Read Online Rebel Princess - Book 2 (The Hope Saga) by Chrissy Peebles - Free Book Online Page A

have much to go on. I’m not sure anyone will catch him, unless he slips up.”
    “I’ve got an idea.”
    She blinked. “What?”
    “Let’s just pack up and leave. Staying down here is a death sentence. What if he comes for you next, or me? We fit the profile perfectly.”
    “You can’t be serious! What are we supposed to do? Hit some worker over the head and steal his boat? I’m starting to think you’re the one going stir crazy down here.”
    “Hmm. I like it. We can pack a lot of stuff in a boat, maybe make a few trips up the chute.”
    “Will you listen to yourself? I can’t leave my family, and you can’t leave yours. And what about Brett?”
    “He’ll come with me.”
    Her gaze narrowed. “We both know he won’t. His dad will never let him leave. You know how close they are.”
    I threw my hands in the air. “We’ll see about that.”
    “Look, Brett might want to choose you over his father, but if he does, he might resent you later, when he realizes he shattered his relationship with his family, burned all those bridges for you. Is that what you want? Do you want him to be with you, even with regrets that will eat away at him?”
    “So what are we supposed to do? Sit down here like sardines in a can, waiting to be picked off?” I asked.
    “Sky, no strangler would have a chance against you. You’ll kick his ass.”
    “Well, whoever he is, I’d sure give him one helluva fight.” I paused. “But it’s more than that. I just want—no, I need to get out of here. I’m fed up with this place.”
    “Well, that’s no secret, but try to think about this rationally.”
    I blew out a long breath and shook my head, feeling defeated.
    “You’ve gotta stay till you’re eighteen,” she said. “That’s the only smart thing to do. Just give the place a chance. They’re building Vita as we speak.”
    “Sometimes, I don’t even care about that. Of course I want mankind to flourish, to rebuild. I mean, it’s all we ever hear, and I’m up for the challenge. But with Dante running things, I…well, I’m just not so sure anymore.”
    “Look, if you still feel that way when we get up to the surface, I promise I’ll run away with you. We’ll pack up and explore the whole country if you want. I’ve always wanted to see Mt. Rushmore.”
    “Who knows if it’s even still there? Besides, I don’t think I can wait that long.”
    There was a gentle tap on the door, and then my aunt peeked her head in. “I’m taking the kids out for a while, to check on some of the others. You two stay here, and keep the door locked. Don’t leave for any reason, okay?”
    I nodded. “Lockdown has been initiated.”
    “I’m serious, Sky,” she said.
    “I know. I’m sorry.”
    “Be good,” she said with a nervous smile, then turned to leave and then left.
    ***
    Just a few minutes after we heard my aunt close the front door, an idea struck me. “Let’s go see Brett,” I said.
    “Seriously? With a serial killer on the loose?”
    “I hate to say it like this, but I think he’s done for the day. If he follows his normal m.o., he won’t be on the prowl again for weeks.”
    “Wow. You’ve been watching too many of those crime shows. You sound like a profiler, psychoanalyzing him.
    “It’s just a guess,” I said, shrugging.
    “Or maybe you’re a fantastic detective with incredible instincts. I bet you would have made a great cop in the old world, maybe one of those CSI people I read about.”
    I laughed. “It’s not like I’ve caught the guy, Rach. It’s just an educated guess.”
    “Sherlock Holmes never caught Jack the Ripper, but he was the best detective in history. Criminals can be super smart. That’s why they’re so dangerous. They are devious and clever enough to cover their tracks well.” She sighed. “Anyway, why do you need to see Brett right now? Didn’t you just see him at the greenhouse?”
    I shrugged again.
    “Wait. I know what this is all about. You wanna tell him about your