by Bryan Cohen
Erica let out a whisper. "Redican? How we doin' out there?"
The several beats of silence made the sound of her quickening heartbeat echo against the closet's narrow walls. She took a deep breath to steady herself.
"Redican? You okay?"
More silence. She tapped her fingers against her hip. They were already trying to pull off a five-man job with two people. With Redican's abilities, it was doable, but there was a fat chance of her even making it out of the building if she was alone.
I've gotta try. Either way, I'll see him soon.
As Erica put her hand on the doorknob, a whisper buzzed through her earpiece.
"Don't worry, Ms. LaPlante." Erica could hear the smile in Redican's voice. "I just had to return the favor by messing with your head a bit. I'm perfectly fine and in position."
Erica wanted to wring his neck, but there'd be time for that after they escaped.
She scrunched up her nose. "I'm so very glad to hear you're okay."
Redican's quiet giggle made her blood boil. "I don't have to be a mind reader to know that's not true."
Erica could've easily killed Redican at the end of junior prom. Instead, she'd made him her lackey, and the decision had paid dividends. Thinking of prom brought back images of her final dance with Ted. She felt the caress of his hand against her back and tasted his lips on her mouth.
One step closer.
The sound of footsteps snapped Erica out of her memory. There were more people outside than she could count, and they all seemed to be jogging. Erica rubbed at the red mark where Agent Vott's bullet had pierced her leg. After a few more moments of activity, the silence returned.
Erica put her ear closer to the door. "Are we clear?"
"Just about. Everyone on the floor now smells gas. And… as of this second, they're all evacuated."
Erica opened the door. The presence of light caused her to squint several times until she could stand to keep her eyes open. When she did, Redican stood before her. His hair had grown even more silver since their time hiding away on the farm. He'd used his power too much since then, but it was the only option to keep them secure.
Redican raised his eyebrows. "You know, we make a good team." The pair began walking toward the east wing. "We could start a restaurant. You cook, and I'll make them think it's delicious."
Erica didn't have to look at him to see that goofy smile on his face. She'd seen the same expression after dozens of corny jokes he made as her English teacher. It was crazy to think she'd been in high school classes just six weeks ago. Now she was walking the high-ceilinged hallways of a classified government facility. Her reflection showed briefly in one of the room-length windows that led to the outside.
Erica did her best to remain stoic. "Let's get the staff back, first. We'll have Dhiraj run the numbers at the farm."
If it hadn't been for Sheriff Norris' friend Kelly, the six of them would've faced a much tougher road after Senator Kable's rally. The farmer and former Army medic practically lived off the grid. But even in the middle of rural Pennsylvania, the gang couldn't help but hear of Kable's gains in the polls.
He should be dead. This is all my fault.
Redican scoffed. "This is no time for a pity party, Ms. LaPlante. We've got espionage to do."
Erica growled. "Stay out of my head."
Redican's silly grin took over his face. "Yes, ma'am." He glanced at her hair and ID badge. "How much longer are you going to wear that ridiculous wig?"
Erica had blended into the Department of Homeland Security tour quite well. A black wig and a pair of glasses seemed to fool the guards who had her picture prominently displayed.
She ran her fingers through the straight, licorice-colored strands. "You don't like it? I thought I might make this a long-term change."
They came to a stop in front of an unmarked door. Beside the doorknob was a small, rectangular box that displayed a red light.
Redican pulled a keycard out of his pocket. "I think it's too goth." He held the card in front of the security box, and the light flashed green. "It doesn't fit your peppy demeanor."
Erica gave him the stink-eye as she turned the knob. "Age before peppy."
The door led to a long, dark corridor. If the information Dhiraj had obtained from his inside source was right, then Sela Fortbright's silver staff was at the other end of the hall. Erica didn't know what the DHS might want with it, but she had a sneaking suspicion that a certain Presidential candidate was now the one running the show.
The room was colder than she'd expected. Erica rubbed her hands together as they reached another door. Redican tried to turn the knob, but it wouldn't budge.
