Nemesis (Project Nemesis #1)(51)

Noah shot from behind the wheel. "Works for me!"

We ducked into the woods. A minute later I heard squealing brakes. They'd seen Noah's SUV and had hopefully drawn the wrong conclusion. Working steadily through the trees, we angled toward the ruined bridge. The footpath I was aiming for wasn't popular-there was a chance only trailer folks knew about it. With luck we'd ditch them, go to ground in a random unit, and then trek across the valley after dark.

We emerged on a rocky hillside near the canyon. The Plank was dead ahead-what was left of it, at least. I was searching for the trailhead when I noticed Noah had stopped. Shading his eyes, he peered down at the bridge.

I followed his sight line. Spotted a flash of bright orange. Someone was standing by the precipice. "It's Hector," Noah whispered in surprise.

"Noah, we have to go. They could be here any second."

"Yeah, but . . ."

Hector was at the edge of the broken span, staring down into Gullet Chasm.

Noah turned to me. "I need to check on him for a second."

I gave him an impatient look, but Noah was already jogging toward the bridge. I followed reluctantly, keeping an eye on the road. Noah approached Hector cautiously and called out, "Hector? You okay?"

Hector was staring into the gorge. "I can't do it, Noah."

Noah seemed to understand. "I think you're being too hard on yourself, man. We're all in this together, right?"

Hector shook his head. His legs began to shake. "This is my punishment. How do I know you're even real? I . . . I think I'm alone here. Tack proved it. This isn't everyone's purgatory, it's just for me. And I . . . I'm not strong enough."

One of Noah's hands reached out. "Hey. Hector, come on. Don't talk like that."

"Good luck, Noah. For what it's worth, I never thought you were so bad." Before either of us could react, Hector stepped into space and vanished.

"Hector!" Noah shot forward, skidding dangerously close to the edge. He looked down into the canyon, then jerked his head away. I ran over and threw my arms around him.

I didn't look myself. I'd taken that drop on my eighth birthday. Knew what happened at the bottom.

"He didn't have to do that!" Noah said miserably, tears on his cheeks.

"I know," I soothed, hugging him close. My mind was in shock, but I could tell Noah was close to the breaking point. I had to be strong.

"He thought he was already dead." Noah pulled away from me, wiping his eyes. "Who knows? Maybe he's right." I didn't know what to say, but it didn't matter.

"Holy crap, he jumped!"

Our eyes shot to the road. Ethan and his gang were standing a hundred yards away at the top of a rise. Based on their astonished faces, they'd seen Hector's fall as well.



       
         
       
        

"Ethan," Noah spat, with a bitter heat I'd never seen before.

I took his hand and began dragging him toward the forest. "We have to go. Now!"

He fought me for a moment, then relented, sprinting by my side.

Behind us, pounding feet echoed across the canyon.

They were coming.





43


NOAH



Full dark out.

No voices on the wind. No sounds of pursuit. I finally began to relax.

Min was by the window, peering through a gap in the shades. All the lights were off, and would stay that way. We'd picked a run-down unit on the western side of the trailer park. Close to where Tack had lived, or so Min said.

Ethan and those guys hadn't known about the trail and we'd lost them, locking ourselves in before they'd figured it out. We'd heard footsteps and hushed conversations carrying from the main drag, but they hadn't come close to finding us. That was at least an hour ago.

Min sighed. Stepped back. Sat down next to me on the couch. This trailer had only two compartments-an open living area and a cramped, sour-smelling bedroom at the far end. If I stretched, I could probably touch the front and rear walls at the same time.

"Any idea who lived here?" I asked, breaking the silence. For some reason I used the past tense.

Min nodded. "One of the Jenkins brothers. I forget which. He spends most nights outside by his fire pit, drunk off his ass."

The dead air returned. I couldn't think of anything to say. It was gloomy in the trailer, with only moonlight for illumination. I could just make out Min's face in the shadows next to me. I knew she was thinking about her friend.

"There was nothing you could do," I said quietly.

"Yeah."

"I'm serious." I reached for her hand. "Once Tack went off like that-the stuff about being a fraud-Ethan was never going to let it go." I shifted, disturbed by the memory. "I mean, I never thought he'd actually kill anyone . . . Even the other guys were, like . . . No one saw that coming."

