Slipping out of Ky’s desperate hold, I lurched to the yurt’s wall and vomited. It was all too much—too much blood and carnage, too much cruelty, and too much messed up behavior. The world had just become too much.
Tears streaked down my face, and as the convulsive heaves ceased, my body trembled. I wiped my mouth, welcoming the white-hot rage that had slowly overpowered my need to vomit. That woman, that vile thing, had enslaved innocent people, scarring them, claiming their lives—she deserved worse than she’d received.
When I turned to face the others, I saw Jason helping the bloody, shell-shocked man to his feet. I approached them, voicing my anger. “Jason, these people were enslaved. Not just their bodies, but their minds…she took their will. Ky’s will. This is goddamn mind-rape.” My words were dripping with revulsion. No doubt, my fury at what Mandy had done was fueled by my intense hatred for Cece, the only other mind-controlling bitch I knew.
Reaching Jason’s side, I desperately wished for a way to clean out my mouth—it tasted of bile, and my throat burned. I stared up into Jason’s eyes to find him looking at me with such despondency that I could no longer hold in my disbelief. “She wasn’t even a Crazy. She was just mad with power. God, Jason…she probably wanted to make you one of her toys.” The thought of him being used—controlled—spurred me on. “Promise me, if we find any more like her…we stop them.”
“We’ll do what we can,” he said, finding my hand and squeezing it. “We should get the hell out of here…who knows how these people are gonna react now.”
Before Ky or I could respond, the man with blood dripping from his fingertips regained his composure enough to speak. “Uh, I don’t suppose…would it be okay if I came with you guys?” His voice was surprisingly timid. “I don’t have anyone left, and I can’t stay here. It’s too…there’re too many memories.”
“I don’t know,” Jason said hesitantly, likely considering the group’s safety. However, the excuse he voiced was, “We don’t have any extra horses.”
I studied the man more closely, trying to look past the thick coating of crimson covering his body, and realized he was far younger than I’d thought. “How old are you?”
“I turned sixteen last week,” he said. He’s just a kid…no wonder he reacted like he did. An idea formed in my mind.
“How much do you weigh?”
He looked confused, but answered, “One forty, maybe a little more.”
“He can ride with me on Wings,” I suggested to Jason.
“But you said two people couldn’t—”
“No. I said you and I couldn’t…you’re too big. But Wings can handle this kid and me.”
“He’ll be touching you…all day,” Jason growled.
“I won’t touch her,” the kid said, sounding frantic. “Why would I touch her? Not that there’s something wrong with her, you know? I’d totally touch her…no, I mean…shit!”
“Hush,” I told the teenage boy. Under all that blood, he truly was adorable. He’d probably been a heartbreaker at his high school before the world went to hell.
“He’s just a kid, Jason,” I implored, raising his palm to my lips. “Besides, if he’s riding with me, he can make sure I don’t fall off. You and Chris both keep telling me about how I’m swaying in the saddle.”
After a moment of thought, Jason answered, “Fine, but he’s your responsibility. And if he steps one foot wrong, he’s out.” Despite his harsh warning, something in his eyes told me he was glad I’d given him a reason to say yes.
“I won’t step a foot wrong. I swear!” the kid promised.
“Thank you. You’re a very good man,” I whispered to Jason, wishing I could wash the sour taste from my mouth so I could kiss him. “Um…you don’t have any gum, by any chance, do you?”
“Uh, yeah, I think I do.” Miraculously, after fishing around in several pockets, Jason pulled out a deliciously minty stick of breath relief wrapped in its pretty foil package.
“Oh my God! You’re so amazing!” I moaned after the first few chews.
Jason chuckled but said nothing. Catching the devilish glint in his eyes, I turned rosy.
“What’s your name?” I asked the young man as we exited the yurt.
“Carlos.”
“Carlos,” Jason said. “Go wash that shit off.” He motioned toward the lakeshore a few yards away. “And do it quickly.” The kid obeyed, even though the lake water had to be painfully cold.
