Too many of my friends had been hurt in a short amount of time, yet I didn’t know if we would have more injured soon. I didn’t know where Broden had gone or what Noah had planned to do, and I wouldn’t know until time continued. I only knew that it couldn’t be good.
Miles was the boy who helped me with my science project. He was the friend who rejoiced with me when I got Argos. He liked dogs, but his sister had a cat, so he couldn’t get one. He was the teenager who taught me to drive in his red car, even though he couldn’t drive very well himself. He was the one who forgave me when I hit a curb. He even bought me ice cream. Now, he was the boy who got hurt during an interrogation, protecting us all by keeping his mouth shut.
“I’m okay,” Miles whispered as I pulled away. His brown eyes were glassy. “Really.”
Lily moved silently across the room until she was standing next to me. We both sat on the floor, and Lily laid her head next to Miles’ leg. She closed her eyes as if she was ready to fall asleep.
We sat like that until Lyn returned. “You all need to relax,” she said, pushing the mugs toward us. “There’s no reason to worry until we can do something about it.”
Lily grabbed her tea as if it were the only thing that would keep her awake. She breathed into it, and the steam from the drink caused her bangs to curl. I followed her lead, and my throat tightened.
“Can I ask you something?” I managed to speak up after a moment, the hot tea warming my fears.
Miles sat up. “Ask.” Lyn was right − his injuries weren’t as bad as they initially looked.
“Why would you become friends with Noah?”
“Because I was young,” he said it as if he was an old man. “I thought it was cool, you know. I thought I was important.” His already red cheeks spread. “I didn’t know it would turn into this.”
“But you kept doing it.”
“No, he didn’t,” Lily defended. “He stopped a long time ago.”
“I only helped this time because I thought it would give Broden an escape,” he finished.
Apparently, Miles and I thought alike.
“I don’t think Broden can escape this,” I said, thinking of his parents’ involvement.
“He can,” Miles argued. “He just doesn’t want to.”
“His parents were found innocent in court,” Lily explained, taking a moment to drink her tea. “He was free. He just doesn’t want to be.”
“You kids have it wrong,” Lyn interrupted, shifting in her seat. It squeaked. “His freedom isn’t your freedom. Fighting is his freedom, and it would be yours, too, if you saw the other regions.”
“Broden hasn’t seen the other regions,” I defended, wondering what side Lyn was actually on. She wanted me to believe in them, but she didn’t want me to be involved. She was just as bad as Noah.
Right when I thought Lyn would argue me, Miles laid a hand on my shoulder. “This isn’t good, Sophia,” he lectured. “Tomo isn’t something to be messed with. It’s dangerous.”
“I know.”
“No,” Miles argued. “You don’t. You have no clue.” His face heated up with frustration. “The Tomery family created that drug. Noah uses the stuff. Hell, Sophia, he’s an addict. A real tomo addict.”
“I’ve seen it,” Lily agreed, “and nothing good comes out of it. The future shouldn’t be seen.”
I swallowed, the tea burning my throat despite the fact that it had cooled significantly. I focused on Lily, the girl that used to play dolls with me. “So, when are you going to tell him about Tony?”
Lily paled as Miles shot up. “Tony?” he repeated. “Tony’s back?”
“Anthony was Tony,” I explained, knowing I had called out my friend to her brother.
Lily sighed. “He looked different—”
“How could you not recognize him?”
She held up a hand. “We are not going through this again,” she said. “Tony’s back, and everyone knows who he is now.”
Miles fell back as if she had smacked him. “I hate that guy.”
“No one has yet to explain why we hate him,” I mumbled.
Miles touched his forehead. “Tony was arrested after tomo was released. Phelps blamed his family instead of Noah’s since Noah’s family managed to escape,” he explained. “The entire family was sent straight to Phoenix. They were the face of the crime, so to speak.”
“Why would he threaten me then?”
Miles’ eyes widened. “He did what?”
I explained what Anthony had said. I even told them about my father and how we escaped the Albany Region. They knew about the forgery, and now, I couldn’t hide the fact that I had no escape either. None of us did.