Min's shoulders were shaking. Her other hand rose to cover her mouth.

I stopped talking. I was only making things worse. On instinct, I pulled her close and wrapped my arms around her. A dam burst, and she began sobbing in my arms.

"He was so angry!" Min blubbered, bottled-up emotions pouring out. "Maybe if . . . if . . . I'd paid more attention, or . . . or if . . . I should've listened!" 

"Hey. Hey!" I eased her back, looked directly into her eyes. "Tack's death isn't your fault. Ethan murdered him. Ethan is responsible, and no one else. I know you feel guilty because of how he died-so do I-but we're not to blame. I'm serious, Min."

She held my gaze, hungry to believe. The moon had risen above the mountains, twinkling her eyes and painting her face in a soft blue glow. I had a sudden desire to kiss her. She looked so beautiful. So vulnerable. I wanted to bring her into me somehow. Connect with her. Make her a part of me, and never let go.

She's crying over the murder of her best friend, you scumbag. A friend who had a crush on her, which she probably knew about. Show some freaking respect.

I released her awkwardly, shame burning my ears. What was I thinking?

Min tensed beside me, pushing jet-black hair behind her ears. Was I crazy, or did she miss the contact, too?

She looked at me then, stormy gray eyes boring into my soul. I glanced away. Began fiddling with my hands. I didn't know what was happening. Between us. Inside me. With the world in general.

My foot started tapping on its own. Reality was crackling around me.

Death. So much death.

Tack. Hector. Sheriff Watson. Those poor people mowed down in town square.

And me, too. I shouldn't forget my own private murders. Or Min's.

I stole a glance at her. She was watching me.

My muscles tightening like snare drums. I felt the panic start to build. It was happening again, right here, inches from the only person I trusted. The last person I wanted to witness this.

A girl I wanted to have faith in me. Rely on me. Believe I was strong.

A hand on my shoulder. Then my face.

Min turned my head to face hers. Looked me in the eyes.

"It's okay. I'm here."

She leaned forward and kissed me.

For an instant, I actually tried to pull away, like a spooked horse. But Min didn't let go, sliding forward into my lap. My body responded. The fear melted. I folded my arms around her slender body, buried my face in hers, and let it all wash away.

• • •

I woke up beside her on the couch.

Min's eyes were open, studying me. I should've felt self-conscious, but didn't. "How long have you been awake?"

"Long enough." She raised her arms and stretched. I caught her around the waist and pulled her close. Buried my face in her neck. Our lips met again, and for a while all other thoughts fled.

Finally, I came up for air. "We didn't go to the ski lodge."

"No, we didn't." She kissed me again, then rose and stepped into the kitchen. "We might have to hide here all day now. Go tomorrow night."

I sat up and yawned, working a crick in my neck. "I'm good with that."

I realized I was deliriously happy. And I'm never happy.

Min opened the fridge and frowned. "We'll have to scout around for food. Unless you want to eat Bud Light tall boys for breakfast."

"I've heard worse ideas." A goofy smile wouldn't leave my face.



       
         
       
        

Min flopped back down beside me. She took my hand in hers, her eyes growing serious.

"I want to thank you."

"Thank me? For what?"

"For what you said yesterday. About Tack."

My mood deflated. "I meant it. Tack's death isn't anyone's fault but the asshole who killed him."

She looked away. "I know. It's just . . . I think it's going to haunt me."

I nodded. Didn't say something stupid like, "It'll get better with time," or "Think of the good stuff." All the well-intentioned crap I'd heard after my mother died. A grieving person needs to grieve. It's better to just be there.

Min's expression darkened. "Ethan's a monster and a murderer. When you found me, I was upset, and said some things I regret. But I am going to make him answer for what he's done. Will you help me?"

The plea in her voice caught me off guard, but I didn't hesitate. "I will. What's the plan?"

"Part of our class splintered yesterday." She pulled her knees up to her chest, flashing what I'd come to think of as her thinking face. "We need to exploit that. Let's find the kids who took off and see if they'll help us."