“Just put the paddle in the water,” said Hunter beside me. “You don’t have to do anything else.”
I turned to him with a frown. “What are you talking about? You can’t row by yourself.”
“We’ll never be able to paddle all that way. Watch.”
The boat rose and fell with the waves, and we weren’t even deep yet. I still had the oar in my hand, and jumped as it moved in my grip. The paddle dug into the water then back around again, pulling the boat farther away from shore. I had barely touched it.
“You’re doing that?” I asked in amazement.
“Ari, if we can bring helicopters down with our minds, I think we can do a little paddling.”
It was certainly easier on the arms this way.
The movement of the boat on the waves made me nauseated—I’d never had natural sea legs—but even worse was the churning in my gut that I experienced at not knowing what waited for me on the island. I wanted to see my father alive, but I had no idea what the price would be to get him back again. The note said they wanted information, but I, of all people, knew very little.
I hoped my very little would be enough.
“The note said they wanted information,” I said to Hunter, “but what do I know? Why are they picking on me?”
His lips twisted as he thought. “Maybe you just got unlucky. You were the one they spotted and they were able to find out where you lived. The rest of us either come from some distance away, or else we don’t have people close enough to us to make us want to give ourselves up for their safe return. I know if it had been my father, I would have told them to keep him.”
Yeah, that sounded like my kind of luck. I felt bad for Hunter, though. Yes, my father was being used against me, but at least I had someone. I couldn’t imagine being in a situation where I wouldn’t care whether or not a member of my family had been hurt.
The night had closed in, thankfully shrouding us in darkness. Spray from the ocean hit my face, leaving my skin tight with salt, and dampening my clothes. Alcatraz Island grew larger as we approached, looming menacingly out of the ocean. The dark clouds that had been building were still too far away to have blanketed the sky, and moonlight streaked across the surface of the sea.
“If someone’s watching out from the island,” I said to Hunter, “which they will be, considering they’re expecting me to come, they’re bound to see us arrive.”
“Don’t worry, Ari. I’ve got it covered.”
The oar stopped moving in my hand, and I noticed his paddle had fallen still, too.
He lifted both hands in the air and closed his eyes, as though worshiping in church. His face tensed in concentration. I watched in fascination as wisps of white gathered around his fingers and spread down his arms. Little clouds scurried across the water toward us, joining the mist Hunter had already created. White garlands wound their way around the small boat, growing thicker and spreading outward.
I’d seen Hunter do this once before—when we’d been on the bridge and were being followed. He was calling the fog to hide us so we could make it to the island without being seen.
Whoever was waiting for us wouldn’t find this suspicious. Fog often descended upon the bay out of nowhere. It would be a hindrance in their mind, but not something to be wary of.
The white cloud surrounding us grew thicker by the second. It stretched out across the bay, swallowing both the moonlit waves and the stars winking above our heads. We sat, silent, bobbing up and down with the motion of the sea, strangely cocooned within the white folds of mist. Its damp fingers touched my cheeks, the back of my neck, my hands, wringing a shiver out of me. I didn’t know if I should be comforted or frightened by the isolation. I could barely make out Hunter sitting right beside me.
He picked up his oar again. “Now we can land on the island.”
We started to row, for real this time. In my mind, I could see the position of the island, but I followed Hunter’s lead, working with him as we pulled the paddles almost silently through the water. The faint splash of our oars and small waves hitting the side of the boat were the only sounds.
Suddenly, the wall of the pier where ferries docked loomed through the fog. We continued to row, navigating the sheer barrier of concrete and multiple metal struts until we reached a part designed for smaller vessels.
Hunter threw a rope around one of the struts and tied the boat. We moved as silently as possible, aware someone was most likely standing on the jetty, waiting for my arrival. The fog hid us well, however, and distorted any sounds we were making. Even so, I was poised for a yell that would signal we’d been spotted, or for gunfire to cut through the mist.
Thankfully, other than the sound of the waves slapping the sides of the jetty, and the wooden boat creaking beneath us, everything remained quiet.
Hunter gave me a shove up, helping me climb onto the platform, and then I reached down to pull him up after me, the boat wobbling precariously. We both rose to our feet to stand side by side and get our bearings. It felt strange being on dry land again, and disconcertingly, I could still feel the motion of the boat below me, as though we were still on the ocean.
The fog began to thin. I didn’t like that we’d be more easily seen now, but I did appreciate being able to see where I was walking. The island was rocky, with craggy, steep points, and I didn’t much like the idea of not being able to see anything. Though there were barriers and fencing everywhere, the thought of stepping off the edge of a cliff and falling to the unforgiving ocean below was too real in my mind. However, I also knew there were people here who were watching out for me. Hopefully, with what remained of the fog, I’d be able to take them by surprise. I wanted to have the upper hand.
Hunter and I left the dock, the large building of residential apartments on our left hand side. We hurried up the steps taking us to the higher part of the island, toward what had been the main cell house.
“Would they be inside?” I whispered to Hunter, keeping my voice down in case anyone was in hearing range.
He shook his head. “Not unless they have a key—which is a possibility. The place would be all locked up at this time, after the last tourists leave.”
