فصل 36

Chapter 36: The Glow

When we walked back out to the freezer, the rest of our group was huddled together, their arms wrapped around themselves against the cold. They stepped back when they saw us.

I raised my visor. “It’s us.”

Taylor held a hand to her chest. “Oh, you scared us. We thought you were real.” “Good,” I said. “That’s the idea.”

“It’s about time you got back,” Wade said, annoyed. “We’re freezing.” “Enjoy it while you can,” Jack said. “Everything is about to heat up.” “We found out where my mother is,” I said. “She’s over in the Re-Ed.” “And we’ve got the key,” Ian said, holding up a card.

“What’s the plan?” Taylor asked.

“First, I want to see who’s in that cell Ian saw. Then Ian, Jack, and I will go to the Re-Ed to find my mother. While we’re gone, the rest of you need to see if you can find a way to shut down the power plant. But don’t take any dumb chances. We’re going to find my mom and get out of here as fast as we can.” I took the GPS iPod out of my pocket and gave it to Taylor. “If things go bad, get to the jungle as fast as you can. We’ll catch up to you.” “But you won’t know where the pickup is,” Taylor said.

“She’s right,” Ostin said. “How will we find you?” “This is only in case things go bad,” I said. “But if we get separated we’ll make our way back to Cuzco and hide out in a hotel under Jack’s name. The voice can call the hotels and find us. But don’t wait for us. Promise me.” Taylor looked upset but relented. “Okay. I promise.” “Do you remember how to use the GPS?” “Yes. Colby Cross.”

We walked from the refrigeration room back out through the butchery. The three of us in guard uniforms walked out first. I could see what Raúl had meant about the ranchers hating the guards. They avoided even looking at us. Taylor and the others followed a few yards behind us. Raúl led us through a set of double doors at the side of the room that opened to a long, tiled corridor.

“The cells are there,” Ian said, pointing toward a magnetic keypad next to a thick, metal door. “There’s a guard inside.” “Maybe he’ll let us in,” I said. “Ostin, ask Raúl what the guards’ names are.” Raúl did his best to pronounce the names. “Ste-ven, Kork, Sco-tt.” “Steven, Kirk, and Scott,” I repeated. I hit the button on the keypad.

“Who is it?”

“It’s Kirk,” I said.

“What do you need?”

“We’re bringing an American group through on a tour.” “I can’t let you do that.”

“Dr. Hatch’s instructions. They are about to open a new Starxource facility in New Mexico, and he wants them to see every inch of this place.” “You know the rules. This is a controlled access. No one comes in here without direct EGG written clearance.” “And you know that Hatch changes the rules whenever he pleases.” “And you know what he does when you break a rule. No form, no entry.” I looked at Taylor. “Try it,” I whispered.

She concentrated.

“Now open the door,” I said. “We’re on a tight schedule.” “I don’t care if you’re on a tightrope,” he said angrily.

Ostin stepped forward. “I have the form,” he said into the intercom.

“Why didn’t you just tell me,” I said, playing along.

“Because I assumed we wouldn’t need it,” Ostin said.

“He’s got it,” I said. “Open up.” I turned to Zeus, and he nodded.

The doorknob turned and opened. The guard, who was tall and muscular, blocked the door with his body and reached out his hand. “Let me see the—” Zeus blasted the man so hard it knocked him back against the opposite wall. We hurried inside, shutting the door behind us. Jack grabbed the keys from the unconscious guard and opened the second cell, and he and Wade dragged the guard inside, tying him to the bed with leather restraints. They locked the door behind him.

“Which room is the Glow in?” I asked.

“Fourth one,” Ian said, pointing to a cell door. Jack threw me the keys, and I unlocked the door, then slowly pushed it open. The cell was small—about half the size of my bedroom at home—and was dark and musty. There was a figure huddled under a blanket on a mat in the corner of the room. I pulled the wire out of the RESAT machine and the figure groaned a little.

“We’re here to help,” I said.

The figure moved, and his head slowly rose. Peering between the covers was a red-haired boy with freckles and deep blue eyes. His skin was puffy, and he was pale and trembling.

“Tanner?” McKenna said.

He looked up, his face twisted in disbelief. “McKenna?” She went to his side. “What have they done to you?” He dropped his head back down. “Everything.” “You know him?” I asked.

“We were captured the same week. What are you doing here?” “Hatch locked me up.”

I unfastened the RESAT from his chest and set it on the ground next to him.

He breathed a loud sigh of relief. “How did you get out of purgatory? And what is Tara doing here?” he asked, looking at Taylor.

