“Go ahead. Scream.” The Phantom’s face is too close to mine, his breath stale. “Have you ever thought owing someone is better than making unnecessary enemies? I would not make a true enemy out of me, Fiona McClean.”
“I’m not trying to,” I cough.
“If you do anything to help the Army get the element first, then you may as well start picking out your headstone.”
Finally getting my breath back, I scream as loud as I can. Tagawa falls out of his chair, but The Phantom is already running for the wall. He goes right through it just as Tagawa stands on the other side of the bars. “W-what’s wrong?”
“The Phantom was here,” I say.
He snorts. “Good one.”
“He was—he attacked me.” I touch my fingers to my nose, and there’s something wet. “I’m bleeding.”
“Yeah right. You’re just trying to get me to open the gate.” Tagawa calls me a dirty name and goes back to his chair. As I glare at him, a fire ignites inside me. I decide once and for all that Juan or the Army or anyone else who comes will never lay a finger on this merinite stuff. There’s no way I can turn a blind eye after what they’ve done to me. I’ll do what I have to in order to stop them.
Chapter 18
I plan on escaping when the soldier comes to clean my waste bucket, but he doesn’t show up. This makes me crazy paranoid, as if they somehow can guess my plan, though in reality Major Norton probably just wants to make me more uncomfortable. Hate to admit this tactic is more effective than he knows.
My only chance will be when the Major himself shows up. I’ll have to be fast to disable him and Tagawa, but it’s not impossible. If I strip down…no, that will only make it obvious I’m preparing to fight.
The outside door opens, and I crane my neck to see if the cleaning guy has finally shown. But it’s not him—it’s the blond scientist girl I stole the formula from. I raise an eyebrow as she stands in front of my cell, her eyes wild as she searches for my invisible face. I wait for her to speak, but she seems hesitant and uncomfortable with the sight of me.
“What, never seen an invisible girl before?” I say when I can’t take it anymore.
She smirks, her eyes never stopping the search for my face. “No, actually. You’re fascinating.”
This statement makes me step back, because I get the distinct impression she’d like nothing more than to study me. “So did you come to stare, or is there a point?”
“I need you to tell me what you know.”
“No way.” I head for the corner nearest the bars, where she won’t be able to stare at me like a creeper. “Did Major Norton think I’d cave to a girl?”
She sighs. “He didn’t want me to come, but I insisted on trying before he…anyway, he thinks it’s a risk to the mission for you to see me.”
I stay quiet for a moment, taking in that tiny piece of information. Just what kind of stuff does this chick know? Maybe I should be trying to get information from her…“So I guess I can’t ask your name.”
“Classified. Sorry.” Her delicate fingers wrap around the bars. “But if you agreed to help us, that could change.”
I grit my teeth just thinking about the idea. “No offense, but there’s no way in hell I’m helping an organization who imprisons me based on fake evidence, continues to keep me because of what I might know, starves me, and is now planning to torture me. Call me stubborn like that.”
“Major Norton’s tactics are extreme, but I promise his intentions are good. Can’t you trust me on that?”
My laugh comes out cold. “Why should I trust a person I know nothing about?”
“Because…” I hear fabric shift, and I guess she sat down but I don’t look. “I need what you know to do my job. Do you know what happens if I don’t do my job, Fiona?”
The tiniest bit of guilt creeps in, imagining the kind of punishments the Major might inflict for failure. I stuff it back down. “You suck at this, you know?”
“I’m normally very good at it, but you seem to be an exception.” Scientist girl lets out a frustrated grunt. “If I could just tell you what I’m trying to do, I know you would change your mind.”
“Then tell me.”
“It’s classified. Not even your guard knows.”
This top secret information makes me salivate more than I like to admit. I have half a mind to give in just so I can know, but that’s exactly what she and the Major want. Whatever information they have, it’s incomplete enough that they believe they need me. And that’s my only protection, little as it is. “You can’t give me even the tiniest hint? There has to be something.”
