by James Riley
Fort sighed. Glad you’re having fun at least.
“Oh, always.”
“Everyone just pretend like you’re eating, okay?” Fort told them. “Sierra’s got him listening to… our life stories. Just act casual. Cyrus, where’s the best spot to grab the books?”
“There will only be one hall along his path that will be empty at the time and doesn’t have cameras installed yet,” Cyrus said. “It’s two floors up, just before an elevator. After that, he and the guards go down to a basement level and things get really fuzzy, so I think that’s our only shot at this.”
That was what Fort had been afraid of. “Okay, so the hallway it is. Everyone’s clear on their jobs, right?”
Jia nodded. “I cast Paralyze on Dr. Opps and the guards with him, so that we can remove their protective mind amulets.”
“Then I grab the books and replace them with the fakes,” Fort said. “Sierra will convince them the books I give them are the real books of magic, as well as make them forget we were ever there.”
“That spell on the books won’t last for more than a couple of days, so you better hope they don’t check in on them after that,” Sierra pointed out.
It won’t matter, Fort thought at her. I only need the book of Summoning long enough to open a portal and find my dad. After that, they can throw me in jail for all I care. All that matters is that he comes back safely.
“That’s not all that matters,” Sierra said, but Rachel was talking over her.
“Cyrus, did you find somewhere for my part of all of this?” she asked.
He nodded. “There’s an unused kitchen on that floor with some strong ventilation. If you do it in there, it’ll carry away any smoke.”
Rachel nodded, leaning forward. “Okay then. So for my part, as soon as Fort brings me the books, I burn them both with fireballs until they’re ash. Everyone still agrees that this needs to be done, right? That they’re just too dangerous for anyone to use their magic ever again?”
First Jia, then Cyrus nodded. Rachel turned to Fort, who nodded as well.
“Agreed,” he lied. “They need to be destroyed.”
“Oh right,” Sierra said, dropping her head into her hands and groaning. “I’d almost forgotten about the part of the plan where you betray all your friends. Great. This is going to go so, so well.”
- SEVEN -
TELL ME AGAIN WHY WE’RE lying to everyone?” Sierra asked, lying on Fort’s bed with a sleep mask on and a travel pillow around her neck. In the next bed, Gabriel read by the light of a lamp clipped to the headboard. Somehow Gabriel had been able to bring a whole box of books to the school, as well as the light, compared to Fort’s just enough uniforms to fill a drawer and a beat-up old copy of the mystery novel he’d found.
Because I can’t let Jia or Rachel come with me, assuming they wouldn’t just try to stop me in the first place, he thought at Sierra from the opposite end of his bed, staring up at the ceiling. It was still a few hours until Cyrus’s appointed time, and Fort could barely sit still. It’d been almost seven months since his father was taken, and every minute that passed just made it worse. What had his father been going through this whole time? Had he been tortured for information? Had they just thrown him in some prison and forgotten about him?
“Why not?” Sierra asked, peeking out from under her sleep mask only to make a disgusted face. “Ugh, someone in the airport is eating something really stinky. Who does that? At least they’re not waiting to inflict it on us on the plane.”
Are you sure you’re going to get on the flight?
“Damian thinks so,” she said, then started rubbing her temples. “But between entertaining you and making sure everyone in the airport sees me and him as an old British couple, I’m getting a headache.”
That’s right, your face is all over TV, Fort thought. I forgot you’d need to disguise yourself.
“You’d think Damian could help, but no, he says he senses someone’s after us, so he has to be prepared for an attack.” She rolled her eyes and replaced her mask. “He senses. Like that’s a thing. It’s like he doesn’t even have the courtesy to make up some spell I don’t know. At least lie to me convincingly, if you’re going to do it.”
Fort grinned. Anyway, how’s disguising yourself any different from what I asked you to do to Gabriel? You were awfully judgey about that.
She sat up and pointed at him. “Because Damian and I don’t have a choice, and you do. Because Gabriel wasn’t going to turn you in. And because it’s just a thing I don’t feel great doing, okay?”
Sorry, Fort thought, and pushed along some apologetic feelings. But how do you know he won’t turn us in? Did you read his mind when you were in there?
“No, I make it a habit to only read yours,” Sierra said. “Gabriel isn’t exactly thrilled with authority, so he doesn’t seem like a snitch.”
