Stung Read Free Page B

continue to New Babylon.”
    Judd sighed. “Something’s not right. It may be a GC trap.”
    â€œYou know Taylor would never let the GC take him alive,” Vicki said. “I’m happy for Mr. Stein.”
    â€œDoes sound weird,” Lionel said. “And the GC will be looking for that plane.”
    â€œI’m leaving that to Taylor,” Mr. Stein said. “I need to contact a guide to help me in Israel. I’ve never been there.”
    Judd’s mind swirled. “I’ve been twice. I could help you.”
    â€œI had dibs on the next trip,” Lionel said. “Besides, we’re needed here. If we have to move everybody to—”
    â€œWe’re not moving,” Vicki said. “Even if Melinda leaves, this is where we’re supposed to be.”
    â€œVick—,” Judd said.
    â€œTrust me on this,” Vicki interrupted. “God gave us this school for a reason. We’re not running.”
    â€œVick, Melinda could lead them right to you,” Judd said.
    â€œWe stand or fall here,” Vicki said. “Take Lionel and go—if it’s okay with you, Mr. Stein.”
    â€œYes, I would love the company,” Mr. Stein said.
    â€œThen it’s settled,” Vicki said.

    Vicki found Melinda gathering supplies at the schoolhouse.
    â€œBefore you go, I want you to have something,” Vicki said. She handed some bullets and Felicia’s gun to her.
    â€œWhy are you giving me these?” Melinda said.
    â€œIn case you meet up with the GC. I don’t think you’ll use them against us.”
    Melinda rolled the bullets in her hand and sat. “How’d you guys change your looks? I almost didn’t recognize you.”
    Vicki explained, without telling about Z. “We have new IDs and everything. Hopefully it’ll protect us from the GC.”
    Melinda sighed heavily. “The Global Community promised a better life. Conrad and Lionel don’t know.”
    â€œKnow what?”
    â€œWhere I came from. What I’ve seen.”
    â€œTell me,” Vicki said. She sat and stared at Melinda.
    Finally, the girl spoke. “I grew up in the East. My dad sold insurance and we moved around a lot. Pittsburgh. Buffalo. Richmond. It was almost like being in the military. You make some friends, and it’s time to move again.”
    â€œThat’s tough,” Vicki said.
    â€œYeah, but not as tough as it got after the disappearances. That whole thing tanked my dad’s business. Things got rough at home. He drank a lot and screamed at me. I’d take off for a few days, then come back.”
    â€œWhat about your mom?”
    Melinda shook her head.
    â€œHow’d you meet Felicia?” Vicki said.
    â€œSchool. Her family life wasn’t any better. We’d sit at lunch and plan our escape. She had an uncle who invited us. Even mailed us some money. One Monday morning we got on a bus and headed north. Thought our problems were solved.” Melinda closed her eyes. “That was the worst week of my life, until now.”
    â€œWhat happened?” Vicki said.
    â€œI can’t tell you everything,” Melinda said. “It’s too awful. The guy was a creep. He sold drugs. He basically locked us up.”
    â€œThat’s terrible,” Vicki said.
    â€œOnly thing we could do was watch TV. That’s when we saw Nicolae Carpathia. Everything he did—peace treaties, an end to war—that’s what we were looking for. Sounded like heaven on earth. Felicia and I decided to get out of there and sign up.”
    â€œYou escaped?” Vicki said.
    â€œWe tricked a guy into letting us out. Told him we’d show him where Felicia’s uncle hid his stash.”
    â€œCool,” Vicki said.
    â€œWe found a GC post and heard about the Morale Monitors. Felicia and I signed up, and they sent us into training.”
    â€œThat’s where you met Conrad and