Mutiny (M.E.R. Series)

by Jacqueline Gardner

  “Another sacrifice,” I answered. All of them stared at me looking confused. “Not from me. I had nothing to do with it.”

  “That’s not possible,” Lou added. “You have to have the blood of a regenerator.”

  “Well, they kind of did.” I eyed Frankie, looking down at his hand. “Frankie, I think they cuffed you up in an empty room for a specific reason.” Frankie rubbed his wrist and frowned.

  “What’s going on?” Davis asked. He looked up at the young waitress bringing a tray of coffee to the table. He grabbed a cup and lightly blew into the liquid.

  “It’s my fault,” Frankie said looking upset. “I cut my hand to get away and they kept it.”

  “They would need a lot of blood,” Lou interrupted.

  “It wasn’t just a cut, it was my entire hand,” Frankie sighed. Anchovy cringed and Frankie looked down at the floor.

  “Hey, it’s not your fault,” Davis said. “You did what you had to do to get away.” He continued studying the street outside and looking over Lou’s shoulder. “Wait!” He touched Lou’s sketch pad and bit his lip. “I think I know this one!”

  We all huddled around Lou as Davis pointed to last symbol at the bottom of the column. It was a funny shaped helmet. Actually it looked like a piece of armor but not one I’d ever seen up close.

  “The Dark Helm,” Davis whispered. “It’s gotta be, but that doesn’t make any sense.”

  “Huh?” Anchovy asked. “You mean like the story book at Neptune House?” Davis grinned. I tried to think back to my years at Neptune House but I didn’t remember any story book with weird symbols in it. Frankie and I had spent most of our free time outside.

  “Exactly,” Davis agreed. “It represents Hades, the mythical ruler of the underworld.”

  “So you’re saying that Atlantis is in the underworld?” Frankie asked looking really confused.

  “No, that’s just one of the clues.”

  “Good. I’m in no mood to go to hell at the moment.” Frankie chuckled at his own joke.

  “Well the middle symbol is an arrow pointing down,” I added. “Could there be a place farther down south with a name that means hell or Hades or something?”

  “Not that I’m aware of,” Lou answered.

  “Then what does the ‘y’ mean?” Anchovy chimed in. “Zero came here, so Atlantis has to be around this part of Brazil, right?”

  “He’s right,” I agreed. “Atlantis isn’t in hell and it isn’t in some other country either. It has to be close. And we’re running out of time. Think Davis! What else can the letter ‘y’ represent?” Davis scratched his head and sighed.

  “I guess it could mean something in another language?”

  “Keep thinking,” I continued.

  “I need some time,” Davis said. Frankie and I looked at each other. We both knew our time was short. It had only taken Clark an hour to find us at the factory. The Commander could be around the corner. He had probably already found out about our escape. And he had a weapon to use against me now - Mariella.

  Davis walked over to the café entrance and looked up and down the street. Something caught his attention and he looked back at us.

  “I’ll be right back, I promise.”

  “Hold on,” I protested. “There’s no way I’m letting you out of my sight again. I’ll go with you.” Davis nodded and walked out onto the cobblestone street. He maneuvered through traffic and headed towards a tourist shop with maps and colorful books in the window.

  “Don’t be long,” Frankie said. I waved, stepping back into the intense humidity - this time without a shirt. I ran across the street dodging taxis as I went.

  The tourist shop had a fan running. It made the room nice and cool. Davis was immersed in the pile of books. I surveyed the shop and stood next to Davis. He had a book open containing a brief history about Brazil.

  “Now is not really the time for your geek history obsessions.”

  “I have a hunch,” Davis replied. “Do you want to find the Triton or not? Let me work.”

  “Right,” I muttered. I walked around the shop and smiled at the old man in front at the register. The store was cluttered with random knick-knacks. I picked up a small replica of a sail boat and ran my fingers over the strange looking wood.

  “That’s made from coconuts,” the old man tried to say in English. I would have understood him better in Portuguese. I nodded moving on to a rack of postcards. There were pictures of animals and historic buildings. I was familiar with some of them. My eye moved to a postcard with a lighted greenhouse. The same one I’d visited with Mariella. There was a close up of the wistful statue that stood in front. It looked just as striking in the picture as it did in real life.

