“No!” I slide to his side.
He raises one finger. “Silver.” His eyes shift to something behind me.
I swivel around. Bear hobbles in my direction, closing the gap, splashing through the wet grass. He raises his hand. Anger floods my veins and charges my limbs. He stole my mother. He tortured my father. Now he’s hurt my best friend.
Fire escapes my throat and curls out of my mouth. Steam clouds between us as I heat the rain. My wings beat a powerful rhythm. Webbing forms on my palms, but I push it away. I need something else, something stronger.
Bear aims his venomous threads at me. I raise my hand, black smoke puffing from my fingertips. All the emotions I’ve felt during the two years since my mother was taken consume me. The anger at the injustice, the desperation over losing her and wanting her back, the anxiety of never knowing if she was alive, the frustration of being able to do absolutely nothing, the rage, the pure hot rage at the one person who twisted my life into a painful blur.
I march toward him. My heart beats a steady rhythm, powered by the need to see him dead. The black smoke plays over my fingers until it becomes something else entirely. In my mind, I picture President Bear’s tyrannical heart, beating without a shred of humanity. With my telekinesis, I squeeze it. Harder and harder, until his face turns as red as his eyes. All except the jagged white scar, which brightens on his cheek. He gasps and drops to his knees. The streams of webbing taper off into thin white threads.
I squeeze his heart tighter. A streak of blackness erupts from my palms toward Bear, tunneling into his chest. This power is new and unexpected, and I have no idea where I acquired it. Gritting my teeth and fighting the fatigue flooding my limbs, I pull at his heart with the black tendrils. They’re more smoke than cord and move faster than the eye can see, but they don’t dissipate in the air.
Bear’s eyes widen. His mouth drops open. He reaches for the black tendrils but can’t find purchase. Clawing at his chest, he tries to stop the attack, but I yank the heart from Bear’s chest and pull it into my hand.
President Bear falls forward. Dead.
The black, smoking tendrils surround the heart. It shudders out its last sign of life and turns black. Crumbling to ash in my hand, the wind picks up the flakes and disperses them in the air.
My body trembles as I try to rein it all back in. The black smoke puffs out of existence and my knees threaten to buckle. But I have to get to Matt. Matt. Who lies unconscious under the window, drowning in a puddle.
Blinking the rain out of my eyes, I skid to Matt’s side and place my hands on his chest. Weak breaths stutter in his lungs. The warm healing glow flickers over my fingers, taking the last of my strength as it ebbs into Matt. I don’t think it’s enough, but then he blinks and turns his head. I collapse against him.
An earth-shuddering roar snaps me back to reality, filling my ears to almost bursting. My friends surround Matt and me. All of them. Joe and Hal reload their guns, Erica nocks an arrow, one of her wings shredded to nonexistence. Paige supports Sawyer, now unconscious from Bear’s venom. He won’t have long left. My father hunches next to Kyle.
Gray clouds twist and thunder shakes the ground. The red laser beams sweep the sky, sizzling the rain into steaming, scalding drops. A hellcat stalks us. It opens its jaws and roars. Erica releases an arrow, which finds a purchase in the cat’s chest. Blood pours, but it doesn’t fall.
“We need to go,” Matt says, leaning heavily against me. My wings shrink into my back, and my bulk frame deserts me. My abilities are spent, but I can still run. I hope. I pull the last two regeneration pills out of my pocket and hand them to Sawyer and Erica. It takes a moment while Hal keeps his weapon trained on the hellcat, but eventually Erica’s wing re-knits and Sawyer’s lips and eyes flutter open.
“Did you get the flash stick?” I ask Dad.
He nods and pats his pocket. “And these.” He pulls out a crumbled mess of pills. “Invisibility. Remember, it only lasts half an hour.”
The hellcat roars again, and this time it’s met with a series of responding roars. There are more out there. We need to get out of the prison. The hellcat before us stands there, dazed, its breath misting red in the rain. Handing Matt to Hal, I step over the hulk of President Bear’s corpse. So much smaller in death. Threat extinguished, it’s hard to believe he ever held the strings to my life.
