1269_UgliesFreeBook

376 Scott Westerfeld
against it. She imagined herself bouncing from one wall to
another all the way down, coming to a soft landing already
broken and bleeding.
Tally kept her arms close to her sides.
At least she was sure the jacket would work in here.
Elevators used the same magnetic lifters as any other hovercraft,
so there was always a solid metal plate at the bottom.
After a long count of five, the jacket gripped Tally. She
bounced twice, straight up and down, then settled onto a
hard surface and found herself in silence and absolute
blackness. Stretching out her hands, she felt the four walls
around her. Nothing suggested the inside of closed doors.
Her fingers came away greasy.
Tally peered upward. A tiny shaft of light shone above,
and she could just make out David’s face peering down. She
pursed her lips to whistle, but stopped.
A muffled sound came from below her feet. Someone
talking.
She crouched, trying to grasp the words. But all Tally
could hear was the razor sound of a cruel pretty’s voice. The
mocking tone reminded her of Dr. Cable.
Without warning, the floor dropped out from under
her. Tally struggled to keep her footing. When the elevator
stopped again, one of her ankles twisted painfully under
her weight, but she managed not to fall.
The sound below her faded. One thing was certain
now: The complex wasn’t empty.