Finding ELE (ELE Series #2) Written By: Rebecca Gober and Courtney Nuckels

by Nuckels, Courtney

  He looks as if he’s seen a ghost. He barely manages to spit out the word, “Claustrophobic.”

  I give his hand a squeeze for reassurance then I let go and start crawling faster, hoping it will help him. “We’re almost there,” I keep reassuring him. When we round the final corner out into the open, Tony breathes a huge sigh of relief. I pat his back not sure what else to do.

  “Sorry,” he says. “I didn’t mean to freak out. I’ve just had issues with tiny spaces since I was little. I never could get over them.”

  I shrug my shoulders, “No biggie.” We step out into the first large cavern. Tony takes his time gazing around the room. I pry the flashlight gently from his hands and bounce the light off the walls. The shadows on the far end of the cave look luminous and I'm anxious to move out of here. “Come on, this way,” I say leading Tony deeper into the cave. We walk along the water’s edge towards the blown up entrance that leads to the second cave.

  In the distance I hear the sound of a rock hitting the water. We both stop and I place my hand over the flashlight trying to dim our light. We listen for a few seconds and then hear another rock. I look over to Tony whom I can barely see in the dim light. I question him with my eyes as to what he thinks is going on but he simply shrugs his shoulders. We stay still and listen for a good five minutes before we feel comfortable moving again. When we reach the rubble from the explosion that locked my friends away a few days ago, I grab Tony's hand.

  I begin to push my hand through the cave wall but the sound of someone clearing their throat a few feet away from us startles me. I end up dropping my flashlight and it breaks apart, extinguishing the light.

  As quick as lightning Tony bolts up and pushes me behind his back, never once letting me go. I can’t see the person in front of us because of Tony’s height and the fact that the only light is now coming from a small lantern the other person is carrying.

  “Who are you, and what do you want?” I hear Tony bellow.

  The other person snorts and then tells Tony, “I want my girlfriend.”

  My heart leaps out of my chest as I practically throw Tony into the water trying to get to Alec. “Alec,” I scream running into his arms. Yet, as soon as I wrap my arms around him I know something is wrong. This isn’t Alec.

  I look up and see Zack smiling down at me with his customary wicked grin. “Well, that’s not exactly the greeting I expected, Sugar. But I’ll take what I can get.” He grabs my wrist harshly.

  “Zack,” I say in disgust.

  It doesn’t take but a split second for Tony to be at our side. “Get your hands off of her,” Tony yells.

  Zack simply cocks an eyebrow and sizes Tony up with his eyes. “And what, may I ask, are you going to do about it?” Zack asks with mock humor. He still hasn't let go of my arm.

  Oh boy, I can tell this is going to get ugly. While the two of them participate in some sort of piss contest I look around at my surroundings to plan my getaway. Sure, I know I have the strength now to break each of Zack’s arms but that wouldn’t be very fun, now would it? The way I see it, Zack deserves better than that. Especially after he treated me so hospitably when I was in the shelter.

  I have to do a double take when I see Tony turn around mid-sentence and go sit in the corner placing his thumb in his mouth. “What did you do to him,” I yell at Zack.

  “Do I really need to answer that,” he retorts. He laughs at my angry glare then says, "What, are you mad that I put Baby in a corner?" His laugh makes me sick.

  Hardy-har-har! He thinks he's so funny does he? I give him a good rolling of the eyes. Not that the light in here is good enough to notice, but still. “Zack, I’m only going to ask you once. Let me go.” I say calmly looking down at his hand that encircles my wrist.

  Zack pulls me into him even closer and stares down at me over his nose. I feel him chuckle against me which is totally revolting. “One more time, huh? I was gonna put money on it that you’d continue to ask me all the way down to my dad's lab. No can do though sugar. There’s a bounty on your sweet little head and I intend to collect on it.”

  I give him an innocent smile. “Oh really?” I ask. “You’re going to turn me in are you?” I squint my eyes at him for effect. “Well by all means, take me in then.”

