Shattered Girls (Broken Dolls Book 2) (18 page)

“Here?”

“They’ll still probably see us,” Gabby whispers. “But it’s more discrete.”

“What if they already know we’re here? You know they spared no expense ensuring tight security.”

“That’s what that old guy said, and the dinosaurs took over the park,” Gabby snaps. I don’t get her reference, so I twirl my hair. “My point is, there’s always a weak spot. We just have to find it.” She pulls the remote Sianne engineered, drawing out its antenna. It buzzes and screeches.

“We need a backup plan,” I say. “Are there like, any janitors we could beat up and disguise ourselves as? It works in the movies.”

Gabby glares at me, not bothering to dignify me with a response.

As I check the walls, my eyebrows raise when I note… “Here, see? I could always go up the drainpipe. It’s like my Jerusalem. All roads lead back to climbing a drainpipe.”

Gabby follows my gaze and grins. “Why would you voluntarily climb a drainpipe when we have a perfectly good plan, you weirdo? Do you have any idea where it would lead?”

It’s my turn to remain silent. Instead, I focus on the remote that whirs when Gabby hugs the wall and aims the antenna at the entrance. She turns two of the six knobs, sticking out her tongue while she concentrates.

“How do we know it’s worked?”

“Sianne taught me while you were at the police station. See that flashing red light near the camera lens? When that stops flashing, we’re good to go.”

Gabby turns the third knob up, and the second one down. The revolving door unlatches and begins to turn, ever so slowly.

“Crap! I didn’t mean to do that!” Gabby frantically turns the other knobs. “I don’t know how to turn the cameras off!”

“Stay here,” I whisper, wriggling from Gabby’s pocket and onto the pavement. I climb the stairs, tripping over my new locks. Stepping into the revolving door, I analyze the structure. It’s going to be a tough climb, but I’ll manage.

Hugging the center of the revolving door, I scooch upwards, like the pretty ladies in pole dancing tournaments. When I reach the top, I wait for the turnstile to bring me closer to the entrance. I have to time this just right. Shimmying across the top of the glass brings me back into the night air. The cameras are close, but one miscalculation and I’ll miss. It’s not like I’ll die or anything, it’ll just be annoying to have to do it all over again. It could cause me to rage-quit.

I aim, then
fling
myself onto the camera body, waving nonchalantly at Gabby as she gives me a thumbs-up. Triumphant, I straddle the camera, only just now realizing its wires… aren’t there. I keep forgetting I’m not in a 90’s movie where technology was significantly easier to bring down.

Bring down
… I’ll just have to bring the whole camera down!

I stand and jump on the stupid thing, but it remains in place. Gabby slaps her palm into her face.

“Beneath you,” she says. “Use your flames to melt the stand, and it’ll fall!”

Oh right! My upgrades! Positioning my head downwards and my feet well away from the line of well… fire, I spit the methylated spirits at the screw and activate the spark switch.

It lights up in an instant, so I drop. As the stand melts, I repeat the process up the revolving door and onto the second camera.

When I’m assured the cams are destroyed, I motion for Gabby to join me.

“Do you think they saw you?” she breathes as she sidles up to the revolving door.

“I don’t think so. I kept to the shadows, and the cameras didn’t face each other. But don’t quote me on that. Are you ready for round two?”

“God, no.”

The revolving door leads us into the lobby. We freeze, scanning the room for security. Gabby’s footsteps are unsettlingly loud against the flecked tiles. She aims the antenna at anything electric, spinning the knobs until she’s permanently shut down the computer at reception. Too bad if the secretary had personal photos on there because they’re
long
gone
now.

When Gabby is finished clearing the lobby, I direct her attention to the elevators.

“They require those ID cards. We’ll need to use the stairs.”

Gabby dismisses me with a wave of her remote. “I’m getting the hang of this thing. Watch.”

With one twist of the second and sixth knob, the doors whoosh open. Impressed, I grab hold of Gabby’s ankle as she steps into the elevator.

“Sianne said to go to the third floor.”

I nod, relieved that I can’t sweat or have a panic attack because I’m pretty sure that’s what would be happening if I were in my human body. It’s a wonder Gabby’s holding it together so well. We’re practically criminals. It doesn’t matter if we’re doing this for the right reasons; at the end of the day, we’re breaking the law.

