Extant

by Mary M Wallace

  Sawyer refused to think about the possibility of Bree not surviving. Over the last few months, Bree had become one of her closest friends. Sawyer couldn’t lose another person she cared for. Bree had to be okay. She would be okay.

  “Zoe?” The sharp concern in Paul’s voice had Sawyer’s head turning quickly to where he knelt beside Zoe. He was patting her cheek with his free hand, the other still pressed tightly to her injury. When there was no response to his calling her name, he leaned his ear close to her face for a moment. He quickly sat up and touched her neck, looking for a pulse. “Zoe? Baby? Look at me!” his voice was more urgent now and Sawyer knew a moment of panic. She scrambled over to where Zoe sat, still propped against the wall.

  “What happened?” she asked Paul. He met her gaze, his eyes wide with terror.

  “I don’t know. She passed out. She was just talking to me and then she was out,” he was speaking quickly, again listening for her breathing. “I don’t…I can’t hear her breathing.” His eyes were wild with panic as he looked at Sawyer again. She pushed him away and placed her hand in front of Zoe’s mouth. She didn’t feel anything. Her heart stopped momentarily.

  “Lay her flat,” she told Paul in a commanding tone. He immediately released the wound on Zoe’s side and gently lay the woman on the dirty floor as though she weighed nothing. Sawyer felt Zoe’s neck for a pulse and found none. She laced her fingers and began rhythmically pumping on Zoe’s chest, trying desperately to ignore the memories threatening to swamp her.

  “Declan!” she shouted his name sharply. “Get over here now!”

  Something in her tone must have broken through his silent vigil over Bree because he snapped to attention and lowered her hand to the floor before scrambling over to Zoe. He looked at Sawyer with confusion.

  “What do I do?” he asked her.

  She leaned up from breathing into Zoe’s mouth. “Heal her!” she snapped as she went back to pumping at Zoe’s chest. “Focus, Declan!”

  Declan was frozen with shock for a second before he jolted into action. He moved over next to Paul and placed his hand over the wound in Zoe’s side. He had no idea what he was doing or if it would work but he forced himself to concentrate. He reached out for his ability with his mind, pushing away everything else that threatened to distract him. He felt the foreign nature of Rafe’s healing power just outside his grasp and tried to reach for it. It was different from any other ability he’d tried to mimic. He tried to touch it but felt it slither out of his reach. He refocused his concentration and tried again. He could sense it. It was right there. Try as he might, he couldn’t hold onto it. He could feel his frustration rising. Zoe was dying, and he could save her. He just had to focus, try harder. He felt the elusive power slipping further and further away as he reached for it. He forced himself to slow his breathing, push away all distractions and concentrate on this one, single thing. There it was again! It was closer now, within reach. Declan tentatively reached out with his own ability, trying to pull Rafe’s healing power into himself, but it once again slipped away. Someone roughly shoved him aside and his hands lost contact with Zoe. His concentration broken, he opened his eyes to see that Rafe had taken his place and was trying to heal her.

  Declan moved back quickly, giving Rafe room to work. He looked over at Bree and saw matching looks of relief on Jon and Rylee’s faces. He took in a deep breath. Bree was going to be okay. Rafe had saved her. He studied her for a moment. He could see her slow, even breathing and felt his heart relax for the first time since Rowan had told them his risky plan. He longed to go to her, but she needed rest more than anything. He looked back to where Rafe was still trying to heal Zoe. He was concentrating fiercely, a sheen of sweat on his forehead. Declan wondered how much energy the man had expended already to save Bree. He felt a welling of gratitude toward this man he barely knew. He’d done so much to save a family he didn’t even know.

  Sawyer was still keeping Zoe’s heart pumping, but Declan thought she looked even more pale than she had earlier. Sawyer paused long enough for Paul to breathe into Zoe’s mouth before she resumed the compressions. There was a desperation in her movements and Declan felt a new spike of fear stab him as he looked at Sawyer’s face. He remembered the frantic drive away from the motel all those weeks ago and the painful determination he’d seen in her eyes as she’d tried to save Jon. He saw it again on her face tonight and it was more than he could handle. He looked away to Zoe’s face again instead. He willed her to breathe, to open her eyes, to give them some sign of life, but she remained unchanged. Please! His mind chanted over and over until it was a scream inside his head. The seconds turned into minutes and still there was no change.

