by Lisa Jade
Luci pulls me into a powerful embrace, pressing her head against my shoulder. Her touch is warm and oddly familiar, like the sight of a childhood friend many years after parting.
“Quinn,” she whispers, “I am so, so sorry.”
She’s not mad?
“Luci… I should have saved you sooner. I was half convinced by Mom’s words, but that was wrong. I should never have dragged you into this. Any of it. You were both nearly killed because of me. A second longer, and…”
She shakes her head madly.
“Not your fault. Nothing to forgive.”
Another embrace. This time, I return it. As soon as she releases me, Isaac steps up and places a hand on my shoulder. My skin tingles with the desire to do more, but we’re both holding back. Now isn’t the time.
“I guess I had better go, before they realise I sneaked out,” I eventually mutter, though the last thing I want to do is leave. Our reunion has granted me a strange sense of comfort, like nothing happened in the first place. But it did. Everything is different now.
Isaac steps forward.
“Yeah, let’s go. We need to get you home.”
“Wait, what? Home?”
The two exchange nervous looks.
“We’ve been talking,” he says, “and we figured that if we were able to save you, then there’d only be one way to keep you safe. You need to go back to Pyre.”
“Easier said than done.”
“No. There are enough escape shuttles on board to bring back half the populace. And we’re not at the halfway point yet – it would only take a day or so to get back to Earth. That is, if we set a shuttle at top speed along the most direct route. We’ll sneak you to where the shuttles are and launch one. Then, you can get home safely.”
I pause. I hadn’t considered the shuttles. For a moment, it’s tempting to go with them; but then I recall Cherise’s face, haunting me in my own reflection. I can’t just run. If I abandoned them, I might survive. But that life wouldn’t be worth living.
So I wrench my hand from Isaac’s grip and come to a stop in the hallway.
“W-what’s wrong?” he asks.
“I can’t. I have something I need to do.”
“Like what? Look, whatever it is, we can handle it. Our main priority is keeping you alive and out of the Captain’s hands.”
I shake my head.
“No. I’ve been given a job to do, and I’m not leaving until I do it.”
The two exchange confused looks.
“I don’t understand,” Luci mutters, “who gave you a job to do?”
“The same person who helped me escape. Ahime.”
Her brows furrow.
“Ahime let you out?”
I nod.
“She doesn’t want Mom’s death to be for nothing. I have to finish what she started.”
“But you can’t. Dad will kill you the moment he sets eyes on you.”
“Doesn’t matter. I have to try. In truth…”
I heave a sigh.
“…I only came to see you so that I could make things right. And let you know that I’m grateful for everything you guys have done. It means so much to know you care. For whatever it’s worth, I wish we could have spent more time together. I wish I could have helped you somehow.”
Hurt crosses Luci’s face, but she swallows back on it.
“Stop with the goodbyes, already. We’re coming with you.”
“What?”
“You’re not like your mother. You won’t kill anyone. I’m happy to follow orders against the Captain, as long as those orders are coming from you.”
Isaac nods.
“Me, too. Honestly, you’re the only side of this thing that isn’t half-crazed and bloodthirsty. If we have to pick a side in this battle, it’s got to be yours.”
Their words are touching, beautiful, and yet I feel myself step away. I lock one hand over my chest, pushing hard to ease the pounding there.
“I appreciate it. I really do. But I’ve dragged you two into enough danger to last a lifetime. This is something I have to do alone.”
Luci takes my hand in hers, peering into my eyes with her own gorgeous ones.
“You said you wanted to help us. So help us. We want this to end, too.”
I take a deep, shaking breath. I don’t want them to get hurt; but I have a terrible feeling that nothing I do will stop them. I opened the door. Something tells me I can’t lock them away again.
So I release a heavy sigh and nod.
“Look, if you really want to help…”
“We do.”
“Fine. But we need to be careful, okay? If we lose focus for even a second, I don’t know what might happen.”
She nods.
“We can do that.”
“Another thing,” I add, “my plan is… rough, at best. I can’t guarantee anyone’s safety. So when I say to follow my orders, I mean it. If I say fight, fight. If I say hide, hide. And for crying out loud guys, if I say to run and stay safe, you do it. Even if it means being parted again, forever. Do you understand?”
Her face briefly drains of colour, but she nods.
“So, what’s the plan?”
“That’s the tough bit. See, we were just starting to form a plan back on the Bridge. We intended to get everyone together and have Angelique tell them the truth. She was going to bring that famous charisma to the table, and everyone would believe her, because nobody would dare doubt Ahime’s Companion.”
Isaac’s face falls.
“But Quinn… your mother. Perhaps they didn’t tell you…”
“She’s gone. I know. Ahime told me.”
“So what do we do?” he asks, worry filling his face, “gathering everyone together is easy – Luci could do that in a heartbeat. But if the three of us go up there, two shamed passengers and a known criminal, nobody will believe a word.”
I breath out slowly.
“I have a theory. But you’re not going to like it.”
“Go on.”
“There’s one person on this ship that nobody would doubt. Someone who’s made it his personal mission to be respected by every single person on board.”
