by Sara Preucil
Tara’s heart was hammering in her chest; she could feel the blood pumping in her eardrums. Sure, they weren’t responsible for Aidan’s injury, but what if the Order caught wind of their location? If the police released a report of five unaccompanied teens, how long would it take for the Order to connect the dots?
“Name please?” The female officer had taken out a notebook, and was watching Tara attempt to remain still in her chair.
Fake names, Dylan had stressed. If anyone asks, give them fake names.
“Rachel Smith,” Tara answered.
“Age?”
“Seventeen.”
The officer scribbled in her notebook.
“Can you tell us what happened?” The male officer chimed in.
Tara took a breath and then carefully reiterated the story they had agreed upon while driving to the hospital. In as little detail as possible, she said, “My friends and I were at a party in La Conner, and when we were leaving, there were these two guys arguing outside. They started shoving each other, so Adam”—their pseudonym for Aidan—“went to break it up. I guess one of them had a gun because the next thing we heard was it going off. They ran and we brought Adam here.”
“Do you knew either of these boys?” the woman asked.
Tara shook her head, repeating what Dylan told her to say. “It was a friend of a friend’s place. I hadn’t been there before, and I didn’t know any one there except for my friends.” They were all instructed to say the same, except for Dylan, who was the agreed upon connection to the party. He’d provide a little more information which the rest of them couldn’t then contradict.
The female officer took a few more notes while the man stared at Tara from his place in the corner, his thumbs hooked into his belt.
“Can you describe them?”
Tara furrowed her brow, pretending to think. “It was really dark…and they took off pretty quick. I didn’t get a good look. Sorry.” She did her best to appear regretful that she wasn’t being more helpful.
The pen scratched across the pad of paper as the officer jotted down another note. She sighed, and her eyes fell on Tara, who felt skittish under her long, penetrating gaze. Tara had a feeling that they suspected their story was rehearsed. Perhaps they thought they were some dumb kids who got a hold of one of their dad’s handguns and accidentally fired it, and were now trying to cover it up. Tara didn’t care what conclusion the offers drew, just as long as they didn’t arrest them. At this point, Tara doubted that she would have any qualms with breaking out of jail; but they had the Order to worry about, and a teen jailbreak would definitely draw their attention.
“Is there anything else you can tell us?”
Tara shook her head, “I don’t think so, sorry.” And then, wanting to get the focus off herself, she asked, “Will Adam be okay?” Her eyes actually grew misty then, as her true anxieties made themselves known.
Both of the officers began to shift then, visibly uncomfortable with her emotions.
“You’ll have to wait for the doctor—”
Tara buried her head in her hands, not needing to fake the tears that sprang to her eyes.
The man coughed. “We’ve got what we need for now. You can return to your friends.”
After a couple of steadying breaths, Tara wiped her face on her coat sleeve. “Thank you,” she muttered, and then hurried out of the room before they could ask her anything else.
Tara reclaimed her lime-green chair. Keegan and Emmy had already given their statements, so the three of them waited in nervous silence for Dylan to return.
After what felt like an agonizingly long time, Dylan finally appeared. The four of them watched the officers leave and then huddled together.
“Everyone stick to the script?” Emmy asked. They all nodded. “Okay good.”
“Excuse me.”
The four of them looked up as a hospital employee approached.
“Visiting hours are over,” he explained. “You kids are going to have to leave.”
Obediently, they stood up and headed for the front doors, the hospital employee not-so-subtly following behind to make sure that they, in fact, were leaving.
They headed through the dark parking lot to where Dylan had parked the Jeep.
“I guess we are sleeping here tonight,” Emmy murmured as they climbed inside. Dylan and Emmy sat in the front two seats, which they adjusted to their furthest recline. Keegan had the entire passenger bench to herself, which she curled up on without another word. Tara once again found herself in the rear of the Jeep. Resting up against the back of the bench, Tara pulled her knees into her chest and wrapped her arms around her shins. She stared out of the back window into the nearly empty parking lot. No one spoke, but she knew not one of them was asleep. How could they be?