The bars clang from being hit, and Tagawa yells, “Shut your mouth! You’re not the interrogator.”
“Don’t, George, you’re not helping,” the scientist girl says, and I try not to laugh about Mr. Tough-Guy Tagawa being named George. “I’m afraid there’s nothing I can tell you, Fiona. Not even the people closest to me know I’m part of this—it’s that secret.”
“You should just go, then.”
“I guess so.” More shuffling, which I assume is her standing up. “Sorry for what will happen to you tonight. I really hoped I could stop it.”
I don’t answer. Her footsteps fade away, and the door shuts behind her. The only thing I can hear in the silence is Tagawa tapping his spiked knuckles on the wall. Then he says, ever so quietly, “Shoulda talked while you could.”
When the school bell rings, my jitters start. There are only a few hours left to plan my escape. My face still hurts from The Phantom’s attack last night, and I gingerly touch my nose. Sure hope it’s not broken. Lying on the floor, I save all my remaining strength for the moment of escape. The idea of smashing my elbow into the Major’s face brings way too much joy. Tagawa will be tricky, since I don’t know where else he has those nasty spikes.
Dinner time. Major Norton comes in as usual. Today it looks like he brought Taco Bell—he’s crazy if he thinks that will be even remotely tempting. I’ve seen way too many burrito-eating contests since moving to Madison.
He stands in front of me. “Well? Have you decided whether or not you’ll talk?”
“I’ll talk.” I stay absolutely still, determined not to put him on guard.
He seems pleased, as if he thinks he’s already broken me. “Excellent. Tagawa, open the cell.”
Tagawa does as he’s ordered, and I have to force myself to be calm as I walk past him. I can’t use my opening move on him, as easy as it would be. The Major opens the office door. “Shall we?”
“Sure.” I start for the door, but then quickly turn on the Major with a knee to the groin. He hasn’t finished swearing over that when I sink my elbow into his face. There’s a lovely popping sound.
Tagawa grabs his gun, but in these close quarters I’m already up in his face and pushing the gun to aim at the Major.
“Get off me, bitch!” Tagawa yells as I feel something pierce my leg.
I scream, pulling back to see his sharp knuckles where my thigh was. Not having time to think about the pain, I throw my head into his like I would to a soccer ball. It hurts, but not as bad as my leg. With both of them on the ground, I make for the door as I pull my shirt off. The wound might slow me down, but I can still—
Arms come around my waist, and I hit the floor hard. “You really think it’ll be that easy, huh?”
I grunt as I fight against Major Norton’s hold on me. He pulls me upright and pushes me towards the office. I try to kick his shin, but he dodges it.
“Did you actually think that would work? I could tell you were lying, but I wanted to see why.” He grabs my hair, and I spit in his face.
“You have a fighting spirit, Fiona.” He wipes the spit off his cheek and rubs it on my invisible skin. “Looks like we’ll be skipping right to step three instead. Tagawa, get the chains to tie her down.”
“Yes, sir!” Tagawa heads for the door, and now I’m officially panicking. What will they do to me? I dig my feet into the ground as Major Nor
ton tries to get me into the principal’s office. Once I go in there, it’s all over. I have no idea if I can keep my secrets under actual torture.
Gunfire.
The Major freezes, and in the silence I can hear yelling outside. My heart skips with hope. Someone has finally come to get me! Is Brady out there destroying the school? Is Bea popping eardrums? Is Mom hurling cars at soldiers? It might be horrible, but I hope they are.
The office door bursts open, and a few soldiers come in, walking backwards with their guns trained on someone. When I see his wild auburn hair and angry face, I’m not sure I’ve ever been happier to see Graham. He grips the young scientist girl with one arm and holds a knife to her throat with the other.
“How about we make a trade?” Graham says.
Chapter 19
They throw me back in the cell and usher Graham and his hostage into the principal’s office. I can’t hear anything but mumbles, and yet my hope has never been higher. The Major needs that girl to make Radiasure—he won’t let her get hurt. I don’t know how Graham found out about her, but for once I’m kind of glad he’s an evil genius.
