فصل سی ام

Chapter 30: Mind Reading

Taylor and I held hands as we watched them go. Even though I’d never admit it to the others, a part of me felt like I was watching my hopes drive away with them. We were already the underdogs, and now we’d lost half our team. I don’t think I had felt that discouraged since Cell 25.

“We better go back inside,” Jack said. “Before someone sees us.” We all followed him into the house. McKenna was sobbing and Ostin was doing his awkward best to comfort her. I wasn’t doing a whole lot better than she was. I was twitching like crazy. When we were inside, Taylor turned to me. “Are you okay?” “Just my Tourette’s,” I said.

“Tourette’s or not,” she said, “you’re wrong.” “I’m wrong about what?”

“What you were just thinking.”

“Quit reading my mind,” I said angrily, wondering what she had read. “It’s like reading someone’s journal without their permission.” “I can’t always help it,” she said. “Especially when you’re thinking about me.” “What was I thinking?” I asked.

“That you should have made me go with them.” “So?” I said. “Is it wrong to think I don’t want your blood on my hands?” “My blood on your hands?” she replied. “What about your blood on my hands? I’m a big girl, I can make up my own mind. This battle is as much mine as yours. Who do you think led the Electroclan when you weren’t around?” “I’m not saying that you’re not capable,” I said. “But if something happened to you . . .” “And what if something happens to you? Am I supposed to just deal with that? Do you think you’re the only one who’s afraid of losing someone they love?” “I didn’t say that,” I said, then added, “or think that.” “No. But you were going to.”

“Great, now you know what I’m going to think?” She looked at me for a moment, then she grinned. “Sorry.” She put her arms around me. “I can’t lose you either. So we’ll just stay close. That way if something happens to one of us, it will happen to both of us.” “That doesn’t sound hopeful,” I said.

“Nothing sounds hopeful right now,” she replied.

Ostin walked up to us. “I’m going to make some breakfast. Anyone hungry?” “I am,” Taylor said.

“Me too,” I said. “What are you making?” “Omelets,” Ostin said. “Tessa left all the stuff out to make them.” “Sounds good to me,” I said.

“What about McKenna?” Taylor asked.

“She says she’s not hungry,” Ostin replied.

“You better ask Jack if he wants something,” I said.

As if on cue, Jack walked into the kitchen. He got a tall glass out of the cupboard, then walked over to the refrigerator, broke a half dozen eggs into a glass, then swallowed them raw. He wiped his mouth with his arm, then walked back out to the garage.

“I think he just had breakfast,” Taylor said.

After breakfast, Ostin went to find McKenna, while Taylor and I cleaned up the kitchen. We were drying the last of the dishes when Taylor put her hand on my cheek. “You need to get some rest. You still look like you haven’t slept for days.” “I just can’t get enough rest,” I said.

“Come here.” She took my hand and led me to one of the vacant bedrooms. “Lie on your stomach,” she said, pointing to the bed.

I stretched out over the bed and Taylor lay on her side next to me. She lifted my shirt, then ran her fingernails along my back and up my neck into my hair, just like my mother used to do when I was little. It was the best feeling in the world.

Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for me to fall asleep.