Terror By Night

Chapter 20

My mind jumps back to the present. I get a glimpse of him turning a corner near the trough. It's the second time this week he's snuck out. Whatever's going on with him has increased the frequency of his outings. Maybe Nolan knows, they could be sharing the secret. If they are, and keeping it from the rest of us, I'll be livid. I suspect though, by the way Xavier stealthily avoids making any sound, the way he pretends he's been over at the laundry; no one in our group's aware of his actions. Nolan's such a heavy sleeper, it wouldn't be hard for Xavier to slip past him and back into their tent without Nolan ever catching him.

I think about how precious information is. Is that what Xavier has been after? News of the outside? Letters used to come as frequently as the deliveries. Our families needn't have worried. The NSA, or whoever's in charge, informed everyone they could of where they children ended up being shipped. We assumed there'd be break out attempts. But one look at the fortification that surrounds us, and a person knows. They'd have better luck busting out a prisoner at Alcatraz than getting a kid out of a compound.

Last I heard, my grandparents were holding down the farm on their own. They were both safe, not so much as a sighting near they property. Nolan's parents confirmed they'd had a few scares but were fine for time being. They didn't elaborate on what the scares entailed. We had to use our imagination, which might've been worse than giving us the facts. Sarah has a mom, dad and little sister on the outside. She heard from her mom a couple times in the beginning, they were doing ok, but it's been some time since she's gotten any news. It's one of those topics we actively avoid bringing up.

Most of the time, Sarah's super sweet and bubbly, always smiling and trying to make the best out of every situation. She's had a great effect on our group. Once she got over her shyness of the guys, especially Xavier, she's melded right in with us. I think she dreamed of being a cheerleader but her shyness caused her to freeze at every try-out. In a small group such as ours, she gets to shine her effervescence on the other four of us freely.

It's Nolan and Zoe I worry about the most. I can see the worrying weighing them down more every day. They had family they cared about. Of course, I love my grandparents and I adore Nolan's parents. But I don't fret the way Nolan and Zoe do. The loss doesn't trap me in sorrow the same way. I have them. They've always been my family. Now there's Sarah, and even Xavier. The ones I care about the most are stuck in here with me.

For the moment, I'm following distantly behind a weaving golden-haired boy, winding through crowded passes and in between tightly packed structures. If I breathed the wrong way, they might topple like a house of cards. Xavier obviously knows where he's headed. He walks with quick purposeful steps. His height and longer strides means I have to practically run to keep up, but I'm trying to not bring any attention to myself.

I frown again at his back. Probably in a hurry to finish his business and sneak back into home base. I try to resist the rising irritation. I don't know what these trips are about. But I'm determined to find out. I've never been able to get a straight answer from him regarding that slip on the bus. I haven't forgotten though. Xavier Ross owes me some answers. Today is good day to get them.

I continue after Xavier, keeping enough distance so hopefully he won't spot me. He dodges around a few clumps of people and I momentarily lose sight of him. My heart pounds. I can't lose him in this jigsaw maze of buildings and people. I see what looks like him turn a corner and I hurry toward the intersection. I peek around the corner. I don't need to go any further. I've seen everything I need to see. Xavier Ross just went inside what I've been told is the headquarters for Grit herself.

I've been informed that Grit happens to be the only person who could possibly have answers on the situation outside. If I'm going to need to get me and my friends out of here soon, she'd be the one to talk to on how to do it. She's gotten a reputation for having connections. Somehow, she has a way of knowing everything that's happening.. Obviously, I'll need to talk to her. Only, she doesn't talk to people. They call her Grit for a reason. She's mean, tough, and rubs people the wrong way. Nobody messes with her. She has her own group of bodyguards that don't let anyone close without her say.