Chrysalis

by Brendan Reichs

  My teeth were chattering so hard I could barely speak. “W-what . . . what ha-happened?”

  Sarah pulled back. “The, uh . . . the lab flooded.”

  In a glance, I knew. “Y- . . . y-you!”

  Sarah flinched, but didn’t look away. “Like I said, I knew you’d figure it out.”

  Fury swept through me, driving the lethargy from my limbs. I shoved Sarah hard. She stumbled backward but kept her balance. A change came over her face. Sarah crossed her arms. When she spoke again, her voice was as cold as ice. “Toby and most of his team were down there. I saw a chance to end this threat in one swoop, so I took it. Don’t expect me to have regrets.”

  “You almost killed me, too! Did that even register, you psychopath?”

  Her facade cracked for a split second, then re-formed. “I stayed here waiting for you. I hoped you could find the way out and save yourself, and you did. I didn’t want to kill you, Min.”

  I gripped my head in my hands. “The MegaCom is gone. I hope you realize what you’ve done.”

  Sarah folded her legs and sat neatly across from me. “That’s unfortunate. But at least now it can’t hurt us.”

  “How could a machine hurt us, Sarah?” I pushed wet hair from my face, finally beginning to feel alive again.

  “I have no idea. But if the strangers want it, we don’t want them to have it. That’s Combat Strategy 101.”

  My breath caught as I remembered the catwalk. “You killed Toby, Sarah.”

  She eyed me, her expression unreadable. “You’re sure?”

  “I saw his body. I hope it was worth it.”

  “Toby is nothing!” Sarah’s hands flew up as anger twisted her features. “He picked this fight. It’s the strangers we have to worry about.”

  “Toby was seventeen. One of the last humans alive on Earth. He meant something.”

  Sarah pursed her lips, eyes smoldering. “Do you know what happened while we were gone, Min?”

  I straightened but didn’t speak. Obviously I didn’t know.

  “Some of Toby’s new pals attacked Ridgeline,” Sarah said coldly. “I reached Cash on the radio. Derrick was waiting for us at the head of the Ocean Road—he saw Sam and everyone else being marched across the flat at gunpoint. Whoever these people are, they’re rounding our class up. So if I killed a few of them down there, I’m glad.”

  My mind reeled. I was exhausted. Afraid. Unable to put the pieces together.

  All at once it was too much, and I began to cry.

  Sarah moved to sit next to me. “Come on. Let’s get you warm. We’ll find Derrick and figure out what to do next.”

  “Noah,” I mumbled. “We need to find Noah and make a plan.”

  Sarah chuckled without humor. “I wouldn’t mind seeing him myself. Maybe he could tell us where these jackasses came from, or how they got onto our island undetected. They don’t look like refugees, Min. I don’t know who they are, but they have a secret.”

  I staggered to my feet. A fire had kindled inside me at the thought of Noah, out there struggling on his own. I had to find him. And Tack. All the others, everyone still able to resist.

  We had to free our friends and deal with this threat, whoever they may be.

  These people had made a mistake. They’d underestimated us. My classmates and I had lived through hell for a million years. We weren’t going to take anything lying down. Every one of us knew how to defend ourselves.

  Fire Lake had been full of monsters once. Predators in human form.

  It was time to rise again.

  16

  NOAH

  A girl.

  Hadn’t counted on that.

  She was still unconscious by the small fire Tack had finally allowed. Dawn was breaking, and tendrils of smoky light illuminated her face. The girl had vivid copper-colored hair, cut short, and pale, dimpled cheeks. I thought about our plan to grab a prisoner in a delicate position and my face went scarlet. Thank God for the small favor of catching her in transit.

  I stifled a yawn. Rose and stretched. We’d taken shifts guarding our prisoner, but I hadn’t really slept at all. Ethan was snoring beside me. Tack had spent most of the night out in the forest, watching for signs of pursuit, but he’d trudged back into camp a half hour ago and was stirring oatmeal in a pan.

  “So they’re gone?” I said.