Miles cursed, and Lily pinched his leg to warn him. “It’s fine.”
“It’s not,” he said.
“It’s reality,” Lyn added.
The entire atmosphere thickened, and Falo screamed like he could sense it. Lyn leapt up to return to his room. Miles tensed, and Lily twitched without looking at her brother, reminding me of the connection they shared. Even with her dyed hair, I could see the resemblance the twins had. Their contorting expressions were even the same.
That’s when Argos barked.
“What was that?” Lily squeaked, jumping up, only to fall on the couch next to her brother.
I stood up slowly as Falo’s screaming stopped. Footsteps echoed up the stairs, and a figure appeared through the fogged glass. The doorknob turned. Argos’ fur stood on his backend, and I had to scream at him to prevent him from attacking.
“Heel,” I screeched as the door opened, and a boy stumbled in.
“That dog hates me,” Noah mumbled, leaning backwards on the door as it shut. Without saying another word, Noah fell forward and grabbed onto the landing as his feet slipped out beneath him. “I know,” he said, looking directly at the kitchen wall. “It will be hard, but I have to. I have to. She’s my sister.”
I raced forward, and Argos ran into my legs as I stopped, inches away from the boy. “Noah?” I spoke up, hesitating. He wasn’t reacting to me. “Can you hear me?”
His green eyes flashed, and he waved his arm dramatically. “I’m fine, really. I’m handling this perfectly,” Noah continued to speak, his eyes focused in front of him. No one was there. He was talking to a wall.
“Lily,” Lyn called out from behind me. “Take Falo.”
I didn’t look, but I heard Lily’s footsteps. Falo cooed, and I knew Lyn had handed the toddler over. Without hesitation, Lyn walked forward and grasped Noah’s shoulder. He froze.
“Noah,” Lyn spoke harshly but clearly. “Can you hear me?”
He jerked away and spun around. When he tripped, he almost crashed down the basement stairs. His forehead was covered in sweat, but I could only concentrate on his eyes. They flashed brilliant colors, maroon and gold. He had cat-eyes I had never seen before, not even on him.
“I told you to run. Run!” he shouted, his voice ripping against his throat.
Argos growled lowly, and I grabbed onto his fur to keep him away. Noah grabbed his shoulder and pulled as if he would tear his arm off. His fierce scream shattered the room as he bent forward, tearing his shirt, scratching his skin off. I couldn’t breathe.
“I told you what I want,” his shriek splintered any peace that had lingered in the living room. When he shouted again, he banged the back of his head against the wall behind him. Instead of stopping, he hit his head again. It reminded me of an animal caught in a trap – an animal that wanted to die quickly instead of starve to death.
“Hey—” Lyn was quiet, but I wasn’t.
“Stop it,” I shouted, diving past Lyn to get to him. “Stop it, now,” I said, latching onto his arm.
I half-expected him to slam his head again, but he stilled. I dug my nails into his arm, and he turned his face toward me. His green irises gazed back, foggy. He twitched, and his entire body jerked against the wall.
I never let him go. “Noah, stop,” I begged. “Please, stop.
”
“Sophie?” His delicate voice sounded like a hurt child.
I nodded, even though he couldn’t see. “I need you to stop.”
Breath escaped his lips as he slumped against the wall. His eyes rolled, but he brought his hand up to my cheek. His fingertips were still. He wasn’t shaking. “How?” he whispered.
“Keep him talking,” Lyn said, rushing away.
“What do you mean?” I asked him, following her orders.
Noah’s grip tightened on my hand. “How’d you live?”
I didn’t have a chance to speak.
His fingers found my curly hair. “You,” he said, staring at my hair between his fingers. His green eyes were clearing the fog. “I wouldn’t let Tony hurt you.”
“I know that,” I responded as Lyn rushed across the entryway and collapsed next to us. Where was Broden?
“I need you to sit up, Noah,” Lyn instructed, holding out a syringe filled with purple liquid. “Can you do that for me?”
