by Jessica Kapp
“Doubtful. Wherever she goes, I go.”
Gavin rubs his face and gives Parker a subtle nod, as if he has no choice but to agree. He walks toward the house. When I try to follow, Parker’s grip stops me. The front door shuts and Parker and I are surrounded by nothing but the hum of distant traffic and tall grass.
He moves in front of me. “You love him, don’t you?”
The answer is convoluted. Yet the longer Parker stares at me, his eyes wide and glossy, the clearer the answer gets. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t.
My throat is dry and I part my lips, deciding to nod at the last second.
“I don’t get it.” He shakes his head. “His dad works for the company that took everything from us. We have no future and no family—except each other.” He throws his hands up, exasperated. “And yet you still trust this wacko?”
“Yes. I do.” I glance at the house, half expecting Gavin or his dad to be peeking out the curtains, watching to see if we’ll make a run for it again. I don’t think it would matter if we did now. Gavin has told me everything I need to know. If PharmPerfect wants a fight, I’m going to give them one.
Chapter 25
Inside, Gavin’s dad is doing something I doubt he’s done in decades: cleaning.
“Put those papers in the trash bag,” Bracken says after Gavin shows him a stack he’s holding.
“Are you sure?” Gavin asks.
“If I go through them one by one, we’ll never make any progress.”
Parker and I stand in the entryway, not sure what to make of the activity.
“We’re getting rid of evidence,” Gavin says, gesturing to his dad.
“It’s the only way to keep you safe.” Bracken’s hands are trembling, his eyes glued to the paper in his hand. He stares at it like a picture that evokes a fond memory. Finally, his face tightens and he crumples it up, tossing it in the black bag. “Without the research papers, PharmPerfect will have to start over. They might not be able to transfer the microorganisms at all.”
“Do you need help?” I ask.
Bracken motions for me to join, and a faint smile emerges, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. Parker watches for a while before picking up a stack of papers.
“How do I know what to keep?” Parker asks.
“If it has numbers or a formula on it, throw it away,” says Bracken.
“All of them?” I hold up a paper on PharmPerfect letterhead congratulating Dr. Stiles on his work with electrical signals and cells. It’s even signed by the CEO himself, but Gavin gives me a firm nod. I glare at Trae Murphy’s signature and the fancy gold company emblem underneath it before wadding the letter into a ball.
“My dad didn’t keep his research on a computer. Everything’s on paper or in his head.” Gavin taps his temple. “Without the formula, they should have no reason to keep you.”
“They’d stop looking?” The air seems easier to breathe.
Gavin holds his hand up as if he’s trying to convince my enthusiasm to take a seat. “Maybe. Other scientists have reviewed my dad’s work. They might have enough to work with. But it doesn’t hurt to take precautions.”
My joy isn’t stifled. Even Parker wears a satisfied grin. I want to thank Gavin’s dad, but instead I work faster, letting my hands say everything for me. I know how much this project, his life’s work, meant to him. Now that he knows what it means to me, he’s willing to throw it all away. Literally.
“We’ll stuff the bags in the storage shed out back near the fire pit. I’ll tell PharmPerfect an ember landed on the roof,” Bracken says. His voice lacks confidence, but I have to believe this plan might work. I have to hold onto hope.
We work until the living room is empty, except for furniture and dust. Gavin vacuums with a machine that wheezes so loud it sounds like it’s dying, and I polish the piano with a rag while Parker and Bracken haul the last couple of bags out.
I stroke the keys, hitting a few notes, enjoying the bliss that comes with each one.
“You play?” Gavin asks, unplugging the vacuum.
“It’s starting to come back to me. All of it.”
“No more headaches?”
“They’re there. Just not as bad as when they first started.”
Gavin moves across the room and stands behind me. I want so badly to turn around, to see his lips up close, to lose the distance between us.
“I don’t expect you to forgive me,” he whispers next to my ear. The hairs on my arms stand at attention, and my head leans slightly toward his mouth, like his lips are calling me. But his words push me away. “I’ll do everything I can to keep you safe. That includes stepping aside.”
