“And the river?” John had asked in that hotel room.
“An easy distance. Not far.”
I slid Lewis a glance. I think we’re going to leave town by boat.
“And you believe I can trust your people?” John released a harsh laugh. “You think they won’t attack me the moment they get the chance? Once again, Cameron, you think it’s so easy to pick sides, so easy to define who is bad and who is good.”
“And once again, the only person I see set to destroy this world, this life, is you.”
He released a manic laugh that worried me. “They’ve brainwashed you so easily.”
My fingers curled as I resisted the urge to lunge at him. “Don’t feed me some bull about trying to do what’s right. You’re a greedy, power-hungry monster. This is all about you and your ego; what you want. And you want power because you don’t have any.”
He spun around and gripped my upper arms so tight, I knew they’d be bruised. “We’ve done enough talking,” John growled, oozing anger.
There was a perverse part of me that took pleasure in ruffling his carefully constructed façade. The wall he created was slowly crumbling. I felt Lewis’ protective anger surge around me and gave a discreet shake of my head, telling him not to intervene.
“By all means,” I said innocently. “Don’t let me keep you from your destiny.”
One of the guards stepped between me and Lewis, shoving me forward.
I resisted the urge to curse. The river was close. Too close. I wouldn’t have much time to save Lewis and escape. We rounded a tunnel and paused at a steel door. We were in a section of the tunnels where I’d never been. I glanced at Lewis, but he seemed just as lost as I felt. The stone was rougher, crumbly, as if older. Or maybe no one had repaired it. Wherever we were, it was obvious no one came here often. I needed to act now and fast.
Slowly, I reached out with my mind, testing the mental strength of the guards around me. Could I break through and take them all down, without hurting Lewis in the process? I bit my lower lip. Lewis was already weakened, if my energy pierced his mental wall, he’d be gone for sure. I was torn between wanting to escape and wanting to keep Lewis safe.
The guard who had forced me from the hotel room suddenly grabbed my upper arm. “Don’t,” he hissed in my ear.
Startled, I didn’t say a word as he moved around me and punched in the code to unlock the door. Somehow he’d known I was in that hotel room the other night. Somehow he knew the codes. Somehow he knew what I was thinking even before I reacted. Was this man the carrier of the source?
They shoved the door open, revealing a huge warehouse, empty of life, full of history. The immense glass windows looked out over the river, rain slashing against the glass and obscuring our view. We were high up, the second floor. The wooden floorboards were dusty and bare, indicating no one had been here in some time. So they’d entered through a different entrance.
The door shut behind us and I released the air I didn’t realize I held. We were out of the tunnels, away from my family. We moved across the dusty floor and I realized that this was the moment I needed; the only moment I might have to put my plan into place. First things first, get rid of Lewis.
“Owen,” John demanded, nodding toward the rusty door; what I assumed was an entrance at some point in time. “The key.”
The guard who had forced me from the hotel room took out a key and pulled open the door. Interestingly there was no electronic keypad. The scent of musty air swirled into the factory; a rough gust that sent me stumbling back. Rain came down sideways, slashing at us and pouring into the warehouse. I was soaked immediately, the cold air chilling my skin.
“Go,” John shoved me toward a rickety metal staircase that curved down the brick side of the warehouse.
I gripped the slick railing, the stairs trembling under my weight. The rain was cold, but I welcomed the drops. My hesitation would be blamed on the weather and not my plan of attack. I waited… waited until they were all outside the door. As the last guard stepped over the threshold, dragging Lewis with him, I acted. I spun around, and using all the mental energy I had, shoved Lewis back into the warehouse. I saw his look of shock right before I mentally slammed the door shut. I could only hope that in his state it would take him some time to break the lock.
With Lewis safe, I didn’t hesitate but spun around and jumped. It was a long way down and when my feet hit the cobbled stones, my ankles twisted painfully. The pain was worth it. I knew they wouldn’t go after Lewis, they’d come after me.
“Get her!” I heard John scream.