Noah blinked at her, clueless, and I shifted my weight so that my knee supported my weight. “Come here,” I asked. When he didn’t move, I pulled him into my lap and held him against my ribs. “Sit up,” I whispered against his hair.
His fingers tightened on my leg. “I got you,” he said.
“She has you,” Lyn corrected, taking his forearm. “This is going to hurt. Do you understand?” She was looking at me instead of him. She didn’t know how he would react.
I nodded, and she jammed it into his arm where it bent.
He sucked in breath, and his fingers pressed against my ribs. I gasped, but I kept my hold on him. There would be bruises. His wheeze was the only breath I heard as he leaned forward, relaxed.
Lyn grabbed me and dragged me away. “Let him throw up.”
As she said it, he vomited. An unnaturally purple liquid splashed across the tiled floor. He convulsed, and I pushed against Lyn who continued to hold me back. “What did you do to him? What’s happening?”
“His system has to clear the drug,” Lyn explained calmly. “Leave him alone for a minute.”
Noah coughed. “Rinley.”
I backed against the wall, and Lyn let me go so she could pat his back.
“Get a mop, Miles,” Lily said, either disgusted by the vomit or Noah’s presence. Probably both. Either way, she wanted her brother to help, and he leapt up like he was able to. When he fell back on the couch, Lily sighed.
“I’ll get it,” Lyn said, gesturing to me.
I took her place, but I didn’t put my hand on his back. He only continued to repeat his sister’s name. The sour smell made me want to throw up, too.
“We’ll find her, Noah,” I spoke through the nausea.
His hand came up, but he didn’t touch me. Surprisingly, even with the vomit, Noah looked as normal as he could be. Barely disheveled, shadows clung to his eyes, and a sad smile hung on his lips.
“We will,” he agreed, light returning to his eyes in a way that made the last few moments seem like a dream – or a nightmare, really − and then, he placed his hands on the ground and attempted to push himself up.
“Easy goes it,” Lyn intervened, steadying his stance.
He wobbled, holding onto the wall like it had handles. He looked around the house. “Where am I?”
“Sophia’s house,” Lyn answered, already mopping up his mess.
He stepped toward it like he couldn’t see it. “Where?”
He didn’t remember my house. He didn’t remember my name. He didn’t remember anything.
“Sit,” Lyn said, but he had already collapsed on the stairs. “Where’s Broden?” she finally asked.
“Haven’t seen that kid in years,” he muttered, rubbing his head.
Lyn laid the mop against the wall before she picked him up again. He was her practical ragdoll. “Let’s get you lying down, Mr. Tomery.”
He flinched at his own name. “I’m not exactly a popular person.”
“Quite the opposite, actually,” Lyn laughed lowly. “You seem to have a lot of people after you.”
Noah didn’t say anything as Lyn lowered him onto the only couch we had left. His head fell back onto the couch before anything else did. He sighed, and Lyn let him go as I draped a blanket over him.
“Sleep it off,” Lyn commented.
“Will do, ma’am,” Noah cheered sarcastically, still affected from the medication Lyn dosed him with.
I turned away.
“Wait,” Noah grabbed my hand, looking up at me with tired eyes. “Sophie?”
Apparently, he did remember me.
“I’m here,” I said after a moment.
“Stay,” he breathed, and I felt the blood rush to my cheeks. I turned away, only to be met by Lily’s widened gaze. Miles’ jaw dropped, and Lyn smirked like she knew he would ask for me all along.
His fingers dragged across my wrist. “Please,” he breathed.
“Okay,” I murmured, sitting on the edge next to him. Argos curled up at my feet. “I’ll stay.”
“Good,” Noah whispered, his foggy eyes glossing over as he closed them and surrendered to sleep.
No One Was Silent
Early morning sunshine beamed through the entrance windows. I squinted at the dust floating in the rays as they sprayed over the living room. The house was silent, and Argos slept at my feet soundlessly. Glancing around, my eyes took a moment to adjust, and I looked at Noah lying on the couch. His arm was draped beneath him as if it was a comfortable pillow, and his lips were slightly parted as he breathed, his side lifting and falling. I held my breath, struck by the absolute stillness of his expression − calm and relaxed − one that he never wore when he was conscious. It was as if I was looking at Noah Tomery before his last name became public enemy number one. Instead of a criminal or a drug addict, I was looking at a boy − just a boy.
