Code, p.24
Code, page 24
When Brooke let go, Gene collapsed.
“I just wanted you to have a taste of your own medicine,” Brooke said. “I’m no murderer. Let ISAN be your downfall.”
Another bomb exploded, rocking the ground again. The gap in the floor widened farther, and the exit on Brooke’s side crumbled. They had no way out.
“Brooke. Jump. I’ll catch you,” Ozzie said.
The other half of the ceiling dropped. Reyna extended her arms outward and held the broken parts in midair.
“Hurry. I can’t hold it much longer.” Reyna heaved, her knees buckling.
“Jump, Brooke,” Ozzie demanded.
Brooke backed as far as she could. Boosted by a running start, she jumped and soared across the chasm.
She wasn’t going to make it. The ground had shifted again. Ozzie knew it too. If he reached for her, he would likely fall with her, but he did it anyway. That boy cared about her more than as a teammate.
Justine had to do something.
After Justine anchored her foot around the table leg, she grabbed Ozzie’s shirt. He didn’t brush her off. He welcomed her help. Just as she welcomed Tamara holding her from behind, and Reyna and Nina behind her.
Because of the team effort, Ozzie caught Brooke’s outreached hand. He yanked her up and folded her in his arms just for a second.
“Let’s get the hell out of here.” Brooke’s eyes were set on Justine with a smile.
“I know the way out. This way,” Justine said.
One decision had changed Justine’s life forever.
Chapter Forty-One —Disaster
Josephine Chang
Josephine met Vince at the given location. They surrounded a dome-shaped entrance and knocked out the two soldiers on duty.
Strange. She had expected more of a challenge. Sloppy of Novak not to have more guards by the entrance, but perhaps a handful waited inside.
“You should wait here, Councilor,” Vince said, standing in front of the metal door with his gun aimed. “We don’t know what awaits us inside.”
Josephine had always listened to Vince’s advice, and it had worked in her favor. Today shouldn’t be any different, but she needed to see with her own eyes the horrific things Novak had been doing to the people she swore to protect.
“Not this time, Vince. I’m going in with you.” Josephine readied her Taser in front of her chest and gave him a little shove.
Vince, built like a boulder, didn’t budge. He paused for a second, his eyes roaming Josephine’s face. She might have blushed, and thought he would tell her to stay behind, but he said, “Fine. Just stay close to me.”
“Don’t I always?” She jerked a shoulder.
He scowled. “You get yourself killed and I’ll never forgive you.”
“The same to you.” She searched for her courage and positioned herself behind him.
Vince put up a fist to the sky, rallying his men. He yanked the cool metal handle and marched inside after the thirty or so men he had with him filed in.
Footsteps shuffled down the stairs and across the dimly lit hallway. A group of men rushed ahead and rounded the corner. Gunshots echoed. The frontline of their team went down. Vince tugged Josephine against the wall and hid in the shadows.
Just as she’d expected. ISAN wanted to lure them inside. They had the upper hand in this maze-like underground structure.
“Stay right here,” Vince said. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to split up my team.”
Gunfire continued in a near-constant barrage. Josephine peeked out with her Taser readied. She couldn’t see where the teams fought as whack, thump, and thud reverberated down the hall. The gunfire stopped and footsteps pounded toward her.
“What part of stay right there did you not understand?” Vince pulled her back and used his body to cover hers, her back against the wall and his chest inches from hers.
“I only moved three feet.” She peered up, her gaze piercing his. Even in danger, she had to force herself to look away from those beautiful eyes she had always admired.
“Exactly.” He cleared his throat, his eyes softening, but not his tone. “You moved. You could have gotten shot.”
“I can protect myself, thank you very much. And I’m wearing a bulletproof shirt under my suit.”
Vince pulled back. “You do recall the bulletproof shirt Verlot wore as well, don’t you? Come on, let’s go.”
