Free The Horde Without End (The World Without End) by Nazarea Andrews Page B

these strangers’ horror stories.
    Ironic, that I will know more about them than I will about the man I’ve been traveling with for two weeks.
    “Why do you suppose he went to the Stronghold?”
    “What?” Finn says, distracted as we weave down the potholed road. Clearly 9 has priorities, and maintaining the roads in and out of it aren’t high on the list. Maybe it’s their proximity to the border.
    “Collin and that priest. Why would he go with a priest to Vegas?”
    “He didn’t.”
    I jerk hard in my seat, twisting to look at Finn.
    “There was another message. With the morgue attendant. He’s not headed to the Stronghold—he’s going to 6.”
    “Why there?”
    “Why not?” Finn shrugs. “I don’t really know, Nurrin. I’m just following the breadcrumbs and hoping we get to him before they run out. But what it does tell us is that he’s alive—or he was three days ago.”
    That’s true, a comforting truth. But maybe he isn’t anymore. Maybe Finn is feeding me that line of hope because I’m crumbling and he can see through my shell and tell.
    Whatever the reason, I’m grateful for it. I nod a little, blinking back the tears that are stinging my eyes. “So. Not the Stronghold?”
    “Not this time. As much as I’m sure Omar would love to see us.”
    “What happened between you and Omar?” I ask, the question out before I can stop it.
    Finn’s grip on the steering wheel tightens, enough that the plastic creaks alarmingly. “What is the only thing that matters?” he asks, softly.
    I don’t have to question what he’s talking about. “You will keep me alive and keep Collin alive.”
    Something flickers across his face, and then, “Omar betrayed me. He betrayed the mission. I can forgive a lot—but not that.”
    There’s more to it—so much more, from the rage in his voice. But for once I’m not interested in pushing him.
    “One day, you’ll trust me enough to tell me some of what happened to you,” I says softly. He looks at me, staring as we bump down the road, and I don’t look away. Finn finally smirks, a mocking twitch of his lips before he turns back to the road. I let out the breath I’m holding and lean my head back on the seat.
    “One day, little girl, you will have earned it.”
     

Chapter 25. Another New Place
    The trip to 6 is surprisingly uneventful. With a bed to crash on and plenty of food, we don’t need to stop for much—once for gas at a fortified little station that sells us fresh, hot sandwiches, and then we’re on our way again.
    Moving is the safest way to be, in the Wide Open.
    “What will we face in 6?” I ask.
    Finn shrugs. “I don’t know. I’ve never been there.”
    “So we won’t be trusting your name to open doors?” I ask, flipping a page. I’m almost through with my little book, and feel like I’m no closer to knowing anything.
    Certainly this book has nothing about the Thrasher and why she was so important in the East. The account I’m reading now is from a sailor on one of the last boats to make dock in New York before ERI-Milan mutated in Atlanta.
    Finn ignores my question. Typical.
    “Where are you from?” I ask abruptly. “Originally?”
    Finn shoots me a startled look. “That is your burning question? Where I was born? What the hell does it matter? I’m here now. I’ve been here for over twenty years.”
    “One question,” I grit. His eyebrows arch, and I shake my head. “I’m not pushing about Kelsey or Omar, or why the fuck every haven seems to know your name—all important things, by the way. I’m not demanding to know what’s so important about Collin that you will do all of this to find him. I’m asking where you were born.”
    I stand and start to the back of the RV, unable to stomach him anymore. I pause. “You demand a lot of trust from me. A lot of tolerance for a ton of bullshit. You can’t expect me to trust you without reservation if you won’t give a little.”
     
    It’s late that night—he let me