My eyes follow him down the hall, watching him disappear into the office with the vacuum. I thought I needed to figure out how to forgive Gavin, but it won’t matter. It’s clear he isn’t going to forgive himself.
• • •
We spend the next day cleaning the kitchen. It takes twice as long, but when all the dishes have been scrubbed and the fridge has been cleared of everything coated in mold, we sit at the table to eat the pizza Bracken picked up for lunch—per Parker’s suggestion.
My hair is still wet from the post-cleanup shower, and even though my skin is clean, I’m a mess on the inside. My heart is cluttered with emotions that contradict one another. I want to take the next ferry out of Gladstone—to forget my life here. But I can’t. I’m too attached to the people I grew up with and the new friends I’ve made. I wonder if Sasha’s playing with Mary right now, if Paige and Ry are staying off Euphorium.
Gavin interrupts my musings when he sits on one end of the table looking deflated. He doesn’t glance up as he takes a seat between Parker and his dad.
“There’s a ferry tomorrow morning at six and another at eight. There’ll be lots of cars on both runs, but I’d suggest getting on the earliest ride out,” says Bracken.
“Why’s that?” Parker asks.
“Everyone will be tired, in a hurry to get to work. Security guards will be trying to wake up. Your chances are better. But you’ll need identification,” Bracken says. “No one gets on or off the island without it. Now I know why.” After a long pause, he clears his throat. “I have a friend at the lab…the paperwork won’t be perfect, but it should get you to the mainland.”
“Thank you,” I say, reaching for a slice of pepperoni. “What’s going to happen to you after we leave?”
Bracken shrugs as he rocks a little in his chair, like the idea of doing something risky is exciting. It’s probably the first time in his life he’s ever broken the rules. Parker kicks me under the table and shoots me a look that says don’t make him change his mind.
“I’ve been spending too much time on that project anyway.” Bracken dabs his mouth with a paper towel. “I’ve already given the company enough years. I don’t intend to give them any more.”
“Will you be fired?” I prod.
“More like, forced into early retirement,” Bracken says. “When they hear a fire destroyed most of my work, I doubt they’ll want to reinvest in me.” He gives me a reticent smile.
“Can’t they find something else for you to work on?”
“They need me for their war pill. Without you, I’m useless to them.”
“I’m sorry.” I mean it, and Bracken reaches for my hand.
“Why?” Parker’s voice is brash, cutting through the sentiment. “Why do you care about this man’s job? Your mom is dead and the company he works for is responsible.”
“Parker!” I’m ashamed at his outburst, but also a little at myself. I should be angry. I am angry. But not at Gavin and his dad.
“It’s all right.” Bracken gives me an understanding pat on the hand and stands. “Identification won’t make up for the years you’ve suffered, but it will at least help get you to some years you can enjoy. If you’ll excuse me, I’d like to get to the office. I need to leave now if I’m going to get ID cards and birth certificates made.”
Bracken grabs
his keys and leaves us to finish eating. We polish off the rest of the pizza, thanks mainly to Parker, and clear the table.
Gavin carries over the plates and corners me by the kitchen sink. “I have something I need to show you. It’s a surprise.” Our eyes meet and there’s a flash of excitement in his. I’ve missed that look, and it stirs something inside me. “Come with me.” I’m on my feet before I can answer, following him down the hall. I don’t even notice Parker’s not behind us until Gavin shuts the door and we’re alone. My heart speeds up a little.
Gavin pulls a history book from off his shelf. There’s an envelope inside and he hands it to me.
I tear the seal carefully.
“It’s not your original birth certificate,” says Gavin, “but it is a certified copy.”
All of the information is there: my birth weight, the hospital I was born in, my parents’ names, Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes. Mitch and Ellen. I know her name now, and the realization makes my chest compress, uncertain of whether I’m about to cry or laugh.
