Captain Jones gave them a wide berth as he picked up both shotguns and swung them over his shoulder with one hand.
“Come down,” he called as he backed to his previous position. He leaned both weapons against a beam far from Rein’s reach.
Two policemen descended the steps, moving to opposite sides of Rein and Woody. Rein felt the cold touch of the electric gun against his neck. Buzzing surged within the weapon, and it vibrated gently against his skin.
“Now, the backpack,” the detective ordered. “Toss it over.”
Before Rein complied, the officer next to him jabbed him with the metal prongs. “Careful.”
Slowly, Rein removed the bag from his shoulder and slid it across the ground.
“Micah.”
The younger man grabbed Rein’s pack. He looked up and stared at Rein with Ellyssa’s eyes—only cold and completely emotionless. The color of his hair, the alabaster skin, the flawless features—too perfect.
Everything connected.
Numbness washed over Rein. He took a step forward, then he was on the floor with a electroshock weapon inches from his face.
“Get up,” commanded the policeman, shoving Rein with the toe of his boot.
Pulling himself onto shaky legs, Rein looked at Woody. His friend tipped his head; he’d made the connection, too.
Gripping the bag, Micah closed his eyes.
“Your contact is very loyal,” Detective Petersen said, strolling in front of Davis’ chair, her gait confident, in charge. “Couldn’t get names or the location of where you stay. Nothing.”
Rein pursed his lips. She wouldn’t be getting anything from him, either.
“I wonder if you’ll be a little more cooperative.” She slipped behind Davis’ chair as he began to stir. “Of course, it can be done the easy way or the hard way.” Grabbing a handful of hair, she wrenched his head back. Davis’ eye popped open as he screamed.
“You’ll get nothing from us,” Woody said, through gritted teeth.
“That’s too bad,” the woman said, not looking like she felt that way at all.
Without warning, she gripped her baton and whacked Davis across his jaw. Blood splayed from his mouth as he went lax against the strap. Rein flinched. The detective didn’t.
“Captain,” she instructed.
The captain, looking a little peaked, grabbed a bucket, sitting on the floor next to him and tossed water on the unconscious ranger.
Davis sputtered as more blood poured from his mouth. “Please,” he begged, the word barely decipherable. A pleading eye rolled and locked on Rein.
Rein wanted to look away. He couldn’t bear to watch. But the horror kept his gaze glued to Davis.
Detective Petersen slowly blinked, cat-like, with a smirk on her face. She enjoyed this. Patting Davis’ head much like a dog, she said, “Shh. If you and your friends cooperate, you won’t have to feel any more pain.”
Davis whimpered in defeat that tore a canyon through Rein’s soul. He wished there was something he could do besides helplessly watching Davis be tormented.
“Would you like to tell me where the camp is?”
An anguished cry pulled from Davis. He knew as well as Rein that the community couldn’t be sacrificed. Tears ran down his face, mixing with the blood.
Straightening, the detective returned her attention to Rein and Woody. “Are you really willing to watch such a loyal friend be punished? No wonder you are all beneath us. How selfish.”
Tsking, she smacked Davis close to his temple. A crack sounded with the impact. His head swiveled to the side and back. Passed out or dead, Davis drooped forward, blood streaming from his head. The woman went behind the chair and unbuckled the strap. Like a ragdoll, Davis slid from the chair and crumpled to the ground.
As strong as a magnetic draw, Rein’s gaze stayed trained on the crimson pooling under Davis’ head. Rein had known the consequences of being captured, the danger, but to have it play out in front of him was beyond surreal. The woman’s viciousness, the way she enjoyed torturing her helpless captive. Even now, Rein saw the amusement flitting across the detective’s face.
She flicked her head up, indicating Rein. The policeman next to him grabbed his upper arm. “You’re next,” he sneered.
“No,” the picture of perfection said. His accent sounded just like Ellyssa’s when she’d first spoken to Rein.
Within the nightmare, Rein had forgotten about him. Xaver held Rein’s music box. His thumb stroked over the glass dome.
The detective whipped her head toward the young man, and she nailed him with a lazer-like glare. Apparently, she didn’t like having her fun interrupted. “What is it, Micah?”
Ignoring her, Micah stepped toward Rein, and stopped.
“Your name is Rein,” he stated.
