by Sophie Davis
“I have to go to him,” I blurted out.
“Talia, you need to think this through,” Adam said, taking a seat next to me. His tone wasn’t patronizing. It didn’t have the lecture-like quality that Mac’s always did when he thought I was being rash or unreasonable.
“There’s nothing to think about. He needs me. They’re going to kill him,” I shouted frantically.
“Not necessarily. The Agency wants you and Alex. They will keep him alive until they can draw you out,” Adam reasoned.
“What if they interrogate him? They’ll be able to figure out where we are. You’ll all be in danger,” I shook my head, biting my lip to keep the waterworks at bay.
“He’s strong-willed, Talia. I’m sure you know that. He won’t break,” Adam said calmly.
“They can break anyone. I should know. I’ve broken people. You don’t understand what the psychic interrogation is like. It’s awful,” I moaned.
“No, they can’t. You’re the only Talent with Manipulation powers strong enough to break any person’s will. Why do you think they want you back so badly?” Adam said pointedly.
I was barely listening; I was beyond reason. He had no idea what Toxic was capable of. With all of their experimental technologies, I wasn’t even sure the extent of their abilities. Except Adam was right about one thing. There was one person who hadn’t cracked, Penny. Mac had admitted to me that no Talent had been strong enough to get through her barricades.
Penny had been a strong Mimic, just like Erik was. But Erik had a lot of experience blocking my mental intrusions. If he could keep me out, he could keep anyone out. Hope filled me. If Erik could keep them out of his head and if what Adam said was true, then they would keep him alive until they had me and Alex back. There was a chance I could get him back.
The wheels in my head started turning again. Slowly at first, but picking up steam as I fell into planning mode. I was a Hunter. Toxic had trained me to think on my feet, make snap decisions that could mean the difference between life and death. This was just another mission, I told myself. Sure, a very personal, very dangerous one, but a mission all the same.
A rescue mission would require a team, an exceptionally skilled group of highly trained individuals willing to go against Toxic. Where on earth would I find such a collection of people? The men and women of the Underground weren’t experienced enough for my needs. Amateurs, no matter how determined, made mistakes. Mistakes, when the stakes were so high, were not an option. Erik’s words came back to me.
Supposedly, Crane’s parents were among the Operatives who had originally broken ties with Toxic and founded the Underground. Adam and his men smuggled Talents into Coalition territory. The Coalition had attacked the research facility in Bethesda. Even as the plan took shape in my mind, I had my doubts. What I didn’t have, however, were options.
“Adam?” I began hesitantly, then continued before I lost my nerve. “Was Ian Crane ever part of the Underground?” The words tumbled from my mouth. I still wasn’t sure whether I was ready to associate the man who may or may not have killed my parents with people I’d come to know over the past couple of days. The people of the Underground wanted peace. Crane waged war. Right now, though, I needed someone willing to do battle with Toxic.
Adam didn’t even blink. “Yes. He broke off from our organization because he didn’t think we were proactive enough. He hated hiding. He recruited followers and, well, you know the rest.”
Even though I’d been expecting the answer, it still felt as if the wind had been knocked out of me. A million other questions burned in my mind. Only one mattered.
“Erik said you can smuggle people into Coalition territory?” I said.
“We can,” Adam told me, growing uneasy.
“I need you to get me and Alex over the border,” I announced.
“Talia, every person in the country is looking for you two. Toxic is offering a huge reward. It’s too risky,” he answered sadly. “I promised Erik I’d keep you safe. I can’t do that.”
“Erik is in danger. They will kill him. This is the only way to save him. Please,” I begged. “He’s done so much for me. I love him.” The tears were swimming in my eyes and I didn’t try to hold them back this time. I needed Adam to understand how much Erik meant to me.
“Let me make some calls,” Adam said after a long pause. “Lay down here for now. Rest. If I can get a Conductor to agree to take you, you will need your strength. The journey won’t be easy.”
