Strange Skies by Kristi Helvig Read Free Book Online Page B

remembered how James had followed Kale’s orders to the end, even when it meant killing me. All because of some bigger plan that Kale was involved in that James wanted to know about. My life had meant nothing compared to that.
    My voice came out harsh and grating. “You think that was a scene? You have no idea what kind of scene I am capable of. I’ll ask you one more time since you seem to have a problem with your hearing—where are the freakin’ guns?”
    He sighed. “No one knows. I swear. Kale moved them somewhere after he brought Markus and Alec here. Said something about going to try and get more Resistance recruits from the outer areas. Markus has been drunk ever since, and Alec’s been … with you.” James gritted his teeth.
    Like I had a choice. Most of the past three months, I hadn’t even known who was around me because I’d been a doped up, drooling mess. James’ eyes drifted to my hair and then to Alec. “Nice flower. Where’d you get it?”
    I reached up to touch my hair. I’d forgotten about the flower. I ignored his question. Let James think what he wanted. “And Kale?” I kept my voice hard and businesslike. But the longer he looked into my eyes, the weaker I felt.
    James reached out to touch my hand. “Kale’s only been back once. Word is that he’ll be here again soon though.”
    I pulled away from him.
    “Please, Tora.”
    The way he said “please” reminded me of a fleeting dream about him. I couldn’t quite catch the memory and shook it off. James’ lack of answers was getting on my last nerve. “So what do you know? Did you find out the ‘something bigger’ thing that Kale was part of—the thing that was worth shooting me over?”
    James took a step toward me. “Yes, but I already told you all this. I never—”
    Lucy tore around the corner, leash dragging in the dirt, and jumped on me. She licked my face like she hadn’t seen me in years. I smiled despite my anger and patted her head. “Easy, girl. I missed you too.” And it was true. The sight of those big eyes and wagging tail made me think she was the only creature worth trusting in the whole universe.
    Alec rounded the corner. “Sorry, she took off and pulled the leash out of my hand.”
    “No worries. We’re done here.” I gestured at James. “Basically, he knows nothing about anything.” I studied the darkening sky and the long shadows beginning to creep across the ground.
    James pleaded with Alec. He sounded almost desperate. “Help me out here, man. Tell her. She doesn’t remember. C’mon, I took care of your dog—you owe me.”
    Alec hesitated. “Thanks for helping with Lucy,” he said, shuffling his feet in the dirt.
    I whipped my head toward Alec. “Remember what?”
    “Your first escape attempt,” Alec said.
    All I recalled was being told, while in a drug-induced stupor, that I’d run away once before. I stared blankly from James to Alec. “What about it?”
    Alec spoke like the words were being forced out of him. “It was with him. You ran away with James.”

Chapter SIX
    N O WAY . I’ D RUN AWAY WITH J AMES BUT HAD NO MEMORY OF the experience. Not that I remembered much of anything about the past few months. All I could recall were those few strange dreams in between med doses. I shivered. The air contained a noticeable chill now, and the sun had all but disappeared over the horizon.
    James watched me and looked concerned. “Did Alec give you the med to help with withdrawal?”
    Now Alec was the one on the defensive. “I couldn’t find it. There wasn’t time—”
    James reached into his pack and pulled out a blue vial. The slender tube had a button on the bottom side and a rough surface on the top. He held it out toward me. “Look, this will stop any new symptoms.”
    Did he seriously think I was just going to put out myarm and let him inject an unknown substance into me? Another chill grabbed hold of me.
    “It’s okay,” Alec said. “That’s the withdrawal med. I swear.