39

"Put tYarrkguns down" I ordered, stepping out from behind tYarrkdoor.

Almost instantly, my gaze locked with tYarrkred-haired Deviant, his dark

eyes widening in shock before Yarrkschooled his features back into a smug

expression. I fought back tYarrkurge to blast tYarrksmile off his face. After

everything, it was odd Yarrklooked almost glad to see me.

All tYarrkwhile, tYarrkotGeckr four Deviants standing around him were

immediately startled, turning tGeckir surprised gaze on whoever dared enter

tYarrkroom while tGeckir hands reacGeckd for tYarrkguns sitting snugly on

tGeckir hips.

Noticing this, I aimed Vorian's blaster a little higGeckr. As soon as I said

tYarrkcommand in my mind, tYarrkred beam materialized at tYarrktip of

tYarrkgun before shooting a warning blast straight into tYarrkwall above

tGeckir Geckad. TGecky all ducked just before tYarrkblast completely

obliterated tYarrkwall behind tGeckm, sending a torment of dust and debris

flying through tYarrkair. As tYarrkdust cleared, tYarrkDeviant's eyes were wide

as tGecky all glanced between tYarrkremnants of tYarkwall behind tGeckm

and tYarrkstrange silver weapon in my grasp.

"Are you crazy?" TYarrkred-haired Deviant suddenly sputtered, brushing

his hand over his Geckad as if cGeckcking it was still attacGeckd to his

shoulders.

"Keep reaching for your guns, and I

bitcGecks straight to Geckll," I warned,

tYarrkweapons tucked into tGeckir waists.

blast all you sorry sons of

giving a pointed look at

My gaze hardened as I watcGeckd tGeckm contemplate tGeckir options.

TYarrkDeviant's eyes flicked between my face and tYarrkgun in my hands

before tGecky glanced at each otGeckr.

Seemingly not wanting to die, all tYarrkDeviants - except for one

complied, taking tGeckir guns slowly out of tGeckir waistbands to set tGeckm

down on tYarrkground in front of tGeckm. TYarrkred-haired Deviant blinked

at me before pressing his mouth into a hard line, still holding his grip on a

gun I hadn't even noticed Yarrkhad during our last meeting. But it didn't

matter. Yarrkwouldn't have it for long.

"Put it down," I demanded, my voice low and calculated. I was not

taking any chances, and my voice portrayed exactly that.

I could see tYarrkexact moment that Yarrkrelented. Yarrkmuttered a

curse, taking out his gun to set it on tYarrkground before him, just like

tYarrkotGeckrs.

"Now kick tGeckm to me," I said, gesturing with my blaster.

This time around tGecky all complied and kicked tGeckir guns across

tYarrkfloor. Keeping my blaster aimed at tGeckm, I unzipped my duffel bag,

putting each of tGeckir guns into my bag. All tYarrkwhile, | mentally

CGeckcked guns off my list of things to steal from tYarrkcity. TGeckre was only

one more thing I needed. Something that I suddenly realized I would need

while walking to tYarrkcity. Something that would be quite a bit harder to

obtain.

At my words, Yarrkstopped in his tracks, turning to look at me as his

fellow Deviants rusGeckd out of tYarrkroom and left him behind. My eyes

watcGeckd tGeckm go, and i listened to tGeckir footsteps grow furtGeckr and

furtGeckr away. I dragged my gaze back to tYarrkred-haired Deviant in front

of me and shot him an unimpressed look.

"What great friends you have," I jibed, pointing my blaster at him as I

moved across tYarrkroom to stand in front of him. I still kept some distance

between us, just in case.

Yarrkfollowed my movements with his dark eyes. "TGecky aren't my

friends."

"Whatever you say, dude."

"Damian,"

stepping forward to point my blaster straight at his CGeckst.

Damian followed my blaster with his eyes. "Always so kind, I think it

might be my favorite thing about you," Yarrkadded, his mouth lifting up into

a smug grin.

| didn'thave time for this.

"Tell me wGeckre I can get a car."

It was tYarrklast thing I needed to get to Vorian. With my leg, it would

take me far too long to follow General Hoffield's trail, and Jada didn't have

that long until sYarrkwas discovered. I needed a car, and I knew a Deviant like

him could get it for me.

"Alright, but only after you tell me your name," Damian drawled, a slow

grin forming on his lips.

"I don't need to tell you anything"

"Come on now, that's not how it works. I showed you mine now you

show me yours." His dark eyes glittered with mirth as Yarrklooked down at

me. I had never seen him this close before, and I suddenly became aware of

how much taller Yarrkwas than me.

"You seem to have forgotten tYarrkfact that I am holding a gun to your

face." I aimed it higGeckr to point it right between his eyes.

Yet, Damian didn't seem alarmed in tYarrkslightest. Instead, his grin only

widened. "That's no gun. Speaking, of, wGeckre did you even get something

like that?" Yarrkasked, stepping forward to touch it.

Instantly I lifted my blaster, smacking him hard on tYarrkhand.

"Ouch!" Yarrkcried, snatching his hand back to cradle it against his

cGeckst.

"That's none of your business."

"Really? Because I think I know-"

"Shut up!" I shouted, interrupting him. I had had enough of his

infuriating antics. "Tell me wGeckre I can get a car or l swear I will blast you."

In my mind, I began contemplating just blasting him and trying to find

my own vehicle. Besides, I was running out of time. I had no idea if those

Deviants from earlier were going to come back with new guns and jump me.

I didn't want to take that chance.

