Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83040 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83040 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“I packed you some snacks too,” Lowyn says, shouldering off a backpack.
Shep takes it, looking as surprised as me.
He and Collin lock eyes as Collin puts his hand on his shoulder and gives it a squeeze. “We’re gonna figure this out. Don’t worry.”
It just now occurs to me that Shep isn’t obligated to stay in this jail cell any more than I am. This is kidnapping, unless you agree to it. So that’s the first thing I ask him after Collin and Lowyn are gone. “Why did you stay?”
He squints a little in response. “What?”
“Here,” I say, dropping all the pillows and blankets onto the cement cot. “Why did you let my brother lock you up? Why didn’t you just grab your shit and go?”
He offers me a smile. “Same reason you did, Olive. Because Edge Security is the only second chance I’ll ever get. This is the end of the line for me.”
I don’t say anything, but internally I agree. It’s the end of the line for me as well.
I pick up the fitted sheet from the cot and start making the bed. Shep joins in, stuffing pillows into cases. Then I open the blanket, drape it over the mattress, and let out a sigh. As if it’s a signal, the lights in the jail dim. It’s daytime out, so it should be daytime in here too. So this dimming is yet another way that my brother wants me to know that he’s on my side. He knows I must be exhausted and he wants me to rest.
“I’m tired,” I say. Not to Shep, mostly to myself. And then I kick off my shoes and slip my pants down my legs. Without another word, and all the while being watched by Shep, I lower myself to the mattress and slip under the cover.
Shep stands there for a moment, probably trying to work out these new arrangements. In the end, he kicks off his boots and gets under the covers with me. But it’s an easy conclusion to come to because what choice does he have?
The blow-up mattress is a good enough size that we both fit, but we find ourselves scootin’ towards the middle anyway. Drawn together, one might say. Like opposite ends of a magnet. Pretty soon, we’re huggin’ each other.
I sigh, feeling stupidly good even though my brother has locked me in a jail cell in his private underground prison with a man I don’t even know.
“I’m crazy,” I say.
Shep huffs a little. “Well, not only are you not alone, but I’ve been to crazy town so many times now I’m practically a local, so… I’ll be your guide.”
It takes me a moment to catch on that he’s joking. It’s just such a change in mood, it doesn’t hit me right away. But when it does, it’s truly funny, so I laugh. “We’re both crazy.”
“We both saw the bar, right? I mean, you weren’t pretending when I was there, were you?”
“No,” I tell him as I turn onto my side, propping myself up on my elbow. “Not only did I see it, but I was getting to the bar using some imaginary underground train system, Shep. I made up a subway station. Hell, I made up an entire underground railway because I was living in Virginia and commuting to the bar.”
“What?” He nearly snorts. “How is that possible?”
“I dunno. I was… hypnotized, maybe? To think I was in a train when I was driving a car? But… I don’t think I have a car. I don’t even have an ID. I’m… homeless, I think. A vagrant.”
“That’s not true. CORE is real.”
“How do you know that?”
“Well… Penny. Penny told me CORE is real. Penny told all of us that they do shit to people’s brains. They did something to you, Olive. You’re not crazy. I don’t know if any of that stuff exists—the train or the bar, or whatever—but you’re part of it and so am I.”
“But what if we’re not, Shep? What if we’re just nuts?”
He sighs loudly. “Yeah. I’ve thought of that too. But even if we are, Olive, it doesn’t explain everything.” Then he reaches for me, swiping a piece of hair away from my face. And I get a smile. Which makes his eyes dance a little and I start picturing what it would be like to… date him. “What are you thinking about?” he asks.
“You,” I say, a little shyly. “And how it might be nice to… you know, see you. Outside of the insanity.”
He laughs but his eyes are locked on mine and then, he leans in. It’s a slow approach. Like he’s giving me time to back away. But I don’t back away. I want him the way I never wanted anything else in my life. He is comfort, and strength, and safety. So I let his lips touch mine and the moment they do, a tingle of electricity shoots through my body, making my head buzz a little with excitement.