  Next to it was another postcard with huge waterfalls. The hills around the falls were a rich green covered in thick jungle trees. I picked up the postcard looking closer at the falls. I’d never seen such a large waterfall in person. Our team had been around the world, but we never went sight-seeing. We never had that privilege.

  I put the postcard back, glancing at another one next to it. The picture on this post card was taken from a different angle. A description at the bottom said Iguacu Falls. And that’s when I noticed the name underneath. My stomach leaped and my chest tightened. Underneath the name of the falls was the specific name of one in particular – the Devil’s Throat. I grabbed the post card and ran to Davis. Davis slammed his book smiling.

  “I think I’ve got something here,” I stated. “Check this out. That ‘y’ on top of the Helm of Darkness doesn’t mean waterfall by any chance?”

  “Close,” Davis said looking excited. “It’s an old Tupi symbol, the Indian tribe that used to live in this city. It means water.” My stomach leaped again.

  “Let’s go!” I yelled. “That has got to be it.” I followed Davis out of the shop and onto the street. Davis looked at passing cars, taking a step onto the road. I grabbed his shirt and held him back. The breeze smelled like sweat and cigarettes. A fire lit in my belly and looked around for Clark’s men. Their scent was in the air. Davis looked worried too.

  “It’s been a while since you’ve fought anyone hasn’t it?” I asked. Davis nodded and took a step behind me. The others were still across the street at the café. I couldn’t wait to tell them about the Devil’s Throat but I had to be cautious. I searched the busy street studying every person in the distance, but there was no sign of Clark.

  “Fighting was never something I enjoyed,” Davis whispered. “I know they say that it’s supposed to grow on you but . . . I get scared every time.”

  “It’s okay,” I answered. “I won’t tell the others.”

  “I know.” Davis looked around again. “No sign of Clark.”

  “Keep looking. He’s nearby.” Davis and I sprinted across the street. Clark’s smell still filled my nose. Davis ran up to Lou with an enormous grin on his face. Frankie and Anchovy looked up.

  “Well?” Lou asked. He was sitting in the same spot and acting like he was having trouble reading.

  “Guys,” I said quickly. “Let’s move. Clark’s not far from here.” Frankie jumped up.

  “Where are we going now?” Anchovy asked.

  “We’re going down the Devil’s Throat.”

  * * *

  None of us could contain ourselves as we stood in front of the falls. It was extremely hot and the sound of the pounding water was hard to put up with. We were so close now. The Commander’s reign would finally come to an end, and I would finally know the truth about my family. Crowds of people from all over the world stood on the sidewalk snapping pictures. We were far from the water but I could feel mist on my face.

  “How do we get down there without anyone seeing?” Davis asked. “This place is crawling with tourists.”

  “Do you really think Atlantis is at the bottom?” Anchovy asked.

  “There’s got to be a reason why its codename is Atlantis. It’s named after the lost city rumored to be buried under the ocean.”
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  “I assume the reason it’s under water is because only a regenerator can get there.” I rubbed my throat.

  “Great,” I said. “Another reason to let my lungs fill up with water again.”

  “Drowning is a pain in the ass,” Frankie muttered.

  We had done our best to lose Clark’s team on our way to the falls. As far as I could smell, Clark wasn’t anywhere near us at the moment. He probably couldn’t keep up. And even if he did eventually figure out the symbols, he didn’t have a regenerator to go underneath the Devil’s Throat for him.

  “The best way to do this,” Lou began. “Is to let me and the little one keep watch up here, and the three of you slip into the river and dive beneath.” Anchovy looked disappointed but I agreed with Lou. Someone had to keep watch and Lou and Anchovy would blend in the best. Commander Z and Clark would be looking for muscular teenage boys.

  “That sounds good to me,” I agreed. “Anchovy, you stay here and keep watch with Lou. Frankie, Davis and I will do the swimming.” Anchovy looked relieved.