“A few more minutes, and we’ll be back with our family,” Gabby says as she hits the ‘three’. The doors close, and the elevator lunges upwards, upsettingly bumpy. “It’s kind of cool how we’re staging a rescue like this, hey? We’re like proper spies.”

“If there’s anything left of him to rescue…” I mumble.

Gabby jolts. “What’s
that
supposed to mean?”

I instantly regret the lack of filter system between my brain and mouth. “I just mean, the company would’ve been pretty cross with the professor for running off. If he was a prisoner before, who can guess what they did to him now?”

“There’s only one way to find out.”

The elevator creaks and jerks to a stop. “Do you think the remote made this elevator extra spongy? Ugh. I hate these things. Doesn’t this make you feel sick? Or are you still feeling numb and stuff?”

Gabby kneels down and puts her finger to her lips. “This is our last stop. No more talking. If something happens to me, don’t stop to help. Save
them
. No, seriously. Not just for them. They know how to stop this, I don’t.”

I grind my sharp new teeth as the elevator doors squeak open. “I love you, Gabby.”

“Love you too, Ella. You go right, I go left.”

“Have you got your… you know?”

Gabby pulls down her sock and whips out the small knife. “Hopefully, I won’t need it. Good luck.”

Without another word, she bolts from the elevator. I hurry out before the doors close and make my way down the long corridor.

It’s dark. Like, ridiculously dark. There are endless glass doors, some leading to offices and others to huge labs. There are no personalized items in the offices; everything is colorless, impersonal, and detached. Just like the jerks who run this joint.

I stop at a door that’s not made from glass. It’s… steel, I think? There’s a number lock on the side. Whatever’s in there, it must be important.

It doesn’t take long for Gabby to loop around and meet me. She stares at the door.

“Did you find anything?” I ask.

“Zilch. What’s that?”

“I don’t know. Do you think you can use the remote to unlock it?”

“I don’t see why not.”

Gabby barely has a chance to twist a knob when a gun cocks behind us. Instinctively, we raise our hands.

“Drop your weapon!” the voice orders.

“It’s not a weapon,” Gabby says calmly, but her lips are tight.

“
DROP YOUR WEAPON
!”

“Okay, okay!” Gabby gently places the remote on the ground.

“Now turn around. Slowly.”

In unison, we do, although I’m not sure he’s even spotted me down here. He… Gabby and I gasp at the boy unsteadily aiming the shotgun. He’s wearing ripped jeans and a tee of his favorite band.

“
Maddox
?” Gabby cries. “What… I mean… how?
How
?!”

Maddox looks just as surprised as we feel. He lowers the shotgun and breathes heavily. “I could ask you the same question.”

“My parents and grandfather are trapped in here. We’re trying to help them escape so they can stop the abductions.”

He doesn’t look convinced. “Why are they trapped? Are they in on it?”

“No! You know Dad’s a scientist and Mom’s an author. They were against the abductions, so the company
kidnapped
them. Come on, man. Tell us what the hell you’re doing here.”

Shifting awkwardly, Maddox blinks rapidly, like smoke is caught in his eyes. “Robyn was carrying on about you breaking her doll. Out of curiosity, I asked to see the damage. When the doll told me her name was Chelsea and when she looked and sounded just like her… I knew it was my sister. I just… I’ve never been so mad. So I ransacked my uncle’s house. He’s a hunter, I knew he had a lot of guns and wouldn’t immediately notice one missing. I tried to find the company’s address online, but they’re really secretive about their location. I guess that’s why there are no signs outside. My psychologist’s son is a hacker, so I called him and asked for the address. I took Mom’s car and came straight here. One way or another, I’m getting my sister back. Her body
has
to be here!”

“So we’re on the same side!” Gabby concludes. “Please, let me unlock this door. If my family are in here, they’ll know what to do.”

Maddox raises his chin, his lack of response good enough for Gabby. She bends to pick up the remote and twists the knobs until the door unlatches. Sticking the remote in her back pocket, Gabby twirls the knife in her hand, as Maddox aims the gun at the door.

