“How’d we get here?” Jenna’s throat felt parched. She signaled for water. When he handed her the glass, she guzzled the liquid.
“Welcome back. I was able to go for help. Emma and the crew drove out and rescued us.”
“How long have I been out?”
“Three days.” Caleb grasped Jenna’s hand. “I’m so happy you’re awake.” He leaned in to kiss her cheek. “Worried is the understatement of the year.”
“What happened?”
“Aiko saved you. She overheard Tundra debating what to do with you. None of the options were good.” Caleb’s sad smile relieved a little of the pressure in Jenna’s pounding temple. “She went to Quentin with the information.”
“Lilly told me Aiko and Tundra were planning on trying to turn New Racers at the inn against the humans.”
“True. We learned about her plan from Lilly and Mack. Aiko might have liked the idea of it, but not the reality. She has real feelings for Quentin. A lot of her anger against you has been from jealousy. When she realized Tundra kidnapped you, she was ready to mount a war.”
Jenna narrowed her eyes. “Not sure I believe it.”
“Truth. As soon as they came to me, we set out. Quentin was also smart enough to let Lilly know what we were doing, and Lilly went straight to Peter.”
“How did you find me?”
“It wasn’t too hard. Tundra and her group wouldn’t venture too far from the inn. There’s just not enough gas and resources. They wouldn’t want to go closer to town where there might be the chance of running into a lot of Streakers. We found the vehicle they stole and tracked it.”
“How’d you do it?”
“It’s amazing what you can do when motivated.” Caleb frowned. “They were at one of the houses in the woods.”
“You found me.” Jenna traced a near-healed wound on Caleb’s cheek. “That’s what matters. You were there when I needed you.”
“Thank God we found you. Do you remember the rest?”
“Most of it. The three of you fought against Tundra and her sidekicks.” Jenna stiffened. “How are Aiko and Quentin? Are they okay?”
“Both doing better. Aiko was fine after you gave her some blood. You saved her, and she’s grateful.”
“Better be.”
Caleb laughed. “She appreciates it. Really. She’s been less than friendly to you because of her feelings and those Quentin still has for you. She needs a good therapist, but they are in short supply.”
“Even after the apocalypse, some things don’t change.”
“Aiko would never tell you this. It’s our secret, she was jealous of you.”
The pain in her head ramped to jackhammer levels. She closed her eyes and continued to listen. “Go on.”
“Quentin was injured but on the mend. I’m sure he’d love you to visit soon.”
“I’ll go see him, but tired now. I’ll nap for a little bit.” Jenna slipped into sleep even while willing herself to stay awake.
The moonlit shadows painted ghosts throughout the room. The nightmare had returned.
“Jenna!”
Wraithlike forms closed in on her and something prowled. As much as Jenna searched, it hid, preferring the shadows.
“You can’t help me now. Something wicked is inside you.”
Trapped in the tangle of blankets, she tried to sit. The bed sheets turned into hands, clutching her, pulling her into the fabric, and skeletal fingers dug into her flesh. She pushed them away, but her hands were useless and rotting. Shooting up, shifting into consciousness, Jenna sucked in labored breaths.
The dream. What did it mean?
She slid back down on to the mattress and yanked the covers over her head to ease the throbbing pain. Upon awakening, Lilly sat next to the bed.
The acidic scent from fingernail polish laced the air. When Jenna moved, the woman squealed with joy and leaned over to give her a huge hug, wet nails, and all.
“You’re awake.” Lilly’s cheerful words rang loud. “You’ve been sleeping on and off for days, and Caleb’s been guarding the door like a rabid dog. He wouldn’t let anyone in until you woke yesterday. I’ve been here since morning.”
“What time is it?” Jenna asked.
“Late afternoon. Do you remember waking yesterday when Caleb was here?”
“He told me what happened to Aiko and Quentin. I’m happy they’re both okay.”
Lilly held the bottle of nail polish in front of Jenna’s nose. “Look what Jackie found on a scavenging expedition. I thought I would paint your nails to pass the time. You need a little glamour in your life after all the adventure. You could use a shower too but that can wait until tomorrow.”
“I don’t think it can.” Jenna threaded damp, limp hair behind her ears. “I’m disgusting right now. Maybe we could do this another day?”
“This is the best therapy for you. Give me a few minutes. I want to tell you about some of the changes since Tundra’s defeat.”
“I’m all yours.” She held out a hand.
Jenna could imagine what her hands looked like after being in a battle with the Streaker. Lilly painted each of her nails methodically, chattering like a chipmunk.
“After your rescue, a meeting was called. Sorry you missed it, but you weren’t awake at the time.”
“What happened?”
“Peter and Gus called us out and made us explain everything. I mean, everything. The whole situation about how Tundra used to feed from us, and how we didn’t always agree to it. I was so scared. Even though Tundra was dead, I kept waiting for her to storm in and kill me or something. But it was worse that I was at fault for what happened to you.”
“Tundra takes all the blame.”
“But if I’d come forward earlier. Told people sooner.”
“You did what you thought was right.”
“Aiko explained what Tundra was trying to do, and how she wanted to convert people to her way of thinking.”
“What did people say?”
“Everyone was dismayed and angry. At the end it was a huge love fest, even for us, the newcomers. We can stay. For good.” Lilly’s delighted laugh clung in
