The Institute (Falling Ash Chronicles #1) (8 page)

Chapter 11

I booked it towards the main line of warehouses, my eyes focusing with laser-like intensity. They were populated. That meant people, which meant witnesses. They couldn’t kill me or take me if someone could see and report what had happened. It was too risky. If I could just reach one of them, I could beg for sanctuary. Maybe there was phone service down there, or at the very least I could get a hold of a phone and call in to the Institute and tell them what happened. I could hide out until backup came.

I heard shouts behind me. Hard footsteps pounded on the ground. I took a chance and looked back to see that two of the men had separated from the group to give chase while the rest were piling into the van. They were no more than a few feet behind me, their legs much longer than mine. I increased my pace as I turned forward, then screamed. There was another man in front of me. I could have sworn he wasn’t there seconds before.

I didn’t have time to stop before I barreled full speed into him. His arms wrapped around me, pinning me against his chest before he spun me around, one arm wrapping around my shoulders. His other arm shot out, pointing a gun in the direction of the other two assailants.

I felt dizzy. I couldn’t wrap my mind around what had just happened, even as my hands rose to grip his leather-covered arm. The other two stopped, their eyes drawn to the gun. One of them spat on the ground, glaring at my new captor. There was wary recognition in both of their gazes.

“This ain’t your concern,” one of them said, a faint southern drawl coloring his voice. “Let the girl go and we’ll all go our separate ways, all peaceful like,” he said.

“I think not. How about you turn around, get back in the van, and drive away,” the man holding me suggested, waving the gun in a shooing motion. His voice sounded younger than I expected. The pair shared a glance before they split apart, creating two targets as they circled on either side of the one holding me. I held breathlessly still, not wanting to distract him. I didn’t know who he was or what he wanted. All I knew was that the gun he held wasn’t pointed at me and that made him the lesser of two evils.

His arm tightened around my shoulders, twisting slightly as he tried to keep them both in view. He cradled me in close, his body hunched protectively around me. Then his grip loosened.

“You want her? Come get her.” Without further warning he thrust me in front of him. I stumbled, hastily catching my balance. The two lunged towards me from either side. I ducked and rolled, narrowly avoiding their grasping hands.

I came to my feet and started running. I heard the sound of scuffling behind me, followed by a series of cracks and groans before a hand grabbed the back of my jacket, halting my escape. I came around swinging, throwing my fist in what I hoped was the direction of his face.

A hand caught my fist before it could make contact. I found myself staring up into a pair of stormy grey eyes. My possible savior, or a new threat. I didn’t know yet which would describe him. I looked over his shoulder, spotting the two men crumpled on the ground. I couldn’t tell if they were dead or just unconscious.

The sound of squealing tires drew my gaze. The van sped away, disappearing around the corner. They were fleeing? That was it? Why weren’t they pulling out their guns, shooting us down?

Why did I have a feeling it had to do with the newcomer?

“Are you alright?” the man asked, turning me towards him with a hand on each shoulder. I nodded, unable to fight the sudden unease running through me. If he caused five men to flee, what kind of threat was he to me?

“Fine. Thanks to you,” I said. I pulled back, flinching when his hands tightened on my shoulders, holding me in front of him. His eyes went over my face, landing on my throat. One hand moved, his fingers covering the marks from Bruce’s hand. Soothing warmth emitted from his fingers, settling in my skin and easing the pain. I looked at him wonderingly, reaching up to probe my neck. His hand fell away, his fingers circling my upper arm.

“Better?” he asked. I nodded, pulling back. But he still didn’t release me.

“I need to get back,” I said. “I need to let them know what happened…” I looked back at the warehouse, swallowing my trepidation. How was I going to tell them that we’d lost four more students?

“You’re not going back,” he said. That brought my attention back to him with a snap. His expression was implacable and unreadable. I suddenly became aware of the corded strength in his arms. He still hadn’t released me.

