Code, p.20
Code, page 20
Gene ate Mother’s home-grown vegetables. He didn’t deserve to enjoy her fresh food. He took a sip of red wine and wiped his mouth with the cloth napkin at the same time Novak did. Like father like son.
How had I missed the resemblance? They even looked the same. Their thick, perfect angled eyebrows, their sharp masculine noses, their square jawlines—so similar, so uncanny. I saw so much of Novak in Gene. I’d thought they should have been father and son once, before I knew they were. I laughed inwardly.
Mother’s stoic expression had not changed during dinner. She moved robotically, unlike the graceful woman she had been. It saddened me to see her this way. Novak had made her into a docile being and someone who couldn’t think for herself. She had lost herself in this pathetic excuse for a man.
I’m going to get you out of here, Mother, and then you can begin to heal.
Chapter Thirty-Four — A Visit
Ava
That night when lights were out, Payton came to my room. He had promised to give me some time with Rhett and my friends. We didn’t have a glider, so busting out of this compound was futile. Regardless, I needed to see them. They needed to know I was alive. That alone would give them hope.
“Do you remember what I’d said?” Payton asked as we stood close to my bedroom door.
“Yes. And you remember what I said?” I whispered.
“Yes. I lie here until you get back. If Gene or one of the guards come by, I tell them you knocked me out and escaped.”
I took a step, stopped, and turned back to him. “Thank you, Payton. When we leave here, you come with me, okay?”
His eyes rounded. “You want me to go with you?”
“Yes, of course. Unless you don’t want to. It will be your choice.”
His small smile grew bigger. “I don’t want to be here. Novak thinks of me as a CODE child who belongs to him, but I have a mind—a soul. This is no way to live for the rest of my life.”
My heart hurt for him. I knew that feeling all too well. “You deserve so much more. I will remember what you did for me. I owe you.”
“You owe me nothing. I only care about your friendship. And ... that I have your protection. If I go with you, your friends might want to—”
I placed a hand on his shoulder. “They won’t. I promise, but if it makes you feel better, I promise you have my protection.”
He nodded. “Thank you, Ava. You should hurry. Twenty minutes until the guards shift again. Go.”
Quiet as a mouse, my footsteps swift and light, I turned left, and then went all the way until I hit a dead end, then turned right. No sign of guards. No sign of Novak’s lab workers. Just me and the empty hallway.
Cautiously, I entered the only door—a lab with a tall ceiling. A cool draft greeted me and then the stale smell filtered through my nostrils.
This room looked similar to the one in which Novak had housed the memory-erasing machine and the CODE baby in the pod. It even had a table in the center with TABs and monitors.
The farther I walked, the brighter the span, extending through the darkness. With my heart pounding, I ran to the first square. Only a cot and nothing else.
Empty.
I went to the second.
No one.
I rushed to the third, fourth, fifth ... all vacant. Payton wouldn’t lie to me. I was missing something.
A secret room? No.
The cells looked exactly the same—a cot and toilet. No body. A hologram mirage? Maybe not, but I had to try. I rapped on the first.
No sound.
I banged on the second.
I was about to move on to the third when the response came, the same but faint. A breath escaped me. I knocked again, and received the same answer. But this time, I heard a voice. A voice that shook me to my core.
“Ava. Is that you?”
“Rhett,” I said, even though he couldn’t hear me.
Think. What can I do?
I went to the monitor set on a long table with TABs and panels. I had no idea what kind of danger I would place them in if I had pushed one. One of the buttons said lights.
Too simple? Maybe not.
I took a chance. At worst, the lights would become brighter, right?
Oh, God. Please. Let this be the one.
When I pressed it, the ceiling light dimmed, but the lights inside the cell flickered. As if a layer of fog had been lifted, the fake image cleared from cell number two and a few others, revealing my team.
Rhett had been the one pounding the barrier. He had his palms pressed to the glass while the others sat on the cots. Rhett’s bright amber eyes were trained on me, as if he couldn’t believe he was seeing me.
I ran to him, my pulse racing. He looked fine. No bruises. No blood. No signs of torture.
“Ava.” His voice sounded muffled—barely audible. “Can you hear me?” he asked.
“Yes.” I nodded frantically, so happy to see him. Don’t cry. Not now. “Are you okay? Are you hurt? What happened at the rebel base?”
I hated seeing him here, but at the same time it was so good to see him. I had missed him so much. My heart exploded with joy and pain.
Rhett lowered his eyelashes and his eyes lost their sparkle. “Our home is gone. Many died. Many soldiers and kids ... they didn’t make it.”
I clutched at my chest, agony cleaving through the seams as hot teardrops escaped. Hearing it from Rhett was so much worse than from Gene. Gene had told me out of anger, but Rhett told me from anguish and loss.
I closed my eyes in respect for those who had passed away. It was a horrible death, one that could have been prevented. I should have never taken refuge at Hope City.
“I’m so sorry, Rhett.” My palms met his, the coldness of the barrier assaulted the warmth on my arm.
“Oh, Ava,” he said, caressing the glass as if he was stroking my cheek. “Remember what I’ve told you. You can’t save everyone. Find a way to get out of here. Live your life to the fullest.”