He smiled. "I don't suppose you have a lock pick in that wig of yours."
Erica took in a deep breath and slammed her shoulder into the locked door. Wood splintered from the doorjamb and the deadbolt popped out of the lock. Erica caught it before it could clatter against the ground.
This time, Redican pulled the door open for her. "Brawn before brain."
Erica rolled her eyes and stepped inside. As soon as her foot landed past the threshold, a panel of lights switched on from floor to ceiling. Weapons from multiple generations glistened in the brightness. Several of them seemed mystical in origin.
Redican gaped at one crossbow in particular. "I've seen this before." He touched the base like it was a precious work of art. "How'd they get their hands on it?"
She shrugged. "The government has its ways, I suppose." Her eyes settled on the two halves of the gatekeeper's staff. "Got it."
She pulled the weapon from the wall. Despite the condition of the staff, she could feel the ancient power pulse through her fingers. Erica stowed it and gestured for Redican to stop browsing.
He took one last look at the room and led the way out. "Do you really think it'll work?"
Erica sped up her pace. "If it doesn't, or if Jennifer and the others can't come through, there's only one other option."
Redican's eyes said it all. If Erica sacrificed herself to go back to the Realm of Souls, then he'd be free of her. She'd probably have to kill him before she did the deed. Who knows what havoc the mind-reader would cause, otherwise?
Redican opened the door, but before Erica could walk through he blocked her exit. "Wait."
"What is it?" Erica peered through the door and saw him.
It was the man she'd trusted to keep Ted safe. The one who'd unloaded bullets into her, Sheriff Norris and Travis.
Agent Vott chuckled as the dozen men behind him placed their hands on their weapons. "Isn't this a pleasant surprise?"
11
Jennifer watched as Travis slammed his fist into the punching bag over and over again. Natalie's boyfriend was sweating profusely, but he didn't appear to be anywhere close to stopping. He'd done everything right. He'd even taken a bullet so that Erica could pull Ted and Natalie back through the portal. What had happened to him wasn't fair in the slightest. Nothing that happened to any of them could be considered remotely fair.
Travis' shirt came up slightly, revealing the scar on his side. Kelly had said he was lucky the bullet hadn't hit any vital organs. Her father had been in the same boat, though everything was taking much longer to heal in his case.
Jennifer spun her seat to look toward the other side of the lair. She was amazed that nobody had discovered it since they'd left. She was even more amazed that they'd been able to sneak back into Treasure undetected. The dim lights made the cavernous basement room look more like a creepy cave than a secret hideout. It was split into two halves: one for training and the other for research. While Travis took full advantage of the former, Dhiraj had been a fixture on the latter since they'd arrived. He typed with the speed of a grand pianist in front of a massive computer screen. It was a good thing he was cute when he was working, because it seemed like that's all he'd done since the rally. He'd told her that if the world was going to label him a fugitive, then he'd play the part. Dhiraj and a few of his shadier contacts had h
acked a blueprint to help Erica and Redican on their mission, and now he was figuring out exactly when they could slip through the patrolling DHS squadron and into the Treasure Sheriff's Department.
Five days earlier, Jennifer was on Kelly's farm reading a book about World War II history when Erica had gathered them to carry out her plan. Her father limped in and sat beside her while Dhiraj took the arm of the couch.
Erica cleared her throat. "Kelly says we need another week of healing, but there just isn't enough time." She looked around the room. "I've already told all of you about the fastest option for finding Ted."
Jennifer's face twitched. She didn't know how she'd possibly cope with Erica dead and her friend's consciousness back in the Realm of Souls.
Jennifer shut her book with a thump. "And we all agreed that was a terrible idea."
The entire room gave its assent. Except for Redican, of course.
Erica nodded. "I can't say that idea's off the table, but there is one last option. And you'll need to go back to Treasure to pull it off."
