The Awakening
Page 62
“SHE’SBACK!ANDSHE’SALONE!”
Infrontofherstoodtheusualpackofprotestors,swarmingthecourtyardjust
astheyhadbeenthedaybefore,andthedaybeforethat.Noteventheutter
destructionofthecampuscoulddeterthem,andthoughtheymomentarily
stoppedtheirchantingtostareather,amanfromwithinthethickofthemob
quicklyendedthestillness.
“YOU!”heshouted,pointingatEve.“YOU’RETHECAUSEOFALL
THIS!”
Hisaccusationwasmetwithathunderousroarofagreement,theprotestors
moreoutragedthanever.Evecontinuedforward;shedidn’tslowherpace,nor
didshereacttotheirunrelentinghatred.Shewaspreoccupied—no,shewas
pissed—and in that moment, she decided she simply didn’t have time for the protestorsortheirmessage,whateveritwas.Infact,shehadamessageofher
own for them, and just as she approached the edge of their horde, she rolled hereyesandflickedherwrist.
Achorusofgaspsresoundedacrossthecourtyard,butEveignoredit.She
continuedtowardthedormitoryhall,thewalkwaysuddenlyclear,notasingle
protestor blocking her path. When she reached the front doors, she turned to
facetheprotestorsoncemore—protesterswhowerenowfloatinginmidair, justhighenoughforhertowalkbeneaththeirfeetbutstilllowenoughforher
togazeintotheirhorrifiedeyes.Withanapatheticshrug,shedelicatelyplaced
thembackontheground,andthenshefoldedherarmsandscowled.
“GOHOME,”sheordered.
Withthat,sheraisedherchinandstruttedthroughtheRutherfordHalldoors,
leavingtheprotestorstostupidlygawkwheretheystood.
Thelobbywaspacked.AswarmofRutherfordiansbuzzedpast,theirarms
filledwithdesignerluggage,whileotherscoweredalongthewallswithtears
pouringdowntheirfaces.Eveshovedherwaytowardtheelevators,whichshe
soon learned were disabled, and then began what was sure to be a hellishly longsprintupthestairwell.OfcoursePercyhadtoliveontheverytopfloor,
andshegrowledtoherselfassheimaginedhimrelaxingincomfort,abottle
ofboozeinhand.
Sheranupthefirstthreefloors,thoughnotquickenoughforherliking,and
soshepushedherselftomovefaster.Tenthfloor,eleventhfloor—shewas
almostthere,andjustasherthighsbegantoburn,shethoughtofJasonwaiting
forher,andherbodybecamenumbwithpower.
Eveburstthroughthedoorwaytothefifteenthfloorandcarelessly
shoulderedasidetheotherstudentsinherpath.AtlastshebargedintoPercy’s
suiteandstumbledacrossthefloor.
Theroomwentquietassheentered—eachbodyfrozeinplace,Percybythe kitchennook,JJandSanchointhelivingroom,andJasonneartheentryway.
Theyallgazedatherwithwideeyes,whichonlyaddedtothepalpable
discomfort.Finally,JJletoutacynicalchuckle.
“Lookwho’shere,”shesaid.“It’sEmmaLynnKingpin.”
Jasonglancedathershoulder.“You’rehurt—”
“I’mfine,Jason.”
Theothersremainedsilent.Evestaredatherfourformercomrades,and
beforetheawkwardnessofthesituationgrewunbearable,shestoppedandre-
counted.Justfour?Someonewasmissing.
“Where’s—”
“Icouldn’tfindArmaan,”Jasonexplained.“I’msurehe’sokay.”
Againthesuitewasquiet,stirringonlyslightlyfromtheoccasionalshaking
ofthewalls.Jasonclearedhisthroat,attemptingtoendthesilenceonceandfor all.
“So,whatwasthemeetingabout?”
“Itwasanevacuationnotice,”Evesaid.“Hewantsallofthechimerasatthis
schooltoleave.Hesaidwe’renotsafehere.Notanymore.”
“Likeyouguysweresafehereinthefirstplace,”JJmumbled.
“Seriously,”Percyadded.“It’slikeagoddamntermiteinfestationoutthere,
exceptwithmuchbiggerbugs.”
Sanchopouted.“It’ssounfair.Whydowehavetobestuckwithcreepy aliens?Whycouldn’twehavebeeninvadedbysuper-sexyladyalienswith
threeboobsorsomething?”