“How’d you get this?” I ask, my hands shaking.
Gavin’s standing in the shadow of his bookshelf, watching me read about my history. The darkness can’t dull his smile. He knows how much this means to me.
“It wasn’t easy. I had to jump through a lot of hoops. Whatever fake ID my dad comes up with will have to be what you go by until we can figure out what to do next. But at least you’ll have this to remember who you were. Who you’ll always be.”
“Thank you.” I hold the only piece of my past I’ll probably ever own. The corner of Gavin’s mouth turns up, and he stuffs his hands in his pockets like he’s satisfied. A job well done.
“I’ll find your dad. It’ll just take some digging, and time.”
That’s all he’s ever wanted. Time. I can’t stay mad at him no matter how hard I try. I believe in him, trust him. My arms wrap around his neck, and I bring his mouth into mine. The birth certificate rustles near our faces as we kiss.
I can tell he’s hesitant at first, but the longer our lips stay locked, the stronger he kisses back. I let the paper fall to the ground as Gavin tucks an arm behind my waist. He turns me so my back is to the wall. His mouth travels down my neck, bringing goose bumps to the surface of my arms.
“Does this mean you forgive me?” he whispers, his hot breath warming the sensitive spot behind my ear.
“For now,” I say, and then his lips are back on mine.
I almost miss the rapping on the door until it grows loud enough that we can’t ignore it. Parker peeks his head in. I don’t try to hide the fact that I’ve forgiven Gavin.
“Your dad just called. It sounded important, but the machine cut him off.”
Gavin gives my fingers a squeeze before he heads to the living room. Parker moves just enough to let Gavin by, stepping closer to me when we’re alone.
“That’s it, then?” Parker’s eyes narrow as he studies my face.
“I can’t shut off my feelings for him. It’s not that easy.”
“Trust me, I know.”
I may have chosen my words badly, but I’m not going to let Parker guilt me away from Gavin.
The door swings open and I jump. Gavin has the truck keys in his hand.
“I have to go.” He stands there for a moment, as if he has more to say, but his mouth snaps shut, and he leaves without so much as a goodbye.
“Where are you going?” I push past Parker, whose body is like a steel door. Gavin is already on the front steps when I catch up to him. “What’s going on?” My voice is curt, hoping to get his attention.
He opens the truck door and reaches under the seat for a scrap of paper. Grabbing a pen from the side compartment, he scribbles something on the back of a receipt. When he turns to me his eyes are filled with anguish.
“If I don’t come back in an hour, leave.” He hands me the paper. “This is Adrian’s number.” He pulls me into him with a kiss that says it may be his last.
A kiss that scares me.
“Remember. One hour.” He gets into the truck and tears out of the driveway.
I stand there long enough to watch the cloud of dust disappear. Parker is on the porch steps when I turn around.
“What did the message say?” I ask in a demanding voice.
“He said, ‘They know her tracker’s been removed. And they suspect I know where she is.’ Then his voice cut out. The phone went dead.”
I can tell by Parker’s expression I’m not the only one who doesn’t believe the call dropped by accident.
“If they haven’t already, they’ll figure out we’re here.” I glance at Adrian’s number. “Gavin wants us to leave in an hour.”
Parker’s body tightens like he just finished lifting. “I say we leave now.”
“We can’t just leave. We have to help.” The address from the letterhead flashes in my mind. “PharmPerfect’s lab is on Addison Street.”
“You can’t just walk in there and demand they let Gavin’s dad go. Why would they listen to us?”
“We won’t give them a choice.” I lead Parker into the kitchen, knowing this is my only option. “Gavin’s dad has weapons in the lab.” I point at the door to the basement. “There’s a gun safe in the corner.” Parker takes the bait.
I wait for him to make it all the way down the steps before I shout down to him. “I’m sorry! I’ll send someone to get you out soon.”
He stares up at me and his eyes grow wide. I slam the door shut. His feet pound up the stairs as I fumble with the padlock, nervously trying to get it to click tight. Parker beats the door with his fists.
