John pulled the dock line from the cleat, freeing the boat.
Desperate, I searched the riverfront. “She will find me,” I whispered.
“And we’ll be ready if she does,” John responded, jumping aboard, the other guard following.
I’d barely gotten my sea legs when the boat lurched forward, the engine roaring to life over the sound of crashing waves. Clinging to the railing, I watched helplessly as we followed the river, further and further away from town. Alone, I was completely alone.
We were leaving. I hadn’t escaped. Mom hadn’t come. Exhausted, I sank onto a crate, wrapping my arms around myself and attempting to get warm. This is what I had wanted, wasn’t it? To give myself up, so the others wouldn’t be hurt?
“Here,” John shoved a lifejacket toward me.
“How kind,” I muttered, pulling the bulky vest over my chest and snapping the buckle closed. The vest was one offer I wouldn’t reject; I might need it.
Owen headed into the cabin, standing in the dry warmth with the captain. John was pulling on a brilliant yellow raincoat. He barely paid any attention to me, he knew he’d won. I was just something to be used; not even human. The other guard watched the shoreline.
“When’s it going to happen?”
someone asked, the words warbled and murky. I stiffened, realizing my powers were kicking in.
“Soon. They’ll be waiting.”
Owen and the captain were speaking.
I narrowed my eyes, focusing on them. We were meeting another boat soon. Once I was at open sea, any chance of escape would be over. The frantic need to escape clawed at me. I glanced at the churning waves, hitting our boat and splashing over the edge. There was only one option. If I was going to jump, I had to do it now, before we hit open sea where the water would be really rough and the shore too far away to swim.
I stood, my heart in my throat. Dare I try it? John thought he had won, he’d most likely called off his men by now. The water was choppy, the boat bouncing over the waves, but the lifejacket would help and I had no other alternative. I tightened my grip on the railing as the wind whipped at my hair and salt water splashed over the edge of the boat, soaking my tennis shoes.
“Inside the cabin,” John demanded, heading toward me. “Once we hit open seas, you’ll be transferred to another boat.”
Just as I’d assumed. He started to reach for me, but we hit a wave. The boat flew up into the air. John fell back into the cabin door and I knew this was my shot at escape. I took a step back, then surged forward. Gripping the railing, I threw my legs over and closed my eyes…waiting to hit the deadly waves.
Before I touched the water, I was jerked back. I had only a brief second to realize I was flying through the air before I hit the deck hard. John and Owen hovered over me, rain trailing down their faces. I hadn’t been touched, but someone had used their powers to pull me back.
“Stupid!” John screamed over the roar of the wind and waves. “You could have killed yourself!”
I knew he didn’t care about me, but the powers he would lose.
Owen gripped my arms and hauled me to my feet. “Idiot.”
I didn’t care what they thought, no, I was too upset over the fact that I’d lost my one chance to escape. John stepped close to me, his face furious. “I don’t give a damn what your mother and her friends do, but I swear to God, you try something like that again and I will kill them just for the fun of it.”
He spun around and stomped toward the cabin.
“Come on.” Owen led me toward the door.
I’d be out of the rain, but stuck with John. I’d rather take my chances with the storm.
Before I entered the cabin, I glanced toward the fading shore. I could only pray that Lewis had broken out of the warehouse and gotten to my mother in time.
Perhaps I’d escape. Perhaps they’d come to my rescue. Or perhaps I’d be imprisoned for the rest of my life. Whatever happened, it didn’t matter because I had done my job. I had saved them, the people I loved…my family.
The moment I stepped into the shelter of the cabin, John shoved me onto a bench. “Stupid move, Cameron.”
I shrugged off his touch, ignoring the shudder that went through me. “Not really. I don’t think you get it, I’d rather be at the bottom of the ocean than working for you.”
His lips lifted into a sneer, the anger in his eyes burning. I’d wanted to push him over the edge and I had. Now I wasn’t so sure it had been a good idea. Why was he so nervous? And I could tell by his jerky movements that he was anxious.
“Pull another stunt like that and your mother is dead.”
