the 39 clues: unstoppable book 2: breakaway · she had to get on board and in the air, fast, before...
TRANSCRIPT
Thisebookcomeswithsixdigitalgamecards.Theyunlockanexclusiveonlinemission.
TOADDCARDSTOYOURONLINECOLLECTION:
1. Gotothe39clues.scholastic.com/ebookunstoppable2andlogin.2. Youneedyourbookwithyou.Useittoanswertwoquestions.3. Yourevidencecardsandmissionwillbeunlocked.
ContentsHammerPage
Ready,Set,Go!
TitlePage
Dedication
Chapter1
Chapter2
Chapter3
Chapter4
Chapter5
Chapter6
Chapter7
Chapter8
Chapter9
Chapter10
Chapter11
Chapter12
Chapter13
Chapter14
Chapter15
Chapter16
Chapter17
Chapter18
Chapter19
Chapter20
Chapter21
Chapter22
Chapter23
Chapter24
Chapter25
Chapter26
Chapter27
Cipher
SneakPeek
Tabloid
Copyright
London
J.RutherfordPiercesmiledasthesixmercenariesfiledintohisLondonoffice.Eachonehadbeenhandpicked.Thebestofthebest.Hardenedsoldierswhomovedthroughtheirlivesfreeofthefearsanduncertaintiesoflessermen.Andyetrightnow,eachandeveryoneofthemwasterrified.Piercesavoredit.Somepeoplelikedwine.Somepeoplelikedfinefood.Piercelikedfear.
Oncethemercenarieswereseated,Piercepressedabuttonbeneathhisvastdeskandthedoubledoorsbehindthemslammedshut.
“Sir,”theirleaderbegan.“We—”
“Candy?”
Piercepushedalargecrystalbowltowardtheedgeofhisdesk.Itwasfulltothetopwithsmallred,white,andbluespheres.Americandy.Hisnewestcreationandcurrentlythefastest-sellingsweetintheUnitedStates.Themenlookedbackathim,uncertain,offbalance,justashewanted.Piercesmiledashepluckedoutaredoneanddevouredit.
“Theredismyfavorite,”hesaid.“Cherrypie.Theblueisblueberrypieandthewhiteisapplepie.Hadtofudgethecoloronthatoneabit,ofcourse.Goon.”
Hepushedthebowlforwardagainandeachmantookone.Ofcoursetheydid.TheworldwasasymphonyandPiercewasaconductor.
Pierceopenedtheiractionreport.
“WhyTurkey?”heasked.
“Sir,theguidestheyhiredindicatedthatthechildrenwerelookingforleopards.”
“Anatolianleopards,”Piercecorrected.
“Y-yes,sir,”themercenarystammered.“Anatolianleopards.Whichareextinct.”
“Andwherearetheyheadednow?”
“They’retakingaprivateplane,sir,butwewereabletoaccesstheirflightplans.RomefirstandthenTunis,Tunisia.”
“Why?”
“We,uh,wedon’tknow,sir.”
Pierceturnedthepagetoasimpleblack-and-whitemap.TurkeyandthenTunisia.TurkeywasthesiteofancientTroywhileTuniswasonceCarthage,oneofthegreatestempirestheworldhadeverknown.Coincidence?Piercethoughtnot.Butwhatdiditmean?Extinctanimals.Vanishedempires.
Whataretheyafter?
“So,canyoutellmeanywayinwhichyouandyourmendidnotfailinyourmission?”
Theleaderhesitated.Pierceslammedthereportontothedesktopandthefearlessmenbeforehimleapedbackintheirseats.
“Children!”Piercethundered.“Agroupofchildrenwhoshouldbehomeplayingvideogamesandavoidingtheirmathhomeworktookyouonandtheywon.Theybeatyou.Now,I’msureyouallcamehereexpectingpunishment,severepunishment,butI’mnotgoingtopunishyou.Infact,I’mgoingtogiveyoueachtwogifts.”
Themen,whohadbeenstaringdownattheplushcarpetingattheirfeet,lookedupathim,tentative,butallbreathingalittlebiteasier.
“Thefirstgift,”Piercesaid,“istheopportunitytoredeemyourselves.Wouldanyoneliketoknowwhatthesecondoneis?”
Themennoddeddumbly.Honestly,sometimesitwasliketheentireworldwasmovinginslowmotionexceptforhim.Piercesmiled.
“Thesecondgiftismotivation.”
“Sir?”theirleadersaid.
Piercepulledawhitepilloutofadrawerinhisdeskandheldituptothem.
“Thecandyyouatewasfilledwithaslow-actingpoison.Completeyourassignmentandreturnheretoreceivetheantidote.Ifyouareunabletocompleteyourassignment,
well,Iimaginemostofyouwouldwelcomeadeathofwrithingagonyafterbeingbestedtwicebyagroupofchildren,wouldn’tyou?”
