Page 52 of When Monsters Rise
“We’llfind out tomorrow,”Tumielreplied.
Thebus had cut our journey in half.We’dbe at the church by sunset tomorrow if all went well.
Withthe children gone, the adults were more than ready to get moving.
Shemsplit the watchers into pairs and assigned a small group of humans to each pair.Itwasn’t far to the bike store, but we’d experienced enough to know that anything could go wrong.
“Staytogether,”Shemsaid. “Stayclose to your assigned watchers.Doas they say, and you might live.”
Istudied the faces around me, expressions ranging from fearful to determined, and vowed thatI’dmake sure all of them made it to safe zone twelve.
Chapter25
Wemade it to the bike store and through to the garage without incident.Thebus waited in the gloom like a silent savior, all fueled up and ready to go.
“Comeon.”Beeushered everyone along. “Everyoneinside.”
Theair pulsed with relief as people lined up to board the ride.
“Here, you’ll need this.”Zaqpressed his map intoBastian’shands. “Imarked the route.”
“Thankyou,”Bastiansaid.
“We’lltravel by day and hide out during the night,”Zaqsaid. “Firstlocation is marked on the map.Itlooks like a detour, but it only takes us a half hour off track.It’sthe only safe spot before the church.”
“Thereare supplies there,”Tumieladded.
Itmade sense to stop.Wecouldn’t risk being attacked by razor beaks once the sun went down.Thebus would be too much of a target, and last time…
Mythroat pinched asIrecalled the last time we’d traveled in a bus.Thatnight all those weeks ago when we’d fled our settlement, and my father…
No.Wewouldn’t make the same mistake twice.
IspottedSissy, hanging back with a look of wariness.Wasshe recalling the last time we’d traveled by bus too?
Igave her a nod. “We’regood.Wewon’t be traveling at night.”
Sheoffered me a shaky smile. “Goodto hear.”
Shemgently gripped my nape, massaging the tense muscles as people finished boarding.
Onceeveryone was settled,Bastiantook the driver’s seat, and for a moment, it wasJavierin the seat.He’dbeen our driver the last time, but he was gone now.KilledbyMichaeland his purge.
Bitternessstung my throat.
I’dtrustedMichael.
HowcouldIhave been so blind?
“Goon,”Shemsaid softly. “Getinside.”
Iclimbed up and noted how packed the space was.Noroom for the watchers.
Mypanic must have shown on my face becauseShemchuckled. “Wedon’t travel in confined spaces,Rue.We’llride on top or fly.”
Ofcourse they would.
Itook the seat behindBastianand placed my hand on his shoulder. “Youremember how to drive?”
