aid her digestion. Then, as if remembering something, she pulled Ronan Kendrick along and led him into the RV.
Wyatt Vaughn saw Evelyn and Ronan get on and tried to sit up to greet them, but Evelyn stopped her. "Just lie down and get some rest. Does your throat still hurt?"
Wyatt Vaughn shook her head. Seeing how tired she looked, Evelyn didn’t disturb her further. She pulled Ronan to the bunk beds at the very back and drew the privacy curtain.
"I’m going to take a shower."
Ronan wrapped an arm around her waist. "Together."
She’d wanted him to stand guard, not to do anything X-rated. But to her surprise, Ronan pulled her directly into her spatial dimension and, without a word, pressed her into a kiss.
She rarely saw him act so forcefully and was completely stunned.
’Her physical body can only stay in the dimension for an hour, and she had no desire to be ejected from it stark naked.’
"I... I need to take a shower."
Ronan nodded, his expression completely serious. "I’ll help you."
"No, thanks. You should go out first. We only have an hour, stop messing around."
Ronan chuckled. "An hour isn’t enough, but I’ll try to be quick."
’What on earth was he saying? Such shameless words! It’s only been a few days, has he gone crazy from holding back?’
Besides, they were still in the RV, and Wyatt Vaughn was right outside the curtain. Even though they were in the dimension, Evelyn was so nervous her face turned beet red.
「An hour later.」
Evelyn emerged from the dimension wrapped in a greatcoat. Thankfully, the privacy curtain was still drawn, and no one else had come back to the RV yet.
Evelyn shot Ronan a glare and pinched his cheek, hard.
Ronan’s expression remained unchanged, as serious as ever. But beneath that celestial face was a surprisingly mischievous nature.
Evelyn’s mind was filled with what he had just said to her: ’Felicity, there are people outside. Be a little louder.’
Evelyn buried her face in her hands, feeling as if smoke were about to pour out of her ears.
"The moon’s out, Wyatt! There’s a moon tonight," Quincy said, climbing into the RV with Zoe in his arms, excitedly sharing the news with Wyatt Vaughn.
Wyatt Vaughn had fallen asleep and was still a bit dazed after he woke her.
"Where are Evelyn and Ronan?" Quincy walked up to the privacy curtain and cleared his throat. "Turning in this early?"
Evelyn yanked open the privacy curtain. Ronan was sitting on the far side of the bunk, reading a book, while she herself was holding a comb and brushing her hair.
"What is it?"
"The moon’s out."
Her interest piqued, Evelyn put on her shoes to go see the moon, but Ronan grabbed her. She jumped, thinking he was about to start something again.
"I’m going too."
Evelyn felt his hand was burning hot. She grabbed a nearby hat, put it on, and cleared her throat. "Let’s go."
The moon was beautiful tonight. Although it wasn’t full, it was exceptionally bright, hanging in the sky like a piece of white jade.
Wrapped in the military greatcoat, Evelyn sat on a chair and admired the moon.
Taylor Vance, Zion Lowell, and the others came down as well. Someone had built a small bonfire nearby, and the sparks hissed and crackled nonstop.
Ethan Dawson walked over. "What time are we leaving tomorrow?"
"Seven-thirty. Everyone get a good rest tonight."
He stared at Ronan for a few seconds, then gave a knowing smile. Ronan looked confused and even touched his own face. Ethan pointed to his neck. Just as this happened, Evelyn looked up and saw the mark on Ronan’s Adam’s apple. She was so embarrassed she felt like her head was going to start smoking again.
The realization dawned on Ronan as well. He pulled his greatcoat tighter to cover the mark, then glanced down at Evelyn, who looked like she wanted the ground to swallow her whole. He reached out and ruffled her hair.
Evelyn glared at him. He leaned down, close to her ear.
"Well done."
Evelyn... ’This man really is a bit of a pervert.’
"Ooh, there’s a star!" Wendy exclaimed, pointing at the night sky next to the moon and jumping in excitement.
"It’s twinkling! Dad, that star is so bright."
"That’s Venus. It’s the star closest to the moon."
"It has a name?"
Officer Graham nodded. "Most stars have names."
Evelyn looked up at the solitary star in the night sky. Ronan looked down at her, his eyes filled with a smiling warmth.