Germination (Feast of Weeds Book 1): A Novella

Chapter 3

"We have to run," Gabbi said.

"I know," Spencer said.

"We have to get out of here. People are going to notice," she said.

"I know," Spencer said.

I sat hunched over on the curb. I'd puked my guts out after Ano had stopped me from choking Jimmy.

Jimmy hovered on the far side of the group now, next to Spencer. They talked over me as if I wasn't even there.

Gabbi opened her mouth again.

Spencer held up his hand. "Gabbi, I know it. Just hold on."

She closed her mouth and crossed her arms.

"If they knew we were going to be at the fitness center—how did they know?" Leaf said.

"They didn't," Spencer said. "Officer Hanley knows where most of our regular haunts are. He got lucky we were at the one he checked out."

"What are we going to do about Mary?" Ricker said.

"She's fine," Gabbi said.

"She's not fine," Ricker responded.

"I am," I said.

"You are not," Ricker said.

"I was chased, almost taken prisoner, beaten up," I said, my throat croaking from the stomach acid that had burned it. "I think that would make anyone a little wacko. God knows you've had your moments, Ricker. Do you need me to remind you?"

Ricker ignored my jab. "What about the puking? What about Jimmy?"

"I've done more running in the last three hours than in the last three weeks. So I puked. It feels better now. I got angry at Jimmy. Not at Jimmy. I just got angry, and he was there."

"You don't get angry," Gabbi said.

"Yes she does," Spencer said quietly. "She used to."

Ano sat next to me and pulled me to his side. I leaned into him and didn't care that everyone noticed Ano and I were having a moment.

"Mary," Leaf said, a warning note in his voice.

Six pairs of eyes turned on me as if I had already been convicted of murder. "What?"

"Your mouth," Ricker said. "There's white, leftover puke or something—"

I swept my hand across and felt something wet, like I'd drooled in my sleep. For a long second I could only think about choking and didn't know if I was about to choke myself or them. Them, me. It almost didn't matter.

"I want to get out of town. That's all I want," I said. "Get me out of town and drop me off at a clinic. But not here. Please. Not here."

Ricker looked to Spencer and Leaf. They were the unspoken leaders, especially when I was down for the count. The van was a tough loss, our extra clothes, basic supplies, a fast way out of town, all gone. But it was only stuff. This wasn't the first time it had happened. Though I suspected it would take more than a simple impound fee to get it back this time.

Spencer raised an eyebrow. Leaf nodded in assent. Somehow they had decided, even though they hadn't spoken a word to each other.

I should have been able to guess that decision, would have normally helped make it, but couldn't think what it should be at that moment. Ano pressed his chin against my hair. I decided I would enjoy that feeling instead of worrying about things I couldn't control.

"We might have lost the van," Leaf said, "but there's still the bikes."

"But you just said they'll be checking out all our normal haunts," Ricker said. "We need to hitchhike or catch a bus or jump a train."