I heard voices speaking. I stopped and plastered myself to the wall, listening. My heart was beating so hard it felt as if it would explode out of my chest.
No, not voices, a voice. I crept closer to the hall and paused. I was in a sitting room of some kind. Large portraits hung on the walls. The occupants stared down at me as if sharing in my secret escape. If I were Harry Potter, they’d probably wink at me.
The voice sounded louder.
Marcus.
It seemed he was talking on the phone to someone. I caught my name a few times. My blood grew cold. Looking for a way out, I almost groaned when more bulletproof, inaccessible windows stared back at me. I needed to find an exit. The windows certainly weren’t an option unless I wanted to make a scene.
Creeping into the hallway, I checked to make sure Marcus wasn’t standing in the hall talking on the phone.
It was empty.
I tiptoed along the empty hall. His voice seemed to be coming from another room. Light peeked out from a partially opened door ahead. A chair and a full bookcase were visible. A swiveling sound from a chair being turned penetrated the conversation. The back of Marcus’ head appeared. My heart stopped. He was in a home office, sitting in that chair.
Holding my breath, I crept quietly past the room. Sweat trickled down my temple. His next words stopped me short.
“I had Raven give her the pregnancy tests. He said she hadn’t taken them when he went in with her supper. If she hasn’t taken them by morning, I’ll draw a blood sample and process it myself.” He paused, then chuckled softly. “Yes, that’s what I was thinking too. How long have we wanted another pregnant subject? We haven’t had one since Raven’s mother. There are so many things I want to try with her. The possibilities for her baby are extraordinary.”
More silence.
“I know. I know. We can’t let corporate get wind of this. They’ll shut us down for good if they know.”
Marcus continued talking, but the blood pounded in my ears so loudly, I couldn’t hear any more. Another pregnant subject? Raven’s mother?
A few seconds ticked by before I realized I stood like a statue in the middle of the large hall. All Marcus had to do was turn and he’d spot me.
I bolted down the hall, not thinking about how much noise I made. I passed through a few more rooms before a large arched, double wooden door appeared. The front door!
When I reached it, I paused long enough to listen. I still didn’t hear anybody. Marcus’ office was far enough away that I no longer heard him. For a brief second, I processed what he’d said.
Marcus experimented on Raven’s mother when she was pregnant.
I shook my head. Those thoughts would have to wait for later.
Sliding the lock on the door, I opened it cautiously. A light flashed in the corner of the foyer, just above the front door. Crap! I’d been in such a hurry, I hadn’t bothered to check the security. Knowing it was only a matter of time before a guard arrived, I sprinted through the door.
The nighttime air hit me like a wall of ice. The blast of it against my sweaty face almost took my breath away. Lights lit up the exterior, throwing the pebble drive into a brightly lit oasis. A dog barked in the distance, followed by more barking.
Double crap! He has dogs!
There was no way I could outrun or hide my scent from a dog, but I’d have to try. I took off down the drive.
My feet made slapping crunches in the gravel. I jumped over a line of hedges and took off into the yard. At least it was darker this way, not that it would matter if there were dogs.
Shouting sounded from behind me. I kept running, darting through the trees surrounding the property. Low hanging branches scratched my face. I didn’t care. If I didn’t get out tonight, this was it. I’d be buried in an underground facility somewhere, mercilessly studied until Marcus deemed me no longer research worthy.
A solid wall appeared in the distance. The property was lined with a huge fence. It was at least twelve feet tall. My stomach sank, and I almost tripped. How am I supposed to scale that?
More barking sounded.
I heard them before I saw them. Thundering paws disturbed the gravel drive to my left, barking and growling grew closer to my right. The dogs’ labored breathing came next.
I turned just in time to see four Rottweilers closing in. A moment of panic engulfed me. For a moment, I didn’t do anything. It was only as a dog snarled and flew at me that I spurred into action. Welling up my power, I pulled it from me while simultaneously drawing energy from every living thing around me. I formed four, large balls and hurled them at the dogs.