Tara’s hands shook, and she clasped them tightly together, trying desperately to not think about what was going on in the operating room.
For what felt like hours, she kept watch, every moment expecting the Order to appear. But somehow, whether through divine intervention or crazy luck, they didn’t show up. After a while longer, her eyelids finally began to grow heavy, and eventually she nodded off.
✽✽✽
Bright light streamed into the Jeep’s large windows, waking Tara from an uncomfortable few hours of sleep. At some point, she had laid down on her side and curled up, using her duffle bag as a pillow. She rolled over, and felt the lump of her purse pushing against her neck. She groaned and sat up.
Emmy and Dylan were beginning to stir as well. Keegan was sitting bolt upright and staring out of the window. She looked like she hadn’t slept much.
Tara opened the back hatch and slipped out of the Jeep, glad that she could finally straighten her legs. She heard a door open, and then Emmy appeared around the back of the Jeep.
“I think it’s about time we find out what’s on that flash drive.” She held her palm out toward Tara.
“How are you going to view it?” Tara asked, fishing out the device from her pocket, and handing it over to Emmy.
“The library.” Emmy pocketed the drive as Dylan appeared next to her.
“What about Aidan?” Keegan said as she too climbed out of the Jeep.
“There is nothing we can do for him sitting here; we may as well be useful.”
“Call us if anything changes,” Dylan said, taking Emmy’s hand, and with that, the two of them climbed back into the Jeep. Tara pulled her purse out of her bag before closing the hatch.
Dylan and Emmy drove away, and Tara and Keegan slowly made their way back into the hospital and into the waiting area.
Without looking at Tara, Keegan retrieved a magazine from a nearby table and settled herself into a chair. Tara thought about doing the same, but, her stomach was beginning to rumble, so instead she headed for the small cafeteria to see what food they might have. She bought two blueberry muffins and plain coffees and headed back to where Keegan was. Grumpily, she had thought about only getting something for herself, but then she had decided to play nice. She set one of the muffins and a coffee on the table next to Keegan.
“Here,” Tara said, before sitting down in another one of the lime-green chairs.
Keegan eyed Tara’s peace offerings with surprise. “Thanks,” she said, briefly glancing at Tara before grabbing the coffee and returning to her magazine.
It’s a start, Tara thought mildly as she dug into her own breakfast, hoping desperately to see Aidan soon.
Chapter 53
Dylan and Emmy pulled into the small parking lot outside the tiny brick library. One fist clenched tightly around the flash drive, Emmy entwined her other hand securely with Dylan’s as they walked across the short parking lot.
Through the doors, they took a right and headed for a group of half a dozen computers. Most were already in use, but they managed to secure one between a teenager playing games and a sketchy-looking man muttering about the security settings. Dylan situated himself between the man and Emmy, and she felt ye
t another wave of gratitude and astonishment toward him. She still couldn’t quite believe that, against all odds, he had managed to find her once again.
She handed Dylan the drive, which he plugged into the port at the back of the monitor. Emmy’s heart raced in her chest as Dylan accessed the drive. What were they about to find? Had Tara actually come through? Or would the information on the flash drive prove useless? Emmy was having a difficult time shedding the skepticism she felt toward Tara. The girl was clearly struggling with her own identity, so it made pegging her, and her loyalties, even more difficult.
Dylan opened the drive and a list of files popped up. On the surface, the files all had names that wouldn’t look out of place for a new-age company dedicated to green, healthy living. They fit in perfectly with Modern Alchemy’s fake m.o. The first one was named “Chemical Balancing;” Emmy waited with baited breath as Dylan clicked on it. Inside were four more files, each labeled for an element. Dylan selected one at random: fire. Two documents were inside, labeled “Procedures” and “Experiments.” Dylan opened the “Procedures” file. It was a twenty-five page document that discussed possible procedures for bringing balance to a body inflicted with fire. Emmy skimmed it in disgust; many of those techniques had been tried on her.
