Within These Walls

Chapter 34

Willow's eyes widen. Even though her face says guilty, the way she's shaking her head claims otherwise. "No," she whispers. "You think you have everything figured out, but you're wrong. I don't know anything."

I hate fighting with Willow, but I can't to let this go. Everything is riding on it. "Please, Willow. Just tell us the truth. You've kept a lot of things from us. About Sam, about the Blanks—so much that could have helped us. Don't let this be another secret. I know you've been visiting the Takers every night since we got here. You have to tell us how."

Excited voices pick up around us. I see more than a few angry faces. I don't want them angry at her, but maybe a rude awakening is what she needs. She has to understand we're on our own here. Sam won't save her any more than he'll save me.

Alec steps closer to her. "Tell her, Willow. Dammit, just—"

He's interrupted by a furious cry from the circle of kids observing us. "You bitch!" a guy screams, breaking through the audience.

He swings the bloody metal pipe in his hands. I hear the horrifying thump when it strikes the back of her head. She crumples to the floor, unmoving.

My chest is ice-cold. I barely notice Marcus when he steps forward to contain the rest of the agitated masses, or when Alec growls low in his throat and charges the attacker. I race over to Willow and turn her over on her back. Her eyes are closed. She looks dead.

Fingers trembling, I search for her pulse and sag with relief when my fingers locate it. My stupidity didn't get her killed.

A few people are restraining Alec. He's struggling against their hold and yelling at them to let him have another shot at the attacker. "She's alive, Alec," I shout.

"Willow?" he says in a soft voice. He shrugs off the grip the guys have on him and falls to his knees next to her, shaking her shoulders.

She groans and moves her head slightly, her eyes squeezed shut. "It hurts."

He cups her cheek, and the pain gradually fades from her face. Marcus grabs her attacker by the front of his shirt. "You're lucky I'm not throwing you in with the Blanks. Touch her again, and it'll be the last thing you do. You got that?"

The guy's head bobs. Marcus shoves him away and turns to us.

"Willow," he says. "Is there a way out of here?"

Alec glares up at him. "Can't you see she's hurt? Give her time, asshole."

"We don't have time," Marcus snaps.

Willow puts a hand on Alec's shoulder. "It's okay. I'm fine. Let's just get this over with."

He helps her to her feet, the muscles in his jaw tight in a way that makes him look dangerous. "If you're going to interrogate her like she's a criminal, the least you can do is get her out of here so there's no chance anyone will try to bash her skull in."

I trail after them as they head out of the cafeteria, my heart heavy with guilt. Janie and Adam are with us, but Eli isn't. He stays put where he is, smiling with amusement as he watches us leave. I'm not surprised Willow's wellbeing isn't on his list of pressing concerns.

Alec helps Willow over to the bleachers when we get to the gymnasium. She collapses on the bench, protesting when he tries to take away her pain again. "You know it makes my head feel fuzzy when you do that. I need to think."

"I'm not going to sit here and do nothing while you're in pain, so don't bother asking."

She looks at him, her lips parted in surprise. Something passes between them, so tangible I don't know how I ever missed the history between them. She looks away first, frowning, and nods in resignation. Alec wraps his hand around hers and holds it tightly.