  I watch as Zack’s facial expressions turn to confusion momentarily as he wraps his mind around what I just said. It doesn’t take long before he barks back at me, “Whatever Willow, enough of these childish games. Let’s just get this over with.”

  He turns slightly to the side and while holding my wrist he begins to start walking but I ground myself in place. He struggles against my weight trying to pull me along. Sweat starts beading around his forehead as he struggles. “What, did you gain an extra…ton since I last saw you?” He grunts trying to get me to budge.

  I just smile innocently at him. “What’s the problem, can’t handle a little girl anymore? Why don't you just pick me up?”

  I'm amazed when he actually tries. He tries so hard that he can't stifle the grunting sound he makes.

  I look down at my nails and pretend to examine them while he tries. I sigh, “What is this world coming to when a man can’t be chivalrous anymore and carry a girl off to her mean old captors?” I ask with extreme blaze holding out my free hand to show him my manicure.

  This infuriates Zack and he begins pulling with all his might trying desperately to get me to move. When he realizes it’s a physical impossibility, a fear, unlike none I’ve seen before, takes over and his eyes become hollow. “You’re eyes,” he says. Then he stutters, “They’re, yellow…”

  I give him a smirk. “Well, if you say so. I don’t exactly have a mirror on hand.” I retort.

  He must figure out this is a power he has no idea exists because he begins to slowly walk backwards towards the cave exit with his hands raised. “Alright, you win Willow.” He backs up a few more steps before I cock my head to the side giving him a sly smile.

  “Why Zack, I think you underestimate me.” I glace over my shoulder and see Tony rocking back and forth in the corner sucking away at his thumb like it’s the worlds tastiest popsicle. I then turn my focus back towards Zack. “Do you honestly think I’m going to just let you walk out of here after all you’ve done for me? Why, I think the only gracious thing to do would be returning the favor. After all, you did teach me the art of being a lab rat.”

  And with that Zack is off to the races. He runs with all his might towards the exit…and I let him run. Because, let’s be honest, I know it won’t take much to catch him.

  I let him get a few feet from the tunnel then I use my speed ability for the first time. I catch up to him in a startling speed and throw him to the ground. He lets out a grunt and then a wail as he clutches his right arm.

  I turn him over to his back and get in his face. “Aww, did the baby hurt his arm?” I stick out my bottom lip and cock my head to the side. I’m still not sure where the menacing capabilities of mine are coming from, but revenge tastes so sweet.

  “Get off of me.” Zack manages to grunt.

  I click my tongue at him four times. “Now, now. Why are we in such a hurry?” I ask letting the false sweetness drip from my lips.

  Zack tries to wiggle against me but I have him pinned to the ground. He’s getting nowhere unless I say it’s okay.

  “What are you…you…freak!” He yells in my face.

  Enough with the pleasantries. I take one hand and put it over Zack’s mouth making him unable to speak and the other I use to pull Zack to his feet. I wrap my arm around Zack keeping my other hand firmly placed on his mouth. I have no desire to hear anything this idiot would want to say. With Zack in my hold I take him back towards the rubble that leads into the second cave. In the rubble I find several things Zack has stashed. Including a rope, some duct tape, food, water, and a flashlight. I guess he did plan on kidnapping me to collect the reward one way or another, or to try out more of those Hastings experiments on me. I shiver.

  Zack con
tinues to struggle but his efforts are fruitless. From nearby I hear Tony say, “What the hell?”

  I know it shouldn’t be funny but I can’t suppress the small laugh that threatens to escape me. The compulsion must have worn off. “Hey Tony,” I call. “Can you come over here and give me a hand?” He brushes his thumb on his pants, which must be pretty wet, and comes running towards me. “Help me tie him up with the rope. Then we’ll use the duct tape for his mouth.”

  Tony scratches his head probably still trying to figure out how he got in the corner in the first place. We bind Zack and gag him with the rope and duct tape, then lay him not so gently on the cave floor. "What the hell did you do to me punk!" He yells at Zack on the floor.

  Zack actually has the nerve to laugh. Or at least to try and laugh, what with his mouth duct taped and all.

  This pisses Tony off even more and he lands a kick into Zack’s side.

