Page 151 of Hellbent

She squeezed through the narrow hatch, emerging from the cage. As she stepped out, she sensed the world opening up all around her. Starting back down the hill to civilization, she felt a part of her flutter free from the trap inside her chest and take flight against the canopy of stars.

65

Not an Innocent

Joey stepped through the unlocked door of 21A and stared at the cavernous great room. All the lights were off, but the city shone through the giant windows, making the contours of the penthouse glimmer darkly.

A silhouette rose from one of the bar chairs at the kitchen island.

Evan.

He said, “I made up your bed.”

Joey stepped inside and shut the door behind her. “Thanks.”

“I’m not very good at it,” he said.

“What?”

He gestured from her to him. “This.”

“You’re better than you think.”

“I didn’t mean what I said on the phone. What you overheard.”

“I know.”

She came forward, and they stared at each other.

“I went to see that guy with the stupid hair,” she said. “From outside the safe house?”

Evan nodded.

“He’s a useless reprobate,” she said. “You were right.”

Evan said, “I don’t want to be right.”

She leaned into him stiffly, her forehead thunking against his chest, her arms at her sides. He hesitated a moment and then hugged her, one hand holding the back of her head, her thick, thick hair.

He said, “Rough night all around, huh?”

“Yeah.” Her voice rose an octave and cracked. “I think I’m done pretending.”

“Pretending what?”

“Acting like I didn’t need anything from anyone. I started after my maunt died, because … you know, I wasn’t gonna get it anyways.” She straightened up. “But I was lying. Now and then I still think about what mighta been. Someone to tuck me in, maybe. You know, ‘How was your day?’ Cute boy in homeroom. A soccer team. All that normal shit. Instead. Instead.” Her lips wobbled. “Do you think I ever could?”

“Yes.”

“It’s not too late?”

“No. Once we get Van Sciver, we’ll find what comes next for you. It doesn’t have to be this.”

She blinked, and a tear glided down her flawless brown cheek. “How ’bout you?”

“It’s not an option anymore for me. It’s different.”

She looked up at him. “Is it?”