1269_UgliesFreeBook

362 Scott Westerfeld
“We’ll just have to make sure they don’t see us.”
“Sure. Or hope they’ve got something else to do that
night.”
Tally trudged ahead, exhaustion taking over now that
they were safely out of the city, her confidence ebbing with
every step. They’d traveled all this way without thinking
very hard about the task ahead of them. Rescuing people
from Special Circumstances wasn’t just another ugly-trick,
like stealing a bungee jacket or sneaking up the river. It was
serious business.
And although Croy, Shay, Maddy, and Az were probably
all prisoners in those horrible underground buildings, there
was always the possibility that the Smokies had been taken
somewhere else. And even if they hadn’t, Tally had no idea
exactly where they’d be inside the warren of puke-brown
hallways.
“I just wish we had some help,” she said softly.
David’s hand settled on her shoulder, bringing her to a
halt. “Maybe we do.”
She looked at him questioningly, then followed his gaze
down toward the ruins. At the top of the highest spire, the
last few flickers of a safety sparkler were sputtering out.
There were uglies down there.
“They’re looking for me,” he said.
“So what do we do?”
“Is there any other way back to the city?” David asked.
“No. They’ll come hiking right up this path.”