Eventually, we made our way back to our campsite, stopping briefly at Carlos’s tent so he could change and gather his things. The scene surrounding us was utterly heart-breaking—some people wailed and moaned on the ground, while others screamed and tore at their hair. Even the other Prophets seemed to have been set free from Mandy’s control, and they looked equally as miserable as everyone else. What did she do to these people? Will they ever be okay again? Despair, self-hatred, and guilt clouded the impermanent village, and I couldn’t help but think, Zoe would be in hell right now.
When we reached our companions, Jason introduced Carlos and said, “From now on, we avoid all groups of people larger than our own until we get to the Colony, understand?” While we’d been at Carlos’s tent, I’d filled the others in on everything that had happened inside the Temple, so nobody argued with the need to pack up and leave as quickly as possible.
Everyone nodded, except Holly and Hunter. “I’m staying here,” Holly said.
Jason studied her face for a long moment. “Are you sure?”
She nodded. “It’s just too hard without Dalton…He was a good friend, and I really need a change. Besides, I think these people could use all the help they can get.” She was right; the crowd of strangers seemed lost, completely helpless.
Hunter stepped up beside Holly. “I’m staying too.”
“It’s your decision,” Jason said and nodded toward the horses. “You can keep your horses and a goat each, but the rest of the animals come with us. We’ve got too much shit to give up a pack horse.”
They agreed, we all said tearful goodbyes, and they disappeared among the despairing survivors. It was surprisingly difficult to watch them walk away, considering I hadn’t known either of them well. But Holly and Hunter had been there, unrequested but constant companions, for a month. Will we ever see them again?
I shook my head, reminding myself it wasn’t the time for long, introspective moments. “We should probably get going,” I said to nobody in particular.
“I know,” Jason said.
“We can still get a pretty good day’s ride in.”
“I know. Pack it up, guys.”
“It’d be nice to have some daylight by the time we make camp today…especially with that promise you made earlier,” I said, looking at Jason with wide, innocent eyes. There were several scandalous things I’d been planning to do with him in the light of day. Besides, I needed something to focus on other than the image of Mandy’s mutilated body.
“I know, Red,” Jason said, his eyes blazing. “Everyone, move your asses!”
“You’re riding with me, kid,” I told Carlos after everything was loaded back onto the pack animals.
“Kid?” he asked dubiously. “I’m bigger than you!”
“Stick with ‘kid’ and things’ll go easier for you. At least, as long as you’re riding with me. Trust me,” I said. Out loud I followed with, “Have you ever ridden a horse?”
Carlos nodded. “My abuelo owned a ranch in Texas. We’d visit every summer. He had a bunch of horses.”
“Well, hop up then. We need to get going.” It was definitely going to be nice to have another person in the group who knew their way around a horse.
It took us a few tries to figure out the best position for two riders, but we settled for Carlos in the saddle with me wedged between the horn and his lap—it only worked because I was petite enough to fit. It wasn’t exactly comfortable, but the young man could easily hold me in place if I started to sway. Unfortunately, Jason’s jaw clenched every time he lo
oked at us. I was getting the distinct feeling the arrangement wouldn’t last for long.
“There are rules,” I told Carlos as the horses trudged along the snow-laden highway later that morning. “Well, it’s really just one rule. Do whatever I tell you…or Jason,” I said and felt his body tense against mine. “Don’t worry, it won’t be anything crazy. Besides, if you don’t like life with us, you can always leave.”
“I heard what you said back there…about making the big guy agree to take out anyone like Mandy,” Carlos said. “I want in. And…I won’t leave you.”
“It’s your choice,” I told him.
“That’s why I won’t leave you,” he said softly, and I nearly crumbled into tears. To have no will, no choice, was abominable. I clung to the hope that the Colony would prevent us, including the young man sitting behind me, from ever falling into such a twisted trap again.
~~~~~
That evening, after we’d put in another full day on horseback and had set up camp, the sun ruined my indecent plans by setting—not that it stopped Jason. At the first opportunity, he dragged me into our tent and practically tore off my clothes.
