51
I spend that night in a holding cell for the crime of interfering with the Extinguishers’ investigation.
After some threats and reminders never to do anything like that again, I’m allowed to go free.
All in all, I got off easy. I’m not sure why they didn’t slap me with a Keeper accusation as well, but I’m guessing it has something to do with my trial.
If they walk that back now, it might raise too many questions.
Plus, they’d have to admit they were wrong.
Flanked by two Patrol officers, I’m escorted back to Amery, where Dean Withers greets me.
“Welcome back,” she says with a sniff. “How was your night?”
“Just splendid,” I say. “Thanks for asking.”
Her answer is a narrow-eyed glare.
“Let her go,” she says to the Patrols. “I think she’s learned her lesson.”
Not at all, but I guess it suits me for everyone to believe that. I would have fought for Rook a thousand times, whatever the consequences. My only regret is that I didn’t do the same for Journey.
While I lay on my cot last night, all I could do was picture both of their faces. Journey’s as she was dragged away, and Rook’s agonized regret right before he ran. I know he didn’t want to leave me, but he had no choice.
And General Sol. She was there yesterday. She told her Guards to arrest Rook. Threatened them if he got away. Why? What’s going on? I need to speak with her, but I have no idea how. I’m getting the sick sense we’ve walked into a trap, but I can’t even begin to guess where it starts or how it ends.
I follow the dean into the main hall, where small groups are huddled together, speaking in low voices.
I’m sure everyone knows someone who was taken yesterday.
It gets harder and harder to ignore trouble when it announces itself at your front door, knocking over furniture and bleeding across the rug. I know that better than most.
Among the students, I spot at least two dozen Patrols and half as many Extinguishers manning the room’s perimeter.
We’re surrounded.
Constantly under watch.
I wonder how many people joined the E-squad when The Shield opened their doors to every citizen in New Manhattan.
I’ve heard the numbers are high. So many people are eager to dole out this sick form of “justice.” But when people remain powerless for long enough, they’ll do anything to carve their own place in the world.
Even if it means supporting the very system that’s made them suffer.
If only they understood that they’ll never really earn The Shield’s favor. That as soon as they’re no longer useful, they’ll be cast aside, or worse.
I stare out the tall windows, wondering for the millionth time where Rook ended up. I don’t even know if he escaped. They might have captured him. He could already be in a cell, subjected to who knows what.
He might already be dead.
With any luck, he’s hiding out. If anyone can take care of himself on the run, it’s Rook.
At the far end of the hall, several people are huddled around a large screen set into the wall. It’s tuned to a news broadcast where a picture of Rook’s face flashes across the screen.
Immediately, I’m moving closer.
“Dangerous criminal.”
“On the loose.”
“Report any suspicious sightings.”
I heave out a conflicted sigh of relief, pressing my hand to my throat. He’s out there. They haven’t captured him yet. That means he’s still alive.
My hand slides to my chest as I attempt to calm my racing heart. I’m jittery and anxious. Stretched taut from a lack of sleep.
Rook must be lying low in one of the tunnels. I need to get a message to the Fog. Maybe they can help him.
Then another thought occurs to me.
One that has me trembling.
What if he left the city entirely? Maybe he decided none of this was worth it.
That I’m not worth it.
Maybe he’s already on his way home, where he belongs and where he’ll be safe.
I wouldn’t blame him. I want him to be happy. But I also want to throw up.
I recall that look on his face right before he ran.
The remorse. The grief.
Was that really goodbye?
Suddenly, my breath turns to lead, and I sway on my feet.
“Poet!” comes a soft voice, as someone steadies me with a touch to my elbow. It’s Domino. She wraps me in a hug, and I throw my arms around her. We stand together, clinging to each other, both of us shaking.
“Journey,” I whisper. “I’m so sorry.”
I don’t entirely know what I’m apologizing for, but it feels like someone should be sorry.
“I know,” she says. “I . . . don’t . . .”
I take her hand and squeeze it. “We’ll get her out,” I promise, lowering my voice. “This isn’t real. She isn’t . . .”
“She isn’t,” Domino insists.
“It’s okay,” I whisper. “Everything will be okay.”
I’m not sure if I believe that, but it feels good to say it anyway.
“What about Rook?” Domino asks.
“We’ll find him.” I say it firmly, trying to believe that, too.
Domino leans in. “You were so fucking badass in there. The way you fought, giving him a chance to escape, was incredible.”