It was morning, but no one was silent.
“Were you down here all night?” Lily asked as she came down the stairs. Miles and she had slept in my father’s room.
“I guess so,” I said, rubbing my eyes. At some point, I had moved to the floor, and someone had gotten me a blanket. Now that I was awake, I refused to look at Noah.
Lily plopped down on the floor in front of me. “What was that about?” When I didn’t respond, she tilted her face toward Noah and smiled. I understood now. She was interrogating me about Noah.
“I don’t know,” I responded truthfully.
“If I had to pick up his vomit, I think you can tell me if something is going on between you two,” she said. “He’s passed out anyway.”
“Nothing’s going on,” I promised, but my voice squeaked.
Lily’s smile scrunched up. “Seriously? Him?” she said it like I had confessed.
“I swear.” I scooted away from his couch as if to prove a point. Lily laughed because it didn’t prove anything.
When I looked back at him, I was tempted to move back. His face was drained of color, and his shallow breath was unnerving. He looked like he was in a coma, and according to Lyn, he basically was.
“I didn’t know you could overdose on tomo,” I muttered, slowly standing.
“You can overdose on water,” Lyn said, entering the room. Her ability to eavesdrop was starting to suffocate me, but when she pointed to me, I calmed. “Best you stay there.”
I sulked back into my seat, and Noah’s hand brushed my side. As he turned, his shoulder skimmed my waist, and my eyes squeezed shut. “What happens if he overdoses again?” I managed to ask. “Can he die?”
“Do I have to repeat myself?” Lyn asked. “Water can kill you.”
I didn’t understand nurse-speak.
“If someone drinks too much water too fast—”
“This isn’t about water,” I snapped.
Lyn’s mouth hung open. “Sorry,” she managed as she sat across from us. “He can die from tomo, yes.” In the dim lighting, her already dark features were impossible to read. “It’s happened before,
but he won’t die. He threw most of it up.”
“How?”
“How, what?”
“How can tomo kill you?” I asked.
Lyn’s shadow shifted. “It’s hard on your eyes, but it’s worse on the rest of your body,” she said. “Just look at him. I mean, really look at him.”
I didn’t move because I couldn’t move. I didn’t want to see him. I wanted to pretend he wasn’t there, that he had never been there.
“Does he look sixteen to you?” Lyn continued even though I hadn’t turned around. I didn’t have to look at him to know the answer to her question. He looked older, maybe nineteen. He only seemed younger when he laughed. I hadn’t even realized his age until now.
“That’s the tomo,” Lyn said. “It ages you. It wears you out. It damages your senses, and I mean all of them.” She tapped her head.
I closed my eyes like I could erase her gesture from my mind. “Why do people take it, then?”
“Because they justify it,” she said. “The reward is worth more than the risk.”
My eyes popped open. “Have you ever taken it?”
Lyn froze, but Lily and I were staring at her. When she glanced between us, she nodded. “Before I was pregnant,” she clarified. “It does weird things to unborn babies.” She sucked in a breath like she could inhale her words.
“What?” I asked. “What is it?”
“Nothing.” She shook her head and sprang to her feet. When she rubbed her tattoos, I knew she was lying. It was definitely not nothing.
Noah groaned, causing Lyn to stay.
“He should wake up soon,” she said. “There are withdrawal effects.”
“Good to know,” I grumbled just as the front door opened.
Everyone leapt up because no one had heard him coming. He was quieter than Noah’s slumber, but he was louder now that he was inside, “Where is he?” Broden bellowed. He was covered in mud.
“Broden,” I hissed, standing up. Argos only opened one eye. He never reacted to Broden.
He slammed the door behind him as his eyes shot behind me. His shoulders rose, and he opened his mouth like he would scream, but Lyn shot him down, “Be quiet,” she ordered. “All of you.”
Take Me Tomorrow Page 13
