Revolution (Collide, #4)(38)

"It wasn't for nothing," he argued and crossed his arms. This meant it was 'lecture time'. "Everyone was a little more comfortable because of the hard work we did. We had plenty of room for when new people came. It was worth it in my book. I meant it was pointless to fix the stairs because the wood's rotten. Nails won't help that…" he waved his hand at it, "thing."

I looked at it. No, it wouldn't help. I threw my hammer across the floor, enjoying the solid thud it made against the concrete wall. A few chunks of concrete fell to the floor.

"I know she's gone, and it's not ideal," Jeff continued. "But we knew they might stay out tonight if they needed to. We have no idea what's going on out-"

"That's exactly right. No idea," I barked. "I know all the variables, Jeff, but I don't have to like them. She could be asleep in the Jeep with Cain right now, safe and sound, or she could be in another enforcement facility and we'd never even know until they didn't show up tomorrow night. That's a big window. Do you know how much they could do to her in that amount of time?"

"I know," he placated, but changed his tone when I glared at him. "Ok, I get it. I'm worried, too, if you want to know the truth. And Marissa is upset, too. She's freaking out about everything right now."

I looked at his face. He always had this soft spot for Sherry. I looked around at everyone else. Danny and Celeste were playing cards with Calvin and Frank. I hadn't really talked to him any all day because I didn't want to hear how much he was worried about Sherry. But the fact that his eyes were drifting toward the elevator every five seconds hadn't escaped my notice.

I knew I wasn't the only one that was worried, but she was mine. Mine to keep safe and fret about. The weird sense of déjà vu swept over me as I remembered the last time she was late coming home from a run. Flat tire, Phillip, Marissa…

I rubbed my head in frustration and looked at Jeff. "If she's not here by ten tomorrow morning, I'm going after her. I'm not asking permission, I'm telling you."

"If she's not back by ten, I'll go with you!" he said vehemently. "I told you, I'm worried, too. I think we just need to give her a little bit more credit first."

"Aw, guilt? Really?" I complained.

"Not guilt. I'm just saying."

I looked past him to see Marissa. She held her belly like it was precious, though she wasn't even showing yet. I nodded to her when she slowed cautiously to make sure it was all right to interrupt. "Hey," she said softly.

"Hey," I managed to mutter.

"Pity party for one over here," Jeff said and punched my shoulder. I wanted to punch him for real, but refrained.

"Leave him alone," Marissa scolded him. "What if that was me out there? Wouldn't you be freaked out?"

"Don't even say that!" he argued and pulled her to his lap as he leaned on the stair rail. "It's not the same." He looked at me and frowned. "Sorry. It's just," he turned back to her, "you've got two of you to worry about. No missions for you," he commanded and tapped her on the end of her nose.

"Don't make me break your finger," she sang in a joke…I thought.

"So cute when you're angry," he goaded. She twisted her face in a way that meant she was acting like she wasn't happy about what he said, but she was. He pulled her to him to kiss her chin, and then her cheek, and then her…

"I'm outta here," I groaned.

"Sorry!" he called over his shoulder. "I'll come find you in the morning. Right now," he whispered low into her neck, but I still heard, "I've got some business to take care of."

"I bet you do," I muttered, disgruntled. "If you can even wake up in the morning."

"I heard that!" he yelled before picking Marissa up in and taking her to their 'tent' in the corner.

I went in search of Lily, and I found her with Lana. Lana was showing her how to say 'Doll' in sign language. I watched them from back a ways. We still didn't understand what it was Lily was meant to do. She was so normal, it just didn’t make sense. But then again, all the Specials were pretty normal.

Lana saw me watching and smiled before waving me over. I sat next to Lily and she showed me what she learned. It was amazing to sit and have conversations without any words spoken at all. Eventually, Lily yawned and I took her to her tent, but thought better of it. I took her to mine with me and chuckled when she'd already fallen asleep from the rocking of my carrying her.

I lay down beside her in our pallet and wrapped my arms around my little girl. She sighed and squirmed to get comfortable before settling against my chest. I was just closing my eyes when Danny opened the sheet.

"Dude, you awake?"

"I am now."

"I'm getting worried, man."

"No more than me. I already told Jeff I was going out to look for her in the morning if she's not back by then."

"But…" He shook his head and rubbed his neck. "But what if something happens to her tonight before we can find her?"

I felt the steel in my voice as I said, "Then God help the ones who hurt her if I find them."


Lily's mumbling woke me. I opened my eyes a bit to find Lily talking in her sleep. She was saying, "The end is swift, the justice equal, the way paved with gifts of the chosen."