“You didn’t find any pants?” Erik asked as I picked up the dirty pair of pants I’d worn for far too long.

  I shook my head. “Just some pajamas with a tie at the waist, but they were too thin.”

  “Well, if we find some camo, it’s not going to matter,” Erik said.

  The old pants felt itchy on my clean skin. It was like I could feel every bit of sand and dirt ingrained in the fabric.

  We moved through each room, checking every closet and every drawer, but there wasn’t anything. We even checked the garage.

  “Maybe there will be something at the next house,” Erik said.

  “We’re just going to keep going through houses until we find something?” I asked.

  “I don’t think it’ll take long to find something,” Erik said. “Unless, of course, his army is so massive they already cleaned out all the closets.”

  My brows knitted together. “That would be awful. Maybe we could find something at a store.”

  “To get to a store, we have to go into town,” Erik said.

  “Sneak into town,” I corrected.

  “Maybe, but I’m going to cross my fingers we find something before we get there.”

  The house was starting to get dark. Time was passing too quickly when all I wanted it to do was stop.

  “You okay?” Erik asked.

  “We should have found a candle,” I said, twisting my fingers.

  Erik cocked his head slightly. “There were two big ones on the coffee table in the living room. I considered bringing them back for Agnes.”

  “Shouldn’t we use one?” I asked.

  “If you want. I was afraid the light might attract unwanted eyes,” Erik said.

  I chewed the inside of my cheek. “You’re probably right. I swear, I’m just not thinking clearly.”

  “You’re probably hungry.”

  “I’m very hungry, and I’m thirsty, and I’m tired, and… and I’m terrified.”

  Erik wrapped his arms around me and I buried my face in his chest. I didn’t cry, but I wanted to.

  “You don’t have to do this,” Erik said, crouching slightly to look into my eyes. “I could go. It might be easier if I went alone. Elijah hasn’t ever seen me close up.”

  “Don’t kid yourself,” I said with a thick huff. “He knows exactly what you look like.”

  “He knows you even better,” Erik said.

  I blew out my cheeks. “Don’t remind me.”

  “Let’s get some rest,” Erik said, leading me toward the stairs.

  “I miss Dorian,” I said, glancing toward the door.

  I stepped away from Erik and raced over to the door, checking to make sure it was locked. I didn’t just twist the lock once, I twisted it three times and made sure it was in place before I turned to check the back door.

  “What are you doing?” Erik asked.

  My eyes stayed forward. “Checking the doors.”

  “I’ve already checked them.”

  “I’m checking them again,” I said.

  “It’s fine. We’re locked in,” Erik said.

  I ignored him. There wasn’t anything that he could say that would stop me from checking the doors. We were just much too close to Elijah to not check them.

  He didn’t say anything when I got back to the stairs. We silently walked up to the bedroom and locked ourselves in.

  “I’ll keep watch,” Erik said.

  “You need to sleep too,” I said.

  “I will,” Erik said.

  I laid down on the bed. Erik fluffed a pillow behind him and sat next to me, resting his hand on my shoulder.

  “Good night,” he said, leaning over to kiss the top of my head.

  “Night,” I said, blinking up at him several times before my eyelids felt heavy.

  At first, it was hard to fall asleep because I knew that in the morning, my life would change. Even though my mind wouldn’t quiet, my exhaustion knocked me out as if I’d taken sleeping medication.

  It didn’t last, though. I woke several times during the night. The first time I’d asked Erik if he wanted to switch. I could keep watch while he got some rest.

  He refused each time.

  The last time, however, his eyes were closed. I sat up, watching him breathe.

  Erik had become so important to me, I almost couldn’t comprehend it. It made my heart race. I couldn’t let anything happen to him.

  I moved so slowly out of the bed, not daring to squeak even a single bedspring. I picked up my shoes and carried them down the stairs.

  The house was quiet and dark, but there was enough light from the sun that would soon cross the horizon. I didn’t feel great about leaving without him, but I knew it was the one thing I could do to protect him.

  If things didn’t go according to plan, at least he wouldn’t have to watch me die. And I wouldn’t have to see whatever Elijah would do to make him suffer.

  I ate quickly.

  I brushed the crumbs off the table and took a piece of paper and a pen from off the counter. My hand shook as I pinched the pen between my finger and thumb.

  Erik,

  Wait here. I’ll be back soon with Sam and June. If something goes wrong and you need to leave, head back to Agnes’s and wait there.

  Do not come after me. I will be okay.

  See you soon,

  Mel.

  My words were cold. I’d wanted to put more into it, but I couldn’t. He wasn’t going to be happy I left, and nothing would change that.

  I grabbed one of the water bottles and peeked out of the back window. The waves on the bay were gentle. As far as I could tell, no one was out there hiding.

  I locked the door, holding onto the knob for a long minute. There was still time to change my mind and go back inside.

  I couldn’t risk anything happening to Erik. He needed to stay where it was safe. I silently closed the door and walked away from the house.

  I turned back to take one last look before jogging away.

  26

  It wouldn’t be long before I was there. Without any kind of protection, I was afraid to look in the houses for camouflage. I’d just be quick and sneaky.