  Tack glanced up, then put a finger to his lips, nodding at the girl. He set the cook pot aside and motioned for me to join him at the edge of the clearing. “She could be faking,” he whispered, positioning himself so he could keep an eye on our prisoner as we talked. “I don’t want to give up any information we don’t have to.”

  I frowned. “What are we going to do with her? I feel like we didn’t think this through.”

  “We’ll question her.” Tack spun his hand in a loose circle. “Find out how she’s alive, and where their base is. And why the hell they grabbed our people.”

  My eyes were glued to the girl. She had smooth porcelain skin, but with the tiniest hint of freckles. For some reason I couldn’t stop looking at her. “You said the others broke camp?”

  “They cleared out in the night. Either they went looking for us and missed completely, or they bolted to . . . I don’t know. Wherever they’re from, I guess.”

  I rocked back on my heels. “Tack, have you thought about how they’re kids, like us?”

  “Speak for yourself, Livingston, I’m all man over here.”

  “Whatever. My point is, they seem our age. Another group of teenagers on New Earth? What the hell does that mean?”

  Tack was silent for a few beats. “No idea. Maybe Black Suit played us harder than we thought.” He pointed roughly at our captive. “But she knows, and I think it’s time we woke her up to tell us.”

  I felt a prickling in my gut. My hand rose to rub my neck. “Hey, Tack. Listen. We’re not gonna, like . . . hurt her or anything, right? If it had been a guy, maybe . . .”

  Tack gave me a stony look. “You get the fact that she attacked and kidnapped some of our classmates, right?”

  My stomach dropped. “Yeah. Yes, but . . .”

  “And she literally beat the crap out of all three of us last night. Remember?”

  “Tack, I’m just saying—”

  “I’m not gonna start arbitrarily punching someone, Noah. But she is going to talk, or else . . .” He shrugged, stepping past me. “They ransacked the Outpost and tied up my neighbors like chickens. Some of them are still missing, and we don’t know whether they’re okay or not. You need to start thinking about it like that.”

  I watched him stride back to the fire. He nudged Ethan with his boot, eliciting an angry growl. Tack really was harder. Not in the fake-tough-guy way so many had developed inside the Program, when things didn’t truly matter. But in a real-life way. The scary way.

  Ethan roused himself while Tack doled out oatmeal. We ate in silence, each wrapped in our own thoughts. Finally, as I was scraping the dregs from my bowl, the girl began to stir.

  I glanced at Tack, who rose and walked around to her side of the fire. “Get up,” he ordered.

  The girl’s lids fluttered open, and I nearly choked. Her eyes were a startling green, impossibly bright, as if they were backlit by LEDs. When those emerald lasers latched onto me, I looked away first, but not before noting the fierce intelligence powering them.

  The girl jerked up into a sitting position. She tried to move her arms but found them securely bound behind her back. She glanced at Tack, and the wondrous eyes narrowed, but she didn’t cry out. Instead she made a slow survey of our camp. For a girl being held captive by three unknown boys, alone in the trackless woods, she seemed remarkably self-assured.

  “Who are you?” Tack demanded.

  Green Eyes gave Tack a disdainful glare. She shifted her body away from him.

  Ethan s
norted. “Haven’t lost your touch, have you Thumbtack?”

  Tack stepped in front of her again, crouching down to eye level so she was forced to look at him. “I asked you a question, politely. I expect answers when I do that, or I won’t stay polite. Now: Who. Are. You?”

  Green Eyes smirked, then spat in Tack’s face. Tack jerked away, his lips forming a thin white line.

  “How about I try?” I said quickly, lurching up and rounding the fire. I put a hand on Tack’s shoulder.

  Tack stepped back. “Sure thing, pal.” He was staring at the girl to make sure she was listening. “But let our new friend here know I’m not going away. I lived in that compound they attacked. I saw the blood.”

  Did she flinch at the last part? It was hard to tell. I moved a step closer and her gaze cut to me, taking my measure with a glance that seared like fire. I coughed. Was having a hard time concentrating. I had to get a grip.

