Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 110757 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110757 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
What the hell happened to him on that island? I just can’t figure it out. There’s no way Marcus would ever tell Ingrid he’s the leader of an anti-New America uprising. She knew, though.
How did she know? They must have hypnotized him or something. If they have the power to wipe out his memories and entire personality, they could also have a way of seeing what was in his mind before this.
“I know you all have questions, and the time to ask those questions will come. For now, I need you to trust me. Commander Voss and her soldiers are going to secure our camp and keep us safe so we can focus on restructuring. I need to be briefed on the volcano and the damage.”
My focus fades as my mind wanders. Where are Nova and the others? We don’t have a holding cell anymore. They could be captives on the boat Ingrid brought here, or ...
I can’t think about that possibility. I have to believe they’re still alive. They’re in danger, though.
I smile at Amira. “Thanks for bringing me all those canteens earlier. I can’t believe you filled all of them up. Next time we practice archery at our spot, I’ll bring them.”
After a second, she nods. “So we’re hanging out later? Like an hour?”
“Not that long.”
“Okay. See you soon.”
Amira and I know each other so well that I have no doubt she got my message. Fill as many canteens as you can and meet me at the spot in the woods where we practice shooting. I’ll be there as soon as I can.
I’m sick with worry for Marcus. He’s no longer himself in every way that matters, but I can’t fall apart over it. I need to find my friends and get them somewhere safe.
My heart races on my walk to the Sub, where I quickly unlock the thick metal trapdoor embedded in the floor of McClain’s office. I take out the aromium switch and pack it into the backpack I grabbed from the gun room. Nova gave me one key, kept another one for herself, and locked the other two keys inside the storage area with the switch. We wouldn’t let Marcus have access to them since he almost died after his last aromium switch.
I add a few guns and some ammo to the backpack, but I’m careful to keep it lightweight so it doesn’t draw attention.
My mind races as I leave the Sub. This is a dangerous move, but it’s the only one I have.
In the center of camp, Olin is sitting with the Rising Tide children in the shade of a tree, one of Ingrid’s soldiers counting the kids. I walk over, smiling sheepishly.
“Olin, I’m restocking and I can’t carry one of the crates I need by myself. Can you give me a hand?”
“Sure.” He gets up from the ground, looking at the soldier and saying, “I’ll be right back.”
“Olin!” one of the girls calls after him.
My heart squeezes. I’m about to force him to make a tough decision.
“Are we going to the storage room?” he asks, falling into step beside me.
I nod, checking to make sure no one can overhear us. “I have to get out of here. Now,” I say softly. “Please come with me.”
Olin played everyone at Rising Tide for a long time, convincing them all he was mute. He doesn’t show any reaction as we continue walking to the supply room.
“What about the kids?”
“I think they’ll be okay. I think all the Tiders will be okay. It’s the rest of us I’m worried about, and I need help.”
“Okay. What should I do?”
I breathe easier knowing he’s willing to come. I slide the straps of my pack from my shoulders.
“You know the place you went with me and Amira to practice archery a couple weeks ago? Go there and hide. I’ll be there soon.”
I pass him the backpack and he takes it, nodding. “Where are you going?”
“To get someone else.”
“I can help you.”
I lock my eyes onto his. “Getting yourself and that pack to a safe place is how you’re helping me. I’ll be there soon. Go.”
Turning before he can say anything else, I move to the side of a tool storage shed, then behind it, where I’m out of sight.
The sun hasn’t set, but dark-gray storm clouds loom above, smothering the sunlight. It makes it easier to creep from building to building unseen.
My hand twitches with the urge to pull my gun from my holster. But I can’t risk it. If Ingrid’s soldiers stop me, I need to be able to play dumb.
I move into the jungle, using it for cover until I’m back at the beach where Ingrid’s giant boat is docked. I count fifteen uniformed soldiers, some still stacking crates on the beach.
There, Chance, Adele, and Stella are sitting in the sand, all three handcuffed. Two armed soldiers are guarding them, one of them mopping sweat from his brow with the back of his hand and then looking up at the sky.