They watch me for a long moment, confusion in their eyes – but slowly, realisation dawns on them. Isaac shakes his head.
“You’re insane. Dad will never help you. He’s literally the enemy.”
“Ahime has made it clear she won’t help us any further,” I explain, “and there’s so much distrust amongst the crew right now. Nobody is sure who to trust – the only person they’ll believe blindly is the Captain himself.”
“You’re trying to undermine him! Why would he support your plan?”
“He doesn’t have to. I just need to get him to admit what’s going on. In front of an audience, ideally. Once everyone hears him say it, the Companions will believe it. They’ll want to fight back and stay alive. From there, we should easily be able to convince the passengers to stick with us, too.”
“And then?”
“Then, we’ll outnumber the crew ten to one. They’ll have to give in. Bonus points if we can take your Dad captive after his confession. Then, the remaining crew will be scattered and leaderless. They’ll be forced to hand over control of the ship.”
Isaac gives a short nod.
“Alright, alright. So, what’s the big plan? Are we going to sneak onto the Bridge? See if we can record Dad saying things he shouldn’t? Or should we lure him out here somehow?”
I consider this. It’s unlikely that the Captain would fall for another trap. He’s probably furious already, having had his flawless reputation spoiled. I briefly consider sending a false report to tell him one of his children has been taken ill – but think better of it. He’d likely not come down here anyway, and if he did it would be in a rage. He’d be far too difficult to manipulate then. No. We need to go to him.
I glance at the others. Despite their kind words and confidence, I can tell they’re both scared. They want to help, but
this means going against their Dad. I chew my lip.
“I’ll go and find him.”
Luci gapes.
“No way. Once they realise you’re gone, you’ll be hunted down by everyone on board. You can’t just wander around like that.”
“Besides,” Isaac interjects, “what makes you think he’ll stop to talk to you? Least of all to discuss their plans for Orithyia? The moment he sees you, he’ll just kill you.”
A smile creeps onto my face.
“He can try.”
“This is ridiculous. Do you even have a plan?”
I bite my lip.
“I… think so. Do either of you remember where the controls for the intercom were? On the Bridge, I mean.”
“Ah, I see,” Luci muses, “you plan to confront him on everything, and have everyone hear it from the horse’s mouth. Clever – if you can get him to do it.”
“It’ll be alright.”
“I’ll come with you,” says Isaac. I shake my head.
“Not a chance. No offence, but you’re both scared to death of the guy. That gives him an advantage.”
“You aren’t scared?”
“Terrified. But only because he wants to kill me, and let’s face it, I’m kind of growing numb to that these days. Besides, you two have important stuff to do. I need you to arrange that meeting with the passengers and Companions. Spread it through word of mouth, some way that the crew won’t hear about it. I don’t care what you tell people. Say it’s a party if that’s what you need to get everyone together. Just get them in one place and make sure they’re ready to listen.”
“That might take hours. We could do it quicker if we can convince Sabina and Finn to help us.”
“Do whatever works. In the meantime, I’ll go and hide. Scout out the Bridge. There has to be a time when he’s there alone.”
Isaac nods.
“The crew usually do their rounds first thing in the morning. Once they notice nobody’s where they should be, they’ll report back. With any luck, Dad will be so determined to keep control that he’ll send everyone to the same room to monitor things. Once people hear his confession on the intercom, the crew won’t stand much chance.”
“Sounds like a plan,” I say, “but we should get going. They haven’t realised I’m missing yet, but I’m sure the alarms will go off any minute. They’ll probably check your rooms first – and once they realise you’re gone too, they’ll know something is up.”
I turn to leave, but hands find my arm.
“What? We need to hurry.”
“Quinn.”
It’s Isaac who speaks, though Luci’s hand is grasping at me. He takes a long, slow breath and rakes his fingers through his hair.
“Look. I know our Dad. He’s a freaking psychopath, and I think you’re insane for confronting him. But if you insist on doing it, know this. He won’t stop. There is nothing he won’t do to you if he feels like it would help him. You think our mother’s injuries were really an accident? She taught us things he didn’t like, and he resolved the issue in his own, fucked up way. He will kill you if he feels he has to.”
An icy chill shivers up my spine.
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Just… don’t underestimate him. Don’t let him get too close. We can’t lose you.”
I turn to face him, and take a moment to simply enjoy their presence. The heat in Luci’s fingers, the ease with which she now touches my scarred skin. The sincerity on Isaac’s face. The thinly-veiled fear radiating from both of them. My stomach burns. It’s the same anger I felt after Luci’s breakdown. How dare someone frighten them both this way? Living in constant fear of losing someone, or becoming lost?
So I pull my lips back into a grim smile instead, hoping I seem confident.
“Two hours. In the ballroom. I’m counting on you.”
With that I turn and race off in the opposite direction, hoping against hope that my ridiculous plan actually works.
I don’t want to lose them, either.
The stars are oddly beautiful today. Perhaps it’s because I fear it may be my last chance to see them, but they seem to twinkle more than ever. The thought occurs that Mom would have loved the sight; but I bite back on the feeling.