“Open up! You’ll get yourself killed!”
I cover my ears, trying to block him out.
“Tabitha! You’re the one they want!”
“That’s why I have to go. It’s the only way to save the rest of you.”
Parker pounds harder, enough to make the padlock bounce against the doorframe. “Tabitha!”
I can’t say anything more without choking up, so I run down the hall to Gavin’s room to retrieve the one thing that might help me pull this off.
Ms. Preen’s little red pill.
Chapter 26
I hide the key to the laboratory door under a garden gnome and head for the main road. Without Parker there to scare all the cars away, hitchhiking is a cinch.
I barely have my thumb out before a sporty black car pulls up. A man with eyebrows that look like they’ve been freshly trimmed lowers the passenger window.
“Need a lift?” He motions for me to get in. “I could use the company.”
I hold the handle for a second, wondering if I’m making a mistake. But Gavin and Bracken risked their lives for me. I need to be brave.
The seat is soft, and my body melts into it. I have to lean forward to keep the sinking sensation at bay.
“Buckle up,” he says, flashing a smile.
“I need to get to PharmPerfect,” I say as we merge onto the road. “How far is it?”
Everything seems to slow down. The car. The music. The way he runs a hand through his wavy hair before answering. “We’ll be there in about an hour.”
That can’t be right.
“Is there any way we can get there faster?”
“That depends. How fast do you need to get there?” He rubs my thigh, and I slap his hand away.
“Just let me out,” I say, my voice shaky. “I’d rather walk.”
He hits a button and I hear a click. My eyes flash to the door. His fingers slide down my arm and my body clenches. “I can pay you in cash or pills.”
Pay me for what? Panic rips through me. His hand moves back to my thigh, and I roll my fist into a tight ball, connecting with his jaw.
The car swerves and I grab the handle, knocking the door with my shoulder. It doesn’t budge. He growls, spitting out what looks like blood. He reaches for my leg again and I unlock the door. Flinging it open, I dive for the grassy shoulder.
I roll to a stop and lift my chin when I h
ear brakes squeal. The car’s taillights shift from red to white. He’s going to run me over!
I push myself up, crawling deeper into the grass as the car zooms toward me. There’s a series of honks and the car stops. I look back at the fender, inches from hitting me. There’s another vehicle in my periphery and the man throws his car in drive and takes off, spitting pebbles at me with his tires.
Shoes click against the paved road. “Are you all right?” a frightened voice asks. She sounds familiar…
I turn my head, my eyes settling on the pretty blonde. “Cherry?”
“Oh my God! It’s you!” Her face goes white. “I saw you jump out of that car. Are you hurt?”
My hip feels bruised, and my hands and knees are embedded with rocks. I pick them out and wipe the blood on my shirt. “I’m fine.” I try not to grimace when I press the lump on my head. “But Gavin’s not.”
I didn’t think her skin could go whiter, but it does, and for a second I empathize with her. She cares about Gavin too, has history with him that can’t be erased without a drug. I suspect she’ll want to help, and when her eyes grow wide, I know I’m right.
“Get in.” She gestures to her convertible. I drag myself to her car, feeling new body aches emerge. She pops the trunk and grabs a towel before I can sit down. “Use this.” She covers the seat. “I don’t want to get blood on the leather.”
I collapse into the seat. It takes me twice as long to buckle, and she revs the engine impatiently.
“Where to?” she asks when the belt clicks.
“PharmPerfect. He’s at the lab.”
She smiles at me like I’m a small child. “Gavin’s not in trouble. That’s where his dad works. Didn’t he tell you?”
“I know, Cherry,” I say, exhaling. “But his dad went to the lab to…to get something. He ran into some trouble and Gavin left in a panic.”
“If his dad’s not home, then who’s in the basement?”
I glance in the side mirror at the road Cherry had been traveling down, the road that leads away from Gavin’s house. “Is that where you’re coming from?”