Fort nodded, glad he’d been able to change the subject from having to lie to his friends. After all, he didn’t—
“Hey, I heard that,” Sierra said, pulling the mask off again. “We’re not done here. Why couldn’t you bring them along? Them stopping you, that I understand, and yes, they probably would have. But you’re going to need all the help you can get, and taking them with you would be smart.”
They totally would try to stop me, Fort thought. Jia still blames me for stealing her spells and using them to wake you up. Rachel almost murdered me when she thought I might be a danger to the school. What do you think they’d do if they found out I was taking an even bigger risk than last time? There’s no way they’d let me do this.
Sierra narrowed her eyes. “Why are you avoiding my question? You can’t fool a telepath, Fort. Why don’t you want them along?”
He growled to himself, then sat up and glared at her. Because Cyrus told me if I brought anyone else with me, I’d lose one of them forever. Okay?
She sat back in surprise. “Whoa, okay, yes, that’d do it. When did this happen? You never told me he checked your future.”
Because it wasn’t a great sign! Fort shouted back in his mind. You think knowing that if I don’t go alone, one of my friends could die, or get left behind… you think that makes me excited to do this? I have to get my father back. But I also know how dangerous it’s going to be. I just can’t let myself think about that.
She looked at him sadly. “I get it. Still, you could have told me. I’ve seen your memories of potty training. There’s nothing you can’t tell me, Fort.”
Nothing except— he thought, then immediately cut himself off, his eyes widening.
“Wait, what was that?” she said, jumping up off the bed. “What are you hiding? Something about going alone, and what Cyrus told you would happen.”
Fort winced. This was exactly the reason he hadn’t mentioned any of this to her. He said… he said that if I went alone, I could bring him back, but that it’d be dangerous. That I might get hurt. That was it. That’s why I didn’t want to tell you.
Okay, it wasn’t the full truth, but it was close and all he could afford to let her know.
Even that much was probably over the line. “Are you kidding?” she screamed. “He told you that you might get hurt? But you’re not going to do the safe thing and bring the others, because no, Fort Fitzgerald can’t let anyone help him, not even to keep him safe!”
Because it would mean putting them in danger! he shouted back. How is that better? At least this way I’m the only one taking the chance!
“But what if—”
There isn’t a what if, not according to Cyrus! There are only two options: I lose a friend, or I might get a few scratches. That’s no choice at all.
She looked away. “And that’s why I had to use my magic on him, to make him think he saw you destroying the books instead of using them, because you couldn’t have him telling the others. I still hate that we did that.”
I know, me too, Fort thought, and he did, honestly. Cyrus was his best friend, but he knew that the boy couldn’t keep a secre
t to save his life, and if it got out that Fort was going, this would all fall apart.
She sighed and turned back toward Fort. “Fine. I don’t agree with this, but at least I get now why you’re hiding it from them.” She looked down at his hands, which had clenched into fists. “But you’re about to claw through your sheets, you’re so anxious. Why don’t I magic you to sleep or something? I promise I’ll wake you up at the right time, and then you won’t be sitting here for hours about to explode.”
Still angry, Fort started to say what a terrible idea that was, but even in his annoyance he knew she was right. He should really be at his freshest when he got to the dimension where his father was being held. And if nothing else, he wouldn’t be sitting here waiting for another few hours. Okay, he said. And thanks. Just make sure…
“I know, I know, the plan,” she said, rolling her eyes but smiling gently at him. “I’ll be where I promised I’d be. Just trust me, okay?” Her hands glowed brighter, and she gave him a worried look. “I’ll see you in a few hours. Don’t have nightmares.”
A wave of sleepiness hit him then, and it was all he could do to lay his head on his pillow before he drifted off, as Sierra faded out from the other side of the bed.
The dream, as it always did, started within seconds.
A giant black scaly hand pushed up through the stairs of the Lincoln Memorial, closing around Fort’s father and the woman he’d been carrying to safety. Fort’s heart stopped as he watched his father disappear behind those fingers.
The old woman came tumbling out from between the creature’s fingers, crashing to the grass next to Fort. His father tried climbing through just behind her, but he was going to be too late. He was always too late.
“Dad!” Fort screamed as the creature roared, then started pulling back below the ground.
