Page 35 of Glass Rose
“The world is fucking ending.” The words tear from my throat. “Your subscribers are either dead or running for their lives. Nobody’s checking online during their lunch time for the latest apocalypse update.”
“Phone networks are still up.” Alex draws out his phone. “But reception’s spotty. I’ve been posting clips when I can get a signal.”
Gavin’s head snaps to him. “You’ve been what?”
“Uploading footage. Small clips, nothing that would?—”
“Are you tracking the location?” I step forward, pulse hammering in my ears. “When you upload, is GPS enabled?”
Alex’s silence tells me everything.
I rake my hands through my hair. “They’re tracking your goddamn uploads.”
“I didn’t think?—”
“That’s right. You didn’t think.” Gavin’s voice drops dangerously low. “That’s how they knew you’re still alive.”
“Relax,” Alex says. “The last one from the supermarket run was 5 minutes ago.”
A distant sound cuts through the air—the rhythmic thump of helicopter blades.
“Give me your phone.” Gavin extends his hand.
Alex backs away. “No way. It’s my only?—”
Dr. Cho reacts in the span of a heartbeat, her hand darting out like a striking snake, snatching the phone.
“What the—” Alex spins around.
“I’m sorry.” She throws it onto the asphalt. The screen shatters, still glowing. “But I don’t want to find out what they’re planning with us.”
Gavin grabs the hunting knife from my thigh, and before Alex can lunge forward, he drives the blade straight through the device. Sparks fly as the battery punctures, and the screen flickers to black.
“Are you fucking insane?” Alex’s face contorts, veins bulging at his temples. “That was our only?—”
“Get in the cars. Now.” Gavin hands me the knife back and throws the supplies into our van. “Five minutes is more than enough time for them to triangulate our position.”
“Fine. I’m sorry.” Alex tosses tissues my way. “You look like shit, by the way.”
“Parents were infected.” I catch them. “Had to put them down.”
Dr. Cho gasps softly.
“Shit.” Alex’s face softens momentarily. “Sofia. I’m sorry.”
“Everyone’s losing someone today.” I grab armfuls of water bottles. “Where are we going?”
Dr. Cho helps me load them.
Alex tosses his backpack into the second vehicle, eyes darting to the sky. “OutdoorExtreme warehouse. Two hours west. Off the beaten path. He got camping gear, survival equipment—everything we need.”
The helicopter sound grows louder.
“We’ll check it out. But at the first sign of trouble, we bail.” Gavin slams our trunk shut. “Cho with Alex. Sofia with me. You lead, we follow.”
Alex holds my stare a beat too long, that familiar half-smile playing at his lips. “Don’t lose us. Cell service is fucked, remember?”
The helicopter sound grows unmistakable now. Not imagination. Not paranoia.
