Remy and I were new people the next morning, clean, hydrated, and rested, but my legs. Good God, my legs were so sore. The bed had been heaven, and I could have stayed in it all day if Tater hadn’t knocked on the door to wake us.
Remy had woken with a fever during the night, but it was much lower. My cheekbone was still lightly bruised where I’d been hit, but the swelling was gone, and my lips were mostly healed. All in all, we were a mess, but we’d be fine.
The room was unnaturally dark, making it hard to discern the actual time of day. I went to the thick curtains and pulled them back an inch to see sheet metal with wooden boards nailed along the edges. We couldn’t see out, not even a sliver, therefore nobody could see in. I was really going to miss sunlight.
It was strange going out into the hall and seeing all our guys with clean shaven faces. Except Tex, who wanted to grow his. Ry’s eyes looked extra blue when he ran a hand through his damp hair and gave me a small smile.
“You look good,” he said to me. My face heated and before I could answer, Matt came up whistling.
“Who are these hot girls? Do we need to surround you guys with a wall of protection?”
I rolled my eyes and Remy giggled.
“You look like you’re feeling better,” Matt said to her. His words sounded intimately sincere there in our tight group, like they were alone. Tater crossed his arms and sniffed loudly.
“I feel better. Thank you.”
He smiled down at her, and New York Josh cleared his throat. “Cut that shit out before I puke. Let’s go.”
At that moment, a bunch of doors on our hall opened, and people filed out. They all stopped when they saw us by the stairs. One guy even pulled out his gun and held it at his side. Remy sucked in a breath, and Rylen moved to stand in front of us.
Texas Harry stepped out and held up his hands. “We came during the night. Faced the Spanish Inquisition. Dog Balls gave us keys.” He waved his room key for good measure.
The group of guys made their way over, eyeing us with special attention on Remy and I. I guess when there were four men to every woman, that was going to be natural. As long as they kept their hands to themselves, everything would be fine. We did a quick round of introductions—everyone was military except Remy and I—and we made our way down the stairs into the basement to the tunnel. I was going to have a hard time keeping track of all these Sergeants and other ranks.
The tunnel seemed much shorter this time. Maybe because I wasn’t as dead on my feet. Speaking of feet, mine were painful with every step, and my muscles felt tight and shrunken. I didn’t dare complain, though. I wasn’t the only one walking stiffly.
“I wonder how much weight we’ve lost,” I whispered low to Remy when the door was in sight up ahead.
“I know,” she whispered back. “I’ve lost at least a bra size.”
“That’s a damn shame.” Texas Harry’s booming voice came from close behind us and we both jumped.
“Geez!” I hissed. “Do you have to overhear every embarrassing conversation we have?”
He chuckled. “Can’t help it if I’ve got good ears.”
“Or if you’re a nosy perv,” Remy said without anger, which made him chuckle harder.
Noise from the communal area spilled into the cave as we got closer. At least fifty faces, people eating and chatting, stopped to look at us as we entered. The scent of coffee wafted against my face and I grabbed Remy’s arm.
“Coffee! Oh, my God, Rem! Coffee!”
“Settle down,” she said. “You look like a crazy woman.”
Rylen laughed, and it was the first real laugh I’d heard from him. He met my eyes and his laughter faded into something like a moment of peace that changed to guilt as he looked away.
“Sorry,” he said in a low voice. “Feels wrong, you know? To laugh.”
“It’s not wrong,” I said, but I understood how he felt. Smiles and laughter clashed with the grieving. Hurting hearts did not easily welcome happiness.
A stream of people came out of the tunnel behind us, forcing us forward.
Tater led the way along the outskirts of the sitting area and cafeteria area to the large kitchen where trays were set out beside bowls of oatmeal with raisins, scrambled eggs likely made from powdered rations, and yes . . . a huge coffee urn. I didn’t see any cream, but there were packages of sugar with a sign that saidOne pack per day per person.
“Quit pushing,” Remy said as I bumped my tray against hers, but she was laughing at me as I finally got to the front and made my coffee. It was light brown, not dark like I used to require it, but I would deal.
We took our trays to an empty round table and each of us groaned and made scrunched faces as we sat. Everything hurt.
