فصل 60

chapter-60 The radio tower

The prison’s east corridor was crowded and full of panic. The few GPs who had survived were terrified or unconscious. Most were injured, some dying. Abigail was walking around the cafeteria caring for the wounded, comforting as many as she could. She had run a wire between a dozen injured men and was holding the end of it, taking away their pain. She was trembling and pale.

“Abi!” Taylor shouted. “Come with us!”

Just then there was an explosion and the door at the end of the south corridor blew across the hall. Almost immediately dozens of guards started running in.

“They’re inside,” Taylor said.

At that moment something inside me cracked, and rage as hot as lightning pulsed through my body. I felt insane. My Tourette’s went crazy and I started twitching uncontrollably.

The guards immediately set their guns and began firing at us, at me, the glowing target, but I was so electric that nothing could hit me. Nothing could hit any of us. Then I shouted, “Stop shooting at us!” I reached out at them and pulsed with all my anger.

The shockwave I emitted rattled the walls and broke against them like an explosion, evaporating everything that had stood in the path.

“Michael!” Taylor gasped.

I looked down at my hand. It was flashing between flesh and electricity. At moments I could see through it. I was pure electricity.

“What’s happening to you?” Taylor asked.

My body was now glowing brighter than a lightbulb. “I don’t know. But don’t touch me.” “Michael,” Ian said. “They just took the south and north wings. We need to evacuate.” “To where?” Taylor said. “There’s no place else to go.” I looked around. There was only one place left, the radio room next to where the radio mast was mounted.

“Outside,” I said. “Where’s the rest of the clan?” I lifted my radio. “Everyone hurry!” Just then Ostin and McKenna ran up, followed by Tessa and Zeus, who was covered in dirt. Then Jack came. He was covered with dirt, and his shirt was torn and bloody where a bullet had grazed him.

“Everyone outside,” I said. “To the radio building.” Fortunately, the walk to the radio building and tower was covered by a fiberglass canopy, which provided shelter for Zeus.

“What are we going to do out here?” Taylor asked.

“I just need to think,” I said. “Away from the chaos.” “We shouldn’t be by this mast,” Ostin said. “If lightning strikes, it could kill us.” “As opposed to the Elgen?” Jack said.

“Lightning never strikes the same place twice,” Taylor said. “I already saw the tower get hit.” “That’s a myth,” Ostin said. “The Empire State Building was once hit forty-eight times in less than a half hour.” “Michael, what’s going on with you?” Jack asked. “You’re, like . . . electric.” “I know.” I looked up at the tower. “Ostin, are you serious about this tower getting struck by lightning?” “As a heart attack, man. We need to move.” “I’d rather be electrocuted than shot,” Ian said.

“Give me odds,” I said. “What are the odds this will be struck again?” “Too good,” Ostin said. “That thing’s five hundred meters. We’ve got to get away from here.” “Give me odds.”

“I can’t,” Ostin said. “There are too many variables.” “For once in your life just guess!”

“Eighty-two point four percent!” he shouted in frustration.

“Good enough,” I said. “Zeus!”

“Yes, sir.”

“When you blew the tunnel, did you blow the whole thing?” “No. Just the end so they couldn’t get in.” “How many can fit in there?”

He looked at me quizzically. “I don’t know. Maybe fifty. Why?” “That’s where you’re taking everyone.” I opened the west door of the radio building and started walking toward the base of the tower.

“What do you mean?” Jack asked.

“Michael, what are you doing?” Taylor said, coming after me.

I turned and looked at her. I wanted to kiss her, but I knew I couldn’t do it without hurting her. I was way too electric. “Just make sure everyone’s down in the tunnel by the time I reach the top.” “The top of what?” She looked at the tower, then back at me, panic in her eyes. “The tower?” “I love you. Remember that. I’ll always love you.” I turned back and walked toward the center of the tower, where a ladder climbed the latticework to the top.

“You promised you would never leave me!” she shouted after me.

“I know,” I said. “If it was my choice, I wouldn’t. But it’s not anymore.” “Michael, what are you doing?” Ostin said, coming out of the building. “Get away from the tower.” “I know what I need to do. I just need more electricity.” He looked at the sky, then back at me. “Michael, that’s a billion volts. It will probably kill you.” “We’re already dead, man.”

Taylor shouted frantically, “Jack, stop him! Please!” Jack ran to me. “Michael, don’t do this.”

“I don’t have a choice.”

“There’s always a choice. I won’t let you.” “You don’t have a choice either. You can’t stop me.” “Yes, I can.” He grabbed me by the arm. Just touching me shocked him. His arm shook, but he didn’t let go.

I looked at him calmly. “You need to let go, Jack.” “You’re not climbing that thing, man. Look how bright you are. You’re like a beacon. The Elgen will shoot you off before you reach the top.” “No, they can’t touch me. It’s our only chance. Now let go.” “I won’t do it, buddy. I can’t lose you. You’re all I have left. You’re my friend.” His eyes welled up with tears. “You’re my best friend.” I looked Jack in the eyes. “You once said you’d take a bullet for me. You need to let me do the same. That’s what I’m doing.” Limiting myself as much as possible, I pulsed. I was so electric that my mildest was enough to throw Jack back, unconscious. I pointed to Zeus. “I’m counting on you, Zeus. Get everyone you can into the tunnel.” I turned back, grabbed on to the ladder, and began climbing.