Page 64 of Red

Gretch begins to shiver, and we head inside. “You coming to sleep again?” She dips into bed, and I stand in the inner doorway.

“Maybe in a bit.”

She pulls the covers up over her shoulders.

Leaving her to sleep, I search around for a pen and paper, taking a seat with them in the sitting room. I stare up at the walls, white like in every other building here, gripping the pen in my left hand, and start to write.

Chapter 20

Iwait until I’m certain that Gretch won’t wake before I open the door, keys in hand, the notes folded up on the table.

Avoiding the lights, I head toward the med unit where my SUV is still parked. I start the engine and reverse while scanning my phone’s map. I head around a few buildings to the exit of the camp.

The same large man from my first encounter steps up to the window with his gun down. “Aly, our great new recruit.”

“Hi,” I say.

“Where are you going this early in the morning?” He looks into the cab, but there’s nothing to find.

I leave the shifter in Drive in case he doesn’t fall for my lie, not wanting to risk the truth I left in the letters.

“I have family who will be looking for me.”

“Well, don’t hesitate to come back. I’m glad we found you that day.” A genuine smile comes from the gate keeper.

“Me too.”

He waves me off and then leans against his truck, resuming his watch. I raise the window and lower my foot on the gas pedal, eager to get out of here. Up the road, two more wave me by, and I step on it. In the rearview mirror, only darkness remains.

Far down the winding outskirt roads, I make another turn and roll the windows down, breathing in the air. Back across the pack’s boundary, it’s lighter here.

I can’t help but think that Gretch will have likely woken up by now and will be reading my note.

Gretch,

I’m so sorry I couldn’t stay here with you. You’ve been the truest friend I’ve ever had and if it were another lifetime, maybe we could stay close forever. I know you feel at home here, but you’re such an amazing person and I believe there’s more for you in the world than the Uprising. Please don’t be afraid to walk away.

Be careful,

Aly

PS. Keep the clothes.

I left her one to give to Tripp too. Despite my hatred, I know what it’s like for people to hate things they don’t understand.

Tripp,

Thank you for helping me learn and being so supportive. I’m sadly just not cut out for this in the way I thought I might be. You’re such an excellent and patient teacher. I hope there’s more than the Uprising for you in the future. Maybe it’s time to leave the beasts and go home?

Don’t let fear feed you,

Aly

The SUV beeps and a light comes on the dash. I guess I should have brought extra gas with me when I left the city. I continue to drive, watching the marker move closer to the bottom until it’s obscuring the E.

A part of me doesn’t want to go to Stark’s place to find out if he’s been shot. The other side of me wants to go home, to stop fighting the magic and run, explore for a bit, and just be me. But the information I’ve gathered is important. It could save us and Stark from running himself into nothing, refusing to rest and getting hurt . . . if I missed.

But I’ve already risked myself enough. I take a right turn toward Stark’s home, passing a few trucks on the road.