I frowned. “But you said it doesn’t affect Gifted?”
“I did, but not all of the Underground is Gifted. Over the years, malcontents of all stripes have entered the abandoned cities. I give them the antidote, they leave me alone and forgive the occasional kidnapping.”
“But if they know you kidnap people, why don’t they stay away from you?”
He chuckled to himself. “They try, but like tonight, they weren’t expecting the trap I set.”
“Trap? The Protectorate tried to arrest everyone. They claimed we were part of the drug cartel.”
He smiled with the glee normally reserved for the very young. “I know, it was beautiful! I tipped off the Protectorate that a drug deal was going down at the Gate. The Protectorate is not appreciative of us selling to anyone but them. They crashed the party, and my goons snatched you in the process. I’d hoped for Warden or one of those newbies she has, but any catch is a win for me.”
I groaned inwardly. Too bad he hadn’t caught Jon or Turk. My dumb luck still held true. Leave it to me to stumble into the one building where they had been waiting for us. “Lucky me.”
“Oh now, cheer up, Bucko!” He clapped me on a shoulder amicably. “It won’t be long, and the boys will drop you back where they found you.” He scratched Emerson on the head again as he walked back into the kitchen. He checked the timer, twisting a couple of dials as he hummed to himself.
Emerson lifted his head and gave me an exasperated look. I couldn’t help but grin, the dog was a nice diversion from thinking about the mess I was in. Dad and Abby would be frantic when I didn’t show up. I mentally kicked myself as I thought about how terrified Mom would be when I didn’t return. She’d been against me being the contact person from the beginning. At least I knew the Underground hadn’t betrayed us. Once I got back to the rendezvous, I could fill everyone in. Hopefully, the Underground could help us track down Waxenby.
I heard a door open but couldn’t see it from where I was strapped to the table. “Seriously, I have company and am culturing cells for examination,” Dr. Goat exclaimed. I imagined the wild gesturing which would go along with his statement. He sighed loudly. “Fine, if the Jackal can’t wait, he can’t wait.” Goat stepped back into the room. “I’ve got to go speak with someone. I’ll return shortly, Laddie.”
I nodded. The door closed with a bang. I put my head back and thought through the steps I would take to get to the rendezvous. By morning, the storm should be over. I’d need to be careful and stay out of sight as much as I could until I got to the train tracks. I’d have to chance being seen once I got there. Walking through the tall grass didn’t seem like a good idea with mutant wildlife roaming free. At least I could use my powers in the daylight as the light wouldn’t draw attention.
The biggest question was, would Goat have me followed? I didn’t know the city at all, and after everything, I didn’t want to lead them to Dad and Abby. Maybe I could get through enough of the abandoned building to make it more difficult to tail me. The fact they had caught me in the middle of the gale that Warden had summoned didn’t make me feel overly confident in my abilities. They didn’t know what my Gift was or that I’d been trained in hand-to-hand combat by Blaze. I’d take any advantage I could get. I’d also learned a few new tricks, like the energy dagger, which could come in handy.
Emerson growled so low I wasn’t sure if I’d heard it or felt it. Goat entered, beaming a megawatt smile. This couldn’t be good news for me. “Mr. Ward, it is so nice to see your demise on Saturday Night Showdown was exaggerated. The Protector is extremely interested in speaking with you, and we are making quite the tidy sum to turn you over.”
A memory came to mind as I stared at Dr. Goat. While I worked at the Secret Lair, I’d flip hamburgers and catch them on the back of the spatula, showing off for Marcel and Mimi. One day I missed, the hamburger flew across the grill, bounced once, and landed in the deep fryer.
I realized I had become the deep-fried hamburger.
13
I couldn’t speak. Nothing would come out. My brain screamed to deny it, but my mouth just hung open like a dolt. Finally, I uttered. “I’m not who you think I am.”
Goat guffawed. “Come now, Bucko. I’ve seen the show, and the young man called ‘The Enforcer’ is you, though you had far more hair gel. I applaud your courage in volunteering for The Gauntlet, but this is where your crazy train pulls into the station.” He bent and double checked the ropes and made sure my IV was securely in my arm. “It seems a poor payback for knocking the Protector on his ass to turn you over, but this is what the Jackal wants, and we all live by his word.”
