“No,” I said in panic, struggling to get off his lap. I didnotwant to stay at another hotel. I could still see the dead man’s eyes from under the bed. A shudder ripped through me.
“Shh,” he whispered wrapping his arms around me and pulling me close. “It will be okay.”
“No. It won’t. They won’t give up.”
A flush crept into Luke’s face. "Have you died in this life? Not this cycle, but this life? No. Do you know why?" He met my eyes and leaned in close. "Because you have me. Because I won'tletyou die. I’ve already sent a call asking for someone to meet us. We don’t need to—”
My head shot up knocking into his jaw as the last two dreams clicked into place. How could I be so stupid?
His mouth closed with a snap, and he grunted but didn’t set me aside.
“What did you say?” I demanded trapping his face between my hands. “What did you tell them?”
Surprise colored his eyes as he answered cautiously. “That we would be here and needed an Elder and a few others to help escort you back to the compound.”
“When?” I insisted.
“A few moments before I woke you,” he answered, clearly puzzled.
So just a few minutes ago? I dropped my hands and hopped off the bike, scanning the road in both directions. All clear, but the trees around us could hide anything. I wished I could see those sparks like my sister.
“Go get a room. Hurry!” I motioned him toward the main door. He opened his mouth to ask more, but I started power walking.
As soon as I cleared the door, I pasted on my chipper face, the one I’d used so often to hide the fact I wasn’t sleeping, and asked for a room. Luke, just a few steps behind me, paid for the room as I filled out the form using my fake ID. I took a moment to write the hotel’s phone number on the palm of my hand, too.
I hurried down the hall to the room and opened the door, making sure to touch the handle and the wood. Luke stood watching me with concern. I didn’t step further into the room. Instead, I closed the door again and retraced my steps, heading back outside. He followed me without comment.
At the bike he asked, “What are we doing?”
“We’re leaving, but you need to keep quiet about it.” I motioned for him to get on the bike. He didn’t hesitate. “Don’t tell anyone. If I’m right, that room will have visitors soon.” He looked toward the hotel with dawning.
I swung my leg over the back and slung the strap over his head. He started the engine as he removed the slack. Pressed against him, we pulled out of the parking lot heading west. I tapped his shoulder.
“Go south!”
Taking the next turn, we headed south for the next two hours. I had enough rest that I evaded the dreams calling me. When I thought enough time had passed, I tapped his stomach to get his attention.
“I think we can stop,” I said as we sped down a main highway.
He signaled for the next exit, and we took the northern route to the next town.
He turned his head and asked, “Are we getting a room?”
“No, not yet. We just need a pay phone.”
He pulled into a gas station, and I quickly ducked out of the strap before hopping off. I moved to the phone and dialed the hotel’s number. Pretending to be a reporter, I asked if they would offer a comment regarding their recent break in. The guy on the phone started an exciting tale until his manager cut him off. I hung up the phone and turned to look at Luke. He’d moved from the bike to stand close to me.
“Did you hear most of that?”
He nodded. The muscles in his jaw stood out from clenching it so hard.
“Someone is betraying you,” I said softly. “I think we need to be more careful with the route we take to the Compound. They know where we’re headed and will be waiting. It should be safe to get a room in the next town. No more communicating. With anyone.” I rubbed a hand over my face, tired.
He moved forward, slightly widening his arms as if to hug me. Yeah, right. I quickly stepped away and walked toward the bike. Too much disappointment in one day wasn’t good for a girl. Anyway, the countdown to the imminent end of my life still ticked away, and we stood in the open taunting it.
“Bethi,” he said with slight exasperation.
I didn’t turn back to look at him. “We need to keep moving. The dreams are calling again,” I said to explain my hurry.