I’m perched on a window sill in the hallway just outside the Bridge, where the two of us had sat together and told one another everything we’d missed. I took a leaf out of Red’s book and tucked myself behind one of the thick velvet curtains, entirely out of sight of passing patrols.
Dimly, I hear the alarm. It’s been about an hour since the crew realised I had escaped. I’m vaguely aware that morning is now here. I’m scheduled for execution soon. There’s something both humbling and mortifying about not being there for it.
A dozen or so men raced from the deck when the alarm began. I’d counted their footsteps and breathing, but couldn’t get an exact figure. I could hear guns clicking, though. I imagine they’ve been instructed to shoot me on sight. Predictable.
I close my eyes and listen. The others have arranged their meeting, I’m sure of it; but I need some kind of sign. Something to prove that it’s safe for me to make my move.
The door at the end of the hallway bursts open, and a single set of heavy footsteps pound their way onto the Bridge. As the door swings shut behind him, I hear an alarmed voice. It’s followed immediately by barked orders, and a minute later several more crew members run out. My chest tightens. That seems like my signal.
I wait several minutes before peering out from behind the curtain. My heart races as I look up and down the hallway. Nothing. I sneak one leg out from behind the curtain, then the other, and move across to the door.
I’ve no idea who’s in there – the Captain should be – but anyone else? My hands curl into fists. Isaac was certain he’d order them to all leave. With an ego like his, I’m sure he thinks he can handle himself without the need for backup.
For a moment, I stand there with my hand on the doorknob. How do I enter? Should I throw open the door and start yelling, or do I slip in and take him by surprise? I’d acted with bravado in front of the others when I came up with this plan, but any confidence I had has now dissipated. Even alone, the man is three times my size. He could overpower me easily. Kill me with a thought. The memory returns of his powerful hands locked around my neck, squeezing with a strength I could never have expected; and a shudder of fear runs through me.
No. Don’t be scared. He’s just a thug. No different from the Operators – powered by a sense of superiority. I remember how the Operators had flinched back when faced with the discontent of those on Four. Fear had flickered in their eyes as their power was doubted for the first time in years. The Captain might be an absolute brute, but that’s all he is. And just like the Operators feared us back then, he’ll fear me now. He has to - or all this is for nothing.
I push open the door and pray I’ll make it out alive.
Twenty-Five
The Captain stands silently at the front of the room, his eyes fixed on mine. I vaguely register that he’s standing right where Mom was killed – but quickly figure that’s on purpose. He wants me to think that. Wants me to be distracted. I look him up and down. His uniform is still crisp and flawless, betraying the chaotic nature of the last few days. If I didn’t know better, I’d think nothing had happened.
But then his lips turn up in a smile, and there’s a strange look of satisfaction as he takes in my exposed scar and generally haggard appearance. His eyebrows raise in amusement.
“I figured you’d come here sooner or later.”
I glance around nervously. The rest of the room is empty. There are no weapons obviously lying around, either. I check the Captain’s hands. Empty. Either he’s concealing a weapon, or he’s confident that he can beat me without one.
Either way, it doesn’t matter. I delve into myself and pull out all the remaining confidence I have – then stride purposefully into the room, swinging my arms at my sides in what I hope is
a cocky, infuriating manner. My eyes flick toward the main console, searching for the intercom control. There it is, a big, red button at the edge of the desk. All it’ll take is a touch. I step up beside him and he turns to face me, that insane smile still playing on his face.
“Pleased to know you were expecting me,” I say, doing my best to return the smile.
“I’m particularly interested to know how you got out of my cells. Seems like something I should work on.”
I broaden my smile, making sure to bare my teeth at him.
“I have more friends on board than you know. You’ve not eliminated all the rebels.”
“I didn’t think I had. But I killed their leader, at least… or so I had thought.”
Makes sense. He thought that Angelique was the mastermind behind it all. He’s not wrong – but the way he looks at me now, I wonder if he thinks I’m the one behind the attacks. For a brief moment, I’m filled with rage. He gave the order to kill my mother. He’d have killed me, too, had it not been for her quick thinking. Even his own kids have been placed at risk because of his stubbornness.
“I have to ask,” I say, “why didn’t you just hand over the ship? After the first attack, you should have given them control. A lot of people died because of you.”
“I won’t take the blame for that. I refused to negotiate with terrorists and criminals, that’s all.”
I stroll lightly around the room, hoping to keep him distracted. I’m about ten feet from the intercom button, and the subject has already turned in the right direction. This might be easier than I thought.
“You’re not the most competent leader, are you?” I taunt, “all this death. I remember how determined you were to make this cruise memorable, and I suppose you’ve achieved that much. You didn’t even realise how many rebels were lurking right under your nose.”
“I figured as much. I just had no evidence.”
“Sure. Sounds plausible. How about you drop the superior act for a moment? Talk to me like an actual person. Do you feel betrayed by it? All the people you trusted, and they turned on you. Even those who didn’t are afraid and angered by you. Not a single person on board is on your side.”