“You could let me go. Say I escaped.” I knew it was pointless to argue, but I had to try. “The Protectorate and Reclaimers are murderers, and you know it.”
He nodded as he walked away. “Thomas, I salute you, but this is business. The Reclaimers are inbound to take you in.” He turned to go. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”
He strode out of view. Hearing the door slam behind him, I got the distinct feeling Goat wasn’t a fan of Jackal’s plan. I doubt it mattered since Goat wouldn’t be helping me out. He’d been a teacher in the past, he’d said. I could have been one of his students under different circumstances. What should have been an easy meet-and-greet had turned into a major catastrophe. Why did these things always happen to me? At least I knew Jon hadn’t set us up. Not that it mattered to anyone at this point. Not only had I let down Mom and Dad, but Abby and Marcel. The Underground wouldn’t help find Waxenby either after this mess. I’d finally gotten myself in a situation with no way out.
“Every time I see you, you’re locked up.” A voice said to me. I lifted my head, Emerson’s big brown eyes regarded me calmly. I peered around the room but couldn’t see anyone else.
“Hello?” I said, hoping they would reveal themselves or realize the drugs coursing through my veins did a lot more than suppress my Gift.
“Hey, Tommy,” Emerson said. Now I knew I was tripping. Dogs don’t talk unless they are on TV. Emerson barked, and I swear it sounded like a laugh. “You let me out of the Zoo, so I figured I could return the favor.”
“Mol—” I was interrupted by a paw over the mouth.
“No names. I’ve been spying on the Cartel for a while. I don’t want my cover blown.”
“Gotcha. Can you cut the ropes? I need to get out of here fast.” I hadn’t seen Mollie, or Molecular Mollie as she was known, since the Zoo in DC. She could shift into animal form in an instant. No wonder the Cartel didn’t know she was here.
“You should be able to free yourself. I shut off the IV a while ago.”
I realized when she bit the line, she must have been turning off the drip. Luckily, Goat hadn’t noticed; he’d just checked the needle end. I could feel the stirrings of energy, but it was like they were behind a glass wall where I couldn’t reach them. “I can’t access my Gift. The drug must be working still.”
She rumbled a low growl. “Damn, I figured we had more time.” She moved so she laid across me, her head next to the rope. I felt the tug as she used her teeth to try to free me.
“Wouldn’t a knife be easier?” I tried to summon the energy that would free me. The wall bent, but I couldn’t break through. I heard voices and running feet outside the room. The Reclaimers were here, or close by, to have the Cartel so worked up.
“If anyone is watching, I don’t want them to see me doing anything. I have a mission to finish. I’m already risking it by helping you this much.”
“Yes, sir,” A voice said outside the door. “They are on their way down with Jackal.”
I redoubled my efforts. Instead of breaking the wall, I focused all my energy in the mental equivalent of a spear and drove it into the wall. I felt it splinter, and the slightest amount of energy trickled through. I summoned a razor-thin, buzz saw of electricity and slashed at the ropes. The first pass scored them; the second severed the outer layer. “I’ve got it. Start barking like you’re warning
them.”
Emerson rolled on to his feet and leapt to the floor. His barks rang out around the room. I slashed the ropes and heaved, snapping the last of the binding. I wrenched the IV from my arm, splattering a little blood across the floor. The door flew open as I was snatching my suit from the back of the chair. No time to put it on, but I’d need it outside.
Goat stepped into the doorway, his face pale. “How?” was all he had time to say. I pulled all the energy I could and shot a bolt across the room at him, missing intentionally but hitting the box where he’d put my samples. Electricity shot sparks across the metal box. Surprisingly, Goat stood his ground as Emerson danced around his feet barking.
I advanced on him, but he held up his hand. “You’re helmet and boots are on the floor behind the table.”
I shot a glance to where he’d indicated, and there was my damaged helmet. I grabbed it, the boots, and headed for the door.
