Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 88119 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88119 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“I didn’t take them,” I explained and a new wave of anger washed over me. “Major made me.”
Devon’s eyes narrowed. “Why did he do that?”
“Because he wants to stop me from running away.” I was shocked to hear the words out loud. I’d never thought I’d even consider leaving the FEA. What was there left in my life without the FEA? Holly, I reminded myself. She needed my help. I couldn’t rely on Major to save her. She wasn’t important enough for him. Holly would understand if I told her my reasons for leaving headquarters. Maybe we could build a new life somewhere.
“You want to run? I thought you liked being with the FEA?” Devon’s words brought me back to the present.
I closed my eyes when I reminded myself of the full extent of the FEA’s and Alec’s betrayal. Slowly, I sat up, fighting a sickness that had nothing to do with the sleeping pills. “Thanks for waking me,” I said.
I realized we’d talked more in the last few minutes than we had in the time he’d been living at headquarters. He was still watching me intently, waiting for a reply. I’d once loved living with the FEA, but that didn’t matter anymore. My eyes darted to the nightstand with Devon’s family photo. I realized I couldn’t have chosen a better person to confide in.
“No,” I said slowly. “I have to run away. Tonight. And I was wondering if you wanted to come with me.”
He had no reason to help me. Not after the way I’d deceived him during my last mission, but he was my only hope. There was no one else I could ask. I tried to convince myself that I was doing this for him, that I wanted to protect him from Major’s game, but that was only part of it. Deep down, I knew my selfish motives were stronger. I wasn’t sure if I was strong enough to go through this alone.
“What happened?”
I didn’t want to tell him, but then the words started tumbling out and I told him everything I’d found out today. I ached when I was done. I crossed my arms over my chest, shivering.
Devon wrapped his arm around my shoulder. I couldn’t believe that we’d finally managed to leave the awkwardness behind. “I thought the FEA were the good guys,” Devon said distractedly. I could see that he was mulling over something.
“Sometimes even the good guys cross a line,” I said eventually. But I wasn’t even sure if the FEA were the good guys. Did good guys actually exist? Maybe the FEA and Abel’s Army were just two sides of the same coin. Different shades of bad.
“So,” Devon began, his voice tight. “Wasn’t Abel’s Army responsible for the killing in Livingston and for Holly’s abduction?” He grimaced when the name of his hometown crossed his lips. It probably brought too many bad memories back.
“That’s what Major said,” I clarified. I realized I sounded defensive. I was trying to defend Abel—my father. Where had that notion come from?
“You’re right. We don’t know if Major told the truth,” Devon said. He started to rub my arm absentmindedly, and somehow it managed to relax me. He seemed so calm. “And after what you just told me, we should definitely leave immediately. I don’t need anyone messing with me. I’m messed up enough.”
I let out a laugh. “Me too.” The way he looked at me stirred something. In a strange, twisted way, it reminded me of Alec.
Sadness wound its way through my body. I looked away and played with the hem of my pajama shirt. Devon’s hand on my arm stilled and he stared at it, as if he had only just realized what he was doing. I wasn’t sure if I wanted him to stop or not.
“So,” Devon said, casually dropping his arm. “What’s the plan? How do we get away?”
“Are you really sure you want to come with me? If Major catches us, we’ll both be spending the next few weeks in FEA’s loony bin.”
“I’m sure.” He touched my hand. “You uncovered my sister’s murderer. I owe it to you.”
I looked down at Devon’s hand on mine. It was good that there was someone who hadn’t betrayed me. Yet, a cautious voice reminded me. Somehow I was sure that Devon had his own reasons to join me on my quest to find out the truth about Abel’s Army.
“Headquarters is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. The next farm is about five miles south,” I said. “It would take hours to get there by foot.”
“So that’s out,” Devon said thoughtfully. “What about a helicopter? Can you fly one?”
I shook my head. “No, I mean, I don’t think I can. I’ve only had a few hours in the simulator, never in a real helicopter. And the sound of the blades would wake everyone. Major would just send another helicopter after us.” He’d hunt us down. If I left tonight, he wouldn’t stop chasing me until I was back in his hands.