  At least I wasn’t wearing bright colors. Even the people in Elijah’s gang must have changed into normal clothes once in a while. The camo would need to get washed sometime, wouldn’t it?

  I’d made good time. My adrenaline was pumping as I got closer and closer. The thought of seeing Sam again was almost overwhelming. It was almost as if I could feel her.

  “Morning,” a woman called.

  She’d been bent over behind a faded white picket fence, pulling a handful of carrots from a garden. The woman with glasses straightened her spine and squinted at me.

  “Morning,” I said, frozen solid.

  “Nice morning, isn’t it?” she asked, wiping her brow with the back of her hand. “Not too hot, not too cold. Perfect, some would say.”

  I looked at the small poofy clouds slowly drifting across the morning sky. The air was crisp with a gentle hint of mint from the Creeping Charlie that had infested the woman’s yard.

  “Yes,” I said, with a wave as I started to walk away.

  “Say,” she said, matching my steps. “What brings you around here? I haven’t seen many people after what happened.” Her nose wrinkled. “That is, except for those people.”

  I cocked my head, even though I knew exactly who she was referring to. “Which people?”

  “The gang that claims to be protecting me,” she said, pushing up her glasses. “That protection comes at a cost. You should really turn right back around and head back to wherever you came from.”

  “I wish I could,” I said.

  “Well,” she looked at the ground. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  I smiled. “I appreciate it. Oh,” I said, turning back to her with narrowed eyes. “You don’t happen to own any camouflage, do you?”

  “A jacket,” she said. “Why do you ask? You’re up to something, aren’t you?” She quickly held up her palm. “Never mind. I don’t want to know. Wait here.”

  Several minutes passed, and I was tempted to run off, but before I could, she reemerged from the front door, holding a thick camo jacket. She stopped five feet from me and held it out.

  “You can keep it,” she said.

  “Thanks,” I said, reaching forward to take it from her.

  “I’ll pray for you,” she said, clasping her hands together.

  My lips pressed together. “What makes you think I’m not already with them.”

  “I can just tell,” she said. “If I were younger and thinner, I wouldn’t have a choice. The only thing I am good for to them is sharing food from my garden or washing clothes for them. Sometimes they ask for other things.”

  “What kinds of things?” I asked.

  “Let’s not go there,” she said, her jaw stiffening. “They haven’t come around here in a while, so I’d rather not jinx it.”

  I exhaled slowly. “I have friends there.”

  “Oh, you aren’t going to be able to change their minds. They’re all brainwashed or something. They truly believe they are helping and doing good for the community,” the woman said.

  “Well, I have to try to find them,” I said, slipping into the much too warm and much too big jacket. “When was the last time you’d gone to town?”

  The woman’s nose wrinkled as she looked to the side as if trying to recall a memory. “Hmm,” she said, tapping her foot. “A few weeks ago, I had to bring in a basket of tomatoes.”

  “You don’t know where I could find someone that was being held against their will, do you?” I asked.

  The woman took a step back. “I mind my own business when I’m there. Those aren’t people I plan to cross.”

  “Yeah, I totally under—”

  “But if I had noticed something, I’d say they keep those they don’t trust in cabins near the bay,” she said, looking directly into my eyes. “Of course, they’d probably keep the area heavily guarded. You know, for their own safety. Like I said, though, I mind my own business.”

  I smiled. “Thank you.”

  “For the jacket?”

  “Yes,” I replied.

  “You’re welcome,” she said. “When you’re done with it. Burn it.”

  I nodded. “Excellent idea.”

  “Take care,” she said, turning her back to me.

  Her feet moved quickly as she made her way back to the front door. She slipped inside the house and closed the curtains.

  If it weren’t for the jacket, I’d wonder if I’d dreamed the whole encounter.

  Things might have gone well with the woman, but I needed to be more careful. I hadn’t even noticed her until I was too close. I couldn’t let that happen when I got closer to town.

  My life depended on not making any mistakes.

  I stayed close to the beach, as close to any trees or shrubs that I could. When I saw the resort, I froze.

  27

  It was hard to believe that I’d actually made it. Of course, I hadn’t gotten to the hard part yet.

  For a split second, I was impressed that I’d had the courage to leave Erik safely behind and venture forward on my own. It didn’t last long, though.

  Everything around me blurred and became grainy, like a TV station that wouldn’t come in clear. It formed a tunnel around me, and the only thing I could see was the resort.

  With each passing second, the tunnel shrunk around me. If it swallowed me, I wouldn’t get Sam back. They’d find me on the beach curled up in a ball.

  It would be too easy for Elijah. I squeezed my eyes shut until everything turned black, and my ears rang. When I opened my eyes again, the tunnel was growing, and everything started to clear.

  I almost laughed out loud when my feet started to move.

  There wasn’t anyone around, which made it easy to get closer. I worried that I’d be seen by people looking out their windows, but no one came after me. Perhaps the camo jacket was enough to make it look as though I belonged.

  The resort wasn’t as big as I thought it would be. There were a few cabins along the bay and others scattered about, mostly hidden by trees and shrubbery, to give the illusion of privacy.