  Zack curls up and groans. I should tell Tony that kicking a man when he's down is not cool. But, Zack isn't much a man, now is he?

  “Willow,” Tony begins.

  I put a finger to his lips before he can apologize. “Don’t,” I say. “This is one of those secrets that stays between friends. We won’t ever talk about it again…considering it could alter your manhood for life.” I can’t help but tease him a little but his face doesn’t do anything but stay serious.

  His face is red with fury. “It’s not about that, don’t you get it? Something could have happened to you and I would have been to blame. I do NOT take my duties lightly…especially when it comes to you.” His voice becomes soft at the end.

  I quickly look away not wanting to meet his eyes. “Well, nothing did happen, okay? Let’s just forget it. For me?” I look back at him with pleading eyes. I don’t want this to become a bigger deal than it already is. For goodness sakes I can handle my own. I’ve done it before and I’ll probably have to do it again.

  Tony ponders this for a moment and then takes a deep breath. “Fine. But just this once.” I nod my head in understanding.

  Zack grunts from the floor and I not so gently kick him in his other side. Hopefully that’ll shut him up.

  “So, what are we going to do with him?” Tony asks.

  I put on my best sly smile. “Oh, I have an idea…”

  Tony cocks his eyebrow.

  “Just help me with this bag o’ bones, would ya?” I ask him.

  Tony heaves Zack over his shoulder effortlessly and I lead the way. Recalling the path that Dr. Hastings and Zack took me last time we were here, I follow it without error. Not bothering with the door locks I walk us through the steel enforced doors. Thankfully nobody is around in Dr. Hastings lab.

  A feeling of nausea nearly overwhelms me when I see the examination table that they put me on. I remember the feeling of helplessness and the sheer terror that ran through my blood that day. Anger builds up in me at the memory. I point to the table and Tony throws Zack onto it hard.

  Zack makes muffled noises as I pretend to mess around with the needles and sharp instruments. I try my hand at letting off an evil laugh.

  Tony eyes me and chuckles. He grabs some more rope and secures Zack firmly to the lab table. "You're not going anywhere buddy." Tony slaps him on his shoulder and walks over to me to check out what I'm doing.

  I found a sharpie and a blank piece of paper. Drawing out a sign I write in big block letters: SOMETIMES LAB RATS BITE BACK! WATCH YOUR STEP HASTINGS, ‘CAUSE WE ARE COMING FOR YOU!

  "Wow, that's intense." Tony says.

  "No, this is nothing compared to what they deserve. Dr. Hastings is lucky to find his son alive and in one piece." I say coldly as I tape it to Zack's chest. "He certainly didn't have the decency to grant my father the same privilege when he tried to dissect me.

  Tony doesn't say a word, he just nods in silent agreement as he looks at Zack with pure hatred. Tony knows what they tried to do with me and if I weren't here with him right now, Zack would be in a much worse position.

  "We better get moving." I tell Tony.

  "Where do you want to look next?" He asks.

  "Stupid Zack interrupted us. There's another cave in the back of the first one. I want to check there. That's the best place for them to hide out if they couldn't find me." I tell him.

  He gestures for me to lead the way. I take his hand and walk him through the doors and back out into the hallway.

  "Ah!" A girl screeches as we appear on the other side of the door.

  My jaw drops open as I stare into Candy's light blue eyes.

  She looks at me as if she's seen a ghost then she looks behind her to make sure nobody's around. "What are you doing here? I told you to leave." She looks up at Tony in surprise. "Who is this?" She asks in a curious way that also tells me she's a tiny bit frightened.

  "This is Tony and I did leave. I'm back to get my friends." I tell her.

  She looks at me worried. "They aren't here. I went back after my father told me what he had done. I called to them for hours and got no response. Either they found a way out or they didn't survive the explosion." Her expression actually looks sad and sincere. I can't believe this is the same Candy who was such a total jerky face when I first met her.

  "They got out. I went to the cave that day and they were gone." I tell her. "I have reason to believe they made their way back here looking for me. I haven't found them since I left this place." I don't know why I'm giving her this information. Something strange tells me that I can trust her. I can almost sense that she regrets how she treated me and she hates what her father has done. "Why did you help me Candy?"

