Gage rolled over, knocking Ares off balance, but Ares barely stumbled before he was crawling back, reaching for his legs. Gage kicked at his face and scurried away. He stood up, concealing the shard of glass at his thigh. He smiled and silently thanked Claire for the idea.
Ares unfolded himself until he was standing tall, muscles tight and body rigid. Like an uncoiled spring, he lunged at Gage, but Gage raised his hand and shouted, "Stop!"
Ares stopped and for the first time a shadow of emotion crossed his face: confusion. Gage took advantage of the moment and swung his left fist toward Ares’ face. Ares easily caught it, but what Ares didn't know was that while Gage was swinging his left arm, his right arm was also swinging up until it stopped when the glass shard drove deep into his neck.
Ares didn't cry out, but he did stop attacking him to try and remove the glass from his neck. Blood spurted from the wound, making it difficult for him to get a decent grip.
While Ares was distracted, Gage ran and kicked him in the chest. Ares flew back against the glass wall, his head cracking against it. By the time he hit the ground, Ares was dead or unconscious; Gage didn't care which.
"Is that all you got?" he shouted to the voice above. "I will always win, do you understand?" He breathed heavily, blood dripping down his face.
Fluorescent lights turned on one at a time, slowly, deliberately, revealing the massive size of the room. On each side of him, in long rows and columns, were more glass cages. Each of them contained a lone man or woman, standing still and erect, fists clenched tight at their sides. And every single one was staring at Gage.
Chapter 41
BEFORE DARK AND before Ethan came over, Claire had Officer Johnson take her to the police station so she could visit with Smith. He was in the lobby talking to someone on his cell phone.
She waved and forced a smile. Smith held his finger up, signaling in a minute. She dropped into a nearby swivel chair and waited. Even in a police station she didn't feel safe. Gage could come in and kill everyone at any point. And she'd almost chosen that life.
In the end, that was what made her decide not to take the final injection. She didn't want to hurt anyone. Ever. She'd been the victim of a monster before and never wanted anyone to feel that pain, especially by her hand.
No. As much as she wanted the ache in her heart to go away, it would never be at the expense of others.
"Everything okay, Claire?" Smith said when he finished.
She twirled the chair around. Smith looked worried. And tired. "I'm fine. Just wanted to visit you."
"Come back to my office. We can talk there."
Claire followed him back, wondering why she had come. She didn't have anything specific to talk about.
"What's going on?" Smith said after he closed the door.
She sat down on the sofa across from his desk. "Nothing really. Just hadn't seen you in a while."
His voice lowered. "Have you seen Gage?"
She paused. "No. I think you guys scared him away," she lied.
Smith visibly relaxed. "Good, but I still want Officer Johnson watching you for awhile longer. Is that okay?"
"Of course." She shifted, pulling her legs beneath her. Just then her phone buzzed. She looked down at its lit-up face. Ethan. She ignored it.
"Other than the problems you’ve had with Gage, have you had a decent summer?" Smith asked.
"Uh-huh."
"And how's Ethan? You still together?"
She squirmed. "Good and yes."
Silence.
Smith leaned forward and rested his elbows on his desk. "What's going on, Claire?"
She shrugged. "I don't know. It's just that..."
She shook her head. Her phone buzzed again. This time it was Logan. She turned off her phone and looked up. "Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why have I had so many problems? Is something wrong with me?"
Smith leaned back; the chair creaked under his weight. "You've had your fair share of trials, no one would deny that. Everyone has them, some worse than others. Trials are what make us stronger, better people if we let them."
She stared at the floor.
Smith continued. "Sometimes it may feel like we're wandering around in the dark for a long time, but then we get these rays of sunshine that push through the shadows. It's these rays we need to hang on to for they will guide us out of the night and into the day.” He waited a second before saying, “Do you understand?"
"What if there are no rays?" she said, still staring at the floor.
"There's always light, no matter how small. You have people that love and care for you, Claire. Hang on to this, and soon, what you're going through now, will just be a bad dream. Besides, you're only eighteen. You have your whole life ahead of you, and, knowing you as well as I do, you will crash right through it." He shook his head and laughed. "I can't wait to see where you end up. It's going to be somewhere fantastic for sure."
For the first time in many days, Claire really smiled, and her burden didn't seem so heavy. "Thank you.”
"You’re welcome. You know," he said, reaching into a drawer and removing a file "maybe this will help you feel better, too."
She leaned forward.
"I don't know what Gage is exactly, but I know Bodian Dynamics had something to do with it. I've been collecting evidence against them and I think—"
Claire jumped up. "No! You can't!"
She was afraid of getting him any more involved than he already was. Bodian would ruin him for sure just like they had Anne.
Smith leaned back. "Why?"
"Please, Smith. Don't look into it. Just forget it. There's nothing to look into. Please. I'm begging you." She was close to tears. If anything happened to Smith…
He stood up and hurried around the desk, taking her by both arms. "What aren't you telling me?"
Claire coughed and quickly recovered. "Nothing. I just don't want to see you get hurt. Bodian is dangerous."
"I'm sorry, but I have enough evidence to open an investigation. I've been wanting to go after them for a long time."