The dogs went down like a stack of dominos. My mouth dropped at how quickly it happened. A momentary flash of guilt followed. Did I kill them?
A whine reached my ears. No, didn’t kill them just hurt them. A wave of relief followed.
I was about to turn when a hand clamped over my arm. A chuckle came next. “Going somewhere, Red?”
In the dim moonlight, Trevor smiled down at me.
My eyes widened. Where did he come from?
He wore military apparel. A gun was nestled in his palm. It was pointed directly at me as a radio clipped onto his shoulder crackled. A voice asked if I’d been located. Trevor’s grip tightened. With his other hand, he reached up to press something on the radio.
Memories of that awful sound machine they’d used on us at Marin Headlands surfaced. Once more men came, they might use that machine. Then the chance of my escape disappeared.
Raising my foot, I stomped onto the arch of Trevor’s foot with everything I had. He howled. His free hand dropped from the radio and reached for me. Power surged up around me. It formed almost instantly. For a brief moment, I remembered Flint’s words.
Control yourself. No regrets.
I meticulously hurled a ball at Trevor just as his hand touched my bicep.
He shot twenty feet into the trees and caught on a branch. Considering he dangled listlessly from it, I knew I’d knocked him out, but I’d been careful. I knew I hadn’t killed him.
My breath came out in harsh pants. I turned and ran.
Cold, night air flew across my face. A few tree branches snarled in my hair. More shouting sounded in the distance.
Men.
They’re coming.
I ran along the perimeter wall in the direction of the gravel drive. A huge gate appeared. I formed the largest ball I’d ever managed and flung it at the imposing bars.
With a loud crack, the ball smashed through the metal. I simultaneously ran through it.
I kept running and didn’t look back.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
It seemed Marcus’ property was far enough away from Chicago that no signs of the city or lights were visible. I stuck to the ditches and surrounding trees. Whenever I heard a vehicle, I ducked for cover or lay flat on my stomach in the woods, pulling my hood up. Each time the vehicle slowly passed me by, a bright spot light shining out the front window.
Marcus’ men.
I could feel their clouds—searching, wanting, trying desperately to find me. Their clouds had an appetite to them, like blood thirsty lions on the hunt for weaker prey. They pulled at me like a torrent river threatening to pull me under. Every time they drove by, I barely breathed. My heart beat so loudly I feared they’d hear it even though I knew that was impossible.
I didn’t know how long they searched for me. The entire night became a blur. Fear and cold were my constant companions. Each time I stumbled over the uneven ground in the forest, I felt certain the noise would alert them. Or that more dogs would come, following my scent, tracking me until I couldn’t run anymore.
It felt as though I walked, and intermittently hid, forever. The only comfort I took was from the forest. Forests felt like home. I crept through the trees just off the county highway. Cloudy puffs of panicked breathing billowed around me as I stayed in the shadows, moving parallel to the road. I could only hope this stretch of highway would eventually lead me
to civilization.
Images of life in a subterranean prison, mercilessly studied, never to see my loved ones again, kept me going. Besides, I’d been through worse. For weeks on end, I’d been hungry, thirsty, cold or burning hot during my homeless days. I’d survived that.
I could survive this too.
The sun lit the horizon when a town finally appeared. A few buildings, a church and a gas station were visible. Only a few streets made up the town center. Considering the dark windows, it appeared the town’s residents were still asleep.
I carefully assessed my surroundings. A sedan was parked by a church. Outlines of two men were visible. I felt their clouds. Searching. Yearning. Hungry to find me. Marcus’ men.
Across from where they parked the gas station waited. It was the only thing open. My only chance at finding help.
You’ll need to run. If I wasn’t fast enough, those men could capture me before I made it through the doors.
I burst from the trees’ canopy and raced across the road to the gas station. I must have caught Marcus’ men by surprise. I was already sprinting past the pumps when one opened the sedan’s door.
