The Tunnel Rat by Jodi M Franklin

Author:Jodi M Franklin [Franklin, Jodi M]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gearhead Underground Publishing
Published: 2020-01-01T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

The Professor and Rose are in the kitchen, and she gestures for me to join them as the Professor sets plates on the table. Dinner smells wonderful, but my stomach is churning. It feels just like my head as it keeps grinding through my conversation with Lynch over and over again. Should I tell Rose and the Professor about it? I’m not even certain what to tell them. This creepy guy demanded to know who I was and where I came from. When I put it that way, it doesn’t seem very ominous. He did grab me, which was way creepy and over the line, but still, would that be enough to set off alarm bells with the Higgses? They live in their comfy little world and play with their cool toys and their garden. They haven’t a clue about the world Davie and I live in. They will probably think I’m over-reacting. Maybe I am over-reacting.

I take a bowl of rice and red beans when Rose hands it to me and place it on top of my plate. I grab a spoonful and eat, knowing I need to. I was so hungry only twenty minutes ago. The rich flavor and the tender beans reawaken my hunger, and though I thought I wouldn’t be able to eat, my appetite returns with gusto. Professor Higgs may have a culinary degree, but Rose knows her way around a kitchen, too.

“Tonight, we need to work on how to keep you two from freezing to death while you repair the pipes in the solar towers,” the Professor says after I’ve almost polished off my bowl.

Looking up sharply at the Professor, I shake my head. I never had any intention of Davie going with us. Allowing him to work on the Pandora is one thing, taking him on a suicide mission is not going to happen. “No,” I say. The Professor and Rose turn quizzical eyes to me, but Davie’s eyes fill with anger. He knows I’m not saying “no” to warm clothes. He knows I don’t want him to come.

“Davie, it’s too dangerous.” My voice is pleading; I want him to understand. Maybe it’s only because he was my apprentice for two years, which makes me feel responsible for him; maybe it’s because I know his mother will kill me if anything happens to her son. Or, maybe I can’t bear the thought of anything happening to the only friend I’ve ever had. No matter the reason, I can’t let him go.

“If it’s not too dangerous for you, then it’s not too dangerous for me,” he says, dropping his spoon noisily back into his bowl.

“How old are you? Cause you sound like you’re six.” I snap back.

“Actually, I’m fourteen. My birthday was yesterday. So there.” Davie sticks his tongue out at me.

Now I feel terrible. I forgot. “Davie, I’m so sorry.” I put my hand on his, but he pulls it away as though my touch burns. “With everything that’s happened, I guess…”

“You should have told me,” Rose interrupts me.

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