First World(64)

Lucy squeezed herself through the small gap. The centre of the room filled as one by one Samuel and the girls managed to escape.

Lallielle swept Samuel into a proper hug. Lucy’s smile was shaky, and her eyes were crinkled up in worry as she watched them.

He held back, stiff and unresponsive, but eventually he reached around and gave Lallielle a half-hearted hug.

“I’ve missed you, Mom.” His voice broke a little on the last word. “I thought I would die here and no one would ever know.”

“I have missed you so much, Sammy,” Lallielle sobbed out both her sorrow and relief.

Josian untangled Lallielle from her uncomfortable son. Samuel had an air of fragility, like one wrong word could break him into a million pieces. By the looks of it, his year in this dungeon had almost been the end of him. No wonder Lucy’s expression was going all protective-kitten on him.

Samuel turned then and walked toward me.

I didn’t know what to do. Looking left and right, I backed up a few steps.

Only it wasn’t me he was coming to. He stopped before Lucy, staring down into her face for a moment; the height distance between them was ridiculous, well over a foot difference. I looked at the floor, trying hard to stifle my laughter. Brace caught my eye. His expression just made it worse. Ass-hat.

Samuel reached out and captured Lucy’s face in his hand. Then without hesitation he swept her off her feet ... literally. He then proceeded to kiss the hell out of her.

Throughout the room, clearing throats and mutters sounded, along with a random whoop. It was a tad awkward ... and lovely ... and so romantic.

I ignored the fact my brother was currently kissing my sister. The mood was affecting everyone; Josian pulled Lallielle closer, placing gentle kisses on her face.

Come on. Where was I supposed to look now?

I was drawn to Brace – oh, yeah. Much better.

I expected to see him staring at the happy couple, like the rest of the room, but he was staring at me.

The heat of his gaze held me immobile. My head started to spin; I hadn’t taken one breath since we locked eyes. He turned away, releasing me.

Breathe, Abby.

Inner voice or whispered words? Once again, I couldn’t tell. The room broke into scattered applause as Samuel and Lucy pulled apart.

I wouldn’t admit it – maybe under torture – but I was kind of annoyed. I had just got Lucy back; I wasn’t ready to share her.

She snapped out of her kiss-haze. As if she could read my thoughts, she stepped away from Samuel toward me, although the intense looks they kept exchanging told me way more than I wanted to know.

“So, Josian. Can you open a doorway for this many people to leave at once?” Brace was pacing, looking toward the far doorway.

“No problem –”

I sighed in relief.

But then he continued.

“Except something is blocking me here.”

I looked at him in disbelief. “What do you mean?”

He shook his head, his voice deepening in concern. “There is something here I cannot explain; they have this building locked down and a permanent Walker doorway.”

Samuel spoke then, the slight rasp in his voice even more prominent. “That’s why we’re held here. They siphon our energy.”

I looked around at the huddled groups of girls. I recognized many of them. While a few had taken the chance – well-deserved, I’m sure – to kick rat-man in the ribs, the rest were sitting around weakly. Where was the running? Hysterical screaming? Escape attempts? They were as Quarn described: zombies.

“How are you still alive?” Lallielle’s voice broke as the true horror of Samuel’s situation dawned on her. “They’ve been siphoning you for a year.”

Samuel shrugged, but his eyes were flat; emotionless. “I have no idea. I’m much stronger than any Earthlings. They only last about a month.”

As Lucy took his hand a smile crossed his features.

“No one else has lasted longer than six months. We average a few deaths a week.” He pointed toward the scattered people. “This is a new group.”

“How do they have such extensive knowledge of the ways of the Walkers?” Josian said furiously. His red hair swirled around him. “They’re dealing with myth and legend, no longer reachable abilities.”

I wondered if everyone was thinking what I was.

“We are screwed.” Lucy nailed it.

Chrissie limped over. She was much thinner than the last time I saw her and she wrapped her arms tightly around herself, as if she was afraid she would fall apart at any moment.

“So what’s the escape plan, Abby?” Her anger flowed around me. “And can I be the one to rip Olden’s head from her shoulders?” No zombie behavior from her.