Page 45 of When Monsters Rise
Baraqelmade a soft sound of annoyance. “Ifwe could find a vehicle with gas in the tank…”
“Whatabout bicycles?”Beesuggested. “Isthere a bike store in the city?”
“Weneed a map of the city so we can check,”Bastiansaid.
“Waita second…”Beerushed out of the room and returned a moment later with a small booklet in a plastic pouch. “Theyhave a tourism rack.Thisis a map of the city.”
Shespread it out over the table, and we scanned it, looking for a bike store.
“Here!”Bastiansaid. “Wecan go there once the sun comes up.It’snot far.Twoor three trips and we can bring back enough bikes for us all.”
“Noteveryone can ride, though.”Beegnawed on her lip. “We’llneed to teach them.Itshouldn’t take more than a day.”
We’dhad a few bicycles in the settlement—novelty pieces, really.Asscouts we’d attempted to use them for a little while, but a bike’s speed had nothing on a ripper.
“Thebicycles will work for part of the journey,”Shemsaid. “Butthere is a stretch where they won’t be able to go.”
“Ican plot an alternate route,”Zaqsaid. “Itwould take longer on foot, but with the bikes…”
“Thecelestials will be on aerial lookout too,”Penemuepointed out. “We’llneed to be wary.”
Baraqelgrowled. “Letthose bastards come.We’lltear them to shreds.Thedevolved aren’t the only ones who can have bloodlust.Theyhad the pleasure of killing the traitorMichaeland his sentinels, but we’ll take the pleasure of annihilating the next troop that descends on us.”
“Unlessthat troop happens to bePowers,”Amarossaid softly. “Wecan’t let anger get the best of us.”
“Wedon’t know ifMichaelis dead,”Shemsaid. “Hehad an escapeWord.Hecould have ported out before the mall collapsed.”
Themood darkened. “Ifhe is alive, then he’ll come for us.”
“Andif he does, then we will deal with him,”Sarqreplied. “Butfor now, our focus must be on getting the humans to safe zone twelve.”
“Everyone, get some rest,”Shemsaid. “We’regoing to need it.”
Chapter20
Thewatchers left the interview room, butShemremained, his palms on the table, head bowed.Helooked defeated.
Ihated that.
Iwrapped my arms around his waist from behind and laid my cheek on his back. “We’llfigure this out.We’llfinish it.Ipromise.”
Hecovered my hand with his. “Iknow.”Heturned to face me and pulled me into a hug. “Iknow.”
Ileaned into him, and for a moment it felt like it was just the two of us in the room.
“Themain room is full.Weshould bunk in here,”Bastiansaid finally.
Shemnodded. “Yes.Ineed to do a perimeter check.”
“I’llcome with you,”Bastiansaid.
Thetwo left, andIfound a spot on the carpet whereIcould lean up against the wall.
“Youlook wiped,”Beesaid, lowering herself onto the floor next to me.
“Ifeel it.”
Hergaze flicked toJilyana, still sitting on the chair, her attention on the door.Therewas a deep sorrow to her expression.Asense of discomfort and displacement.Asif she wasn’t sure she should be here.
