1269_UgliesFreeBook

UGLIES 127
“Yeah.” The words came out so easily. “I’ll be there as
soon as I can. I promise.”
He sighed and hugged her tight, rocking her softly.
Tears rose up in her again.
Peris finally released her, and looked out at the sunny day.
“I should go.” He waved at the door. “You know, before
the . . . thingies . . . all wake up.”
“Of course.”
“It’s almost past my bedtime, and you’ve got a big day
ahead of you.”
Tally nodded. She’d never felt so exhausted. Her muscles
ached, and her face and hands had started stinging again. But
she was overwhelmed with relief. This nightmare had begun
three months ago, when Peris went across the river. And
soon it would end.
“Okay, Peris. I’ll see you soon. As soon as possible.”
He hugged her again, kissed her salty, scratched cheeks,
and whispered, “Maybe in just a couple of days. I’m so
excited!”
He said good-bye and left, checking both ways down the
corridor before departing. Tally looked out the window for
another glance at Peris, and realized that a hovercar was waiting
for him below. Pretties really did get whatever they wanted.
Tally wanted nothing more than to fall asleep, but acting
on her decision couldn’t wait. She knew that with Peris
gone, the doubts would come back again and haunt her.
She couldn’t stand another day like this, not knowing if her