Rein tried to hide the surprise at the mention of his name; he lacked the training of The Center’s children. His eyes widened as they moved from the music box Ellyssa had held a few days ago, to the azure eyes of the boy. Hadn’t Ellyssa mentioned a brother who could read things from touching them? His heart skipped a beat.
Micah watched him, his expression giving away nothing. After a moment, when Rein didn’t respond, he nodded, and the guard next to him gave a small zap. Against his control, every muscle clenched as the short burst of electricity traveled through his body and tunneled through to his feet. He fell to his knees.
Micah wound the key. Music floated in the air as he held it up. The little figures glided in a circle.
“Interesting,” he said, although his voice and face showed nothing of the sort. He looked from the box to Rein. “Very interesting.”
“What?” demanded the detective, moving to Micah’s side. “What do you see?”
“Platinum hair, sky-blue eyes, a flawless face. Beautiful.” Micah’s eyebrow arched. Finally, a subtle expression. “You know my sister?” he asked Rein.
Detective Petersen turned toward Rein. “You’ve met Ellyssa,” she accused, “and you still live?” Her voice lost all of its superiority, and she sounded baffled.
His face smooth again, Micah closed his eyes, his palm cupping the dome. “Ellyssa is different, though. Her eyes and face show emotions. And…” he said, landing his gaze on Rein, “it seems she has a…liking for our Renegade here. She let you touch her.”
“Where is she?” the detective asked, stepping closer.
Rein shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Do not bother denying it,” Micah said. “I can see everything. The conversation. The looks you share. You are in a cave.”
“Which cave?” Angela extended her arm, holding the electroshock weapon firmly. “Talk.”
Before Rein could answer, a loud
oomph
sounded from Woody’s guard. The blond man leaned over, holding his stomach. Woody grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and pulled him in front of himself, like a shield, as two electrodes connected to long wires extended from Detective Petersen’s weapon and attached to the guard’s clothing. An instant later, the man flopped to the ground as tremors rocked his body. By the time Rein could comprehend what was happening, Woody had disappeared up the steps.
“After him,” yelled Detective Petersen.
Rein watched as his treasured music box fell to the ground and shattered; the broken figurines skidded across the earthen floor.
“No!” Rein threw himself at Micah as he charged toward the stairs after Woody. It was like hitting a brick wall.
Micah barely stumbled. He grabbed Rein by the back of the neck and hurled him across the room, sending him into the boxes of supplies.
Cans fell on Rein. He covered his head with his arms.
“Hurry,” Detective Petersen ordered the guards. She turned her attention to Rein.
Rein rolled over to his knees and attempted to stand, but a boot to the ribs knocked him back down. A current ripped through his muscles, leaving him helpless.
The last thing he saw was Detective Petersen’s grin.
34
Ellyssa squatted on her haunches and slid the last box through the hole leading to the well-hidden evacuation cave. If someone searched the passageway, it would appear to dead-end, but further inspection would reveal two walls overlapping, and another tunnel leading to a drop-off into a natural cavern, a level below, hidden by an optical illusion.
“This is the last of it,” Ellyssa said as two hands appeared and grabbed hold. The box disappeared.
“Don’t forget Tyler’s group,” said Melody, the owner of the hands. The thirty-year-old woman had beautiful hazel eyes, offset by mocha-colored skin.
“After we move Jason, I will check on them.” Ellyssa rose, dusting off her hands.
Thanks to the council, who ordered drills on a regular basis, organizing the community had been easier than Ellyssa had thought possible. Within two days, all of the Renegades had their personal items moved and most of the supplies stored away, excluding the generator, which had been disassembled earlier in the morning and was ready to move out.
Ellyssa adjusted the 12-gauge on her shoulder and picked up the flashlight. White light poured into the tunnel as she emerged from between the two walls. She moved further down and turned around. The light reflected off the mineral deposits, creating the perception of a solid wall. The illusion should easily mislead any investigators.
The cavern where they’d be hiding was far from paradise. Dampness pervaded the cool air, and water dripped incessantly. The accommodations were cramped. Worse than the dankness and overcrowding was that there was no way to gather or prepare food. All they had left were a few cans of peaches and some bread Bertha had made from dandelion flour.
Hopefully, Rein and Woody would be back soon with more provisions.
