Could I do that?
No, I wouldn't… Would I?
My power fills me up from the inside out, and I raise my hand, pointing my index finger at him.
"Give me your truck keys. Leave. Do not speak of me ever,"I demand, keeping my tone strong and firm.
His eyes glaze over. He pats down his pockets, retrieving a set of keys, and holds them out to me.
He stands, and without looking at me, stumbles towards the house before disappearing into the darkness.
"Take that, asshole."
My victory is short-lived. The headache stabs sharply, causing my eyes to water. My legs shake, the high of the power turning sour in my bloodstream. My stomach twists, not just from what Ialmostcommanded him to do, but from the echo of strain vibrating in my bones.
Drained, I feel as if a piece of me was taken in exchange for the Command.
With shaky legs, I climb into the cab of the truck.
I cringe. The smell of unwashed Beta lingers on me. His hands and his tongue.
My inner Omega howls in despair as it masks the lingering scent ofthem. The spice of Knox, gunpowder of Viper, pine of Shade, and campfire of Blaze. They’re fading too fast.
I turn the key in the ignition, and it sputters to life.
I don’t flick the headlights on yet, afraid to draw attention by bathing the area in white light.
"Time to get out of here," I mutter to myself, and put the truck into gear. The first part of my escape is complete. I'll drive far enough that I'm sure I'm not being followed, then I'll make a plan.
Soon, the dirt track turns into a surfaced single-lane road, and I drive until I reach a four-way junction. No traffic coming from any direction. The overhead streetlight flickers as the unstable power supply surges and dwindles.
My eyes blur from the strain of the headache, and I force them to focus on the large sign, which points left toward Barkrood Base, and right toward The Capital.
The road to The Capital is new and well lit, smooth and wide with white lines painted down the middle. The road to Barkrood Base is older and cracked in places, but still maintained. Finally, the road straight ahead is littered with potholes and disappears into the darkness, like a black hole to nowhere.
There is no name on the sign for that direction.
I reach over and open the glove compartment, and find a stack of maps and a packet of wet wipes.
"Oh, thank frack," I breathe, reaching for one of the moist towelettes. I run it along my skin, wiping away the evidence of his touch. It's not enough, but it will have to do for now.
I notice that the road sign has a number in a small circle, marking the junction, and I quickly search the map for the matching number.
"Bingo."
I stab my finger at a spot deep in the northern mountain territories. It's a long way from my hometown in the south and Barkrood Base. I trace the trip from Barkrood, until I reach the impenetrable Blackreach Mountains. There is only one road inand out of the lawless Province — the Blackreach Mountain Pass. That's my best bet for intercepting Everlyn and Jason. If luck stays on my side, I have a chance of catching them there.
I fold the map and place it on the seat next to me.
My hands grip the steering wheel and I sit up straighter.
I can do this.
I pass over the intersection and into the darkness, following the road without markings that points northwest, driving until the streetlights fade from the rearview mirror.
I try not to focus on the ache in my chest that grows with every passing minute. The further I drive, the more I feel like I've left a part of myself behind. Four parts. My heart might feel like it’s breaking, my inner Omega clawing and screaming at me for leaving them behind, but I know this is the right decision.
Dazz, Ember, and Flicker need me.