“Fort!” his father shouted. The creature’s hand curled around him, rupturing the remains of the memorial as it descended back into the ground. “FORT—”
The creature’s massive hand disappeared within the earth, and his father went silent.
“NO!” Fort shrieked, but part of him knew that he couldn’t do anything, even if he wasn’t a ghost here, because the dream would play out just like real life had, and Sierra would be commanding him to run any second now.
But her voice never appeared in his head. Without waiting to find out why, Fort dove into the hole after his father.
Down and down into darkness he fell, unable to see or hear anything but the creature’s scales ripping against the dirt and stone. His father stayed silent as the creature descended. Though Fort was falling, somehow he stayed right with the monster’s fist moving at the same speed.
A green glow lit the tunnel from below, shining off of the creature’s scales as it dug back down, the earth collapsing in a strangely organized way behind them, almost as if by magic. The glow intensified, and now Fort could see the portal, just like the one he’d seen below the old Oppenheimer School when the same creature (or a very similar one) had almost pulled him through.
If only he’d known then that his father might still be alive, he would have gladly gone with it.
The creature passed through the portal, and Fort followed, holding his breath with anticipation. He knew that this was just his imagination, he knew it. But what if he was wrong? What if he was going to see what had happened to his father? Maybe he could see where his dad had been taken, and—
The creature stopped, slamming into solid stone, then lowering its hand toward the ground as Fort floated down next to it. Its fingers opened, releasing Fort’s father, who groaned as he rolled onto the stone below. The creature stepped away into the darkness, and suddenly it felt like Fort was entirely alone with his dad.
When the monster was gone, his father slowly got to his feet, the glow of the portal the only light that Fort could see him by.
“Hello?” his father said, and Fort’s heart almost broke to hear his dad so alone and scared.
“I’m here, Dad!” he shouted, but he knew his father couldn’t hear him.
“Hello!” his father yelled again. “Is anyone—”
He abruptly went silent as two red-eyed monsters appeared in the shadows just in front of him. Another pair appeared next to the first, then another, and another, until Fort’s dad was surrounded by the creatures.
“Hello?” his father said, his voice shaking with fear.
And that’s when the monsters all leaped forward, straight at his father.
“NO!” Fort shouted, but some unknown force pulled him back up the way he’d come, up and out of the ground, and back into shadows at the now-destroyed National Mall.
And the Old One was waiting for him, filling the sky with its horror.
WE CAN GIVE YOUR ELDER BACK TO YOU, it said. GIVE US WHAT WE ASK, AND YOU SHALL HAVE HIM ONCE MORE. GIVE US THE LOCATION OF THE LAST DRAGON. HE IS HIDDEN TO US, BUT YOU CAN FIND—
“Time to wake up!” someone said, and Fort bolted upright, right through Sierra, who’d been leaning down over him. He almost screamed out loud in surprise but managed to hold himself back, which was good since Gabriel snored quietly next to him, his reading light still on, his book tented over his chest.
“Whoa, are you okay?” Sierra asked him. “You look terrified. What were you dreaming about?”
I’m fine, he said, pushing the nightmare out of his mind as quickly as he could. The last thing he needed was her seeing what he’d dreamed, real or not. Is it time?
She gave him a concerned look, but nodded. “Damian got us tickets, but our flight doesn’t leave for another hour, so I’m good to go. You all ready to lie to your friends, steal a book of magic, and go find your dad?”
You have no idea, he told her, and leaped off the bed.
- EIGHT -
HEY, THIS IS PRETTY COOL, Rachel said in Fort’s head. AND I’M GLAD YOU WEREN’T MAKING UP YOUR IMAGINARY FRIEND. THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN PRETTY SAD. LIKE YOU SAYING YOU HAD A GIRLFRIEND IN CANADA.
SPEAKING OF GIRLFRIENDS, DOES ANYONE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE GIRL FORT USED TO DANCE WITH IN FRONT OF HIS GRANDPARENTS? Sierra asked, and Fort immediately felt Rachel’s burst of excitement.
No! he thought as loudly as he could. Next to him, Jia coughed to hide a laugh, but he could feel her own joy at the idea in his mind. Everyone needs to be serious. This is important! And Sierra can’t keep track of everyone’s minds if we’re all talking at once.
