Glitch

nally said. “We found each other again,
    and you’re never going to lose me,” I said.
    He smiled, leaning down to kiss me back, a deep kiss that
    let loose all the passion and fear and hurt and hope that must
    have built up inside him.
    Eventually he pulled away. It was getting late, but I didn’t
    want him to go.
    “Soon we’ll be away from here,” he whispered, one hand
    stroking the hair around my face. “You’ll be safe.”
    “Why are we suddenly leaving so soon?” I asked after a
    few quiet minutes. “What about my allergies?”
    He paused, his hand midstroke through my hair. His
    body tensed under my hands. “I just have a bad feeling,” he
    fi nally whispered. “Like I’m not seeing things right. I don’t
    know why I didn’t see what happened today coming.” His
    eyebrows cinched up in worry. “Something is off with my
    Gift. If I can’t trust my visions, we’re completely in the dark.
    It’s too risky.”
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    I wrapped my arms around his chest and squeezed. “I’m
    sure your visions will sort themselves out.”
    I closed my eyes, wishing guiltily that I could stay like
    this forever. Suddenly I felt his body stiff en in my arms.
    My eyes fl ew open, thinking Markan or my parents had
    opened the door to my room, but it was fi rmly shut. I looked
    at Adrien. His face was frozen, his eyes vacant.
    “Adrien!” I whispered, shaking him. His body was rigid.
    He didn’t respond. My heart monitor was about to start vi-
    brating, but then he blinked and looked like himself again.
    “Adrien, are you okay?”
    His face was pale and there was a sheen of sweat across his
    forehead. I’d seen that look before. He’d had a vision.
    “Was it Juan?” I asked worriedly.
    “No.” He looked at me, eyes wide. “We have to escape.
    Now. Tomorrow.”
    “What?” I sat up, matching his alarm. “Why, what did you
    see?”
    “Molla’s pregnant.”
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Chapter 21
    “wait, what?” i aske d, completely confused. “That’s
    not possible. She’s too young. They wouldn’t have let her into
    the fertility clinic.”
    “There are other ways.” He slammed his fi st into his open
    palm. “Max! Godlam’d shunting fool,” he said, his face furi-
    ous. He looked away. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have just
    dropped it on you like that. I mean . . .” He swallowed. “I
    understand if you’re . . . jealous.”
    “I don’t understand,” I said quickly, “I thought he felt very
    intensely about me. ”
    “Um, well . . .” He trailed off , looking up like he was
    trying to fi gure out the words. “Not everyone has strong
    feelings for just one person at a time.”
    He ran a hand through his hair. “Anyway, the point is we
    have to get her out. Now. Molla’s never been the best at hid-
    ing her emotions. She won’t know what to do, and she’s
    going to know something’s wrong. Someone’s bound to
    fi nd out. And if that happens, we’re all cracked.”
    I frowned. “Well, wait. It was a vision of the future,
    right? So maybe eventually they will, what did you call it?
    Fall in love. That’s good,” I said, smiling as I thought about
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    it. “He should be happy with someone who can love him
    back.”
    “Zoe, it didn’t feel like something far off in the future. It
    seemed like she’s pregnant now. Present time. We have to
    get out immediately.”
    I felt the tugging guilt when I looked at Markan at break-
    fast, the next morning but the feeling was followed by one
    of determination. I might have failed Daavd, but I would
    save Markan. We’d get him out. He’d be safe with me, and
    even if he didn’t turn out to be a glitcher, he’d be safe
    and free. The thought brought a fl ush of happiness.
    In spite of all the worries about Juan and Molla, I had to
    work hard not to break into a giant grin every time my
    thoughts wandered back to Adrien. My Adrien. I wished I
    could let out shouts of happiness that echoed down all the
    monotone tunnels. I wanted to dance on the gray subway
    platform and grin until my face cracked in half. I caught
    myself before I actually broke into a smile, and instead, sat
    down at the table to eat my protein patty.
    I noticed my father watching me, his gaze uncomfortably
    observant. I took a big bite of bread even though it felt thick
    in my throat. Just a little while longer, I thought. Just a little
    while longer and I’d be free from the stalking eye of the
    Community. Adrien said he’d arrange our escape and that