Josephine did recall. She was the one that had given the girl the bullet. Vince had been with her when she had set up the meeting. He was the only other person who knew besides Mr. San. Vince had sworn he wouldn’t tell Zen and he hadn’t.
They hustled stealthily down the long corridors and rested at an intersection.
“Which way?” Josephine whispered harshly.
The decision was made for them when the end of the hallway blasted open and threw them like bouncing balls. Josephine’s back smacked the wall to her right and she collapsed. Her bones had been tossed and rattled inside her.
“Are you okay?”
Vince’s frenzied voice echoed in her ear.
As his face came into focus, he cupped her cheek, the room stopped rotating, but the sounds of gunfire and Tasers pinging continued.
“I’m alive,” she groaned. “Unless we’re both dead and in hell together.”
“I’d rather be in hell with you than here. Come, on. Up you go. No time for a nap, Councilor.” Vince hefted her. Her feet found stable ground before she could register they were moving.
Vince’s men flanked and covered them as they entered a larger room. Another bomb exploded, farther out.
“I thought ANS gave you twenty-four hours?” Vince said, surveying the room.
“They’re not here. These explosions aren’t from them.”
Vince bristled, the tautness on his expression harder. He answered a call on his chip, then said, “Councilor. My men have already circled once, but if we don’t find the rebels, we’re getting out of here. This structure could blow up like the rebel base. You saw the photos I sent you. There was nothing left.”
Josephine nodded, devastation rising to the surface. This place was their only hope for finding Zen and his crew. What then?
They pushed toward the back, entering through another room. The other entrance had collapsed, concrete piling on top of concrete. Smoke whooshed past them like a swift breeze over the ocean, only not as fresh and clean.
They passed through another door, and Vince shoved Josephine to the side as more bullets were exchanged. ISAN guards went down.
Josephine’s prayers were answered, but what she saw was a nightmare. Three people had been shot, blood pooling around their bodies. Russ seemed unconscious, but unharmed.
Cleo’s eyes went wild with happiness to see Josephine. She wiped away tears and shot up. “Councilor Chang. Thank God you’re here.”
Cleo had been dutifully watching over Mitch, Russ, her father, and—no. Lydia had been shot too. She was like a daughter. Oh, dear, God. No! She had to get everyone out now.
Josephine dropped to her knees and checked for Lydia’s pulse, then to Russ and Zen. Their chests still rose and fell, though the movement was shallow. They lived.
“Councilor ... Cha ...” Mitch raised a hand weakly, his voice low. “Ly ... dia.”
“Mitch, don’t talk. Save your energy. I’m getting you all out. Cleo.” Josephine placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Do you know where Rhett and Ava are?”
Cleo shook her head, her fingers trembling as she pointed behind her. “They took them both. Novak is going to do horrible things to them. You have to help them.”
Josephine instructed Vince’s men to help carry the wounded and told Cleo to follow.
“Councilor, I’ll sweep around,” Vince said. “You need to go with Cleo. You have a Dr. Machine in your glider and only your handprint can unlock it. You’re going to have to go.”
She nodded. “I’m not taking off without you, so you better hurry or you’ll kill us all.”
“Stubborn.” Vince shook his head.
“Just in case.” Josephine kissed his cheek. “Be safe. You’ve been my angel. If something were to happen to you, I don’t know what I’d do.”
Vince’s eyes rounded in surprise. “Then let’s not find out. A reminder what you’ll be missing if you don’t make it back to the glider.”
He pressed his lips on hers. He kissed her hard, filled with passion and longing. When he let go, he bolted out the door.
Well, that was pleasantly unexpected.
Councilor Josephine Chang rushed off, gun at the ready, to fight and defend with all her heart and soul.
Chapter Forty-Two — Pivotal Point
Ava
With Rhett’s arm slung over my shoulder and my own snaked around his back, I dragged my feet across the floor. I stumbled to the side when a bomb rocked the structure.
I pulled out the Taser from my pocket and aimed at a shadowy figure running down the hallway.
