Read The Steel Harvest for Free Online Page B

quivering in the dark.
    “Hey, you okay—”
    A quiet sob cut him off, echoing through the small room.
    Damn.
    Before he knew it, Carter stood, stepping across the small distance between the beds. Reaching forward, he tried to put his hand on Silvia’s shoulder, but she quickly pulled away, refusing to meet his gaze. As she sat facing away from him, Carter tried again. Silvia stiffened, but this time she didn’t retaliate. Slowly, she leaned on his side, her sobs lessening.
    “I-I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be crying, I just…”
    “No, it’s fine. You’ve been through a lot today.”
    “Yeah, thanks…”
    Wiping her eyes, Silvia pulled herself away. Carter stayed glued to his spot. He watched as she stood and cracked open the window, breathing in the night air.
    “Hey, is this your first time on the surface?”
    “Yeah, why?”
    Carter smiled. Standing, he grabbed his hoodie from the bed and tossed it to Silvia. She caught it, studying Carter quizzically.
    “What are you—”
    “Come on, let’s go get some food before we turn in for the night. As long as you’re stuck here, you might as well soak in the sights and sounds of the surface world, right? That way, you’ll have one hell of a story to tell when you get home.”
    Silvia’s face immediately brightened as a truly childish grin broke out. Slipping on the hoodie, she nodded furiously. Carter held back a chuckle. In that moment, she resembled a puppy more than she did a girl from The Shell.
    “Will there still be anywhere open? It looked like everyone was closing up when we walked into town.”
    “Those were just the goods vendors. Food stands and pubs stay open until curfew starts. We still have an hour or so before we need to be inside for the night.”
    Silvia didn’t argue. Grabbing Carter’s arm, she practically dragged him down the stairs.
    Once out on the street, Silvia slowed. Seizing the opportunity, Carter pulled her hood up over her head. Silvia promptly shot him a glare. Carter returned the look as solemnly as he could.
    “Listen, I know you may not like it, but it’s best if we keep that mark of yours hidden in public, okay? Your eyes, too. They’ll attract the wrong kind of attention, trust me.”
    Silvia looked up at him in surprise but nodded. For a moment, they walked in silence. Then Silvia sighed.
    “What’s wrong?”
    “I don’t know, I just…” She stared at the ground and then touched the back of her neck with her hand. “When other people point my mark out, it just makes me feel…I don’t know, spoiled or something.”
    Carter did his best to suppress his grin. “Well, don’t worry, your mark means nothing to me and it’ll mean quite the opposite to everyone else. Here on the surface, nobody spoils anyone—you either survive or you don’t.”
    Silvia smiled faintly, wordlessly adjusting the hood over her head. Despite the cold, the alcohol in Carter’s system flushed his bare arms with heat.
    It’s a beautiful night.
    Stepping onto Main Street, Carter avoided the barrage of glances coming their way. Even with her hood up, Silvia drew attention like honey did flies. Carter couldn’t deny how bewitching she could be.
    Still, I wish they’d all stop staring.
    “How about here? They have pretty good food,” Carter said, stopping and pointing toward the nearest stall.
    Silvia nodded, shooting him a mischievous grin. “Anything to get away from all those prying eyes, huh? People might get the wrong idea.”
    Carter scoffed, trying to act indignant.
    S-she noticed?
    Silvia burst out laughing, drawing even more eyes. “Sorry, I just couldn’t resist.”
    As she wiped her eyes, Carter shot her a glare, but she ignored him. She instead focused on the signs over the stall.
    Damn, she’s good. I’ve gotta keep my guard up, or she’s going to be the death of me.
    “Hey, I’ve never heard of most of these foods before,” Silvia muttered, flicking a glance in Carter’s direction. “What’s good?”
    “Um,