Shattered World (Broken World Book 2) by Kate L. Mary Read Free Book Online Page B

know enough about this thing to even venture a guess, but I do know that the diesel is low. I mean really low.”
    “Fuck!” My whole body jerks when Angus yells. His voice echoes through the room. He picks up a lounge chair and hurls it through the air, right into the pool.
    Little Ava squeals, and Jake holds onto Anne. The echo of the splash takes over as Angus’s curse fades away.
    When Axl lets go of my hand, hurt and disappointment twist at my already ravaged insides. But he puts his arm around my waist and pulls me close. It isn’t like him, showing affection in front of all these people, but I guess after the sauna the secret is out. And I’m thankful for it, because right now I’m pretty sure I’d fall to pieces if I didn’t have someone to lean on.
    “Where’s that guy?” Jessica asks. Just like the little kids, she seems to be clinging to her dad—not that I have any room to talk.
    Winston rubs her back absentmindedly and nods. “Yeah. The one who worked for the company.”
    Joshua sighs and shakes his head. He acts so guilty. Like all of this is his fault. He takes too much responsibility for things he has no control over. If he’s not careful, he’s going to end up with an ulcer. “Couldn’t find him. He’s not in his condo or the common area. I have no idea where he is.”
    “Did you check the control room?” Hadley asks. Her features are relaxed, unlike everyone else. But she is an actress. Anything could be going through her head. “That’s where he usually hangs out. I think it’s a comfort to him, feeling like he still has a job to do.”
    Joshua shakes his head, and people immediately head to the elevator. But we can’t all fit. Only six or seven of us will be able to squeeze in there at a time. We’re twelve levels down and I don’t want to take the stairs. Or get left behind. I pull away from Axl and grab his hand so we get to the elevator at the front of the pack.
    We make it in, and I find myself squeezed in the back corner with Axl pressed firmly against me. Angus is here, along with Hadley, Winston, and Joshua. None of us talk as the elevator moves up. I’m not even positive any of us are breathing.
    We find James in the control room with his eyes focused on the screens. There are bodies outside still, hanging around the fence. They aren’t shaking it anymore, but they haven’t given up completely. Their presence suddenly makes me feel even more claustrophobic than being twelve stories underground did.
    James turns when we walk in. It must feel like a mob descending on him, the way we all rush into the room. Angry and terrified. But he doesn’t seem concerned, and he doesn’t even look surprised to see us. He simply pushes his chair away from the desk and leans back. He crosses his arms over his chest and stares at us silently. Waiting.
    “What the fuck is goin’ on here?” Angus growls before anyone has a chance to ask a reasonable question.
    I’m all prepared to tell Angus to shut up so someone with a little sense can get a word in, but James seems to understand. He sighs and shakes his head, then glances at the monitor before turning back to us. “I was waiting for this. Obviously, I knew it wouldn’t be long before you all noticed things weren’t quite right.”
    He’s so calm and laid-back, which blows me away. We’re facing starvation and being trapped underground with no power, but he doesn’t even seem worried about it. Maybe he’s already dealt with it. Already faced the fact that this is the end for him. It sure was nice of him to let us in on the secret. I hate that I got my hopes up for nothing. Seems luck will never be on my side.
    Winston walks forward, actually daring to step in front of Angus. He always seems to be the voice of reason. “You think you can tell us what exactly is going on here? Give us some clue as to where we might find more provisions?”
    James shakes his head and lets out a long breath that sends my stomach plummeting all