Page 249 of Stay Scared

Perfect.

We move through the dark with only the low red lamps marking the route back.

Ash is standing exactly where I left him when we reach the old red room. That irritates me immediately because I can see what waiting cost him.

His arms hang at his sides, the repaired Voice mask fixed over his face. His head turns first toward Cade, then Owen, then me.

The silence feels heavier than any command he used to give through the speakers.

Cade enters behind me. Owen comes through the other side.

Ash holds his place.

I walk into the center of the room. “You waited.”

The Voice looks at me. “I considered doing otherwise.”

“Did you consider it often?”

“Every minute.”

I stop in front of him. Ash’s hands remain at his sides as I touch the repaired mask.

“Were you listening?”

“Yes.”

Cade makes a dark sound behind me. Ash ignores him.

“What did you hear?”

“You laughing.”

His answer comes too fast for the mask to hide anything.

“What else?”

“Enough.”

His hand finally moves.

It catches my waist hard and pulls me into him. Cade steps forward, but Owen catches his shoulder before he reaches us.

Cade turns on him.

Ash notices and tightens his grip.

I should object.

Instead, I grab the front of the Voice mask and drag Ash down.

The kiss lands against sealed black material. His fingers dig into my waist.

I do it again.

“You hate that.”

His voice comes out rough through the shell. “Yes.”