  She looks conflicted as she decides how to answer me. "While I didn't really care for you, you know cause of Alec and stuff, I didn't want them to hurt you. Plus, I hate my dad. I would never help him with his monstrous plans!" She curls her hands up into fists and takes a deep breath.

  "Why do you hate him so much? He's your father." I mean, I know why I hate him but I can't imagine loathing my dad that much. I can literally feel the hatred seeping off her in intense waves.

  "He killed my mom." She looks surprised that she shared that tidbit with me. I'm too stunned to say anything. I watch her eyes tear up. "I never told anyone that before."

  "I'm so sorry Candy." I tell her.

  She wipes at her eyes and clears her throat. "Don't be sorry. I'm not weak and I don't need pity."

  "But..." She cuts me off as I try to defend myself.

  "Look, I think my dad might know that I helped you. He's been acting very suspicious lately. You're not safe here. Heck, I'm not even safe! I think you should leave as quickly as possible." She seems to notice my eyes for the first time. "Whoa, your eyes are crazy! They are nearly black!"

  I look to Tony who confirms with a head nod. That's how I must be sensing Candy's emotions, Erik's gift. I think about asking her if she has seen Alec or Connor but I recall that she didn't even know they had escaped the cave. When I sense the underlying fearfulness in her I ask, "Candy, I've been on the outside. It's crazy and dangerous. It's not hot though, not like they said it was going to be. We can survive out there. If you feel like your father is a danger to you, we can get you out."

  Her face melts and she gulps back a sob that threatens to escape. "Thank you Willow. I don't think I should leave though." I can tell she has mixed feelings about it.

  "If your father is a danger to you, then you should. We can protect you." Tony says gently.

  She looks up at him with a sort of kindness I haven't really seen her reveal before. "That is very sweet, but I don't think I can leave."

  "Think it over Candy. If you decide you want to come with us, meet us in the cave tonight at nine pm." I tell her.

  She catches a tear on her fingertip. "Okay, thank you for the offer. I don't think I ‘ll be there, but I appreciate that you’re thinking of me." She says. "It was nice to meet you Tony. Good luck Willow." She walks past us and punches the code to get into her father’s lab.

  "Um, maybe you shouldn't go
in there?" I tell her really quick.

  "Why?" She eyes me suspiciously.

  I decide to shoot straight. "I tied your brother up and put him in there with a note to your father."

  Her eyes widen and her jaw drops. "Is he hurt?" She asks.

  "No," I shake my head.

  "Well, I guess it's a good time to go check out a movie then." She laughs which totally surprises me.

  I give her a half smile and we part ways.

  I lead Tony back to the cave and then back over to the blown up entrance. “Are you ready?” I ask him.

  He grabs my hand in response and I begin moving us through the thick sediment that leads to the special cave.

  CHAPTER 8 (REUNION)

  We step out into the cave. The sunlight has it lit pretty well. I don't have to look around too long because from the other end of the cave I hear my name being called.

  "Willow! Oh my gosh, Willow!" Alec comes running towards me.

  "Willow!" Connor yells out and follows on Alec's heels.

  Tony drops my hand and I bound towards them meeting them more than half way with my speed. "Alec! Connor!" I cry out in relief.

  Alec pulls me into his arms and I crush my head into his chest, careful not to crush him with my newfound strength. Tears of joy start falling freely, soaking his grey t-shirt that he must have gotten from the survivor camp.

  Connor puts his hand on my arm showing his relief in a less physical way. "We've been so scared Willow! We couldn't find you anywhere."

  Alec pulls me back enough to look at me. He notices my eyes but doesn't act freaked out or anything. I feel nothing but relief and love pouring out of his emotions. "I thought..." His voice cracks and he throws his hand through his black hair. "I thought something horrible happened to you. I couldn't imagine what I would do Willow. I...." He pulls me into his arms again crushing me to where I could barely breathe. I don't care though, being in his arms feels so good and right. He kisses the top of my head.