A low moaning came from my left, and I reached out and grabbed Hunter’s arm, halting him. He frowned at me, and I put my finger to my lips then pointed in the direction I’d heard the sound coming from.
The moan came again, followed by a scraping.
Was it my dad?
My heart thudded hard, my breathing shallow. I couldn’t just ignore the sound and continue along the path we’d been headed. We need to investigate.
Hunter reached out a hand, and, using his ability, swept a clear path through the fog so we could see.
I gasped. A man I’d never seen before lay on the ground, his hands and feet bound together, his mouth covered by tape. He looked to be in his forties, the bulge of a gut straining against the buttons of his shirt. A trickle of blood ran from his hairline and down his temple. His eyes widened as he saw us, and his struggles increased in vigor, even though he must have realized he wasn’t going anywhere like that. Was this one of the men who’d taken my father? Perhaps he’d upset the others and ended up like this as a punishment? But then I realized he wore a green uniform, with a badge down the arm, and another on his chest. Who he was dawned on me.
“It’s one of the park rangers,” I hissed at Hunter. “We need to help him.”
But Hunter put out his hand, stopping me. “If you let him go now, he’s going to kick up one hell of fuss. You want the people who took your father to know you’re here and that you’re not alone?”
I didn’t, but I also didn’t want to leave the man like that.
Hunter crouched beside him. “I’m going to take the tape off your mouth, but you need to keep your voice down, understood?”
The man nodded, his eyes wide and wild.
Hunter peeled off the corner of the tape. With one firm yank, he tore the tape from the man’s mouth. The sound of te
aring skin and hair made me wince.
“The people who did this to you,” Hunter asked. “Where did they go?”
“Up on the headland, toward the old laundry building,” the man rasped. “Please, untie me!”
“How many of them were there?”
“I don’t know. At least four, maybe more. They hit me over the back of the head and I woke up like this.” He struggled again. “Come on, man. You’ve got to let me go!”
“Was there an older man with them? He might have been tied up like you?”
He nodded, frantic. “Yeah, I think so.”
“Thanks.” Hunter taped the man’s mouth again. “Don’t worry, we’ll be back.”
The park ranger let out a muffled yell of fury, trying to kick out with his tied feet, thrashing his shoulders back and forth. He glared at us the whole time, and I didn’t need to hear his words to know exactly what he was thinking.
I felt bad for the ranger, but Hunter was right. My priority needed to be my dad, and even though this man might be a father himself, I couldn’t do anything to risk my own parent’s safety.
Hunter caught my hand and pulled me with him. We left the ranger behind and climbed the island, heading to the most northern point, where the ranger had told us they’d gone. Craggy rock faces rose up on the left hand side of the concrete walkways, and piles of rubble lay not far from the path. A sheer drop was on the other side of the path, down the cliffs to the ocean below. Only concrete balustrades separated us from the fall. There was a reason this island had been thought to be the perfect place to house prisoners. No one was ever supposed to be able to escape the treacherous conditions.
I glanced out to sea and frowned. The dark clouds that had been building on the horizon were pulling closer. If they covered the moon, we’d lose the little light we had. Yes, it would help to hide us, but it would also make dealing with the people who’d taken my father that much more difficult. I hoped the bad weather would stay away, at least until we’d gotten off the island. I didn’t like the idea of us being stuck here in the middle of a storm. The chances of being able to row back to the mainland if the waves got much higher wouldn’t be good.
We reached the most northern point of the island. Several buildings, each a number of stories high and all in an equally dilapidated condition, towered over us. Endless rows of chain-link fencing separated us from various buildings, signs hung on them warning us to stay out for our own safety. There were too many places to hide, and with both the darkness and fog, it was almost impossible to spot anyone. I was starting to feel desperate, knowing they were here somewhere, but unable to find them. Was this some kind of game? Were they playing with me—whoever they were?
Feeling as though time was running out, I broke into a trot. I resisted opening my mouth and yelling my father’s name. Bryce!
Hunter’s pull on my arm tugged me to a stop. “Ari, over there!”
Just beyond one of the buildings and the chain-link fences, several lights penetrated the darkness and what remained of the fog Hunter had created.
“Flashlights,” I whispered back. “It must be them.”
We slipped through a gap in the fencing, edging closer while trying not to be seen. Hunkering down by the side of one of the buildings, we hid for a moment, trying to figure out our next move. Hunter reached out a hand and waved it from side to side. The area where the people were standing cleared of the fog, letting us get a better look.
The small group was on the edge of the cliff, looking out across the water. The fog had almost cleared now, and the lights of the headland across the ocean beyond them shone through the haze, creating an effect that was almost paranormal. In the poor light, I couldn’t make out any detail—only dark silhouettes, of perhaps three men. It was hard to tell.
“We could take them down right now,” Hunter whispered to me. “Pelt them with rocks and push them over the side of the cliff.”
“No, my dad might be with them! I don’t want him to get hurt. Besides, we need to find out who is behind all of this. If we kill them and don’t find out, and there are more of them out there, we’re going to be left in exactly the same position as we were before.”