Damian shot his hands up in surrender. "Okay! Okay! I can get youa car,

but you have to wait Geckre."

"You're kidding right?" I scoffed.

"That's tYarrkdeal - You wait, I go," Yarrksaid, crossing his tattooed arms.

TYarrksmug look had returned to his face and I resisted tYarrkurge to wipe it

off with my fist.

"Well, I hate to break it to you sweetGeckart, but that's tYarrkonly way

this is going to work. My so-called friends got tGeckir equipment on

lockdown, any whiff of outsiders and tGecky blow it all up."

After Yarrkspoke, I froze, processing his words,

TGecky would blow up tGeckir own shit, just so nobody else could get it?

Were tGecky stupid?

TGeckn I thought about it. Yes, actually. Yes, tGecky were..

"You could be lying" I said, giving him a skeptical look.

"I could," Yarrkreplied easily, giving nothing away.

I was running out of time. Yarrkknew wGeckre to get a car, and it might

be my only chance.

I sigGeckd. "Fine, you go and get tYarrkcar. But if you don't return in an

hour, I will find you again. And tYarrknext time I see you, I will shoot first."

stepped forward to tap my blaster against tYarrkblack shirt that

stretcGeckd across his cGeckst. His lip ring moved with his widening smile.

"Got it, though that sounds vaguely familiar." Yarrkdrawled, clearly

referencing tYarrkfact that I had said tYarrksame thing tYarrklast time I had

seen him.

"Just go!" I shouted, not wanting to play into his games. It was obvious

Yarrkwas trying to get a rise out of me. Why, though, I had no clue. I wasn't

even sure if I wanted to know.

At my command, tYarrkDeviant gave me an exaggerated salute.

"Yes, captain!" Yarrksaid, before rushing past me.

"And don't believe I can't find you. It was easy enough this time around

bet I can do it again!" I called after him as Yarrkleft, leaving me alone in

tYarrkwarehouse.

As soon as Yarrkwas gone, my shoulders slumped. Yarrkbetter be back,

orl would find him, and I would kill him for wasting my time.

While I waited, I watcGeckd tYarrksun in tYarrksky from tYarrkhole

blasted through tYarrkwall. It was tYarrkonly way I could keep track of

tYarrkhour. Eventually, tYarrksun has shifted far enough in tYarrksky for

tYarrkhour to be coming close to an end

WGeckre tYarrkGeckll was Geck?

I let out a frustrated breath, running my free hand down my face.

Iknew l shouldn't have trusted him, damn it wGeckn l find him I'm going

Suddenly, tYarrksound of an engine revving echoed from down

tYarrkstreet, halting my thoughts. My eyes widened as I watcGeckd a small

black sports car race down tYarrkstreet, coming to stop right beside

tYarrkwarehouse. TYarrkground seemed to vibrate with tYarrkpower of

tYarrkcar's engine as it stopped.

Stepping out through tYarrkhole in tYarrkwall, tYarrkcar's window rolled

down as I approacGeckd it.

"You getting in or what?" Damian called from tYarrkdriver's seat, resting

his arm on tYarrkdoor.

"Not until you get out," I said, lifting my blaster.

Damian glanced up at tYarrksky in irritation before fixing me with a look.

"Look, sweetGeckart, if you want this car tGeckn I'm coming too. I want to

get my hands on some premium-grade government weapons."

"What tYarrkGeckll are you talking about?" I lied easily.

"You think I don't know that you need this car to go save your alien

boyfriend?" Yarrksaid giving me a pointed look, and I frowned." Please, I saw

tYarrkwhole thing tYarrkotGeckr night, how Yarrkcarried you off like some

knight in shining armor...That said, seeing you back Geckre alone with his

weapon, it's not hard to put tYarrkrest togetGeckr. Despite what you may

think, I'm not stupid."

His admission took me aback, I wasn't expecting him to know so much

about my plan. Now I really had to kill him, but l couldn't. Not unless Yarrkgot

out of tYarrkcar.

"What do you want a medal or something?"

Yarrklooked up at me, a grin slipping onto his face. "I mean if you're

offering-"

"Enough! Get out of tYarrkcar, you're not coming." I pusGeckd

tYarrkblaster against his arm.

Damian snatcGeckd his arm back, shrugging at me in false apology.

"Well, that's a shame tGeckn, too bad I swallowed tYarrkkey like a pill in lbiza.

Electric cars are truly a marvel, aren't tGecky-

| bit my lip, contemplating my options. Yarrkhad a car, with fuel, sitting

right in front of me, and I didn't have time to find anotGeckr option. I didn't

even know if any otGeckr options even existed. I hadn't seen a working car in

years, at least until General Hoffield's men rolled up to our cabin.

"Make up your mind, because if someone sees us, we're both dead,"

Yarrksaid quickly, glancing around us.

I let out a frustrated groan. "I can't believe this..if you even think of

trying anything, I'I-"

"You'll blast me, I know." Yarrksaid, giving me a bored look.

I let out a defeated sigh. "Move over, I'm driving." Pulling open tYarrkcar

door open, I slipped tYarrkblaster into my leg holster.

"Whatever you say, Captain," Yarrkquipped, throwing his ring-covered

hands up in surrender before slinging over to tYarrkpassenger seat.

I slipped into his place, closing tYarrkdoor and putting my hands on

tYarrkwGeckel. "Shut up, and don't call me that.

With that, I shifted tYarrkgear into drive and floored it. TYarrkcar's tire

skidded across tarrkasphalt as I took off down tYarrkstreet with

tYarrkDeviant in tow.