When I pushed through the gas station’s double doors, the sleepy looking clerk stood up straighter. Scents of stale coffee and old donuts coated the air. I never thought I’d be so happy to smell anything so bad in my life.
With unsteady movements, I stumbled to the counter and sank against it, my forearms supporting me on the counter. “Do you have a phone I can use?”
Another shiver struck me. At least it was warm in here.
The clerk’s half asleep expression vanished. His eyes wandered over my frame. I could only imagine what I looked like.
“Are you okay?” His protruding belly pushed against the counter.
I nodded. “Yeah. I just need a phone.”
He pushed the landline at me with a shaky hand. I thanked him and punched in Flint’s number.
Flint answered on the second ring. “Hello?”
My heart lodged in my throat. “Flint?”
A second of silence passed. Breathing increased on the other end. “Lena? Is that you?”
Tears pricked my eyes. “Yes. I’m in . . .” I paused and blinked the tears back. I had no idea where I was.
“Lena! Where? I’m coming right now. Just tell me where, babe!”
I looked at the clerk. “What town am I in?”
He rattled off some town I’d never heard of. I relayed it to Flint.
“Are you safe there?” Flint practically shouted. If I could feel energy through phones, I’m pretty sure his would have knocked me out.
“Um . . .” I looked around. Will I be safe if Marcus’ men come in? I didn’t think even Marcus would be daring enough to kidnap me with witnesses standing around. “I think so.”
“Don’t move. I’m on my way.”
I SPENT THE entire morning and early afternoon in the gas station. It was a surreal experience. The night clerk went home, after repeatedly asking me if he should phone the police. Each time I told him no, that I’d simply become lost after my car broke down and my family was on their way. Apparently, I was a bad liar. I could tell from his sideways glances and puckered brow that he didn’t believe me.
The day shift clerk was less suspicious and helped pass the time. She was bubbly, talkative and seemed happy to have someone to chat with throughout the morning. She gave me a free hot dog off the warmer and a soda from the machine. I nervously ate it. The dark sedan by the church was still parked across the street. The two men in it hadn’t moved.
I’d already decided what I’d do if they tried to kidnap me from the gas station. I’d use my energy balls. It would expose what I could do to the gas station clerk and anyone watching, but I’d have to.
I’d fight with whatever means necessary. I would not be imprisoned again.
I stayed close to the clerk but still jumped every time the bell sounded at the door. Each time I expected Trevor, Heath or another one of Marcus’ security men to barrel through the door. However, nobody ever emerged from that car.
Nervous energy strummed along my limbs regardless. By the time afternoon rolled around, I had a pounding headache.
When Flint and Father finally arrived, I felt them before they pulled into the parking lot. The energy pouring off Flint pulsed a half block in all directions. It rolled through me, washing over my senses. I’d never felt anything like it. My heart swelled when they peeled around a corner and careened to a stop.
Flint leaped out of the car and sprinted to the gas station. He didn’t bother to close his car door. Even in his hurried state, which he seemed to barely keep in check from morphing into an inhuman blur, I noticed the unshaved beard and dark circles under his eyes. It looked as if he’d lost weight.
When he crashed through the door, the little bell swung right off its hook. “Lena!”
I ran to him.
He caught me mid-stride and wrapped his arms so tightly around me I couldn’t breathe.
“Lena, Lena . . .” he murmured over and over. “Oh, Lena . . .” His arms clenched me so tightly it felt like my ribs would crack. He buried his face in my hair. I could feel his tears. They poured down his cheeks in uncontrolled rivers. I’d never seen him cry before—not like this.
“I’m okay. I’m okay.” I threaded my fingers through his hair. They were oily and dirty. His hair stuck up on all ends. “I’m okay,” I whispered for the tenth time.
I could feel everyone in the gas station watching us. I knew we were making a scene. I also knew that the depth of our emotions were on display.
Closing my eyes, I let the safe, comforting feeling that only Flint could evoke wash over me. I’m safe. I’m with Flint. I’m okay. Marcus no longer had me.
