The Reformed Man by Dina Santorelli

Author:Dina Santorelli [Dina Santorelli]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dina Santorelli
Published: 2023-05-04T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 42

Helena hurried around the cave, gathering items and placing them into an old, ripped Candidate backpack that she had pulled out from under the blankets. She seemed to have gathered an odd assortment: the bullet that the Candidate had handed her, a few scraps of fabric, the map drawn on parchment paper, some rocks—none of which seemed particularly helpful. Still, Grady had managed to kill a man, in part, by using a Candidate’s high school ring, so who was he to say?

“I’m just about ready.” She hauled the open backpack over her thin shoulder.

“You mean now? We’re going now?”

“This is the life here in Post Time. You have to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.” She gestured at the cave around them. “You think I’ve been living here longer than a few weeks?”

“I thought you said they didn’t come down into the caves.”

“They don’t.” She pointed up at the small hole in the cave ceiling. “But they’ve been known to drop an explosive or two in the occasional surface hole. Just for kicks. They never know when they’re going to hit a bull’s eye. Best not to get too comfortable.” She picked up the meat soup and drank a little more. “Want some?”

“No, thank you.”

“You’ll need to eat something.”

“I have a bunch of granola bars and things in my bag. I think we’ll be okay. Are we waiting for Mickey Mouse?”

She shook her head. “He’s not coming.”

“He’s not?”

“I can’t risk his life.” She gestured around the cave again. “Unfortunately, this is his home. He’ll be okay. Mickey Mouse is a survivor. Plus, if I’m being honest, what we’re attempting doesn’t have the odds of a great outcome.”

No kidding. In fact, Grady was sure the odds were entirely against them. Stowing away on a plane? With nothing but a saliva-tinged bullet, a few rocks, and a pair of high school rings? In broad quasi-daylight? “Maybe we should travel at night?” he suggested. “Is there even night here?”

“There is, but we’ll have a better chance during the day, despite the heat. Capital City’s grid is still on the blink, so navigating at night is difficult in unfamiliar territory. Don’t worry. We’ll blend in.”

Blend in? Grady was probably the most wanted person in Post Time. Helena was probably the second most wanted, if they knew she was alive, and she was about six inches shorter than the average Candidate—with jet black skin and dirty, ripped clothing. “Blend in how?” he asked.

Helena placed the backpack down and pulled the blanket off the dead Candidate on the floor. “Help me take off his uniform.”

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