My skin prickled in warning. I scrambled to my feet and raced forward, back toward the city. Every muscle in my body demanded I run; my instincts screamed at me to escape. I’d made it only ten steps when the pain sliced through my brain. I cried out, stumbling, then falling to my knees. They were on me before I could plan a counter attack. Firm fingers bit into my upper arms, jerking me upright. I threw my energy at the man holding me, the same man who had forced me from the hotel room on my mental jaunt.
“Stop,” he whispered. “You’re making things worse.”
“Screw you,” I muttered.
“We’ve improved our chips,” John called out quite casually from the steps. “It’s quite hard to break through them now.”
“Don’t run,” the man holding me hissed.
I was shoved forward, forced toward the river.
“Sir, you want me to go after the boy?”
“No, Owen. Leave him. We don’t have time and besides, he’ll be locked in there for awhile.” He gripped my arm and jerked me down an alley. “Now see, you made a scene for no reason. Your boyfriend will probably rot in that warehouse and you’re still here.”
What he didn’t realize was that Lewis was great with mechanics. He’d be out within a few minutes. I could only pray that he’d be smart and find my mom, instead of coming after me. So I’d been caught. That was okay, I’d find another way to escape. All that mattered was Lewis was safe.
I brushed the clumps of wet hair from my face and concentrated on my surroundings. Sure enough the river lay below, just visible between the buildings. My ankles throbbed as I wobbled over the slick, cobbled street. A road that was probably around when our family tree had been written and would probably still be here long after we kicked the bucket, which might be sooner rather than later. It was dark enough from the storm and late enough in the evening that the gas lamps flickered along the brick and stone buildings lining River Street.
A police officer rounded the corner. “Excuse me.” He shouldered past us and started toward his patrol car, parked behind a restaurant. “Better find shelter,” he called out.
“Will do,” John replied with a wave.
I glanced longingly at the cop, but what could a police officer do? John would only hurt him, or use mind control. I glanced at the cop one last time before John led me around another building and out onto River Street. Lightning branched across the dark clouds, moments later thunder shook the very air around us. Rain hit my face like a thousand tiny needles. The storm was bad, really bad and I wondered how in the heck we were going to take a boat down the river on waves so high they were sloshing over the bank and flooding the sidewalk.
“And after we get on the boat?” I managed to ask as we crossed River Street, sliding and stumbling over the wet road.
“Don’t worry about that.”
A few boats bobbed up and down on the rough waves along the river. Only one vessel had a captain waiting at the wheel. It was a blue, nondescript boat that didn’t exactly look like it would make it down the river let alone out to sea. John wouldn’t have to kill me, I’d drown.
Frantic, I glanced around the riverfront. A few homeless people sat on the benches down the sidewalk, huddled under plastic bags. Too far away to be any good. A few tourists were up the street, near the shop fronts but they were rushing down the sidewalk searching for shelter from the rain. No Aaron. No Lewis. No mom. There was no one
but me.
“On the boat,” John demanded.
“Why?” I snapped over the roar of the wind. If I got on that vessel, I knew I’d be as good as captured. I might be able to move water, but I sure as heck couldn’t move an entire river. I’d be truly stuck. “Why go by water during a storm? Are you seriously that crazy?”
“Get in,” he demanded, shoving me toward the water’s edge.
There had to be a reason we were going by river. Yeah, it might be easier to get out of the state via boat, but not like this, not when a storm this fierce was so close to land. I brushed the rain from my face. Why? Why?
Suddenly, it hit me.
“Natural elements,” I said as I spun around to face him. “When we were at the compound you guys said that dirt and rocks can muffle mind reading ability. Water does too, doesn’t it?”
John didn’t answer, but instead turned toward his men. “Go. Split up.” The four men following us divided, two headed down the sidewalk as if keeping watch, two staying with us.
“You think my mother doesn’t already know where we are. You think she won’t be able to find me? Using water as insulation won’t help you.”