  All at once, Rafe seemed to deflate. His shoulders slumped, and his head drooped, his chin nearly touching his chest. Declan looked at him as he shook his head. Sawyer and Paul had both gone still as statues, staring at Rafe. He sighed and looked up to meet Sawyer’s eyes. His own brown eyes were full of exhaustion and sorrow.

  “I’m sorry,” he said in a low voice.

  He slowly removed his hands from Zoe’s side. Reaching out, he took her limp hand where it rested on the dusty concrete floor. He gave it a brief squeeze and closed his eyes, his lips moving as though in prayer. Declan could only stare at him, shocked. He began to shake his head, denying what was right in front of him.

  “No!” Paul’s roar startled everyone as he pushed Sawyer out of the way and began to pump on Zoe’s chest. “No,” he muttered again as he bent to breathe for her. No one spoke. No one moved. They all watched as Paul kept up his futile effort. Finally, as though he could take it no more, Rafe laid a hand on Paul’s arm.

  “Stop,” he said in a voice that was all the more commanding for its softness. “She’s gone.”

  Paul closed his eyes again and his shoulders slumped before they began to shake with sobs. He leaned over Zoe’s lifeless body and held her close to him.

  Declan wanted to look away from the sight. He felt something inside him seem to crack and shatter. He didn’t want to be witness to Paul’s grief, but he couldn’t seem to make himself look away. Zoe was dead because he’d failed. Declan felt a painful lump rise in his throat and tried to swallow it back down. He sat back onto the floor with a ragged sigh, letting his gaze drift. Zoe’s jeans were splattered with various colors of paint and torn in places. Her nails were painted purple, but her hands also bore flecks of paint along with the dark blood that had dried while she’d lain there waiting for help to come. Her blonde hair spread across the dusty gray concrete, the contrast striking. He looked at her face as Paul lightly stroked her cheek. He remembered their single meeting in the café. She’d been so full of life, quick with a joke and a smile. Now she was just gone. Declan felt the weight of his failure to save her settle over him like a heavy coat.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  When the elevator doors opened into Medical, Declan saw a crowd standing there, all wearing serious expressions. His eyes scanned the group, finding Sean who stood next to a waiting stretcher, along with two other medics. He didn’t pay attention to the rest of the people gathered there or take the time to wonder who they were. They could wait. Bree needed help. He carried her over and gently laid her on the stretcher. He stepped back enough for the medics to do their work, but he didn’t take his eyes off her. She was so pale, and he could barely see the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. Rafe had healed her, but she hadn’t woken since they left the warehouse.

  When Corbin came forward with Stella’s limp form in his arms, Rowan rushed toward them.

  “What happened?” he demanded. “You didn’t say anyone else was hurt.” His tone was accusing.

  Corbin walked calmly toward the medics. “She’s not injured, as far as I can tell,” he said. “I think she’s in shock. She hasn’t spoken at all. Her vitals all seem good, though.” He laid her onto another stretcher that one of the medics rolled forward. As soon as Corbin released her, Stella curled onto her side and pulled her kne
es up to her chest, making herself as small as possible on the stretcher. Tiny tremors wracked her body and Declan couldn’t help thinking how fragile she looked. Gwynn stayed beside her as the medics began to check her over.

  Declan, Jon and Rylee moved to follow as Sean and his team began to roll Bree from the room. All at once, there were several people standing between them and Bree. Declan felt his anger flare and his eyes shot to Conrad who shook his head.

  “Protocol dictates that you all are debriefed immediately upon return from any mission.” The voice wasn’t a familiar one and all eyes went to the man standing to Conrad’s left. Declan had never seen him before. For that matter, he didn’t recognize the three guards who were blocking him from following Bree into Medical. He felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. What was going on? He looked back to Conrad with lowered brows. The man standing next to him stepped forward.

  “My name is Jason Kline,” he said. “I’ve been sent by the council to—look into some of the recent events here at Sigma.” He smiled a thin smile that didn’t reach his eyes. Declan immediately disliked the man. He was shorter than Conrad and thin. He wore a suit and tie and his sandy brown hair was neatly trimmed.