Anotherexplosionsoundedinthedistance,andallfivestudentsflinchedin
unison.Theygapedfirstatthetremblingfurnitureandrattlingpictureframes
andthenatoneanother,eachwaitingforsomeonetofinallyspeak—tosay
whattheywereallundeniablythinking.AgainJasonturnedtoEve,hisvoice
soft.
“So,whatarewegoingtodo,Eve?Areweleaving?”
Evestaredatthefloor;shewasn’tavoidinghisgaze—thoughitundoubtedly
seemed that way to him. No, she was just trying to think, to separate herself fromJasonandtheothers,fromtheshakingofthedormitoryandeveryother
god-awful minute of this day. But she could still feel Jason’s presence like a thick,warmcoat,andshewassurehewastrying sohardtoappearatease—
that his face, his posture, and every fiber of his being were lying to her. She knewwhathewantedhertosay—whattheentireroomwasdyingtohear—but
stillhereyeswerepointedatthefloor,andstillshesaidnothing.
Andtohersurprise,herthoughts,foronce,wereperfectlyclear.They
weren’t wrestling in her mind: they were in her gut, firm and resolute. Her decision had been made before the question had even been uttered. And even though it was incredibly stupid, she knew it was right and unequivocally her own.
“Well,Eve?”Jasonsaid,interruptingthestillness.“Areweleaving?”he
repeated.
Evehadalmostforgottenhewasstillwaitingforher.Withadeepbreath,she lookedupattheexpectantfacesofhercomrades.
“No,”shefinallysaid.“We’regoingtokillsomealiens.”
Theentireroomeruptedintoafitofcheering.Percyraisedashotglassin
theairandguzzledthecontents,andSanchothrewhisarmsaroundJJ—onlyto
haveherpushhimfromthecouch.Evescowledandputherhandsonherhips.
“Idon’tknowwhyeveryone’scheering.We’regrosslyunprepared.Westill
don’tknowwherethelairis,andwehaven’tevenuploadedthevirus.”
Jasonandtheothersglancedbackandforthatoneanother,smilingalmost
childishlyasiftheysharedasecret.
“What?”Eveasked.“What’sgoingon?”
Jasonsmirked.“Eve,we’vestillbeenworking.”
“Weknewyou’dcomearoundeventually,”Percyadded,pouringhimself
another shot. “Just didn’t think it’d take an apocalyptic experience to make it happen.”
Evefrowned.“Didyouknowthatallofthiswouldhappentoday?”
“Of course not,” JJ cut in. “Ever since they blindsided us the last time, the beaconhasgonecompletelysilent.Theyknowwe’relistening.”
“Butwe’vebeenkeepingbusy!”Sanchojumpedtohisfeet,hiseyeslitwith
theirusualfieryglow.“Imadeanewweapon!”
BeforeEvecouldask,Sanchowasscurryingacrossthesuite,shuffling
throughPercy’sthingsandthendraggingwhatlookedlikeablackbackpack
fromthebedroom.Hethrewitoverhisshoulders,stumblingforasecond—
whateverwasinthebagwasclearlyheavy—andthenheturnedtofacethe
group,grinningfromea
rtoear.
Twocharcoal-coloredtubesprotrudedfromthebackpack,restingoneither
sideofhisbodylikethearmsofachair.Sanchograbbedattheleftcylindrical
pipeandfiddledwithapanelofbuttonsonitssurface,andsuddenlyaseriesof
firearmsexpandedfromthetopofthebackpackandhoveredabovehishead.
HeglancedupattheweaponsandthenlookedbackatEve,beamingwithpride.
“Icallitthe DirtierSanchez,”hedeclared.“AssembledusingPercy’sguns
—”
“Butthistimewithmypermission,”Percyadded.
“It’s a shooting device and a flamethrower.” He cocked his head at the cumbersomebackpack,whichEverealizedmustdoubleasafuelcontainer,
andgrinned.“Youknow,sowecanlightthelaironfireandreleaseitssecond
skin.”
“AndIuploadedthevirusdaysago,”JJsaid.“Thetorqisnowatickingtime
bomb.”
ItwasEve’sturntobequiet.ShestaredatSancho’shalf-ridiculous,half-genius invention,andthenatthetorq,whichsatonthecoffeetable.Theteam
hadbeenworking;theyhadbeenwaitingforher.Shehadtoldherselfthatshe
wastheproblem—thatherabsencewasablessing,thatshewas protectingthem
—andshehadbeenwrong.Awaveofshameflowedthroughher.
