Regret Read Online Free PDF Page B

“I’msorry, Indy,” he said. “I’m sorry.”
    Then he stepped back and said, “Run,” in that freaky calm voice of his. Sloan slid her hand into mine and pulled me toward a sidewalk that went between the post office and the general market. “My house!” she yelled over the noise. “It’s closer!”
    I paused in the safety of the shadows next to the post office, the red light pulsing against my face. I searched the fray for Jag, but couldn’t find him. I felt cheated that I hadn’t had the chance to ask him about Irvine. About anyone else on the team. Or the success of the mission. Or anything.
    “Come on.” Sloan pulled on my hand, and this time I turned my back and sprinted toward safety. Along the way, I determined to enter Irvine’s room and search every corner.
    Jag had been there. Maybe he’d left something for me. That thought drove me on like nothing had before.
    Irvine’s room held nothing but an empty hanger and a dresser drawer that hadn’t been shut properly. Even the smell of Jag hadn’t lingered. My chest caved in at the thought that Jag had been so close and had chosen to stay so far away.
    I closed the door to Irvine’s room and stood in the dark hallway. I couldn’t tell my parents about Jag. I couldn’t tell anyone in the Resistance. I’d made Sloan promise not tobreathe a word about him, as he didn’t want people to know.
    I didn’t quite understand his motivations, but I knew he had them. He always did, whether he chose to share them with me or not.
    Once again, I found myself in a situation where I had no idea how to proceed. I returned to my room, took my phone out of my pocket, and sent a message to Lex asking him to recall the runners from their various cities. I’d sent them as far east as Castledale, about halfway across the Association. I told Lex to have them gather supplies if they could.
    He didn’t question me. Ten minutes later, he messaged that it was done. Then he asked when we were leaving.
    As soon as we gather enough supplies, I sent back. That’ll be everyone’s job at first light. Clothing, food, water, everything.
    I tossed my phone on my bed, ignoring the incoming message. I didn’t have the energy to explain anything to Lex right now. Jag had never taken the time to give me his detailed reasons. It was a Resistance leader perk.
    I reclined the armchair and snuggled into it, pretending Jag lay beside me with his strong arms encircling me. With his scent embedded in the fibers, I almost believed the fantasy.

5.
    The next morning I left my house at dawn and headed toward Resistance headquarters. I hoped Jag had been able to find the supplies he needed, and I half thought I might find him sleeping in the house.
    Two blocks away from my home, I spied two Greenies sweeping the sidewalk with handheld devices. They seemed unconcerned by the deathly silence on the street, and I shrank behind a hedge in someone’s front yard, watching.
    They spoke in carrying voices, though I couldn’t quite make out what they were saying. A prickle of discomfort stole down my spine, and I crouch-walked down the hedge and into the backyard. Then I straightened, doubled back the way I’d come, and chose a different route to Jag’s.
    I stuck to climbing fences and dashing through backyards instead of moving down the sidewalks in plain sight. I emerged midblock and needed to cross one more street before I’d be able to slide through two more backyards to reach Jag’s. I sucked in a breath and pressed myself against the fence I’d just climbed.
    Four Greenies clustered at the corner of Jag’s block, wearing their official Association robes. One held his projection screen out for the other three to see. I couldn’t see their faces, but I felt their frowns. A truck ambled down the street and I took advantage of the noise to mask my footsteps slapping against pavement.
    Once in Jag’s backyard, my chest heaved with more than labored breathing. Countless questions circled in my