I reached out again, using all the energy I had. Nothing happened. It was like hitting a brick wall. Owen, the man from the hotel room, the man who looked so familiar, grabbed my arm as John headed toward the line securing the boat to the dock.
“Go along with it,” Owen whispered in my ear, pulling me toward the vessel.
Startled, for a moment I merely allowed him to push me aboard. Go along with what? Who the heck was he? A wave crashed into the ship, sending me stumbling across the deck. Salt water splashed over the edge, dousing me and taking my momentary attention. My skin had permanent goose bumps. I crossed my arms over my chest, shivering.
John pulled the dock line from the cleat, freeing the boat.
Desperate, I searched the riverfront. “She will find me,” I whispered.
“And we’ll be ready if she does,” John responded, jumping aboard, the other guard following.
I’d barely gotten my sea legs when the boat lurched forward, the engine roaring to life over the sound of crashing waves. Clinging to the railing, I watched helplessly as we followed the river, further and further away from town. Alone, I was completely alone.
We were leaving. I hadn’t escaped. Mom hadn’t come. Exhausted, I sank onto a crate, wrapping my arms around myself and attempting to get warm. This is what I had wanted, wasn’t it? To give myself up, so the others wouldn’t be hurt?
“Here,” John shoved a lifejacket toward me.
“How kind,” I muttered, pulling the bulky vest over my chest and snapping the buckle closed. The vest was one offer I wouldn’t reject; I might need it.
Owen headed into the cabin, standing in the dry warmth with the captain. John was pulling on a brilliant yellow raincoat. He barely paid any attention to me, he knew he’d won. I was just something to be used; not even human. The other guard watched the shoreline.
“When’s it going to happen?” someone asked, the words warbled and murky. I stiffened, realizing my powers were kicking in.
“Soon. They’ll be waiting.”
Owen and the captain were speaking.
I narrowed my eyes, focusing on them. We were meeting another boat soon. Once I was at open sea, any chance of escape would be over. The frantic need to escape clawed at me. I glanced at the churning waves, hitting our boat and splashing over the edge. There was only one option. If I was going to jump, I had to do it now, before we hit open sea where the water would be really rough and the shore too far away to swim.
I stood, my heart in my throat. Dare I try it? John thought he had won, he’d most likely called off his men by now. The water was choppy, the boat bouncing over the waves, but the lifejacket would help and I had no other alternative. I tightened my grip on the railing as the wind whipped at my hair and salt water splashed over the edge of the boat, soaking my tennis shoes.
“Inside the cabin,” John demanded, heading toward me. “Once we hit open seas, you’ll be transferred to another boat.”
Just as I’d assumed. He started to reach for me, but we hit a wave. The boat flew up into the air. John fell back into the cabin door and I knew this was my shot at escape. I took a step back, then surged forward. Gripping the railing, I threw my legs over and closed my eyes…waiting to hit the deadly waves.
Before I touched the water, I was jerked back. I had only a brief second to realize I was flying through the air before I hit the deck hard. John and Owen hovered over me, rain trailing down their faces. I hadn’t been touched, but someone had used their powers to pull me back.
“Stupid!” John screamed over the roar of the wind and waves. “You could have killed yourself!”
I knew he didn’t care about me, but the powers he would lose.
Owen gripped my arms and hauled me to my feet. “Idiot.”
I didn’t care what they thought, no, I was too upset over the fact that I’d lost my one chance to escape. John stepped close to me, his face furious. “I don’t give a damn what your mother and her friends do, but I swear to God, you try something like that again and I will kill them just for the fun of it.”
He spun around and stomped toward the cabin.
“Come on.” Owen led me toward the door.
I’d be out of the rain, but stuck with John. I’d rather take my chances with the storm.
Before I entered the cabin, I glanced toward the fading shore. I could only pray that Lewis had broken out of the warehouse and gotten to my mother in time.
Perhaps I’d escape. Perhaps they’d come to my rescue. Or perhaps I’d be imprisoned for the rest of my life. Whatever happened, it didn’t matter because I had done my job. I had saved them, the people I loved…my family.
