“Amber. You’re insane if you believe Wilson, of all people, would actually let you leave here,” Cole says.
She steps closer, smirking at him. She’s so skinny, I could snap her in half. She’s definitely not the girl I remember. And yet, she’s bloated, her arms swollen, and she scratches at her skin.
I scrunch up my face, struggling between feeling pity and swallowing down the bitter taste in my mouth that comes with seeing her. She’s never been a friend of mine, not since I was assigned to the hospital and forced to work with her.
I guess not much has changed.
“Still looking for the easy way out, aren’t you?” I ask.
“Whatever it takes,” she says with a sneer.
“Won’t work. Not this time,” Cole says.
As his brows pull down and his tone lowers, I notice other people around us seem to disappear, scrambling for their hiding places. In the background, the sirens scream their warning.
Zeus woofs at my side, and I put my hand on his collar. If he pounces on Amber, she might scream and bring attention to us.
“Now, we run,” I say to Cole.
But Amber steps in front of him, blocking our way. I narrow my eyes at her and clench Zeus’s collar as he stands on his back legs. My grip’s slipping. Amber’s eyes are glazed over though, so she doesn’t even flinch at his imposing posture.
“Oh, no … you’re not going anywhere,” she says. Her face is flushed, but she’s not sweating.
“Right,” Cole says. Just then, he swings the butt of his gun up and grunts with the impact.
His gun connects with her jaw, and she crumples to the ground. My mouth opens wide, but Cole’s already on the ground, scooping Amber over his shoulder. He stands, and her arms flop around behind him.
“Let’s move,” he says.
I don’t have time to ask him why he’s taking her with us. Heaven knows we can’t carry everyone that recognizes us. I pull Zeus along and sprint through the streets and alleyways. Every time I check over my shoulder, Cole is right behind me with Amber, like a limp rag doll.
“Left,” he says.
I check around us and turn left. “Clear!”
“The alley, four blocks up, on the right,” he says.
By now, I hear him huffing slightly in between words. She can’t weigh much, but then again, he’s running with her over his shoulder, plus carrying all his equipment.
Zeus tags along beside me, his tongue hanging out, like it’s the best thing in the world. Whenever Sinners see him, they back away, leaning back into the shadows. I can’t really blame them.
The static from the loudspeakers fills the air again, the output making me cringe. We stop for a moment. I catch my breath as Cole hunkers down next to me, propping Amber’s body against a wall. The siren stops abruptly. I hear Wilson’s loud breathing, and it makes me shudder with disgust.
“Beginning today, Sinners will not receive rations,” Wilson says.
Feeling the effects of shock, I turn toward Cole. His lips are curled, and his eyes hold a hardened, flinty expression. I can’t stop myself from thinking about those poor people fighting over the small portions of water and food they had. It’s only going to get worse.
“But of course there’s one exception. If you capture any of the revolt members, you’ll receive food for one month. If you deliver Lexi Hamilton, alive, you’ll be given your freedom. Happy hunting, citizens.” The speaker cuts off, but not before I hear his cruel laughter on the other end.
“He’s going to starve them?” I ask.
“Yes. Wilson plays mind games. He knows you care about people. He’s trying to find a way to break you.”
I cannot wait for the day when I can push my knife right through his throat.
With those few words, Wilson just upped the ante. Zeus lets out a low whine, sensing my apprehension. He nudges my leg, and I pat his head.
“Stay strong. And run,” Cole says as he hefts Amber over his shoulder once more. I don’t know how he has the strength.
Now, my head’s really on a swivel. I probe every darkened corner and every shadow. I take note of every possible exit for future reference. My muscles feel tense as I pass the next block. I hesitate, second-guessing each move, before crossing all entrances. My senses are on overload.
I hit the fourth block and turn right into the alley. I slow my pace and feel the burn in my lungs and the stickiness of my hair on my neck. My sweat beads on my shins and slides down my legs.
“Here,” Cole says.
I stop, and Zeus sniffs around as Cole lowers Amber’s body to the ground. He barges through a doorway and drags her inside. And we’re back where we started.
“And you brought her, because?” I ask, stumbling around until he flips on his flashlight.
“She was in the lab today. Maybe she knows something.” He picks up her body with a grunt and motions me forward. “When she wakes up, Roméo can interrogate her.”