Escape to Eden Read Online Free PDF

help.”
    “Thank you,” I say and smile.
    “Don’t thank me yet. I haven’t agreed to help anyone.” Her eyes jump to Anthony. “This could land me in a lot of trouble, you know that, right?”
    Anthony nods, but he’s smiling.
    “And it may surprise you, but I’m already not liked in most circles. Some people, men specifically—”
    “I’m very aware of your lack of likability.”
    “Don’t interrupt me when I’m talking. Men don’t like me because I speak my mind. Smart people feel the same way. It scares them. In fact, the Institute could be watching me right now.”
    “Nobody cares about a thirteen-year-old girl with an attitude.”
    She huffs. “Well they should, because I’m dangerous.”
    Jenna hands him the black bag and turns to me. “What’s your name?”
    “She doesn’t remember yet,” Anthony answers for me.
    Jenna looks down at the bruise on my arm as if she knows the reason for my temporary amnesia. For some reason I’m embarrassed and avert my eyes.
    “So what should we call you?” she asks.
    I shrug.
    “You have the same brown color of hair as my old dog. He was shy, too. How about Patch?”
    “Don’t name her after your dog.” Anthony unzips the bag. “She’ll remember her name soon enough.” He hands me clothes and shoes. “Put these on. We’re going to have to move fast.”
    Jenna and Anthony turn around so I can change. I stare at their backs, wondering how I ended up in a position where I had to undress in front of strangers. But then I remember the Institute, and experience a jolt of fear. I dress quickly.
    “Where are you going to take her?” Jenna whispers, but the room is too small for me not to hear.
    “To The Rapture. I’m hoping Bram will know what to do. She’s not safe in the city.”
    “Won’t that be dangerous? Sixers have been known to go there. If they see her—”
    “Then we can’t let that happen, right?”
    “What’s The Rapture?” I say as I pull a black t-shirt over my head. It’s too big and the white leggings are too small. I look like I’m wearing a short dress with tights. At least the sandals sort of fit as long as I don’t have to run.
    Anthony swings the backpack over his shoulder. “It’s a night club not far from here. The owner is sympathetic to Originals.”
    “What are we going to do about her eyes?” Jenna asks. “They’re such a dull green, like that moldy color in my toilet. Eww.”
    “Jenna,” Anthony warns, but she keeps talking.
    “People will recognize her for what she is miles away.”
    I reach up and touch near my eye, wondering if they really look that bad.
    Jenna comes to me. “Maybe if we fix her hair.”
    She uses her fingers to fluff my long hair to the side, even pulling parts of the top down in front of my eyes. I can barely see through it.
    Jenna laughs. “You look ridiculous.”
    I smooth back my hair, not seeing the humor in the situation.
    Anthony hands me a black hat with red flowers on its side. “You look fine. Just keep your head down and don’t look at anyone. If it was daytime I’d never take you out, but I think you’ll be okay at night. You ready?”
    I pull the hat down low over my eyebrows. “I think so.”
    “You’ve got to be pretty scared,” Jenna says. “Are you scared?” She’s smiling big, her cheeks puffed wide.
    “Leave her alone,” Anthony says and opens the door to peek out. “It’s empty. Let’s go.”
    We move into the large space of office cubicles. I feel exposed being out in the open and step closer to Anthony.
    “Did you bring your car?” Anthony asks Jenna.
    “It’s on the street, but can’t we just walk? It’s only a few blocks.”
    “Better to keep her hidden as much as possible.”
    Anthony leads us into the same stairwell I came from earlier and heads down. I hesitate on the first step, knowing the last thing my body wants to do is walk flights of stairs, but, seeing I don’t have a choice, I hurry after him.
    “You have a car—and