“I don’t care if I have to walk. You’re not riding in that kid’s lap again,” he stated, removing our final pieces of clothing.
“Fine.” I lured him down to the sleeping bags, pushed him onto his back, and straddled his hips. “I’d rather ride in your lap anyway,” I whispered, sheathing him inside me and savoring his satisfied groan. I spent the rest of the evening showing him just how much I really meant those words.
FEBRUARY
45
ZOE
“Wake up!” Sarah hissed near my ear. It felt like I’d barely closed my eyes when she tore the blankets off me. “Wake up!”
“Whaaaat?” I whined, peeling my eyes open. The remnants of another restless night made my head feel like an overgrown jungle of thorny thoughts. Ever since Jake told us that Clara had held some sort of power over Tanya, I hadn’t been able to shake a feeling of dread. When Clara wasn’t in my dreams, my dying mother was. It had been days since I’d had any restful sleep.
“I need your full attention—every single drop of it. Come on.” Hurrying to the drapes, Sarah pulled them open, and the light of dawn stung my eyes.
“The sun is barely up,” I groaned, but my complaint fell on deaf ears. “What’s so important,” I huffed. “And why so early?” I stretched and wiggled in bed, trying to shake off the fog of bad dreams and to loosen my achy muscles—training had resumed and was kicking my ass.
“Listen to me closely, Zoe. I need the brutal honesty you’ve always been so good at giving…to other people.”
My eyebrows pulled together as I considered her words. “I’m going to assume there was some flattery in there somewhere.”
Sarah waved my words aside and began pacing.
Groaning again, I sat up. The thought of leaving the pillow-top mattress made me even grumpier. “Do I look as bad as I feel?”
“Yes, probably,” Sarah answered as she appraised my appearance.
I folded my arms and leaned back against the pillows, annoyed. “That was a rhetorical question, Sarah. Now, get on with it. What’s going on?” She was anxious, still pacing back and forth. Her hair bounced in its ponytail with each troubled step. “What?”
Pausing, Sarah looked at me through pleading, tired eyes. “I think I’m…I think I’m pregnant.”
“What!” I screeched before I could stop myself. Sarah having a child seemed like a cruel joke, but I could feel her turmoil and immediately felt horrible for thinking that. Seeing the pathetic look in her eyes, I made an effort to regain my composure. “I mean, are you sure?”
Shaking her head, Sarah resumed her preoccupied stride. “Not completely, but I missed my period. It was supposed to come over a week ago. I’m starting to assume the worst.”
“What are you gonna do?” Astonishment softened my voice.
She hurried over to the bed. “That’s what I need your brutal honesty for, Zoe. I’m freaking out.” Her chest was rising and falling like she’d just run up a dozen flights of stairs, and I could hear hysteria creeping into her voice. “I need you to tell me what to do.”
“You don’t know for sure that you’re pregnant,” I reminded her.
“Again, I’m starting to assume the worst.” She walked toward the window, popping each of her knuckles as she stared outside.
Realizing the implication of her words—that being pregnant would be a worst-case scenario—I asked, “I know it’s not ideal, given the circumstances, but would you never want a baby with Biggs?”
“Do I seem like mother material to you? Because I’m pretty sure I’d make a terrible one. Not to mention, this isn’t the best time to be procreating.” Curling a tendril of her hair around her finger, she resumed her pacing by walking to the door and then back again.
“Don’t you…you know…use protection? I mean, how did this happen? No, don’t answer that.” I squeezed my eyes shut and shook my head, trying to dispel the images I’d conjured.
“I was on the pill for a while, but I ran out. We were being careful, but there were a couple of times when we got a little…forgetful, I guess you could say.” Her eyes were fearful. “This is huge, Zoe! What if he doesn’t want a kid?”
Resting the back of my head against the top of the mahogany headboard, I thought of Biggs and knew he’d be a great father. He had enough patience and compassion for the both of them. I smiled, trying to placate Sarah. “Don’t jump to conclusions, okay? First, let’s talk to Harper and see if you’re right. You might just be late. Then we’ll worry about Biggs and what to do, okay?”
