Chapter 76

Miesha swipes at my shirt with one hand. Her other hand uses a cane for support. She's been awake for a few days now, but she's still shaky, her right leg numb. "There," she says, and pats my back twice. "Done." She shuffles back to look at me. "Are you sure you want to do this? You're only seventeen, Locke."

"Seventeen going on two hundred and seventy-seven. I have a lot of catching up to do."

She limps to the chair and sits down, weak from the effort.

I grab my coat from the hook on the back of the door. Miesha stares at me as I put it on. "He wasn't much older than you when he joined the Resistance."

"I'm not part of any Resistance, Miesha. I owe a favor, and I'm going to help one person. That's all."

She bites her lower lip and nods. "I'm not good at good-byes, Locke."

"I think we both got shortchanged in that department. Come on, let me help you back to your room. It's the least an uncle can do."

She smiles and lets me take her arm. When I return to my room, Allys is standing in the hall. She knocks on the open door. "Coming in, city boy."

"Don't think I could stop you," I say.

She smiles. "Smart city boy." She crosses the room and sits on the edge of the bed. "Got your purse all ready?"

"It's a pack."

"Right. I have something for you to add." She holds out a round object wrapped in tissue, and I take it from her. "A chocolate peach," she says. "It's an experience. One you wouldn't want to miss. Savor it." She stands and kisses my cheek. "Savor it all. You hear?"