  Kline looked around at the faces of each person who’d exited the elevator. His expression grew tight. “Where are Mr. Wilks and Mr. Mason?” he asked, his voice hard now. He looked at Gwynn who’d been the senior agent on the mission.

  “They’re on Level One with the rest of the team,” she said.

  This answer seemed to anger Kline. “The rest of the team?” he asked, looking at Conrad now. “Are you in the habit of trusting anyone who walks through your doors?” He turned to one of the guards. “Have Mason and Wilks put in holding cells immediately.” The guard nodded stiffly and left the room.

  Declan looked back to Conrad who was standing still, unspeaking. It was clear that whatever was happening was out of his control. This was why he’d been so worried about the council. This man was here because the council no longer trusted Conrad’s leadership. Declan’s anger intensified and he had to work to temper it.

  Kline took a step toward the stretcher where Stella lay unmoving. “An agent disappears for months and you take her at her word when she shows back up? I thought better of you, Brooks. Letting your emotions get the better of your judgement?” He cast a disapproving glare at Gwynn. A muscle ticked in Gwynn’s jaw as she bit back a reply, but she didn’t look away from her daughter.

  Declan’s anger was an inferno now. Who did Kline think he was? He didn’t know anything about the people here. He felt his hands curl into tight fists as he looked at the man. Before he could take a single step toward Kline, he felt Rylee’s hand on his arm. Immediately a rush of calming energy washed over him, and he glanced down at her. She raised one brow and her head moved the tiniest bit. She was telling him not to act, to wait. She was right, he knew. Whatever was happening was bigger than just this moment. Bigger than Kline insulting Conrad or locking up Rafe and Paul. He needed to use his head and remain calm. They all did.

  Declan took a deep breath and let Rylee’s calming influence overtake him. He looked over at Rowan whose attention seemed to be torn between Stella and whatever was happening with Conrad and Kline.

  “Rowan,” Declan said, his voice tight. “Will you stay with them until we finish our debrief?” He knew their best option was to cooperate with the council and hope Kline would leave as soon as possible.

  “Absolutely,” Rowan said with a nod. He let his eyes scan over the faces of everyone in the room. “I’ll be right here until you get back.”

  Declan nodded his thanks. He thought Rowan understood what he was trying to say. He didn’t trust Kline or the guards he’d brought with him. He didn’t want Stella or Bree left alone. Declan wasn’t sure what the council wanted with Rafe and Paul or why Kline seemed so interested in Stella, but he didn’t like it. And until they knew more, he wanted someone he trusted to stay in Medical with Bree and Stella.

  Bree opened her eyes and tried to squint through the brightness of the light above her, but it was too painful. She closed her eyes again with a groan. Her mind was spinning. Where was she? What had happened? Where was Declan? Her parents? Zoe? Her eyes popped open and she raised her hand to shield them against the harsh light. Gradually, her surroundings came into focus and she realized she was in Medical. She was lying on a lumpy stretcher covered in a thin blanket that did nothing to take away the chill she felt. With a great deal of effort, she managed to turn her head to the right. She saw her mother sitting close to the stretcher, her face drawn tight with worry. When she saw that Bree’s eyes were open, her mouth curved into a smile.

  “Hey, kiddo,” she said in a soft voice. She reached out and brushed Bree’s hair back from her forehead. “How are you feeling?”

  Bree took a moment to think about her mother’s question. How did she feel? She was a little sore, exhausted. She struggled to think, trying to remember what had happened. She recalled the dark room, bullets flying, ducking behind a hunk of metal with Zoe and Paul. She tried to focus on the details, but they were fuzzy and slid away.

  “What happened?” she asked, surprised by the hoarseness she heard. “Is everyone…” she trailed off, afraid to ask the question, terrified of the answer. “Did anyone get hurt?”

  Rylee didn’t answer right away but Bree saw something in her mother’s eyes that caused her heart to clench. She went still.

  “Mom.” Her voice was a whisper. “Tell me.” Suddenly panicked, she tried to sit up, but she was too weak and her head flopped back onto the pillow. “Declan?” she looked around Medical, eyes wide. “Where is he?”

