Page 107 of Wicked Little Nightmare

"This is bullshit," she muttered, not for the first time. "We shouldn't trust these people."

I zipped up my own bag and sighed. "We don't have much choice, babe. It's either go with them or wait for Chimera to find us. Besides, you’re the one who said yes for the group, so why are you acting like it’s such a horrible idea, all of a sudden?"

Lakey's eyes flashed dangerously. "Maybe we should let them find us. I'd love to get my hands on those fuckers." She threw my sweats at me, smacking me in the face. “And just because I said yes, doesn’t mean I think it’s a great idea. You’re supposed to be my North Star, pointing me in the right direction, so really, if this goes sideways, it’s your fucking fault and you will not standin my way, especially if I get to kill people. Got it? Ugh. I hate not sleeping in my own damn bed.”

A grin tugged at my lips. God, I loved it when she got all fiery. "As hot as that would be, we're out skilled. For now, at least. Besides, you’ll have Rose. I think you just don’t wanna leave our space, and that’s fine, Lakes, but as much as I hate to admit it, they’re right. I can’t protect you if we get swarmed or overrun." She hated when I talk about protecting her. I knew she’s fully capable, but that didn’t take away from the fact that she was my girl and it was my job to make sure I put myself between her and death where-ever I can.

She huffed but didn't argue further. I knew she saw the logic, even if she hated it.

As I watched her continue her frantic packing, my mind drifted back to the shithole foster home where we first started lashing out. I'd been what, eight? Lakey was almost two years younger, all skinny limbs and wild eyes with unbrushed hair. The first time our ‘dad’ laid hands on her, she went to sit in the corner of the yard and began methodically pulling the wings off flying ants. She didn’t cry, didn’t scream. She took his beating and bore the blue and purple bruises for weeks. She put her head down and took her rage out in a different way, honing those skills that had been born into her heart of darkness. I knew right then that one day, I’d take revenge for every bruise anyone ever laid on her beautiful body.

I also knew that she was meant to be mine.

"Earth to Cam," Lakey's voice snapped me back to the present. "You good?"

I blinked, refocusing on her face. "Yeah, just thinking about the good old days."

Her lips quirked up. "Foster care or juvie?"

"Foster care. Remember how we used to sneak out at night?"

Lakey's smile turned wistful. "Yeah. Simpler times."

I snorted. "If by simpler you mean constantly dodging belt-wielding drunks, sure."

She shrugged. "At least the enemies were obvious back then."

I couldn't argue with that. These days, it was getting harder to tell friend from foe.Speaking of which...

"We better get out there," I said, nodding towards the door. "Make sure our new friends aren't planning to screw us over."

Lakey nodded grimly and hefted her bag. We headed out to the main room where the others were waiting. Sarah and Kyle were by the door, geared up and ready to go. Rose stood off to the side, clutching a pathetically small backpack.

"Is that all you're bringing?" I asked her, raising an eyebrow.

Rose flushed. "It's all I have. Lakey gave me some clothes, but we never went shopping, remember?" she mumbled. Then, turning to Sarah, she asked hesitantly, "Do you think... maybe we could get some more clothes for me at some point?"

Sarah's face softened. "Of course, sweetie. Once we're settled in, we'll take care of that. Cam, I’ll set the GPS for you, just follow it and you’ll get there. It’s off the beaten path, but I think you’ll find it up to your standards."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at the display. Lakey caught my eye and smirked, clearly thinking the same thing.

"Alright assholes," Kyle announced. "Let's move out."

As we filed out of the apartment, I locked the door behind us. Somehow, I knew we’d never be back, and yet I wanted to make sure that our little life stayed preserved inside. It was pathetic, sure, but I wasn’t ready for the weird sense of loss that came over me at the realization that someday, someone else will occupy this space and overwrite all the memories we’d created in those walls.

The wind whipped through my hair as we tore down the desolate highway, Lakey riding by my side. The roar of ourbikes drowned out everything but my own thoughts, which were racing faster than the scenery blurring past us.

I glanced in my side mirror, catching sight of Kyle's SUV following close behind. Sarah was in the passenger seat, her face a mask of concentration. In the back, I could just make out Rose's small form, her head resting against the window.

"You good?" I asked over the speaker to Lakes.

She gave me a thumbs up, "Never better, baby. Nothing like a ride to get the blood pumping!"

As we veered off onto a dirt road, memories of another frantic escape flooded my mind. I was thirteen again, heart pounding as Lakey and I ran from our foster home. The smell of smoke and gasoline still clung to our clothes as the house went up in flames. Dearestmotherhad forgotten food on the stove, causing a rapidly spreading blaze, destroying everything and almost killing us in the process. Sarah had been the one to take us out of their care, before placing us with our worst —and last— family.

I shook my head, forcing myself back to the present, checking the GPS to make sure we were on the right track before it went static, the feed offline. The trees were getting thicker now, the road narrowing to little more than a path. After what felt like hours of twisting and turning through the wilderness, a clearing finally came into view.

And there it was — our supposed sanctuary.

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