“You’re leaving once you get a car?”
I tucked my wayward hair behind my ear. “As soon as we can get a vehicle big enough for the six of us going.” But I didn’t want to think about what the next few days had in store for us. “So, how are the babies?” I asked, unable to keep from smiling. I glanced around automatically. “Where are they?”
Biggs was about to answer when my dad’s voice boomed behind us. “We got a van,” he called. “Let’s get back to the farm so we can finish packing and get on the road.” He nodded to Biggs. “Hi there. How are you?” My dad extended his hand to Biggs. “I’m Tom.”
“Dad,” I said, pointing to Biggs as he shook my dad’s hand. “This is my…”
“Friend,” Biggs finished for me.
I could barely contain my grin. “He’s the other member of Harper and Sanchez’s Army outfit I was telling you about.”
“Hello, sir,” Biggs said.
“I’m sorry to rush you, sweetheart, but we’ve got to get on the road.” My dad glanced at Biggs and then me. As much as I wanted to stay and talk, for hours if Biggs would let me, I knew we needed to get back home. Every second wasted was another hour, another day, added to our long journey to reach Jason.
“It was good to see you, Biggs. Please, don’t be a stranger.” I hesitated, then said, “We all miss you.”
Biggs gave me a tight-lipped smile and took a step back. “Safe journey,” he said, and I felt his eyes on us as we walked away.
17
ANNA
DECEMBER 12, 1AE
The Colony, Colorado
Tap tap tap. Tap. Tap tap tap. Tap. Tap tap tap.
Through the doorway to the back offices, Gregory glanced Anna’s way, and her index finger paused just shy of her nail clicking against the windowsill of the gatehouse’s broad window. She raised her left eyebrow just a touch, tilted her head just a little, and narrowed her eyes just enough that he would notice. Just enough to let him know that she was displeased. He was wasting her time, after all.
They’d been in the cramped gatehouse, breathing the same stuffy air, for nearly fifteen minutes—fourteen minutes longer than was necessary, as far as Anna was concerned. But ever since Gregory received the news that Cole was still a living, breathing parasite, wandering around, no doubt attaching himself to bigger, stronger allies, he’d been keeping Anna close. He hadn’t voiced it out loud, but Anna could tell that Gregory was afraid. What did he think would happen if Cole showed up and she wasn’t nearby, using her Ability to boost his to the max? She could only imagine. And if she was being honest with herself, she was more than a little afraid of Cole, too.
Gregory frowned at Anna, then turned his attention back to the guard, reaching out to push the office door closed enough that Anna was blocked from his view. He’d had enough of her distractions, it seemed. “Whatever the means,” he said, his voice floating through the crack in the doorway, “make sure that nobody enters without first being cleared by me. You don’t let anyone in—not anyone; they can wait outside until I’m here for the morning or afternoon inspection.” His voice was soft, calm—dangerous—and it vibrated with a stifling amount of mind-controlling power. “Do you understand, Simmons?”
Gregory was using his Ability so strongly on the lanky, graying guard that the poor man didn’t stand a chance of disobeying.
“Very good,” Gregory said. “Now, if someone does try to enter…” Gregory continued to give the guard commands, but Anna’s attention was drawn to the trio approaching the tall, electrified chain-link gate blocking the west entrance to the Colony. Backed as they were by the sinking sun, all Anna could tell about them was that two were male and one was female.
When one of the four other guards on duty at the west gate started sliding it open, she glanced at the mostly closed door to the office, where Gregory was still giving commands. They shouldn’t have been opening the gate. Anna frowned. They shouldn’t have even been able to open the gate—Gregory had already given them all Ability-laden commands not to.
Confused and curious, Anna moved toward the open doorway to get a better view. She considered alerting Gregory to the fact that the exact thing he was currently outlawing was taking place—very obviously—at that very moment. The gate was now halfway open, despite Gregory’s orders.
She hesitated, utterly baffled by what was going on. Finally, she gave in and called Gregory’s name.
