Chapter 77

TOMORROW WAS INDEED a long day. Eve and the others spent so much time talking she felt like her voice could mimic the sound of a trash compactor. At first, Mad and Rich had discussed the new plan in hushed tones, their voices prickling in Eve's ears while she tried to sleep through the night.

In the morning, they'd informed the rest of the squad. Lisha had frowned as she listened, wrapping her arm protectively around Cade, who sat uncertainly in her lap, unsure if he was too old to be doing so or too scared to sit alone. They wore new (if dusty) clothes procured from the bunker's cramped stockroom, and Cade sneezed every few minutes.

"Things haven't been easy," Rich had said.

"That's an understatement," said Teth.

"None of that," Mad snapped. "Don't make me tell you again."

Surprisingly, Teth kept his mouth shut. Eve placed her hand on his, and he didn't pull away.