5

by James Phelan

  They were nearly at the end of the water when Sam’s phone rang.

  “Eva?” Sam said, still using the phone as a flashlight out front and looking at the screen—it wasn’t Eva, but it was a number he knew. A number he hadn’t seen for weeks.

  A number that stopped Sam cold.

  Tobias stopped and turned around. “Sam, what is it?”

  “This number …” Sam looked at the screen. “It’s my mom’s. Jane, I mean. She’s calling me.”

  Tobias looked at the screen. “How would she have your Academy number?”

  “I don’t know. But I should answer it, right?” Sam’s voice wavered.

  “I’m not sure about that. This could be one of Stella’s tricks,” Tobias cautioned.

  “She might need my help,” Sam countered.

  “It seems so out of the blue. I know Mac knew where they were when you saw them on the screen in Denver. But no one has heard from them since then.”

  “But—I have to answer it.”

  Tobias looked behind him to the tunnel exit and faced Sam again. He nodded.

  Sam answered the call. “Mom?”

  “No, I don’t think so, Sam.”

  Stella! Tobias was right!

  “But you better come out from down there,” Stella said, “if you want to see your precious family again.”

  “But—how do you have this phone? Where is my family?” Sam said, his voice wavering.

  There was the sound of scuffling and a new voice came on the line.

  “Sam? Sam, is that you?”

  “Mo—Jane …” Sam closed his eyes. He wanted to ask, are you with me? Do you care? But he couldn’t bring himself to do that, not yet.

  “Sam, I’m so sorry. Please forgive me,” Jane’s voice broke on the line. “But whatever she says, don’t do it! She’s just—”

  She was abruptly cut off as Stella came back on the line. “See?” she said. “Your father and annoying little brother are here too. You can have the three of them in exchange for you. That’s not a bad trade is it? One life for three?”

  “I don’t believe you,” Sam spat out, the blood hammering in his ears.

  What do I do?

  “You have one minute to consider saving your family. Otherwise we’ll be forced to do something that you cannot take back, not even in your dreams.”

  The line went dead.

  “It’s a trap, Sam,” Tobias said.

  “But …”

  “They could be working with her. Or, and this is more likely, it might not really be your mom at all.”

  Sam’s confusion was obvious on his face.

  “Think about it, Sam,” Tobias said. “Stella’s got Matrix working with her and had access to Enterprise files. It’s possible Matrix has created a sound file for your mother but it’s not really her.”

  Sam looked into his teacher’s eyes, searching for answers that he knew weren’t there. “But what if you’re wrong? And what if I’m wrong? Maybe they did love me. And I miss them. All of them.”

  “Sam, I know, it’s hard …” Tobias said, his voice soothing and matter-of-fact. He gestured behind them, where the sound of the sea roared against the rocky cliffs. “We have a way off this island, but we have to take it now.”

  Sam could see the concern on Tobias’ face that he’d seen on his own parents’ faces on so many occasions.

  “Sam, we can glide out from here, down to the water’s edge at the south, using our Stealth Suits—just like you did at the Eiffel Tower, remember?”

  Sam nodded.

  “Issey is down there, with his parents, in their boat. No one will see us leaving if we go now while there’s still mayhem going on up there. We’ll be out of here and we’ll be safe. We’ve already lost the Gear. We can’t lose you too.”

  “But I can’t just leave them here with Stella,” Sam despaired.

  “You have to understand just how valuable you are, Sam. You cannot allow yourself to fall into the wrong hands. You’ve almost run out of your nine lives.”

  “Thirteen, you mean,” Sam joked feebly. He nodded and wiped away a sniffle. “This is an impossible choice.”

  “And I’m sorry for that, Sam, I really am. Look, if it’s true what Stella says, that your parents are not working with her, then Stella won’t risk doing anything to them—they’re an asset for her to use against you, if not now, then at another time. And that will give us the chance to rescue them later on, OK?”