Claire lowered her head. "Then be careful."
"If there's something you're not telling me, I need to know."
“There’s nothing.” Not yet anyway. Maybe if she got rid of Gage.
"Did Johnson give you a ride here?" he asked.
"He's out front waiting for me."
"Good. I'll walk you out."
Outside the police station, Officer Johnson was leaning against his patrol car reading a book.
"Looks like rough work," Smith said and shook his hand.
"Real rough," Officer Johnson said. "You should've seen the crazy party Claire threw the other night."
Smith turned to her.
Claire walked around the front of the car and opened the door. "Right. And Johnson cooked us special brownies."
Officer Johnson laughed. "I'll be just a second, Claire," he said and began talking to Smith.
She got in the car and checked her phone. Kate and Steph had both called her once, Logan two times, and Ethan three. She smiled. Smith was right about people caring.
The driver’s side door opened, but instead of Johnson, Smith got in. Johnson slid into the back seat.
“What’s up?” she asked.
Smith started the car. “I think I’ll play watch dog for awhile, drop Tom off at home. It’s his anniversary, did you know that?”
“Forty-two years,” Johnson said, smiling.
“Congratulations,” Claire said and then turned back at Smith. “But what about your car?”
“Wife dropped me off today.” He drove onto the street and ten minutes later was dropping Johnson off in front of a small white house. “I’ll pick you up in the morning, Tom,” Smith said. “Have fun tonight.”
Johnson nodded his head and disappeared into his house. Several minutes later it was Claire’s turn. Smith parked the patrol car in her driveway.
"I'll be out here if you need me," he said.
"Oh no. It's better if I'm out here. Keep an eye on the surrounding area."
"Well if you get bored, at least come inside for something to eat. I think I have chips and salsa. Or I can bring it out to you."
"Deal." Smith peered out the windshield. "Looks like a nasty storm is coming."
Claire didn't bother looking.
"There's always a storm," she whispered and opened the door. Before she closed it, she said, "Thanks for everything. I really do feel better knowing you're out here."
"No problem. And don’t worry about things. Like you said, Gage is probably long gone. Maybe just another week of this and then you can go back to living a normal life."
She nodded and closed the door. A normal life. She sighed and walked inside the house. Stuck to the refrigerator, Claire found a note from her mother saying she'd be back late, but from where, she didn’t say. Claire must’ve just missed her. She scrunched the paper and tossed it into the garbage. It missed its target and fell to the ground. She sat down next to the crumbled paper, overcome by an overwhelming feeling of dread.
Claire wasn't sure how long she'd been sitting there, but when a knock rattled the door, she jumped. Before she stood up, she reached behind her back and adjusted the gun.
"It's me, Claire," Ethan's voice said. “Are you in there? I’ve been looking for you.”
She took a deep breath and opened the door. "Hey. Sorry I wasn’t here. I went to see Smith."
“Let me know next time, okay? I was worried.” He walked inside and dropped a backpack by the door. "Talk about anything specific?"
“Not really.”
He took hold of her hand. "Did something happen?"
She hesitated, searching his eyes.
"Come on, Claire. Talk to me."
There was nothing to see. Only concern and love.
"Gage sent me something," she said.
He tensed. "What was it?"
“Another dose.”
"And?"
"I looked at it for a very long time."
Ethan grabbed onto her, like his knees had suddenly gone weak. "What did you do?"
She shook her head, her eyes tearing. "I wanted to take it more than anything. I wanted to be free—"
"Claire?"
"But I couldn't do it." She looked up at him. "I wanted to, really, really wanted to."
His arms came around her. "It's okay. You did good."
She sniffed, tears running down the back of her throat.
"Why don't you go run a bath? Relax. I'll make us a snack and clean up a bit."
She half laughed, half cried. "Sorry it's messy in here."
Ethan pulled her toward the bathroom. "Serious. I want you to relax. I've got this."
He turned on the water and held his hand under the faucet. She watched his reflection in the mirror. So calm.
"I'll come check on you in a little bit," he said and closed the door.
She sat on the edge of the tub. Ethan was a ray of light in her life. She hoped it would always be that way.
Her phone vibrated within her pocket. She pulled it out and checked her text messages. It was from Kate: "You sure missed a good fight between Ethan and Logan. Have you talked to either one of them about it yet?"
Her heart began to pound. She was about to call Kate when her phone rang. She answered it on the first ring. "Logan?"
"Claire! I've been trying to reach you! Where are you?"
"I'm at home. What's going on?" The panic in his voice made her shake.
"Is Ethan with you?"
"Yeah, so? And what were you two fighting—"
"Claire, listen to me closely. You have to get out now. Ethan's Gage."
"What?"
"Ethan's Gage, do you hear me?"
She shook her head, clutching the phone tightly. "How do you know?"
"I broke into his house."
"You what?"
"I had to know. And I found all sorts of crap, specifically Bodian’s vials under his bed. And the whole inside of his house had been destroyed."
"It can't be true," she whispered.
"Can you get out of the house without Ethan knowing?"
