Page 66 of The Hollowed
Cipher stepped forward with a bright smile and explained why they’d been sent there. Luci couldn’t understand the exchange entirely, but she managed to relax just a touch when Cipher smiled again after his last words.
The guard studied him for deceit before giving a nod andtapping at his earpiece. He spoke to someone in Spanish and then raised the signal for the guys at the top to open the gate.
“Buena suerte,” the guard said, offering them a gentle smile before ruffling Jace’s hair as the boy passed. It struck Luci how oddly comforting it was to receive such a simple gesture after everything they’d been through.
Once inside, they were handed off to a second pair of guards — a younger man and a woman.
“My name is Elena, and this is Carlos,” the woman said. Her Spanish accent was soft and melodic, making their names sound more beautiful coming from her lips than Luci could’ve managed on her best day.
“The medical wing is on the west side of the campus,” Elena continued. “Carlos will take the boy there. The rest of you will come with me so we can get you settled and assigned to rooms.”
Myra stepped forward, her expression full of concern. “I’m not leaving him.”
Elena nodded without hesitation. “Of course. If you’re family then you’re welcome to accompany him while he’s evaluated.”
Luci felt the group shift at that. It might have been the first time a request of theirs was fulfilled without any pushback.
“Can we all go with him?” Luci asked before she could stop herself.
Elena’s smile turned a touch apologetic. “I’m afraid we only allow medical personnel or family members into the wing. It’s just a precaution, but you’re welcome to keep your weapons if that makes you feel safer while you’re apart.”
Luci glanced toward Alex then Myra. The plan had been to stick together, but the sincerity in Elena’s voice and the absence of hostility in their demeanor soothed some of the tension between them. For now, at least, they weren’t prisoners, and Jace was being taken somewhere safe.
Somewhere that might actually help.
Alex shifted his weight and took a step closer. “When can we see each other again?”
Carlos, who had been quiet until now, glanced between Jace and Myra before answering. “The director is currently with patients, but once she’s finished, you’ll all be reunited. She wants to speak with everyone personally, especially you two,” he added, his gaze flickering to Luci and Alex with a touch of recognition.
The guard seemed to notice the subtle tension threading through their group so he softened his tone. “And just so you know, you’re not trapped here. If at any point you want to leave, you’re free to do so. This isn’t a prison, it’s a community. You’re here because someone thought you were worth protecting.”
Luci felt Alex’s hand brush against hers, and for the first time since they left the facility, she let herself believe that maybe, just maybe, they’d found somewhere that wasn’t trying to use them.
After being reassured that there were doctors who spoke English, Myra gave them one last smile before following Carlos and Jace down a different path. Luci, Alex, Cipher, and Luna continued behind Elena. The further they walked, the more surreal it all became.
People roamed freely without weapons in hand or fear in their eyes. Children played barefoot in the roads, and their laughter spilled into the air as they kicked a soccer ball back and forth. Strings of paper flowers were hung between buildings and makeshift shops stood open, offering everything from clothing to jars of fruit preserves. It looked more like a festival than a sanctuary and it made Luci’s chest ache with the realization that peace like this had still been possible somewhere.
Eventually, Elena guided them to a dormitory building. She held the door open long enough for them to pass and thenguided them upstairs. “We can only spare two rooms at the moment,” she said. “Split them how you’d like.”
Cipher took one without hesitation, disappearing inside. Elena handed the second key to Luci, who exchanged a look with Alex before accepting it.
“There’s a bathroom in each room,” Elena explained. “The sheets are clean and filtered water comes straight through the taps. Just try to keep your showers short, we still conserve where we can. Someone will stop by soon with fresh clothes, hygiene kits, and a meal. You’re free to rest, explore, or wait for your meeting with the director.”
She hesitated. “Carlos was telling the truth — you’re not prisoners here. If you ever feel the need to leave, the gates will open for you.”
“Thank you,” Luci said, knowing that she shouldn’t feel safe but not being able to help herself.
And with that, Elena turned, and the door clicked shut behind her.
Chapter 29
Lucilla
“Ashower sounds nice, doesn’t it?” Luci said, glancing at Alex.
They hadn’t had a single second to breathe since leaving Sanctum Medical, and while she wasn’t naive enough to believe they were completely out of danger, the promise of warm water and soap felt like the closest thing to heaven she could ask for.
Alex leaned back against the edge of the bed where Luna was already laying. A small smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. “We should probably take one together. You know, to conserve water,” he said, lifting a brow. “And because I’m injured and all.”