She pushed away the mad impulse, getting to her feet. “Make sure you get some rest, too. No staying up all night this time, okay?”
This time, his grunt was more of a huff, tinged with dark humor. “No promises there. But I’ll try.”
CHAPTER14
Buck knew before he’d opened his eyes that this was not going to be a good day.
For one thing, he did not get so much as a single second of blissful disorientation before his memory helpfully shoved all his current problems to the front of his brain. For another, his body felt like someone had spent the night pulling all his joints apart and putting them back the wrong way round.
And, most importantly, he was on the motherloving roof again.
“You have got to be kidding me,” he snarled, bare-assed and spread-eagled. “I was already at the damn camp! What more do you want?”
His scar throbbed in answer. The pain in his bones ebbed, fading away. He had an unnerving impression of something submerging back under his subconscious, leaving only a lingering sense of smugness.
“So much for Zeph’s theory,” he muttered. “Damn thing’s not trying to tell me anything after all. It’s just a giant furry dick.”
Still, at least he’d woken up earlier this time. The sky was tinged with the rosy colors of dawn. Soft morning light fell on still, silent cabins. The whole camp lay in peaceful slumber.
With a bit of luck, he could make it back to his cabin before anyone woke up. As quietly as he could, Buck slid down the roof, wincing as the gritty shingles sandpapered his ass. He peered over the edge. It wasn’tthatfar down.
Clinging to the guttering, he swung over the edge. His already abused shoulders did not approve of this. He dangled for a heartbeat, then—bracing himself—dropped.
The ground turned out to be closer than he’d expected. He grunted at the impact, pain jangling through his body once more.
“Did you hear that?”
Buck froze.
“No talking,” mumbled a different girl. The voices came from inside the cabin, carrying clearly to his freakishly enhanced ears even through the wall. “S’not morning yet.”
“But I thought I heard something outside.” The squeak of mattress springs came from inside the cabin; the sound of someone sitting up in bed. “Maybe it was the morning bell.”
“It wasn’t.” More squeaking noises, as of someone turning over and burying their head under the covers. From the voice, Buck was fairly certain it was Beth. “For the last time, go back to sleep, Flora.”
Flora seemed to have obeyed, since silence fell once more. Buck let out his breath, his heart starting to beat again. Flattening himself against the wall, he edged around the cabin.
He relaxed a little once he got to the far side. By his reckoning, at least he was now at the end of the building that contained the counselors’ rooms rather than a dozen young girls.
He could see the staff cabins now, beyond the kids’ dorms. He hesitated, debating whether to stick to the shadows or just make a straight-up dash for it.
A sprint across the open campground seemed less risky than trying to ninja around in his birthday suit. Buck tensed, preparing to run faster than he’d ever run in his life.
CL-CLANG CL-CLANG CL-CLANG!
“THAT’S THE BELL!” Flora yelled from inside the cabin, as Buck’s whole skeleton attempted to teleport two feet sideways, straight through his skin. “WAKE UP EVERYONE! IT’S MOOOOOORNING!”
Similar whoops of excitement reverberated from other cabins. Buck looked around wildly, searching for cover—and his gaze fell on an open window.
Survival instinct kicked in. He was moving before he could have first thoughts, let alone second. With the speed of sheer panic, he launched himself through the window, hit the ground hard, and rolled into cover.
Springs creaked above him.
Buck stared up at dusty slats. With the slow, sinking sensation of settling into quicksand, he realized he was under a bed.
And not just any bed.
Honey’sbed.
