فصل 30

chapter-30 The impossible dream

They say that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and in our case, with the exception of Jack’s tattoos, and Taylor’s and my reunion, that’s probably true. They also say that Vegas is a desert mirage, and I think that’s true too, because by the time we were on the plane, it already seemed like a dream. A dream headed into a nightmare.

We left early in the morning, like five thirty, which meant that none of us got much sleep. In fact, Tessa, Zeus, Tanner, Ian, Nichelle, and Jack never went to sleep at all. They figured that with a twelve-hour flight they could sleep on the way. Pretty smart, really.

When Ostin and I got to the lobby, Gervaso and two white shuttle buses were waiting for us. The all-nighters were already inside and, with the exception of Zeus, were asleep. Zeus had consumed three Red Bulls.

Our plane was a few miles from the hotel at a small executive airport. Scott and Boyd, our pilot and copilot, walked out to meet us. I hadn’t seen either of them since we had separated in Douglas. It was good to see them again. Scott went to hug me but jumped back.

“You shocked me.”

Another reminder that I was getting more electric. “Sorry. I can’t always help it.” Boyd just gave me a salute from a safe distance. “Good to see you, Michael.” We helped the pilots load the plane, and we were in the air in less than a half hour. Everyone was kind of grumpy, but I couldn’t blame them. First, we were tired. Second, it’s like we were just given the shortest vacation in history and it had already ended. Third, well, we were going to visit Hatch. Not exactly a joyfest.

Taylor fell asleep lying against my shoulder. It was good to be back together.

I couldn’t help but wonder if we were doing the right thing or if there was a better way of defeating the Elgen. I couldn’t think of a better way. Still, I felt like we were marching into hell. That’s actually a line from a song my father used to like. Ironically, maybe appropriately, the song was—is—called “The Impossible Dream.” It’s a really old song, but still a pretty cool one. It’s about doing what’s right no matter the consequences. I don’t remember the whole song, but I do remember watching my father as he listened to it. Sometimes he would get teary-eyed when it played. I remember that. My father wasn’t one to cry. He was a tough guy. But like those pictures of muscle-bound dudes holding kittens, he had a soft side. He was a good father. I remember that, too. I know that. I wonder how different my life would have been if he hadn’t died.

And the world will be better for this,

That one man, scorned and covered with scars,

Still strove with his last ounce of courage . . .

I suppose I was living out my father’s impossible dream.

The truth was, my heart hurt. Something told me that I wasn’t going to come back from this trip. That’s the main reason why I couldn’t let Taylor read my thoughts, and why I finally learned how to stop her from reading my mind. It’s a kind of pulse I focus around my temples, like jamming a radio signal. Still, it takes effort and concentration, and I was just too tired to worry about that kind of crap right then. I had too many other things to occupy my mind. Way too many things.

Lately I’ve been wondering where Wade is—you know, the whole death thing. Life after life. Where do we go after we die?

Or is this it and when we’re done, we’re done? I don’t know. It’s possible that Wade and my father are hanging out right now, watching us. Cheering us on. Maybe. It’s weird to think about that. But it’s possible. I guess one day everyone finds out what death is about.

The way things were looking, I might be finding out sooner than I hoped.