“Look,guys,aboutlastweek—”
“OhGod,Eve,don’tdothis,”Percymoaned.“Themushyconfessional—
you’re better than that.” He rolled his eyes and poured himself a third, or maybeafourthshot.“Wegetit,you’resorry.Andweallsolemnlyswearnotto
dietoday,soyouwon’thaveanyadditionalguilttoburdenyou.”
Evegrimaced.“Wow.Thatwasn’tevenkindoffunny.”
“Allright,people,we’rerunningoutoftime,”JJinterrupted,unamusedby
Percy’sbanter.“Weneedtogetthistorqtothelair,andweneedtodoit now.
They’recomingforEve,anditlookslikethey’recomingforeveryoneelseas
well.”
“Idon’tgetit,”Jasonadded.“Isthisahostagesituation?Amassdissection?”
“Oramass execution,”Percygrumbled.
JJshrugged.“Whateveritis,thesoonerwewipeoutthemainframe,the
moreliveswesave.”
“Butwedon’tevenknowwherethemainframeis,”Evesaid.
“No,butweknowsomeonewhodoes.”JJactivatedherscratchpads.“I
finallyconvertedallthedatafromthetorq.Nomentionofthelair,butIdidget atonofinformationontheInterloperinchargeofthisparticulardevice.”
“Likewhat?”Eveasked.
“Likehisassignments,hismission,hisdormroom,and,mostimportantly,
his name.”
Shepaused,swivelingoneofherscratchpadscreensaroundandexpanding the image of a boy. He had flaming red hair and a collection of freckles splatteredacrosshisface,andEvethoughthelookedvaguelyfamiliar.
“Doesthename‘ThomasCooper’ringabell?”JJasked.
Eve thought back to move-in day at Billington; she recalled her very first conversationwithHeatherandsmirked.“Heardhewasatroublemaker.”
“Well,apparentlyhe’sanalien,too.”
JJpluckedatiny,squarechipfromherpocketandhelditoutinherpalmfor
everyonetosee.Itwasflatandthinwithabrownishsurfaceandpittedridges.
“Thisisatrackingdevice,”JJexplained.“Ifwecanfindawaytoattachthis
toCooper’sbody,he’lleventuallytakeustothelair.I’msureofit.”
“Andhowthehellarewesupposedtofindhim?”Jasonasked.
“Well,accordingtohisassignment,heshouldbe…”—JJpausedasshe
scannedherscratchpad’stext—“… feedingrightnow.”
Sancho’snostrilsflared.“Feeding?”
“He’sinthedininghall,”JJcontinued.“Notsurewhy,sincehecan’teveneat
solidfood.”
“Yousurehe’sgoingtobefollowinghisassignmentonadayliketoday?”
Jasonfoldedhisarms.“Imean,it’snotexactlybusinessasusualoutthere.”
“Yeah,andevenifhe isinthedininghall,howarewesupposedtogetclose enoughtostickatrackingdeviceonhim?”Percygroused.
Eve’seyeswidened;shelookedatthetrackingdeviceonelasttime,andthen
hereyesdarteddowntothethreegashesalonghershoulder.
“I’mbleeding,”shemuttered.
Sancho’smouthcontortedwithdisgust.“That’sgreat,Eve,butwedon’tneed
toknowthedetailsofyourmonthlycycle—”
“Jesus,Sancho,she’stalkingabouther shoulder,”JJgroaned.
“He’llbedrawntome,”Eveexplained.“Icanjustgotothedininghalland
waitforhim.”
“Noway,”Jasonrebutted.“He’ll attackyou.”
“Jason,I’llbefine.”
“Youdon’tknowthat,”hemaintained.“I’llgoinstead.”
“Wecanallgotogether,”Sanchocutin.“Wecanbringweapons!”
“Greatidea,thatwon’tlooksuspiciousatall,”Percygrumbled.
Evebackedawayfromthegroup.“I’mleavingnow,andI’mdoingthis
alone.”
“Eve—”
“Ifhetriestotakeme,I’llkillhim.It’sassimpleasthat.”Sheraisedherhand, commandingJasontostayback.“Besides,mydecisionisfinal.”
