Page 116 of Bound By Stars

The bay goes quiet. People slowly split, their attention shifting between me and my mother’s armed guard.

“Jupiter, thank the universe. Come.” Mom’s voice is at a normal volume, but she might as well be shouting compared to the silent bystanders.

I frown at the onlookers, their expressions an array of hatred and fear. “What’s going on?”

Dad steps forward, waving me on to join them. “Hurry.”

Without looking down, I find Weslie’s hand beside me and lace my fingers through hers.

“You can’t just take the last pod for yourself like you do everything else,” someone shouts from the back of the pack.

The pod is built for twelve. Tar estimated they could hold double long enough to make it to the Mars station. Most of these people could fit, but my mother would have them die before she was packed into a pod with any of them. I don’t want to believe it. I thought when it really mattered, when lives were at stake, she’d have the capacity to care. To be better than this.

Cries of agreement and disdain run through the spectators as they close in around us.

I shake my head slowly. “This isn’t right. We could all fit if…”

Marching up the cleared path, Gianna grabs my arm and drags me through the crowd.

I tighten my grip on Weslie’s hand, pulling her along.

Gianna shoves me toward the pod door, training her gun over the angry mob again. “If any of you step closer, I promise I will shoot. No matter where I aim, I’m either taking one of you down or ripping another hole through this ship.”

A deep rumble rolls through the pod bay. The floor tilts sideways. People grab hold of the walls, knocking into each other.

Gianna catches me by my shirt before I fall, backing toward the door as the artificial gravity shifts. Moving her gun back and forth, she warns off the crowd.

“Get in, Jupe!” Dad strains against his harness to peer out at me.

Weslie loosens her grip.

I catch her fingers, looking back over my shoulder.

Lips pressed together, she smiles like she’s silently granting me permission to leave her behind.

I shake my head. She’s not sacrificing herself. No way I’m getting off this ship without her.

A high-pitched sound tears through the bay. Everyone winces, covering their ears. There isn’t much time left.

I pull Weslie with me and sprint for the pod door, but Gianna catches my shoulder.

Wes tears her hand from my grip, and I turn back. The muzzle of the gun is pressed against her chest.

My heart drops into my stomach. “Gianna, what are you doing? Lower the gun.”

Her throat bobs as she swallows, but her expression stays blank and focused.

Hands raised, Weslie steps farther away, backing toward the crowd.

“No.” I follow her away from the pod.

“I have to get ILSA and the others. We’ll find another way.”

I reach for her. “I’m not going without you.”

The creaking and tearing grow louder. She presses her cheek against mine and brings her lips close to my ear, whispering, “There are extra pods near the bridge. I’ll go there. Without you, that’s one less we have to fit. Don’t worry about me.”

She pulls at my hand, but I don’t let go.

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