by C. C. Bolick
“I’m afraid of something happening to Alfred.” She took a deep breath. “You did a good job of raising him after Donald started drinking.”
“You’ve watched us?”
“I hope you never know how hard it is to watch someone you love while not being able to reach out a hand. I wasn’t there when you needed me.”
“I survived.”
“You’re right. You’re strong. A survivor.”
“You made me that way.”
“I didn’t do it alone. I knew we’d need Donald to teach you how to survive. He’s an expert in that area.”
“You should visit Alfie.”
“For him, I’m dead. He’s already lived through that pain once and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him from facing it again.” She lowered her voice. “Whatever happens, don’t hate Donald. He’ll always be your dad.”
“He betrayed me.”
“Donald is an agent. That’s what he’s good at. We tried to live a normal life but that didn’t work out as we’d hoped.” She smiled. “Some things we can’t change about people.”
“Some things we can. He quit drinking.”
“Which shows how much he loves you and Alfie.”
“Do you think Alfie will have your powers?”
“I don’t know. I hope not.”
I squeezed her hand. “Me too.”
“I’m so proud of you, Regina. You turned out better than I could have imagined, despite all the obstacles. You’re like me and I’m happy for that.”
“I could never be like Louis.”
“DNA shouldn’t define you, although,” she lifted a hand and blue sparkles danced along her palm. “there are some things about DNA that can’t be explained.”
“You still have the power?” I choked.
“You’re not alone in this.”
“If you decide to leave Bethany, where will you go? Can you see other dead people?”
“I’ve never seen anyone like me. After three years, I’m starting to think the way I am has something to do with my powers.”
“What if you try to leave?”
“Leave this body?”
“Leave this world. Is there a white light or other side?”
She shook her head. “If there is, I haven’t found it. When I try to fade away, I see only darkness. I’m afraid and I return. The stronger my fear, the stronger my powers. And the stronger my connection to this world.”
Darkness. I’d seen the darkness when my heart stopped. When faced with the choice, I’d followed the sound of Travis’s voice.
I stood.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
“I need time to think.”
“This sounds like goodbye.” Her voice filled with hurt. “It’s a lot to understand.”
“It’s a lot to believe. I’ll find you when I’m ready.”
* * * * *
Back in my room, I sat on the edge of my bed and thought of going back to that interrogation room. Some part of me couldn’t rise from the bed.
This life wasn’t for me. Being an agent wasn’t what I’d dreamed of and I didn’t understand how the agency could think they owned my life. My ability to save lives was still a part of me. I was born with this gift and it would always be a part of me, no matter what happened with the agency.
Dealing with the truth about Mama was more than I could handle. It was still too fresh. Instead of her face, I saw a stranger’s.
I didn’t want to accept the truth about Louis. I also didn’t want to accept Dad’s betrayal. But at least I understood. Even though he raised me, I wasn’t his daughter.
I laid back on the bed and wrapped my arms around the pillow, ready to cry for the rest of the night. My fingers grazed a corner of paper and I pulled the pillow back. Underneath was the letter from Travis.
With the shock of Mama’s revelations and Travis being captured, I’d forgotten about his letter. I slid my finger under the seal. Inside the envelope was a folded piece of notebook paper, along with a key.
Rena,
I know I promised no more lies, but I also promised to protect you. You may hate me, but I have to come clean about another secret I’ve been keeping.
The day I met Van at the restaurant, I wasn’t upset about getting his message. I was upset about what I saw in your future. You see, my touch didn’t just burn your hand. Touching your skin activated my power to see the future.
I knew last night would be our last. Not forever, but for a while. I wanted our day together to be perfect. I wanted you to wake the next morning without a doubt about how I feel. It’s kind of hard to say ‘I love you’ while in a coma.
I’m going to give you some directions, but don’t think I’m being bossy. I’m an agent, never forget that. An agent who plans to take care of you.
First, don’t tell anyone at the base about this letter, even your father. Agent Mason’s not a bad man, he’s just in over his head with the agency’s politics. He knows about my dad. He’s hiding what happened the night my dad disappeared. It scares him to think of what could happen to you.
Enclosed you’ll find a key to my Ferrari. You know where it’s parked and you know how to get out of this base through the airport. I made sure you understood the details so you could escape after my capture. As you already know, there’s a tracking device. Flip up the visor and you’ll find a precision screwdriver. Use the blade to remove the power button from the radio and throw it out before you leave. Sorry, no radio on this trip.
Don’t call anyone, including Angel or Skip. They’re on the outside and that makes them safe. I know this won’t be easy for you to do alone. I wish I was at your side as you run. You’ve got to do this alone.
On second thought, find Dr. X and get her to help you. She’s also in over her head with this agency and rumor has it she won’t get the job. Take her with you. Use her knowledge to help you while we’re apart. Despite being an ass to her at the restaurant, I believe she has a place at this agency.
