Read Broken World (Book 6): Forgotten World for Free Online

though, I head to the sink with a stack of dirty dishes. I know that the longer it takes for us to make it back to Hope Springs, the jumpier Dax and his men will become—something about the big man makes me uneasy, and the last thing I want is for him to show up at our gate—but I’m reluctant to leave.
    “You don’t need to do that,” Brady says, carrying a second stack of dishes over to me.
    “It’s fine,” I say, smiling even though a part of me wants to cry. “It’s the least I can do after running out on you.”
    “You don’t need to feel bad about leaving,” Brady replies, giving me a sad smile. “We both know I could go if I really want to. I just…” He shrugs as he hands me a plate.
    I get to work rinsing the leftover scraps of food off, too choked up to say anything to him. I keep my focus on the crumbs as they swirl around the porcelain sink and disappear down the drain. I may have only known Brady for a few months, but we’ve been through a lot together. We saved his life when we found him in the woods, and he in turn saved ours when he let us inside this fence. I can’t help thinking that leaving him alone like this is a death sentence. True, Hope Springs isn’t too far away, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be around to save him if he gets in trouble. Who knows what the future will bring his way?
    “I wish you’d reconsider and come with us,” I say, still not looking at Brady.
    Out of the corner of my eye, I see him smile, but even without looking right at him, the sadness in his expression is obvious. It goes so deep that it physically hurts me.
    “I don’t think I’m meant to leave this place, to be honest. I feel a bit like I’m tethered to it, and a part of me thinks that if I tried to leave it would pull me back. It’s good to know that Hope Springs is out there and that they’re friendly. Sophia and Anne won’t be too far off, and if I get lonely it will be just a short drive down the street and I can sit and talk with old friends.”
    “Very true,” I say, but the words come out as little more than a whisper. My throat is too clogged with tears for anything more.
    Brady nods, and we finish the dishes in silence. When they’re done, we head outside together. The others are just finishing loading the cars. Meaning soon we’ll be driving away, saying goodbye to the home that kept us safe through the longest winter of our lives.
    It’s warmer this morning than it has been in months, and the sun is so bright that I’m forced to squint. For some reason, despite the pain clouding my brain, the day makes me hopeful. Like the first ray of sunshine after a storm or a rainbow after the rain. My eyes meet Hadley’s, and I smile.
    When she returns it, I say, “We aren’t through the worst of things, but I can’t help feeling like we’re nearing the finish line for good this time.”
    “I know. It’s strange, don’t you think? After all the people we saw die and all the times we worried that we would be next, there’s now a chance to erase all that.”
    “I really didn’t think it was possible.”
    Hadley smiles. “Me neither.”
    “You ready?” Axl asks, not even looking my way as he tosses the last bag into the back of the SUV.
    “I am,” I say. It isn’t a lie, even if saying goodbye is tough.
    I stand back while everyone takes turns telling the man who took us in goodbye. For Anne it’s easier because she knows she’ll see him again. For the rest of us, this could be the last time we ever see Brady.
    “You will be missed,” I say, when it’s my turn, kneeling down to give him a hug.
    Brady hugs me back, and when I pull away, there are tears in his eyes. My own eyes are oddly dry, though. Maybe I’m finally cried out.
    “You will be missed as well. Even though I can’t make myself leave this place, I think you all saved my life when you came here. Even if it was only temporary, you gave something to live for and helped me get everything in order.” Brady