  Rylee put a hand on Bree’s shoulder, urging her to lie back again. “Shh,” she said. “Declan’s fine. He’s fine. He had to go be debriefed. I just finished before everyone else, that’s all. You need to rest.”

  Bree felt a surge of relief, but it was short-lived. She lay back against the pillow. “Just say it. Whatever it is.” she said, giving her mother a direct look. “Please.”

  Bree watched as her mother’s eyes filled with sympathy. “Zoe,” she whispered. “She was shot. We tried. Sawyer, Paul, Rafe, Declan. They all tried so hard but she…I’m so sorry, Bree. She’s gone.”

  Bree’s eyes slid closed. She didn’t want to see the sadness or pity in her mother’s expression. She thought back to the mission. Memories suddenly flooded her mind and she felt her eyes fill with tears. She reached down to her stomach, feeling for a wound but found none. She felt a stiffness in her right shoulder and a sharp pain as she moved. She was confused. She remembered the bullet grazing her shoulder, Zoe tackling her to the floor, trying to stand before realizing that she’d been shot. They both had. How was she alive right now and Zoe wasn’t? She turned back to Rylee who was sitting beside her silently, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

  “Tell me everything,” she whispered. “What happened?”

  Rylee nodded and took a deep breath, understanding that Bree needed to hear the details. “You and Zoe were both shot,” she said. “Sawyer and Corbin found you. You were already unconscious. Zoe was awake, still talking. Paul was with her and she was stable. Hurting, bleeding, but nothing like your injury. You were bleeding to death. Sawyer was holding pressure against the bleeding and Rowan was trying to tell us where the nearest hospital was. They didn’t know if moving you was a good idea or if it would cause you to bleed out faster. Your dad and I got there and…God, Bree. There was so much blood. I thought...” Rylee broke off and closed her eyes for a moment. “We thought we’d lost you.” She swallowed, shaking her head. “Then Rafe showed up with Declan. We didn’t know why he was there, but it didn’t matter. He started healing you right away.” Rylee gave a sad smile. “He saved you. But then Zoe…none of us knew how bad it was. She seemed okay and then she was just gone. She was talking to Paul and then she passed out. They tried to save her. Paul and Sawyer did CPR. Declan tried to heal her with Rafe’s ability. Nothing worked. Then
Rafe tried. It was just too late by that time, Bree. I’m so sorry.”

  Bree took a deep breath and nodded. They’d chosen her life over Zoe’s. She was alive, and her best friend was dead. Her mind was having trouble understanding this new fact. Zoe was dead. Bree would never again laugh at one of her crazy stories or listen to her go on about the artists she loved. Bree had never known anyone who loved life as fully as Zoe, and now she was just gone. The reality of a world without her suddenly slammed into Bree with the force of a wrecking ball and it was all too much. She couldn’t breathe as the deep wracking sobs were wrenched from her. She curled in on herself, hugging her knees up to her chest as though she could somehow hold the broken pieces together. She felt her mother climb up beside her on the narrow stretcher and wrap her tightly in her arms. It was the same thing she’d done countless times when Bree was a child and the nightmare came. This was worse. This was a nightmare she’d never be able to wake from.

  Exhaustion, grief and blood loss eventually caught up to Bree and she fell into a deep sleep, her mother’s arms still holding her. That was the scene Declan came upon when he entered Medical a short time later. Declan had tried to finish his debrief as quickly as possible, but he was glad that Rylee had been here with Bree. When Rylee noticed him standing in the doorway, she carefully extricated herself from Bree’s sleeping form and stood. She gave Declan a sad smile and put a hand on his arm.

  “She woke up for a few minutes,” she said in a voice just above a whisper. “I told her about Zoe.”

  Declan nodded but he didn’t look away from where Bree lay on the stretcher, looking so small and vulnerable. He felt a surge of guilt and protectiveness wash over him as he gazed at her. He could almost see her pain, even in sleep. She was curled into a tight ball, similar to the way Stella had been earlier. He was struck by how fragile she appeared. He put a hand over Rylee’s where it still rested on his arm and gave her fingers a brief squeeze. Taking his eyes off Bree for a moment, he met Rylee’s gaze.