فصل بیست و ششم

Chapter 26: Miraflores

The room’s blinds were glowing from the first rays of dawn when there was a soft rap on our door, quickly followed by another. Everyone in the room woke at the sound, except for Ostin, who could sleep on an airport runway.

I looked at Ian, who had been sleeping on a blanket on the ground but was now rubbing his eyes. “Is it safe?” “It’s Jaime,” he said groggily. “And the old man.” I got up and opened the door. Jaime’s appearance shocked me. His head was wrapped in a bandage that covered one eye. Still he smiled.

“Mr. Michael,” he said.

We embraced, then I stepped back and both men entered quickly. I shut the door behind them.

“What happened to you?” I asked Jaime.

“Our escape was not as easy as I hoped. They found us and they shot at us. I barely escaped.” “And your friends?”

He shook his head. “They were not as fortunate.” “I’m sorry,” I said.

“Me too,” he said. “I am much grieved.” He looked around the room. “Is everyone here?” “Not everyone,” I said.

His eyebrows raised. “You are missing someone?” “We lost Wade. He was shot by an Elgen guard.” Jaime shook his head slowly. “I am sorry. We have all had losses.” He walked to the center of the room. “My friends, the police have given up their search, but the army is on their way here. They believe that you are still in Cuzco. We must get you out before they arrive. I have a truck outside. We must leave immediately.” “Where are we going?” Zeus asked.

“We will drive to Lima, where we will wait for the Elgen fleet to arrive.” Suddenly Abigail stood. “I’m not going.” Everyone looked at her.

“I can’t do this anymore. I never wanted to come here. We’ve suffered so much. Jack’s been shot. And now we’ve lost Wade.” She breathed out heavily. “I’m going home.” “Home?” Ian said.

“You still won’t be safe,” I said. “You’ll never make it alone.” “She’s not going alone,” Zeus said. “I’m going with her.” I looked at him in surprise. “You’re leaving us?” “I’m sorry, but Abi’s right. It’s too much for us. Look at us. We’re a bunch of teenagers. We can’t stop them.” He looked around, then said in a softer voice, “We might as well make the most of the time we have left.” I looked around at the group. A heavy despair had settled on the room.

“Anyone else planning on leaving?” I looked at Taylor. “Taylor?” “You know better,” she said. She walked to my side.

“Ostin?”

“Of course I’m staying.”

“Tessa?”

She glanced at Taylor, then back at me. “Sorry. I think Zeus is right.” “Jack?”

“I’m in this to the end.”

“Ian?”

Ian looked the most conflicted of anyone in the room—like he was being torn in two. Abigail looked into his eyes. “Come with us.” He looked down for a moment, then back at me. “I’m sorry, Michael.” I exhaled slowly. Everyone looked at McKenna. She was the only one who hadn’t picked a side.

“McKenna?” Abigail said. “It’s the three of us. It’s always been the three of us.” McKenna glanced at Ostin, then back at Abigail. “You’re probably right. But I can’t let these guys down. They saved us from the academy.” The room fell into silence.

I turned to Zeus. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure,” he said.

Ian looked at me. “Come with us, Michael. This is too risky. You don’t want any more blood on your hands.” Jack exploded. “Wade’s blood isn’t on Michael’s hands!” I put my hand on Jack’s arm to calm him. “It’s okay, man. He didn’t mean that.” “No, I didn’t,” Ian said. “Wade’s blood is on the Elgen’s hands. And they’re not going to stop until they’ve taken all of our blood. The only way to win this game is to not play it. We’ll go someplace the Elgen will never find us. We’ll live together.” He looked at Jaime, then back at me. “It’s like Zeus said, if the world’s going to ruin, then we might as well enjoy it while we can.” Jack’s expression turned hard. “Sometimes there are bigger things to live for than yourself.” “Jack,” Abigail said softly. “Ian’s not being selfish, he’s being rational. And I don’t think you’re thinking about living.” “Then there are things worth dying for,” Jack said.

“We’re not arguing with you, Jack,” Zeus said. “You’ve suffered as much as any of us. But that’s precisely our point. Haven’t you suffered enough? Why suffer any more?” “Because there’s a chance we might be able to stop them,” Jack said.

“And what if you can’t?” Abigail said. “What if they’re just too big?” Jack looked down for a moment as everyone anticipated his reply. Then he looked up, his eyes strong. “Then we’ll fail in glory.” The room fell into complete silence. Then Jaime said, “You stay or you go, it is your choice. But for now everyone must leave Cuzco.” Jaime looked at the dissenters. “When we reach Lima, I will arrange for you to fly back to America.” Jaime’s offer stung. Not just because I was losing my friends, but because deep inside I really wanted to go home with them.