“Definitely a killjoy,” Dylan muttered. “And you”—he waved a hand at Milo—“have your work cut out.” He cast a glance at Destiny. “Though it might be worth it. ”
“Piss off,” Milo said.
She was totally lost now. The more time she spent with them, the more she realized that she was lacking so much knowledge. In some ways she knew a lot—she could quote quantum physics theories—but about people and what made them work, she understood nothing. A niggle of disloyalty told her that it was because of Dr. Yang. She’d clearly controlled the information she allowed Destiny to see.
What gave her the right?
A flicker of anger burned to life deep inside her, but she snuffed it out.
There were no doubt good reasons. She had to believe that.
“So which way, now,” Milo asked.
She stared down the two tunnels. They both looked identical.
Dylan stood in front of the first and, closing his eyes, he breathed in deeply. He opened his eyes and moved to the next tunnel, repeating the process. What was he doing? She sniffed the air and could sense nothing but a vague musty smell.
“This one,” Dylan said, waving to the second tunnel. “The air is fresher, and it looks like there’s a slight incline, so hopefully it’s heading up to ground level.”
“Let’s go then.”
They fell in behind Dylan, walking side by side again. Which was nice. She cast Milo a quick glance; he was staring straight ahead but turned as if sensing her gaze. “You understand we’re going to have to leave you when we get to the surface.” He paused, then continued. “That is if you still want to stay out. I’m sure we can organize something if you’ve decided you want to go back.”
She shook her head. “No. Not yet. And I’ll be okay. I’m used to being alone.” Though she hoped they wouldn’t abandon her completely. She needed food. Already, she was experiencing the first pangs of hunger. She’d missed dinner.
“So I gather. One of us will come back as soon as it’s safe and bring you some food and other stuff.”
“The stories,” she said. “Will you bring them?”
He grinned. “We’ll load you up an ebook with every story I can get hold of. Including “‘Little Red Riding Hood.’”
A shiver of excitement ran through her, quickly followed by a feeling of unease. “Why?” she asked. “Why are you being nice to me?”
“Damned if I know.”
They were climbing now, not steeply but steadily, rising toward the surface of the planet.
Beside her Milo came to a halt. “Look.” After switching off the flashlight, he waved a hand ahead of him. Without the light, the tunnels were in darkness, but ahead of them she could make out a patch of not quite so dark. A figure silhouetted against it—Dylan.
They hurried up to join him and stood at the entrance to the tunnels, staring out. They were in some sort of forest. She’d seen trees when Silas had taken her around the lake that morning. That’s where they must be, but the trees were thick, and she could make out nothing but more trees. Through the leafy canopy above their heads she caught glimpses of the star-strewn sky. A fat, heavy moon hanging low provided most of the light—just a dim yellow glow. She’d never been outside at night before. It was beautiful and gave her a sense of freedom, of possibilities, she’d never experienced before.
Milo stepped farther out, and she followed as if glued to his side. They would leave her soon. He turned slowly around. “There,” he said. “That must be the light from the buildings.”
She could see it now, a faint radiance through the trees.
“It’s going to be a long walk,” Dylan said.
“Can’t you teleport again?” Destiny asked. For that matter, couldn’t they teleport her inside their shuttle so she could go with them?
“No!” They both spoke in unison.
“It’s really just a prototype,” Milo said. “Very dangerous. Emergencies only. No, you stay here, and we’ll come back as quickly as we can. You’ll be okay?”
“Of course. I told you, I’m good at being on my own.”
“Stay close to the tunnels, don’t wander off. We don’t know what else is here. There could be predators. In fact, Dylan, give her your gun.”
“Really? You think that’s a good idea?” But he was already unstrapping the belt from his waist. He moved toward her and wrapped it around her waist then buckled it in the front. “You know how to use it?”