فصل 34

Chapter 34: A Way In

It didn’t take long for the Elgen to respond to the damaged fence. Less than ten minutes had passed when Ian said, “Here they come.” “The guards?”

“No. They look like ranchers or something. They’re driving the fence looking for the problem.” “How many are there?” I asked.

“They’ve got two trucks. Three in each of them.” “Any guards?”

“Doesn’t look like it. At least not in uniform.” “This is perfect,” Ostin said. “They’ll have to get close to the fence to free the bull.” “And while they’re freeing the bull, we’ll take them down,” I said. “Then we’ll take their clothes and trucks.” “We should tie them to one of those tangarana trees,” Wade said.

Abigail looked at him. “What a horrible thing to say.” “What were you thinking, man?” Jack said, glancing at Abigail.

Wade flushed with embarrassment. “I was just joking. C’mon, can’t you guys take a joke?” * * *

The Elgen ranch trucks were larger than regular pickup trucks. And quieter. They looked like a cross between a pickup and a Sno-Cat, without the tank treads.

“They’re electric of course,” Ostin said, before I asked.

The first truck stopped just a few yards from the struggling bull. The men, all of them Peruvian and wearing boots, jeans, and white rancher shirts, got out of the truck and walked around the animal, trying to decide what to do with it.

They talked for about five minutes, then one of them went back to his truck and retrieved a rifle. He pointed it at the bull’s head and fired. When the animal had stopped moving, the men took rope from the truck and tied the bull’s legs together. Then they let out the wire from the truck’s winch, wrapped it around the bull’s torso, and began pulling it from the fence.

As the animal was being dragged to the truck, one of the men pointed to the branch that Jack had cut. All but two of them walked over to examine it. One of the men crouched down, running his finger over the machete marks. He began speaking excitedly. They looked up to where the branch was cut from, then in our direction. One of them pointed directly to where we were hiding.

“They’re on to us,” Jack whispered. “We’ve got to attack.” “We’ve got to get them closer to the fence,” I said. “That guy’s still holding his gun. Ostin, any ideas?” Before he could answer, Abigail stood. “I’ve got one.” “What are you doing?” I said.

“Get down!” Jack said. They’ll see you.”

“I’m counting on it,” she said, stepping from the shade of the canopy. “I’m betting they won’t be expecting a blond American girl to come walking out of the jungle.” Abigail began sauntering toward the fence with a big smile.

“Zeus,” I said. “Be ready to hit the guy with the gun.” “I’ll try,” he said. “But he’s pretty far.” “Hola, amigos!” Abigail shouted.

The men all stopped what they were doing and stared.

“Excuse me,” she said. “I’m lost. I’m looking for the beach.” The men looked at one another in amazement. One of them translated, then they all started to laugh.

“Hello, how do you do?” said one in broken English. He started walking toward the fence. The rest followed.

“Pretty girl,” another said. “Come close.”

“Es un ángel?” one man said. “De dónde vino?” “They think she’s an angel,” Ostin said.

“Taylor, now,” I whispered.

Taylor concentrated, and the men suddenly stopped talking. Some of them looked around as if they were confused; two fell to their knees, their hands on their heads.

“Now!” I shouted.

Jack, Zeus, Wade, and I sprang from the bushes. Zeus began firing, first hitting the man with the rifle, then knocking three others to the ground. I knocked out the two on their knees with lightning balls.

I tested the fence to make sure it was still dead, then all four of us climbed through the wire. Wade and Jack grabbed the man closest to the fence and dragged him over to Ian.

“Grab that guy’s rope,” Ian said. “And his knife.” “Got it,” Wade said. He took the man’s bowie knife from its sheath, then grabbed his coil of rope and threw it through the fence. “Here’s the knife to cut it,” he said, handing it to Ian.

McKenna began stretching the rope in long, straight pieces. “How long?” “About five-foot lengths,” Ian said. “Here’s the knife.” “Don’t need it,” McKenna said, her hand burning red. She easily melted through the nylon rope.

Zeus, Wade, and I worked together dragging the men over to the fence within reach of Ian and the girls.

“I’ll check the truck for weapons,” Jack said, running toward the first truck. He returned holding two cans in the air. “Check this out. Bull mace.” We carried the men into the jungle, where we removed their rancher uniforms, leaving them in their underwear. Suddenly one of the men jumped up and ran.

Zeus shot at him but was too late, as the man was already in the trees.

“Get him!” I shouted. Jack and Zeus ran into the jungle after him.

We finished tying the rest of the men, then I said, “Ian, we better go help them. McKenna, you better come too. We’ll need some light.” I looked at Taylor. “Can you guys make sure they don’t get away?” “They’re not going anywhere,” Taylor said.

Wade held up one of the cans of bull mace. “I guarantee they’re going nowhere.” * * *

Ian, McKenna, and I ran into the jungle in the direction Zeus and Jack had taken in pursuit. Even in the middle of day the jungle was dark enough that a person could hide, at least until McKenna lit up, illuminating everything around her like a great torch. After a few minutes of running we heard shouting in the distance.

“They’re over there,” Ian said.

