Chapter 18

To see Monica in a festive mood was something new to me. She smiled and laughed a lot more than usual and I couldn’t help but wonder if that was her life before the shriekers came into it; before I came into it. I couldn’t help but blurt out a question that I wished I could take back.

“What made you join me?”

Her mood changed in an instant, as if a dark cloud had blocked out the sun.

“I wanted to help.”

“But why help those who are to blame for your brother’s death?”

“I don’t blame you, Leon. What happened was unfortunate but I know that you didn’t mean for it to happen – Are you alright?”

She seemed worried.

“I’m fine.”

“No you’re not. The veins on your forehead look like they are about to burst open. Tell me what’s bothering you.”

“It’s this crowd."

We found a quiet place to sit and I was grateful for it because all the loud noises and joyful heartbeats around us were giving me a headache. Tuning them out takes a lot of ef