When you leave the base, drive to Virginia and go to the school Angel and Skip are investigating. I’ve listed the address at the bottom of this page. Tell Angel what happened. After you find her, call the number Van gave you. Yes, it’s a real number and yes, I do know about the card.
Be careful. Any time you feel you can’t control your power, remember I have faith that you can. If you need money, just open the glove box.
Don’t try to save me—you’ll fail. And no tears. We’ll find a way to be together like I promised. This is only goodbye for now.
No matter what anyone says, believe me when I say I love you.
Yours forever,
Travis
Chapter Fifteen
With all the composure I could muster, I walked onto the med-level and asked for Dr. X.
She found me in the waiting room a few minutes later. “I heard you conquered your power and diffused a bomb. Everyone is talking about your success.”
“Can we talk somewhere private?”
Dr. X glanced around. “There’s a conference room down the hall.”
“Are you hungry?” I asked.
“I could use a snack. You want to find a snack machine or some real food?”
“Real food.”
As soon as we were in the elevator, I hit the stop button. “Sylvia likes you, but you’re not going to get the job. If I were you, I wouldn’t want it.”
She laughed. “You know, I haven’t smoked since high school. For the last three weeks I’ve wanted a cigarette almost enough to sneak out of this base and find one.”
“Can you get out of the base without having your memory wiped?”
“I think so.”
“What if we meet at a restaurant in the airport?”
Her eyes widened. “I didn’t realize you were looking to go topside.”
“I want to talk where the agency can’t hear us.”
“You want your test results?”
“I don’t need the results,” I said.
“I figured out who my father is the old fashioned way.”
“How is your boyfriend?”
“Still in a coma.
“That sucks.”
“I’m leaving.” When she stayed quiet, I said, “He told me to leave. Sylvia will never let me go.”
“You’re not just leaving for a meal. You’re leaving for good.”
“If you’re interested, meet me at the restaurant closest to gate thirty-three. Ten o’clock.” I started the elevator. “If you’re not, I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
* * * * *
I stepped off the elevator on the isolation floor. My heart began to pound when I noticed Dr. Greene outside of Travis’s room. He stared through the window as I walked up.
Dr. Greene turned at the sound of my footsteps. “Why are you here?”
“To see Travis.”
“You should be resting in your room.”
“I can’t sleep knowing he’s here alone. Especially knowing it’s my fault he was captured.”
“No one in this agency is alone and it’s not your fault he’s here. Travis was warned to keep his mouth shut on several occasions. I know because I was one of the people warning him.”
“He didn’t deserve this.” I held out my hand as if I could reach through the glass. “Not to be captured and held by the people he called family.”
“I grew up with this agency, Rena. I know what Travis has gone through. He didn’t ask for his powers, but Sylvia gave him room to grow and overlooked the rules he broke on many occasions. Maybe too many.”
“Travis is a good agent. He only wants to save lives.”
“No one is above the rules of this agency. It’s the tie that binds us all together. If someone can’t follow rules, they can’t be trusted. An agent who can’t be trusted is a danger to any mission. Would you want to go on a mission while wondering if another agent might be responsible for a bullet in your back?”
“Sylvia had no right to attack us in a hotel room.”
“It was the only time Travis was vulnerable. His powers made it hard for the agency to enforce control. Sylvia had a choice to make and a small window of opportunity. She chose to protect the people who depend on her.”
“She hates Travis.”
“That couldn’t be further from the truth. Sylvia has gone out of her way to help him. Trust me, I’m the one person who would know.”
“So he sleeps until…”
“Until Sylvia finds a way to enforce control when he steps out of line.”
Yes, Travis needed to ‘walk the line’ as Senator McCall said. It probably ate the senator up inside to know he couldn’t control Travis. Maybe he was the one putting pressure on Sylvia.
I gave him a pleading look. “I can’t sleep so maybe if I sit next to Travis’s bed, I’ll be able to rest.”
Dr. Greene stared down with a weariness I felt to the bone. “You’re not going in that room.”
“I know, but I had to try.” With a sigh, I turned around and headed for the elevator.
* * * * *
That night, I made my way to the airport exactly as Travis had showed me. I wore a black shirt and blue jeans. In the terminal, I changed into a white t-shirt and put on a ballcap. At the restaurant closest to gate thirty-three, Dr. X sat sipping a bottle of water. She also wore blue jeans, but with a lacy pink shirt. The goth look was gone.
She noticed me and stood, glancing toward a camera with a look of fear. “Do you think they’re tracking us right now?”
“I’m not sure. Let’s don’t wait around and find out.”
Without another word, she followed me to the train and through the baggage claim. We entered the parking deck near a couple who were arguing loud enough for the entire airport to hear.
I approached the Ferrari and she let out a nervous laugh. “We’re escaping in a Ferrari? I was starting to think this was some kind of joke.”
“This is Travis’s car.”
“You’re stealing a car that belongs to a guy in a coma?”
I opened the driver’s door and slid behind the wheel.
She dropped onto the seat next to me. “After the way he treated me at dinner, drive the wheels off.”