It’s dark. It’s silent. On Gabby’s push, the door gently swings open. Inside is a locked window overlooking the city. There are two beds with gray blankets and large jugs of water on the side. A stained drain in the corner and a frayed tennis ball round up the décor.

Sitting on the bed furthest from the drain are Jason, Pam, and the professor.

Pam rises, her knees trembling and her lips quivering. “Gabby? Gabby, is that really you?”

“Mom?” Gabby asks tremulously. They rush toward one another, hugging in the middle of the room. Tears stream down Pam’s cheeks. “Mom, I’m so sorry for everything I said!”

“Me too, Gabby. Oh God, me too. I’m so glad you’re okay!” Pam kisses Gabby’s head repeatedly, unable to let her go.

“Professor!” I cry, my feet smacking against the tiles. Laughing, he picks me up and swings me in the air before bringing me close to his chest. Boy, I’ve missed his cuddles. Maybe I was wrong about no man being perfect.

Jason wraps his arms around Pam and Gabby, joining the embrace. There’s turmoil written all over his face, but his eyes twinkle with happiness.

Snapping out of it, Gabby pulls away. “We have to get you out of here.
Now
.”

“I told you not to come after me!” the professor says. “They’ll keep you hostage! Where’s Sianne?”

“Hiding underneath the bridge at Central Park. We don’t care, we’re saving you. Follow us!”

“They won’t just let us leave.” Jason croaks. He sounds like he hasn’t slept for days.

Gabby smiles broadly. “How do you know unless we try? I’m not leaving you here!”

We start to pile out of the cell when Maddox blocks the entrance, his trigger finger quivering.

“Maddox, move,” Gabby demands. “We haven’t got time for this. You can come with us and help, okay?”

Maddox shakes his head, his bloodshot eyes drowning in tears. “Nah-uh. You know why? You know
why
?!”

Spit flies from his mouth as he yells, so Pam and Jason raise their hands above their heads. Gabby and the professor stand still.

“That man there!” He aims the gun at the professor. “That man is a monster!”

“That man is a hero,” I correct. “If it weren’t for him, Gabby would be dead.”

“I’m not an idiot. I know this jerk! He bullied me at the hospital when I was just a kid. He was wild for those dolls. A crazed animal wanting to get his paws on them. Don’t lie to me.
He’s
the one behind the abductions!”

“He’s not, Maddox. Trust me, he’s the good guy here. Just put the gun down.” Gabby says, stepping closer to the professor. “He turned Ella and me into dolls temporarily to cure us. He released his findings in the hope of ridding the world of illness, but they went and co-opted his invention.”

“It’s true.” The professor nods, stroking my hair. He only does that when he’s feeling uneasy.

“SHUT UP! Who asked you?!” Maddox shrieks.

We don’t speak. The professor swallows heavily, glancing at Gabby, who ever so slowly tiptoes closer.

“You’re behind this.
You’re
the reason my baby sis was abducted! Tell me where she is!”

“I can honestly say I don’t know,” he replies coolly. Talk about holding your own while in the line of fire. “They don’t tell us where they keep the bodies. They don’t tell me much at all, especially after I tried to escape. All I know is they’re not in this building. That’s why we have to leave before someone finds out we’re here.”

That’s when it hits me. “Maddox, how did
you
get in here?”

He sneers. “I broke a window. Easy-peasy.”

Gabby gulps. “Ever heard of a silent alarm, genius? They’ll be here any second! Probably already are. Stop messing around and put that gun down!”

“No! He has to pay!”

“I’ve had enough of this.” Gabby strides forward, wrestling Maddox for the gun. “Put it down, you twit!”

“Don’t make me shoot you, Gabby!”

“Stop it!” I scream as Gabby loses her grip on the gun. “Gabby, don’t!”

It happens before I have time to process. A high-pitched ring fills the room as Gabby’s parents cover their ears and shield one another.

Maddox stares in horror as Gabby stumbles backwards, a gaping hole in her abdomen. I reach out, forgetting my size, thinking that maybe I can catch her.

Before any of us can run to her aid, she backs into the window, shattering the glass. Arms flailing and eyes wide, she loses her balance and falls three flights down and into the street.

I can’t hear anything but the ringing. Reality is blurred, fractured, shattered.

When sound returns, all I can hear is my shrill voice. “GABBY!”