Page 101 of Undone
Through my muffled ears I heard footsteps coming nearer, and I pulled Linette into the corner, trying to keep pressure on. At the same time, from across the camp I heard a series of shots and voices. Something big was going on near the warehouse. The footsteps got to the barn and I held Linette’s wound with one hand while my other hand pointed my gun at the doorway.
“U.S. Marines!” I heard someone yell just as a dark figure appeared around the corner brandishing a rifle.
“It’s me!” I stupidly shouted, as if they’d know who I was.
But the deep voice said, “Remy?” and my heart jumped.
I squinted, making out his tall shape. “Devon?” A sound of elation ripped from my chest, something between a laugh and a sob.
“It is you—hot damn!” He stepped over Vahni and squatted beside us.
“Linette’s shot.”
“I got her.” He scooped Linette into his arms. “Follow me. Keep your gun out.” We stepped over the dead body. The body of the creature I killed. And for once in my life, I had no guilt.
“Kelsey!” I called. “You can come out!” Then I explained to Devon. “It’s a little girl.”
He nodded. I heard the shuffle of hay and patter of small feet running to me. I scooped her into my arms and held her tight. “You weresogood.”
Together, we ran from the barn to the women’s dormitory, passing bodies. When we got to the door I recognized New York Josh, but there was no time to stop. We beamed at each other, and I rushed inside, looking around. I’d expected to see the younger girls, but they weren’t here. On the floor was a row of bodies, all bleeding from various places, and two medics working over them. The sight of brown waves, tanned skin, and efficient movements made everything inside me swell with joy. I immediately choked up.
“Amber?”
Her head swung around. “Remy! Thank God!”
I stood back while Devon rushed to Amber’s side and set down Linette.
“Rem, come wrap this wound,” Amber said, motioning to the gauze in her hand as she peered down at Linette’s still form.
I set down Kelsey and ran over to grab the gauze. I didn’t recognize the soldier with the bleeding arm, but he nodded at me, gritting his teeth, and I nodded back before getting to work.
Amber was able to quickly dig the bullet out of Linette’s shoulder.
“She is so fucking lucky,” Amber murmured. “Shot just under her collarbone. Missed her heart and main arteries.” She poured something on the wound, I was guessing to sterilize it, and Linette gasped out a croak, her eyes shooting open. Devon had to hold her down as she cursed from the pain.
“Good to see you haven’t lost your fire,” Amber said.
“Oh, it’s you.” Linette closed her eyes and leaned back against Devon, her forehead pinched with pain. “How bad is it?”
“I was just saying how lucky you are. It’s going to take a couple months to heal, but you’ll be good to go.”
Linette cracked open a single eye and looked right at me. “Thanks.”
I shrugged, feeling an unfamiliar sense of pride. Amber shot me a questioning look.
Linette closed her eye and grunted. “She saved my life. Killed the alien bitch.”
Amber’s eyes widened and she smiled. I had so much to tell her.
As soon as she shot Linette up with morphine, she started working on the next guy, but I couldn’t wait any longer. I threw my arms around her neck. She couldn’t hug me back, but her voice got thick.
“Shit, now I can’t see,” she said, trying to wipe her eyes against her shoulders. I pulled up the skirt of my dress and dabbed her eyes while she laughed.
“I thoughtwewere besties now, Remy,” Linette said, eyes still closed. Amber scoffed, but I had to smile.
“I can never have too many friends.”
Kelsey slunk over to my side and leaned against me, needing to be close. I put an arm around her.
