Planet Urth: The Savage Lands (Book 2) Read Free Page A

and glare at Will, waiting, daring him to come up with a better solution.  I allow several beats before the pressure in me starts to seep.  I tip my chin defiantly and purse my lips. 
    “Hmm, I’m still waiting,” I say and tap my foot impatiently.
    I know I am being obnoxious, but Will touched a nerve, a raw nerve, when he implied that I don’t know what I’m talking about, and that it was a mistake to leave the cave.  His top lip curls over his teeth and he looks as if he is about to say something.  I roll my shoulders back and boldly maintain eye contact, bracing myself for what I assume will be a venomous retort.  I am not about to be bullied or belittled by a boy whose life I’ve saved, or anyone else for that matter.  I don’t care that his sparkling aquamarine eyes popping against his tan skin makes my insides swirl.  I will not tolerate him grumbling at me or meanness of any kind.
    Several seconds pass and he does not lash out at me as I expected.  In fact, I am shocked when Will’s features soften.  His posture relaxes and he stops glaring at me.  His gaze flickers from my mouth to my eyes.  I wonder why.  I wonder whether one of the children is nearby and he is silently telling me to shut my mouth.  I did not hear footsteps approaching.
    I test my theory and part my lips to speak.  He does not flinch or look as if he wishes for me to be silent so I say calmly, “I know the tree sounds like a crazy place to spend the night, but please, just trust me, okay?  My father kept June and I safe the night my mother was killed by hiding out in a tree. Actually, it looked just like this one,” I say and point to the tree again. 
    Will nods somberly.  “About what I said before,” he starts. 
    “You don’t have to say anything.  Don’t worry about it,” I say tightly and hope he does not hear the strangling sensation I feel choking my voice.  The backs of my eyelids are hot.  His doubt, the thought of him regretting leaving with me, branded itself in my core before he ever spoke the words aloud.  Hearing his voice actually say them only served to solidify them.  It brought a fear of mine to fruition.
    He holds my gaze for a mome nt, but I look away first.  “I’ll tell June about my plan.  You can tell Riley and Oliver whenever you’re ready,” I say and turn on my heels.   I walk briskly to where June is seated beside Riley. 
    I watch as my sister ru bs Riley’s arm and speaks soothingly.  She is a natural-born nurturer in addition to so many other splendid things. 
    “June, can I borrow you for a minute?” I ask.
    “Sure,” June says and reads my face.  She excuses herself just as Will approaches.  He sits where she sat and I gather he will tell his siblings what I intend to tell June. 
    “What’s up?” June asks and looks serious.
    “I found a place for us to stay tonight,” I tell her.
    Relief floods her features.  “Really!  That’s fantastic!” she exclaims.  Her eyes begin sweeping the area around us.  Her features wilt a bit.  “Where?  Where will we stay?” she asks and is clearly perplexed.  “I don’t see a cave or any real shelter.”
    I lick my lips and take a deep breath.  “We are going to do what we did the night we left the compound, the night mom was killed,” I say. 
    “What?  What does that mean?” June asks. 
    “You were too little to remember what happened or how we survived, but I do.  We fled the village through an underground tunnel and found ourselves in the middle of the forest at night,” I say and try to coax a memory from her I know she does not possess.
    “Okay, yeah, I vaguely remember dad mentioning it through the years, but he never wanted to talk about that night at all,” she bobs her head slowly as she speaks. 
    “I know,” I say solemnly.  “But what we did that night saved our lives and I think it is the only option we have now to avoid being dinner for the first Lurkers that find us.”
    I hear