Michael Vey 3 ~ Battle of the Ampere by Richard Paul Evans Read Free Book Online Page B

nothing,” she said.
    I took off my pack too. My shoulders were chafed from where its straps dug into my skin. “Do we have anything to sleep on?”
    “The tent and tarp are in her pack,” Jaime said. “It is big enough for two.” He took off his own pack, checked for insects, then sat down on the ground against a tree.
    “What about you?” I said to him.
    “I must stand guard,” he said. “We cannot take chances.”
    I felt bad for him. I knew he was exhausted too. “Thank you,” I said.
    “It is my job,” he replied.
    Tessa opened her pack and brought out a small vinyl tent and a rolled-up tarp. There were no blankets, which, considering how warm the jungle was at night, weren’t necessary.
    With Jaime’s help, we set up the tent, then Tessa and I climbed inside. I took off my shirt, then Tessa and I spread out the tarp and lay down. The ground was warm and spongy.
    “I can’t believe how loud the jungle is at night,” I said.
    “That’s when most things hunt,” Tessa said. “Or flee.”
    “Including us,” I said. I breathed out heavily. “It’s hard to believe it’s just been one day. We’ve escaped the Peruvian army in an Amazonian tribe’s canoe, hiked through the jungle, been captured by the Elgen, destroyed our camp, and fled into the jungle. That’s like a thousand times more than what had happened to me my entire middle school years in Meridian, Idaho.”
    “I could use a little more dull,” Tessa said. She looked at me. “Do you think we’ll ever have normal lives?”
    “If Hatch has his way, normal won’t be what we think it is.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “He wants to change the world.”
    “One person can’t change the world,” Tessa said.
    “Of course they can,” I said. “Every idea starts with just one person.”
    “You’re right.” She was quiet for a moment, then she said, “How do you think the Elgen found us?”
    “Probably el-readers,” I said.
    “I forgot they had those,” she said. “The guards once used them to find Torstyn when he was out hunting.” She frowned. “That means they could still track us.”
    “That’s probably why Jaime is pushing us so hard.” I looked at her. “Don’t worry about it. They got lucky last time. This is a big jungle, and they don’t have helicopters anymore. We’re just a needle in a very big green haystack.”
    “I hope you’re right,” she said. She closed her eyes. “Good night, Michael.”
    “Night, Tessa,” I said.
    “Thank you for saving my life today.”
    *
    It was still dark when Jaime woke me.
    “We must go,” he said.
    It took me a moment to remember where I was. The jungle was still impossibly noisy with the sounds of insects and wildlife. I sat up and yawned. “Did you sleep?” I asked.
    “No. I will sleep tonight.”
    I gently shook Tessa, who fought opening her eyes. “What?” she said angrily.
    “Vámonos!” Jaime said.
    “What?”
    “It’s time to go,” I said.
    She opened her eyes. “We just went to sleep like two minutes ago.”
    “It has been three hours,” Jaime said. “I am sorry, but we must keep going. We must stay ahead of the Elgen.”
    “Even Elgen sleep,” she said, rolling back over. “Wake me when there’s a sun.”
    Jaime looked at me helplessly.
    I put my hand on her back and shook her. “C’mon, Tessa. We better do what he says.”
    Still nothing.
    Frustrated, Jaime said, “You can sleep after you are dead.”
    I turned and looked at him.
    “Is this not an American thing to say?” Jaime said.
    “Not really.” I shook her again. “C’mon, Tessa.”
    After a moment she breathed out heavily. “All right already.” She sat up and rubbed her eyes, then looked around. “It’s still night.”
    “No, it is very early morning,” Jaime said.
    “You’re a glass half full kind of guy, aren’t you?” Tessa said.
    Jaime just looked at her. “What?”
    “It could be worse,” I said. “Jaime hasn’t slept at all.”
    She frowned. “Sorry.