“You can never force anyone again to pay for what they don’t want,” I say to his lifeless body. “I destroyed you. Take that, you son of a bitch.”
Rain saturates the cat’s shaggy coat and runs in small rivers from its flanks and shoulders. The hellcat shudders, then collapses, giving us a brief reprieve. But I know the others will come.
“This way.” Joe waves us forward. We reach the electric fence only to find the whole thing shorted out. We all tumble through, parting the wires without hesitation. At the tall brick wall, instead of climbing over it, Joe and Hal run at it together, leaving bulk-sized shapes in the crumbling brick. We pile through in a haphazard mess that Claus would stroke his mustache at and clump together on the other side.
Several cat-shaped shadows with blinking red robotic eyes fill the recently vacated hole.
“We need to run,” Matt says, shoving the useless remote in his pocket. He takes a couple of steps, then falls.
I didn’t have the energy to heal him completely, and I pray I’ve cured the worst of it. Hal returns and picks him up.
We charge across the grass, hellcats thundering behind us. They jump and snatch with their jaws and swipe with their claws. My abilities have deserted me. I can only run at a normal human speed. Hal with Matt, Sawyer and I form the back line, my dad just ahead. Sawyer glances over his shoulder and pushes at them with his mind, making the hellcats stumble.
I go down in a slick of mud, spinning like a top over the drenched grass. A hellcat leaps at me, its jaws wide. I swivel on my butt and kick out a foot, connecting with its teeth. It howls and spins away, giving me just enough time to jump to my feet.
Ahead, the river looms, white and frothy, angry in the storm.
“Into the river!” Dad calls over the shuddering thunder. “The cats won’t follow us there.”
We run faster, straight for the twisting current. Sawyer tumbles into Hal, and all three slide across the ground, straight into the river’s waiting jaws. A hellcat chases me. I leap away from its gnashing teeth and smack straight into a boulder in the middle of the river. I’m the last one into the water.
My breath bursts out of my lungs and I cling to the rock as the current tugs at my heels. The hellcats skid to a halt on the muddy bank. They raise their heads to the bickering sky and roar.
I heave a small sigh of relief. At least Earl hasn’t taken their fear of water out of their DNA.
Sawyer screams, swirling downstream. Joe splashes toward him and grabs his arm. Matt and my dad swim through the water with Hal’s help. Erica half-flies with her saturated wings, half-leaps from rock to rock, and Paige doesn’t fare much better. Kyle blitzes across and waits on the other side.
Dragging myself around the edge of the boulder, I reach for Matt’s outstretched hand and he hauls me out of the water. I fall onto him.
Rain streams down my cheeks, and maybe a few tears. I wrap my arms around him. “I love you.”
Matt kisses my cheek. “We can’t stop now.”
“We need to keep moving!” Hal calls. The others are already fifty yards closer to the woods.
We run as a group, with Hal helping Matt and Joe throwing me over his shoulder when I stumble for a third time. It’s three miles to the cover of the forest. We charge forward, not pausing until we reach a tall oak tree, under which we huddle away from the rain. Floodlights light the prison in the distance. The hellcats remain on the riverbank, stalking up and down, looking for a way across. I catch a few glints of bright orange jumpsuits.
“Where’s Mom?” I ask.
Dad hugs me. “We’ll find her. We will.”
I crawl over
to Matt. “Are you OK?”
Matt nods. “I think you healed the worst of it. When we get back to the cave, I’ll rest.”
We walk a couple more miles into the forest and finally the rain abates. The sun appears from behind the dissipating clouds and warms the back of my neck. Water drips from the leaves above our heads, and my teeth chatter from my drenched clothing.
We stop to take stock. Matt lights a fire, which we all gather around, warming our frozen hands.
The reality of what we’ve done finally dawns on each of us. Smiles begin to spread from face to face like a contagious yawn. Murmurings of “Did you see that?” and “I can’t believe...” as we relate the part that scared each of us the most. Mutterings of congratulations, hugs and handshakes. Joe picks me up and throws me in the air. Hal scrunches Kyle on the top of his head. Sawyer blushes so hard under all the praise for freeing everyone in Bear’s office that his cheeks turn a lava red.