Sarah nodded and seated herself on the edge of the bed, biting her fingernails nervously. “I’ve been feeling sort of sick lately,” she confessed while I got dressed. “I thought it was because of stress…maybe with Clara and the whole Jake thing, but my gut’s telling me that’s just wishful thinking.”
“Well, there’s only one way to find out. I’ll go get Harper, and you can tell him what you told me. He’ll know what to do.” I headed toward the door.
“But what if he tells Riley?”
I stopped in my tracks. “You should tell him. You’re right, Sarah, this is huge. Biggs needs to know.”
“I will tell him. I’m just scared. I’ve never been in this position before. What if the thought of me being pregnant is revolting to him?” she whined.
Placing my hands firmly on Sarah’s shoulders, I looked into her eyes and very carefully said, “Whatever happens, just remember that Biggs loves you. He’ll be supportive. He would want to know that you’re this upset.” I straightened. “Who knows, he might even be able to make you feel better about the whole thing.” I flashed a supportive smile and crossed the room to the door. “I’ll be right back…try to think of fairies and princesses while I’m gone,” I said, trying to lighten the mood before I scuttled out of the room.
“That’s not funny!” she called through the door.
I searched the first floor, listening for muffled voices that would give away my companions’ whereabouts. As I was heading into the library, I heard the steady footsteps of someone hurrying up behind me. Unwanted, Biggs’s lust for Sarah and images of her tussled hair and naked body infiltrated my mind. Eww…Crap!
“Hey Zoe,” Biggs called out as he ran up to me. “Have you seen Sarah?”
I smiled as convincingly as I could, trying to force the images of them having sex from my mind. Friggin’ stallion. “She’s in my room. Girl talk stuff,” I said nonchalantly, fleeing into the library before he could get any more information out of me. “We’ll be done soon.”
He followed me, and I wondered why he was suddenly feeling sympathetic. Strange. When I faced him, he shook his head and said, “I’m sorry, Zoe. Harper told me about your whole…prophecy thing. I mean, I knew about it before, but I guess I just didn’t know all the details. You doing okay?”
I was instantly confused, kn
owing I didn’t possess any sort of prophetic ability, but I nodded anyway.
“That’s gotta be weird to think about,” he said.
Oblivious to what he was talking about, I fished for a satisfying explanation. “Yeah…” I nodded again. “What are your thoughts about the whole thing?” Biggs was always so chatty—I hoped that, if I kept him talking long enough, I could get some answers.
“Honestly, I’m not surprised by much anymore. But man, I can’t imagine how it feels to know someone predicted your death.” He placed a supportive hand on my shoulder and slowly shook his head. “I’m just glad I’m not in Jake’s shoes. I don’t know how I’d handle knowing I was predestined to cause someone’s death. It’s all pretty crazy, right?” He paused, waiting for me to agree.
“Yeah, it’s…weird,” I said hollowly, trying not to let his words overwhelm me. A few seconds passed as I grasped for some kind of understanding. My confusion turned to shock, and finally betrayal took root in the pit of my stomach as Biggs’s words sank deeper. A prophecy that I would die because of Jake? And no one said anything to me? Every nerve in my body bristled with unease as Jake’s confusing behavior toward me started to make sense.
Biggs’s eyes widened, and I could feel his acute discomfort. “But you made it through, yay…” His fist pump was weak, and he forced a timid smile before his face dropped. “You didn’t know about any of that, did you?” He ran his fingers through his short, blonde hair, clearly distressed. “Shit.”
“Nope,” I said slowly, my voice low with disbelief and anger.
“Okay…so…I’m gonna go now. Will you send Sarah down when you ladies are done chatting, please?”
“Sure,” I said flatly, and Biggs hurried away. Turning on my heel, I marched toward the dining room, hoping to find Harper.
The Ending Series: The Complete Series Page 43