ACTUALLY, I TOTALLY CAN, Sierra broadcast in their minds. THIS SORT OF THING IS EASY, ASSUMING I DON’T HAVE TO WIPE ANY OF YOUR MEMORIES OR TAKE OVER YOUR BODY. THAT ’S WHEN THINGS GET MUCH MORE COMPLICATED. I COULD CONNECT THE WHOLE SCHOOL LIKE THIS IF I HAD TO. SO BACK TO THE DANCING—
We’re coming up on the hallway, so no time for that now, Fort thought quickly, stopping around the corner from where Cyrus had said they’d be able to ambush Dr. Opps and the two guards carrying the books of Mind and Summoning magic. Wires hung from the ceiling where cameras were still being installed, so Cyrus had been right: This was the perfect spot.
Fort felt Jia’s joy turn into anticipation as they reached their destination, and he remembered what Rachel had said about Jia looking for thrills. Jia flattened herself back against the wall and squeezed her hands together to keep them from shaking. “Are you ready?” she whispered to Fort. “Because I’m ready. I’m so good to go. We’re going to nail this. Isn’t it exciting? We’re making the world a safer place, and all it took was breaking a few rules!”
“That’s right,” he whispered back, not thrilled to be deceiving her. “Once they’re gone, only Damian will have the power to bring the Old Ones back, and we already know we can handle him. The last thing we need is for the military to decide they need mind control or to summon something and teach some new student. They’re too dangerous.”
Jia sighed. “I know, though it’d still be fun to play around with them for a little bit. Not long, but just, like, one or two spells, you know?”
I THINK THEY’RE ALMOST TH
ERE, Cyrus said in their heads. MY VISION GETS ALL WONKY AROUND THE BOOKS, SO IT’S HARD TO TELL FOR SURE.
The reminder of Cyrus’s “wonky” vision around the books wasn’t great at this moment, but footsteps sounded from down the hallway, so Fort couldn’t worry about that now. Cyrus is right, I hear them, he thought to the others. Everyone ready, and know what you’re going to do?
I’M GOING TO PARALYZE THE THREE OF THEM FIRST, Jia said, grinning widely at him. THEN I’LL TAKE THE MIND AMULETS OFF OF DR. OPPS AND THE SOLDIERS, WHILE YOU GRAB THE BOOKS, REPLACE THEM WITH YOUR FAKE ONES, AND MAKE YOUR WAY TO RACHEL.
Fort looked down at the two roleplaying books that Rachel had donated, even if she hadn’t been happy about it. Unfortunately, they were the only thing even close to the size of an actual book of magic, and Sierra had said that would help with the spell to disguise them.
YOU STILL OWE ME FOR THOSE, NEW KID! Rachel yelled in his mind, and Fort winced, forgetting she could still hear him. THOSE ARE CLASSICS.
Sorry! he thought. So, like Jia said, I take the books to you, Rachel, two halls down on the right from here, in an unused kitchen.
A KITCHEN THAT SMELLS LIKE FEET FOR SOME REASON.
Fort immediately smelled exactly what she meant through Rachel’s nose. Everyone on the mental “call” groaned in disgust.
Thanks for that, Fort thought as the footsteps came closer. I should be there, like, thirty seconds after Jia hits them with the paralyze spell.
RIGHT, Rachel thought. AND THEN WHILE I’M BURNING THE BOOKS, WHICH IS THE LAST TIME I HOPE TO EVER SAY THAT, SIERRA IS GOING TO ERASE THEIR MEMORIES OF SEEING US AND ENCHANT THEM INTO THINKING MY INCREDIBLY PRECIOUS ROLEPLAYING BOOKS ARE THE BOOKS OF MAGIC.
IS “ENCHANT” THE RIGHT WORD? Sierra asked. CAN’T WE CALL IT SOMETHING COOLER, MAYBE MORE SPY-ISH? LIKE I’M MAGICALLY COVERT ACTIONING THEM INTO THINKING THEY’RE RECEIVING THE DROP WHICH WE’VE INTELLED INTO… HEY, YOU KNOW I CAN HEAR ALL OF YOUR JUDGMENT, RIGHT?
Shh, they’re just around the corner! Fort thought to the others, and he saw Jia tense up, her hands starting to glow a cold blue. Everyone ready?