Around the fire, I have a little time to think. I killed President Bear. But how? Was there some ability I picked up along the way? Bear didn’t seem to have it, as surely he would have used it on me. I can’t sense it anymore, like it’s crawled into a dark depth within me. Maybe I created my own power. I’ve been filled with so much hatred that something else erupted out of me. Dad said there are a lot of unexplainables when it comes to the nanites. Is it possible for powers to evolve?
Whatever it is, it’s gone now. I’m OK. I won’t ever need something so dark again.
When we get going, Erica flutters nearby. “What are you going to do?” When I snap my head up, her eyes are on Matt. “You love him?”
Despite my weariness my heart fills with yearning. “Yes.”
She steps down to the ground and walks beside me. Unexpectedly, she touches my hand. “You need to tell Joe.”
I nod. “I will, then maybe you and he…”
“Let me stop you right there. He doesn’t feel that way about me.” Her violet eyes brighten. Pain or fatigue? Then she flies away.
Matt limps up to join me. “What was that about?”
I keep my eyes on my feet. “Just Erica being Erica.”
“Are you OK?” Matt places a hand briefly on my waist. There’s hope in his eyes. Did he even hear what I said?
“Yeah. Just about. You?”
“Just about.” He smiles, but it’s too brief.
My hand goes to my neck and toys with the pendant.
We walk through the morning. Paige joins us. “Do you think we need to worry about what’s waiting for us at the cave?”
“Because of Addison?” I ask.
Paige nods.
“We don’t know how far her betrayal reaches. We need to be careful,” Matt says.
“I knew you would say that. I was hoping you wouldn’t, but I knew it.” Her lip quivers. She must be thinking about Jacob. Did he return to safety, or something else?
“Poor Addison,” Erica says. Her shoulders are hunched and her arms circle her waist.
“She betrayed us,” Kyle snaps, his eyes glinting harder than I’ve seen before.
“It wasn’t her fault,” Erica mutters.
Kyle snorts. “She could have killed us all.”
Erica looks away. Her wings flutter a deep ocean blue. “I’m sorry.”
“What for?” Joe asks.
She refastens her damp hair and smooths her hands down her trousers. “Addison. We were friends. I should have known.”
“It’s not your fault, Erica,” I say. “She played us all.”
Erica folds her wings away.
“Leave it,” Matt says. “We can’t change what happened. We’re OK. Her actions didn’t change anything.”
Kyle kicks at the ground in a blur of speed. “We were almost killed. If it wasn’t for Silver…”
“Kyle,” Matt says. “If I’ve learned anything during the past few months, it’s that we can’t dwell on what might have been. You’re good, and now you have a good story to tell the girls.” He winks.
Kyle blushes. “Yeah, well…”
Joe claps Kyle on the shoulder. “Let’s go. We need to get back to the cave so you can score some action with your new story.” The group erupts in laughter. Kyle blushes harder.
Dad chuckles. “I really hope this cave isn’t running awry with teenage hormones.”
Everyone laughs, and Joe respectfully tells him about Claus and Francesca and the other grown-ups.
“But how did you take out President Bear?” Kyle asks when the laughter dies down.
Everyone’s eyes swivel to me.
“Yeah,” Sawyer says. “You held his heart in your hand. And then it just… poof… disappeared.”
“Dude, that’s pretty hardcore,” Kyle says, his feet still for once.
“I don’t know.” I look at the awe on my friends’ faces. “I don’t know how I did it. I was just so angry.”
“I’ve never seen it before,” Dad says.
A thread of fear shivers through me. “What does that mean?”
“It means your abilities might be unquantifiable.” Dad’s eyes hold an ocean of sympathy and regret. “But we’ll figure it out. I promise.”
Matt nudges my arm. “He’s dead. That’s the important thing.”
We walk for a couple of hours, gritting teeth against exhaustion and aching muscles, ignoring the blisters on our feet. But the farther we walk, the lighter I feel. There’s no sign of anyone chasing us.
When dusk descends, we reach the edge of the valley. We’re still a day’s hike from the cave, but we can walk through the forest along the ridge line to get there. How much longer will the cave be home?