  “No one’s going to hurt you,” I said, keeping my voice even.

  “Speak for yourself,” Tack muttered, and Ethan snorted darkly.

  I ignored them. “Will you tell us where you’re from?”

  No response. The girl’s features could’ve been carved out of marble.

  I flashed a rueful smile. “You see, my classmates and I were under the impression we were the only people alive, but that’s clearly not true. I’ll admit it—we’re very curious about how your crew exists. Is there a settlement close by? Where do you live?”

  “Why’d you attack us?” Tack demanded. “We weren’t bothering anyone. We were trying to grow things. Is this your island or something?”

  The girl’s lips curled into a sneer. She pointedly looked away from Tack. She still hadn’t spoken a word, and I got the sense she had no intention of doing so. Not without . . . motivation. The cold in my gut began to spread.

  Ethan got to his feet and stretched his arms. Then he rolled his shoulders, finishing the performance by cracking his knuckles one by one. After all that, he looked at the girl. She’d been tracking his movements but didn’t appear scared. If anything, she looked amused.

  I noticed something about her clothes. She had on a loose cotton sweater with canvas pants—simple garments that looked homemade. But as she shifted, I could see a black stretchy material beneath her shirt.

  “What are you wearing?” I said.

  This drew the first startled reaction I’d seen. She froze for an instant, then scrunched into a ball. Ethan stepped over and squatted down in front of her, eliciting a low intake of breath. Green Eyes suddenly butted her head at him, but Ethan laughed, dodging and pushing her onto her side.

  He pulled her sweater up an inch.

  “Easy,” I warned, but Ethan was examining the girl’s black undershirt. Even I could tell he was only checking the material. “This is manufactured,” he said in surprise. “It’s nylon, or something like that. Better than our stuff without a doubt.” He glared at her. “Where’d you get this? How’d you make this shirt?”

  She scowled at the dirt. Said nothing.

  “I’m running out of patience,” Tack said quietly. “I don’t like getting rough, but we have to know about these people.”

  His words gave me an idea. “I need you both for a second. In private. Over there.”

  Ethan shot me annoyed glance. “Just speak, Noah. You afraid she’ll make fun of you?”

  Tack made a chopping motion with one hand. “No names.” He nodded impatiently and we strode to the edge of the clearing again, Ethan muttering about cloak-and-dagger nonsense as he followed. When we couldn’t be overheard, Tack spoke under his breath. “Okay. What is it?”

  “I have a plan for how we might find their camp.”

  Tack showed me his palms. “All ears, Livingston.”

  I glanced at the girl. She was sitting up but not looking at us. To anyone watching it would appear she was there by choice. Except for being tied up, of course.

  I swallowed, inwardly cringing at the reaction I knew was coming. “I think we should let her go.”

  Ethan gave me a flat look. “I’m sorry?”

  “I know it sounds crazy, but I think this could work.”

  “You want us to let our prisoner go.” Tack tilted his head. “The prisoner we risked our asses to capture and who knows all the answers to our questions.”

  “Yes, but onl—”

  Ethan shoved me in the chest. “Why are you such a wuss, Noah? Tack’s right. We have to find out what’s going on.”

  “I’m not suggested we give up!” I hissed, my frustration spilling over. “I have a plan, if you jackasses would shut up and listen.”

  Tack took a deep breath. Gave me a tight, fake smile. “Let’s hear it, Napoleon.”

  I explained my idea. Ethan scoffed like I was crazy, but I could tell Tack was considering it. He chewed on his bottom lip, a small frown twisting his face.

  “Tell me you’re not listening to this,” Ethan said to him. “He wants to give up our leverage!”

  Tack ran a hand through his greasy black hair. “I don’t think she’s going to say a damn thing,” he said finally, looking at Ethan. “Not voluntarily. Do you really want to start hurting her? That’s where we are.”

  Ethan opened his mouth to argue, but nothing came out. His face flushed pink as he glanced over at the fire. The girl was leaning forward to drink in its warmth, still pretending we didn’t exist.

