Page 7 of Gambler's Fallacy

It had been ruined before they’d started to argue, but I don’t tell him that.

“It’s okay,” I say, grabbing his hand. “I was getting tired anyway.” I force a smile. “I’m not used to so much walking, remember?”

The last time I’d done so much walking had been in the desert, where Caleb had found me.

I make sure the smile lingers on my lips, but I know it’s strained. I don’t really want to think about that, or about how I got trapped until I gotfound, but things are better now.

They have to be.

“Is there anywhere else you want to go before we head back?” Vortex asks.

It opens up a whole new realm of possibilities, and I freeze because it feels like a little too much, a little too fast. I quickly shake my head.

Havoc starts tapping on his phone. “We still have time for the history museum, or the American Indian museum. That one’s actually pretty interesting. Kind of depressing too, I guess, if you think about all the shit theconquistadoresdid to the locals.”

I have no idea whatconquistadoresare, but I don’t want to tell them that. I don’t really want to see anything depressing, either, especially when I’m already on edge from how stupid the art museum had made me feel.

I guess I should be interested in learning something beyond the Bible and other classic books, but I’m… not.

“No more museums,” Vortex says before I can say anything, and I’m not sure if he’s rescuing me or if he really does hate the idea. “Seven, do you prefer physical books over the e-reader?”

The question catches me off guard, and I blink at him. “What?”

“We can go to a bookstore, if you want. Or the library,” he says patiently.

I don’t really want to go to those places, either.

I don’t want to say that I’ve had enough, though, because I don’t know when I’ll get the chance to get out of the Roi again. What if they decide not to take me out if I don’t agree to do what they want?

“Sure,” I say.

Havoc turns in his seat to look at me. “Seven… Would you rather go watch a movie? Or we can chill at my place for a bit. I got a gaming system. We can beat Vortex at games.”

I glance at Havoc, trying to keep my rising uncertainty and discomfort under control. “I…” There are too many options, and I don’t know what to start with. I know we can’t beat Vortex at anything becauseIcan’t win at any of the games.

I can’t win at anything. Not blackjack, not the slots, notlife.

Vortex shakes his head. “I haven’t vetted your place yet. We don’t want to risk somebody lurking there already, and your security is probably shit. I guess we could go to mine. Do you want to stop at a drive through for coffee or a snack, Seven?”

“Someone might be there?” I whisper, the harsh reality setting in. “I didn’t… I didn’t think that Havoc might not be safe because of me. Oh god.” I press my hands to my eyes, trying to hide from the world in a stupid way that won’t help at all.

“It’s not likely,” Vortex says immediately. “It’s only a consideration, that’s all.”

“I can take care of myself,” Havoc quickly assures me. “I might be a military reject, but I still got all the training. You’ve seen how I can handle myself, Seven.”

I imagine someone waiting in Havoc’s home, ready to attack the second he walks in, and I choke back a whimper. It’s my fault.

All of this is my fault.

If it wasn’t for me, they’d be safe.

My thoughts start to spiral down and down, and I wish I was onlyworried about whether I should go to the bookstore or a drive through.

But no.

This is so much worse.

“Shit!” Havoc says. He gets out of the passenger seat and slides into the back with me, but I can’t tell what he’s saying anymore.

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