He opened the door a few inches and peered out at Anna, and it would’ve been impossible for him to miss what was happening at the gate right behind her. Except Gregory’s gaze slid right past the telltale view through the window, settling firmly on Anna. “Apologies, my dear. I know today hasn’t been a good day for Peter. We’ll be done here soon, and you can get back to his bedside.”
Anna held his gaze for several drawn-out seconds, at a loss for words—it was suddenly very clear to her that something Ability-related was going on—then forced a small, genuine-looking smile. It was a skill she’d become quite adept at over the years. “Soon it won’t matter. The new treatment is proving universally beneficial on Re-gens.” Her smile became shaky with relief and the pent-up potential for grief. “By morning, our son should be on the mend.”
Gregory bowed his head. “All thanks to you.”
He’d always been sparing with compliments, and every time he offered one up, it knocked Anna off balance. “Yes, well…” She looked down at her shoes, then out at the gate that was now wide open. A fact to which Gregory was still absolutely oblivious. So oblivious that he mumbled, “I’ll just be another minute,” and shut the office door, blocking not just Anna this time, but also the unmistakable view of the open gate.
Anna felt intrigue and a strange combination of hope and dread. It was clear to her that one of the trio approaching the gate could alter the perception of those around him or her, and only Anna’s nulling Ability, which she was constantly exercising in an effort to keep Gregory’s mind control at bay, was preventing her mind from being swept into whatever delusion the newcomer was weaving around the others’ minds. And she’d only ever met one person whose perception-altering Ability was strong enough to pull off such a large and effective illusion—Tom.
Holding her breath, Anna squinted at the trio of newcomers, wishing Tom’s lanky silhouette was among them. Praying it wasn’t. If he were discovered here, it would mean his death.
The woman was walking a little ahead of the men, who appeared to be carrying on a fairly intense conversation, if their sharp gestures were anything to go by. One of the men was a little taller and more sturdily built than the other, far too muscular to be her abandoned husband. The other, though—he was still tall and of the right, wiry build. Anna focused on him as he and his companions drew closer to the gate. They were a dozen paces out…ten…seven…five.
A bird coasted low overhead, blocking the glare from the sun for a fraction of a second, just long enough for Anna to catch the briefest glimpse of the man’s face. Just long enough for her to recognize his aristocratic features, his ever-present, haughty sneer. Just long enough for Anna to feel her heart lurch as adrenaline flooded her system.
Cole.
Cole was walking into the Colony like he owned the place…and, given enough time, a well-planned strategy, and the right allies, he just might.
Sucking in a breath, Anna slipped to the side and flattened herself against the wall beside the broad window, hoping Cole hadn’t noticed her. She desperately wanted to alert Gregory, knowing full well that doing so was an impossibility, unless she wanted to also let him in on the single biggest secret she’d been keeping from him—the multifaceted nature of her Ability. Sure, Gregory was well acquainted with her Ability-boosting power, but thanks to her meticulous caution and on-and-off use of the neutralizer, he was still unaware that she could render any other person’s Ability useless. If Gregory found out she’d managed to lie to him for all those years…
Anna shuddered. What would be worse—what Cole would do to the
citizens of the Colony if he somehow wrested away Gregory’s power, or what Gregory would do to Anna if he learned of her years of severe disobedience?
Pressing her lips together, Anna straightened her back and drew in a long, deep breath. Neither option was acceptable. Which meant she’d have to take matters into her own hands. It would hardly be the first time she’d gone behind Gregory’s back to alter the course of events at the Colony—after all, she’d been knee-deep in the Re-gen rebellion, helping guide RV-01 and Camille in the “right” direction. She would have to work quickly—and cautiously, of course—but she had no doubt that snuffing out this latest fire was up to her.
If only Peter weren’t in such a critical stage of degeneration, and with his treatment—the cure—at her fingertips. It had reached the point where his mind and his unique, chameleonlike Ability were affected by the rapid degeneration of his neural tissue, and some of his organs were showing signs of failing. His initial round of human-sourced electrotherapy was scheduled for first thing in the morning, and based on the trials Anna and John had conducted on the other remaining Re-gens, Peter’s recovery should begin almost instantaneously.
