Part 24 (1/2)

The further they went in, the darker it became, until they were almost in pitch black. Michael slowed, carefully placing his feet so he wouldn't run into anything. After a time, another red light shone. Venus heard him heave a sigh. She did the same.

When he reached a door, he zinged the badge and hurried through.

Out into the suns.h.i.+ne. Free! The notion invigorated her.

”Let me down,” Venus squinted, the sky dazzled, a light blue. Clear, not a cloud in sight.

He set her feet gently on the pavement.

”Where too?”

Michael pulled on the collar of his s.h.i.+rt to readjust it and then pinched the bridge of his nose. All the while turning from side to side. She followed him, getting her bearings. A chain-link fence stretched in front of them twenty feet away. It probably stood thirty feet high. Barbed-wire curled along the top. Beyond the fence, everything was yellow, dried and flat. Mountains stood way off in the distance, but they looked tiny.

”There,” Michael said, pointing. Venus followed his finger and saw the green army jeep. ”Are you sure you can walk?” By his stance, she could tell he was prepared to sweep her into his arms again.

”I'm fine. Go.” She gave him a push. Relaxing her shoulders and taking as deep a breath as she dared, she followed.

He pulled the pa.s.senger door opened for her and she climbed in. The keys were in the ignition. Once Michael closed his door, he started up the engine. Now that she was seated and at the mercy of Michael and his driving, a twinge of panic set in. What if someone sees us? What will they do? Shoot?

Michael threw the gear s.h.i.+ft into reverse, backed up a ways, shoved the gear s.h.i.+ft into first and they were on their way. He drove at a steady pace, scanning the chain-linked fence and buildings around them.

”What're you looking for?” Venus asked. ”Two sets of eyes are better than one.”

”I'm hoping to find a non-manned exit.”

”Got it.” She searched the fence-line with him. On her side were a bunch of buildings. As they turned right, pa.s.sing them, she saw an exit. It wasn't unmanned, but guarded by a guy holding a large rifle. ”Cret.”

The man wore camo fatigues and a white hat shaped like a halved walnut on his head. He stood inside a tall, rectangle box. Left of the station box, a red and white striped fence blocked their escape.

Michael glanced over at her and said, ”Hang on.”

Venus jolted into action. The black dash was covered in all sorts of b.u.t.tons and k.n.o.bs, but she found an empty spot and pressed against it. Then she spread her feet apart to brace them. Not very lady-like, especially in a hospital gown, but whatever.

He stepped on the gas and the jeep lurched forward, barreling toward the gate. The soldier jumped out of his white box, aimed the gun and fired. Michael pressed the gas harder, the engine revving as they careened forward. When it was clear he wasn't slowing down, the armed man jumped out of the way.

As the jeep hit the fence, it sounded like erupting firecrackers. The broken pieces smashed against the hood and flipped up, cras.h.i.+ng into the winds.h.i.+eld. She let out a shriek, worried the gla.s.s would shatter, but there wasn't a scratch. Michael gave her a huge grin.

”Bulletproof. I've always wanted to do that,” he said with a laugh.

”Faaaabuuuu.” Venus snickered, glad to be free of that place.

Michael hooted. ”Totally fabu!”

They were driving on a b.u.mpy, dirt road. On either side an occasional weed stood frozen in place by snow. A tumbleweed, icicles clinging, rolled in front of them. Michael plowed over it. She listened as it scratched its way under the vehicle.

”Do you know where we're going?” Venus asked.

”No. Not really. But we're going to follow this road and, and hopefully it'll take us home.”

”Great. Um, whose home? Yours?” Venus asked, leaning back against the headrest.

”No, yours. We need to find Zaren. He'll be able to help you get home . . . back to your planet, won't he?”

”If anyone can, it's him. It may not matter. We'll see.” She rubbed her arms, trying to get rid of the chill stealing over her.

Without saying a word, Michael pressed a b.u.t.ton and warm air blew from the dash.

She sighed. ”Still it's a good idea.” Zaren would know what to do. She hoped. Right now her body felt good. The medicine Sharon injected her with had provided temporary relief. Wearing her boots once again helped as well. When the drugs wore off, though, she had a sinking suspicion her body would be in more pain. Especially since the medication wasn't healing, but masking her symptoms.

If her life ended, she was grateful it wouldn't be at the hands of those horrible people. A lot better than dying like a caged animal. Deliberating about her death led her to think of Zaren. He'd be upset, but she couldn't help it. Venus felt certain death would be along soon.

If she thought like Zaren, though, he'd tell her to stop moping, and fight. Anything was possible, right? And maybe he'd been able to talk to the G.o.ds. Maybe they'd agreed to let her come home despite the fact that Michael hadn't fallen in love.

Venus had tried . . .

Well, she tried to try . . .

Cret! I didn't try at all.

Hope. Her word of the moment. Perhaps they'd felt sorry for her. Maybe the liars and murderers had been discovered. She knew that wasn't true. If her family had vanished, her country would be in upheaval. Whoever did this knew what it meant to be a traitor, which was why they'd been able to frame her, and her family.

48. (I Just) Died In Your Arms.

When they reached Dervinias's little house, Michael pulled the stolen jeep in front. Venus jumped out and tried to run. It was more of a jog. When she got to the door, she held her breath and pushed it open.

”Zaren!”

Michael followed her in. Faster than lightning Zaren appeared next to her. Strong arms wrapped around her tightly. She rested her cheek against his chest. He felt so good, she wanted to cry. Lemon and a hint of sweat filled her nose.

”Zaren, did you talk to them?”

He grabbed her by the shoulders and held her at arm's length. Searching for some indication of trauma, Venus guessed. After a moment, he glared at Michael, his anger thick. He released her and lunged at Michael, shoving the palm of one hand into the boy's chest. She knew he'd held back, since a real hit would've killed him. Michael sailed backward, his head smacking the wall, before crumbling to the floor with a moan.

Venus glared at Zaren, rus.h.i.+ng to Michael. ”Are you okay?”

”He shouldn't be. I should kill him for what he did.”

Venus peered back and noticed his hands were clenched into fists, the muscles in his jaw grinding.

”Zaren, he helped me escape. Without him, I'd still be in that cell.”

”You were taken in the first place because of him! It's all I can do to control my desire to kill him.” He paused, shaking his head, like he was trying to get the images he saw in her mind, out. ”And I would've found you.”

He didn't sound convinced. She must've been too far away. ”Of course,” she said softly, squeezing his hand.

He grunted as he crouched next to her, and grabbed the collar of Michael's s.h.i.+rt in a fisted hand, twisting and lifting. ”If you'd allowed them to finish. If you hadn't helped her . . . I! I-!”

”I know, man. I know.”