Drumming for the Dead (Dystopia Book 4) by Gabby Gilliam & Black Hare Press

Author:Gabby Gilliam & Black Hare Press [Gilliam, Gabby]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Hare Press
Published: 2022-05-16T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Carly wandered into her bedroom in a daze, while Tyler and I sat down at the kitchen table. Tyler laid his forehead against the cool wood surface.

“How much of that cure do you have?” I asked. “Enough to make another test run?”

“Tonight?” He raised his head in alarm.

“No, not tonight.” I waved my hand to dismiss his ridiculous question. “Tomorrow, or the next night, if we still have some friendly guards around. Maybe we could request a meeting with the council to show them how it works.”

“I have enough for a few doses,” he said. “I could make more, and make it faster than this batch, if I could find some black walnut extract and wormwood oil instead of making my own.”

“My dad used to carry both of those in his shop,” I said. “I bet there are still bottles on the shelf in most natural markets. If they haven’t spoiled.”

“Oils and extracts don’t go bad,” Tyler said. “They’re naturally preserved. The alcohol in extracts keeps them from spoiling. Essential oils can oxidise, but if the containers have remained sealed, that shouldn’t be an issue.”

“You’re like a reference guide,” I said with a smile. “How do you have enough room in your brain for all of this stuff?”

He shrugged. “I read a lot when I was a kid. I’ll sneak over to the library and read whenever I can get there while the light is still good.”

“Isn’t it creepy to sit alone in that big space?” Abandoned buildings unsettled me. It might be because I’d had too many encounters with husks in them.

“Surrounded by books, I could never be uncomfortable,” he said. The uncensored nerdiness was endearing.

“Does anyone else go there?”

“I’ve never seen anyone else when I go,” he said, “but I wouldn’t be surprised if other people sneak in there. We’ve never needed the escape a good book can give us more than we do right now. It’s a welcome break from this twisted reality.”

I couldn’t argue with that. Maybe I should read more. I made a mental note to go check out the library sometime soon. I could tag along with Tyler the next time he went to do research.

Raising my arms above my head, I yawned. “Is it okay if I crash on your couch tonight?” There was no way I would get past the stooges by the front door. And even if I did, the chance of them finding my real apartment would be too high. I liked that the guard would look for me here. It would make it so much easier to hide from them if I needed to.

“Sure, let me get you a blanket.” He rose from the table and went into his room. He came back with a worn crocheted blanket and a small pillow. “Here,” he said, offering both to me.

“Thanks.” The blanket was cornflower blue and made of soft yarn. It looked handmade. “Did Marlene make this?” I asked, thinking of the knitted things she made to trade with at the local market.

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