Into the Shadows by Jason D. Morrow Read Free Book Online

fresh bandages wrapped around my whole chest and side. I was shirtless, though the bandages covered me up like a mummy.
    “You didn’t fix me up, did you?”
    “No,” he said with a wink. “Nancy was sure to make me leave the room before you were cared for.”
    “You mean stripped down ,” I said. I let out a short laugh, but it hurt my side so badly that the laugh turned into a grimace. “How bad was it?” I asked.  
    “The bullet was pretty deep, but Nancy got it out,” he said. “I guess since you’re still breathing it didn’t hit anything vital.”
    “That’s reassuring.”
    He shrugged. A long moment stood between us and I could tell that something was on his mind.  
    Probably Paxton.
    “You know, I can believe Paxton turned on me, but I’m surprised that he turned on you,” I said. “You were his number one guy.”
    “It surprised me too,” he said solemnly. “I never knew when you started looking in to this whole Shadowface thing that you’d have uncovered something this deep. The only way I can fathom Paxton turning on us like he did was because Shadowface threatened him. I know you heard the conversation over the phone, but there had to be something else too. I mean, we were taking him to his granddaughter for goodness’ sake.”
    “Shadowface could have told Paxton anything,” I said. “She could have said that they found Evie and had her safe or that she was already dead—any number of things. The chance to get his granddaughter and keep the resources Shadowface offers was probably too good of a concept to pass up.”
    “I suppose he has her now,” Gabe said.  
    That was certainly a possibility. I felt a pang of guilt when I thought about Elkhorn, though I knew I shouldn’t have. We did our best to get them help. We failed. And now they could all be dead. And Waverly was among them.
    “We have to figure out a way to go back there,” I said.
    “You’re not going anywhere,” Gabe said. “You have to rest. Elkhorn’s problems are far from us now.”
    “How can you say that? My sister is there.”
    “You know how the fight was going,” Gabe said. “Yeah we were holding them off, but it was only a matter of time. Shadowface will have them overrun by now.”
    I knew he was right, but that didn’t quell my desire to see for myself. And with this gunshot wound, I wasn’t going anywhere any time soon.
    I suppose the desire is still there. I want to go to Elkhorn, but I’m sure there won’t be anything to return to. Even if Waverly and the others got out before Shadowface and the greyskins took over Elkhorn, they would be long gone by now. I plan to still be on the lookout for my sister, but hope isn’t welling out of me.  
    “Watcha got on your mind, Remi?” Ray asks as he looks down to try and meet my eyes.  
    I look up at him and quickly shake my head. “Nothing, I’m just tired.”
    “It’s that dang gunshot wound,” he says. “It can take a lot out of ya for a long time. Maybe a hot lunch will make you feel better.”
    Nancy’s hot meals have never really made me feel better other than the fact that I knew I wasn’t going to be starving. Ray wasn’t kidding when he claimed Nancy’s cooking had gone downhill since the outbreak, not that I know anything about it before, but it couldn’t have ever been much worse. I haven’t had the chance to be picky in the past three years, but lately I’ve noticed that her bland vegetables and undercooked entrees could use a little more seasoning, or longer time in the oven. But I will never complain like Ray does. He’s had a hot meal every day since the outbreak. I know what it’s like to go a few days without any food—to feel a sense of elation at the sight of canned peas.
    “Ray, could you set out six plates?” Nancy calls out.  
    Ray rolls his eyes and lets out a loud huff. “I swear I never get peace with this woman around.” He looks at me and Gabe and winks.  
    “I heard that,” Nancy says.
    I know