Numbers Collide by Rebecca Rode

Author:Rebecca Rode
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rebecca Rode

Seventeen

Chadd sat across from me, his knee bouncing impatiently in the empty aisle. Under the train’s dim lighting, the shadow of growth on his chin and the redness of his eyes were easier to see. He carried no overnight bag. His shirt collar was opened low, showing very pronounced collarbones and a chain necklace. Around us, the seats were empty and smelled of sweaty shoes and old vomit. I doubted this train even ran this time of night. It must have cost Chadd a fortune.

I never thought my first train ride would happen quite like this.

I kept my stunner across my lap, watching his every movement. He seemed completely unaffected. Soon, he rested his head back against the seat and closed his eyes. When his mouth fell open and the sound of light snoring floated across the aisle, I let my attention drift to the window to watch the passing streetlights. I’d never been this far from home alone before, let alone with a stranger from Malrain.

“Out of range,” the radio in my pocket alerted. “Out of range.”

I grabbed it and turned the dial, silencing the voice. I was officially on my own. An irrational joy welled up at the first real freedom I’d had in years. No official schedule, nobody questioning where I went or how I got there or why.

I’m going to see my birth mother. The thought sent a little thrill through me.

A woman’s voice boomed in the speaker next to my head. “Northern border. End of the line.”

I leapt to my feet, forgetting about the stunner in my lap. But I managed to catch it with one boot, softening its fall just before it clattered to the floor. I swept it up and swung back to Chadd, who watched me in amusement as the train began to slow.

“We’re here, then?” I said, trying to look as unconcerned as he did.

“We have some walking to do, but yes.” He rose to wait by the doors. They slid open with a whoosh. Then he leaped out and disappeared into the night.

I lingered, hiding behind the doorframe and squinting into the darkness. This was the moment of truth. The entire Malrain army could be out there, waiting for their prisoner to walk into their hands. For a second, I considered telling the train driver to close the doors and take me home.

A few seconds later, Chadd reappeared. “Coming, Hawking?”

I counted down, then leaped to the ground and took cover behind a bench. No shots came. Nothing moved in the shadows.

Chadd covered a smile. “Are you done?”

I glowered at him as I stood there. “I expected some kind of escort.” Not the good kind either.

“Believe it or not, Kadee wants to keep this quiet as much as you do. I’m taking you straight there myself. But we have to hurry. The train driver will only wait a few hours.”

I fell in step behind him, following the outline of an old sidewalk, and tried to calm my pounding heart. This place felt .

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