the dome shrinks until it’s gone. My chance to go back is gone. I’m in the Ecocity of the Dissolute with two men I hardly know, and another who wants me dead. My heart starts pounding wildly, making me dizzy. I take deep breaths to try and clear my head. I can’t afford to panic now.
“I don’t need another child to worry about! Dammit, Ethan!”
The man grabs at my shoulder, spinning me around and in the light of the dome I see a scar above his right eyebrow. He hasn’t shaven in a few days and it makes him look older, meaner. But other than that he can’t be older than thirty and if he weren’t that mean he’d look half decent.
I shake my head to rid myself of the insane thoughts. I’m really losing it! Only I will notice what someone looks like while my life is hanging in the balance!
He frowns and narrows his eyes at me. “If anyone asks you are Dissolute from here on out. You don’t know anyone Virtuous. You hate the Virtuous. You don’t have a kind word to say about them. You do as I say or I swear I will put a bullet in your head myself.” I swallow at his harsh words. I take back what I said about him looking half decent. He’s just mean. “Do you understand?” he asks.
I nod, because there is just no way I’ll manage to say something right now without squeaking.
“Take the food and first aid kits out of the bags and load them into mine.” He throws a ragged looking bag at Ethan. “Take off your jackets and toss them. Your clothes look too new.” His eyes travel over the length of my body and my cheeks flush with heat. “We’ll sort you out back at the ward, but you’ll have to get rid of that jacket too.”
I just nod and do as he says.
“They’re going to see right through her. She looks way too innocent.” He snaps at Ethan.
Ethan looks at me and then at the man. “Jai is worth it, Chance.”
My eyes widen at his name. I don’t get to react on his name as a fist comes out of nowhere, slamming hard into my face. I stagger back, as pain streaks across my cheek, but before I can fall hands grab hold of my shoulders, pulling me forward. I open my eyes and look right into Chance’s chest. My cheek is on fire. When he reaches for my face I flinch, but he takes hold of my chin and forces me to look up at him.
“You didn’t have to hit her,” he growls, and his eyes dart over my head to either Ethan or Aaron.
“The bruise should show by the time we get to the tracks. She won’t look so innocent anymore,” Aaron says.
Shock vibrates through me. I can’t believe Aaron hit me. I’ve never even had a hiding in my life! No one has ever hit me and now, on the first day that a guy touches me, he hits me? I don’t know how to process that.
I glance up at Chance, and for a moment it feels as if he’s waiting for me to cry. I bite back the tears. He grinds his teeth, and then he lets go of me.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this. You better do everything I say or I’m leaving you behind,” he snaps at me.
I didn’t miss that. I’ve been upgraded from being shot, to being left behind – that’s a good thing, right?
~*~
Chance throws the bag over his shoulder and shoves at Ethan. “It’s good having you by my side again, Eth.”
“I told you we’d make it. Mom sends her love.”
Ethan smiles at Chance, and Aaron falls in next to them.
I feel alone. My only purpose now is staying alive and finding Mom. Dad was only right about one thing; I have to look for Mom.
I walk a few paces behind Aaron, Ethan and Chance. “How stupid are these Dissolute people that they don’t know Virtuous names when they hear them?”
They all stop and turn slowly to me. Chance takes a step towards me and it’s then I realize I asked the question out loud.
He holds up a finger. “One, these Dissolute people aren’t stupid.” Another finger joins the first. “Two, your Virtuous people were more than happy to sacrifice you to them.” A third finger goes up. “Three, you are now a Dissolute and you better start thinking like one.” He