“Head down this hall, the stairs on the right go to the surface. The Reclaimers are surrounding the building, but at least you’ll have a chance.”
I looked hard at him, trying to figure out if he’d lie to me. “Why help me?”
He shook his head. “I told you it seemed unfair. Do me a favor and punch me, hard as you can. If they think I let you go, it’ll be bad on the old Goat.”
“Thank you.” I said, then hit him square in the jaw. His head knocked back to hit the wall behind him, and he slid down it. Emerson barked, standing in front of Goat as if to protect him.
“Good luck, Tommy,” Mollie whispered. I’d never get used to a talking dog. I winked at her, jammed my helmet on my head, and ran for the stairs. They were right where Goat had said they’d be. I took the flight as fast as possible. I still felt a bit woozy from the drugs, but I could feel more power flowing into me as I went. At the top of the stairs, I eased the door open. Before me stretched an old warehouse; small trucks, motorcycles, and a single red and orange golf cart sat parked around the cement floor. The large bay doors were all closed. A helicopter’s rotors sounded from the roof as I took a minute to pull on my suit and boots. Fighting in a green hospital gown didn’t seem like a great idea, especially with my ass hanging out the back.
Glad to be fully dressed, I stuffed the gown in a barrel next to the door and headed for the side exit. I snapped down the cracked faceplate. Air flowed into the helmet, but it was better than nothing. I could barely see out the window for all the dirt, but a three-story building sat across the street. If I could reach it, I’d have a much easier time. Voices from the stairwell announced they had found Dr. Goat. I had to go now or fight here where they could surround me.
Slowly, I pushed open the door; luckily the rotor noise outside would cover any noise I made. Inside it sounded far away, but here, it was deafening. The way looked all clear. I gathered myself for the run as the stairwell door slammed open with an echoing boom.
It might as well have been a starter’s pistol. I put my head down and ran as hard as I could for the adjacent building. As I reached the road, shots rang out from the warehouse. A bullet clipped me in the shoulder, staggering me. I fought for balance and barely held on to it. Finally, glorious power surged through me. More shots and a lot of shouting pursued me across the street.
As I reached the building, I jumped straight through the plate glass window, landing in the reception area of whatever business had been here long ago. I saw a door heading further into the building. I threw it open and made my way deeper into the darkness. I really could have used my night vision, but my helmet hadn’t magically repaired itself during my medical procedure. The hallway turned, going past empty offices and a mold-ridden breakroom. The hall ended with a fire door, the exit sign hanging by the wires. I pushed on the door, but it wouldn’t move. For a second, I thought I would blast my way through, but I didn’t want to give away my location to my pursuers.
I backtracked, checking for another way out. Light flooded in as the first soldier swung his rifle, its flashlight attachment illuminating the hall. Without thinking, I sent a blast of energy up the corridor. The far wall shattered from the impact. It would buy me a few seconds.
I ducked into the remains of the breakroom. The pipes must have burst at some point, as a thick green carpet of mold grew undisturbed across the floor. Skeletons from a couple of mice and what I guessed was a cat lay in the sickly green growth. The stench alone could kill a horse. On the far side, another hall slunk off into the darkness. Flickering light from the very cautious soldiers alerted me they were on the move. I held my breath and ran. Green spores plumed as my feet crashed on the mold rug. I gained the far hall and ran to the next turn. I paused, catching the flashlights strobing through the darkness. I heard retching coming from the breakroom’s direction. I risked a peek and saw two soldiers losing their lunch. I was glad I held my breath.
I wished I’d run, but I didn’t. Spores erupted where the vomit hit the floor, swirling around the soldiers. Their breathing became labored until they started screaming. The soldier on the left fell face first into the mold. More spores flew out, bits of dust floating in the light he’d dropped. The other soldier’s head jerked up as he screamed. The skin on his face melted like hot wax, dripping off his bones to cover the front of him. I’ll never forget it for as long as I live.