Hunter nodded. “Okay. Come on, then. Let’s find out who this asshole is.”
But I put my hand out to stop him. “They’re expecting me to come alone. They might hurt my father if they see you here, too.”
He frowned. “I don’t know, Ari. I don’t like the idea of you doing this by yourself.”
“I’m not helpless, Hunter. You’ve told me numerous times that I’m more capable than I think I am. Besides, you might be more use to us if they don’t know you’re here.”
He hesitated, and I could tell he didn’t like the idea, but he knew I was right. “Okay,” he agreed eventually. “I’ll stay back, but I’m not going to promise not to step in if you need me.”
I couldn’t ask for more than that.
I started to get to my feet, feeling tremulous inside, light-headed with fear and my legs weak. Yes, I was frightened, but I wasn’t going to let my emotions get in the way this time. My father needed me.
“Ari, wait.” Hunter pulled me back toward him and kissed me hard. It was urgent, claiming, bruising. It was a kiss that told me he gave a shit about whether or not I came back.
He released me and I stepped back, taking a deep, shaky breath. I didn’t want to leave his side, but I had to. I turned my back on him and approached the figures that were currently just featureless black shapes in the dim light. As I moved closer, I was able to make them out in more detail.
A man in his early fifties stood straight, staring off to the right. He had the look about him of a man with power—expensive suit, immaculate grooming. Something about him seemed familiar, though I couldn’t place it.
On his knees and held between two men in black suits, a gun pointed at his head, was my father.
I couldn’t help myself. Seeing him like that rid me of all restraint and I rushed forward, breaking into a run. “Dad!”
They all turned at my shout. Anger built up inside me and I fought to control it, not knowing how it would manifest itself. I didn’t want to risk bringing the entire cliff edge tumbling into the sea beyond, killing us all. I didn’t trust myself enough to be able to control what happened.
The man in the gray suit seemed to hold himself even taller, straightening his shoulders and lifting his chin. “Well, you made it onto the island quietly. I hope you didn’t bring any of your friends with you.”
“I came alone,” I called back.
“We’ll see about that.” He lifted a cell phone from the inside pocket of his suit jacket and placed a call. “Search the island. Make sure no one else is here.”
Damn it. He must have more of his goons elsewhere on the island. We’d been lucky not to have already run into them. I prayed Hunter had found himself somewhere good to hide, though I also hoped he hadn’t gone far.
“Dad?” I called out. “Are you okay?”
My father lifted his head to look at me. Even in the bad light, I could see he sported a black eye and split lip. The bastards had hurt him.
“Ari?” he croaked.
“It’s okay, Dad. I’ve come to take you home.”
The man in the suit chuckled. “Not yet, you haven’t. We had a deal, remember?”
“It wasn’t a deal,” I spat. “You kidnapped my father and forced me to come here. That’s not a deal, that’s blackmail.”
“Pedantic,” he said with a shrug. “Now tell me where he is.”
“Where who is?” I said, baffled, wondering if he was talking about Hunter and had somehow found out I’d brought him with me. “Who the hell are you? Let my father go!”
“No, it’s a fair swap, one for the other.”
“I don’t have anyone to swap. Please, just release my dad. He hasn’t done anything. He knows nothing about what’s going on here.”
Unintentionally, I locked eyes with my father. The look in his eyes, q
uestions about what was happening that I couldn’t answer, broke my heart.
I’m so sorry, I mouthed at him.
The man in the gray suit called out once more. “I want to know where my son is. Kit Middleton. I believe the two of you are acquainted.”
Chapter Twenty-one
Blood rushed through my ears and my mouth dropped open. I suddenly recognized the man from the headshots I’d seen accompanying numerous newspaper and online articles. He also held an uncanny resemblance to the tall, sandy haired man I’d last seen down in the Cavern.
“You’re Philip Middleton,” I blurted. “You own the Myriad Group.”
It hit me what the man who’d fallen from the helicopter had been trying to say. Mmmm… Aaah. He hadn’t been groaning in pain. He’d been trying to say Myriad. It also explained the initials that had been left on the note. I’d assumed M.G. had been the initials of a person, when in fact they’d been the initials of a corporation.
“You? But … but …” My mind whirred at a thousand thoughts a second. Kit had told us the government was the one responsible for what we’d become. The one responsible for our mother’s deaths. The ones who had been chasing us. When the whole time it had been his father.
He’d been lying to us.
Had Kit been working for his father all this time? Had he been blaming the government in order to cover his own tracks?
If he had, he’d gone rogue, because his father certainly didn’t seem to know where he was.
Philip Middleton must have sensed my hesitation. He nodded at one of the men in the black suits, who jammed the gun he was holding into my father’s temple.
“No, stop!” I cried out, my hands out.
What was I supposed to do? Give up Kit’s location, and in doing so the location of the Cavern and everyone else there, or let my father die?
But Kit’s father wasn’t the only one who wanted information. I had questions, too.
“Did you do this to us? To our mothers? Did you conduct research on pregnant women?”
Flux (The Flux Series Book 1) Page 17