Page 214 of Code Bound
I look at him. “So . . . we’re all just hoping for someone we know to step through those Gates?”
Havoc nods. “I’ve known women who waited for their partner to come through for a decade, only for them to never show up. I’ve known children who wait for their parents, friends waiting for friends, families hoping more get out.” He shrugs. “It’s a sad reality that most people will not be brave enough to enter, and those who do, most will not survive.”
Locke looks at me. “Well, before we sink too far into that depressing statement, you wanna ride the speed track thing with me?”
I eye the wooden track skeptically. “Are we sure it’s . . . safe?”
Locke snorts. “We’re in the Harrow. But thisisa safehouse.”
“Good point,” I sigh. “I’m pretty tired?—”
“Just once,” he begs. “Come on. It’ll be fun.”
I wouldn’t have been able to deny him had I wanted to. His eyes are bright. We’ve just beaten all the Minor Bosses in the three regions we can reach. We’re going places. And Dox will hopefully walk through that gate tomorrow. All happy things. All great things. We’ve survived despite the odds. We’re doing it.
“You know what?” I say, threading my fingers with his. “You’re right. Let’s go try it.” I glance at Havoc. “You coming?”
“No,” he replies. “I’ll stick with Stevie.”
“Oh my god!” Stevie gushes. “I totally like you, too, Havoc Wavoc!”
Havoc scowls. “On second thought, maybe Iwillgo on the Cyclone with you.”
Stevie flashes brightly, offended. “Wow. You’re like literally a prick.”
“I’ll get you some of that cotton candy again when we get off,” I promise Stevie. “I know you liked wrapping yourself in it.”
He flickers again. “See. That’s totally why I like you, Vesper. You get me.”
And then he floats off into the crowd, apparently going to wait for us.
Locke, Havoc, and I get in line and for a second Stryker hesitates. He looks up at the speed tracks and scowls, but then looks back down at me and realizes we’re actually going on it. He stands there, indecisive, as if he can’t bring himself to move.
“You can come,” I tell him. “If you want.”
His eyes clash with mine at my words, and something new flickers there. Something . . . vulnerable.
I can tell he doesn’t know how to handle my kindness, so as an olive branch, I give him exactly what he’s expecting.
I pat my thigh, whistle, and say, “Here, boy!”
The vulnerability disappears and the smooth Leech returns, the slow smile spreading on his face as he gets in line with us. Interesting. I file the bit of information away for later.
It takes us about five minutes of waiting before we reach the front. When we do, an NPC gestures for us to get into the small cars waiting for us.
“Two to a car,” he says. “Hurry it up. I don’t got all day.”
Locke and I scramble into the front car while Havoc climbs into the second. Stryker hesitates again.
“Get in, Leech,” Havoc growls. “We’re waiting on you.”
He climbs in and tries to put distance between him and Havoc. Havoc just sits in the car, his face pinched in displeasure, his arms crossed over his chest, as the NPC pushes bars down across our laps.
“Arms in the air,” the NPC says and then slams his fist on a button.
The cars lurch forward, and I grab at the bar in fear at the sudden movement. Immediately, we start moving up, the click, click, clicking of the car on the tracks loud in my ears. I glance behind me to see Havoc still sitting with his arms crossed. Stryker looks nonplussed, but when he sees me, he blows me a kiss and tries to wrap his arm around Havoc. Havoc, not having any of it, shoves him roughly back to his side.
“Don’t touch me,” he growls.
