Page 23 of When Monsters Rise
“Youlook like someone told you your puppy died,” she said around a mouthful of food.
“I’mfine.Ijust…Ineed to do something,Bee.Ineed to get out there and fix our world.”
“Iknow what you mean.”Thesoft crackling of static rose from beneath the table. “Oops.”Beefumbled in the pocket of her overalls, and the sound stopped. “Radio.Wewere in the new tunnels, andBastiangave me a radio to keep in touch.”
“Howis the tunnel going?”
“Stillsome clearing to do.They’reputting in these emergency lights now.Itwon’t be the first option for escape, though.Itcomes outinsidethe city so not the safest exit, but if our main route is compromised, we can use this one.”
Therewas a lightness about her, a brightness in her eyes that lifted the weight on my chest. “Yousound like you had fun today.”
“Itfelt good to be doing something useful again.”
“Iknow what you mean.”
“Noweat up.”Shepicked up her sandwich and took another hearty bite as if to demonstrate.
Weate in silence for several minutes as the dining hall got busier.Bythe time we were done, the place was teeming.
Itook our empty plates and cups over to the kitchens, where one of the workers,Henry, took them off me. “Nodessert today,I’mafraid,” he said. “We’rerunning low on flour, but watcher scouts left a few hours ago.Hopefullythey’ll bring something useful back.”
IfBastiancould get a greenhouse up and running, and if the watchers could find a plot of land that we could farm, then food wouldn’t be such a problem.
Wedrifted away from the kitchens.
“Wantto come work in the tunnels?”Beeasked.
Ihad no other plans for the day. “Sure.”
Weheaded into the main chamber where the dried-up fountain sat.Severalchildren ran around it playing tag, and a couple of adults who’d claimed a set of table and chairs nearby chatted amiably while watching over the little ones.
Themain chamber led off to various wings of the mall.Thiswas the hub—the heart of this place—and right now, it was filled with children’s laughter.Thesound lifted my mood and brought a smile to my face.
“Imissed this,”Beesaid.
“Yeah, me too.”
“Rue.Bee.”Michaelstrode across the room toward us. “Ihave my sword back, thanks to you two.”
“Iheard,”Beesaid. “Abouttime.You’repart of the team now.”
Michaelsmiled. “Yes.Andas part of the team,I’dlike to help more.Whenwe came in through the tunnels,Inoticed some points of concern.”
Ifrowned up at him. “Whatdo you mean?”
“Areaswhere the structure seemed unstable.Iwas hoping you might take me back through so thatIcould have a closer look.It’snot too far past the red door.”
Leavingthe mall and heading past the red door was only for emergencies or with watcher approval. “Haveyou spoken toShemabout it?”
“Ofcourse,” he said smoothly. “Buthe’s busy right now.HesuggestedIfind you.”
Myscalp prickled. “Hedid?”
“Yes, is that a problem?”Hefrowned, looking confused.
“No.Notat all.”Therewas no leaving without watcher approval, but ifShemhad said it was okay… “Let’sgo.”
Chapter12
