Page 37 of Evolved

We rise from bed and creep together down the hall, me barefoot and naked, but for a big cardigan, I clutch around myself, him dressed in pants only.

Gran’s door is open, her bed empty.

Down the stairs as silently as we can.

The kitchen is empty.

My laptop is gone.

The back patio is empty.

The car we’ve been using is gone from the driveway.

There is, however, a note left beside the coffee pot.

Ottilie and Knox,

A little old lady arriving with the gift of government supplies will be met with less umbrage than the three of us together.

You’re under no obligation to follow me, but if you do—do not lie about your identity.

Our reputations must be unimpeachable.

Love,

Gran

11|Evolving to fit it

OTTILIE

“SHE SHOULD HAVE LET US GO.”I drop the note like it’s on fire.

Knox goes to the coffee machine, where he presses the power button irritably. “She made the decision for us.”

I hold my hand up flat and stare at it. It’s shaking. Fear for Gran? Or something else?

I reread the note, my head tipping to match the angle since it’s resting diagonally on the counter.

Our reputations must be unimpeachable.

That has me shaking more.

Do not lie.

I lower my hand.

My first impulse would have been to show up and pretend we don’t know her, wander up to the White House under the guise of random survivors just looking for food and some plates to smash along with the Mustache Man and whoever else is there.

Why show up and warn them that we’re working with her—that would only serve to earn extra scrutiny from them, since there’s no way she can go unrecognized. Someone is bound to know the face of the Vice President.

But me?

Even in DC, only the most politically-minded would recognize me.

And Knox?

No one would recognize him.