“I’m sorry, Sarah,” he murmurs. “But it’s the only way to make sure I can keep you safe. It’ll only sting for a moment.”
Suddenly, there’s a sharp, searing pain that spans all the way down my neck.
“Ouch!” I yelp.
“There, there,” Eli purrs, dabbing the area. “All done. How do you feel?”
Despite the initial sting, the pain has dimmed immediately. I didn’t think I had such a low pain tolerance. Maybe today has made me extra jumpy.
“I’m fine,” I say, wishing he’d stop fussing like an old woman. “Are you going to dye my hair or not?”
Eli seems to have cheered up considerably and beams at the prospect. He’s always had a strange fascination for hair.
Less than an hour later, we emerge from the bathroom. They don’t own a blow-dryer, but from my initial inspection, Eli seems to have done a decent job and applied the color evenly.
“We’re ready,” Aiden says as soon as he sees us.
In our absence, they’ve cleaned out the cabin. All of their laptops, screens, and junk are gone, along with any trace of them ever living here.
“We’ll leave you in the first town over the border,” Aiden says. “Does that sound good?”
Before I answer, Eli steps in.
“Actually, Sarah’s changed her mind,” Eli says. “She wants to stay with us. It’s safer if we stick together.”
“I…” I don’t remember having a change of heart. A sudden wave of calmness sweeps through me and crushes my doubts until I find myself agreeing with him. “Yes, it is.”
“Are you sure about this?” Aiden asks.
“Yes,” I say, suddenly surer than I’ve ever been about anything. “Positive.”
How did I ever think I could start over by myself? It makes no sense. Why would I leave them? They’re all I have.
Aiden’s moody scowl turns into a rare smile, transforming him into a completely new person.
“See?” Eli says. “I told you.”
Lex arches an eyebrow. “What fumes were in that hair dye?”
“Fuck you, Lex,” I hiss. “I can make my own decisions.”
He chuckles. “I guess the fumes weren’t that strong then.”
“You won’t regret it,” Aiden says earnestly. “We’ll stick together. Until the end.”
Erin’s approval buzzes under my skin. I guess this is what she wanted too…
CHAPTER
FORTY-EIGHT
AIDEN
I look backat Sarah in the rearview mirror and grin, drinking in the sight. She’s fast asleep, her head leans against Eli’s shoulder as he strokes her freshly dyed red hair. The color suits her. He inhales a strand of her hair, getting high on her scent, while Lex lights matches and throws them out the truck window, letting them catch the wind and leave a trail behind us. She looks at home with us. At home with the monsters. I guess that’s what she’s been used to.
We cruise past the sheriff’s station. It’s not on our way, but I can’t resist. When I was a kid, I drove old cars around the trailer park as soon as my feet could reach the pedals. Although I’m rusty, I’m good enough to get by. The truck was a parting gift from Doctor Warner—a small price to pay to get rid of us for good.
We watch the mayhem from across the street. Journalists and local news crews have already flocked to the scene to hear the sheriff make an announcement. Someone must have tipped them off. I notice Officer Blackwell standing outside the station. The tip-off we gave him will cement his career. All he had to do was provide me with a list of addresses in exchange.