“Let’s keep looking,” she said, having seen enough.
Dylan closed the document and backed out to the original list of files. The next one he opened was titled “Historical Records.” The oldest document in there was last updated in May of 1997; it was titled “Subject 0.”
“What’s that one?” Emmy pointed to the document.
Dylan opened it. The top of the page read “Subject Name: Gale Thompson. Age: 24. Illness: Air.” What followed were about a dozen pages that read like a diary, with short entries put under dates that started on October 14th of 1995. The first one read:
Today, something unprecedented occurred. Subject 0 has willingly given itself over for eradication. Clearly, some of these creatures recognize their corruption. However, it has supplied shocking evidence of reincarnation in an unbalanced soul. Our previous efforts have not been effective enough. We will review our research, and embark upon new experimentation.
“Who would give themselves up willingly?” Emmy whispered, her stomach churning at the thought of one of their own playing a key part in the Order’s efforts to erase them from the world.
They continued to scan the entries, which continued in a similar manner, the descriptions of the experiments growing more and more disturbing. The last entry, from May 7th, 1997, simply stated:
Subject 0 deceased.
“I wonder if it worked,” Dylan said, closing the file with a shudder.
The next file they opened was labeled “Project Purify,” which had two files within: one was called “Active Clients” and the other “Franchise Developments.” Dylan opened the latter first. What it contained were blueprints of a large, multi-level building. They scrolled through the documents; many of the rooms were labeled. Dylan zoomed in so they could make out the small print.
Emmy sucked in a sharp breath, as she scanned the numerous rooms labeled “Dry Sauna,” “Freezer,” and “Sensory Deprivation Chamber.” To the mundane eye, these rooms would appear harmless, perhaps even luxurious, but Emmy recognized them for what they truly were.
“This looks like they are preparing to intern as many of us as possible.”
“I think they’ve already started. Look.” Dylan scrolled back to the top. Under “Nevada Location” were the words “Project Completed” and the date, which was over three months ago.
A sick feeling spread through Emmy. She took the mouse from Dylan and backed out of the document, opening the one named “Active Clients.” Photos began to load on the page next to descriptions of names, ages, and elemental type. Emmy scrolled though the growing list.
“Stop.” Dylan’s hand shot up, his finger touching the screen, under which, another photo had just loaded. “Shit,” he whispered. “We need to go tell the others.”
Chapter 54
After what felt like an eternity, a nurse in light blue scrubs approached Keegan and Tara where they sat silently in the waiting area.
“Your friend is out of surgery,” he said. “Everything went well. Luckily no vital organs were hit.”
A massive wave of relief washed over Tara. Aidan was okay. She took in a deep breath, feeling immediately lighter, and had to suppress the tears that sprang to her eyes. Next to her, Keegan let out a sound that was a mix between a sob and a laugh.
“He has come out of the anesthesia,” the nurse continued, “and is a bit groggy, but you can go see him now.”
On shaky legs, Tara stood, and she and Keegan followed the nurse up the nearby flight of stairs to the second floor. Tara’s heart raced in her chest as they walked down a long hall, followed the nurse around a couple of corners, and then finally came to a stop outside a room.
“Don’t hang around too long,” the nurse warned. “He needs to rest.” With that, he left Tara and Keegan alone.
They shared an apprehensive look before Keegan reached out and slowly opened the door. Tara followed her inside. The room was dark, the shades were drawn, and the lights turned off. Tara heard the beeping of machines across the room before her eyes adjusted and she could make out Aidan lying in the hospital bed.
Even though she knew he was past immediate danger, an unreasonable fear hit her upon seeing him lying there, attached to the machines that were administering fluids and monitoring his vitals. She stood frozen, tears rolling down her cheeks as, once more, his image blurred before her eyes, and for the briefest second, she saw Eagan lying in his place.
