After the Ending by Lindsey Fairleigh, Lindsey Pogue Read Free Book Online

it dangerous? I haven’t had a chance to ask Jason or Chris any of
this; either I’ve been asleep or they’ve been busy.
     
    After BB, we’re heading toward that base in Colorado.
Peterson or something like that. There are a few more stops we have to make
along the way, so I don’t know how long it’ll take to get there either. But, I
know I will see you there, Zo. I’ll send you a message with more details
before we leave, assuming the internet still works. Our phones are useless,
both landlines and cells, so don’t even bother trying to reach us that way. We
can’t even Skype…the servers must be down or something.
                                   
    So, I’m not doing so hot with the Cam thing. The
dreams…crap, Zo. Every time I fall asleep, Cam is there. And he’s always some
grotesque version of dead. I’m getting to the point where I don’t even want to
close my eyes. I miss you like crazy and wish I could sob in your arms every
time I wake from the nightmares. Soon.
     
    Be safe,
    Dani

6
    Zoe
     
     
    We spoke in hushed tones as we packed food for our trip. Sarah
slept in the adjacent room, and we didn’t want to wake her. Dave’s arrival had
brought a sense of relief to the house. I hadn’t seen him for nearly six
months—since our break up—but his presence was unexpectedly reassuring.
    From my conversation with Jason a couple of days earlier,
I knew we needed to head west if I ever wanted to see my brother or Dani again.
Knowing they were still alive was enough to re-establish the hope I’d felt so
despondent without. Dave was with me, and we had a plan. Everything seemed to
be working out—except Sarah was still sick, and I tried not to think about what
would happen if she got any worse.
    Searching through the cupboards, I thought about the
strangeness of it all. It’s like I can feel her pain and fear all of a sudden .
    “Zoe?” I started and looked at Dave. My eyes refocused as
I took in Dave’s concerned expression; it was easy enough to read with his
loose curls hiding beneath his backward cap. His hand brushed my shoulder
gently, and I instantly felt a rush of unease.
    “Did you hear me?” he asked.
    My mind was a muddled mix of emotions—I didn’t understand
what I was feeling. Dave’s eyes were tired and shadowed, and I felt overwhelmed
under his touch. What the hell’s going on? Where are these feelings coming
from?
    He smiled and brushed a strand of hair from my face. “I
asked if you wanted me to pack the stash of chocolate I found in the pantry.
I’m assuming so, unless you’re no longer a chocolate fiend and I didn’t get the
memo.” He flashed a cocky, lopsided grin.
    “Oh,” I breathed raggedly, “yeah, of course. Thanks.” The
moment he removed his hand from my skin, I felt lighter.
    Bewildered, I exhaled and continued packing. I focused on
the good news—Dani was alive and with Jason, and Dave was driving Sarah and me
to the base in Colorado. I’d see my best friend and brother in a few days…and
hopefully my dad, too.
    “Zoe?” I jumped when Dave’s hand touched the small of my
back. Why is he touching me so much? I wanted to scream. His fingers
lingered on the thin cotton of my t-shirt, and a sudden sense of apprehension
nagged the back of my mind. Uncertainty washed over me, though I had no idea
where it had come from.
    “Did you hear anything I said?”
    I stared at him, unsure of the feelings fluttering around
inside me.
    “Zoe?” Dave’s brow was furrowed; his confident air
dissipating.
    “S-sorry,” I stammered, glancing down at my shaking
hands. Am I getting sick again?
    Dave squeezed my shoulder tightly. “What’s wrong?” Fear
and anxiety pulsed through me, making me dizzy and disoriented.
    Sammy, Dave’s chocolate Lab, licked my hand, the contact
shaking me from my confusion. I petted him absentmindedly as I tried to wade
through the intense feelings.
    No . I refuse to be sick. “I’m just tired.
What