Renegade (The Elysium Chronicles #1)(38)
For lack of a better plan, I sit on the floor and start going through my backpack, hoping for a better plan to come to me. I’m not sure why Mother’s map was wrong, but I have a bad feeling that Gavin was right about everything and I don’t really want to think about that right now.
I’m pretty sure there’s a first-aid kit in there, unless Mother’s messed with that as well, and my hand is beginning to really hurt. Besides, there’s a lot of blood, and if it drips, they might be able to follow us.
Gavin sits and watches silently as I try to fumble open the kit. He finally takes it from me. “Here, let me help you.”
After opening the kit, he uses the antiseptic wipes to cleanse the wounds and sucks in a breath when he sees the large gash across the top of my hand.
His touch is gentle as he says, “You have to be more careful. Your hands are too pretty to be smashing into walls like that.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I say, handing him the healing wand. “Just press the red button and hold it over the gash. It’ll do the rest.”
He studies it for a few seconds. “This is that thing you used on me, right?”
“Yes.”
“How does it work?”
I watch his fingers as they hold the wand. They’re long, like a musician’s hand. “Do you play an instrument?” I ask.
He gives me a strange look. “No. Why?”
“Your fingers. They’re long, and I thought…” I trail off and blush when he grins. “Never mind. We use the wand instead of sutures, which really only make things worse and invite infection. It super accelerates the body’s own healing processes. It only works on small to moderate wounds, though. Anything severe would just retear, which is … not ideal.”
He considers this, nods, then does as I ask. His face lights up as he watches the wound knit itself back together. “There. Good as new.” Before he releases my hand, he presses a kiss to where the wound was, keeping his eyes on mine.
Tingles zip up my arm and I can only stare at him as he takes the antiseptic towel and gently wipes it across my face, cleaning the dirt and blood from it.
His eyes are sad, and cold air fills the space he vacates when he pulls away. It makes me shiver, so he pulls me closer again, chafing my arms with his hands. “It’s really cold down here.” I don’t have anything to say to that, so I don’t say anything; I just let him continue to rub my arms, enjoying the warmth of his skin on mine. He clears his throat a minute later. “Feel better?” he asks.
I nod. “Thanks,” I say, and although I find now that I don’t want to, I pull away. Our time here is short. It won’t be long before Mother comes looking for us.
I dump out the contents of my bag and reorganize it, while taking an inventory.
There are two first-aid kits. The stupid map that didn’t help at all. Some small, waterproof case that clinks when I move it. My extra set of clothes, which I set off to the side so I can change. And a few rations of food, which won’t last very long, especially not with two of us eating it now.
Gavin stops me and gestures to the case. “What is that?”
“I don’t know.” I pull it out and flip open the flap, then pour the contents into my palm. It’s a series of vials, each with different caps: a smaller version of the DNA testing kit and an envelope made from some kind of slick material.
Frowning, I tear open the envelope.
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU’VE BEEN SELECTED AS MOTHER’S SPECIAL FEW.
Since you’re reading this, chances are you’re facing an emergency of a fairly large scale that you are unlikely to escape from alive. But, good news! You’ve been hand-selected by Mother to preserve your genetic makeup for a special new program that will allow Mother to use your DNA to repopulate Elysium in just this type of event.
Before you report to your assigned evacuation location, please follow all instructions as carefully as possible. Maintaining a quality sample is crucial, so don’t rush! When you’ve collected all required samples, seal them in the waterproof container provided.
If you are currently undergoing a Surface Dweller attack, please make sure to place the sample in one of the safe, but accessible places noted on your map. In case of flooding, or other facility failure, place your sealed container as close as possible to one of the exterior walls of the facility and activate the flotation device at the top of the container. The device is only sufficient to bring your samples to the Surface, so please don’t attempt to use it as a personal flotation device.
No matter what cataclysmic event you’re facing, please be sure to double-check the seals on all of your samples and the tamper-proof container before reporting to your designated evacuation area. Thank you for your generosity. Long live Elysium!
I can only stare at the letter with my jaw hanging open. I have no idea whether to laugh or cry.
“Evie? What does it say?” Gavin asks and, wordlessly, I hand him the letter.
At first, he looks confused, then he starts laughing, and he looks over at me. “Is this serious?” he asks, but even I can tell he’s being sarcastic. “She actually wants you to stop running for your life and take the time to not only fill these vials with God knows what, but then hide them safely? No wonder that map led us down here. She has no intention of letting you—or anyone—escape. And you want to stay here? Unbelievable.”