a little even though the food didn’t taste like anything. When was the last time I’d eaten anything? The eggs?
I managed four bites.
“I’ll take that drink now,” I said, setting down the spoon.
He trickled four drops into the cup.
“If you want more, eat more,” he said.
I slowly nodded my head then got up from the table.
“I can see how this will go. No, thanks. Keep your pathetic attempts at bribery. They aren’t worth putting up with you.”
“Hannah, wait,” Emily called as I strode toward my jacket.
“Screw you, Emily,” I said without looking at her. “You were supposed to be my friend.”
“I am.”
I left before she could lie some more.
The wind cooled some of my anger. Just enough to keep me from screaming my frustration as I roamed the streets of Tolerance and ignored the fey who watched me. If only Merdon had kept his big mouth shut, then I wouldn’t be walking around far too sober and sick to my stomach. That soup had to have been off.
Rubbing my stomach, I glanced around and wondered again where I’d find a drink in this place. What was that new girl’s name? Cheri? Maybe I could have her ask the fey for booze. They’d give it to her, and I could go to her place and drink. My initial hopefulness withered as I realized that wouldn’t work. Her fey would know what was happening and likely say something to Merdon before I managed one sip.
Damn Merdon.
“Hey, Hannah,” Garrett said with a friendly smile and nod as he walked past me.
“Hey, Garrett.” My tone was flat, and he heard it.
Pausing his stride, he looked at me.
“Everything okay?”
“Not really. We have all these supplies coming in, but none of what I really want.”
He chuckled.
“I know what you mean. Brenna, Zach, and I just went to Tenacity this morning to trade some of our surplus. They’re hard up over there and could use some extras if you have them.”
A new plan began to form.
“Thanks, Garrett.”
“Anytime.”
With a little wave, he continued on his way, and I changed directions.
By the time Emily returned home, I was up in my room pacing. The box of goods that I had gathered from the storage shed sat by my locked bedroom door. All I had to do was make it through one night. I could do that. Tomorrow, I’d have what I needed to finally get some sleep. After that, I’d just take one day, or rather night, at a time. No problem.
A crawling, tingling sensation moved under my skin, contradicting my previous conviction. My stomach hadn’t yet settled after those few bites of soup, either. It was going to be a long night.
Emily knocked on my door.
“Are you hungry?”
I rolled my eyes and continued pacing. Unless she was serving rum cake, I wasn’t interested, and she knew it.
My hot, gritty gaze slid to the window. A wisp of daylight remained.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about lunch,” she continued through the door. “I didn’t think Merdon would be so blunt with his questions.”
I stopped pacing to glare at the door. Her admission had just confirmed that Merdon had told the truth about Emily’s part in what he’d been asking. I almost went to the door to tell her what I thought of her involvement. Quick thinking had me reconsidering the move. Sometimes, the best reaction was inaction. If tomorrow panned out like I hoped, tonight’s sulking silence would conceal tomorrow’s drunken silence.
Her footsteps whispered down the hall after a few moments, and I rubbed my tired eyes as I resumed my pacing.
I just needed to stay awake twelve more hours. No problem.
Panic made my heart race, and my lungs screamed for air as I ran through the trees, pulling my sister along. I could feel the infected behind us and knew we were out of time. Running was pointless.
“Hannah,” Katie panted. “I can’t.”
“Keep going,” I said.
I glanced over my shoulder, already knowing what I’d see. Katie’s wide, desperate eyes, pleading for me to help her. And, just behind her, the infected less than ten yards away.
She stumbled.
Her hand started to slip through mine. I tightened my hold, but the weight of her pulled at my arm as she completely lost her footing.
She fell to her knees.
Her wide eyes locked on mine.
The infected kept coming.
I pulled once, but she couldn’t stand. She was too tired. Too out of breath.
I hesitated…
…then I released her.
“Hannah!”
She screamed my name as I turned and ran. Her scream echoed louder a moment later.