Chapter 24
The moment I stepped into the shelter of the cabin, John shoved me onto a bench. “Stupid move, Cameron.”
I shrugged off his touch, ignoring the shudder that went through me. “Not really. I don’t think you get it, I’d rather be at the bottom of the ocean than working for you.”
His lips lifted into a sneer, the anger in his eyes burning. I’d wanted to push him over the edge and I had. Now I wasn’t so sure it had been a good idea. Why was he so nervous? And I could tell by his jerky movements that he was anxious.
“Pull another stunt like that and your mother is dead.”
I crossed my arms over my chest, wishing my body would stop trembling. He’d gloat if I looked weak. “Doubtful. Most likely Lewis has already warned her. You see Lewis has this amazing ability; he can manipulate mechanics, which you should have known when he broke out of his cell at the compound. The lock won’t hold him.” I shook my head as if disappointed. “You really, really should have known that.”
John stared long and hard at me, as if trying to uncover the truth, assuming I’d lied since everyone else did. But I’d obviously cracked that assuredness he carried around like a freaking badge from an all American boy scout. I refused to fidget under his intense gaze, but kept my attention locked on him.
“You think you have it all figured out? You believe your mother’s going to magically appear and save the day? What makes you think my men haven’t attacked her compound already?”
John was focused on me awaiting an answer, while the captain did his best to keep us from sinking. Owen stood in the corner, those eerily familiar hazel eyes taking it all in. It felt entirely too crowded in that cabin. Stuck in the small space with three men made me more than nervous; I hated feeling so helpless.
I tilted my chin high and dared to keep John’s gaze. “Call it instinct, but Lewis will find a way.”
The boat pitched to the left, sending me sliding across the bench and John stumbling into the door that led below deck. A monster wave crashed over the bow, sea water splashing against the window and obscuring our view. Was it my imagination, or did the storm seem to be getting worse?
John stumb
led back toward me and I took some satisfaction in realizing that he was no fisherman. Being on a boat obviously didn’t come naturally to him. “Sorry, but your boyfriend was most likely captured by my men. Your mother might have her little crew of rebel mind readers, but I have the U.S. government behind me.”
His words worried me, but I refused to let it show. Even if John disappeared forever, would another crazed government agent merely take his place? Would this war never end? I glanced at Owen who still stood in the corner, just watching. Would he be the next leader?
John turned toward the captain. There was something in his movements that seemed more urgent than just moments ago. Maybe there had been truth to my statement; maybe Lewis would escape.
“How far away is the main boat?”
The captain glanced at John. “Ten minutes, not far.”
Ten minutes and I’d be gone… away from the ones I loved. I took in a deep breath, trying to keep hold of what little self-possession I had left. Who knew if Mom had survived the attack. Who knew if Lewis had escaped. I’d certainly never thought to take sides, but at some point I had. They were my friends. They were my family. And in their own screwed up way, they cared about me. For a brief moment I’d had what I’d been looking for all along.
I could barely see out the window. Lights twinkled in the dark, the only indication of life. Rain and fog obscured most of the view. Through the mist, dark mounds of land rose against a muddied landscape. The site brought with sweet relief. We weren’t in open water yet. I might still have a chance, and if I didn’t make it, I’d try again, and again.
Owen reached into the cabinet underneath the wheel and handed me a wool blanket. I wondered over his weird messages and his kindness. What did he want from me? The blanket was scratchy, but warm, and I gladly accepted it. I didn’t bother to thank him, but wrapped the itchy material around my shoulders.
My fingers had grown numb and I worried I wouldn’t be able to escape when the time was right. I glanced out the back window. Only one guard remained on deck, huddled in his bright yellow raincoat as he watched the landscape for enemies. Four against one. I took my lower lip between my teeth. Dare I try to break into their minds again? I glanced at John. He paced nervously around the cabin, no longer even attempting to look at ease.