When we caught up with them, the rancher was lying facedown on the ground between Jack and Zeus; Jack was pointing a can of mace at Zeus, and Zeus had his arms outstretched toward Jack, electricity arcing between his fingers.

“Stop it!” I shouted. They both turned to me. “What’s going on?” “Lightning stink shocked me,” Jack said.

“It was an accident,” Zeus said. “He was standing next to the dude.” “I had the dude pinned down, you stinking—” “You say ‘stink’ one more time and I’m going to fry you—” “Stop it!” I shouted again. “Are you guys crazy? We’re about to walk into a camp of two thousand Elgen soldiers who want to kill us and you’re fighting with each other?” They both lowered their hands.

“If we can’t do this together, we don’t stand a chance. You two have got to stop fighting.” After a moment, Jack sighed. “All right. You’re right.” He put out his hand.

Zeus just looked at Jack angrily.

“I’m not offering it again,” Jack said.

Zeus turned away. “It was an accident.”

“Whatever you say, bro,” Jack said. “Whatever you say.” “You guys have got to solve this. If we’re not together, we’re dead.” I lowered my head, fighting my despair. “We’re probably dead anyway. But if we’re going down in flames, it’s not going to be because we made it happen.” I looked at the man on the ground. “Come on, we need to bring him back with the others.” “I got him,” Jack said. He knelt down and lifted the man over his shoulders in a fireman’s carry, and the five of us walked back to the fence in silence.

As the others came into view, Ostin shouted, “Good work, dudes. You got him.” No one answered him.

“What happened?” he asked McKenna.

“Don’t ask,” she said.

“What’s wrong, Michael?” Ostin asked. “You’ll feel better if—” I held up my hands. “Just . . . stop. I don’t want to talk about it. And I don’t need you analyzing me right now.” Ostin stepped back. “Sorry.” He glanced at McKenna in embarrassment, then walked away.

Taylor just stared at me.

“What?” I asked.

“Are you okay?”

“Oh yeah, I’m doing great,” I said sarcastically. “My mother’s being held captive by a sociopath, we’re hopelessly outnumbered, and our friends are turning on each other while I lead them to certain death.” Taylor looked at me for a moment, then asked softly, “Do you really believe that?” I suddenly realized that everyone was looking at me. I swallowed, embarrassed at my outburst. “I don’t know what I believe.” Taylor took my hand. “Come here.” She led me deep enough into the jungle that we were away from everyone else. When she looked at me her eyes were filled with tears. “You can’t give up now. We’re all here because we believe in you. If you really believe this is hopeless, we might as well turn ourselves over to Hatch right now.” “I didn’t mean to say that,” I said.

Her expression didn’t change. “Michael, I’m terrified. Six months ago the most frightening thing I had ever done was try out for cheerleading in front of the student body.

“I need you to believe, Michael. Because I’m holding on by a thread—and you’re that thread. If I don’t have you to hold on to, I don’t have anything. None of us do. I know it’s not fair putting that much pressure on you, but it’s the way it is.” “I didn’t ask any of you to come,” I said defensively.

“I know. But we’re here. And we came because we believe in you. And because we care about you.” I looked down for a moment, then rubbed my eyes. “I’m sorry. I guess I’m terrified too.” “I know.” She hugged me. After a minute she leaned back and said, “I’ve never told anyone this before, not even my best friend Maddie. I used to get severe panic attacks before I tried out for cheer. My first year, on the morning of the final cut, I pretended to be sick so I didn’t have to go to school. My dad said to me, ‘Are you afraid?’ I said no but he knew I was lying. He said, ‘Let me give you some advice. As long as you remember the whys, the hows will take care of themselves.’” Taylor looked into my eyes. “Your mom is a pretty big why. We believe in you because we believe you’re doing the right thing. So let me ask you again . . . Do you believe that we can do this?” “You’re holding my hand,” I said. “You already know.” “I want to hear you say it.”

I straightened up. “I believe in what I have to do. That’s what matters. My mother always said that if you do the right thing, the universe comes to your aid, and look what’s happened so far: we escaped two Elgen traps, we found my mother, we got to Peru, and now we have a truck and a way into Hatch’s stronghold. It’s too big of a coincidence. I don’t believe that whatever brought us this far brought us to fail.” Taylor smiled. “That’s what I needed to hear. I’ll follow you wherever you go and slap Hatch in the face if you tell me to. Now you need to let everyone else know.” I took her hand. “Come on.”

We walked back to the group. The ranchers were all awake, lying on their stomachs with their hands bound behind their backs. Sadly, the Electroclan looked about as subdued as the ranchers did, their shoulders slumped in despair. Every eye was on us.

“I need to say something,” I said, walking in front of the group. I looked at them all, then slowly started. “First, I’m sorry, Ostin. I shouldn’t have gone off on you like that.” “It’s okay, buddy,” he said.

“It’s not, but thank you. Second, I believe with all my heart that we’re going to rescue my mom and get out of here. I’m sorry I was so negative. You’ve put your faith in me, and I should have been stronger.” Everyone was quiet for a moment, then Zeus said, “No, it’s not your fault. We’ve been acting like jerks. Especially me.” He looked at Jack, then stood and walked over to him.