It was all that mattered.
“I thought I lost you,” Flint whispered. His entire body trembled. This close, his energy felt like a magnet pulling me toward him. I was helpless to resist, but I didn’t want to. I was with him. We were finally together. This is how it was always supposed to be. I inhaled deeply. Spice, wood and tangerines. Safe. I’m safe.
It was then that I started to cry. The past six days poured out of me. The rage, helplessness and despair were like a dam being released. It wasn’t until that moment that I truly understood how precarious of a situation I’d been in. I was lucky I got away.
“Shh, you’re okay now.” He ran his hands down my back, in my hair, his lips on my neck and face.
The feathery soft feel grounded me.
“I’ll never let him near you again.”
His aching tone was like an ocean current pulling me home. Finally, he was here holding me. Marcus couldn’t hurt me.
I didn’t know how long we stood like that. It wasn’t until Father approached and laid a hand on my shoulder that I pulled back.
“Galena,” he said hoarsely.
I unwrapped my arms from around Flint and hugged Father. Flint barely let go.
Father hugged me fiercely.
“Where’s everyone else?” I asked after I finally pulled back. Snot ran down my nose. My cheeks felt red and wet from tears. Neither Father nor Flint seemed to care. Both still held onto me.
Father discreetly dabbed his eyes. “A new location.”
I didn’t ask where. I knew he wouldn’t tell me here. “Are they all safe?”
“Yes.”
I sank in relief. That was all I needed to hear.
Flint gripped my hand tightly. “Let’s get out of here.” Before Father could turn, Flint awkwardly touched Father’s shoulder. “Thank you, Conroy. For . . .”
Father’s eyes softened. “No need to thank me, Flint.”
I eyed Flint questioningly. I’d never known him to thank Father for anything.
When we finally left, the clerk’s gaping mouth and wide eyes followed us. I knew we’d made a scene. I waved goodbye to her and mouthed thank you.
She merely nodded mutely.
The winter sun greeted us in the ga
s station’s parking lot. I scanned the street. The dark sedan was still parked by the church across the road. Black tinted windows shielded the interior. I could feel them watching.
Goosebumps rose along my arms. “Do you see them?”
“Yes.” Father’s mouth tightened. “I’ve been keeping an eye on them.”
I gave the sedan one last look when we pulled out of the parking lot. Outlines of two men were still evident. I wondered if one of them was Raven.
BY THE TIME the next day rolled around, we’d been flying for over ten hours. Of course, the men in that car had followed us to the airport. Because of that, Father changed flight plans. Twice. Paranoia had returned full force and for good reason.
During our never-ending time in the sky, Flint either gripped me tightly to him or held my hand. His energy hadn’t abated one bit. I didn’t make light of it, however, like I normally did when I wanted to calm him. I felt just as desperately as he did. Now, more than ever, it was very real how dangerous our situation was.
“It was stupid,” he muttered, somewhere thirty thousand feet over Montana. It had to be one or two in the morning.
I’d been dozing on and off, the lack of sleep catching up with me. I sleepily opened my eyes.
“What was?” Dim cabin lighting glowed around us. Father slept in his chair a row ahead.
“Trying to lure Marcus to us in San Francisco. I never should have done it.” Flint hung his head.
I’d completely forgotten it was Flint’s idea to try and capture one of Marcus’ men by using the tracking device. “You can’t blame yourself.”
“Then who can I blame?” Guilt hung heavily in his cloud.
“No one. You don’t blame anyone. We all make mistakes.”
“A mistake that almost got you killed.” He gripped my hand tighter.
I didn’t tell him that it felt as if my bones were about to break or that my fingertips grew numb. The dark shadow cast over his face worried me more than my pinched circulation.
“Flint?” With my free hand, I stroked his hair. It was still coated in grease. I wondered if he’d showered once since I went missing. “Flint?”
The Complete Lost Children Series Page 70