Anna could hear the scuffle of weary footsteps through the gatehouse’s open door as Cole and his companions drew nearer. She held her breath and squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself to remain as inconspicuous as possible. The last thing she wanted was to let them know she could see them.
The slimmer man and the woman passed first, and Anna risked a peek through the doorway. For several seconds, she watched their backs as they strolled away from the gatehouse. The broader man followed a half dozen paces behind them, his eyes scanning the way ahead and to either side. Those eyes…they were unmistakable.
Heart leaping, Anna retreated back into the building before his keen survey of his surroundings made him aware of her. She clutched her chest and gasped in shaky breaths, battling elation and anxiety and all-out terror.
Jason—it was him, her son. He was in the Colony.
What was he doing there? What about Zoe? And Danielle? What about their farm near the coast? Her mind reeled, thoughts lashing about as she tried to understand and failed miserably. She kept coming back to the same disturbing facts, the only two things she knew with any certainty, and both terrified her.
Jason was in the Colony. And for whatever reason, he was working with Cole.
18
ZOE
DECEMBER 12, 1AE
The Farm, California
Standing in our small, heavily equipped outbuilding-turned-armory behind the stable, I collected my crossbow and quiver, a handgun I preferred never to use, and a few clips, just in case. Jake was just as focused as he swiftly readied weapons behind me: a few pistols, some knives, and whatever else he deemed essential for Jason’s breakout.
All I could think about was getting to the Colony. We knew we had to rescue him from Cole, but after the dream I’d had, I wasn’t sure if we needed to save him from my mom as well. She’d helped me that night in the golf course, when I’d lost the essence of who I was and had awoken in a dark, foreign world. She’d saved me. I liked to think she would save Jason too, if she could.
And then there was Herodson. I found it hard to believe saving him was our only option. We’d spent months putting mountains and rivers, forests and deserts between the General and us, and now, we were going back. The Colony was terrifying, the one place where civilization was more threatening than the unkempt hillsides and cities where Crazies lurked. But we were desperate, and no matter how unimaginable our situation was, I was ready and willing to do whatever was necessary to bring my brother home, even if that meant shelving the retribution I felt all too entitled to.
“Here,” Tavis said, startling me. He set extra fletching, tips, and a few bundles of metal bolts for my crossbow down on the bench in front of me.
“I thought you all said the crossbow would only slow us down, that we’d be using guns?”
Tavis nodded to my own horde of bolts—or arrows, as I still liked to call them. “And?”
I shrugged. “You never know, we might run out of ammo.”
“Exactly, you never know. And arrows are quiet, in case we need to sneak up on someone. We might as well take what we’ve got.” It looked like Tavis had cleaned out our entire stock.
“You and Sam should keep some—”
Tavis gave me a curt nod, giving me pause. “And Sam will. He has his supply. These are what’s left. We’ll need all of this more than he will.”
I gaped at him and glanced at Jake, whose back was to us while he filled a duffel bag. He was aware Tavis was in the armory with us, but it didn’t faze him. I glared back at Tavis. “We? You’re not coming.”
His blue eyes widened, and he took an abrupt step backward. “Excuse me?” He grinned.
I shook my head and tried not to smile. “I mean, you can’t. Sam needs you here. What if something happens to us—to you?”
Jake left us alone in the shed-like building, giving Tavis and me some space, and Tavis instantly leaned closer, his expression soft. “Zoe, I want to help. You may be a good aim these days, but you’re not better than I am, no matter what Sam says. And I’m not too shabby with a gun, either. Let’s face it, we have no idea what that place is like now, and you’ll need all the help you can get.”
I stared at Tavis, into his blue eyes that always held a smile but were different now. They seemed pained and earnest, something I’d never seen in them before. Although I hated to admit it, Tavis was right. This mission might not end well for Jake, my dad, Becca, Sanchez, Gabe, and me. But Tavis coming with us? I didn’t want him to go. I didn’t want him risking his life for my family—for me—when he had Sam to think about.