I offer her a watery smile and laugh. “He would have done the same for me. I only wish I could have helped Journey.”
Domino shakes her head. “Don’t do that to yourself. That wasn’t your fault.”
The news broadcast is still playing, and now it’s my face flashing on the screen.
“Poet Graves, daughter of Scion Graves, is known to be involved with the Solitude . . .”
The newscaster goes on to share most of my story. My switch to Aria. My accusation. My escape, my trial, and my eventual release. She talks about how my false imprisonment is stirring up public sentiment.
As a result, The Shield is promising more transparency, including due process and trials for everyone brought into Extinguisher custody. While that sounds promising, I suspect it’s all bullshit.
I notice several people have started giving me sidelong glances.
Everyone saw what I did. None of them could be surprised that I helped Rook escape, can they?
Except that he’s a Solitude. They already didn’t want him around.
Even though they’ve known him for more than a year and he’s never given them any actual reason to distrust him, they still hate him.
And now they think he’s infected. That he’s on the run, hiding somewhere, preparing to retaliate or close to losing his mind and lashing out.
Some people are speaking up to protect Keepers, but that sentiment still doesn’t extend to a Solitude.
The voice from the news broadcast floats across the room.
“Patrol Captain Benjamin Smythe speculates that the Solitude is responsible for the numerous murders that have plagued New Manhattan for months.”
My heart rate speeds up, and my stomach drops as everyone turns to look at me.
Domino pulls away from our hug, and my chest cracks at the expression on her face. “Rook?” she asks, shaking her head. “It can’t be.”
That’s when I spot Trinity in the crowd, then Knox. My stomach pitches at the sight of his bloodred T-shirt. Of course, given the chance to join the Extinguishers, he would take it. Anything to exercise his petty brand of cruelty.
These people who I grew up with.
Who used to know me better than anyone.
Now they regard me with looks of anger, loathing, and horror. I loved them both in my own way once. And they loved me, too, but now we’ve been divided by their hatred and mistrust and a bunch of fucking lies.
My lungs struggle to inflate as Knox approaches.
“You,” he hisses, pointing at the screen. “You rejected me for that animal. Didn’t I tell you all from day one that he was bad news?” He addresses the room, his voice rising. “You told me not to call him names. You defended him, all while he was just here to kill us!”
“It’s a lie!” I shout. “They’re lying!”
Knox scoffs and shakes his head. “I can’t believe how pathetic you are.”
“Shut the fuck up,” Domino says, stepping in front of me. “Leave her alone. You’re the only pathetic one here.”
And that’s when I start breathing again.
She isn’t abandoning me?
Knox can think and say whatever he wants. He can’t touch me anymore, but I couldn’t live without Domino.
“Let’s go,” she says, turning me around. The crowd separates, allowing us through, until Trinity steps in my way.
“Did you know?” she asks, her eyes wide with accusation.
Skies, I fucking hate her.
I hate everyone in this room who’s standing here judging Rook and me. And I hate how Trinity destroyed my ability to trust people.
For the briefest moment, I just doubted Domino, and I hate myself for that, too.
But she has always been better than anyone in this room.
“Picked the wrong one of us to accuse, didn’t you?” I sneer at Trinity. “But I guess you only betray people who’ve been there for you every fucking day of your life.”
She recoils as though she’s been slapped. Like she really thought things were fine between us. I watch her expression snap, and it shouldn’t feel so satisfying to make her hurt. I don’t want to be this person.
“You didn’t really think I could forgive you?” I ask.
Trinity blinks, tears forming in her eyes. She lifts her chin. I want to tell her the truth. That I was trying to use her, but she proved so inconsequential, the effort was wasted. I want to tell her I was there the night we rescued Edward. That I’m the one who knocked her out.
But I also don’t have the energy to bother.
She doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters now is finding Journey and Rook.
Maybe someday I’ll get the chance to tell her everything.
Maybe I’ll break her heart, too, but for now, I simply walk past.
Domino takes my hand before we make our way through the empty halls. “Come to my room,” she says. “Okay? I don’t want to be alone, and I don’t think you should be, either.”
We enter the dorm she shares with Journey, looking at her corner and then at each other. Domino inhales a sharp breath and lifts her chin before she guides me to the bed and presses on my shoulders. “She’d want us to stick together.”
I can’t seem to make myself say anything. I’m numb. Totally broken inside.
“I’m going to get your things,” Domino says, and before I can argue, she’s gone.