The shock of it got me moving again, sliding along the right-hand wall. I searched for a hallway that would lead to the back of the building. I watched for more of the lethal mold as I went past office doors, but I didn’t think they would lead me to safety, and the last thing I wanted was to get trapped in a room. Beams of light appeared before me. They must have entered multiple locations, trying to trap me in between them. I thought frantically. I couldn’t go back with all the spores; I doubted I’d fare much better than the soldiers. I couldn’t go ahead with more troops headed toward me.
The sound of voices grew closer; time to decide had run out. I found the handle to a door, opened it, and stepped into the office. My hands became my eyes in the pitch black, locating the desk and almost knocking everything over. Following the edge of the desk, I reached out to find the wall. I dropped to my knees and crawled until my helmet bumped the wall.
My heart dropped like a lead balloon as I heard, “We’ve got him!” from outside the door. I wanted to beat my head against the wall. I hadn’t thought about the tracks I left in the dust. They led the Reclaimers straight to my hiding spot. I gathered the energy and formed the energy dagger. Spots flared in my dark-adjusted eyes as it sprang to life. I drove the blade into the wall, slicing through the drywall and aluminum framing with ease. I shoved on the piece and created a hole big enough to crawl through. I dove into the adjoining office. Shots sounded from behind me, the bullets shearing through the interior walls well above where I crawled.
The time for stealth was over. I fired a stream of energy across the room, opening a larger hole in the wall. I kept the energy knife going, using it for light. Bullets cascaded around me as the soldiers opened fire, not caring what they hit.
I pulled myself into the next office, and my hope of getting away flooded back. The top portion of the back wall contained a bank of windows, all with blinds. Once I got through those, I’d have a chance to escape. I grabbed the old office chair and slammed it into the windows. The glass cracked but didn’t shatter. A few more blows and the window collapsed out, frame and all. I did a quick check of the parking lot. Lots of cars, but no Reclaimers in sight. I dropped the chair and leapt through the opening into the fresh air and sunlight.
As I landed, a hard blow hit my leg. The knife blinked out of existence as my Gift evaporated.
A blue band wrapped around my calf. A disrupter band.
I looked around as eight Reclaimers approached, walking around the cars they had used for cover, rifles pointed at me. Directly in front of me stood the leader, holding the launcher across his chest. “Mr. Ward, you are under arrest as an enemy of the Protectorate.”
The troops inside weren’t trying to
capture me, they were herding me into the trap they’d laid. I’d fallen for it. I reached for the band; if I could pull it free, I could fight.
The leader laughed. “By all means, go ahead and remove the band.” The soldiers stayed out of reach. I bent and pulled, but it didn’t budge. I knew it wouldn’t, but it gave me a moment to think.
“Not so tough without your accursed powers, are you?” The leader glared at me, just like Powell had done before I broke free in the clearing. “Bind him and get him on the ‘copter. The Protector wants him delivered post haste.”
The leader turned to leave. His head whipped around as a silver ball flew past his face to land by my feet. “Grenade!” The Reclaimers dove out of the way, I had nowhere to go, so I covered my head and waited. A loud whine erupted from the orb then burst with a loud bang. The grenade hadn’t detonated, but the blue band slid down my leg. Power surged back as the disrupter died.
The leader came to his feet, screaming. “Hold your fire!” but it was too late. A slow learner fired his weapon, striking my back. The force of the impact supercharged me. “Form up.” The leader stopped mid-sentence, two arrows sprouting from his chest.
More arrows dropped the three men to my left. I turned to face the four on my right but couldn’t believe what I saw. Turk stood behind them, green tendrils of smoke slithering across the intervening space. Each tendril attached to one of the soldier’s legs. Their skin shriveled as their veins pulsed beneath. They tore at their faces, screaming as the toxins killed them. Turk smiled as they fell to the ground, dead.
Jon walked over to me, bow still at the ready. “Let’s go. Ranger and Abby are waiting with Warden for you.”
I tore my eyes away from the gruesome scene. “Why save me? I thought you were going to see me dead.”
Jon smiled at me. “When you die, it will be me killing you and no one else. Until then, you need to live.”
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