I crossed my arms over my chest, wishing my body would stop trembling. He’d gloat if I looked weak. “Doubtful. Most likely Lewis has already warned her. You see Lewis has this amazing ability; he can manipulate mechanics, which you should have known when he broke out of his cell at the compound. The lock won’t hold him.” I shook my head as if disappointed. “You really, really should have known that.”
John stared long and hard at me, as if trying to uncover the truth, assuming I’d lied since everyone else did. But I’d obviously cracked that assuredness he carried around like a freaking badge from an all American boy scout. I refused to fidget under his intense gaze, but kept my attention locked on him.
“You think you have it all figured out? You believe your mother’s going to magically appear and save the day? What makes you think my men haven’t attacked her compound already?”
John was focused on me awaiting an answer, while the captain did his best to keep us from sinking. Owen stood in the corner, those eerily familiar hazel eyes taking it all in. It felt entirely too crowded in that cabin. Stuck in the small space with three men made me more than nervous; I hated feeling so helpless.
I tilted my chin high and dared to keep John’s gaze. “Call it instinct, but Lewis will find a way.”
The boat pitched to the left, sending me sliding across the bench and John stumbling into the door that led below deck. A monster wave crashed over the bow, sea water splashing against the window and obscuring our view. Was it my imagination, or did the storm seem to be getting worse?
John stumbled back toward me and I took some satisfaction in realizing that he was no fisherman. Being on a boat obviously didn’t come naturally to him. “Sorry, but your boyfriend was most likely captured by my men. Your mother might have her little crew of rebel mind readers, but I have the U.S. government behind me.”
His words worried me, but I refused to let it show. Even if John disappeared forever, would another crazed government agent merely take his place? Would this war never end? I glanced at Owen who still stood in the corner, just watching. Would he be the next leader?
John turned toward the captain. There was something in his movements that seemed more urgent than just moments ago. Maybe there had been truth to my statement; maybe Lewis would escape.
“How far away is the main boat?”
The captain glanced at John. “Ten minutes, not far.”
Ten minutes and I’d be gone… away from the ones I loved. I took in a deep breath, trying to keep hold of what little self-possession I had left. Who knew if Mom had survived the attack. Who knew if Lewis had escaped. I’d certainly never thought to take sides, but at some point I had. They were my friends. They were my family. And in their own screwed up way, they cared about me. For a brief moment I’d had what I’d been looking for all along.
I could barely see out the window. Lights twinkled in the dark, the only indication of life. Rain and fog obscured most of the view. Through the mist, dark mounds of land rose against a muddied landscape. The site brought with sweet relief. We weren’t in open water yet. I might still have a chance, and if I didn’t make it, I’d try again, and again.
Owen reached into the cabinet underneath the wheel and handed me a wool blanket. I wondered over his weird messages and his kindness. What did he want from me? The blanket was scratchy, but warm, and I gladly accepted it. I didn’t bother to thank him, but wrapped the itchy material around my shoulders.
My fingers had grown numb and I worried I wouldn’t be able to escape when the time was right. I glanced out the back window. Only one guard remained on deck, huddled in his bright yellow raincoat as he watched the landscape for enemies. Four against one. I took my lower lip between my teeth. Dare I try to break into their minds again? I glanced at John. He paced nervously around the cabin, no longer even attempting to look at ease.
“Where are we going?” I demanded. “There’s no reason not to tell me.”
Yeah, I was biding my time, fishing for any information that might help. He was so flustered he just might fall into my trap. If he had the backing of the entire U.S. government, why was he so nervous?
“The Caribbean,” John said. “We’re headed to the Caribbean.”
The irony. Hadn’t I wanted to return to the islands so many times in the past month? So close to where I’d lived with my grandmother. But the woman wasn’t really my grandmother, was she? Is that why she’d been so bitter and angry? Having to traipse about the country, give up her life, for a grandchild who wasn’t hers? The thought left me confused and a little ill. Or maybe my upset stomach had to do with the speed of the vessel taking us out to sea. I glanced out the side window. The riverbank was barely visible. Gone, fading into the dark clouds and fog. With it, my hope faded.
“Sir,” the captain called out.
“What is it?”
The captain, a big burly man, stepped to the side. “Visitors. It might be nothing, but I thought I’d mention it.”
