Don't Let Go by Michelle Gagnon Read Free Book Online Page A

you. You know that, right?”
    The library came into view. Noa and Peter were standing at the curb, looking impatient.
    “I know,” Daisy said, trying to sound cheerful. Seeing them brought the weight of reality crashing back down. Could they really just leave Noa and Peter to fend for themselves? They don’t need us , she told herself. Not really. Changing the subject, she said lightly, “I hope they found a good place to stay.”
    “I just hope we don’t spend the night running for our lives again,” Teo muttered as he pulled over to the curb.
    “Wow,” Teo said. “This is—”
    “Disgusting,” Daisy interrupted, wrinkling her nose.
    “Is it just me, or are the hideouts getting worse?” Teo grumbled.
    “Next time you can find one,” Peter muttered, scanning the room. They were right, of course: The South Lincoln Homes Housing Development was beyond grim. It was kind of amazing that it had only been scheduled for demolition a couple of years ago. The walls of the apartment were coated in mold. The windows were practically made of papier-mâché, with layers of newspaper duct-taped over the broken sections; he couldn’t imagine surviving a Denver winter in a place like this. Even now, on the cusp of summer, frigid air whistled through the gaps.
    Noa bent over and picked up a plastic Mickey Mouse head that must have popped off a child’s toy. Holding it up, she said wryly, “And I thought I grew up in some nasty places.”
    Peter swallowed hard, abruptly overcome by a wave of homesickness; he could practically picture the walls of his room, and the bed with its crazy comfortable organic mattress. His house always smelled like furniture polish and freshly cut flowers. He didn’t know what the other kids’ homes had been like; it wasn’t something they ever discussed. But out of all of them, it was a safe bet that he’d fallen the furthest from what passed as home. He eyed the filthy linoleum, which had cracked and peeled away to reveal a concrete subfloor. “Could be worse,” he said unconvincingly.
    “Ah, man, you know we’re kidding.” Teo clapped him on the shoulder. “This place is perfect. Hell, punching holes in the wall will actually improve it.”
    “Yeah,” Daisy said faintly. “Really great.”
    Teo leaned over and planted a kiss on her forehead. “Why don’t you deal with the food, Dais. Peter and me will start on the exit strategy.”
    “Sure.”
    Noa was still staring down at the doll’s head as if mesmerized. Peter cleared his throat and said, “After that, we should try to get some sleep. Noa, if you want, you can lie down now—”
    “I’m fine,” she said, glowering at him.
    He held up both hands placatingly. “I’m just saying, you’ve gotten less sleep than the rest of us. We can handle this.”
    “I’ll keep watch,” she said. “When one of you is ready to take over, just let me know.”
    “I thought I was keeping first watch,” he muttered.
    Noa ignored him, moving over to one of the few windows that was still paned with glass. She swiped a finger through the lower corner, removing enough dirt to provide a view of the street.
    Peter stood silently for a second, watching her. At some point they needed to talk about how she was shutting them out. We’re all barely holding it together , he thought with a surge of anger; why did Noa think she was the only one with a right to sulk?
    But there never seemed to be a good time to have that conversation. At least Teo and Daisy had each other. He was all on his own.
    “I got chicken,” Daisy announced, shaking him out of his reverie. “We should eat soon, before it gets cold.”
    She lugged two grocery bags into the kitchen.
    “Don’t open the fridge,” Teo warned.
    “Don’t worry,” Daisy snorted. “I’m never doing that again.”
    “Where was that?” Teo asked. “Austin?”
    “Cleveland,” Peter chimed in. “I still think that was a dead cat.”
    “Ugh, enough,” Daisy said with a shudder.