Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 132491 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132491 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
He’s shirtless, wearing only shorts. He doesn’t even have shoes on and his hair is a mess. He’s also carrying a handgun, a rifle slung over his back with the strap resting across his chest.
Marcus looks from me to Vance, and then back to Vance again. Niran walks into the room next, wearing shorts, a T-shirt and flip-flops. He’s carrying a gun, too.
“Niran, keep your weapon on Vance while I talk to Marcus,” Nova says. “If he moves, shoot him in the head.”
Vance balks. “Marcus, she thinks I’m the one who did something! What the hell is going on? She was trying to escape!”
Marcus doesn’t respond. Once Niran has his gun pointed at Vance, Marcus leads Nova from the room.
“Niran, man, help me out here,” Vance pleads. “You know I’m a good guy.”
“Yeah, I know. Just be cool and wait while they talk.”
The exchange makes my stomach turn. Just a guy asking another guy to have his back. Even in the apocalypse, some things never change.
Soon, Marcus walks back into the room. His expression is different now, a dark storm in his eyes. He’s still holding the handgun.
“Vance,” he says. “Come with me.”
I’m shaking. Not just from what just happened, but from what’s going to happen next. Do I even have a chance of them believing me? Should I even bother telling them the truth?
“Niran, you can wait outside,” Nova says.
He nods and goes, pulling the door closed behind him. Once it’s closed, Nova puts the safety on her gun, putting her back against the door.
“I won’t come any closer,” she says softly. “Would you rather change your clothes with me in here or out in the hall?”
“He looked at me in the shower,” I blurt.
Her shoulders sink slightly. “I’m sorry. Do you want to change clothes, or would you rather keep the blanket?”
Hot tears spill onto my cheeks, and I swipe them away. I have to get ahold of myself. I can cry later, when I’m alone.
“I’ll change.” I slide off the cot, keeping the blanket secured. “Can you just turn around?”
Nova complies, and I walk over to the small dresser where I keep my clean clothes. The Dust Walkers often wear the same canvas pants and T-shirts the Tiders do. I dress in one of the familiar uniforms, feeling more comfortable than I would in casual clothes. Then I add socks and my boots, because I’m not sure I’ll be staying here anymore.
My hair is wild from being wet when I went to bed. I brush my hands through the slightly damp strands.
“I’m dressed,” I tell Nova.
She turns around and meets my eyes, then opens the door. Marcus, Niran and Vance are standing there. Nova clicks off her gun’s safety and walks into the hallway.
Marcus comes into the room, closing the door. I sit down on the edge of my cot, my heart hammering with worry.
“What happened?” he asks.
I sigh softly, my gaze on the floor. “I was showering tonight, and I was alone in the bathroom. He came in just to...” My throat tightens. “Just to look at me. He said he thought I yelled, but I didn’t. I tried not to fall asleep, but I did. And I woke up to him”—I tuck my hair behind my ear, holding myself together—“pulling on my blanket, grabbing me. I fought back.”
“Are those the clothes you were wearing?” He nods at the pile I left on the dresser.
“Yeah.”
“Can I take a look?”
I shrug. “You can do anything you want.”
I hear him walk over and pick something up.
“Christ,” he mutters.
He turns to face me, still standing in front of the dresser. “Will you look at me?”
I raise my face and turn, locking my gaze on his.
“Did he sexually assault you?”
“He was trying. But no.”
He winces. “Briar ... I’m so goddamn sorry. This is my fault.”
I nod. “It is. He could’ve killed me and gotten away with it.”
Shame clouds his expression and he looks away. “Ellison is on her way.”
“I don’t need her. I’m fine.”
“I want her to at least look you over.”
“No.” It comes out more forcefully than I intended. “It’s my body and I know what my injuries are. I said I’m fine.”
He nods.
“So you believe me?” I ask, still not sure I trust it.
“Yeah. No one pounds on a door screaming for help when they’re trying to escape. I’m very fucking disgusted with myself for trusting Vance.”
“Locking a woman in a room with a man against her will seemed like a good idea?” My voice shakes with emotion and I clear my throat. “I did nothing to earn your suspicion. He was armed, Marcus. I fought him off with a fucking shelf.”
He pinches his brows together and looks away. “I’m very sorry. This is on me.”
“Either let me have a weapon, or I’m leaving.”
He jerks his gaze back onto me. “Leaving?”