I wanted to impress upon him the urgency of the situation. Toxic had Erik. And while they might keep him alive in hopes of drawing me out, that would only buy him so much time. Eventually, the Agency would get tired of waiting and in the meantime, they weren’t just going to let him sit in a cell twiddling his thumbs.
Going to the Coalition, and Crane specifically, was a huge risk. I had no idea if he would be willing to help and in truth, I had nothing to offer him in return. But he had just orchestrated an attack on a Toxic compound, which meant he might be crazy enough to attempt another. Several of his men had been taken prisoner. He might agree to a rescue mission. Granted, he hadn’t come for Penny once she’d been sentenced to death, but she was just one person. Maybe he’d be more inclined when the lives of a handful of his men were on the line.
The plan was thin and full of gaping holes. I found my thinking in terms of “ifs” instead of “whens”. Unfortunately, I had nowhere else to turn. Asking a man I’d spent half my life hating for help sickened me. But even I wasn’t delusional enough to think I could save Erik alone. Being sick had taught me patience. I could wait to settle my differences with Crane. All the new developments in my life had made me less eager for revenge and more willing to hear him out.
Alex was still agitated and kept twitching and groaning on the bed. I rubbed his back and made soft, soothing noises, but the child gave no indication that he heard me. Deciding to take Adam’s advice, I lay down next to Alex and cuddled him in my arms. His body stilled in my embrace even as his whimpers continued. I scanned his mind, immediately wishing I’d refrained.
Alex wasn’t living in the here and now; he was entrenched in a vision. He was in an interrogation room. Erik was shackled to a solitary chair in the center of a dimly lit room. The single overhead light flickered every so often and I wondered if there was actually a short or if an Electrical Manipulator was the culprit and the scenario was more for effect. One of Erik’s eyes was swollen completely shut and the cut on his mouth that I’d seen in Alex’s picture now tore entirely through his bottom lip. His nearly black hair was matted with what I assumed was his own blood. Erik wheezed as he sat hunched over in the chair. The sound of his ragged breathing was like music to my ears, though. At least he was still alive.
From one corner of the room, Mac screamed obscenities incomprehensibly. Even in the poor lighting, I could make out the crazed expression in his steel eyes. I had finally succeeded in pushing Mac over the edge. My abduction of Alex and my own disappearance had sent him spiraling out of control. Mingled with his incoherent ramblings were words that chilled me. Mac knew Anya had analyzed my blood and he was using her as leverage against Erik. My heart sank. The fact that Erik wouldn’t divulge my whereabouts, even if it meant Anya’s life, made me feel even worse.
A thought occurred to me: If Mac were using Anya to attempt to get Erik to speak, he had no better leverage. Erik’s family must be safe; Henri and Cadence must’ve gotten away. A small glimmer of hope dared to break through the dread. At least Erik had succeeded in what he’d set out to do.
“Tell me where she is!!” Mac screeched at Erik, his voice cracked, already hoarse from yelling.
Erik gave a short, raspy laugh that held no mirth. “Fuck you,” he spat.
Mac brought one heavy boot back and with more force than a man of his age should have, landed his steel-toe in the center of Erik’s knee cap. I cringed, bringing my hand to my mouth as the sound of the bone cracking echoed in the small room. I felt his pain as if
I really were in the room with him and it brought tears to my eyes. The only indication Erik gave that he felt the blow was a low grunt.
“I’ll find her with or without your help. Either way, I will kill you once I do,” Mac hissed, leaning over Erik, his large hands pressing on Erik’s shoulders.
Erik winced at the harsh contact, but when he turned his face up to look at Mac, the one turquoise eye still visible had his patented mischievous glint. “You will never find her and it will be me that does the killing if you do,” Erik whispered. His voice was soft and he enunciated each word to make sure there was no misunderstanding.
Even in Mac’s rage-fueled tirade, he had the wherewithal to fear Erik’s temper. He swallowed hard as he drew back. Mac drew his right arm across his chest and I knew what was coming. I pulled out of Alex’s head, yanking Alex out of his vision in the process. I had witnessed enough of Mac’s wrath and I had no desire to watch as he tried to further beat my whereabouts out of Erik.
