ColorBlind (Book #2 of S.H.A.D.E.) ✔

Line in the Sand

1.

Scarlet is driving, Iris holding her hand up front.

It's easy to see that Scarlet is anxious, even with her back to us. Her tension radiates throughout the small space of the truck.

We're heading to her Black, hoping he can help us. But mostly, hoping that S.H.A.D.E. has not gotten to him already, suspecting that we would go to him for shelter.

"Onyx lives on the outskirts of L.A., which is good for us. Less eyes than in the middle of the city," Scarlet explains.

"I want my axe," I say.

Iris throws me a look over her shoulder, aqua eyes bewildered. "Forget about it, it's all the way back at your apartment, which has definitely been searched and cleaned out already."

"It's mine, I want it," I hear myself insist, and I know I am being ridiculous, but that axe is all that I have that is mine for now.

Until I am reunited with my family.

My stomach clenches nervously at the thought, so I quickly redirect my mind to what needs to be done next.

I glance over to Copper at my side, who is staring intensely ahead, lips taut and eyes narrowed.

Yes, his family comes first. We have to see if S.H.A.D.E. has gotten to Sofia yet, because they most certainly won't let her slip out of their grasp the way they have let her brother do so.

Onyx might be able to hide us for a day or so, but I'm pretty sure we are all flying back into the city at this moment in order to protect him rather than seek help for ourselves. I can tell Scarlet already thinks he is dead.

It's this urgent thought that possesses her to drive like we are in some high-stakes race -- because we are, really. My bones rattle as we soar over the rocky earth.

Eventually, we enter the city again, the day still brand new with the sun growing stronger and stronger in the sky above.

I lick the sweat above my lip, grasping the headrest in front of me.

I know that this truck has been reported and is being searched for. I know that each of us in this vehicle has a chip in our head that is no doubt leading a horde of Shades to us right now.

We have to move quickly. Time is definitely our enemy, ever since we drew the line in the sand.

Iris is tinkering with the truck radio, tampering with its frequency. She suggested that it may throw off the signal in our chips. So far, it seems to be working, because otherwise I'm sure we would have ran into Silver or Viridian hours ago. I am thankful we have Iris here to deter them off our scent, but I wonder how much longer it will work.

After what feels like an eon of driving on back roads, we reach an apartment complex that is no better than what my ruddy abode was like.

Scarlet parks the truck around the block and we move like phantoms between the buildings, opting to head around back to the fire escape exits. We stop against the outside of the building, out of sight in the back alley.

"You think the building's being watched?" Copper whispers to Scarlet.

She nods, dark hair waving behind her as she moves stealthily with that unrivaled grace of hers. "Let me take that hoodie," she whispers back, gesturing to Copper's Black sweater.

"No," he shakes his head, "I'll go check it out."

"What?" I frown.

"You three are more valuable than I am, I wasn't trained the way you were. You're going to need each other in the future for Shades, Demons, Psychics-- who knows? You can spare me. If I see anyone or I am caught, I'll whistle loud."

"No," I argue, taking his arm. "You know S.H.A.D.E. better than any of us do. We need that Intel. Let me go instead."

He goes to dismiss me, but Scarlet pipes up, saying, "We do need you, Copper, and myself and Iris are better trained. " I hear the strain in her voice, the strain of making a tough call. But Scarlet is a leader, and that unfortunately comes with some heavy decision making.

I reach my hand out to Copper. "Hand it over."

He gives me a reluctant look, but pulls the sweater over his head and hands it to me.

I throw it on, bringing the hood up over my head, tucking in any loose curls that may be showing. "Wish me luck," I grunt to them, moving around to the firescape, climbing up the stairs.

Onyx is on the third floor, the last apartment on the right-hand side. I gun it up the stairs, my thighs burning.

When I come to the patio door, I suddenly hear a crash come from the inside of the apartment. Instantly, I flatten against the wall and peer through the window sideways, scanning the unit.

There, on the ground, is a man dressed in a white t-shirt and black sweatpants. A streak of blood is oozing from his nose and his eyes are rolled back into his head, the whites showing. His chest is lifting though, as he breathes, so I know he is still alive.

Standing over him is Viridian and Indigo.

My heart stops.