Page 143 of Hell Breaks Loose

“So that accounts for…” Counts off fingers. “Three. Technically four, if you include Cynthia’s bracelet.”

“Which we have no clue how to find.”

“But I might know where one is,” I chime in, wanting to distract Hellena from the sad expression creeping over her. “I’ll head down into town tonight and see. I can grab the notebook while I'm there.”

“You alright going by yourself?” Gav leans in close so only Hellena and I can hear.

“Probably best. It’s hard to get to.”

“You mean you don’t want anyone knowing your hiding spot,” Hell quips, pinching my stomach.

“Ow! A magician never reveals his secrets.”

“If you’re a magician, then I’m a ballet dancer.” Gavin snorts, heading for the door. “I’ll get the cars ready. I assume I’m coming with whoever’s going to the Block?”

“Fuck yeah! We may need all the backup we can get if there are any?—”

“Unwanted guests.” Alaya smacks her fist into her palm.

And just like that, we’re on the move.

Everyone’s hustling out of the room with a job to do. Everyone except for Sing, standing over by the wall, looking more uneasy than I’ve ever seen him. And who I swear I saw open his mouth to say something as Hellena rushed out.

Several hours later, I drag my sopping wet and muddy ass out of the truck I stole after losing my car to a gang of roving junkies. Two other jeeps that the rest of the group took are back in their spots.

Good.

They made it.

“Cathy-cried-a-creek-coming-clean-concerning-crimes-consuming-cashews,” I rattle off in a cracking voice, passing the stoney-eyed guards almost invisible on either side of the path.

“That’s not the password, ‘Dirk’.”

“But you know it’s me, right?”

“You smell like shit.”

“Thanks, Boris!”

“Fuck off.”

Ah. He’s still mad that I impersonated a biker messenger for the Block for years. And he never saw through my disguise. Stupid Gavin let the cat out of the bag while we were getting hammered with some of the guys last week.

My feet wail in protest as I make my way to the top of the hill, back down the trail, and up the slope to Camp Clive.

Why did we put the parking lot so damned far away?

Finally, I slump against the doorframe, knocking once to announce myself before stepping into the only lit room in the camp.

Five faces look up. Five noses wrinkle.

“I know. I know.”

“Where have you been?” Hella’s on her feet and in my face, trying to check through the gunk to check for injuries.

“I’m fine. Might need a penicillin shot later.”

“Let me guess, your hiding place was inside Shawshank?” Gavin snickers.

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