He rises slowly to his feet. “That sucks. I was having the best dream…” His eyes find mine. “You were in it.”
My cheeks flush, and I stand and turn away. Everyone else has exited the train and is waiting next to the track. I hop down, my knees taking most of the impact.
We’re still in the desert, with orange cliffs rising in the background. Paige is handing out backpacks that she says are filled with food, water, a flashlight, and an emergency blanket.
“Should we become separated for any reason, these packs have everything you need to sustain you in the desert for three days. But…” She looks directly at me when she says this. “I don’t anticipate this happening. This is only a precaution.”
Trey jumps down from the train and saunters over to stand next to me. Paige hands me my pack and I put it on, wincing when it hits my shoulder.
“Here, let me carry that for you,” Trey offers, one hand already reaching for the pack.
I readjust the pack so it’s not rubbing against my wound. “No. If I’m part of this group, I have to carry my own weight.”
“But Sienna, you were just shot. Everyone understands—”
“I don’t care,” I say stubbornly.
Trey sighs. “You better let me know when it becomes unbearable. Got it?”
“Sure.”
I look around for Zane, but I don’t spot him immediately because he’s standing a few feet from the rest of the group. I’m starting toward him when I hear the low gunning sound of a vehicle approaching. Enforcers. My pulse kicks into overdrive, and I shout, “Everybody down!”
Before I can slam myself on the ground, Zane raises his hands. “It’s okay, everyone. They’re here for me.”
Sure enough, a black sedan is off-roading over the desert terrain. I turn to him, surprised. “What? I don’t understand. You’re not coming with us?”
He shakes his head, his jaw clenching. “It’s not my fight, Sienna.” He turns and strides toward the vehicle.
I hurry to catch up to him, putting distance between us and the rest of the group. “But, Zane—”
Pivoting around, he interrupts me. “Do you love me?”
I’m so surprised that I take a step back, not sure how to respond. “What?”
“Do. You. Love. Me.” His face has a fire in it I haven’t seen before.
“I can’t—”
“After everything we’ve been through?” His voice grows fierce. “Just say that you don’t love me. Say you don’t love me, and I’ll leave you alone forever.”
I bite my lip as tears fill my eyes. “I can’t—”
“Why?” he asks, his voice rising a few decibels.
When I stand there, saying nothing, doing nothing, he throws his hands up in the air. “Forget it. I’m done. I have a fiancée waiting for me. And you clearly have Trey now, so what more could you ever want?”
I want to run after him and tell him the truth. I want to throw my arms around him and never let go, but my legs won’t move and my mouth won’t open. Instead, I stand there and watch him walk away. Watch until his car is only a speck on the horizon.
Because, Zane, I do.
Acknowledgements
Much gratitude and many thanks go to the following people for guiding me and helping me bring this book to publication:
All of the Clean Teen Publishing Team for making me feel like I won the lottery when they offered me a contract to publish Catalyst. You gals are seriously the best! Cynthia Shepp, my amazing editor who helps whip my book into shape. Rebecca Gober, for her sound marketing advice and general awesomeness. Marya Heidel, CTP’s talented graphic designer, for creating brilliant covers that truly reflect my work. Courtney Knight, who makes the inside of the book just as beautiful as the outside. Melanie Newton, our social media guru, who is always available to answer a question or steer me in the right direction. My proofers, Lauren Dootson and Kelly Risser, for combing through my book and finding those odd word choices and little mistakes. Thanks to you all!
My wonderful critique partner, Leandra Wallace, who is quick to answer emails with the subject line of “Help!” Thank you for cheering me on throughout this journey. You’re next!
My awesome friend, Beth Ellyn Summer, who gives such good advice when it comes to writing. I’m so excited we get to be Pitch Wars mentors together!
My super-fast beta readers Tasha Stoddard and Jamie Dalton, for diving into Forgotten at the twelfth hour when I needed fresh eyes and another opinion. Thank you!
These incredibly talented authors: Kimberley Griffiths Little, Jessie Humphries, Ilima Todd, Sherry Ficklin, Stephanie Faris, and Mark Noce, for reading and providing an awesome blurb for Catalyst.
My Charlotte writer friends: Monica Hoffman, Holly Hughes, and Jacy Merrill, who inspire and uplift me every time we get together to chat about writing and books.
My dear parents for their continued love and support. I’m proud to be your daughter.
My sons: Corbin, Hayden, Ethan, Liam, and Declan, for being patient and understanding and oh-so-excited about Mom becoming an author.
My sweet husband, Adam, who is always my first reader and full of ideas to make the book better. I hope you’ll be reading my work for many, many years to come.
God. You had me worried there when I couldn’t finish this book, but thankfully, You came through for me—as You always do.
My awesome readers, for loving the first book enough to read the second.
About the Author
Kristin Smith is the author of the young adult novel Catalyst. When she’s not writing, you can find her dreaming about the beach, beating her boys at Just Dance, or belting out karaoke (from the comfort of her own home). Kristin currently resides in the middle-of-nowhere North Carolina with her husband and five sons. To read more about her obsession with YA novels or her addiction to chocolate, you can visit her at kristinsmithbooks.com.
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