Ten minutes later, Graham emerges on his own and hands a paper to Tagawa. “Major Norton says she’s free to go.”
Tagawa snags the paper and reads it with a curled lip. Tossing it on the floor, he grabs the key and unlocks my cell. “Shoulda guessed your syndicate family would come for you eventually. Bunch of crooks.”
“Speak for yourself,” I spit back.
“C’mon, Fi.” Graham grabs my shirt from the ground and hands it to me. For the first time, I’m not scared when he picks me up and flies out the door. He shoots into the air before the soldiers outside can react. I shut my eyes and hold onto him tight. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” I whisper, but him asking brings on tears. “Thank you. For coming to get me.”
He puts his hand on my cheek, all brother-like and concerned. “They hurt you?”
“The Phantom hit me when I refused his help to escape. They just starved me.”
He snorts. “Just? Because going without food for four days is nothing.”
“You know what I mean.” I venture a peek at his face, and it seems full of regret. Though I can’t quite place my feelings, I think I might see the brother Graham used to be when we were kids. And more than that, I’m surprised by how much I want him back. “How did you know to hold that girl hostage? Maybe I’m horrible, but it was pretty brilliant.”
He looks away, shrugging. “Did some digging. I’ve been taught to hit people in their weak spots for a long time. Kinda second nature, unfortunately.”
“I get that, about the second nature thing.” Thinking about everything that’s happened since Juan’s men and the Army showed up, it feels like going back to the crime life is as easy as slipping on a pair of sandals. “Right and wrong…I still don’t know which is which.”
“Not sure anyone does these days.”
“Guess so.”
“What matters most to me now is making sure the people I care about are safe and happy.” Graham squeezes me tighter. “Whatever happens, Fi, I hope you know I’ve only been trying to do what’s best for you. I’ve screwed it up a lot, but that’s the truth.”
“I know. It’s okay.” And I mean it—Graham and I will be fine eventually. With my eyes closed and that trouble so far below us, for a second I feel safer than I have all week. I breathe out the tension and let myself lean on Graham. “I’m so tired.”
“We’re almost home. You have to at least eat before you sleep.”
“Okay.”
The descent is as horrible as usual, but at least there’s nothing in my stomach to lose. Before Graham can grab the knob, the door flies open. Mom screams my name and then more people join in. It looks like the entire Pack is here, and I frown. “Wait, so you all let Graham go in there on his own?”
“He insisted!” Hector says.
Miles scratches his head. “He was the only one who could have done it with no consequences, since he’s already a wanted criminal. Plus, it saved Mom from breaking The Phantom’s deal, and it makes it look like you’re still working with Dad to boot.”
“Sometimes my shitty past pays off.” Graham sets me down, and I wobble. Mom and Seth are immediately by my side. “They starved her, Ma.”
Mom puts her hand to my face, and it stings. “Oh, sweetheart. Let’s get you something to eat.”
“Are you hurt anywhere?” Seth nudges me to the kitchen, where Mom already has plain crackers and a glass of water out. She must not trust my empty stomach to handle more. It sounds like everyone follows us, and I have to admit I appreciate the concern. “Did they torture you?”
“Um, no, but I got cut on my thigh trying to escape,” I say, just remembering he can see my wounds when no one else can. By the sound of his voice I wonder if it’s worse than I think.
Mom grabs the first-aid kit from the laundry room. “Where’s your cut?”
“I’ll do it,” Seth says, but then immediately blushes. “Um, if that’s okay with you.”
“Of course.” Mom smiles.
He opens the kit and grabs the cleaning cloths. “Where’s the wound, Fiona?”
“Here.” I take his hand and put it on my thigh where it stings, though I know perfectly well he can see it. He cleans it gently, feeling the cut more than necessary. As I watch, my heart feels like it’s about to burst I missed him so much. Maybe our secret isn’t always ideal, but right now I treasure it—no one else can understand what we share.
