فصل 8

Chapter 8: The Survivor

Scott drove off road, following the direction Ian pointed, along a rutted path.

“Are they armed?” he asked.

“Only a pistol,” Ian said.

“Keep a close eye on him. If he makes for his weapon . . .” “If he makes for a weapon, I’ll divert it,” I said. “Just get us close to him.” “A little to the left,” Ian said. “About fifty yards ahead.” When I first saw the man, I didn’t recognize him as human. He was grotesque-looking. His skin and clothes, what hadn’t been burned off, were charred black, and most of his hair was singed off his head. My first thought was, Gervaso. If anyone could have survived an attack, it would be Gervaso. But it wasn’t him.

“He’s Elgen,” Ian said.

“How do you know?” I asked.

“His utility belt is standard Elgen. And I can make out part of an Elgen tattoo.” Scott stopped the van about thirty feet from him.

“He looks dead,” Tessa said.

“His heart’s still beating,” Ian said. “And he’s breathing. Barely. He has lung damage.” “I’m going to go talk to him,” I said, grabbing the door handle.

“What are you going to ask him?” Scott asked.

“I’m going to ask him where everybody is.” “I’ll help,” Taylor said. “In case he can’t speak.” “Abigail, we may need you, too,” I said.

The three of us climbed out of the van, followed by Zeus and Jack.

When we were a few feet from the man, he tried to move his hand toward his gun but couldn’t. His injuries were so severe, it was difficult to even look at him. I couldn’t imagine what pain he must have been in. I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t glad to see him suffering. He was Elgen. For all I knew he had personally killed my mother and Ostin’s parents.

I squatted down next to him. “You’re Elgen.” Only his eyes moved. He looked at me less in fear than in resignation. In his condition he probably welcomed death. I would have. “I’m Michael Vey.” His eyes opened a little bit wider, and he grunted.

“Can you speak?”

“Wa . . .”

“He wants water,” Taylor said.

“I’ll get him some,” Abigail said.

“No water,” I said.

Abigail stopped.

“Not until he talks.” I leaned closer to the man. His face was covered in dirt. “Were you part of the attack on the ranch?” He just looked at me.

“Taylor,” I said. “I need your help.” She crouched down next to the man. She found a place near the crown of his head that wasn’t burned, and touched him. “Ask again,” Taylor said.

“Were you part of the attack on the ranch?” Taylor glanced up at me. “He was. He was in that helicopter that was shot down.” “Where are all the people who were here? What did you do with their bodies?” He tried to move his lips but was unable.

“They didn’t do anything with the people,” Taylor said. “He doesn’t think there was anyone here.” “If there was no one here, how did he get shot down?” Taylor closed her eyes. A moment later she said, “A missile brought down his helicopter. He thinks the missile was fired by remote. The Elgen left him and his crew. He’s the only survivor.” I looked into the man’s eyes. “Where are our people?” He suddenly forced open his mouth. “No . . .” “He never saw anyone else on the ground. No one tried to kill him or save him. Then the Elgen fired . . . I don’t know what this is . . . Na-pom . . . over the site while he was on the ground.” “Napalm,” Jack said. “That stuff Ostin was talking about.” Taylor nodded. “Napalm. That’s it.” She looked up at me. “He hates the Elgen.” “So do I,” I said. “And he’s still one of them.” The man grimaced. “No . . .”

“He says he’s no Elgen,” Taylor said.

I turned to Abigail. “Get him some water. And get Scott.” Abigail ran back to the van. She returned with a bottle of water. Scott was with her.

“Is there a hospital in Naco?” I asked.

“There’s the Red Cross clinic in Naco, but he’ll need a hospital. There’s a good hospital in Bisbee.” “Could we save his life?”

Scott looked at the man. “Maybe. If he can survive the ride.” “He’s lasted this long,” Zeus said.

“Do you want me to help him?” Abigail asked.

I didn’t answer but glanced at Taylor. She nodded. “We’re not like them, Michael.” After a moment I turned back to Abigail. “All right. Help him.” Abigail knelt down next to the man and touched him on the shoulder. He gasped out in relief, and his eyes filled with tears. I opened the bottle of water, then put it next to his cracked lips and slowly poured it into his mouth. He drank greedily, choking a little on it.

The man looked up at me, then Abigail. “Thank . . .” It was all he could get out.

“It’s okay,” she said.

“What are you thinking?” Jack asked me.

“He knows all about the attack. He knows all about the Elgen. The Elgen think he’s dead, so if he really hates the Elgen, he won’t be afraid to talk. He can help us find them.” “If we can keep him alive,” Jack said.

“Then let’s keep him alive,” I said.

Scott looked at me, then nodded. “All right. Let’s get him back to America.”