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"What about the others?" Josie asked "The cadets are headed right for them"

"Dean is smart," Niko answered "That store is a fortress He won’t let anyone in And who knows if the cadets will even et ambushed"

There was hopefulthe sa, then?" Josie said "Can we find a car, do you think?"

Niko turned away fro his backpack

"Is that the plan?"

"No," Niko said "I mean, the white stuff It eats the tires That’s e didn’t see any other carson the road So unless we can find one that’s been inside this whole time…"

"We’re going to walk?" Josie asked Her voice was hard and incredulous

"But don’t worry, Josie, I can carry you"

"What?"

"I’ to sedate you and carry you Or look for a wheelbarrow"

Josie started to laugh

"That’s absurd, Niko"

"I can do it I can do whatever it takes to get you to safety, Josie!" he pro her body to his

"If you’re walking, I’asI’ll be very, very careful"

"No, Josie," he protested "It’s not safe--"

Shehi to him I think it was, "I love you," because then Niko said, "I love you, too"

I tried to go back to sleep I didn’t want to be a Peeping To out pretty hard

"Josie?" called Ulysses fro in Spanish

Maybe he was having a nightet these kids to safety, Niko," she said and I could hear the smile in her voice "We can do it You and ht toabout ht I was just one of the kids

CHAPTER ELEVEN

DEAN

DAY 13

After a good, long while, the rage receded

I beca facedown on the linoleum I tried to move and the pain in -tied

Jake had hog-tied y, and for aue to loosen the bond I felt around in my mouth for broken teeth There were definitely a couple of teeth one Broken, no doubt Aweso draw of the moist, clammy air filtered into theyou, I alking around the store I was going to try the interco back anyway?" Astrid asked, her voice h her own air mask

"’Cause I missed you Why do you think? I felt terrible I left that way I really did"

"You probably just cas," Astrid hissed

"That’s not true"

They were lifting and fitting the cement blocks back into place

"Let’s just fix the wall," Astrid said through her mask

"Where is everybody?" Jake asked

"Oh, Jake," Astrid said, her voice sounding sad "They left Niko started up the bus and they’re all trying to make it to Denver"

"No kiddin’," Jake said "I didn’t think he had the huevos to pull so to be jocular, but he sounded exhausted and spent

Imy body onto one of my shoulders The stupid face roaned The grogginess earing off Listening to Astrid and Jake was bringingon them I wanted no more of that!

"You mean it’s just you and Dean?" Jake asked

"I’m awake," I said They didn’t seem to hear

"It’s not just me and Dean Chloe and the twins are here," Astrid told him

"Well, where are they now?"

"I told them to lock themselves in the Train," Astrid answered

"I’m awake," I repeated, louder "Can you untieinto ed me with his foot

My shoulders were on fire

"Untie ? You all done being a rumbled "And where did you come fro back Then I saw that guy attacking the store Then I saw you attack the guy Man, that was so it But through a face