We stop to watch the sun set over the horizon. Majestic hues bleach the land of color, turning the grass into golden thread, transporting the valley into the rich pastures of a promised land, pregnant with hope. Then the last of the light disappears.
I decide it’s time to talk to Joe. I pull him aside as the others take the lead. Erica flutters nearby.
“We need to talk,” I say.
Joe focuses his gaze on me. “I’d like that.”
I grab his massive thumb, clasping it in my hand, toying with it, suddenly nervous. Then I realize that might send the wrong message and shove my hands in my pockets. A couple of acorns are in there and I finger their reassuring solidity.
“I don’t want to put any pressure on you.” Joe’s arm brushes against mine as we walk.
“I know. You’re not. It’s time,” I say, noticing Erica has fluttered away. “I need to tell you something.”
Joe clears his throat and we continue walking together. In the comfortable silence, I try to gather my thoughts. I enjoy just being with him, his booming voice that makes it impossible for him to be quiet, his affable nature, how quick he is to laugh. I don’t want to sour any of it with the words I know need to be said.
Yes, I was attracted to him. Yes, I thought perhaps I could love him. But I know now: the corner of my heart that beats so achingly is reserved for someone else.
“It’s Matt, isn’t it?” He keeps his eyes straight ahead.
I look at the ground. I try to be brave and switch my gaze to his face. “Yes. I’m sorry, Joe. I’m sorry for everything.”
“I can’t say I’m not disappointed.” There’s real hurt in his eyes, but he smiles at me. He blows out a loud sigh. “Maybe in another life, heh?”
I resist the urge to hold his hand. “Maybe.”
“Matt’s a good guy. I think I knew it deep down.” Joe’s pace slows and we fall back from the group. “I think that’s why I tried that second kiss on you. I was trying to leave you with an impression...”
“You certainly did that.” I smile at him when he faces me. We stop walking and just stare at each other. I’m almost tempted to kiss him again. A goodbye kiss.
His hand floats between us, but he doesn’t touch me. “I was just hoping… well, anyway…” He kisses my cheek.
The sound of a twig snapping breaks my thoughts. No one
’s walking behind Joe and me. We’re the last ones in the group.
I cock my head and listen. Another twig snaps. Something is following us. I look at Joe and unsheathe my knife. He holds his machete ready. Together we turn as a third twig snaps.
A menacing growl fills the air.
Hellhounds. They’re known for their speed. That’s why they kill so effectively.
Three pairs of eyes stare at us from the undergrowth. Fangs drip with foaming saliva. Hungry tongues lick trembling jowls. As they lunge, Joe leaps before me and I’m pushed to the ground. I fall backwards and knock my head on a tree root. Dazed, I see double. My head is cocked toward the action, my body unable to move. The three hellhounds jump him simultaneously. Jaws snap at him. Joe slices one way, then the other. The hellhounds maneuver out of the way each time.
They’re so fast, faster than the one I killed in the woods. I can barely keep track of them. My mind goes blank. I try to transition to bulk, but I have nothing left. Joe slashes a hound across the paw. It yelps and jumps back, but the wound doesn’t stop it for long and it prepares to launch again.
“Help!” I scream, rolling onto my stomach. On my knees, my vision wavers and I slam back to the ground. I hope the rest of the group returns and equally fear they will.
Joe goes for the gun at his belt. It’s a mistake. The two unharmed hounds leap at his throat. Joe’s eyes bulge as he tries to fight them off with his hands. Blood trickles down his chest.
One of the hounds finds the weak spot. It digs its teeth into Joe’s neck and doesn’t let go. Joe swats another of the hounds away, but the third, the last, hangs onto his throat. The hole in his neck rips open. Blood spills faster. Joe collapses to his knees. He grabs at the hound, but he lacks the strength to wrestle it away. The hound with the injured paw leaps into the fray.
I manage to sit up. The black cloud in my vision abates. Joe lies on the ground, blood pouring from the wounds on his neck. He doesn’t struggle. The hellhound gnaws at his flesh.
The Unadjusteds Page 26