I took some comfort in the worry that flashed across John’s eyes. This anxious man was someone I’d never seen before. He was totally losing it. People who weren’t in control made mistakes.
He snatched up a pair of binoculars that hung from a hook. “A shrimp boat?”
“Not sure,” the captain mumbled.
They both sounded nervous. My hope flourished and I couldn’t help but peer through that window. But all I saw in the lights around the deck were two men in yellow raingear on a shrimp boat that looked like it was about to be tossed upside down by the waves.
“Mayday, mayday, mayday,” came over the speaker. “This is the Miranda. We are taking on water fast. Permission to abandon ship and come aboard.”
“Ignore them,” John snapped.
“Sir,” the captain muttered, looking highly offended. “It’s my duty to help. If the coast guard…”
John grabbed the captain by the collar and jerked him forward even though the man probably outweighed him by fifty pounds. “Ignore them.”
John released his hold and stepped back, combing his fingers through his wet hair. Although John didn’t notice, I saw the brief glance the captain slid Owen. The fine hairs on my body stood on end. Something was wrong. Definitely wrong.
“You are going to ignore them,” John insisted as he paced the small area. “And we are going to meet the yacht on time.”
“I’m sorry,” Owen stated. “I can’t let that happen.” He lunged at John and threw his fist forward, connecting with John’s gut. I jumped to my feet, scrambling out of the way as John stumbled back, hitting the door.
“Seriously?” I snapped, flattening myself to the wall. “You have no issues kidnapping harmless girls, but have to stop for a sinking boat?”
Owen threw me a glance as he reached for a rope hanging on a hook. “We both know you’re far from harmless.”
Confused, I attempted to rack my brain for a familiar memory, something that would explain this man. “Do I know you?”
He flashed me a grin. “Aaron’s brother, Owen. We’re actually twins.”
Twins? Twins! Good God, like the world needed two of them. That’s why he seemed familiar; although not exactly, he looked like Aaron. “You’re my…”
Uncle
, but I didn’t dare say the word out loud in case he didn’t know the truth. What other mystery family members did I have?
With the rope in hand, he started toward John.
Yep, I’m your uncle.
Okay, so I guess he knew; hopefully John didn’t. John, who was gasping for breath as he huddled on the bench I’d just vacated. The captain pulled the boat up alongside the shrimping vessel; he obviously worked for my uncle.
Right before Owen reached him, John stumbled to his feet, finding strength. Owen threw his fist forward, connecting with John’s chin. The man’s head snapped back with a popping noise that made me cringe.
“I’ll take care of Henry,” the captain muttered. “You take care of John.”
“Well that’s not fair,” Owen muttered as the captain rushed onto the deck to start his own battle with the only guard.
“And the stunt you pulled,” Owen grunted, as he swung his fist forward once more, connecting with the side of John’s face. “Trying to jump over the railing…stupid.”
John slumped to the ground, groaning. He obviously had little experience fighting. He liked to do his dirty work through others. Brilliant red blood trailed from his nose and I couldn’t help but think of all the mind readers he’d tortured over the years.
Owen stepped back, shaking his head. “Very stupid.”
“I thought I had no choice!”
Owen spun around to face me, frowning. “If you would have sat tight…”
John shifted, the slightest movement, but my alarm bells rang in warning.
“Watch out!” I cried.
Too late. With his mental energy John sent Owen flying across the small cabin and out the door. The larger man slid across the deck toward his fellow mind readers, leaving me alone with John. So much for sending in the cavalry. A lot of good my supposed uncle was.
“This ends now.” John reached for me, but I spun around, out of his grasp.
The door flapped on the storm gales, rain pouring into the tiny cabin. I jerked my head toward the shrimp boat next to us. Waves splashed over the sides, the winds wild and fierce. The two fishermen had tossed aside their raincoats and were connecting their vessel to ours.
What the hell was going on?
Men and women poured from the cabin and out onto the deck, jumping over the sides climbing onto our boat. Some I recognized as my mother’s followers, others were new. It was like some pirate attack out of the movies. Instead of swords and cannons they only had their mind reading abilities. The hope inside me grew as I ran toward the door.