“What do you mean I’m not going back? I have to go home. They’ll keep me ss...afff...” My last words came to a stuttering halt as a bitterly angry expression crossed his face.

“They won’t keep you safe. You need to come with me,” he said. He gripped my arms, pulling me towards the trees on the outer rim.  I shook my head, pulling away sharply.

“NO! I’m not going with you.” Impatience crossed his features. A strange fog settled over my mind, so subtly at first I didn’t notice. Then it was too late. It came over me in a wave, so fast I didn’t have a chance to build a defense. My eyes widened in terror even as my world went fuzzy and I found myself falling.

I didn’t know how much time had passed before I woke up. Light was playing across my face, creating an orange haze on the back of my eyelids. I was lying on what felt like a lumpy mattress, covered by an itchy blanket. I heard murmuring voices nearby, not quite able to focus on the words.

I wiggled my fingers and toes, relieved when I found them unrestricted and in working order. At least I wasn’t tied up. I cracked my eyes open, glancing around the room. I was relieved to find myself alone. I opened my eyes wider, pushing up into a sitting position.

The threadbare blanket that covered me fell down, bunching around my hips. I looked around, studying my surroundings. The light was coming from a boarded up window across the room, seeping through the cracks. Dust mites danced in the rays that fell down to the aging wood floor. The faded rose and cream wallpaper was water damaged in several places, coming down in others to reveal the plaster beneath.

The only furniture I could see was a dresser that had seen better days, now missing several of the handles and one of the drawers, and a vanity with a cracked mirror. They had both been painted a pale cream, though now the paint was faded and cracking. Everything was covered by a fine layer of dust. What appeared to be a room that was once cared for and painstakingly decorated, had fallen into disrepair.

I slid my legs over the side of the bed, coming cautiously to my feet. My knees wobbled slightly beneath me before I managed to get them stable. I edged towards the door, pressing my ear against the wood. The voices in the next room became clearer.

“She’s been at the Institute for too long. She’s a liability,” one voice said. It sounded vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place it.

“David says we need her,” a second voice said. It sounded slightly impatient, like they’d been going over this argument for some time.

“I don’t trust his judgment, not with her. He’s blinded….”

“He hasn’t steered us wrong yet. He made her my responsibility. He’s entrusted me to protect her. If you recall, he gave you a job as well. It’s time you got back to it before they realize you’re gone and get suspicious.” There was a moment of tense silence before a door slammed. I jumped back as heavy footsteps came closer to my door, cursing myself for having wasted so much time listening instead of looking for a way to escape. I ran back over to the bed and jumped in, pulling the blanket over me and lying still as I resumed a “sleeping” position. I sucked in a breath and held it as I heard the door creak open.

Footsteps came closer. I knew he was standing above me, looking down at me. I released my breath slowly, trying to make it appear natural. If he thought I was asleep, he’d leave again and I could try to pry the wood loose from the window. Then he chuckled.

“I could hear you from the other room, sleeping beauty,” he said. My eyes popped open, glaring up at the amused eyes looking down at me. I scowled as I sat up, curling my legs under me and letting my back rest against the wall.

“Who are you?” I asked. He smiled, sitting himself on the edge of the bed.

“Tim was supposed to warn you I was coming. Did he not get to you?” he asked. Tim? It made sense that he was connected to Tim, not that it did anything to relieve my unease. His words jarred me. Tim hadn’t said anything about anyone coming for me.

“What are you protecting me from?” I asked instead. “Those men? Who are they? The Rogues?” I asked. He shook his head negatively.

“Not hardly. Tim was supposed to get to you, tell you everything. Is he all right? Did he not reach you?” he asked again. He ran his fingers over his jaw, looking perplexed.

“Yeah. He came,” I said, swallowing the memory of his body lying on the ground. His own people sent him there to die. “But he didn’t say anything about you,” I said, gesturing in his direction.

“I see,” he said consideringly. “Well, then, in that case introductions are in order,” he said, thrusting out a hand. “My name is Ash.”