“It seems pretty long.” Seth rummages in the kit, pulling out some butterfly bandages. “It could scar.”
“Oh no, not a scar.” I take another cracker. It feels so good to eat that the pain in my leg hardly registers. I want to eat forever even though my stomach couldn’t take it.
“Sounds like you’re fine. Attitude is still intact.” He pokes my ribs, and I lean my head on his shoulder, happy to have him back just the way he is. But as much as I’d like to revel in this moment of return, there are more important things to discuss.
“So The Phantom paid me a visit while I was locked up.” Everyone’s faces fill with horror. When no one answers, I figure I may as well go on. “He wanted to help me escape, but I told him no. Then he roughed me up a little.”
“Oh, Fiona.” Mom crumples onto the counter.
“What else was I supposed to do? I would have been in his debt.”
“I know.” Mom pulls herself back up, rubbing her temples like I’ve given her an instant headache. “What did he say to you?”
“He figured the Army was keeping me because I really do know stuff, and he told me if I tell them I’m dead.” I try to grab the cracker box, but Mom snatches it away telekinetically. “It’s not a big deal because I’m never telling the Army anything after what they did to me. That Major Norton is a massive asshole.”
Carlos snorts, and everyone looks at him. “Sorry, I got this picture in my head and—”
“We know,” Bea says. “No need to explain.”
I sip at my water. “What have you guys been doing?”
“Besides trying to get you out?” Miles looks like he hasn’t slept much in the past few days, and I feel like it’s my fault. “We’ve taken turns trying to figure out that formula you didn’t steal.”
“Anything?”
Mom pulls the formula from her pants pocket, and I wonder if that’s been its permanent home since I got arrested. She points to a bunch of symbols I don’t really understand. “The key is this element: merinite. It’s a very stable liquid I’ve never seen on the periodic table, I assume because it’s top secret. It looks like when you combine merinite with this large compound it inhibits radiation.”
“Is there any way to test if something’s merinite?” I ask, thinking of that scientist girl and her tests at the waterfall.
“Yeah, Hector’s been working on performing it,” Seth says as Mom flips to the right page to show me. “We should be able to pull it o
ff if we get a sample.”
“And what, exactly, will you do if you discover this secret place of yours does have what they’re looking for?” Graham asks. “Destroy it?”
“I don’t see why not,” Hector says.
Graham purses his lips. “Why not just take it out now, then?”
“Because,” I say, hesitating as I think of those beautiful pools that hold so many good memories, “it’s an amazing place. It shouldn’t be destroyed if it’s not a threat to anyone. I want to know for sure before that has to happen.”
“Me too,” Seth says.
“Sounds sentimental to me.” Graham floats higher up, reclining in the air.
“It’s not all sentimental,” Brady defends. “We know nothing about this element. What if we do something wrong with it and the whole place explodes? We need more information before we try to destroy it. If we even have it.”
Graham nods. “I guess that’s true. But you don’t have much time to figure it out.”
“Nope,” I say as this pit forms in my stomach. My whole being craves revenge for what The Phantom and the Army put me through, but there are other people I have to think about, too. “If you guys don’t want to be involved…I understand. You’ve seen what can happen now, and I’m afraid it’s gonna get worse from here on out because I’m not stopping. If you help me, it might be you locked up next time.”
Bea’s dark eyes seem hesitant. “What are you trying to say, Fi?”
Part of me doesn’t want to admit it, because there’s no going back and they might abandon me. But my mind is made up: I have to do the right thing. “I’m saying I’m going vigilante here. Look at how much violence just the search for this merinite element has caused—can you imagine how much worse it’ll get if they find it? There’s no way in hell I’m letting anyone make Radiasure again. And I’d love to have you all on my team, but I’m not forcing anyone.”
Shocked silence.
I look down, embarrassed. “I know I’ve made fun of those vigilante groups, but I think I’m starting to get it. Someone has to fight back against all this shit. Why not me? Why not us? We’re strong. You can’t tell me we aren’t.”
Blindsided Page 10
