1269_UgliesFreeBook

308 Scott Westerfeld
“This officer will accompany you.” Dr. Cable lifted a
finger, and a Special appeared at her side. “And just to keep
you safe from your Smokey friends, we’ll make it look like
you’ve been a brave resistor.”
The Special pulled Tally’s hands together behind her
back, and she felt plastic bite into her wrists again.
She took a breath, her pulse pounding in her head,
then forced herself to say, “Whatever.”
“This way.”
Tally led the Special toward the trading post, taking in
the situation. The Smoke had been beaten into silence.
Fires were left to burn freely. Some were already exhausted,
clouds of smoke still rising from the blackened wood and
swirling through the camp.
A few faces turned to look up with suspicion at Tally.
She was the only Smokey still walking around. Everyone
else was on the ground, handcuffed and under guard, most
of them gathered near the rabbit pen.
She tried to give those who saw her a grim smile, hoping
they noticed that she was handcuffed just like they
were.
When they reached the trading post, Tally looked up. “I
hid it on the roof.”
The Special eyed the building suspiciously. “All right,
then,” he said. “You wait here. Sit down and don’t stand up.”
She shrugged, kneeling carefully.