“We made it as far as Columbus. Ran out of fuel. The group that took us in told us that the only government-controlled safehouse still standing in the city had taken the majority of the resources. It’s… bleak out there, Brandon. Very bleak. Sing Sing is paradise compared to what I’ve seen of the rest of the country,” Lexi explained. “I did some heavy trading with another group of survivors, managed to get enough fuel to get me back here.” She didn’t mention Tallis and her group. Not yet. Better to let people think they weren’t closely associated.
She nodded. “I’m glad to at least not be alone.” Lonely was another matter entirely.
“I already put your reputation through the ringer once. I’d rather avoid doing it again. Besides, I might just stand a slightly better chance of kicking asses myself. My first lesson was mud-wrestling Charlie, if you recall.” And she’d gotten her scrawny ass beaten, naturally. But still, she wasn’t as weak as she used to be.
Lexi still felt the need to apologize; she’d never really been plagued by the need to earn somebody’s forgiveness, likely because she was more accustomed to running away from her problems. She’d done it this time, too, only now she was forced to clean up the mess she left behind.
She laughed weakly at his joke. “Word on the street still says good things happen sometimes. It’s been a while since I’ve seen much good, though, so details are a bit foggy.” He went on to explain some of Sing Sing’s positives. “Yes, you did mention a niece. I’m glad you got her back,” spoken kindly, although Lexi was only interested because Brandon saw it as a good thing. It was difficult to imagine the Leah she once knew as a mother.
Toppled a government facility. Lexi chewed on her bottom lip, nodding thoughtfully. Tallis might find that information useful and, at the very least, if she didn’t, at least Lexi could claim she’d been doing as instructed. “Really.” Impressed, interested. “Point for Sing Sing’s rebels. Or several thousand points, since I can’t imagine taking down a governmental facility would be easy.”
An eyebrow arched when Brandon mentioned Leah’s current state. “Huh. Color me shocked.” This place almost seemed like a breeding farm, with the way so many kids were running around. But Lexi didn’t say that.