“I’m sorry,” Zeus said. “I really didn’t try to shock you, but I didn’t try not to either. You were right to be angry. I know you said you wouldn’t offer your hand again, so let me do it.” He put his hand out.

Jack looked at Zeus’s hand for a moment, then he took it. “Forgotten. Semper Fi.” Zeus nodded. “Semper Fi.”

Taylor squeezed my hand.

I continued. “Third, it’s time to do what we came here for. We’re going to take the trucks right into the compound. Ian, I need you to stay next to me and tell us what you see as we get closer. Look for others dressed like us, and we’ll head for their building. I’m hoping they might have a separate ranch entrance.” “Why don’t we just ask them?” Ostin said.

“They’re not going to tell us the truth,” Zeus said.

“Maybe not with their mouths, but Taylor can read their thoughts.” “Except I don’t speak Spanish,” she said.

“I’ll ask yes-or-no questions,” Ostin said.

“Good idea,” I said. “Is everyone ready?”

“Let’s go, team!” Taylor shouted, sounding a lot like a cheerleader. In spite of the gravity of our situation I had to smile. “Sorry,” she said, blushing. “Habit.” We put on the ranchers’ uniforms. There were only six of them, so Abigail, Taylor, and McKenna didn’t wear them. The men weren’t big people, so the uniforms fit us fairly well, except for Jack, whose pants legs fell above his ankles.

“How do I look?” I asked Taylor.

“Like an Elgen ranch hand,” she replied.

“Great. Now let’s get some information.” I looked at the men, on their stomachs. “Who should we talk to?” “Hombres,” Ostin said. The men looked up. “Show them a little electricity, Michael.” I held my hand up, separated my fingers, and pulsed until electricity arced between my fingers.

“Let’s talk to that one,” Taylor said, pointing to a young man with fearful eyes. We walked over to him. He didn’t look much older than us, and his back was marked with long, thick scars, as if he’d been severely whipped. The three of us dragged him away from the others, laying him in a small clearing near a termite nest.

“No!” he pleaded. “Por favor!”

“He thinks we’re going to hurt him,” I said. “Ostin, tell him we won’t hurt him.” “You really want to tell him that?” Taylor said.

“You’re right, he doesn’t need to know that.” I turned back to Ostin. “Tell him we won’t hurt him if he cooperates.” Ostin relayed the message in Spanish.

While Taylor and Ostin interrogated the man, I sat down with Ian and showed him the photograph I’d taken from our apartment. “That’s my mother.” “She’s beautiful,” he said.

“Can you remember what she looks like? She’s probably not going to look exactly the same after all she’s been through.” Ian put his hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry. If she’s in there, I’ll find her.” A few minutes later Ostin and Taylor returned to the group.

“Here’s the four-one-one on the Peruvian dude,” Ostin said. “His name is Raúl. His family is from Puerto Maldonado, and he was forced to work for the Elgen after they took his family’s land. He says it’s the same for all the ranchers.” Taylor nodded. “It’s true. Those scars on his back are from the guards. The Elgen lost some cattle to a jaguar, so the guards whipped him as an example to the other ranchers. He says the Elgen treat them like dogs.” “Sounds like the Elgen,” I said.

“He says that he can help us,” Ostin said. “The compound has a double electric fence around the entire property, with guard nests on each corner. Close to the compound the fence is narrower, so you can’t crawl through it like you can here. There is one main road with a checkpoint that everyone has to go through, except for the ranchers. The ranchers have their own gate on the southeast side of the compound near the building they call the ‘bowl.’ That’s where they bring the cattle in to be slaughtered.

“He says there are guards above the wire but they don’t pay much attention to the ranchers, and he knows this because some of the ranchers sneak their wives in. There’s only one guard on the ground, but he’s not always there and he’s sleeping half the time. We can get into the bowl through the ranchers’ entrance or the cattle entrance. From the bowl we can walk right into the compound.” “Won’t we be seen?”

“He said there will be ranchers around and since we’re foreigners they’ll be aware of us, but he doubts they’ll sound an alarm. The Elgen have a lot of foreigners come through their area—especially lately.” “Why lately?” I asked.

“He told us that the one they call el doctor is holding a big conference with all the guards.” “El doctor?” I asked.

“I think he means Hatch,” Ostin said.

“Just like they warned us in the letter,” I said.

“They’ve had to work extra hours to bring meat in for the kitchen, so he says the camp is in complete chaos right now. Our timing is perfect.” “Perfect or perfectly awful?” Taylor said.

“We’ll find out soon enough,” I said. “Let’s go.” “What about the ranchers?” Taylor asked. “We can’t just leave them here. It’s the jungle. Something will, like, eat them.” “If they work for Hatch, they deserve it,” Zeus said.

“No,” I said. “They might be victims of the Elgen too. But if we let them go, they could alert the Elgen.” “I vote that we bring Raúl with us,” Ostin said. “He could help us. Then, when we’re done, he can come back on his own and free them.” I thought over the idea. “You trust him that much?” Ostin nodded. “I do.”

I looked at Taylor. “How about you?”

“Me too,” she said.

I was doubtful but said, “Let’s talk with him.”