فصل بیست و هشتم

Chapter 28: Two Paths

In spite of our luxurious surroundings, the next three days passed in a dull emotional haze. There wasn’t much to do. Lima had some electricity, so we could watch TV, but the stations were all in Spanish. So were the books in the house. There were playing cards, and all of us except Jack played Hearts or Texas Hold’em until even that got boring.

All that was left to do was to talk, and I suppose that was the thing we were all avoiding. After all we had been through, it was as if we were suddenly strangers again. Most heartbreaking to me was the tension between Abigail, Ian, and McKenna. I suppose all of them had reason to feel betrayed.

The least sociable of all of us was Jack. He didn’t join in cards or talk or anything. He either stayed in his room or exercised in the garage, improvising exercise equipment from things he found around the house. He stuffed a laundry bag with sheets, hung it from a pergola, then pounded it for hours like a punching bag. He also ran in place, lifted large rocks, and did like a million push-ups. We all were worried about him. I couldn’t stop thinking about what Taylor had said about him not planning on surviving the attack.

The evening of the second day, Taylor, Abigail, Zeus, and I were making dinner when Jack walked into the kitchen. His arm was covered with blood.

Taylor gasped. “What happened? Is that where you were shot?” “No,” he said. He held up his wound. He had cut a jagged line on his forearm below his tattoo. “What do you think?” We were all speechless.

Zeus was the first to say something. “It’s a lightning bolt?” “No,” Jack said. “It’s two Ws.”

“Two Ws?” Taylor said.

“What does it stand for?” I asked.

Jack looked at me with disappointment. “Wade West.”

Jaime returned the third day, shortly after sunset. The meat truck was gone, and he was driving a white passenger van. Printed on the side, next to a picture of an Incan god, were the words: SACRED VALLEY INCA TOURS.

We all went out and helped carry in boxes of groceries, which were mostly fresh vegetables and meats and sausages wrapped in paper. There was also a box of clothing.

After we’d finished unloading the van, Jaime gathered us into the front room. When we were all seated, he said, “I have news. For those who are leaving, I have made arrangements for you to fly back to America in the morning.” The immediacy of the flight surprised us. Taylor gasped softly.

“Where are we going?” Abigail asked.

“I cannot tell you,” he said. “But to a safe place.” “I’ve heard that twice before,” she said. “Both times we were almost killed.” “I guarantee it is safe,” Jaime said. “It is with our own people. They would like to talk with you and see if you have any information to help the cause. Then they will make arrangements for your future.” “What do you mean?” Tessa asked.

“Where and how you live will be your choice,” Jaime said. “But we know that the Elgen will not stop hunting you, so you will be given new identities. And you will have decisions to make about how much risk you will take.” “Like the witness protection program,” Ostin said.

“Sí,” Jaime said. “We will do whatever we can to protect and help you. But it will take a little time to make everything right.” He looked at each of the four who were leaving. “Do you have any questions?” When no one said anything, I raised my hand. “I’d like to say something.” “Sí, Mr. Michael,” Jaime said.

I stood, suppressing my tics. “I know that some of you might feel guilty about leaving. I just want to say, don’t. You have already risked more than most people will in ten lifetimes. You’re already heroes.” To my surprise, no one looked comforted at all. If anything, they looked more miserable.

“Michael is right,” Jaime said. “You have already risked more and done more to battle the Elgen than any of us. You may hold your heads high. One need not fight every battle, or die in the struggle, to be a hero.” In spite of what we’d said, everyone still looked down.

After a minute Tessa asked, “What time do we leave?” “Around ten,” Jaime said. “Perhaps a little earlier. There is a private airstrip not far from here. You will fly to Nicaragua, where we will change planes, then fly to our base in the U.S. I have brought fresh clothes for you so you are not so noticeable or uncomfortable.

“For those who are staying, we have received word that the Elgen fleet has passed through the Panama Canal. The first ships could arrive in Port Callao in just five days. So for now I suggest you get as much rest as you can.” The two courses he’d just detailed highlighted the stark difference of our paths.

“Can we please go into town?” Taylor asked. “There’s a Hard Rock Cafe just a few miles away.” Jaime shook his head. “No, it is much too dangerous. In times of national crisis, foreigners are closely watched. Yesterday the Lima police arrested two people they thought were Zeus and Abigail.” Zeus and Abigail exchanged glances. “They thought they were us?” Zeus asked.

“Yes. But they were just students. One of them from England.” Jaime looked around the room. “Any other questions?” No one spoke.

“Okay. It is late. Get some rest.”

We looked at one another sadly. I wanted to say my good-byes—actually, I wanted to throw some kind of a farewell party, but in light of losing Wade, a party didn’t seem appropriate. In the end we all just went to bed.

That night I had a dream. Hatch was walking toward me, smiling. I lifted my hands to shock him, but my hands were gone.