Page 45 of Citadel

“Damn the man,” Breanna mutters.

Cole has seen us. He’s watching us approach, his eyes steady, unnerving. Then he makes a gesture with his head to the side, and I know exactly what he’s saying.

“You don’t have to talk to him,” Breanna says.

“I know. I’ll see what he wants real quick, and then we’ll leave. I’m fine, Breanna. It’s really okay.”

“Okay.” She doesn’t look happy, but she doesn’t argue. She steps away as I head over to where Cole has moved.

“Where are you going?” he asks gruffly.

“Breanna has a run. I’m going with her.”

“Why?”

“Why not? What business is it of yours?”

“It’s dangerous out there. It might feel like it’s getting safer, but it’s still dangerous.”

“I know it’s dangerous. We’re smart. We’ll be fine.”

He opens his mouth, and I know it’s to further object.

“You don’t get a say on what I do or don’t do. This is the way we live our life. We’ve been fine for two years now without you. Just because you decide to materialize again, doesn’t mean you get to pretend to be our protector. I meant what I said the other day.”

“You don’t trust me.” His voice is more like gravel than I’ve ever heard it.

“Right. I don’t trust you. I do appreciate everything you did for us before, but that doesn’t entitle you to a say in my life now. I’m my own person, and I make my own decisions. I don’t need you to protect me anymore.”

Something quivers in his face, the muscles of his jaw. I see it although it’s only the slightest of movements.

He’s not exactly angry, but he’s feeling something deep.

“So you can go do your thing. Keep looking for your brother. I really hope you find him. And I’ll do my thing.” I pause for a moment. “And my thing is no longer you.”

He stands like a statue. Like granite. Stares at me but doesn’t speak or even flick an eyelid.

I let out a breath and turn away, returning to my sister and the life we’ve built for ourselves.

It might not be everything we want it to be, but we’ve been safe for the past two years. We’ve made our own decisions about what happens to us.

And that’s a grace I never thought we’d be given again.

6

Breannaand I hike through the woods.

We have no access to a working vehicle other than a bicycle and no gas even if we had one. All the roads are in such disrepair now that bikes are usually more trouble than they’re worth. It’s quicker and easier to walk wherever we need to go.

It’s easier to stay out of sight off the roads anyway.

Breanna knows the hiking trails in this region far better than I do, so I trust her to plot our route. We head south on an old mountain path, and I enjoy the cool morning air—so much clearer than it used to be—and the exercise. The day is going to be hot, but the sun is still low in the sky. The slight snap of cold in the air is exactly right for hiking.

I’m glad Breanna suggested I come along.

I’m glad to get away from town for a little while.

Maybe Cole will be gone when I get back.

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