“Look,” Tavis said, reaching out to me, but he stopped himself just before his fingers could brush against my arm, and we stood in momentary silence. The vacuum of space between us was thick, making it impossible to think or speak, like this moment meant something for him that I couldn’t quite comprehend. Tavis’s hand fell back to his side. “Zoe…” He let out a breath that seemed to hold the meaning of a thousand unspoken words. “I know there’s been some weirdness between us in the past, but you know that I still care about you,” he said easily. He pointed to my head. “Which means you also know that I know nothing will ever happen between us and this isn’t about that. So don’t make this into something it’s not, okay? I’m going on this trip because I want to help. You need me. Jason, Dani, your dad…everyone needs this to work, and you have a better chance if I’m there with you.”
My mouth was so dry I could barely swallow. He was right, I did know this wasn’t just about me, and not just because I could feel his intent. Tavis and Sam were part of our family. “Okay, but,” I said on a sigh. I shut my eyes, feeling grateful and selfish and strangely at ease that he would be with us. “I don’t expect you to come.” I opened my eyes again, and his cocky grin returned, gloating, like always.
He shrugged. “I could use a little adventure. In fact, that last six months have been rather dull, don’t you think?”
I snorted. “Speak for yourself.”
Tavis chuckled and nudged me with his elbow.
“Sam’s not going to like this,” I grumbled.
“Agreed,” Tavis said. “But you need me right now more than he does. He’ll understand that.”
I nodded, if a little guiltily, and Tavis scooted the additional arrow parts closer to me. “Bag ’em up. I’ll go talk to the kid.”
“Good luck.” I cringed, and with a wink, Tavis disappeared outside.
I shoved my gear into a duffel of my own, and when I finished, I headed out to the van Cynthia had generously loaned us for as long as we needed it, including fuel to get us to our first stopping point in Tahoe. All my dad had to agree to was dinner with her upon his return.
I tossed my bag into the back of the van, where some of our gear was already loaded, then headed toward the farmhouse. The others were still packing, so I w
ent through a mental checklist of anything else we might need.
A change of clothes. Check.
Plenty of weapons and ammo. Check.
Clothes for Jason on the ride back. Check.
Water, and Becca was packing us some food for the road. Check. Check.
First aid supplies packed and loaded. Check.
Then, deciding I should bring the schematic of the Colony Gabe had helped me draw for reference, I reached for the handle to the screen door.
I paused when Sam’s high-pitched, urgent voice reached my ears. He and Tavis were arguing in the entryway.
“…and I’m a better aim than you. I should come, too,” Sam’s voice strained.
“You’re a great aim, but I need you to stay here with Dani and help her around the farm.”
“I don’t want to.”
I heard the floorboards creak and held my breath, expecting them to step outside and find me eavesdropping. But Tavis must’ve knelt down. His voice was softer when he spoke again.
“Sam, I need you to stay here, mate. It’s going to be very dangerous, and if anything happens to us, I need you to help keep everyone here safe. You have your bow, and you can help them sense danger. Plus, Annie would have a fit if you left.” Tavis chuckled, and I smiled sadly, thinking that Tavis was such a wonderful man and amazing stand-in father for Sam. “You know it’s true.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Sam replied, and my hand flew to my mouth to stifle a laugh.
There was a pause. “I hear you out there, Zoe,” Sam said, a little indignant.
Clearing my throat and attempting to put on a straight face, I stepped up to the screen door. “Sorry, I just need to grab a few things.”
Tavis looked from me to Sam and rumpled the kid’s hair. “We’re in agreement then? You stay here with Dani and Annie and protect them?” he asked.
“Okay.” Sam groaned and looked over at me, his hair so long it swept over his eyes. I knew he thought of Annie as a little sister, like the one that had been taken away from him last year. He would go to the ends of the earth for Annie if it meant keeping her safe.
The Ending Series: The Complete Series Page 147