Thicker Than Blood (Thicker Than Blood #1)(103)
“I always knew you were a big, fluffy marshmallow, Alex,” Evelyn said, attempting to ease the tension. “Big and strong on the outside, but all ooey-gooey in the middle.” Her hand touched her stitches subconsciously as she forced a pained smile.
Alex slanted his eyes toward Evelyn. “Are you calling me fat?”
“Yes,” she replied, smirking. “Now, get going, fatty.”
? ? ?
As was planned, so as not to cause any suspicions on where the three of us were heading with all of our belongings in tow, Alex left first. I was to be next, followed closely by Evelyn. Each of us had our own separate route, but the same destination.
“You know where to go?” Evelyn asked me for what seemed like the hundredth time. “Remember, don’t go through the market place, there’s too many eyes watching. Too many people we can’t trust.”
Sighing, I nodded. Though I was anxious, I was more determined than anything else. I was stronger than I had been in years.
“Stop worrying about me,” I said. “I can do this.” To further prove my point, I patted the weapons belt slung low on my hips, heavy with both a handgun and a blade.
“I’ll always worry about you,” she said, her bloodshot eyes glossing over. “Always, Lei.” She sounded so defeated, and it hurt to see her so broken.
Biting down on my bottom lip so as not to cry, I reached for her hand and shook my head. “It doesn’t matter what happens. You made good on your promise to Thomas.”
“But I didn’t,” she whispered. “I didn’t do nearly enough.”
“I’m still here, aren’t I?” I countered, squeezing her hand. “I’m alive, Eve, and that’s about the best any of us can ask for anymore.”
Her tears spilled over, and despite knowing I had to get moving, I pulled her in for a quick hug, squeezing her tightly to me. “You made me strong, Eve,” I whispered, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “You made me want to keep going.”
Before my own tears could fall, I pulled out of our hug and turned away, slipping quickly out the door and into the hallway. While trying to keep from looking in a hurry, I kept an agile, yet energetic pace, hoping I didn’t seem as anxious as I felt. My bag was slung over my shoulder, some of the clothing that Alex had gotten me and some food all thrown in haphazardly. The bag was heavy, but I acted as if it weighed nothing, not wanting to draw attention to it.
There were only a few people moving about in the building this early in the morning, and those that were around barely gave me a second look as they either entered or exited their own apartments. The stairs were clear as I descended, as was the exit, and then I was outside, making an immediate left, and headed away from the marketplace.
“Leisel! Sweetheart!”
I stopped walking, closing my eyes, sucking in a breath of calming air before turning around. Grannie was hurrying down the pathway, her wide hips shaking back and forth as she waved excitedly in my direction.
“I was hoping to find you before you went to work tonight!” she said breathlessly, coming to a stop before me. Reaching out, she placed her hand on my shoulder and took several deep breaths. “The end of the world isn’t meant for old women. It’s a wonder I’ve made it this long!”
I tried to smile at her to hide the spike in my nerves, yet my eyes continued darting left and right as I hoped that no one else of importance had spotted me.
“I have the perfect dress for you to wear tonight,” she continued. Straightening up, she smoothed her hands down the front of her shirt. “An old sequined number from the eighties that I’ve spruced up a bit. Imagine how you’ll look up there dancing, the lights catching the sequins!” Letting out a tiny shriek, she clapped her hands together, obviously pleased with herself.
I tried again to smile at her, yet could feel nothing but disgust. Despite her having been kind to us, treating us to clean clothing and such, she was no better than anyone else in Purgatory. She was thriving here, her sewing skills a necessity, so she wasn’t subjected to the same sort of cruelty the younger women were. Yet it was that very cruelty she depended on. She enjoyed the fights, made a killing off betting, all while happily supplying ridiculous getups for the dancers and hookers, only ensuring that this ludicrous way of life would continue.
She was part of the problem.
“Thank you,” I muttered. “Can’t wait to see it.”
“No, no!” she exclaimed, reaching for me. “You must come now! I can’t wait to show you!”
Swallowing hard, I took a step away from her. “I…um…I can’t right now. I have to meet…someone…”
God, I was the absolute worst liar left alive today. Somehow, even surrounded by them, I still couldn’t manage to pull it off. And Grannie, despite her penchant for seeming carefree, picked up on this immediately.
“What do you mean?” she asked, her voice hushed, her eyes comically wide. “Someone like…another man?”
“No,” I said quickly, bringing my backpack forward, showing her the overstuffed bags. “I’m trading is all.”
“Ah,” she said, sighing in relief. “Good God, sweetheart, you nearly gave me a heart attack! You’ve got a good one, you know. Wouldn’t want to see him cut you loose and have you end up in the Cave…or worse!”