  “Fine,” he spat through gritted teeth. “How are we going to pull this off?”

  I released a breath I hadn’t known I was holding. We’d do it my way. In my relief, I was able to acknowledge that I wasn’t going to let anyone torture this girl, even if Tack and Ethan thought it was necessary. Some bridges can never be uncrossed.

  Our attackers might be monsters, but that didn’t mean we had to be.

  “Just follow my lead,” I said, then hid a smile from the girl. “Trust me, she already thinks we’re idiots. We just have to prove her right.”

  * * *

  • • •

  “We’ll sweep the campsite they left and be back in twenty,” Tack announced. A bit overloud, but not too obviously for our prisoner’s benefit. “You stay here and watch her.” He removed a buck knife from his backpack and handed it to me. “If she causes any problems, make her regret it.”

  Tack sneered at Green Eyes, and the girl matched him glare for glare. But she tracked the knife as I set it down beside the ring of fire stones. For his part, Ethan remained stone-faced. He thought this whole charade was stupid and self-defeating, but at least he was going along. Nodding to each other, they hitched their packs and marched into the woods.

  Time to look useless.

  I picked up the knife again, but by the tip of its sheath, as if I didn’t like touching it. I tossed the weapon farther aside with a grimace. Turning to the girl, I was surprised to find her smiling at me.

  I decided to try a charm offensive. “Are you sure you don’t want to tell me your name? Or at least talk? I’m so bored.” I grinned, throwing out my best flirty vibe. Hey gurl.

  Green Eyes shifted to face me, her cheeks coloring. I found my body responding despite myself. There was no denying that she was beautiful.

  “How about just names? I’m Noah.”

  I nodded encouragingly, but she gave no response. It occurred to me that she might not understand what I was saying. I had no idea where this girl was from, or how she was alive. Why did I assume she spoke English?

  Green Eyes pouted suddenly, swinging her legs around so I could see her bound ankles. Blinking long lashes, she made a face like she was in pain.

  “Do they hurt?” I asked, straightening with a frown. I pointed to her restraints.

  The girl gave a distressed frown and wiggled her feet feebly. The message was clear.

  She’s playing me. She thinks I’m a total moron.
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  I almost chuckled—I’d been trying to manipulate her a hot second ago—but this complemented my plan. My expression soured, like I was troubled by her discomfort. I began muttering to myself. Finally, I nodded like I’d come to a decision.

  I picked up the knife and moved closer, but stopped suddenly, narrowing my eyes. “Do you promise not to try anything funny?” I asked. I made a running motion with two fingers, then shook my head at her. “I’ll free your ankles, but only if you agree to behave.”

  Green Eyes nodded eagerly, flashing the smile again.

  Using both hands on the knife like a simpleton, I began sawing through the rope. It parted and her legs were free. She shook out her feet and sighed, closing her eyes as if resting. Her hands were still tied behind her back.

  Here we go.

  I stood, sheathing the knife and stuffing it awkwardly into my jacket pocket. Grinning absently, I started putzing around the fire. The girl’s eyes remained half lidded, but I could feel her tracking me, so I began whistling like a true buffoon, picking stuff up in one place and putting it down in another. I worked all the way around to where she sat, then turned my back on her completely.

  I tried not to tense, but it was hard.

  She didn’t make me wait long.

  Something clobbered me from behind, knocking me over. A booted foot thumped my ribs once, twice, before connecting with the back of my head. I saw stars, and for a moment worried I’d miscalculated badly, and that Green Eyes was going to kill me right there in the forest with her hands tied behind her back. But when my head cleared, I heard feet pounding away from the clearing.

  I tried to grin, but had a coughing fit instead.

  * * *

  • • •

  “Shh,” Tack whispered. “She’s just over the next rise.”

  “We can’t let her get too far ahead,” I warned, rubbing the lump on my head. “She’s a freaking beast. Even with her hands tied she’s fast as hell.”

  “I know that Noah, thanks. Letting her go was your idea, if you remember.”