She halted. “Ava, don’t shoot. It’s me, Tamara.”
It was so good to see her. “I need your help. I’ve got Rhett.” I passed Rhett over to her when she reached me.
Rhett groaned, fighting to keep his eyes open.
“Where’s everyone? Do you—” I never got to finish.
“Ava. Your eyes. Your body. You’re glowing.” Tamara marveled at me.
“I’ll explain later. Get everyone out to safety. This place is going to blow. I’ll meet you outside.”
Fingers wrung my shirt. “Where ... going.” Rhett’s voice was low and rough.
Even though he couldn’t form words, he was aware of me.
My heart breaking, I cupped my hand over his. “I have to find my mother. I promise to meet you outside.” I kissed Rhett’s drooping head. “Take him out, Tamara. Take everyone out, now.”
She nodded and turned.
“Ava. No!” Rhett’s voice echoed down the hall, reminding me of the day of the escape.
I felt his words like a dagger to my heart. I recalled how much I’d hurt him, how much he had suffered when I hadn’t escaped with him. This time, it would be different. I promise, Rhett.
I sprinted to the garden. No sign of Mother. I dashed to her bedroom. No sign of her there either. When I came out, ISAN guards raised their weapons at me. Frightened faces replaced their confident ones. They had noticed how I glowed. Even their voices sounded feeble.
“Stay right there, Ava.”
“I don’t think so,” I snarled.
With a flick of my finger, the luminous tendrils shot out of me. The energy wrapped around their weapons and slammed them against the wall. With another twitch of my finger, the soldiers flew every which direction. Some hit the ceiling and dropped. Others hit the wall and collided with each other.
Oh, the power. So glorious.
Novak was right. I was special. It had taken me a while to realize what I was truly meant to be, but my gift had blossomed at the right time.
More guards came at me from both sides. I used my power to fling their weapons. The soldiers who didn’t run away, stood their ground.
“Come and get me, boys,” I said.
Heavy fists flew at me and I dodged every single blow. Uppercut. Jab. High swing. Low blow. Ten men against me. They still didn’t have a chance.
Time was running out and I needed to find my mother. I crouched low to duck a swing and swept my legs around the guards. Two guards dropped to the ground, and I gave them both a quick, hard jab to their guts. Some guards fled, but about five of them gave a brave front.
“This place is going down,” I said. “Do you want to waste your time trying to bring me in, or is your life worth saving?”
They ran when the earth shook again and explosions rattled the very foundations.
Good choice.
“Mom?” I yelled, running down the corridors.
“Ava.” Payton’s voice.
“Payton?” I hollered.
“Ava.” The voice came closer.
“Payton. Where are you?” I shouted over another blast.
“Ava. Here. I have your mother.”
“Keep saying my name. I’m coming.”
When I turned a final corner and found them, Payton looked relieved. Mother was still the same—dazed and confused—but she held an infant, tucked inside a pink blanket with a matching cap.
The CODE baby Novak had shown me.
“Do you know another way out?” I asked Payton. “This place is going to blow.”
“Yes. Follow me.”
I gathered my arms around Mother and guided her behind Payton. When she fidgeted, I thought she was trying to bail, but instead, her fingers intertwined with mine. Her gaze upon me was warm and tender. It reminded me of our past time together. Something wet prickled my eyes.
In that moment, I knew Mother existed, somewhere in her wild mind that had been plucked and twisted by Novak’s doing. I wanted to cry with happiness. My time here had been worth it. In time, she might have a chance to recover and we would regain what we lost.
Dust filtered through as the hairline fractures in the wall lengthened and spread. Each section of the wall began to crumble.
“Hurry, Payton,” I barked like an order.
We ran faster and faster for what felt like eternity. Every crack on the rumbling ground brought us closer to our demise.
“There it is.” Payton’s voice rose with exhilaration, his long legs sprinting quicker.