  “Remember,” Lou said quietly. “Zero is a reasonable guy but he won’t want to give up the Triton. It’s what gives him the power to stay alive and keep the M.E.R. program off his scent.”

  “And if we do see him?” Frankie asked. “What exactly are we supposed to do then?”

  “You’ll think if something,” Lou sighed. “Having that Triton is the only way I’ll be able to see my son, and the only way y’all will be able to see your families again.” And the only way I’ll see Mariella again.

  “I’ll keep that in mind. Anything else?” Lou shook his head and stretched out his hand.

  “Good luck. Y’all are brave souls. I know one day things will be right again.” Lou shook our hands. Anchovy gave me a smile as I turned around and walked closer to the falls. The three of us looked at each other.

  “Over there, man,” Frankie said pointing to a small cliff. “We can dive in over there.” We passed groups of people with cameras. My clothes got wetter the closer we got. The sound of heavy water hitting the lake’s surface filled my ears.

  Frankie jumped off the sidewalk pulling me with him. He’d found a small spot surrounded by trees and hidden from view.

  “Davis, you jump first. Then I’ll go after Eric.” Davis looked nervous to jump in the water. His chest started rising rapidly and I put my hand on his shoulder.

  “It’s alright,” I said. “You haven’t dropped dead yet.” I was trying to be humorous but Davis wasn’t going for it.

  “What if I can’t regenerate?” Davis whispered. “What if I’m like a cat now, and I only have nine regenerations left or something?”

  “Don’t be stupid,” Frankie chimed in. “As soon as we get some serum, your DNA will be as good as new.”

  “Sure,” Davis muttered. His face was pale. He was truly scared. Frankie looked around and nudged Davis.

  “Go,” he said. Davis took one last breath and jumped into the water below. His body hit the waves with a light crash. Frankie looked around again.

  “See you beneath,” Frankie said. I jumped next trying not to make any noise as I went. My stomach twisted itself in knots. The surface felt like concrete as my body crashed against it. I sank below the waves and saw Davis swimming towards the Devil’s Throat.

  It was torture to keep myself from surfacing to get air. I had no choice but to go numb and suffer the pains of drowning. I kicked my legs gliding through the water with long strokes. Davis was ahead of me. I heard another slap on the water and turned around to see Frankie. He swam fast to catch up.

  The three of us could see untamed water ahead. The falls were getting closer. I caught Davis swimming faster out of the corner of my eye. Frankie and I kicked harder to keep up. I could feel my energy being drained as we got closer. The pressure from the waves felt even heavier and heavier. It felt worse than being on the ocean floor. I felt like my brain was being crushed under a rock. The sharp pain gave me a headache.

  I had to concentrate real hard to see where I was going. The building pressure in my head, combined with watery lungs, was giving me dizzy spells. I looked ahead and finally saw what Davis was swimming towards. There was a glittering light ahead and I felt a little suspicious. How could a strong light like that be at the bottom of a dumping waterfall? But the three of us had no choice. If we surfaced, the entire public might notice. We had to follow whatever lead we got.

  The glittering light was at the bottom of the falls. I just hoped Atlantis somehow had oxygen because my body couldn’t take much more. Davis was wiggling and swimming his heart out. The light was growing bigger and the three of us were anxious to see the source.

  In my head, I was picturing a huge Triton sitting at the bottom of the falls waiting for us. It was easy. No stress. Why couldn’t we just swim over and grab it?

  Bubbles came out of Davis’s mouth as he yelled. Frankie and I tried to get close but Davis glided into the glittery light before we could study it more closely. His body disappeared and I panicked. Frankie and I looked at each other. Frankie decided to follow. His body disappeared too. There was an added pressure to my chest. I had no other option now but to see what awaited me on the other side.

  I glided forward and felt a breeze touch my face. My lungs revived themselves and I could finally breathe. I opened my eyes and realized I was lying in a dark cave. Frankie and Davis were lying next to me.

  “What is this place?” Frankie said sounding astonished.

  “It could be . . .”

