Chapter 20: Weapon

I'm on my knees, hands touching the dog, still tingling, running my fingers through his fur. I was wrong, so wrong. He's fine, rising to greet me, tongue sweeping over my cheek as he stands and shakes himself.

Not his blood, I guess.

Sound returns, someone is screaming, a bunch of someones, hoarse shouts and whimpering cries and outright sobbing. I turn, the dog at my side, to see Cade watching me.

He's smiling again. Brick hovers behind him, swallowing over and over, eyes locked on the puddle that is the remains of the boy I've killed. There is no doubt this time. It's not a fluke, an accident. I'm the cause.

And while I feel for the kid who died, I'm stronger for the knowledge. And facing Cade down, I know I can kill him, too. Like I want to.

But he's moving forward, clapping me on the shoulder, side-stepping the lunge and bite from the dog. There's not many of us left in the middle of the stadium. Most of the kids have run off, hiding in the stands. I'm the Boogeyman come to get them. But one of the few who remains tries to grab the dog.

Cade knocks his hand away. "Leave the mutt," he says. "She's earned her pet." He laughs. "She can have any damned thing she wants." He leads me forward, suddenly congenial, even kind, helping me sit on a bench in the middle of the grass. Cade snaps his fingers and food is brought, water, even for the dog.

What's going on? Why hasn't he killed me yet? I feel sure I'd be fighting for my life right now, not filling my empty stomach with hot beef and potato stew. It's delicious. No one will come near me, so Cade ends up serving me. He doesn't seem all that upset about it. In fact, he's vibrating with excitement.

I settle when I'm done eating, the dog curled at my feet. I've spent the last few minutes trying to figure out what to do, how to escape and just what Cade is so excited about. I'm sure it's not good for me or the rest of the survivors of the Sick. But at least I now know I can fight my way out if I have to.

Cade settles beside me while Brick frowns as if he's jealous. "No wonder the Crawlers are after you," he says. He has no problem touching me, being near me. Cade isn't afraid of me at all. He's clearly insane.

"I don't understand." I don't, not really.

"Isn't it obvious?" He offers me half of an apple. The juice runs from it, crisp flesh delicious in my mouth. The scent is intoxicating. "You're a weapon, something they've lost control of, must be. And now you're here with us."

I let that sink in while I devour the sweet fruit. I don't tell him it doesn't feel right. The two people from the hologram didn't say anything about any of this.

"I want you to work for me." He hands me a bottle of water. It's as crisp and clean as I've ever tasted. "We've always been at a disadvantage when it comes to the Crawlers." It looks like he hates to admit any weakness. "No matter what I do, they have better weapons, armor, more numbers..." He glares off into the distance. "If I could just get my hands on their vehicles, turn the tide." He grins at me then. "And with your help, I can."

"Why?" I cup my hand and offer the dog some of my water. He laps it noisily while Cade goes on.

"The only other group bigger than ours is the Crawlers. They have control of the electricity, most of the food production, equipment." Cade is practically drooling over the possibilities. "We have an opportunity here. To crush them and take over as the ruling force in the city."

I nod, but only to buy time while I try to decide how to play this. "Who are they?"

He's scowling suddenly, angry. "No one knows." He spits on the ground, uncouth act at odds with his stunning good looks. "They steal kids out from under us, take our food, invade our territory like they own the place." Cade slams one fist down on the bench so hard wood cracks. "They need to learn who the real master of this city is." His smile is back. One hand lifts, brushes at a stray lock of hair that's escaped my matted ponytail. "For the first time ever, that's possible. Because of you."

I glance at Brick. He's glaring at me. I've obviously taken his place as his boss's favorite. And while the very idea of working for or cooperating with Cade is abhorrent to me, I decide to bide my time and plan my escape. Cade's suddenly my friend, though I doubt it will last past my escape. I'd rather not fight my way through every kid in his army, even though I know most of them will run from me first. But the darts they possess are able to take me down from a distance-a real possibility. Better to play Cade's game while I can and plot my escape when the trank darts won't be usable.

The question is, when it comes down to it, who will they be more afraid of? And will I be able to use that fear to my advantage?

***