I used my own powers to calm Alex and without much extra prodding, he fell asleep, exhausted from the vision. I, however, wasn’t so lucky. My mind was too busy plotting and planning. If Adam could get me into Coalition territory, then I would still actually have to find Crane and I somehow doubted he would be in Nevada after I’d infiltrated his Las Vegas base. I debated allowing Crane’s men to capture me. The odds that they would kill me on sight were too great. While on my own, it might be a risk I’d take, Alex was too important.
From my limited knowledge of the Coalition, I understood the citizens of the rebel states were intensely loyal to Crane. There was a possibility a member of the Underground could get word to Crane that I was there and wanted to talk. Again, I couldn’t be sure Crane would agree to the meeting. And even if he did, he might shoot me as soon as he got the chance. But something told me that he’d be curious enough to want to hear me out.
Leaving Alex here with Adam and his people was an option. They would look after him and keep him safe. His presence would slow me down and time was not something I had an abundance of, not when Erik’s life hung in the balance. But the boy had been through so much and separating him from the only person he was comfortable with, me, seemed like a worse decision than bringing him on the journey.
“Talia?” Adam asked, shaking my shoulder gently.
I blinked my eyes rapidly, not realizing I’d managed to fall asleep. “I’m awake,” I mumbled.
I sat up quickly, taking stock of the room. Leisel was sitting, statuesque, on the bed opposite mine. Jules and Iris were watching me tentatively from the floor, where they sat pretending to play a card game. A fine-boned man with light blonde hair stood in the doorway, illuminated by a kerosene lantern.
“Frederick?!?” I exclaimed in surprise. “What are you doing here?”
“Talia,” he nodded gravely, moving further into Adam’s quarters.
“Frederick has agreed to escort you across the border,” Adam spoke up.
“You’re part of the Underground?” I stuttered. Why that came as a shock, I don’t know. After everything I’d learned, Frederick’s involvement in the movement shouldn’t have been a big revelation.
“I am,” Frederick affirmed. “I have been for a while now.”
“If you hurry, we can get you out of the city tonight,” Adam said.
“Let’s do it, then,” I agreed.
“Why don’t you let Alex sleep while we pack your things?” Frederick suggested.
Leisel promised she would look after him while I prepared. I followed Frederick and Adam down to the kitchens and filled a backpack with dried fruits, nuts, dehydrated meats, several loaves of stale bread, chunks of cheeses, and several large jugs of water. Then we returned to the guest room. I packed the clothes and toiletries that I’d brought with me from the Hamilton.
I felt guilty taking rations from Adam’s supply, but he assured me they wouldn’t be missed. I knew he was only saying so to relieve my guilt and his generosity warmed my numb insides.
Frederick offered to carry the heavy pack with our belongings so I could carry Alex.
“Talia, I’m happy to keep Alex with us. We’ll keep him safe,” Adam said as we reentered his suite.
“I know you would, Adam. But he’s my responsibility and I’d prefer to take him with me. Besides, we’ve imposed on you long enough.” I smiled my gratitude.
Adam nodded kindly. He meant what he’d said, but he’d anticipated my refusal.
Alex was still asleep on the bed and I hated disturbing his peace. I gently rubbed his back to wake him. Frederick helped me attach the carrying sling to my back and load Alex in. As soon as he was settled, Alex closed his eyes and began to breathe heavily against my neck.
I said a hasty goodbye to Jules and Iris and told them I hoped to see them again. I did. Their accommodations and lifestyle were not enviable, but the simplicity and harmony with which they existed was. Under the circumstances, they were happy and carefree and I wanted nothing more than for one day to see them living above ground and experiencing all the trivial joys I’d taken for granted.
