Page 20 of Hysteria Rises
The faster she moves, the more nervous I get.Because holy fuck. There’s no denying the fear in her eyes as she puts the last bit of paper into her mouth. She swallows, then lets out a ragged exhale.
“I don’t understand.” I shake my head feeling a bit wild while my gaze flicks from the woman to the other end of the hallway. For every step closer the unknown visitor comes, my heart rams harder behind my rib cage. “Please,” I quietly urge her, “please tell me what I should do.” My bottom lip trembles.
They’re coming. Closer. Ever closer.
They’ve stopped right outside the door.
Desperate for answers, my attention returns to this strange woman on the other side of the bars from me. I plead with her in frantic, silent whispers, begging her to tell me how to get out of this mess. Our eyes connect. Her mouth drops open to reveal a dark, tongueless cavern that sends terror jolting through me.
ELEVEN
CROSS
Sweat tricklesdown my back as I hammer a few more nails home, securing another piece of the framework for what will eventually be the new wing. It feels like it’s going to be forever before it’s done. I know Kiefer will need to have itjust so, too, because he tends to be very particular about anything that he considershis craft.
I’ve always found it interesting how these men—those that first founded our commune here at Dark Falls Hollow—came from different walks of life and somehow managed to create an entire society from nothing. They each had something different they brought to the table. Much like my father once had a flourishing medical practice, Kiefer had owned a big construction company prior to coming here and renovating this mountainside compound. We trade off who takes on which duties.
I’ve been helping out with the reconstruction ofthe new wing for a couple days now. I don’t mind the work of it so much. I’d rather do this than deal with the livestock, hunt wild game, chop wood, or work in the garden. I am my father’s son, though, and my preference is to work with him when he allows it.
Tiny bits of sawdust float on the musty air. Turning toward the only source of light that enters the partially constructed room, I allow my mind to wander back to the whirlwind of craziness that’s transpired since the Hunting. The entire compound has been in an uproar.
Finneas’s absence means someone is going to have to step up and begin making decisions. As the head of the Collective, he controls everything about our lives, and since his disappearance, the remaining leaders seem unsure how to proceed with a few things—but most especially with the Disturbance. It’s fairly clear they’ve been arguing among themselves about who should be the one to make any judgment calls surrounding her.
Even when Finneasispresent, there’s always been a power struggle and an undercurrent of dissent. In my opinion, they need to fucking get over their inflated egos and deal with the problem at hand. Would I ever say that to their faces? No. But if they’re smart, they’ll seek out a way to make that girl more docile. Bring her to heel. Right now, she’s a risk.
Ever since she arrived, I haven’t stopped thinking about how different she is. Maybe it’s simply that I’ve never experienced firsthand what it takes to bringa new woman into the compound. Participating in her exam has opened my eyes.
Footsteps sound in the distance, followed by the clearing of a throat, and it snaps me out of my reverie. “Kiefer?” Henry’s voice booms throughout the cavernous area. “Do you have Cross and Malakai with you today? I think we’re gonna need them outside. I’m rounding up as many as we can spare.”
There’s a loud thud, quickly followed by an affirmative grunt from Kiefer that makes my ears prick with awareness. He growls, “Yeah. Cross should be over that way, and I sent Malakai to get something from the supply shed. Should be back in a minute.”
Blowing out a breath, I swipe my brow against the sleeve of my shirt and duck around the corner, searching in the dim light. Henry’s broad form ambles into view. “I’m here.” I flag him down before squatting to pick up a piece of lumber from the neat pile on the floor.
“You almost done?” His lips press into a tight line. “I could use some help.”
“Sure. I can finish this up tomorrow if you need me right now.” I rake my hair back from my face. “Something wrong?”
“Nah, but I’m going to pull a few of you from your dailies to help with the cleanup effort from the storm. Gave you all your break after the Hunting, but now it’s time to deal with it.” He releases a heavy sigh, placing his hands on his hips. “I’ve walked the entirearea inside the compound, and it’s a fucking mess. Debris everywhere.”
I nod. “Okay. Just tell me where you need me, and I’m on it.” Tossing the piece of wood I’d been working with back onto the stack, I dust my hands on the thighs of my pants.
Just then, Malakai pokes his head around the corner, brow furrowed. “Kiefer came and got me. What’s going on?”
Henry rubs a meaty hand over his stubbled jawline. “I need you boys to give me a hand outside this morning.”
Malakai’s brow raises, but he shrugs. “Yeah, okay. I could use a change of scenery and some fresh air.”
That was a jab at me. This son of a bitch and I have been more at odds than usual lately. He hadn’t liked it when I told him to cut the shit with calling Arrow a freak show. Too bad for him, it’s not something I’ll stand for. Hayze won’t either if it continues, and he knows it.
Malakai falls in far too easily with Gannon’s and Dragan’s immature antics for my liking. We were too busy getting the girl out of Nolan’s quarters and down to the cellar the last time he opened that mouth of his to needle Arrow. I won’t hesitate to put him in his place if he does it again, and it won’t be pretty. I’m protective of Arrow for reasons all my own. Honestly, if Malakai does go after him again, I hope Arrow puts his fist in his face. And then I’d beg myfather to let me be the one to check for a broken nose so I could make sure it remains misaligned.
With that thought grinding around in my head, I give Henry a nod as I swiftly unbuckle the tool belt from around my hips and drop it to the floor. “Let’s get to it.”
Henry wastes no time, turning on his heel and leading the way, leaving us to follow. As we step outside, he tosses a quick glance around, shaking his head. Havoc reigns supreme, and it’s terribly windy. “I’d say we aren’t quite clear of the bad weather.”
I tilt my head back to stare upward as ominous clouds chase each other across the dark sky. “I see what you mean. Wicked fucking storm systems this time of year.”
Mal glances at me, mumbling, “We’d better get on this before we get hit with round two.”
