Virus | The Darkest Minds Ψ

A Mind That Isn't Yours

Chapter XV

About an hour later, Ruby pulled us over into the parking lot of an old rest stop, complete with its red brick colonial-style finish.

Chubs took the opportunity to try to empty the contents of his stomach onto the ground, but accomplished little more than some enthusiastic dry heaving. Liam stood and patted his back. "Will you help Ruby when you're done?"

China crossed his arms over his chest and blew out a long, martyred sigh.

"Thanks," Liam said. "You're the best, Mother Teresa."

He climbed out of the car and made a beeline towards the silver water fountains that stood between him and the restrooms. Zu climbed out next, bounding across the distance, her pink duffel bag swinging. I gathered some water bottles from my own duffel bag and followed after, patting Chubs on the shoulder as I passed by.

"Here, I'll hold the button down for you," Liam said when I tried and failed to wash my face while holding onto the water fountain button at the same time.

I closed my eyes as the frigid water washed over my face, and focused on scrubbing the blood and dirt that had caked onto my face off and attempted to ignore Liam, who was close enough that I could feel his body heat.

"Thanks," I said quietly, and Liam flashed a smile at me. Something warm lit up in my stomach when I saw that smile, but I ignored it.

Zu and I made eye contact and she smiled mischievously before walking a few paces away and sitting on the ground, taking her notebook out of her duffel bag.

"Are you okay?" Liam asked once Zu was out of hearing range. "I know it was probably hard having to tell someone—again—what you went through..."

"It's okay," I said, and smiled to show that it was fine. "It's natural for her to want to know... I mean, she was isolated from the world for six years. Of course she'd want to find out whether we were in the same camp. And... well, she'll join us soon, won't she?" I raised an eyebrow at Liam.

He gave a sheepish smile and shrugged. "If she wants to... Do you really believe she's planning on going somewhere if we drop her at a train station? She wouldn't make it."

I looked at Liam hesitantly, "Yes, but... ugh, I don't know? I like Ruby and all, but there's something strange about her. I'm not shooting this down, I think she would be great to have with us, but I want us safe. I don't want us getting into more trouble... And she does have the Children's League after her, for whatever reason."

You've already given them trouble, freak. You never should have even joined them, and you're saying this girl is suspicious? You're holding onto dozens of secrets, you should be the one they're suspicious of.

"I know it may be risky but... the only people kids can trust now are each other. If we leave her exposed and alone, who knows what will happen to her?" Liam said. He failed to cover up the way he bristled angrily at the mention of the Children's League.

I nodded my head and pushed my own doubting thoughts away. "Are we gonna do one of those things—the Betty vote? Because I've never participated in one yet, and I kinda want to."

Liam laughed lightly. "Sure thing, Sunshine. Whatever you want."

I moved out of the way so Liam could start cleaning himself off with the water fountain. He still looked slightly pale, although his cheeks were slightly pink now from the cold water. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his fingers twitching slightly. Considering it was his first time being blasted with White Noise, and for so long, he wasn't reacting as horribly as he could have been.