Still, even with the supplies, they couldn’t stay there for long.
Ellyssa pushed the thought from her head as she entered the makeshift hospital. “Are you ready to move Jason?” she asked Mathew.
Grabbing his bag, the doctor circled, giving the room one more glance. His freshly cut hair revealed more grey than black. “Seems everything’s in order.”
“How’s he doing?”
“The infection is getting worse. If I can’t get the fever under control…” He shrugged. “He needs penicillin, not aspirin, and fresh bandages. I hope Rein gets back soon.”
Ellyssa’s sentiments exactly. She dropped her gaze.
“Hey. It’ll be okay.”
“I hope so.”
Standing in front of Ellyssa, Mathew placed both of his hands on her shoulders. He hunkered down where he could look into her eyes. “Rein and Woody will be fine.”
Forcing a grin that felt wrong on her face, Ellyssa nodded.
“We have things to do here.”
“I know.”
Mathew shoved an old, ripped sheet into the back of his belt. “Let’s go,” he said, the sheet sashaying behind him.
Ellyssa led them down the main hall. The swishing sheet whispered as it erased their footprints.
“Is everyone in the cavern?” asked Mathew.
“Most everyone. Except Tyler, Marissa, Peter, Ashley, and Caleb,” she recited the names. “They’re erasing signs that we here, too. I doubt they look as humorous, though.”
“Ha, ha. Thanks.”
“Looks like you are wearing a misplaced cape.”
“Would you prefer to do the honors?”
“No, thank you.”
“Then, I’d be quiet, if I were you.”
Ellyssa enjoyed the exchange of banter with Mathew. To speak about mundane happenings, to joke and laugh, to communicate without training or sparring. At one time, the thought of doing such things had never crossed her mind. Ellyssa really loved her new home. She just wished Rein was with her.
On their way to Jason, the sound of shoes smacking hard against the ground bounced down along the walls. Ellyssa stilled, as did Mathew. No one was assigned to outdoor duty. No one should be coming from that direction. The frantic steps slapped louder as they drew closer.
Spinning on her heel, Ellyssa stepped in front of Mathew, pinning him against the wall. She chambered a round and aimed into the darkness. Before the possible intruder reached them, she lowered her mental wall, reaching with psychic tendrils. Mathew’s adrenaline-induced thoughts interfered with her probing.
“Clear your mind,” she whispered.
Panicky images flickered wildly. Ellyssa doubled her effort to filter him out. Her eyes squeezed together as she drifted forward, searching for the unknown.
The steps drew nearer, images and emotions bombarding her, quickly overshadowing any interference from the doctor.
Fear. Desperation. Supplies. A strange place. Blurry faces. A long stream of thoughts, running together, overpowered by hysterical terror.
She recognized Woody right away; afraid someone might be following, she kept her weapon aimed into the dark passageway. She left his screaming mind and reached for Rein’s.
A void.
She pointed her flashlight into the inky blackness. Woody burst out of the shadows as if materializing out of nowhere.
His hand brushed against the wall while he ran. His usually kempt hair shone with sweat and was plastered against his head. His clothes were ragged, torn, and dirty. His eyes drew her attention. Their grey was clouded with alarm, wild and frantic. He ran toward them, but showed no signs of stopping, as if he didn’t realize they were there. As if his only concern was escape.
“Woody,” she said hesitantly. She held her hand toward him. “Woody.”
His eyes raked over her and, impossibly, widened even more. Recognition flitted through him as he skidded to a stop. His breath ragged and his chest heaving, he placed his hands on his knees.
“Ellyssa,” he panted, head down. “Rein. The community.”
Dread filled her. Her worst fear, borne from the depths of her nightmares, took life. “What about Rein?”
Still leaning over, he nodded.
“Do they have him?”
“Yes,” Woody panted.
“No.” Gasping, Ellyssa stumbled back. In one single moment, her future turned bleak. Dizziness and nausea swept through her, like a windstorm, churning in her head and midsection. Holding a hand over her stomach, she forced the overwhelming reactions to retreat.
No time for panic
.
Ellyssa thought the words, obeyed them, and replaced the sensation with the one emotion she had never been denied—mounting anger. She snatched Woody by the collar and yanked him close, until their noses almost touched.