The transports had no windows in the rear. Lydia had no idea how long they drove or how close they were to their destination. An hour or so passed. She tried sleeping but was too alert for that. Nobody talked and the guards kept their rifles at the ready. Heather tapped her foot nonstop and kept glancing to the front. It put Lydia on edge as well.
“Nervous?” Lydia finally asked.
“Prepared,” Heather said.
“Do you really think he knows where we are?” Lydia asked. She received a silent answer. “What makes you so sure he knows?”
“He has eyes and ears everywhere,” Heather said, resting her head on the hard wall. “If he doesn’t know, he soon will. His employees are very dedicated to him.”
“What employees? You make it sound like he runs a company, but all we found was that he’s an investor.”
Heather shook her head. “I told you: he controls various companies through figureheads. You think he’ll put himself in the spotlight for you to find? Please.”
“Then tell us how to find him.” Heather closed her eyes and turned to the side. Lydia sat back, pressing her fist into her lips. How? How to get Heather to talk? Her eyes drifted to the filter and sparked an idea. “You know, if you cooperate, we could help you.” Heather cracked an eye. “You told me in Golden Springs that Rooke offered you a cure for your ability. Dr. Barrett and Dr. Brentle could help you find a cure.”
Smirking and pointing her nose in the air, Heather said, “Sylvia’s made me the same offer in the past. Tell me, how many people have they cured?”
Lydia looked down sheepishly. “Three.”
“Completely cured?”
Lydia sighed. “One. But that’s not to say they can’t find a cure for you.”
“Oh, sure,” Heather said. “And while we’re wishing on a star, let’s ask for world peace and no more diseases. Gosh, living in a fantasy world sure is wonderful.”
“They can at least help you live with your ability,” Lydia continued.
“Like you?” Heather said, pointing at the braces. “Great job there. It’s like you’re a regular person. You blend right in as if nothing’s wrong at all.”
“They help me cope with my strength.”
“I don’t want to cope with this. Why on earth would anyone want to?” she said flatly.
“We thought the same at first.” Lydia looked at Aidan. “Abilities gained by accident that hampered us. But our abilities proved to be useful.”
Heather cut her off. “Useful? Toxins building up in my system is useful? There’s only one use this ‘ability’ has and you know what it is.”
“That’s not true,” Lydia said. “All our abilities can be helpful to ourselves or others, and we’re put in the right place at the right time to do just that.” Sylvia and Aidan listened in and smiled at her while Jando squeezed her hand.
“Ah, so I suffer involuntarily for someone else’s benefit,” Heather said. “Because it’s certainly not my own. That makes it all better and puts everything into perspective.” She sighed and rubbed her face. “They’ve indoctrinated you more than I thought.”
“No, this is me,” Lydia said, frustrated.
“Then you’re all the more foolish. You want to play hero and use your strength for the greater whatever? Fine. But don’t you dare think you’ll convince me this is some gift or that I’ll settle for anything less than a cure.”
Lydia gave up and Sylvia tightened Heather’s handcuffs. “That’s enough for now,” Sylvia said. Lydia didn’t know why she expected any difference and left her alone for the time being, leaning on Jando’s shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her waist and, to her relief, ventured no further, although Aidan did turn away from them. Up ahead, the driver announced they were an hour away from the safe house.