Following Travis’s directions, I found the precision screwdriver behind the visor. I quickly removed the power button on the radio and tossed it out of the window. With a laugh, I thought of how almost the entire car had been replaced, everything except for the radio.
“Do I want to know?” she asked as I rolled the window up.
“Probably not.” I cranked the car and backed it out of the parking spot. Still thinking the agency would stop us, I watched the mirrors until we reached the highway.
“Do you have a driver’s license?” she asked.
“I’ve been driving for three years, but it’s always been a huge truck. This feels weird.”
She held out a hand, “I’m Erin Watts.”
I shook her hand. “Rena Mason.”
“Glad we finally got that out of the way. I feel like a weight’s been lifted.”
“I’m sorry about dragging you into this.”
“Let’s face it, I wasn’t getting that job. I have no idea why Sylvia insisted I apply.”
“Maybe now you can tell me about your old job. About working with the kids.”
“That’s a long story.”
I glanced at the signs guiding me to the highway. “Next stop is Virginia.”
She laughed. “Then I guess I’ll start at the beginning.”
* * * * *
As the sun rose, we pulled into a gas station at the edge of a small Virginia town. After pumping gas, I bought two drinks and asked the cashier about FBI presence in the area, recalling that the locals thought Angel and Skip were from that agency. The bulging envelope of money Travis stashed in the glove box was more than enough to buy all the drinks I could want.
“They’re at the hotel,” the woman said.
“Which hotel?”
She leaned over the counter and lowered her voice. “Are you with the news?”
“Yes,” I said.
“This town has two hotels. They’re at the one with a pool—keep straight and look on the right. If you leave town, you’ve gone too far.”
I thanked her and drove until we reached a hotel on the other side of town. At the office, I gave the man a description of Angel. When I mentioned the word vampire, he looked up from the TV. “Room one-oh-nine.”
When I knocked on that door, Angel opened the door and pulled me and Erin inside. She closed the door and wrapped her arms around me in the coldest hug ever.
I hugged her back. “I owe you thanks for saving my life.”
She pulled away. “Glad I could help. What are you doing here?”
“Travis sent me.”
“Sent you here?” She eyed Erin. “Who is your friend?”
“I’d like for you to meet Dr. Erin Watts.”
The door opened and Skip walked in holding three plates of eggs and hash browns. “Rena, hey.” He put the food on the counter and glanced around the room, eyes stopping on Erin. “Where is Travis?”
“Still at the base,” I said.
Skip held out a hand to Erin. “You’re one of the doctors. How did the interview go?”
Her voice shook as she stared at his hand. “I didn’t… the job I didn’t…get it.”
He shot me a look of confusion. “Why is she here?” Before I could answer, Skip turned to Angel. “What’s going on?”
She shrugged. “I haven’t got a chance to ask yet. They just got here.”
He looked back at Erin, who’d gone pale. “Maybe you should sit down.”
Erin stared at his face as Angel offered her a chair. “Are you okay?” Angel asked. When Erin didn’t answer, she turned to me. “Why is she freaking out?”
“I don’t know.”
“Why is she here?” Skip asked again.
“She left the base with me.”
Abruptly, Eri
n dropped into the chair and put her head in her hands.
Angel pulled me to the side. “Something’s wrong. Maybe we should call Jon to erase her memory.”
“No,” I said. “We can’t call anyone at the base. They captured Travis and locked him up on the isolation floor. Before the coma, Travis said—”
“Coma?” Angel asked.
“You haven’t heard about Sylvia having him captured?”
Angel’s face was paler than normal. “Sylvia has kept us out of the loop since taking this assignment.”
“You don’t sound surprised,” I said. “You knew she was going to send a team after him, didn’t you?”
“I feared she would. Travis wasn’t listening to reason. He disobeyed her orders in front of the other agents. Senator McCall—”
I groaned. “Did you have to say that name?”
“Erase my memory,” Erin stuttered.
Skip’s face held concern as he moved to Angel’s side. “Maybe we should back up a little.” He looked at me. “Did I do something wrong?”
“You even sound like him,” Erin said.
“Him?” Skip asked.
“Erin is a doctor from Chicago,” I said.
Dawning spread across Skip’s face. Like me, Angel still looked confused.
“I don’t get it,” I said.
“Did she tell you anything about her past?” Skip asked me. “Any boyfriends?”
“She said she loved a guy years ago. He had a special gift like us and she went to med school to find a way to help him. He died before she found the answer.”
Skip kneeled in front of Erin. He took her hands in his. She looked up, tears glimmering in her eyes.
“What was his name?” Skip asked.
“Tyler,” she said.
* * * * *
An hour later, Erin stood next to me as I leaned against the side of Travis’s car. She clawed at the wrapper on a pack of cigarettes.
“Want me to help?” I asked.
“Have you ever smoked?”
“No.”
“Good. Don’t start.” She broke the seal and slapped the pack until a cigarette slid out. Her hands shook as she put the tip in her mouth and lit the other end.