Claire shut off the water and listened. She could hear Ethan moving around the living room. "I don't know."
"I'm coming over."
"No! I don't want you to get hurt." She tried to keep her voice low.
Logan paused, then said, "Is there a cop out front?"
"Yes. It’s Smith."
"Good. Get to him and meet me at the police station."
Just then Ethan knocked on the door. Claire dropped the phone and covered her mouth to keep from screaming.
"Are you talking to someone?" Ethan asked.
"Um, no. Just getting ready."
"Okay. I'm going to take the garbage out."
"Right. Okay."
She waited until she heard the front door open and close before she picked up the phone.
Logan was saying her name over and over. "Claire, are you there?"
"I'm here."
"Good. I'm coming over."
"Wait!"
But it was too late. The phone went dead.
Chapter 42
CLAIRE STARED INTO the partially filled tub. Why, Ethan? She wanted to sink into the water, clothes and all, but she couldn't. Ignoring her pounding heart, she stood up. This had to end. She reached for the gun behind her back and moved it to the front of her pants. She pulled her shirt down over the top and opened the door.
"Ethan?" She moved down the hallway. Focus. Don't look him in the eyes. Her hands began to shake.
The front door opened suddenly, bringing in Ethan and a blast of wind and rain.
"Crazy weather out there," he said as he brushed himself off. "How come you're not in the tub?"
"I couldn't..."
"Claire?"
"Were you fighting with Logan?" she blurted. She had to know, before—she had to be sure.
His jaw muscles bulged and his lips tightened.
"Were you?"
"I wanted to tell you later. When the time was right."
"Tell me what?"
He inhaled deeply and let it out. “I confronted him at the gas station earlier today. About what he's been doing." His eyes met hers. "What I'm about to tell you is going to be hard. I know how close you two are."
"I don't understand."
"Before I found Logan, I drove to his house to see if you’d gone there." Ethan walked to the window and peered out. "I had to know. I suspected he was Gage from the very beginning. Things he'd say and do. It just wasn't right."
"And?"
Ethan turned around. "I found it. Under the floorboards. Only a few vials were left."
Claire shook her head, more confused than ever. "But that's what Logan said about you."
"What? He did? When?"
"He called just a few minutes ago. He said he's coming over."
Ethan began to panic. "We need to get you out of here."
He moved to grab her arm, but she stepped away.
"How can I believe you? You're both saying the same thing."
Ethan’s terror turned to sadness. "Why can't you trust me?"
When Claire didn't answer, he went to his backpack and searched it. "I have proof, Claire."
He pulled out a vial. It looked the same as the one Gage had given her. "I got this from Logan's room. It’s what Gage gave you, right?"
Claire groaned in frustration.
"Please, you have to believe me! If we have any chance at defeating Gage we have to do it together, do you understand?"
She shook her head, trying to put the pieces together, but everything was happening so fast. She needed to talk to Kate. See what the fight was about. "I have to make a phone call."
"There isn’t time. He's going to be here any second!"
Just then the sound of tires squealed in the driveway.
Ethan slowly turned to the window. "He'
s here."
Claire backed against the wall while Ethan frantically searched the house for a weapon. He found a knife for each hand. "There's mace in your room, Claire. Go grab it, quick!"
She was frozen. Even her heart didn’t seem to be beating anymore. A car door slammed. Footsteps ran fast toward the home, but then stopped suddenly. Claire hoped it was Smith capturing Logan.
"Claire!” Ethan said. “Do you hear me?"
She didn't. The footsteps were moving again and had reached the front porch. Logan. Her best friend. When the door opened, Ethan moved with it and hid behind.
Logan stood in the doorway holding a baseball bat high. He was soaking wet, blood clotted on his fat lip, and his eyes were blazing, like a fire had been lit inside him. His eyes darted around the room, passing her over. When he didn’t see Ethan, he said, "Come on. Let's go!"
She shook her head and flickered her gaze to Ethan, hiding behind the open door. Ethan put his finger to his lips, signaling her to be quiet. Where was Smith?
Logan moved into the house. "Come on, Claire. Please."
Ethan slammed the door. "We know who you really are Logan, and I’m going to kill you for hurting Claire."
Logan turned around slowly, the bat raised.
"Not if I kill you first," he said and swung the bat hard.
Ethan tried to get out of the way, but the bat caught him in the ribs. He stumbled into a nearby lamp and fell to the floor.
"Logan, stop!" Claire shouted.
"Get out of here!" he shouted back. He raised the bat again and brought it down on Ethan’s back just as he was reaching for the knife that had fallen from his hand. Ethan cried a painful scream.
"You will pay for everything you've done!" Logan said and raised the bat again.
Claire removed the gun from her shirt. "Stop Logan, or I'll shoot!"
He froze and turned around slowly, his eyes settling on the gun. "What are you doing?"
"You need to get away from him," she said, trying to steady the gun in her sweaty palms.
"But he's Gage! I told you that on the phone."
Claire lowered her gaze to Ethan. Their eyes met.
"It's not true," Ethan said, and then he kicked at Logan's legs, knocking him off balance. "Shoot him, Claire! Now's your chance!"
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