“A little.” Nate took shuffling steps after Brick. He stayed close to the interior wall. Climbing a pole twenty feet high was one thing. The view sent swooping waves of fear through him. People weren’t supposed to be this high up.
It wasn’t going to be fun getting a decent alarm system up. But that was the first thing he needed to do. They’d have to construct a door or set up trip wires, and he’d have to get up into the walls to find live wires. Whatever he had to do, it would be worth it to make sure the new hideout was safe.
He was never going to let anyone get hurt because of him again.
Reed ducked his head out from a bunk built with pieces of old desks. His hand rested gingerly over the bandage at his belly. “Nate.”
Nate lit up inside, like he’d set a tangle of wires singing with electricity. He’d tried to keep his mind off Reed. Otherwise, he would have obsessed—wondering how he was healing, what he was doing. Now his fears and relief jumbled together senselessly. He stumbled and slapped his palm against the wall for balance, certain he’d float out into the whistling wind.
He wanted to blame this foolishness on having fed Reed, but it was more than that. Being close to him again made Nate’s bones feel like they’d settled back into the right places.
Reed reached a hand out. “Sit down. You look green.”
“I missed the move.” Nate gestured around the room vaguely before taking Reed’s hand to sit on the bed beside him. The thin mattress creaked. His legs trembled.
“I missed most of it too,” Reed said, barely audible over the hum of the wind. “Brick, take Pix to Sparks’s bunk.”
As Brick led Pixel away, Nate’s stomach sank faster than it had when he’d seen the sickening view. Reed didn’t shoo the others away unless he had something serious to say. In a gang as tight as theirs, it was better to keep everything out in the open.
“Pixel said you got sick and passed out.”
“I guess I’m no good with blood.” Nate forced a weak grin, gaze caught on the pink stain on Reed’s bandage. He dug his trembling fingers into his pocket, heart skipping a beat until his callused fingers found the delicate chain knotted up around the small pendant. “Here,” he said. “You found it for her. You give it to her.”
Reed’s eyes widened. He slipped the pendant under his blanket. “Thank you.”
“Thought I sold it?” Nate asked, lips pressed together in a flat smile he didn’t feel.
“No.I . ..” Reed shook his head. “They said you saved me with chem—medicine—from Alden.”
“I did. Are you mad?”
“Of course I’m not mad you saved my life, Nate.” Reed exhaled a sigh. “I’m sorry I put you in that position.”
“You didn’t get yourself stabbed for fun.”
And it was my fault.
Reed’s bare shoulders twitched. “How did you pay for the medicine?”
“Alden still owed me,” Nate said, sharp and frustrated. He didn’t want to talk. He wanted to take Reed’s hand and feel the thrum of his pulse.
“You tinkered for him that much? Enough to save a life?”
“You don’t believe me?” It was easier to push back than admit he was probably dying, and he’d made it worse by helping Reed. Nate looked around the room, willing the conversation to end. If they wanted the hideout set up, everyone needed to leave him be and let him tinker while he still could.
“But there’s more to it than that, isn’t there?” Reed watched Nate closely, his pale eyes glittering.
Nate exhaled hard and pushed a strand of hair behind his ear. “It’s complicated with me and Alden.”
Reed frowned. “How complicated? If you’re. . .if you’re still with him, Nate, you know I’d pay that no mind.”
Nate coughed out a laugh before he could stop himself. “I was neverwith him.”
“You can’t blame me for thinking it,” Reed said. “I’ve seen how he looks at you, like you’re a heap of food. And you’re there often enough.”
Another hysterical, tired laugh bubbled out of Nate. He was unraveling from the bones out. “I’m sorry,” he said, breathless.
I’m scared.