“What are you talking about? I’m not going to leave you or any of my friends.”
He had experienced devastation at Hope City. Seen too many deaths. Sometimes when one person couldn’t see the light, another had to carry the torch. I would carry that torch and make it brighter for the both of us.
“Yes, you are,” he said. “If you get a chance, you take it and run. Do you hear me?”
Rhett’s stubbornness would not penetrate the glass and it carried no weight on this side.
A soft pounding broke my attention. I dashed over to the next cell without telling Rhett what I was doing.
When Brooke met my gaze, no words were needed. I pressed my hands to match hers as tears streamed down my face. I had thought she was dead, but to find her alive, I got emotional. Just like Rhett, I could see no sign that she’d been physically tortured.
Her lips curled, her voice soft, but there was sadness in her eyes. “I’m kind of in a bind, want to get me out?”
I loved her playfulness even in the most terrifying times.
“You know I’m already working on it.” It was a promise I intended to keep. “Just hold on, okay?”
“If you do, I promise to give you lots of juicy details. Not that I’ve experienced firsthand, but I’ll make them up.” She winked.
“I can’t wait. I’ll be back, okay?” I retreated step by step, not wanting to leave her, but I was running out of time.
I quickly went to each cell, letting the rest of my friends know I was alive and that I had someone who would help us escape, though I didn’t address Payton by name. Then I went back to the monitor, studying the layout. I had to know which button to press with certainty.
I ran back to Rhett. “I have to go, but I promise to be back.”
He pressed his forehead and palms on the barrier. “I love you. Be safe.”
I placed my hands to match his. “I love you, too.”
I broke away from Rhett, and a whoosh from the sliding door had my heart thundering.
“I thought I would find you here, sister.” Gene’s tone was friendly but his expression was anything but as he swaggered toward me. “You’ve been very naughty.”
“How did you find me?” I held my ground and readied my curled fingers.
“The ever-so-loyal Payton. You knocked him out. I actually didn’t mind that part. In fact, I’m glad you did, but then you went out of your room. You have a curfew, little sister. Did you forget?”
“I was looking for Mother, but guess who I found? My friends. So either let them out, or I’ll have to hurt you.” I mimicked his sarcastic tone.
“You would go against your own flesh and blood?” His voice dipped lower.
I walked backward toward the center table. “If you care for your life, you’ll do as I say.”
He let out a dry laugh, making his way to me. “Do I need to remind you of this?” He took out his little coin-size gadget.
I tensed, recalling the razor-sharp pain slashing through my bones. “Do it. What are you waiting for?”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Go ahead. Do your worst.” I advanced on him. Perhaps if I held him tight enough when my body convulsed, he would feel the electric current too.
“You asked for it, little sister.” A sharp mischievous edge to his tone.
I stopped when nothing happened to me, but Rhett convulsed before he dropped to his knees.
“What are you doing? Stop it,” I hollered, overrun with guilt. Gene was punishing him to get to me. “Stop it. Stop it. Stop it.”
“I’m returning the same love Rhett gave to me. Now, if you don’t want me to do it again, go back to your room.”
His tone disgusted me. I wanted to tell Rhett that I was sorry, but I needed Gene away from my friends before he decided to hurt them, too. So I complied and walked out wordlessly, even more determined to get my revenge.
I had to save them all and find a way out. Payton was my only hope.
Chapter Thirty-Five— Meeting with Novak
Mitch
Goosebumps trickled along Mitch’s arms when the destruction surrounding ISAN’s secret base came into view. He had imagined a beautiful tall building, not a bunker under an uninhabitable city. A place to hide secrets. Or dump bodies.
A young guard dressed in an ISAN suit, armed with a Taser, greeted them at the entrance. “Welcome. I’ve been assigned to take you to Novak upon arrival.”
“Thank you,” Lydia said and meandered ahead without the guard.
“Ma’am. You don’t know the way.” He went after her.
“Then you’d best hurry,” she said over her shoulder.
My strong girl. She was going to show everyone who was boss.
They wound through long gray hallways and many numbered doors, and were finally escorted into a room with only two sofas, a single sofa, and a tea table.
Where were the rest of Novak’s guards? Yes, there were many rooms and hallways, and one could easily get lost, but it seemed like Mitch and his team were the only ones there. They were just about to settle on the leather sofa when the door whooshed open and Novak entered.
“Welcome,” Novak said in an uncharacteristically cheerful tone.
Posed with grace, Lydia showed no fear or disdain. She gave her best smile, her dimples indenting.
Novak flashed a quick grin. “Please. Have a seat.” He eased into a single sofa and leaned back with a note of casualness.
Mitch sat between Russ and Lydia. When Lydia crossed her long legs, Novak’s eyes wandered along her beautiful, smooth skin, starting at her heels and moving up. Mitch wanted to punch him.
Mitch cleared his throat and accidentally bumped his elbow with Lydia. “So, what’s the reason for taking us away from our duties?”
While he tried to speak lightly, his voice might have cracked. Novak could have the three of them executed and no one would know.
Novak slung his arms on the armrest. “I’m going to move East and West to this facility. It can house all of us. What do you think?”
