Chapter Two: Led
Jeb and Brandt walked with me while the others took my Hummer ahead to their hideout. While Jeb whistled tunelessly, I noticed Brandt eyeing me every few seconds in my peripheral vision. It grated on my nerves; I had a feeling what that look was for, and I wasn't interested in the slightest.
"So, Jessica," Brandt started, his tone a little too casual. "What's your story? How'd you get those contacts?" I thought for a second before I answered, editing my words so I wouldn't say anything potentially dangerous.
"Well, about a year before the invasion became public knowledge, I ran into an old boyfriend. His eyes caught the light and reflected it…I thought it looked cool, and I asked him about it." I couldn't help but chuckle at the memory. "Looking back, it was so obvious that he was already a Soul…but he told me that they were these specially made contacts. It took awhile to track them down, but I did and I ordered a nice little stockpile…I didn't start wearing them till I went on the run, though."
After that, I clenched my jaw to keep from saying more. There was too much I couldn't tell them, too much I couldn't share—whether because it was too painful to think about, or because they would kill me if they knew, or both. The silence that followed was tense for me, nerve-wracking in its own way.
"Where are you from?" I was still in safe territory, so far.
"I grew up in the South, but since the invasion, I've been pretty much all over. I'm used to the heat, but the desert is almost a relief—it was so much more humid where I grew up." This made the men chuckle, and I could understand their amusement. When the entrance came into view, the mood shifted.
"Jessica, what's your take on the Souls?" Jeb suddenly asked, his gaze piercing as he looked at me. I was confused at the abrupt change in subject, but I answered honestly.
"They're pacifists…they couldn't raise a hand against someone to save their own lives. It's kinda hard to bring yourself to hurt someone like that," I told him…I wasn't sure why he was asking this, but he seemed satisfied with my answer. Nodding to himself, he stepped into the blackness of the cave entrance. After a moment, Brandt offered me his hand, and I reluctantly took it so he could guide me through.
The tunnel seemed to go on forever…down, then up, then twists and turns, all in blackness. I had no desire to talk, and Brandt's few attempts at conversation had fallen flat, so the silence made the situation even more awkward than it had already been. He seemed nice enough, but there was entirely too much pain in my heart for me to even consider anything beyond him being a new acquaintance.
A light finally appeared ahead, and it was a relief when I was able to pull my hand out of Brandt's. Jeb was waiting for us in the light, and I looked around in surprise. The cave was huge, with what looked like dozens of tiny moons illuminating the ceiling…I wasn't able to absorb much more detail than that, though. The Awake was wearing off, and a heavy exhaustion settled over me; I staggered, and both men caught me.
"You must be bushed," Jeb said quietly. "It's pretty late—most everyone's asleep. I know it's hardly ideal, but would you have a problem rooming with Brandt for tonight? There's a spare mattress in his room. We can find something a bit more appropriate in the morning."
All I could do was shrug. I wasn't thrilled with the idea, but at least I wouldn't have to cuddle up to him…besides, it was only one night, and I was pretty certain that Jeb wouldn't suggest it if he thought Brandt would try anything indecent. Brandt led the way again, and I grudgingly took his hand when he led me into another pitch-black tunnel…I was too tired to note the turns he made, and was surprised when he stopped at an opening covered with a blanket.
"Try to keep quiet; my roommate Aaron's probably asleep already," he whispered to me. I nodded and walked in when he held the blanket aside. It was too dark to make out much more than shapes, but it was enough for me to see the mattress he pointed out, and I immediately went to it and laid down. In spite of sharing a room with two strange men and all my sleep problems, it took almost no time to drift off to sleep.
