CHAPTER FIVE

Nyla loved riding in Ethan’s truck because they were able to sit close without drawing attention. Few people owned trucks since they weren’t as fuel efficient as cars. Solar technology still couldn’t provide the dependable power and endurance needed for larger work vehicles, so Ethan’s single-cab pickup had been approved by SLIC to carry out farm functions. The vehicle ran on alternative fuels, but was still considered a relic from the past.

She scooted in next to Ethan, Claire sat close to her and Jared squeezed in next to the door. When Ethan first started driving, they could fit in the truck comfortably, but it was tight now. They had all grown up, especially Ethan and Jared. The breadth of their shoulders left little room for her and Claire. Nyla knew people snickered at them behind their backs, but she didn’t care. She liked the feel of Ethan’s shoulder touching hers.

He started the truck and gave Nyla’s knee a squeeze before putting the vehicle in gear and easing away from the curb. The streets were empty as they made their way toward the park. A few pedestrians bustled along the sidewalks, hurrying to lock themselves behind closed doors before curfew, still several hours away.

Nyla’s knee still tingled where Ethan’s hand had touched her. His small displays of intimacy seemed so natural, yet left her with a disconcerting feeling, especially as of late. She was confused by the effect Ethan was having on her and wished she could talk to her mother, but knew it would be impossible to broach such as subject at the Facility.

When they reached the park, Claire and Jared jumped out of the truck. Claire grabbed an old Frisbee® from behind the seat and took off running.

“First one to the old pecan tree sets the game rules,” Claire shouted over her shoulder as she darted toward the massive tree.

The plastic disc was another relic of the past that drew snide remarks from others, but they still liked tossing it to each other. Playing with the outdated item allowed them to spend time together and enjoy the mild temperatures of early evening in the desert southwest.

Nyla shook her head and giggled as she watched Jared purposely throw the race so Claire could win. Claire danced around jubilantly holding the Frisbee® high over her head.

Ethan reached for the door handle, but Nyla grabbed his wrist, stopping him from tripping the latch. Her fingers lingered on his until he glanced down. She jerked her hand back and looked away before he could see the red creeping into her cheeks.

“Wait a minute. I think Crystal has something for me.”

She scooted over to the passenger’s side and took the smashed muffin out of her pocket, throwing the crumbs out the window for the birds and removing the note folded inside. As Ethan leaned toward her, she couldn’t help but inhale the masculine scent of her childhood friend and it made her forget what she was doing. Ethan had changed. He was no longer the little boy who had thrown rocks at snakes and bugs. He was a man and she found the transformation unsettling.

Nyla regained her focus and unfolded the paper. They stared at the words crowded onto the small slip of paper. The note contained the information they had been waiting for. Everything was now in place, but the window of opportunity was small, much smaller than they had hoped. The time had come to make their move. Nyla was scared, but as she looked up into Ethan’s dark eyes, she was more frightened not to try.

“Do you think Claire and Jared will be with us?” Nyla asked.

“Well if they aren’t now, they never will be. Jared is starting to give in and accept life the way it is. He’s starting to worry too much about breaking the rules and of being locked up. But if we get Claire on board, we can count on him. He’d do anything for her.”

“I know Claire doesn’t want to be like her mother. She can be strong and rebellious, and the feeling is mutual where Jared is concerned. I’m confident we can count on her. She may look fragile when she bats her long eyelashes at Jared, but she’s tough, stubborn, resourceful and intensely loyal to those whom she cares about.”

They stared at the words on the paper. The information on the page could change their lives forever if they chose to use it. Most people wouldn’t understand or consider the risk they were contemplating, but the scheme provided an opportunity they couldn’t turn away from.

“What about you? You’re probably the closest to your family. You would be giving up people who truly care about you.”

“Mother and Grandmother are important to me, but they’re part of the reason why I have to try and with you graduating at the end of next term, you’re the reason we have to succeed.”

“I don’t like it when you phrase it that way. It makes me feel responsible for putting everyone in danger. It means more to me than you can possibly know that you care about my future, but you have to do this for yourself. If things go wrong, which is very possible, and you find yourself sitting in the Facility with your mother, I don’t want you hating me.”

“Sorry. I could never hate you, but it’s nice to know someone shares in my guilt. If it weren’t for my connections and silly dreams, we would’ve never even started down this road.”

“Well, sounds like were equally culpable, so it’s settled then. Let’s go twist some arms if we have to. As much as I hate dragging Jared and Claire into this craziness, it would be worse never seeing them again.”

Nyla nodded and stowed the note. After one last conspiratorial glance at each other, they got out of the truck and jogged toward the game in progress. Nyla watched as Ethan tackled Jared and stole the disc. Ethan was a little older, but the two were evenly matched in height and build, though Ethan always dominated Jared whenever they wrestled. She knew Ethan’s edge was primarily attitude. He was confident, strong and fearless.

Ethan tossed the disc to Jared and he tossed it to Nyla. She quickly flung it to Claire as she spied Ethan running toward her. She considered holding onto it and letting him tackle her as he had Jared, but feared it would look inappropriate and he would be seized. Occasionally she wondered what it would feel like to be that close to him, but those thoughts were dangerous and could get them into a lot of trouble if she ever acted on the impulse to find out.

The disc flew over Claire’s head. Nyla watched as Claire and Jared darted toward the disc. She glanced over at Ethan and he stood hunched over with his hands on his knees, panting from all the exertion, but with a content smile on his lips. Nyla wondered how he could look so at ease when they were about to take the biggest risk of their lives.

The flying disc hit Nyla in the chest, bringing her out of her thoughts. When it was clear she hadn’t been hurt, her friends burst into laughter and the game continued. They played until they collapsed on the grass in exhaustion, far from anyone, enjoying the last slivers of light. As soon as Nyla’s breathing slowed to normal, she looked over at Ethan.

“We need to talk about something important, but not here. We’ll meet tomorrow at the usual time and place. Make sure no one notices where you go and be ready to make the biggest decision of your life.”