Surprisingly without hesitation, Ellyssa sat and leaned her head back, dipping her hair into the water, completely vulnerable to attack. Mathew grabbed the pitcher and wet down the rest of her head. He handed her a bottle.
“It’s homemade,” he said, smiling.
She poured the shampoo into her hand, the scent of honeysuckles sweetening the air, and she began scrubbing her head. Almost immediately, her head felt lighter as the grime loosened away.
“One second.” Mathew dumped the old water out into a basin and filled the pitcher from his supply. “This won’t be as warm, but it’ll do the job.”
Cool water ran through her hair. As he rinsed away the soapy dirt, she took her trust a step further and closed her eyes. When he was done, he wrapped her hair in a towel and handed her the brush.
“Enjoy.”
She vigorously dried her hair, then worked the brush through the tangled strands, happy she’d cut it. At the old length, the bristles would have snagged in the knots. She pulled the brush through, over and over, until her hair was almost dry. When she was done, she placed the brush on the table, hoping he would let her keep it.
Mathew pulled a cracked mirror from his desk. “Have a look.”
The person who looked back at her was almost recognizable. Her cheeks were fuller, her skin naturally milky white, her eyes clear, and her hair glistened under the lights. She ran her fingers through the tresses.
The doctor shook his head. “You look a million times better than you did a few days ago. Your resilience never ceases to amaze me.”
Aside from her father monotonously telling her she’d performed well—if you could call that praise—no one had ever complimented her before.
Unsure of the correct reaction, she uttered, “Thank you.” A smile touched the corner of her lips, but fell away when memories of her father hitting her for showing happiness followed.
Mathew studied her for a moment, a frown deepening his wrinkles. “I have something for you,” he finally said. He went to his desk and pulled two books from the drawer. “I thought you might be interested in reading to help pass the time. These are my favorites.”
Unable to speak, Ellyssa took the proffered books. The leather felt smooth and worn from years of use. She ran her finger over the indentations of the titles written in gold. Barely readable, one said
Of Mice and Men
by someone named John Steinbeck, the other was labeled Mary Shelley’s
Frankenstein
. No one had ever given her anything before. Touched, her eyes felt strange as a tear formed. An unusual reaction to something that should’ve made her feel happy. She blinked it away.
“They are very old. And treasured. Please be
very
careful with them.”
“Thank you,” she finally responded.
Mathew beamed. “Have you read either of those?”
Ellyssa shook her head. “No. I was not allowed to read fiction.”
“Never?”
“Novels are a waste of time, not lending any educational value,” she recited her father’s words.
The doctor’s face scrunched. “They bring to life another world. Of events. Of people. They open the door to your imagination. They make you think.”
“They do not teach you anything.”
“They teach you everything. About love, life, people, the thrill of winning, the sadness of losing. They teach you about people’s faults, and overcoming all odds. Read them first and then judge.”
She couldn’t help but smile at his exuberance. “I will.”
Just when she thought his grin couldn’t grow anymore, Mathew surprised her with a positively huge one, exposing his teeth. Ten years dropped from his face. He patted her on the shoulder. “Plus, it’ll give you something to do tonight while I’m away.”
As if on cue, Ellyssa heard others coming down the hall. Their whispers entered the room before they did.
Rein, Jason, and a petite female walked in. All of them were dressed in the same gear, down to the firearms slung over their shoulders.
The female was not at all what Ellyssa considered attractive. Braided red hair swung around a very pale face, marked with huge red freckles. Thin lips were pressed together into a tight line. The longer she stared at Ellyssa with her hate-filled beady eyes, the whiter her knuckles turned where she clutched the rifle.
Without entering the female’s mind, Ellyssa knew the redheaded female hated her. Her facial expression was easy to read.
Apparently feeling the tension in the air, the doctor squeezed Ellyssa’s shoulder before addressing the others. “I’ll be ready in a couple,” he said as he walked to his desk to grab his backpack. “Candy, do you mind grabbing the first aid kit?”
“I owe you one,” the woman snarled in a musical voice, unbefitting her appearance. Ellyssa recognized her from the night she had been captured.
Frowning, Mathew shot the woman a glower. “Candy, I hardly think she knew what she was doing.”
