Page 133 of Steel

The drugs they used to knock us out kept him asleep longer than me, but his body is fighting it off faster now that he’s awake.

Austin pushes himself to sit but stays right at my side. “Where are we? Where’s the bathroom?”

I’m relieved that’s the last thing he remembers.

He has no idea what’s going on—what his father has done or what’s happened to our mother. And even if I’m not looking forward to explaining this to him later, I’m thankful I can be the one to tell him rather than have him hear these truths from Dimitri’s mouth.

“We aren’t at the bathroom anymore.” I squeeze his hand. “Can you stand?”

I’m still a little wobbly myself as I lift off the mattress and stand over him, reaching out a hand. He laces his fingers in mine, using me as leverage to pull himself up.

“I feel funny.” He grabs onto my arm.

“I know, me too.”

He looks around again, and his eyebrows pinch. “Where’s the beach? Where’s Jameson?”

“Jameson’s coming to get us right now.”

That might not be true, but even if Jameson doesn’t know where we are, I’m positive he’s doing everything he can to find us. He won’t let us get hurt. I’m sure of it.

“Why isn’t he here?” Austin’s voice cracks. “Is the bad man back?”

I press my lips together and inhale through my nose. I don’t want to scare him, but with all he’s seen, he’s smart enough to be worried.

“Yes, the bad man’s back.” I angle his face up. “But nothing is going to happen to you, okay? We’re going to get out of here, and Jameson will come get us. I won’t let anyone hurt you. I promise.”

“I won’t let anyone hurt you either.” Austin gives me a hug.

He believes it with all his heart, and it makes my eyes sting as I fight back the tears. No child should have to be this strong. I’m the one who’s supposed to be there for him. And that’s what I’m going to do.

Voices start getting louder as footsteps move down the hall. The men are either coming for me or him, so we need to move.

“Can you walk?” I whisper.

He nods.

“Let me see.” I hold his hand so he doesn’t fall, and I’m happy he doesn’t lose balance when he takes a step, even if it’s slow.

“Good.” I brace against the wall when my head spins, fighting the haze that’s still fogging my senses.

Glancing around the room, I eye the door, knowing we can’t go back the way I came with the men making their way through the house. I look around the room, searching for another way out, and spot a window.

I squeeze Austin’s hand and look down at him. “I need you to be as quiet as you can, okay?”

“I can be super quiet,” he whisper-yells, which isn’t as helpful as he thinks, but I can’t blame him.

“Good.” I pat the back of his hand. “Follow me, and don’t say a word.”

I guide him to the window. Quickly but quietly unlatching it and pulling it up. Luckily, it doesn’t creak like the basement door, and I manage to get Austin through it quickly.

Outside is nothing but a wide stretch of empty desert, meaning we’re in the middle of nowhere.

I don’t know if Jameson will find us out here or if we can survive walking once the sun rises, but we have to try. At least we can put some distance between us and them as long as it’s dark out.

“Wait there.” I set Austin on his feet outside and climb through the window next.

Dropping to the ground, a stone digs into my foot, but I can’t let myself think about that right now.

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