  “So we just leave them here?” Sam asked.

  “It’s either just them captive, or them and you,” Tobias said.

  Sam sighed.

  “Sam,” Tobias said. “We’re your family now.”

  Sam’s phone rang. He watched the incoming call flashing on his screen.

  Tobias started walking toward the tunnel that opened out above the sea.

  Sam put the phone in his pocket and followed him.

  37

  The tunnel ended abruptly. It was dark below with only the white-capped waves of an angry sea breaking up the blackness.

  “Sam, we’re going to have to jump,” Tobias said, looking down the sheer cliff face below.

  Sam swallowed hard and looked down past his toes. He’d never liked the taller diving boards at his local pool, and he’d never even tried the ten-metre platform. This was much higher, much scarier and worse than the Eiffel Tower because of the dark, and the water. And bobbing in the dark choppy water was a tiny boat, with the three figures visible, battling against the storm and sea spray. In the deluge of rain it was impossible to make out who they were, but Sam knew that it must be Issey and his parents.

  “You need to jump out, as far as you can,” Tobias said, “glide out, so that you clear the island and any rocky outcrops.”

  Sam nodded.

  “Aim to hit the water straight, feet first and arms tight to your sides,” Tobias said. “You don’t want to land flat on your back.”

  “OK, OK.” Sam felt like throwing up.

  “I’ll go first. Once you see me clear and swimming toward the boat, you follow.”

  Sam nodded, fixated on the waves below. From the wind and rain of the night, he could not hear the pitter-patter of the gunfire from the battle above, nor the helicopters flying even higher overhead as they searched the island.

  My parents … what will happen to them?

  “Sam!” Tobias took Sam by the shoulders and shook him.

  Sam looked into Tobias’ eyes. They were full of steely determination.

  “Sam—you must do as I said!” Tobias said.

  “OK,” Sam said, trembling. “I’ll follow.”

  “How will you land?”

  “Feet first.”

  Tobias nodded and let Sam go. He looked down to the sea, took a few deep breaths and took a running jump, disappearing out into the night.

  Sam watched as his friend soared through the sky, heading down, his arms and legs still moving in a running motion at first, and then he opened up his Stealth Suit to glide, his arms out like wings, until he shifted again into a position so that he was falling straight down like a pin.

  His feet hit first, his straight legs piercing the sea, then he disappeared under.

  Sam scanned the surface of the sea with wide eyes, and then a flashlight from the little boat began searching the water where he’d landed.

  Nothing.

  Nothing but the raging sea and the tiny boat.

  Tobias! Where are you?

  Sam scanned the water and saw no sign of him.

  Is it too dark to see him?

  Tobias emerged, bobbing up in the water like a cork. He looked up to Sam and gave him a wave and thumbs-up, then he rolled around and found the boat and settled into a freestyle stroke toward it.

  “Yeah!” Sam called out.

  Sam stood on the edge of the drain. Water was gushing out over his feet, ankle deep and growing deeper by the second, emptying the top levels of the island from the rain deluge. He hung on tight to the round wall of the
pipe, watching as Tobias was hauled out of the water, and a few seconds later saw all four figures in the boat waving at him.

  It was his turn to jump.

  He took a few steps back, until he felt the steel bars against his back.

  “Come on …” Sam said to himself. “You can do this.”

  He took some deep breaths, in and out, in and out. He felt a calm washing over him as he slowed his heart rate and thought through what was ahead—run and jump, clear the island, form a straight pose to enter the water.

  Don’t fight the entry, float to the surface, swim for the boat.

  Piece of cake.

  Sam bent over and vomited.

  The water was now halfway up his calves and the current strong enough that it was starting to push him out.

  He hung onto a bar behind him, bent down, rinsed his mouth and face, then stood up and looked at the black hole full of night sky ahead of him.

  “OK, Sam, piece of cake time.”

  He took a deep breath, and exhaled.

  “One … two …”

  A final settling breath.