“Doesn’t matter.” Candy tipped her head up, then marched over to the metal cabinets.
Ellyssa tore her gaze from Candy and placed it on Rein. He was looking at her, his jade eyes questioning. Ellyssa’s heart picked up speed, and the small hairs on the back of her neck tingled. She didn’t like it…she didn’t think. Feeling strangely uncomfortable, she blinked and looked at Jason. He wasn’t paying any attention to her at all.
Mathew handed Rein the bag. “I’d like a word with you.”
Rein followed the doctor to his desk. Mathew gestured while he spoke in hushed words. Ellyssa thought she heard Jeremy but wasn’t sure. Rein looked shocked, then sick.
Finally, the two parted, and Mathew returned to Ellyssa’s side. “Who’s staying?” he asked to no one in particular.
“I am,” answered Jason.
His lips pulled down into a scowl. “I’m not—”
“It’ll be fine,” Rein interrupted.
The doctor stared at Rein for a moment, then placed his hand on Ellyssa’s shoulder. “I won’t be back until tomorrow. We have…things to do.”
Ellyssa nodded.
“This is my corner, here,” Mathew said, pointing at Jason. “You will stay on the outside of the door. There isn’t anything she will need.”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.” Jason pulled the strap of the gun and walked out the door.
As the others left, Mathew behind them, Ellyssa settled against her pillow. She let her mind drift away and slid into Jason’s thoughts. He was examining his filthy fingernails as he thought about coming in and talking to her. Sitting in the chair next to her bed, her laughing at his wittiness. Then Jason’s thoughts drifted to him holding her and pressing his mouth against hers…hard.
Disgusted, anger raised its head and she tensed.
Ellyssa yanked free of his thoughts and pulled the covers over her shoulders. If he decided to act on his thoughts, she’d tear him apart. Part of her wanted to just for him thinking his sick desires.
She sat and waited for what seemed like hours, occasionally poking inside his head. His thoughts shifted quickly from one thing to another. At one intrusion, he thought about being in bed with Candy.
Repulsive
. Another time, images of fried chicken and potatoes lingered. Her stomach growled. Eventually, his thoughts clouded over into fuzzy pictures of people and colors.
Positive he wouldn’t wake, she picked up
Of Mice and Men
. She flipped through the well-loved pages; the scent of old leather was enjoyable. Relaxing against her pillow, she read the beginning of the classic.
16
Rein, Doc, and Candy went from the artificial light into a long, pitch-black tunnel, leading to the entrance of the abandoned coal mine. Generated light was forbidden in any section leading to the outside world, but the darkness didn’t hinder their progress. After years of traveling the unlit passageways, they stepped without worry about tripping or bumping into rocky overhangs or old beams.
Upon rounding the final corner, the doctor’s and Candy’s heads were silhouetted against dusky light pouring through a rectangular slit leading outside. Originally, the opening had been larger, but with the fear of discovery, the first Renegades to establish the settlement had worked to cover the hole, arranging rocks and mounds of dirt to appear as if the manmade cave had collapsed.
The old mine had been overlooked for years until the searches for remaining people had finally ceased, except for the yearly patrols conducted by the ranger, Davis. The Renegades had been careful not to bring any suspicion to the area for decades. At least, until Rein had introduced Ellyssa to their hideout.
Rein didn’t even know what to think of her. Her unusual demeanor was alien, like she’d survived with limited human contact or in a vacuum. Her facial expressions seemed forced and hesitant, as if the appropriate responses were unfamiliar to her. Plus, he held no doubt that, if she hadn’t been on the verge of dying, she would’ve kicked all their asses. With or without their firearms.
And how had she recovered so fast?
It’d only been eight days.
Ellyssa should still be broken, bruised, feeling crappy, yet she looked wonderful. After being washed, her hair was lustrous and her eyes vibrant, piercing blue contrasting against her flawless, porcelain skin. He liked looking at them.
Then, the whole business with Jeremy. He couldn’t think about that right now. It’d have to wait until they returned and he could talk to Jordan.
Rein crawled through the small opening after Doc and Candy. The first stars shimmered into view as the dark blanket of night worked to cover the heavens. The thick, balmy air held the hint of impending rain. Humidity clung to his skin. He pulled at the fabric stuck to his stomach.
