| |
THE PAST TWO DAYS HAVE been an emotional—what did Doc call it—an emotional rollercoaster. Aubrey rubbed her tired eyes as she tried to sort out her thoughts.
After Garr announced their imminent evacuation, she’d retreated to the relative privacy of the dreary room she shared with Sheila and Jane. At some point, she’d fallen asleep, but she didn’t have much energy when she awoke early the next morning.
She sat on her lumpy mattress, leaning against the rough concrete behind her as she recalled Doc’s vivid description of a rollercoaster.
Aubrey could understand why she’d chosen the antiquated metaphor. The preparation and dashed expectation of their hoped-for feast, the discovery of the Hoarder abductions, Enrico’s cryptic warning, and Megan’s dramatic recovery . . .
If I had the choice, I’d rather ride an actual rollercoaster. At least I could get off once it was over.
Her stomach tightened as she caught sight of the rucksack at the foot of her bed, packed and ready. Their rollercoaster ride was far from over.
“You ready?” Sheila slipped through the door, leaving it open. The meager light from the hall snuck into the room, dispelling a portion of the oppressive atmosphere. She held her rucksack in one hand, hefting it as if testing its weight.
Aubrey leaned away from the wall, gesturing to the pack at the foot of her bed. “As soon as Garr gives the word, I’m ready to go.”
I’d prefer to sleep for about a week, but Doc might call that “avoidance.” She tried to shake the sense of foreboding that had settled over her like a damp blanket.
Sheila sat on the edge of her own bunk, elbows propped on her knees. “Waiting is the worst, isn’t it? I’d rather be on our way, even if it means going back to the Enclave. With the Hoarders and the Givers. Just sitting here, waiting, drives me crazy. How about you?”
Aubrey arched her stiff back, feeling with satisfaction the answering twinges of muscle and bone. “The Enclave—what’s it like? I don’t mean how sophisticated, or wealthy, or anything we discussed at the debrief. I mean, what’s it actually like to be there, surrounded by Hoarders?”
Sheila pondered for a moment, gazing at a spot just over Aubrey’s shoulder. “It’s hard to put into words. I guess you could say it’s a society that prides itself on being superior to everyone else. At the same time, they’re paralyzed with fear over any threat to their way of life, so they’re obsessed about protecting their borders. As far as they’re concerned, everyone outside the Enclave is a potential invader.”
She relaxed with a self-deprecating laugh. “You’ll have your own opinions, soon enough. And my observations are not neutral. I was trying to play nice with a sociopath, remember?”
Aubrey laughed with her, glad for an excuse to let out her emotions—any emotions. “I can’t imagine what that must’ve been like. Do you think he’s forgotten I tried to shoot him?”
Sheila straightened, a sly look crossing her face. “Is that what you’re worried about? Okay, I guess if I were you, I’d be wondering the same thing.”
She broke into a wide grin. “It’s probably safe to assume a mad genius like Darcy just might remember the ‘savage’ who dared to stick a gun in his face.”
They both dissolved into laughter.
“Keep a low profile.” Sheila’s eyes turned serious as their laughter faded. “Stick close to me, or Garr, or Jane—doesn’t matter. Darcy’s desperate. He needs our help and he knows it. He’s not going to make a move against you. At least, not until after we’ve dealt with the Givers.”
She leaned closer, taking Aubrey’s hands in her own. “Doc told me about your little talk. Listen, Aubrey, we’re going into the Enclave together, and I have no worries—none at all—about you having my back. You’re not going to be a weak link. You’re too tough for that.”
Aubrey smiled and leaned over to yank her rucksack off the floor. “Thanks, Sheila. I don’t know if I’m tough or just too dumb to know when to quit. But I’m going to see this thing through, no matter what. And you’re right—waiting is the worst.”
They stood, adjusting their packs. Sheila gave Aubrey a mischievous wink. “Let’s round the others up. We don’t want to keep the Hoarders waiting.”