Tremble (Denazen #3)(31)

I held my breath. This was a goose-crapping-golden-eggs kind of opportunity.

He nodded. “Fine. Let’s go.”

I threw my hands up as he reached for my arm. “Whoa, boy. We can’t just go storming the castle. We need to agree on a few things first.”

An amused expression slipped across his lips. “Oh? And what things would that be?”

“Well, for starters, like I said earlier, the car is almost out of gas. I have no money. Do you?”

“I have plenty of money,” he said with a sneer. “But even if I didn’t, you could simply make some. Roz told me about your ability. All we need is paper.” He gestured for me to walk ahead. Eager to get off the bridge, I complied. He stayed right on my heels, never letting me get more than a foot ahead.

“That’s true, but it’s not the only problem,” I said once we’d reached blissfully solid ground again. “I’m supposed to be back by now—with that rust bucket on wheels. You heard the phone. They’ve already tried calling to see where I am. If I don’t answer or show up soon, they’ll come looking for me. You need to let me call home.”

He nodded to the cell. “Fine. Then call them—but be careful what you say.”

“Careful? What do you think I’m going to say? That you and I are taking a nice little romantic trip?”

“Don’t give away our location.”

“No plans to.” I stretched to get the kink out of my lower back. The railing had done a number on it. Our location was the last thing I’d give away. Mom and Ginger would never agree with my plan. In fact, there was a good chance they’d chain me to the furniture in my room for the next fifteen years if they found out. “I’ll call them and then we’ll go find Ben Simmons—but we have to get some food first or I ain’t going anywhere.”

“Agreed. But only because I’m hungry. And I’m going to check this guy out because I’m curious. You’re going because I’m not giving you a choice. I’m in control. Remember that.”





12


We stopped at a gas station to fill up and grab munchies. I suggested Kale go in and pay while I finished with the gas to save some time, but he only glared at me and waited, arms crossed, as Ginger’s ancient gas-guzzler sucked in fuel.

Some people were just so damn untrusting.

When he was done paying, he stood by while I called Mom’s cell—mainly because I knew she wouldn’t actually answer—and left a message. I told her I was safe and following a lead. It would piss them off that I was so vague, but it would buy me time and hopefully get Ginger to stop calling. Each time the phone rang Kale grew more and more agitated. In his condition, there was no telling what might push him over the edge, and I had no desire to find out.

We couldn’t have been on the road more than forty minutes when an unfamiliar tone rang out. From the corner of my eye, I watched Kale fish in his jacket pocket and pull out a cell. Somewhere on earth, pigs were getting ready to fly. “You have a phone? Seriously?”

He ignored me and held it up to the ear farthest from me. “Yeah?”

I couldn’t make out what was said on the other end but I could tell it was a guy, and I did catch Dad’s name once or twice.

“Aubrey and I split to follow two different leads. He went to Bakersfield and I went to check on Thom Morris. Morris supposedly left home last month. I spoke to the mother. She says he went to stay with friends. I’m going to check it out before heading back.”

A lie. Thom Morris was missing. That’s what his mother had told me. She never mentioned anything about him staying with friends. If Kale was lying to Denazen there was a chance Thom was still alive.

The person on the other end said something and Kale’s lips twisted into an angry scowl. “Tell her I’ll be back later. I’m not a dog. I do not need a leash.” He mashed the end button and stuffed the phone back in his pocket with a growl.

“Aww. Trouble in paradise? Lemme guess. Your skank is a little too clingy?”

“Watch your mouth,” he said in a low, dangerous voice. “And mind your own business.”

“Whatever.” I shrugged. “But you may have to drive soon. I can’t keep my eyes open over here.”

“I don’t like to drive.”

“Oh, that’s right. You don’t know how.”

“I know how. I just don’t like to do it.”

I took the on ramp and brought us back to the interstate. Connecticut was about ninety miles away according to the sign we’d passed. Since seeing Kale at the Nix party a few nights ago, I’d gotten little to no sleep. Add to that last night’s midnight hike and the four-hour drive this morning, and I was running on fumes. It was starting to catch up to me. “When was the last time you drove a car, Kale? Do you even remember?”

He was quiet for a moment, then slammed his hand down on the dash beside the wheel. “When I lost my memories, I forgot. Roz had to teach me again. I’m not very good at it.”

“We’re probably a couple hours away. If you’re not willing to drive, then after we find Simmons I’m bunking somewhere for the night. No way am I driving all the way back to Parkview like this.”

The rest of the trip went by in silence. I drove under the speed limit, making the drive last as long as possible without arousing suspicion. I’d tried to get him talking a few times. That had been interesting. Even though it hadn’t worked, and despite the fact that he wasn’t himself and thought I was the enemy, it felt good to be near him again.