“God, I hate this,” said Candy. She reached up and swatted the back of her neck. “Damn mosquitoes.”
“Shh,” said Doc as he ducked behind a bush.
“Don’t shh me.”
Rolling his eyes, Rein followed behind as they silently glided through the vegetation. Fifteen minutes later, they moved out of the brush onto the dirt service road used by the ranger during his routine patrols.
“Stay on the edge where the dirt is packed. We have to be very careful now,” said Rein.
“I told you this would happen,” said Candy pointedly.
Rein didn’t bother replying. What could he say?
Rein stepped quietly behind Candy, her braids bouncing in rhythm with her steps. He hoped she’d forget he was even there. Ever since he’d turned down her advances, he hadn’t been in the best standing with her. Apparently, he’d really pissed her off. Not that he cared. The girl had a way of setting his teeth on edge.
As if Candy knew what he was thinking, she glanced over her shoulder with a smug look. “Don’t think I didn’t notice the way you were staring at the little spy.”
Stunned, Rein’s steps faltered. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about.”
Was she insane? Check that—she was. “No, I don’t.”
“Whatever.” Candy snickered.
As usual, she’d crawled under Rein’s skin. Irritated, he contained the urge to whop her upside the head, sending her bouncing braids twirling. Barely.
Silence enveloped the group as they turned onto a short drive leading to a barn. Part of the roof had caved in years before Rein was born, and the south wall sagged dangerously. Seemingly unusable, it was the perfect hiding spot.
Doc and Candy stood watch on each side of the drive, while Rein made his way to the door. Grunting, he worked against gravity and bent wheels to slide the door back and out of the way.
Filtered moonlight streamed through the doorway and glinted off a 1934 Oshkosh Model F. Nothing more than a block of rusty metal sitting on bald tires. The old truck still ran, though, thanks to Woody, who had a knack with all things mechanical, and the members of the resistance who could supply the parts.
Rein hopped into the cab and slid the key into the ignition. A prayer later, the engine sputtered, coughed, wheezed, then sprang to life. A gunshot boom sounded, and a plume of smoke shot from the exhaust; the puttering smoothed to gentle grunting. The gears ground when he shifted the stick into first and released the clutch. The truck clattered to the end of the drive.
Much to Rein’s dismay, Candy jumped into the cab first, followed by Doc. She gave Rein a big, toothy grin as she settled next to him. Annoyance working his jaw, he released the clutch, and the truck jerked onto the road.
Using what little light the cloudy sky provided, Rein drove slowly. The worn tires grated across the dirt. He tried to ease over the potholes and ruts, but the moon stayed hidden behind wispy clouds, making navigation hard. The truck bounced along, jostling the passengers and rattling their teeth.
Content to sit in silence for the next three hours of their journey, Rein stared straight ahead and tried to ignore Candy, who kept knocking into him every time the truck went over a hole. Doc had to ruin it.
“I think we’re wrong.”
Afraid of where the conversation was headed, Rein gripped the steering wheel tighter. “What are you talking about?”
“About Ellyssa. I don’t think she’s a spy.”
Rein rolled his eyes. “She might not be, but she’s something. She’s from The Center.”
Candy nodded her head.
“She also said she escaped,” reminded Mathew.
“Yeah, spies never lie,” Candy said, sarcastically.
Doc turned toward Rein. Although he couldn’t see the older man’s eyes, he definitely felt them.
“I don’t think she’s lying. Do you…really?”
Rein didn’t reply. He had no answer as to whether or not he believed Ellyssa a spy, but she
was
hiding something. Part of him thought he should’ve heeded the others’ advice the night they’d found her and left her for dead. But he couldn’t.
“Are you guys serious?” Candy chimed. “I can’t believe the two of you.”
Doc shrugged. “I’m just saying.”
Candy snapped her mouth closed and crossed her arms over her chest. She’d stopped bouncing into Rein, which suited him just fine. Her hatred for Ellyssa ran deep. He remembered how embarrassed she’d been when Ellyssa had bested her. It’d taken all three of them to hold the redhead back from attacking the unconscious blonde. Candy wasn’t someone you wanted to piss off.