Page 38 of Us Dark Few

She stopped.

Did hold her breath.

Ba bump...ba bump...ba bump…

Her heart churned. How can hearts continue beating through the many cracks, fissures, and breaks?

Anyone who says time heals all wounds hasn’t had many wounds. Time masks all wounds. Time was a band-aid on a broken leg.

Meeting Alexander Huxley. Hearing his silky smooth, traitorous voice. Letting his lips touch her hand, the same lips that commanded countless guards to murder innocent people, her parents included.

She shook her head to the ceiling, blinking back tears.

How much were they expected to give when all Apollo did was take?

“Get back to work!” one of the guards yelled at her.

Khalani’s gaze kept returning to the top of her hand, where the Governor kissed her. She wanted to rub her skin raw and wipe his disgusting stain from her existence.

She was more determined to help Winnie, but no one had approached her yet, and the guards started directing the prisoners toward the transports.

The message must not have been sent out.

Khalani kept her head down, still in her dark thoughts, when a loud shout sounded throughout the cavern.

Her mouth dropped open as a fire rapidly grew in one of the food storage buildings. People gathered and screamed for help. The guards in her group ran toward the commotion and yelled for the fire brigade.

“That will keep them occupied a few minutes.”

She jumped. A middle-aged man with dark skin snuck up to her side. Speckles of grey ran through his black hair, and he stared at the fire with a slight grin.

“You did this?” she whispered in shock.

“I would have come sooner, but the Governor’s arrival made the guards more perceptive than usual. Had to improvise. Name’s Charles.”

A huge balm of relief rushed through her. “I didn’t think you were coming.”

“I will always help Winnie.” He reached into his jacket and handed her a few sheets of paper.

She glanced around warily. No one was looking their way or paying attention to them. Everyone’s focus was on the fire. She quickly grabbed the sheets of paper and folded them into her pocket.

“Thank you,” she said.

Charles nodded and gave her a solemn look. “Good luck in Braderhelm. Tell Winnie I said hi.”

With that, he swiftly walked away, leaving behind the fiery chaos. People sighed in relief as the fire brigade arrived and put the last flames out.

She put her hand in her pocket, making sure the precious items were solidly in place. The guards walked back toward the prisoners, wiping sweat off their foreheads.

“Let’s go!” the lead guard shouted angrily, waving his hand toward the transports.

The prisoners in both groups moved quickly. As she got in one of the vehicles, she noticed Dana eyeing her suspiciously.

Khalani ignored the sinking feeling as they returned to Braderhelm Prison. But when she walked back to her cell, Dana stepped in front of her, arms folded against her chest.

She sighed. “What do you want, Dana?”

“I couldn’t help but notice you talking to someone while the guards were focused on the fire. What did he give you?” Dana asked.

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