Benson, Justin thought. It figures that arrogant bastard was up to something. He looked back at the carving. “So should we gate to another part of Sanctuary or go for help or...?”
“It isn't that simple, Justin. You may have been able to gate into Sanctuary, but all gate travel from here has been sealed somehow. You won't be able to get out. I'm afraid you're stuck here.”
Justin heard a sound behind him and turned quickly to see Aaron, Maria and the others coming towards him. He held up his hand as Aaron was about to speak and pointed at the comm node.
“So what should we do, Mrs. Mallon?” he asked. Aaron's eyes widened as he heard to name but he stayed quiet.
“Honestly Justin, I don't know. There have been rumors for years about what kinds of things live in the lower levels. Old Titan experiments, weird machines, traps of all kinds. I can't even begin to guess what you will face down there.” She paused for a moment and then whispered, “But you and the others are Titans. You are the direct descendant of Cronus himself. If anyone can find a way, I believe it is all of you.” There was a moment of silence. Justin was warmed by the woman's faith in him but he wasn't sure that he felt as confident as she did.
“Justin, someone is coming. I have to go. Don't risk using the comm nodes again. They'll be able to find you if you do. I'll erase the record of this conversation. I don't know what you'll find when you make it back here, but we won't give up the fight. Don't you give up either!”
“We won't, Mrs. Mallon. Please, take care of yourself. I hope you'll all be okay.”
“You too, Justin. And your friends. I hope we'll see you soon.”
The glow from the carving faded and Justin turned to look at the others.
“What's happening, Just?” Aaron asked quickly. “Why was Mrs. Mallon answering the comm?”
Justin quickly filled them in. Dominic groaned. “Great!” he said. “He brings us to a place that's supposed to be safe and now we're trapped miles underground? Some rescue!”
Aaron stepped up to him and the other teen quickly backed away. “Maybe you'd rather be back in your cell? I'm sure you'd be nice and comfy right up until the moment those Titans killed you!”
Dominic didn't say anything; he just glowered at Aaron who turned away. “Moron,” Aaron muttered and moved to stand next to Justin.
“Look, I know how you feel. I feel the same way.” Justin looked at them all. “I was expecting safety and a chance to heal and rest.” He looked down at his wrapped hand. The blood was dripping through the bandage. He clenched his fist, ignoring the pain. “But we're here, now. Our home is above us, somewhere. It's been captured, yes, but our friends are there. People who will help us if we can reach them. And we do have one small advantage against our enemies.”
“What's that, Justin?” Maria asked.
He smiled grimly. “They don't know we're here. We'll be coming in a direction they can't possibly expect. And yeah, I know we're kids,” and he looked directly at Dominic now. “But we are also Titans, and we're a hell of a lot tougher than they think we are.”
Dominic stared at him for a moment and then nodded slightly. The others looked to Maria who hesitated and then, in a determined tone said “So what should we do, Justin.”
He pointed down the long hallway into the distance. “We start walking. We start climbing. And we take back Sanctuary.”
“We're with you, Justin,” Maria said. The others nodded and Aaron clapped him on the shoulder.
“Lead on, bud. I think you're nuts, but lead on.” Aaron grinned at Justin and he smiled back. Then he turned and looked down the hallway.
“Let's go,” he said and led the way into the unknown.
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The Return of the Titans Page 27