Jennifer knew from the temperature drop in the room that she wasn't the only one petrified by the idea. A nationwide manhunt was underway for all of them, and Treasure was the first place they'd look.
Erica continued. "One of the books from Page's has the power to open portals, but it could be deadly." She gestured to Redican. "Albert here is the only non-living soul who's ever used one. So he's our best bet."
Travis gave a concerned look and leaned forward. "What'll it do to him?"
Jennifer furrowed her brow until she realized that Travis was one of the few people in the room who hadn't had their minds messed with by the former substitute teacher.
Redican smirked. "Mr. Conner, I'm so touched. I suppose I'll give you five points of extra credit."
Nobody laughed, and Erica redirected the attention back toward herself. "On its own, the power could cook him from the inside. But it might be safe if we can get the gatekeeper's staff. It should dispel the power before he gets fried."
Dhiraj put his hand on Jennifer's. "It all sounds very theoretical. Besides, how do you plan on getting past–"
Jennifer stood up before she even realized it. "We'll do it. No matter what it takes." Her eyes welled up. "I'm not losing you again, Erica." She looked toward Dhiraj. "We're gonna play the part. And we're gonna win."
Sneaking into Treasure in the middle of the night was no picnic. It probably would've been easier with one than it was with four, especially since her father wasn't exactly moving at top speed. The moment they set foot within the city limits, the smell of her hometown brought up ideas of what might have been. If things were still normal, then her suspension would be up and she'd be the captain of the field hockey team. Dhiraj would be applying to Harvard and Travis would still be sacking quarterbacks. But the fresh scent of Treasure no longer meant safety and comfort. It wasn't about school, and friends, and family anymore. There was nothing left but danger.
Dhiraj looked like he was in the zone, so Jennifer hopped off her chair and walked over to Travis. She'd never seen anyone punch something so many times. His grunts had gotten deeper with the last 10 blows.
Jennifer kept her distance. "Don't you think that thing has had enough?"
Travis had a startled look in his eyes when she spoke. His face relaxed. "Sorry." His breathlessness caught up with him, and he steadied himself with a hand on the bag. "Was I bothering you?"
Jennifer shook her head. "No. It's fine." She glanced at his raw hands. "I just didn't want your arms to fall off."
He smiled and flexed both hands. Jennifer didn't know what she and Dhiraj were thinking when they'd had an anti-Travis intervention for Natalie in the A/V room. Sure, he had a bit of a temper and he'd been in a cult, but she was noticing more and more positives about him with every passing day.
"Just blowing off a little steam." He tapped the bag. "Kelly wouldn't let me punch the livestock."
Jennifer laughed. She could tell that Travis wanted to do the same, but something inside held him back.
Jennifer wrapped her arms around the bag. "You don't have to blame yourself for any of this, you know."
Travis looked down and unwrapped the tape from his knuckles. "I could've stopped her."
Jennifer tightened her grip. "And have her hate you for holding her back? That wouldn't have been much better."
Travis' typically boisterous voice was down to a whisper. "At least I'd know she was alive."
Jennifer put her hand under his chin and lifted up his face. "Are you honestly going to tell me that you think anything on the other side of that portal could kill Natalie Dorn?"
Travis let himself laugh as he met Jennifer's eyes. "No. Good point."
A buzzing noise cut through the room, and both of them jumped. On the other side of the lair, Dhiraj hopped up and viewed the monitor on the big screen. A man wearing a trench coat carrying several plastic bags appeared before them. He lurched a bit to his right side as he stood.
"Don't worry, guys. It's the Sheriff." Dhiraj eyed Jennifer's hand on Travis' face. He frowned. "I don't have to tell you to stay away from my girl, do I, Travis?"
Before Travis could say anything, Jennifer waltzed across the room and planted a kiss on Dhiraj's mouth. "You don't have any reason to be jealous."
His eyes shined. There hadn't been much affection in the past few weeks, but at least they were together in this. Jennifer hit the red button to open the door to the lair. She watched the monitor as her father slowly went out of frame.