  “Three!”

  Sam let go of the bar and ran.

  And went nowhere.

  He was caught. The back of his Stealth Suit was snagged somehow.

  He looked back into the tunnel behind, but he couldn’t see anything, hear anything.

  But he felt a presence. He was being watched, stalked.

  He saw the shine of the eyes before he heard the growl.

  It was one of the huge guard dogs and it was watching him.

  Slowly moving toward Sam, confident in knowing that its next feed was cornered—ready for the slow and brutal mauling.

  Sam tugged against his Stealth Suit, but it would not budge. The material was so strong, and the snag so complete, it would never tear free.

  The dog stalked toward him. Sam could see its front haunches now, the hair on the back of its neck all prickled up, its ears flattened back. Its mouth opened in a snarl of huge yellow fangs.

  Sam slowly unzipped his Stealth Suit, then slipped out a shoulder and then an arm, one after the other, the whole time not breaking the dog’s gaze.

  He pulled the Suit down past his shorts, removing one leg at a time.

  Not for a moment feeling the cold, Sam pulled his last foot out as the dog sprang forward—

  Sam turned and ran.

  And jumped.

  Sam straightened his body and spread out his arms.

  But I don’t have a Suit to glide in!

  “Arghhh!” Sam drew his bare legs together, his feet pointed down—but it was too late, he had plummeted too fast. Sam landed awkwardly, slapping his back against the sea and feeling all the air blast out of his lungs. A wave washed over him and the inky black of the sea swallowed him whole.

  A million needles of pain entered his skin as the cold water bit hard. The motion in his ears told him he was still descending.

  He forced his screaming limbs to work, fighting to come back up. He broke the surface and swam, hard as he could for ten strokes, then stopped to get his bearings.

  A bright red-orange light pierced the sky. A flare gun, shooting over his head and hitting the water just behind him.

  Sam swam for the boat. It seemed to take forever, even though the boat was also heading for him. His arms and legs were moving in a swimming motion but it was as if he had no control over them. He swam until he felt hands reaching down and curling under his arms, picking him out of the water.

  He lay on his back on the deck of the boat, the relieved faces of Issey and his father bent over him. Tobias said something to him, but Sam’s ears were not working.

  Probably the cold water. Maybe my whole head has turned to an iceblock.

  Sam didn’t feel warmer when a blanket was placed over him. But with each passing moment, he felt and noticed a little more as his senses slowly returned. Issey remained by his side, and his smiling face was a welcome sight. Sam felt the vibrations of the engine run through him.

  We’re leaving. We’re safe.

  Whatever we’ve been through, we’ve made it.

  The pang of losing the Gear was not far behind his temporary relief.

  Who has it now? Stella? Solaris?

  Rain continued to fall.

  Sam heard a shout, but could not make out the words.

  From nowhere, the world around him changed from one of darkness to blinding light.

  Fire engulfed the bow of their boat, then another bright jet shot over their heads. A thin, accurate flame.

  Solaris!

  Issey grabbed hold of Sam, his body shielding him. But the next stream of fire hit the rear engine of the boat, the gas tank instantly exploding in a violent and devastating blast.

  The last thing Sam remembered was floating in the water, face up, the boat gone, fire-soaked debris all around him.

  Then everything went dark.

  Be sure to read the next thrilling adventure in The Last Thirteen series:

  01

  SAM’S NIGHTMARE

  The bright orange sunlight shines off the tops of ancient stone buildings. Birds sing as they dart by me. Green jungle stretches below me, a vast blanket of trees swaying with the breeze, interrupted only by waterways and relics. This is paradise. And it feels like I’m floating over it, flying—seeing everything all at once.

  “Sam!”

  I’m on the ground now, standing in an elevated clearing in front of one of the immense temple palaces that surround me. I turn around to look for the voice, but I’m alone.

  “Sam!” the voice says again. I spin around, scanning full circle.