A light filtered through. Not a door but a gap in the ceiling, an exit nevertheless. For a moment, the light penetrated like heaven’s ray. Holy and celestial in its beauty. I felt, if I stood there, an angel would pull me up to safety. Then it was gone.
Novak and a few nominal guards materialized out of the shadows as if waiting for us.
“I think you have something of mine,” Novak said, blood trickling from the side of his skull.
Mother recoiled, holding the infant tighter. “No. No. No.”
“Give her to me, Avary, and I’ll let everyone go.” Novak took a calculated step, slow but determined.
Mother gripped the back of my shirt, tugging me along with her.
“I’m afraid you don’t have a choice,” Novak said. “This place will be nothing but dirt and dust. If you want Ava to live, give the child to me.”
I thought about using my power, but within the small space, I wasn’t sure if I could control it. Mother backed farther away, shaking her head in a frenzy.
“Mom. Come back.” I looked over my shoulder for a heartbeat, and Novak and his team were gone when I returned my gaze.
“Where did they go?” I demanded at Payton, who should have kept watch.
He opened his mouth to speak, but I answered my own question. Novak and his team were holograms, a distraction. I should have known. Mother had been yanked away from me.
Damn it.
I should have been prepared. But I hadn’t thought Novak would revive so quickly. I had hoped he would die with the crumbling compound.
“Let her go, Novak,” I said while dashing toward them.
Novak and Mom were a good distance away but I could stop him. He was alone. Until bullets whizzed by my ears.
My feet contacted the wall with the running momentum and I flipped over to evade all the bullets. I landed with a skidding halt. The building had rocked again and the ground fissured between me and my parents.
No, no, no. It’s okay. I can jump.
Before I could make my move, Mother kneed Novak between his legs and ran. She couldn’t jump the distance. No matter, I had to find a way to make a path for her to me.
“Ava. Baby,” she said with all the love in her eyes and threw the stiffly bundled infant at me.
“Mom,” I screamed as I caught the baby, cushioning her landing as best I could.
There was no way out for my mother.
Think, Ava. Do something.
The ceiling began to fall.
“Ava.” Payton placed a gentle hand on my arm. “I’m sorry about your mom, but we have to go. This is it. It’s done.”
I passed the baby to Payton and told him to go first. Tears streamed down my mother’s face.
“Mom.” I clapped to get her attention. “Go back and run and jump. I’ll catch you.”
Mother looked behind her. The other side had sunken. This was it. She knew it and I knew it. But I would never give up.
Never.
Mother clasped her hands together and said with clarity as if her mind had never been warped. “Ava. Run. Live.”
“Mom, no!”
I had found my mother only to watch her be taken from me again. So many things I wanted to tell her. I’d thought we would have more time. I had planned to take her with me when we escaped. She would tell me everything that had happened. Questions would be answered. She would meet Rhett and my friends at the mountain base. But fate had other plans.
Mother ran toward Novak, who fought through the pain to stand. I’d thought she would punch him, but instead, she tackled him.
“Mom!” I screamed, watching in horror as they both fell off the edge into the gaping pit of rubble.
She wanted to ensure his death. My mother had killed Novak. No, not Novak. Her husband and my father.
I never thought I would be saddened by his death, but when he’d tried to take away my memories, all the happy ones had resurfaced. Something went wrong, and that had benefited me. I’d felt his love, and felt the love I’d had for him as a child.
It hurt. It hurt so much to see both of them gone.
Science had taken my father. He had buried himself in the dark work of ISAN and become someone else. A monster. But my mom ... I had just found her.
I trembled, tears falling too fast to wipe away. In ISAN I learned how to control my emotions, but this was different. This was my life. They were my parents.
The ground shook. I stumbled to the side. I had to go now. Tears burned my eyes as I ran, carrying my mother’s love with me.
Chapter Forty-Three — Escape
Ava
I ran. Light as the wind, swift as a hummingbird, my feet barely touched the ground. Behind me was a giant, ravenous hole expanding, catching up to me, as white powdery dust coated the air.
