فصل 53

chapter-53 Releasing the prisoner.

“We need to help them release prisoners. Then we’ll join you up top,” I said to Ian and Tanner.

“No worries, man,” Ian said.

They left for the tower while Taylor, Cassy, and I joined up with Welch, Quentin, and Nichelle near the end of the southern corridor. They were just about to enter one of the cells. “Who’s in there?” I asked.

“Torstyn,” Welch said. He lifted his radio. “Command center, you there?” “Roger,” Ostin said.

“Open cell door 003.”

There was a slight pause, followed by, “Opening cell door 003 and turning off RESAT.” There was a sudden squeal of air followed by the click of a lock.

“Taylor, Cassy, and I had better stay in the hall for now,” I said. “We don’t want to completely freak him out.” Quentin nodded. “No worries.” He pushed open the door and walked in. Nichelle and Welch followed him. I looked through the glass panel on the door to watch. Torstyn was lying sideways on his bed, looking away from the door. He was wearing a pink jumpsuit. He rolled over to see who had come for him.

He looked ragged, thinner and weaker. Most of all he looked confused. “Quentin? Welch?” Quentin walked up to the bed. “It’s me, man.” “And me,” Welch added.

“What are you doing here?” Torstyn asked. “What’s going on?” “We’ve come to rescue you.”

His expression changed when he saw Nichelle. “What’s she doing here?” “Calm down, microwave,” Nichelle said. “We’re on the same side. Who do you think freed your bro here?” “She’s telling the truth,” Quentin said. “Michael Vey and the Electroclan freed us. But we’re going to have to fight our way out of here.” “Vey?”

Taylor, Cassy, and I stepped into the room. “Yeah, us.” Torstyn just stared at us for a moment. “Tara?” “No. I’m Taylor.”

“We’re on the same side now?” “We’re all against Hatch,” I said. “That puts us on the same side.” “I know you’re pretty weak,” Welch said. “But we don’t have a lot of time. Hatch and the guards are on their way. We have a boat. We’re going to sneak out the back.” “All of us?”

“No,” I said. “Just you guys. We’re going to try to hold this prison.” Quentin helped Torstyn up.

“You freed Tara?” Torstyn asked.

“That’s where we’re going next,” Welch said.

We walked out of the cell. Taylor looked inside the slit of the door two cells down. “There’s my sister.” I lifted my radio. There was ambient noise and talking from Jack and Zeus, who were gathering up the GPs.

“Ostin, this is Michael. Do you read me?” “Copy, Michael.”

“Open cell 005. And turn off the RESAT.” “On it.”

The door clicked. Quentin pushed the door open, and he, Torstyn, and Nichelle stepped inside. I stood with Welch and Taylor in the doorway.

Tara was also dressed in a pink jumpsuit. She looked like she had aged ten years. “Q?” “I’m so sorry,” Quentin said. He walked over and hugged her. “I never should have dragged you into this.” Tara looked afraid and confused. “Where’s Hatch? Is he dead?” “No. The Elgen are on their way. We’re going to fight them.” “Us?” She lay back down. “We can’t beat them. No one can stop Hatch.” “We can,” I said, stepping forward. “I’ve beaten him. I’ll do it again.” “Vey?”

“And I’m here,” Taylor said.

Tara stared at her twin. “What are you doing here?” “I came to save you.”

“But . . . I’m your enemy.”

“You’re my sister. Let me help you.” Tara looked at her twin in disbelief, then fell into Taylor’s arms and wept.