Page 136 of Homebound
Gemma tightened her fingers around the chip and pushed away from Ruby, sitting up straight.
“Here,” she extendedthe chip to Ruby. “This is for Cricket.”
Ruby’s eyes rounded and she scooted back as if afraid the chip might bite her.
“No, I can’t possibly take it. It’s yours.” She kept casting frightened looks at Simon.
“I have no use for it.”
“Gemma,” Simon’s gravelly voice held a deep note of admonishment.
“Oh, shut it, alien. You can’t make me go to Meeus. After all the work I’ve put into Butan? There’s no way I’ll let you drive it alone. I'll go with you. With my kind.”
She thrust the chip to Ruby, and this time the older woman cautiously accepted the gift.
Gemma struggled to her feet and extended her hand to help Ruby do the same. Next to them, Simon rose in silence, dwarfing both women, alien and menacing. His eyes were swirls of darkness, indicating a heightened level of emotion.
“I… don’t know what to say,” Ruby stammered and gave a weak watery laugh. “Thank you. I’m forever in your debt.”
“No, Ruby, you already repaid us by helping me out of prison. And besides, things that are freely given don’t need to be repaid.”
They moved simultaneously and wrapped each other in a tight hug. Gemma felt tears flow from her eyes.
“Take care, Ruby. I hope everything works out in the end.”
“It will now. We’ll make it work.”
“When she gets to Meeus, tell Cricket to find Dr. Zeke Ragberg. He will help her settle. He owes me. My message to him is that he isn’t off the hook until Cricket is situated. And after that, he can live his life free of guilt.”
“Oh, Gemma, thank you,” Ruby was also crying in earnest, her homely worn-out face softened by hope. For the first time in years, Ruby had hope.
Simon’s heavy hand landed on Gemma’s shoulder with finality.
“The time is up.”
Gemma focused on him, but he wasn’t looking at her. His face was raised, and he was scanning the area, on high alert. All was quiet around them. Too quiet.
Swiveling his head to Ruby - and making her shrink back in fear - Simon said, “Stay here. Hide until it blows over.”
Ruby only nodded, knuckles white from holding the chip in a tight fist.
Simon’s arm slithered around Gemma’s waist, pulling her away from Ruby, holding her in a loose embrace for support. Pivoting on his heels, he hustled her out of the church. She craned her neck to look back at Ruby, anxious for one last goodbye, a hand wave, a few more words of encouragement, but the brick wall blocked her view, and then they were gone.
Chapter 30
Gemma and Simon managed to cover a good distance away from the church before Gemma’s strength started to give out. Her head pounded, and everything looked fuzzy. Only Simon’s seemingly endless strength propelled her along.
“Where are we going?” she asked to distract herself from her physical woes. Besides, she couldn't chalk it all up on the fuzzy brain when she no longer recognized the scenery.
“Away from the junkyard,” Simon slowed down and stopped. For her benefit, she was sure. He wasn’t winded. “Let me carry you.”
There was no reason to pretend she was okay. “How much longer?”
“I don’t know. I can’t shake them.”
“Shake who?”
“Dr. Delano’s men.”