Jennifer pulled her attention away from Dhiraj and bounded up the stairs. Her father entered the main lair through a second door, and she took his arm almost immediately.
"You look like you're going to fall over." She narrowed her eyes. "I told you I should've gone with you."
Her father shook her hand away and gripped the guardrail. "I can do this myself, honey."
He did, though Jennifer could see in his eyes that it was much slower than he'd hoped for. Seeing him in this much pain made her feel queasy.
She hid her discomfort. "Take it easy, old timer."
The sheriff turned back with a grin. The recovery had taken its toll on his face. He looked thinner than normal, with sunken eyes. She knew that Kelly had suggested another week of healing, but in her mind her father would need months to be his former self. Jennifer walked ahead of him and pulled a chair just past the end of the rail. This time he didn't complain.
Dhiraj walked over to take the supplies. "Sheriff, I think you really pulled off that wayward drifter costume."
The sheriff shook his head. "I'm not quite sure that was a compliment."
As Jennifer began to laugh, another buzz shot through the air. The four of them froze and turned toward the monitor in sync. Jennifer blinked a few times to make sure the image before her was real.
Dhiraj slapped a metal pipe beside him. "I don't like this, guys. I think we've gotta leave them out there."
Jennifer weighed the options. "They might do more damage out there than they would in here."
Travis put a hand on her on the shoulder. "Do you really think we can trust them?"
Jennifer didn't know. She truly didn't. There was certainly a chance that this decision could end the mission well before it started.
"I hope so."
Jennifer's walked up to the red button. Her hand hovered over it for a moment before she pushed it firmly.
Dhiraj's voice wavered. "I hope you know what you're doing."
She sighed. "I hope so, too."
Jennifer's pulse pounded as the door to the lair opened with a creak.
12
Try as she might, Natalie couldn’t sleep. It wasn’t because of the ship – the ride was smoother than any airplane trip she’d ever taken. What bothered her was the destination. Natalie was starting to get a feel for this world. The village had been on the outskirts of the dark soul territory. Now they were headed into the belly of the beast, and she doubted the Army would be as forgiv
ing as Razellia and Vella had been. Natalie leaned her back on the dark green wall her bed was pushed up against. The room was bigger than their village holding cell, but not by much. She imagined the designers of the craft were more concerned with weapon systems than they were prisoner comfort. She ran her hand along the metal of the wall and tapped it with her knuckles. From the sound it made, the wall seemed solid all the way through.
It's like a flying tank.
Despite the cramped quarters, she wasn’t surprised Ted was fast asleep in the adjacent bed. After all, a building had almost come down on top of him. Even though they’d slept huddled together the previous night, Natalie didn’t even consider the same sleeping arrangements. Last night they were alone. Tonight their every move was being tracked.
Natalie closed the door to their room behind her as she walked into the hall. Her shoes made light clanking noises with every step along the criss-crossing metal grates below. Her head was only a foot from the ceiling, which made her surroundings feel more like a submarine than some alien jet. The only thing that made it clear they were far above water was a reinforced circular window that displayed the pure darkness of the night sky. As Natalie sat on the windowsill, the cold metal sent a chill through her legs.
She sighed. “We didn’t even have a chance to say goodbye.”
Men in heavy armor had surrounded Ted and Natalie in the alley. Their tall, muscular build made it almost impossible to see through the wall they’d formed. In the small space between the dark souls, there was a flicker of a wave from a woman who could’ve been Razellia, but it was impossible to tell. Vella had been in an underground bunker with the other children. She was hiding from the light souls, who were Natalie's supposed allies. It still didn’t make much sense.
A door slammed down the hall, followed by the loud, metallic noise of heel against floor.
Natalie shook her head. “Please tell me you were trying to stomp like 30 bugs, because otherwise that’s the worst sneaking in human history.”
Ted peered out from around the corner. “I tripped.” He rubbed some sleep out of his eyes. “I didn’t know where you were.”