“I think Demi might have beat you to that already,” I replied as I gave the door a shake to double check the locks.
“You want some cheese?” Lacey offered as she rummaged.
I laughed and headed out of the room, silently passing the dining room where the rest of our friends had gathered around Tommy, before moving upstairs.
“Are you planning on heading for the city soon?” Rose called up to me just as I reached the landing.
I turned and looked down at her and Shilo who had his hand resting on her back.
“Umm yeah, Linc just popped next door for some clean clothes and then I think he's planning on running people around their houses to look for their families. As soon as that's done we're gunna go straight there,” I replied.
Rose and Shilo exchanged a look before she responded. “Okay, we’ll wait for you so long as you're gunna be getting there within the next few hours.” Shilo’s jaw tightened slightly but he didn't contradict her.
“Were you hoping to leave sooner than that?” I asked, unsure of what they were angling towards.
“I think we should get going as soon as possible,” Shilo said. “The sooner we get to safety the better. Who knows what else could happen if we delay? We won't be safe until we’re inside
The Wall.”
“And my counter argument with him is that if we stick with you guys and travel in a large group then we’ll be safer on our journey to the city. Even if that means waiting a little while longer before we head off,” Rose added.
I nodded in agreement as I thought about it. I could see both of their points. “I'll make sure they hurry up. We should get to the city as soon as we can,” I agreed. “I'm just checking the house is locked up and I'll be back down. If you're hungry, Lacey is clearing anything perishable out of the kitchen.”
“Oh I can help with that.” Shilo grinned and turned away to find the food. Rose rolled her eyes before hurrying after him.
I headed into the bathroom to check the window was locked and paused to rinse the splattered blood down the sink. I wondered if Tommy was going to be okay. It seemed like he must have lost more blood than he should. I just hoped the doctors in the city would be able to help him.
I quickly checked the windows in my mom and dad's room then Reese’s before finally heading into my own.
Everything was just how I'd left it the day before and yet nothing was the same. I was a different girl now. After seeing the things I'd seen, living through everything… I didn't know if I even belonged there anymore.
I was sad that I couldn't bring anything with me but also kind of relieved. Maybe it was better that I had to start over in the city. Maybe it would give me half a chance to forget all of it. I could leave it outside with everything else.
I headed into my wardrobe and quickly stripped out of my torn, dirty, smokey clothes. My body had a patchwork of cuts and grazes, half of which I couldn't ever remember getting.
If my clothes were going to be destroyed then I didn't want to wear anything I was particularly fond of and I wanted to make sure I would be able to run easily too. I rummaged around and picked out some of my workout clothes. I grabbed a pair of black yoga pants and a dark red shirt with long sleeves then threw a bottle green sweater over the top of it.
I fished around in the pocket of my discarded leather jacket for my steak knife and slipped it into my pocket too. Finally, I pulled a pair of heavy army style boots on and laced them up.
As I turned away from the familiar things, I noticed something that shouldn't have been there. On my dressing table was a piece of paper, folded over once. I hurried to it and quickly opened it, finding a note from my mom.
Kaitlyn. Your father and I have been selected, they've come to take us to the city. There's isn't much time and they won't let us wait for you. Find Reese and get to the waiting zone. We'll be able to get you accepted too, but you have to be there.
The hordes are heading towards the city and they'll be here soon. If you can't get there before they have to close it, stay together and find somewhere defendable. They say the phones should start working again soon.
I love you. Please hurry.
Chapter Twenty Eight
Kaitlyn
I read the note three times, trying to make sense of it. Selected for what? I knew that the Wardens had come to escort us to the city but something about my mom's note made it sound like they weren't just getting us in first. She said they could get us accepted which sounded a hell of a lot like not everyone would be getting in at all.
Movement caught my eye out of my bedroom window and I noticed Lincoln making his way back towards our house.
The note fell through my fingers and I ran for the door before it had even floated to the floor. I took the stairs two at a time and sprinted to the front door, flinging it open in Lincoln’s surprised face.
“What the-“ he began but I shushed him as I closed the door behind me.