  “Atlantis,” Davis interrupted. “But I don’t see a Triton anywhere.” I looked around the drippy cave and heard noises coming from every corner. We were surrounded by tunnels with no idea which way each one went.

  “We have to pick one,” I said. “The Triton will be well hidden somewhere. Otherwise, anyone would be able to find it.” I looked down each tunnel but they all looked the same – endless and eerie.

  The three of us shivered and a strange feeling came over me. I looked at Frankie. His demeanor changed. He looked a little jumpy. I couldn’t see anything but I had the weird feeling someone was watching me. A gust of wind blew through the cave and a soft voice whispered in my ear. You’re not alone, regenerator.

  I had a sinking feeling in my stomach. This place was dangerous. Anything was possible here, even death. Davis jumped and Frankie folded his arms, looking uncomfortable.

  “You guys heard that too didn’t you,” I whispered.

  “I don’t think this is such a good idea,” Davis said in a quivering voice. “What if we get lost?”

  “There is something freaky going on in this cave,” Frankie added. As frightened as I was, I couldn’t let a little haunting turn me away.

  “Guys,” I said firmly. “I don’t know what’s in this place, but we’re here for a reason. We’re M.E.R. soldiers. Don’t forget that.”

  Another gust of wind surrounded the three of us. I got a weird feeling again. If I had a light, I would bet something was feet away in the dark, staring at me. My heart jumped in my chest as the voice returned. You won’t be invincible here, M.E.R. soldier.

  “Okay, I’m seriously going to freak out!” Frankie started turning in circles, throwing his fists in every direction. “Show yourself, psycho! I know you’re out there!”

  “Who are you?” I shouted. “What do you want?” I felt a tingle along my spine. My eyesight went fuzzy and I saw flashes of a face over and over again.

  Davis yelled, falling to the floor. The flashing figures in each corner of the room were too much for him to handle.

  “Stop it!” Davis screeched. The blurry figures stopped. Davis looked up. I gulped and pointed straight ahead at a glowing figure.

  “Trespassers,” the girl muttered. “This should be fun.”

  MARIELLA

  17

  William’s Secret

  Without thinking, I stuck Poseidon’s memory stick into William’s computer. I felt a little angry at William. He’d lied to me for so lo
ng. I hadn’t even suspected it. But Eric hadn’t lied to me. He’d been honest from the beginning. That’s why I had to try and bargain with Poseidon.

  The computer screen went blurry when I inserted the memory stick, like it had caught a cold. The screen went black for a minute, and then a window popped up with a list of file names. All of them had been categorized under a folder marked ‘research’. I dragged the bulk of files onto Poseidon’s memory stick and glanced up at the door. William must have had the entire floor to himself. I hadn’t heard any foot traffic since I’d come in.

  As it got later, the lights in the city got brighter. William’s office had an amazing view. I could have sat cross-legged on the floor and watched the people below for hours. The computer screen was still blurry. All the files Poseidon wanted were almost fully loaded onto his memory stick.

  I felt sick to my stomach. Maybe it was the guilt. But then my eye caught a file that was labeled differently than all the others. It had only two letters – M and A. Mariella Abott?

  I glanced around William’s office again, clicking on the file. An entire list of dates came up. I clicked on one at random. My eyes skimmed through pages of notes. When I saw the name of my ex-boyfriend, I stopped.

  After reading an in depth paragraph about the time I snuck away from our Fourth of July party - when we shared our first kiss - I wanted to puke all over William’s leather couches. There were details written I hadn’t even mentioned to Carmen. I’d been nervous that night. But the only other person who knew that was Owen.

  Immediately, I picked up the phone next to me, dialing the number from Poseidon’s business card. Come on, pick up. I waited for someone to answer but all I heard was a beep.

  “I got them,” I said into the receiver. “All of them.” My voice sounded shaky and I hastily threw down the phone. What I saw on the computer screen had pushed me over the edge. It was appalling. Strange. I was being observed. William had employees tracking my behaviors like I was some kind of specimen. Everything a person could know about me – word choice, appetite, even my behavior around the opposite sex had been documented. William was studying me.