Last Step Outside [Book 2]

Chapter 2 Homebase

Lynn spins around. Loren.

"Who were ya talking to?" A girl who was a few years older than Lynn stands behind her. Loren's long black hair in a neat braid with mean looking clothes screams run in Lynn's mind. "It better not have been Chris."

"Oh my gosh, I don't like Chris like that!" Lynn growls.

"Yeah sure." Loren snarls. "Just stay away from him, mutt."

"Don't talk to me like that." Lynn stands up. Eyes surging with anger. "And don't ever call me a mutt!"

The girl just laughs. "Just because you graduated doesn't mean you're so cool."

"Unlike you, who has been held back two years." Lynn smirks.

Loren scoffs. "I need to go find Chris. See you in the field mutt." She flips her hair and skips away. Lynn punches her hand on the table. I hate her so much. I can't wait to get out in the open world.

"Lynn!" Lynn looks up, Shane was running toward her. "Renny's waiting outside, we're off to find them!"

"Them?" Lynn tips her head.

Shane looks at her like she was stupid. "Ugh, don't you ever listen? Stormheart! The legendary team? The one who survived the Ailionvirus? We've been planning this forever! Our escape!" Lynn's face lights up. "Yeah!" Shane smiles and grabs Lynn by the arm, "Our life of freedom is upon us!" He triumphs. The two sprint through the large metal door, Renny stands outside.

"Where have you been? We need to get there as soon as possible." He rasps, rubbing his eyes.

Lynn flinches, "Wait a minute. We don't even know where they are."

Renny grins, "So? I have a general idea."

"Or who they are?"

"Heather, Bianca, Taylor, Evelynn, Grant, Spyjoe, Evan, and Kodi."

"Okay, that's just scary." Lynn's eyes widen. Renny chuckles.

Shane groans."C'mon guys!" He starts toward the woods. Renny follows. Lynn hesitates. "Come on Lynn!" Lynn takes one last look at the giant metal door that once was her home. The place where she grew up. Meet Renny and Shane, meet Loren, and Mrs. O'Neil. And now she was leaving it all behind. For years, the three had been planning their escape into the real world. They like SUITA training grounds, but they want to explore. Meet their heroes. Lynn sighs and follows after her friends, away from home.

. . .

"Lynn, hurry up." Shane and Renny hurry along the woods, pushing their way through the trees. Lynn lingers behind, uncertain to continue.

"What if we get caught?"

"We won't."

"You don't know that, Renny."

"I do, they're all busy doing stuff."

"But they could notice were missing."

"Oh, stop worrying! For God's sake." Renny snaps and turns around. Lynn winces. The rest of the walk was silent for Lynn. The boys ahead kept joking around.

After about an hour of walking, the boys come to a stop.

"Lynn, c'mere." whispers Shane. Lynn scrambles up behind them. Shane points to a fairly tall, blonde girl walking down the street, whistling.

Renny's eyes grow wide. "That's Bianca! Bianca Tyler."

"Stalker." murmurs Lynn.

Shane steps out on the road but Lynn stops him. "Now wait. We can't just approach some girl you've read about." Shane opens his mouth but then shuts it, thinking over what she'd said.