“I helped the leaders escape the city many years ago. They are friends.”
Xeni and I exchange a glance and a shrug. Even if Sovran isn’t the best conversationalist, we have no reason to doubt his intentions. For now, I’m happy to follow his lead.
I glance over at Sakane with his notebook out, scribbling rushed words and drawing landmarks. He loves making maps—finding multiple ways to get to a destination and hidden shortcuts others might miss. It’s always come in handy, because he knows Atlanta like the back of his hand. Out here everything is new, and I wonder what he’s seeing that everyone else has overlooked.
Now that we’re further from the city, we continue to walk throughout the morning, though we keep a close eye on the roads. We’re all tired after the events of the past few days, and as the heat rises, tempers get shorter. Cato and Xeni bicker, and Ego spurs them along with a grin, using them as her entertainment.
We shift further off the beaten path, and an hour before noon, Sovran gestures through a thicket of trees ahead.
A large building sits through the trunks, but it’s painted in a shade of green that makes it impossible to see at a glance. I look around, noticing for the first time that the trees surrounding usare too uniform to be natural. They were planted intentionally, and blending into the terrain is an impressive defense.
This building isn’t tall like those in the cities. It’s a single story, but spreads out wide, with doors evenly spaced along the painted brick. An old motel, from the appearance, though there are no signs of life.
“Wait here,” Sovran says, not bothering to check if we listened. He approaches the building, then turns and walks out of our line of sight.
“This place is weird,” Ego says, hugging her arms over her chest. “Gives me the willies.”
“It’s not weird, it’s genius,” Xeni argues. “Though I’d question being so close to the city, even with the camouflage.”
Sakane nods as he swings his backpack to the front of his body for a drink of water. “Of course you think it’s weird. I do too. Places like this don’t exist in the city, and this is the first time we’ve left.”
Ego shrugs. “Not like we could stay. They’d already dropped our jailbird ads, and it was just a matter of time before your faces joined the lineup. Besides, Cato would’ve been in a constant bad mood from seeing someone prettier than him right next to his mugshot.”
“Please,” Cato drawls, tilting his head with a catty smirk, “I’m prettier than you any day of the week.”
Xeni lets out a low, taunting hum in the back of his throat. His smirk spreads as he flips his hair with a dramatic toss. “If you have to say it out loud…”
“Oh, fuck y—”
“No, no,” Ego cuts in smoothly.
Cato whips toward her, eyes wide with betrayal.
“He has a point,” she says, and swaggers to Xeni’s side. “The pretty ones never have to announce it. They just show up and ruin everyone else’s day. Isn’t that right, Xeni?”
“So right,” Xeni purrs as he slings an arm around her shoulders and tosses his hair again for good measure.
Cato’s face burns tomato red as Sakane fails to hide his snort of laughter.
“You’re not winning this one, my friend,” I say, chuckling.
Cato’s jaw ticks, but he plays it off as he flexes his chest. “You’re all delusional. I’m the gold standard.
“Gold standard?” Xeni repeats as he leans forward, casting a haughty once-over down Cato’s frame. “You’re a walking red flag.”
Ego cackles. “Red flag? More like red carpet for drama. Roll it out, Cato, we’re all here for the show.”
Cato glares at her. “You’re supposed to be on my side.”
“I’m on the side of truth,” Ego says with a shrug. “Sometimes it hurts.”
Cato throws his hands up. “You’re all the worst. I hate every single one of you.”
“What did I do?” Sakane demands.
I choke on my laugh and get ready to butt in before this escalates further, but footsteps approach, and we go back on guard.
Sovran walks into view, followed by two others.