Shewaitedbytheentrywayforamoment,takingonelastlookather
comrades.Theyweremotionless,theirfacesfulloffearandworry,especially
Jason’s—andEverolledhereyesatthedisplay.
“Oh,don’tlookatmelikeI’mnevercomingback.Thisisn’tmyfirst
Interloperencounter,remember?”
Withaderisivegrunt,shelefthercomradesinPercy’sdormroom,making
herwaythroughthecorridorandbackdowntheRutherfordTowerstairs.The
lobby was only slightly less chaotic than it had been before. The number of peopleseemedtohavedwindledastheysoughtshelterelsewhere—orsoEve
hoped,asshetriedtopushthealltooplausiblealternativefromherthoughts.
Sheenteredthedininghallandimmediatelyscannedhersurroundings.The
hallwaspackedandraucous,asifeveryRutherfordianhadconvenedhere,
perhapsseekingsafetyinnumbers.Manyspokefranticallywithoneanotheror
cried into their hands, while others gazed at the walls with empty, unblinking eyes. Eve saw students still in their classroom attire and others in pajamas, boyswithash-streakedclothingandgirlswithmascaradrippingdowntheir
cheeks,tallRutherfordiansandshortRutherfordianswithblondhairandblack
hairandbrownhair.
Andnotasingleredhead.
Shit,Evethoughttoherself.Shescannedthedininghallagain,andthenagain, butThomasCooperwasnowheretobefound.
Herneckandchestburnedwithanxiety.PerhapsJasonwasright;perhapshe
wasn’tcoming.Afterall,didhisassignmentreallyapplytodayssuchasthis?
She shook her head as if to dismiss the speculations from her mind; he was coming.Shewouldmakesureofit.Shewouldwaitforhim.
Evecaughtsightofahandfulofstudentshuddlingtogetherandeagerly
stuffing their faces with food. She thought it was silly to be eating at a time suchasthis,butthenagain,whyelsewouldtheybeinthedininghall?Thenit
occurredtoher: shewasinthedininghall,juststandingidlyinthedeadcenter ofeverything
,notdoingmuchofanythingexceptattractingthecuriousstares
ofpassersby.IfThomaswascoming—no, whenhewascoming—shewould
havetoappearunsuspicious,asifherpresencewerenothingmorethan
coincidental.
Shemadeasnapdecision.Withanairofauthority,shestompedtowarda
nearbyRutherfordianandpluckedasliceofpizzaandaglassofsomepurply-
pinkbeveragefromtheplacesettinginfrontofhim.
“Whatthe hell—”
She ignored the boy and headed to the back of the dining hall, where she grabbed a seat and plopped her food down on the table in front of her. She glanceddownatherstolenmeal—sausagepizzaandcran-grapejuice,a
terriblepairing—andthenshelookedstraightaheadatherperfect,
uncompromisedviewofthedininghallentrance.Withadeepbreath,she
waited.
Nothinghappened.
I’llgivehimfifteenminutes, shethought . Ifhestillhadn’tarrivedbythen,she wouldhavetogoandsearchforhim.Shewouldtraveltheentireuniversity
andopeneverydoorineverybuildinguntilshefoundhim.Afterall,howhard
could it be to find a single faux-human in a campus filled with thousands of humansandfaux-humansalike?
Well,atleasthehasthatfieryredhair.
Againhermindwasfloodedwithdoubt.Maybethiswasadumbidea.Infact,
maybethiswasthedumbestideasheandherfriendshadeverconcocted.Just asshebecamesodistractedwithindecisionthatshealmosttookabiteofher
hand-me-downpizza,aboyenteredthedininghall.
Aboywithafreckledfaceandredhair.
Hewalkedinherdirection,hiseyesdancingacrossherface,herclothes,and
herwoundedshoulder.Evelookedaway,tryingtoappearcasual,though
failing miserably. Despite her slew of successful killings, this confrontation feltdifferent,threatening—becausesheneededthisalienalive.Nomatterhow
much her bones ached to be engaged, to end his life with a single melt, she wouldneedtoresist.
Beforeshecouldruminateonherplananylonger,ThomasCooperstood
directlyinfrontofher.
Hisstarewaschilling,asifhehadn’ttheslightestclueabouttheimpression
he was leaving. Eve looked back at him, this time overtly, and thought of the trackingdeviceinherpocket.Shedidn’tknowhowshewasgoingtoplantit,