  Suddenly, I see a tiny figure emerge from the trees below.

  Eva.

  She starts running toward me. I look around again, panicked that some threat is waiting—like I am—but there is no one else. My panic makes the beautiful sculptures in the ornately carved stone tower feel somehow dark and menacing.

  I watch Eva as she nears. She breaks into a smile, and then she is laughing.

  Eva’s not afraid, she’s—happy.

  “Sam,” Eva says, “come down!”

  I clamber down the rough stone stairs and Eva crashes into me.

  “Hey, you’re crushing me!” I say, laughing, and Eva releases me from her hug.

  “What are you doing here?” I ask.

  “I’m with them,” Eva says, looking back over her shoulder to the trees where she’s just come from.

  I watch as a group of people appear in the distance. They run toward us too.

  “Is that …?”

  “Yes,” Eva replies.

  “And …”

  “Yes,” Eva says. “We’re all here.”

  I smile as the rest of the last 13 rush toward us. They all look happy.

  First comes Alex, waving like crazy.

  It feels like forever since I’ve seen him.

  Gabriella, the Italian pop star, follows him with Xavier. Next comes the French art student, Zara, with Rapha from Brazil. Right behind them are Maria from Cuba, Cody from the States and Arianna, the feisty Russian gymnast. Issey, the pro-gamer from Japan, is at the back. And then I notice someone else.

  “Who’s that?” I ask Eva.

  “That’s Poh,” Eva says.

  “Poh … the next Dreamer?”

  Eva nods.

  “But it can’t be, can it? I’m supposed to find him,” I say.

  Eva shrugs and stays silent.

  “I’m supposed to be the one who finds the last 13,” I repeat, my panic returning. “And if I’m dreaming of the next Dreamer now, then who else can see …”

  No answer.

  “Eva?”

  I turn to Eva, but she’s gone. I look back toward the group, but they’re gone too.

  The tall grass that stretches away from where I stand seems to whisper in the breeze. The lush jungle trees sway in unison. The ancient building to my back is casting a longer shadow over the rock-paved court. The sun is going down
. But fast—too fast. Like I’m watching a time-delay sequence. I know he will be here. I know he is coming.

  I close my eyes.

  Wake up, wake up, wake up …

  I open my eyes to a new scene.

  I stare, confused, before realizing—

  I haven’t woken up.

  This is not a new scene. I’m in the same place, but seeing it from a far different viewpoint.

  I’m up high now, above the trees. I’m standing at the very top of the temple spire. Somehow I know now where I am.

  Cambodia.

  At the temple of Angkor Wat, to be precise.

  On top of the highest tower.

  I look out over the sprawling complex and can see for the first time the majesty of the place—the trees, the grass lawns, the surrounding moat.

  I know I’m in a dream, that this may be where I have to go next. I sit and wait—listening, watching.

  But nothing happens. Time does not seem to pass. Birds fly, clouds move, leaves rustle, but it feels like everything is on a repetitive loop—nothing is going forward.

  Eventually, I close my eyes.

  When I open them, things will change.

  Bill is standing there. My best friend from my old high school. My best friend, who died in the house fire. We are at the temple forecourt.

  “Hi,” I say. “Are you OK?”

  “Of course,” he replies.

  “Why are you here? How are you here?”

  “I’m in your dream, Sam.”

  “Right …”

  “You’re making this happen,” Bill says.

  “I am?”

  “Yes, because you know something is not right. You’re in trouble. You should wake up.”

  “I guess, but I don’t feel worried anymore.” I look around at the scenery—the birds still flying, uniform clouds are inching across the horizon, the trees swaying in the same unchanging rhythm.

  The loop continues.

  “Wake up, Sam.”

  “But I need information. Poh was here.”

  “Not now—later.”

  “But what about you?”

  The birds freeze mid-flight.

  I feel a shiver run through me. The shudder ripples down my spine like an electrical spark as a dark shadow is cast over me.