  It was at the first cabin that I saw another person. He stood in front of the door, holding a large gun. His eyes stayed on the water, but he shifted his weight quickly from one foot to the other.

  The guard abruptly slung his gun over his shoulder and jogged over ten feet to the nearest tree. He looked around before bouncing on the balls of his feet and unzipping the front of his pants.

  I ran to the next tree while he relieved himself for what seemed like a very long time. His shoulders relaxed, and he leaned forward, resting his forehead on the tree.

  I ran to the cabin and pressed my back against the siding next to the window. My chest was tight from my hectic breaths.

  The sounds of his feet scratching the ground tensed my muscles. I stood on my tiptoes and peered into the window.

  There was only a small gap between the closed curtains. I couldn’t see anything except for a pair of sandals next to a chair. They weren’t Sam’s shoes.

  I turned back and gasped at the face staring at me. Narrowed eyes studied me as my hands flew over my mouth.

  “Hello,” the young woman with thick, curly red hair said. Her jacket was similar to mine, only it fit her much better. “Whatcha doing?”

  “I thought I was supposed to….” I couldn’t even think of anything that would make even the smallest amount of sense.

  Her hair bobbed with her nod. “I’m new too. It’s overwhelming. I want to help, but I’m not sure what to do. I hate bothering people and asking questions.”

  “Exactly,” I said.

  “There probably isn’t much to do around here, though,” she said, her eyes scanning the small cabins. “They keep all the prisoners here. Have you been given the tour yet?”

  “Yeah, but it’s so hard to remember everything,” I said.

  She sucked in a breath. “Tell me about it. I only remember this because I hate being by these buildings. These people are so dangerous.”

  “Then why are you here?” I asked.

  “I saw you from over there,” she said, pointing at the resort. “You looked lost. I wanted to help before one of the less helpful people came along. They can be so mean.”

  “Oh.” I swallowed hard and forced a smile. “Thanks.”

  “Yeah, of course.” She smiled. “I don’t think we’ve met.”

  I shook my head.

  “I’m Veronica,” she said. “Everyone calls me Roni.”

  My mouth opened, but I snapped it shut. I couldn’t tell her my name on the off chance it got back to Elijah.

  “Melody,” I said.

  “Pretty,” she said, pointing at my jacket. “Looks like we shop at the same store.”

  “I guess so,” I said, forcing a smile. I scratched the back of my neck, wanting to move to the next cabin before someone else spotted me. “I should probably get moving.”

  Roni blew out her cheeks. “Me too. I’ll have to do weapons training soon, and I am so not looking forward to that. I hate loud noises. Always have.”

  “Can’t you do something else?” I asked, raising a brow.

  “Psh! You know, we all have to be trained,” Roni said. “When this goes down. We all need to be present. No one gets a pass.”

  “Right,” I said.

  Roni cocked her head. “Don’t you have to do training?”

  “Uh,” I stammered.

  “Oh, I see. You already know how to use a gun.” Roni sighed.

  “Yeah,” I lied.

  A partial lie. I could use it, but I wasn’t any good at it. Basically, I just knew how to hold it and fire if need be.

  “Lucky you,” Roni said. She chewed her lip. “At least it won’t be a day or two until I have to go.” She grabbed my arm. “They ride up north on horses! At least that part will be fun.”

  I smiled, clasping my nervous hands behind my back. The jacket and Roni’s penetrating gaze was making me hot.

  “Well,” Roni said after what felt like a much too long hesitation. “If you need something to do, make sure to ask at the resort.”

  “Okay,” I said.

  “Maybe we’ll get to work together soon or something,” Roni said. “It’s kind of lonely around here. I don’t really have anyone to talk to, but they don’t really like socializing anyway.”

  I pressed my lips together and bobbed my head. “Yeah, it sucks.”

  “Shh!”

  “Right,” I said.

  Roni chuckled. “You’re such a rebel.”

  “That’s me.”

  “Talk to you later,” she said as she gave me a little wave.

  I waved back, but she’d already turned away. There was a chance she would go to the resort and tell Elijah that someone was sneaking around the cabins.

  I had to work fast.

  “Your right, though,” a voice said.

  I grabbed my chest and spun on my heel. The guard was standing near the corner of the house, casually holding his gun.

  “You almost gave me a heart attack,” I said.

  “Sorry,” he said, looking over his shoulder.

  “What am I right about?”

  He took another quick look around. “This all sucks. There are so many of us, and we can’t really even talk to each other. It’s like a cult.”

  I nodded.

  “Oh, shit,” he said. “I shouldn’t have said anything. Please don’t report me.”

  “I wouldn’t,” I said.

  “We both need to get back to our duties,” he said, tightening his grip on the gun.

  The man gave me another look before pivoting and disappearing from view. I didn’t have a chance in hell at finding Sam.

  I looked toward the bay. If I ran now, I could make it back to Erik without anyone ever knowing I was at the resort. I could get far away from Elijah, and I was pretty sure Sam wouldn’t blame me. She probably wouldn’t want me roaming around the resort property alone.

  All I had to go was go.

 

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