And what had Sigma been saying about her?Had she been measured, plans drawn up, risk assessments done?
It was an uncomfortable line of thought.Rowan finished half her breakfast and stared into her coffee cup.Her stomach had closed itself, as it did so frequently nowadays.
“You should eat more,” Justin said quietly.
She looked up.How long had he been watching her?
“I can’t.”She finished the rest of her coffee in one scalding gulp.“Is it time?”
“We’ve got a little while.I’d like to show you something.”
“All right.”She eased herself to her feet, chair scraping on the linoleum.Henderson glanced at her, Brewster nodded, and Cath gifted her with a rare, beneficent smile.“See ya round, Price,” the blue-mohawked girl said.“Glad you’re signing on.”
What choice do I have?“Thank you, Cath.And thanks for getting my tray, Brew.”
“Just leave it, love.I’ll carry it up.”He waved elegantly at her.“See you this afternoon!”
Now what does he mean by that?Rowan settled for nodding and letting Justin draw her away.
“He’ll have basic meditation with you this afternoon.”His breath touched her ear as they negotiated the maze of tables.“I’m sorry I was late.”
“It’s all right.”She slid her arm through his and felt his surprise.It was odd.He was usually so closed-off she couldn’t tell what he was feeling.
He led her through a faceless white hall with fluorescents and a stone floor, and then into a transport.“Second Level, Excel.”His voice didn’t change, but Rowan’s cheeks suddenly felt hot.The coffee rose uneasily in her throat.“Are you all right?”
“I just hate being underground.Justin?”
“Hm?”
“Did you mean it?About… about helping me?”
“Of course.”He went so still she wanted to check to see if he was breathing.“I wish it wasn’t like this; I wish I could have stopped them from hurting you.”
I wish you could have too.“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Would you have believed me?”
She knew he was right, but it didn’t stop the nausea or the lump in her throat.Or the sudden tears filling her eyes.He did everything he could.Don’t blame him.
But there was nobody else, was there?She had nobody else left in the world.Dad was dead, and Hilary was dead, and Rowan was alone.
Except for Justin Delgado.
The transport slowed.Rowan, without meaning to, tightened her grip on Justin’s arm.He said nothing.
When the doors finally opened, he led her out, and she gasped.
“It’s a track,” he said.“Quarter mile.In the middle there’s free weights and a practice ground.”
The track was covered in rubberized black stuff, perfect for runners.The lighting was as close to sunlight as you could get, and cool air lifted her hair, brushed her face.It was as close to perfect as possible.How did they fit all this stuff underground?They lived like moles, barely surfacing, only the most claustrophobic living aboveground.Rowan was suddenly, intensely glad Justin had an aboveground room.
Ruin your knees, running like that,her father’s voice floated up through her memory.A lump filled Rowan’s throat.
In the middle, a group of people were doing t’ai chi, slow, even dancing movements.Rowan swallowed, hard.“Thank you.”Something occurred to her.“How did you know I?—”
“I would hate to be cooped up, and here you can feel safe.And you’re in good shape, Rowan.It’s obvious you exercise.You told me you liked to run.”
Had she?She didn’t remember.
