Free The Withered Series (Book 1): Wither by Amy Miles

could sneak out onto the street and find my
bearings, but not yet. As desperate as I am to leave, I also have to
be smart about it. The only reason Alex got the better of me was
because I was weak and vulnerable from illness. I won’t make
that same mistake again.

FIVE
     
     
    I
miss the sun.  Miss its warmth and false cheer.  I miss how
it chases away the shadows and almost makes me forget all of the
darkness around me.
    For
three days I have been stuck here.  Three long, endless days
without any hint from the outside world.  
    Despite
my prolonged captivity, my relationship with Evangeline has bloomed,
far more than I should have allowed.  Her laughter is soft, her
humor sweet and innocent. For a girl who has obviously had a rough go
of things recently, her sunny disposition seems like a precious
trait.  One that I could probably use a bit more of, if I were
honest with myself.
    As
the days passed, I found myself protecting her from Victoria’s
barbs. Eva would always brush it off, claiming that Victoria didn’t
really mean it, but I know better. I’ve met women like her.
 Women who get their jollies by lording over younger women,
pointing out their faults with the express purpose of making
themselves feel lofty, still important.
    During
one of my chats with Eva over a lukewarm pot of bland tasting soup, I
discovered that old Vicky is a retired high school science teacher.
 My initial impression of her was spot on.  She is rude,
harsh and a no-nonsense sort of person whose greatest weakness is
having no clue that no one wants her around.  I still haven’t
figured out how she fits into the group...or even how the group was
formed to begin with.
    Salvador
Jenkins has been unofficially dubbed ‘Sleazy Sal’ in my
books.  One of those guys you know are trying to work out a
situation to benefit themselves.  Eva told me he used to be a
used car salesman.  I wonder why that doesn’t surprise me.
    I
watch Sal like a hawk when he comes near Eva.  I don’t
like the way he watches her as she moves.  It’s not an
entirely lustful gaze but it’s certainly an inappropriate one
for a girl her age and in her condition.
    Devon
is a prick. No way around that fact.  He rubbed me the wrong way
my first day here and has been grating my nerves ever since.
 Whenever Alex is around, he manages to tone down Devon’s
strong personality, but if I stick around long enough we are gonna
clash hard.
    Alex
is a wild card.  One that I’m still trying to decipher.
    Other
than Evangeline, I suppose I trust Alex most. Though he’s a bit
cocky, he seems decent enough.  He cares for Eva.  I’ve
watched how he tries to help her whenever he can, bearing her burden
of chores without complaint.
    A
soft moan draws me out of my musings.  I turn to look at Eva,
rising to go to her side but she motions me back.  “I’m
fine. Really.”
    That’s
the third time she’s said those exact words in the last thirty
minutes.  Each time she does, it doesn’t help to convince
me.  The signs of her progressing labor increase.  The
pains started nearly three hours ago but she told no one.  Only
bit her lip and forced a smile.  She may be sweet, but that
girl’s got iron in her too.
    I
admire her.  In spite of her silent throes of agony, she remains
a hard worker.  Eva sits quietly in the corner of the office,
peeling carrots with a glorified butter knife.  Victoria sits
nearby, plunging her fingernails into a potato to dig out the eyes
that have begun to grow.  I’m not really sure where the
provisions came from, especially ones that are moderately fresh. Alex
must have gone on another supply run.
    I’ve
learned not to ask questions that I have no hope of getting an answer
to. That doesn’t mean I’m unobservant though.  I
watch and wait, learning my companions’ intentions.
    None
of the members are related.  None seem to have known each other
prior to the week before and yet here they are.  Every time I
try to speak to