Three (Article 5 #3)(47)

“I’m not,” I said. “It’s just that Tucker might have information about the fallen posts, or about the prisoners. Something that might help us.”

“Us,” said Sean, making a noise of disbelief. “Wow. They got to you fast. Next you’ll be chanting at the full moon and shaving your head.”

“What are you talking about?”

“This place,” he said. “It’s all smoke and mirrors.”

I flinched. “What do you mean?”

“Don’t,” he said. “I’m not one of them, okay? You could have told me you talked to him. You actually can trust some people, you know.”

As he adjusted the length of the sling, I shrunk into the floor.

“I know,” I said in a small voice. “DeWitt asked me not to say anything.” It was a stupid excuse. If our places were switched, Sean would have told me.

One of his brows arched, which was enough to call me out.

“He’s not a bad guy,” I said. “He runs this place all right, doesn’t he? All these people wouldn’t follow him otherwise. If anyone can stand up to the MM, it’s Three.”

“DeWitt’s running this place like the FBR,” he argued. “Training soldiers to kill the bad guys.”

“It’s a war,” I said. “What else is he supposed to do?”

I was defending the same man who didn’t even let me walk across the compound alone. I busied my hands straightening a stack of threadbare towels.

“He’s helped Rebecca, hasn’t he?” I felt certain about that at least.

“I never said he wasn’t a good doctor.”

“Then what are you saying?”

“I’m saying I need him to keep helping her, that’s why I’m going.” His voice had raised, and at my expression he lowered it. He stepped closer. “I’m saying this never stops. Soon they’ll be bombing the cities and evacuating and it’s chaos, all over again.”

“It’s different this time.” Before it had been about the rich and everyone else. The insurgents, who tried to level the playing field and plunged the country into depression and madness. This was about surviving, about defending our rights as humans and taking back what was rightfully ours.

“Does it feel different?” he asked. “Because I’m not sure it does to Becca. Or those people starving in the Square in Knoxville. Or my brother, wherever he is.” He shook his head. “It’s the same. It’s always the same. We’re the good guys, they’re the enemy.”

I pressed the heels of my hands against my temples. “What are you talking about? Of course they’re the enemy.”

His blue eyes glinted in the dark. “You know, not that long ago you thought I was the enemy, too.”

A shadow fell over the door, interrupting our argument. I recognized Rocklin’s short stature immediately. As he moved closer his clothes glowed pale silver from the moonlight outside. I slipped deeper into the supply room, hiding behind the door.

“I’ll take one of those,” Rocklin said.

I watched Sean offer him one of the blankets. My mouth pulled tight in a grimace. With Rocklin guarding the door I’d never get past.

The old gym floor groaned when I shifted my weight. I fought the urge to backpedal and held absolutely motionless. Before me, Sean dug his heel into the floor, as if he’d been the one to make the noise.

“Hey, you think anyone would mind if I take an extra towel?” He stepped deeper into the supply room and I flattened myself as close as I could between the door and the wall. “My girlfriend used hers to dry off after the rain, and, well, you know. Girls.” There was a soft thumping noise, followed by Sean’s guilty, “Oops.”

Towels spilled across the floor, stopping just before my feet.

Rocklin hesitated, then entered the supply room and began helping Sean pick up the mess.

Without wasting a moment I padded by, catching Sean’s gaze just for a second as I passed. You’re welcome, he seemed to say, and I nodded, and broke through the barrier into the cool night air.

The barn was at the front of Endurance, near the gardens and the fishing lake. I didn’t go straight there, but made for a row of trees on the north side that would protect me from the accusing spotlight of the moon. The wet grass sloshed beneath my feet as I reached the high wooden fence that ran toward the length of the compound. Overhead, movement in the trees drew my attention—one of Three’s guards like those outside the entrance. I ducked down low, catching my breath.

Even if I escaped Rocklin’s watch, it didn’t mean I could leave.

You can trust me, you know.

I did trust Sean. Outside of Chase and Rebecca, there was no one I trusted more.

Not that long ago you thought I was the enemy, too.

Things weren’t black and white, but that didn’t mean you couldn’t pick a side.

I shook my head clear and raced along the vine-covered perimeter barricade until I reached the barn. Inside, the horses were restless, stamping their feet and snorting, but no human voices could be heard. I hoped I wasn’t too late, that Chase hadn’t thought I wouldn’t come and returned to the camp. So much had happened since I’d seen him last. It felt like weeks had passed, not just two days.

A ladder stretching to the loft leaned against the siding. Thinking that I might have a better view of the surrounding area from higher ground, I clasped the splintered rungs and hauled myself up. Once I reached the top, I hopped through the opening and was surrounded by the sweet musty smell of hay and horses. The compartment was stacked with bales of straw, and there, already moving toward me, was Chase.