Chapter 27
Conin
Ihate how calm my nerves are—like a significant burden was relieved from my shoulders as Atlas showed us around.
I’m not completely at peace, because that would signify a wholehearted trust that isn’t there yet.
We may have achieved some semblance of safety, but my worries for Ezra are persistent and my distrust of Atlas needs work.
When he leaves, I turn to Ezra and notice the sickly look on his face.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
He isn’t.
He shakes his head and doesn’t speak. Instead, he stalks off to the bathroom, shutting the door with a jarring slam.
It’s obvious he’s experiencing one of his episodes and I can do nothing to help him.
Our conversation will have to hold out for later.
In the meantime, I re-explore the bunker and get acquainted with its amenities.
I enter the bedroom, staring down at the row of twin beds.
Ezra can no longer share a bed with me. His body near mine was a comfort, an essential I needed, a means to keep me sane through the horrible things we’ve been through.
I have no excuses now without outing myself to him.
His friendship means the world to me. Creating a rift is the last thing we need.
I return to the entertainment room and rummage through the extensive array of books aligning the shelves.
There are some greats mixed in with the bunch and several more notably queer titles I recognize.
I file that information away for later, then make myself comfortable on the couch since Ezra might be a while.
Moments later, the bunker’s entrance emanates a low hiss and Atlas enters with a tray in hand.
“Pa had a look at the vehicle you arrived here with. Thanks for the keys, by the way,” Atlas tells me while setting down both keyset and tray on the kitchen table.
“And?” I question, leaning in and clasping my fingers together. I clench tightly and watch my knuckles grow white.
“There was a tracker placed inside, just as he suspected. The Barclay Network was smart in placing it there, probably for situations like these. He’s erasing its history, then he’ll destroy it,” says Atlas.
I’m not at all relieved. A sharp stab pierces my chest—a hint of worry. Tommy was beaten by Mara, which means these mercenaries still have a means to find us.
“My car was destroyed on the interstate,” I say. “In our scuffle with Mara, we stole her vehicle and diverted paths for a while. Then we came here.”
“I figured that was the case. It’s not the first time we’ve had to deal with a situation like it. Scanning’s now become a precautionary measure.”
“I don’t believe the tracking device was their only method of finding us. The Barclay Network has Tommy now. They could torture the information out of him,” I say.
When the panic comes, I’m on my feet in a flurry.
Ezra’s still in the bathroom, but I’m wired with impatience.
The bunker’s a facade, one I’m more eager to escape.
It’s only a matter of time before the Barclay Network picks up on our trail again.
I’d rather not be here for their inevitable arrival.
Atlas soaks in the hysteria I attempt to mask.
He tests the waters by moving closer, but I’m feeling territorial and downright defensive.
If he doesn’t back away, something of his is going to end up broken. The gun still weighs on me.
“Conin, I know what you’re thinking,” Atlas says calmly. “But leaving here will only condemn you and Ezra. This bunker was designed to withstand intruders. It will hold and you two will be safe.”
That brief calmness returns because I want to believe him. But what if belief is not enough?
“What about you and your family? We’re putting you at risk by staying here.”
“If we feel our lives are threatened, we’ll resort to staying down here, too. Right now, I need to discuss the situation with Ambrosia. I’ll make sure to do that in the morning.”
Realistically, Atlas is right. There’s not much we can do and nowhere to go without the Angelics. When had I become so distrusting?
“Is everything alright?” says Ezra, who joins us in the entertainment room.
“Yeah, everything’s fine,” Atlas says while casting a cautionary glance at me.
Ezra’s face is curious when he turns to me.
“Food’s ready. Let’s eat!” our host exclaims.
A silent truce is established between Atlas and me. We keep quiet about the risk of the Barclay Network finding us. If it’s pertinent information later, I’ll tell Ezra, but for now, I don’t want to worry him. He has enough on his plate. And I must protect him, no matter the cost.