Then Tara blinked, shedding loose more tears, and Eagan’s image disappeared, morphing back into Aidan. Keegan was already at his side, holding his hand, so Tara quietly sank down into a tan, faux-leather chair near the door.
After a few minutes, Aidan stirred, mumbled something, and groggily opened his eyes.
“Aidan!” Keegan gasped, throwing her arms around his neck. Aidan grunted, and gingerly raised an IV-linked hand to pat her on the back. Over Keegan’s shoulder, Aidan’s dark eyes found Tara.
She wiped her cheek with the sleeve of her coat and gave him a weak smile. The corner of his mouth pulled up into a lopsided grin; he continued to pat Keegan’s back, but his eyes didn’t leave Tara’s.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Keegan said before leaning forward and kissing Aidan.
Tara looked away, trying to suppress the small bubble of anger that rose in her gut. She knew she didn’t have the right to be angry or jealous, they were a couple after all.
“I’ll give you some privacy,” she muttered, standing up and heading to the door.
“Tara—” Aidan’s voice croaked out her name, but she didn’t turn around as she opened the door. Feeling drained, she closed the door behind her, and turned to come face-to-face with Emmy and Dylan.
“A nurse sent us up,” Emmy explained.
“How is he?” Dylan asked.
“He’s okay.” Tara smiled reassuringly at them. Really, that was what mattered right now. “He’s resting now.”
“And Keegan?” Emmy asked.
Tara pointed her thumb over her shoulder at the closed door. Emmy nodded, then pulled out something from her pocket. It was Tara’s flash drive.
“We need to talk.”
Tara’s eyebrows shot up. “Did you find something?”
“You have no idea.” Dylan’s bitter tone sent a chill down Tara’s spine. She looked between the two of them, feeling that something was deeply wrong.
“What is it?” she whispered, as a hospital employee in a white lab coat walked by.
Emmy’s eyes blazed like two smoldering coals as she opened her mouth and said—
“We found Aria.”
Chapter 55
The hard, cold floor underneath Aria shook suddenly, jostling her awake. Disoriented, she blinked in the dark, trying to determine her wherea
bouts. There was another great shudder, and this time she heard the accompanying clanging of metal on metal.
Quickly, Aria sat up, her shoulder ramming into something unyielding as she moved. Wincing, and moving more carefully now, Aria reached out in the dark with her hands. To her immediate right, her fingers skimmed along something smooth and cold.
Aria froze. Her heart hammered in her chest. She reached out into the dark again, her hands closing around the unmistakable form of metal bars. Breathing fast, she leaned forward, following the perimeter of the bars as they turned in sharp ninety-degree angles around her. She was in a cage.
And then suddenly, everything came flooding back.
Aria had been in the small apartment that she and Aidan were renting in Mount Vernon when, after not hearing from Dylan for a full week, she called his connection, Brooks, in Houston to see if anyone in Texas had heard from him. When Brooks had told her no, she knew something had gone wrong, and immediately phoned Aidan who was visiting Keegan in Seattle.
Aidan had wanted Aria to go with him, but ever since her parents’ deaths, she hated being in that city. Her call had gone to voicemail. She had considered waiting for Aidan, but after ten minutes, she was so jumpy with anxiety that she felt like she had to do something. She got in her car and drove to Bellingham, hoping to find Dylan.
She was wandering around the historic downtown area, checking her phone for messages again, when a homeless man started bothering her. At first, he asked her for money, which she politely refused, but then he escalated quickly, becoming enraged, and even grabbed her arm. Without thinking, Aria reacted instinctually. With her free hand, she reached palm out toward the dirty, disheveled man, letting loose a blast of air that hit him squarely in the chest, sending him to the ground. Immediately, Aria fled, hoping no one had witnessed her lapse in self-control. She wouldn’t have dared to use her powers if she had known of the Order’s strong presence in Bellingham.