A long breath escaped from Russ and he relaxed. “If you think this is a good idea, I’m all in.”
“I don’t see why not,” Mitch said. “Having two teams train together would be beneficial, and having more agents would be a bonus. Sabrina and her crew are amazing. We can work together.”
“Lydia, how about you?” Novak asked. “What are your thoughts?”
“Have you asked Sabrina as well?” She gave him a tightlipped smile.
“I did, though I haven’t invited her staff to visit as of yet. I wanted my most loyal team to have the first visit.”
Why emphasize loyalty? Something smelled fishy.
“What an honor. Thank you,” Mitch said as he placed his hands on his lap. “How is Justine, by the way?”
Novak sleeked back a strand that had loosened. “I brought her here to meet her family.”
“Family?” Russ’s green eyes glistened, his voice rising. “You found her mom?”
“No. Not her mother. She has a half sister and half brother. And ... Justine is my daughter. But you already knew that.”
It was no use denying it, so Mitch kept quiet. Russ and Lydia didn’t say a word.
Novak flicked some lint off his sleeve and cleared his throat. “Gene and Ava are twins, and I’m their father. Their mother has been living here for a while. I didn’t feel comfortable announcing that Ava is my daughter, being that she’s a traitor. She’s here now, and we’re working things out.”
But not of her own free will.
Russ paled. He looked like he could vomit any second. “What about Gene?”
“Gene is here,” Novak said. “The three of them are learning to get along. Isn’t this fantastic? I have two of the most powerful assassins on our team.”
He called his own flesh and blood assassins.
“Is Gene feeling ... well?” Lydia uncrossed her legs, bumping her knee into Mitch’s. “I mean, he’s been through a lot.”
Novak adjusted his blue and black checkered tie and leaned forward. “Gene needs therapy. Not for being locked up by the rebels, but for his temper. Gene ripped out the first therapist’s heart and snapped the second therapist’s neck. Would anyone like to volunteer to be the third?” He let out a laugh.
Mitch swore under his breath, curling his fingers on the fabric of his training outfit pants. There was no humor in his statement or his laugh. Mitch didn’t know how to react.
Novak continued. “I supposed I shouldn’t have lobotomized him like the other assassins, especially since he already had such complex DNA. The only people he seemed to be tamed around were Ava and his mother. He wants their approval for reasons I cannot comprehend.”
Mitch’s blood ran cold. Novak had gone psychotic.
Russ blanched. Mitch was sure he wasn’t breathing.
“Anything else we should know?” Mitch asked with stability he mustered from somewhere.
How badly he wanted to take this man down. Three against one, they could contain him. But if they captured him, then what? Not a wise move.
Novak tapped his polished dressed shoes and stood, peering down at the three of them, gloating. “Wait here and I’ll have an escort take you to your rooms. I want you to get comfortable first, before dinner. I wouldn’t advise wandering around. It’s like a labyrinth in here and we wouldn’t want Gene to find you. He’s had a bad day and he might take it out on anyone he sees.”
Mitch clenched his jaw, inhaling to steady his nerves. “What about the trainees at our site? We didn’t inform them we would be gone this long.”
Novak halted a couple of feet before the sensor and kept his back to them. “Don’t worry about that. I sent a substitute. You know, just in case you didn’t make it back.”
Mitch didn’t like the way he’d said that. Perhaps he was being paranoid. Novak was always short and to the point.
“Fine. I’ll message them as well.” Russ swiped at his arm to open his chip.
“Don’t bother, Russ,” Novak said, his back still to them. “There’s no personal reception here. Only at the main control room.”
Novak had everything covered.
Novak turned the slightest. “Oh, by the way, I have a group of rebels detained and one of our own who was supposedly kidnapped or killed at the battle in Pearl Valley—Nina. And also Rhett. I captured them all by myself by using Ava as the bait. You see how easy that was? Now, excuse me while I go back to my office so I can decide what to do with them. Maybe during dinner we can discuss it as a team, if I can’t make up my mind. How does that sound?”
His accusatory tone already had Mitch on pins and needles, so he had to force out the words. “Sure. Whatever you think is best.”
“Good. I’m glad you three are on my side. It would pain me to treat you like enemies.” He shoved his hands inside his pockets and strolled out without looking back.
Russ, Lydia, and Mitch exchanged no words. Most likely this room was monitored anyway. They needed a miracle.
Chapter Thirty-Six — San’s Compound
Josephine Chang
The guards who had escorted Josephine to the ANS compound took off the fabric hood covering her head. Bright light became dimmer until her view came to focus on an attractive Asian man seated across from her in a simple, clean office with white walls.
“My apologies for the hood, Councilor Chang.” Mr. San placed his folded hands on the metal table, next to a small handheld TAB. “This is for your protection as much as for ours.”
“I understand.” Josephine ran a hand to smooth out her hair, admiring an oil painting of the ocean behind him. She wished she was there instead.
“I hope you had a comfortable flight.”
“I did.” She shifted on the black vinyl chair to get comfortable. “Your men have been accommodating.”
“Good. Would you like anything to drink?” He waved to his left, to the table with water and sodas.