Adam and Leisel accompanied us to the exit, where a young man I didn’t recognize stood guard. Leisel gave me a brief hug and wished us luck. Adam held me a little longer than necessary, promising if any person could get me into Coalition territory without incident, it was Frederick. To Frederick, Adam expressed his appreciation for taking on such a mission. He didn’t wish us luck; I’d need more than that if I were to succeed.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Alex was light and his added weight only made the shaft down to the tunnel slightly awkward to navigate. There were so many questions I wanted to ask Frederick, but I refrained until we were climbing our way across the ancient train tracks. I assumed he knew Erik had been apprehended and I hoped he would be able to give me more positive news regarding Henri and Cadence’s fates.
“So, how is Henri?” I asked quietly, keeping my eyes on the broken beams beneath my feet.
“He’s a little beaten up, but alive and safe,” Frederick replied, shining his flashlight forward to illuminate our darkened path.
“So, he got away?” I asked, relief washing over me like a warm bath.
“He did. So did the girl. She’s a little worse off. She broke her leg and suffered several nasty cuts. They’re both at an Underground compound in South Carolina. I haven’t seen them yet, but I talked to Henri earlier today,” he explained. “I’m so sorry about Erik,” he added quietly.
My lungs tightened painfully as I recalled Alex’s visions. “Do you think they’ll kill him?” I asked in a small voice. I lost my footing as my legs became weak and Frederick grabbed my elbow to steady me.
“Not yet, Tal. Toxic wants you and the boy very badly. They’re betting on you coming for him. They’ll keep him alive for that reason alone,” Frederick replied, nearly echoing Adam’s earlier sentiments.
We wound further into the depths of the old railway in silence. Every passage looked the same as the one before it and I couldn’t fathom how even the most experienced navigator could keep his bearings.
Frederick seemed to sense that I didn’t want to talk and he didn’t push. After what felt like hours, the tunnel began to slope perceptibly upwards. As we ascended, the space became narrower. When we reached the top, Frederick had to stoop. Where there had once been an exit, there was now only a concrete barricade. But off to one side, there was a dim circle of sunlight shining through the ceiling. Frederick removed a long metal bar with a hook on the end. He wedged the hooked end in the tight space letting the light through. He wiggled the bar back and forth until the heavy metal slab came loose, enabling him to move it to one side, his arms straining under the weight.
Frederick reached through the hole and pulled himself up with considerable ease. Then he offered one hand to me. I gripped his forearm and with our combined effort I, too, passed into the daylight.
The sky was shades of deep pink and vibrant orange, a hazy outline of the moon still vis
ible. The warmth above ground enveloped me and my mood lightened instantly. Just being out of the dark, dank tunnels gave me hope, invigorated my senses. We were standing in the rich green grass on the bank of a fast-flowing river. Remnants of a bridge that had once connected our side of the water to the other still stood, but there was no longer a complete structure. A tiny boat bobbed up and down as the water underneath lapped the shore.
“We’ll take the boat down river a couple of miles. There is a vehicle waiting for us on the other side,” Frederick whispered, taking my hand to help me down the embankment.
“The Agency doesn’t patrol over here?” I asked in disbelief.
“Nah, they do a couple of routine patrols a day, but the morning one was already done. The guard in Virginia is part of the Underground. He’s expecting us,” Frederick explained.
Frederick climbed unsteadily into the small craft before helping me board. He quickly untied the rope anchoring the boat to shore and used an oar to push off. We drifted, letting the current carry us for a while before Frederick began to paddle.
Alex was still fast asleep, still exhausted from the viewing he’d done the day before. Being on the open water made me feel truly free and part of me wished we could have just floated there forever. Several planes passed far overhead, but none so much as slowed to indicate they had seen us.
“Do you do this often?” I asked.
A light sheen of sweat had broken out, dampening Frederick’s silky hair and causing it to stick to his forehead. His muscles seemed to strain as he rowed us quickly toward the opposing shore, his brown eyes pure concentration.
“More in the recent months than I have in a while,” he answered evasively.
“You’re a Conductor on the Underground?” I pressed, suddenly desperate to know more about this mysterious movement.
“Yes, ever since I left the Agency,” he confirmed, averting his eyes.