“That’s Taylor, Tara’s twin, and Michael.” “In the flesh,” Tanner said. “The last two. Hatch told me they found you.” “Did he tell you we shut down the Pasadena facility and escaped?” McKenna asked.

“He left that part out.” He looked at Zeus. “Frank. How are you, buddy?” “Alive and shocking,” he said. “Why do they have you locked up?” “I tried to bring down a plane.”

“That’s what you do,” Zeus said.

Tanner smiled darkly. “The one we were flying on.” “That would do it,” Zeus said.

“You tried to kill yourself?” Taylor asked.

“Yeah,” he said indifferently. “I almost succeeded, too.” He exhaled. “They brought me in here. The guards have this new device. It’s called a RESAT.” He looked at Zeus. “Since when are you on the outs with the Elgen?” “Since I met Michael,” he said. “And learned the truth.” “What truth?”

“That Hatch has been using us.”

Tanner sneered. “You think?”

“What have they done to you?” Taylor asked.

“Nothing I didn’t deserve,” he said. “I’ve done bad, bad stuff.” “Whatever you did, it’s not your fault,” McKenna said.

Tanner grimaced. “Not my fault? Do you have any idea how many people I’ve killed? Thousands. I pulled the trigger. I’m one of the worst mass murderers in history. I make Jack the Ripper look like a jaywalker.” He shook his head. “Not my fault.” “Let’s get him out of here,” I said.

“No! Stay away.” His voice softened. “They’re going to feed me to the rats, you know. Fitting punishment for one of the biggest mass murderers in history.” Taylor walked to his side. “May I touch you?” “That’s an odd introduction,” he said. “But why not.” He tried to reach out his hand but was unable to.

“I just want to help,” Taylor said.

“By all means,” he said, sounding almost comical. “Help away, whatever your name is, Tara’s twin.” “Taylor,” she said. She laid a hand on his shoulder. “Oh no.” “What are you doing?” he said. He looked at McKenna. “What is she doing?” Taylor burst into tears. “No!”

“She’s reading your mind,” I said.

In spite of his weakness, Tanner pulled away from her, lifting the blanket up to his chin. “Keep out of my mind. I don’t want you to see what’s in my mind.” Taylor couldn’t stop crying. I put my arm around her, and she laid her head on my shoulder.

Tanner glared at us. “Stay away from me!” Abigail had been standing by the door, but now she walked up to Tanner.

“Don’t touch me,” he said to her.

“It’s okay,” McKenna said. “She’s my best friend.” “Well,” Tanner said sarcastically, “with that ringing endorsement. By all means.” He looked at Abigail. “You one of us?” She nodded. “I can make you feel better.” His eyes narrowed to slits. “No you can’t.” Abigail looked into his eyes and held her hand up to him. “May I try?” She slowly reached out and touched him.

Almost immediately his expression changed. His eyes closed in relief and the look of pain left his face. Then he began to cry. When he could speak he said, “Thank you.” “You’re welcome,” Abigail said.

“Are you healing me?”

“I’m sorry. I can only do this while we’re touching.” “Then don’t stop touching me. Please.” Tanner looked over at us as if suddenly remembering we were all in the room. “Are you rescuing me?” “Yes,” I said.

“I know some places in Italy where we can hide, if you can get me out of here.” “We’re not in Italy,” Taylor said.

“Where are we?”

“Peru,” I said.

His eyes widened. “Peru? How did I get in Peru?” “We don’t know,” I said. “But we’ll take you with us. Can you walk?” “I don’t know. I thought I was still in Italy. Who knows how long they’ve had me hooked up to that machine.” Zeus walked over and took his arm. “C’mon, buddy. I’ll help you up.” He helped Tanner to his feet.

“What about the other prisoners?” Taylor asked.

“We don’t have time to rescue everyone,” Jack said. “We get Michael’s mom and get out of here.” “He’s right,” I said. “Every minute we’re here the more danger we’re in.” I turned to Taylor. “We’re going to go look for my mom now. If you can find a way to shut this plant down, do it. Otherwise, be ready to go.” I looked at Ostin. “Taylor’s in charge. Work together. We’ll be back in less than an hour.” “Michael,” Taylor said.

“Yes.”

She put her arms around me. “Hurry back.” “Of course. Keep everyone safe.” I lowered my visor. “Let’s go, guys.” Ian and Jack pushed down their visors as well. “Hasta luego, baby,” Jack said.

We left them standing inside the prison.