She fed Mara through a straw, cleaned her wounds, and dosed her with the medicine she stole until Lila found out about it. After that, she was never seen again, and Mara later learned she was kicked out of the community. I hope she’s still alive out there, somewhere.
Even so, Dr. Ethan Hayes was captured soon after, and he took over the care of her wounds until she could resume normal life again. As normal as it was possible to be after having half your face burnt off.
Satisfied that Seth would no longer be interested in Mara, Lila allowed her to stay on as a servant. And so, Mara spent her days cooking, and cleaning, all while plotting Lila’s downfall. Not just hers, either, but the entire community’s deaths. Everyone who stood and watched that day without intervening would suffer, she’d make sure of it.
A crooked smile wreathed Mara’s lips as she admired the glass bottle Ethan had given her. At last, her time had come. Today, she would get her revenge.
Chapter 21 - Dylan
Despite what Saul had advised, Dylan found it impossible to sleep. She’d lied when she told him she was okay. The truth was, everything hurt so badly she doubted she’d be able to fight. Even so, Dylan was determined to survive, no matter what. Come on, Tara. You’re smart. Think of something.
In the building next to them, she could hear the sound of laughter. After a while, the faint strains of music joined in, and she jerked upright. “Are they seriously having a party in there?”
“It’s part of their celebrations,” James replied, his voice floating toward her in the darkness. “They’ll come for us soon.”
“I’ll be ready for them,” Dylan replied, but despite her outer bravado, fear wormed its way through her innards. She didn’t want to fight or kill. Nobody in their right minds did. It was the kind of thing you did for survival, nothing more.
The minutes ticked by, and the party next-door grew louder and louder. With each passing moment, Dylan’s anxiety swelled until she thought she thought she would burst. “What are we going to do, Saul? We can’t fight each other.”
“I’m working on it,” he replied.
Somehow, his words didn’t bring her any comfort, nor could she think of anything useful herself.
Suddenly, a door burst open, and a woman ran toward them. “Saul? Dylan? Are you there?”
“Tara?” Dylan cried. “Is that you?”
“Yes, it’s me. I’ve come to free you. We’re getting out of here,” Tara replied.
She dropped to her knees in front of Saul’s cage and unlocked it. Saul crawled out and crushed her to his chest. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“I’m fine, but watch the ribs,” came Tara’s muffled reply.
He let go of her abruptly. “Sorry.”
“Hey, leave the smooching for later. Let’s get out of here first,” Dylan said.
“On my way,” Tara said, hurrying over.
Once she was free, Dylan got out and kicked the cage. “Man, it feels good to be out of that thing.”
“What about me?” James cried.
“What about you?” Dylan asked. “You wanted to be one of them, so stay.”
“Please, let me out. I’m begging you,” he said.
Tara hesitated, looking from Dylan to Saul. “Should I?”
“No!” Dylan and Saul answered in unison.
“Unlock the cage. That’s all I’m asking. You’ll never see me again, I promise,” James pleaded.
Tara bit her lip, looking at the keys in her hand. Finally, she tossed them to James. “Free yourself, but wait until we’re gone, or I’ll kill you myself.”
James scrambled for the keys. “Deal.”
Dylan rolled her eyes. “Softie. It will get you killed one day.”
“Never mind that, let’s go. Ethan is waiting for us.”
“Ethan?” Dylan repeated as the name rang a bell inside her head.
“I’ll explain later,” Tara said, running toward the door.
“What about the bad guys?” Dylan said, hanging back.
“Passed out cold, but not for long. Move it, people!” Tara said with contagious urgency.
Neither Saul nor Dylan needed to be told twice, and they followed close on her heels. Inside the assembly hall, the party-goers lay strewn about where they’d fallen, deeply sedated. A CD-player played in the background, the base distorted by the small speakers.
Tara slipped through the slumbering crowd but stopped abruptly when a girl appeared out of nowhere.
Saul raised his fists, and Dylan cursed. “Shit, you missed one of them.”
“No, I didn’t. This is Mara. She’s one of us,” Tara said.
Dylan eyed the girl through narrowed eyes. “Can we trust her?”
Mara stepped forward into the light, and Dylan gasped. One half of the girl’s face was horribly disfigured. The skin looked like wax left out in the hot sun. The corner of her mouth drooped, and one eye was gone, the socket empty.
“Yes, you can trust me.” Mara waved a hand at her face. “I owe them for this.”
“They did that to you?” Dylan asked, shocked to the core.
“Lila did. The rest watched,” Mara said, her voice carrying a slight slur due to her disfigurement.
“Oh, my God, I’m so sorry,” Dylan exclaimed. Her heart reached out to the poor girl, but Mara didn’t want any of it.
“There is no God, and I don’t need your pity. Save it for someone else,” Mara said, her voice as brittle as broken glass.
Dylan didn’t know what to say, and was glad when Tara asked, “Where’s Ethan?”
“Outside,” Mara replied, beckoning them to follow.
They ran after her, crossing an empty foyer and reception area. She ducked through a door leading to a small parking lot usually reserved for staff and teachers. Fires burned in a couple of drums, and more people lay passed out on the ground. Liquor bottles littered the space, evidence of their wild celebrations.
The Humvee stood waiting, a little worse for wear, but still running. A man climbed out from behind the wheel and walked closer. “Tara, did you get your friends?”
“Yes, we’re here and ready to