ThedoubledoorsbehindthemenswungopenasifbytheforceofPierce’swill.
“There,”hesaid.“Consideryourselfmotivated.Nowgo!”
Oncetheyweregone,Piercepoppedtheantidoteintohismouthandwentbacktohisreport.TheCahills.
Individually,noneofthemwouldbeofconcern,buttogether...
Piercesmiledastheanswercametohim.
Hereachedforhisphone.
“ContacttheheadsofallourEuropeanmediaunits,”heorderedhisassistant.“Anyonewhoisn’tstandinginfrontofmeinonehourisfired.”
Piercehungupandsatbackinhischair.HewatchedLondonraceaboutbelow.
Itwasacitywitharichandexpansivehistory.Shakespeare.Churchill.IsaacNewton.
AndI’llbetheonetowipeitallaway.
Rome.TheNextDay.
AmyCahillwasrunningoutoftime.
Shehadmanagedtomakeitoutoftheairportandontothetarmacunseen,butherpursuersweresmart.Itwouldn’tbelongbeforetheypickeduphertrail.Theprivatejetwassittingjustahead,fueledup,itsenginesalreadyspinningintoahigh-pitchedwhine.Shehadtogetonboardandintheair,fast,beforetheysawher.
Shepeekedaroundthedumpstershewashidingbehind.Afewmembersofthegroundcrewmilledaroundtheplanemakingfinalpreparations,butotherwisethecoastwasclear.Amycinchedherbackpacktightandstartedtomove.
“AmyCahill!”
Amyflattenedherselfagainstthedumpsterasthedoorfromtheairporttotherunwayflewopen.Herpursuerswereheadingdownthestairwayandontothetarmac.
“Amy!Whereareyou?”
Shehadtodistractthem.Amyspiedwhatsheneededafewstepsaway.Shedashedoutofherhidingplacetograbametalcanoffashelf.Shepoureditscontentsintothedumpster,thenpulledamatchfromherjacketpocket.Thetrashlitwithadeepwhump,explodingintoawallofflame.Amyputherbackintothequicklywarmingmetalandpushed.
“A-my!”someonecriedinatauntingsingsong.“A-myCa-hill!Comeout,comeout,whereveryouare.”
Amydughersneakersintotheasphaltandboredownonthedumpster,herspineburningagainstthehotsteel,untilshefeltsomethinggive.Thewheelssqueakedand
begantoturn.Amygruntedandgaveanotherpush,andmomentumtookover.Thedumpsterracedoutacrossthetarmac,thefiresurginginthewind.
GaspscamefromallaroundasthegroundcrewcalledoutinfranticItalian.Herpursuersscattered,halfofthemrunningbacktotheterminaltogethelpwhiletheotherssprintedtowardthedumpster.Shehadabouttwominutesofchaos.Itwasallsheneeded.
Amyboltedacrossthetarmactothewaitingplane.DanandIanwereoutoftheirseatsandheadingforthecommotionwhensheranupthestairs.
“Amy,what’sgoingon!?”Danasked.
“Pierce’smen!Tellthepilotwehavetogetgoing!”
“Butwhatabouttheothers?”
“Now!”
Dandisappearedintothecockpit.
“Amy,areyouallright?”Ianasked.“WasitPierce’smen?Didthoseruffianshurtyou?”
“I’mfine.Wejustneedto—”
“Hey!Whatareyoudoing!?”
Amyfroze,herbacktothedoor.Sheslowlyturnedtofaceherpursuers.
“Wewerejustgettingsnacks!”
JonahandJakestoodatthefootofthestairs.Atticus,Pony,andHamiltonwerebehindthem,holdingupplasticbagsthatstretchedundertheweightofsodabottles,chips,pretzels,andcandy.
“Don’tlookatme,”Jakesaidasheledthegrouppastherandintotheplane.“Itoldthemwehadtogetgoing.”
“Littledudescan’tbecontainedwhentheyseesnacks,”Jonahsaid.
TheboyspassedAmy,droppingintotheirseatsandpullingoutsnacksandvideogames.Adinofconversationquicklyfilledthecabin.Ianhadn’tmovedfromhisplacebythefirstrowofseats.HewaswatchingAmyintently,anunaskedquestioninhiseyes.Thecockpitdooropenedagain.
“Pilotsayswe’reupinfive,”Dansaid.“Hey,whathappenedtoPierce’sgoons?”
Amyfoundherselfstuckforananswer,butIanjumpedintosaveher.
“Falsealarm,”hesaid.“Mightaswellgettoourseats.”
Amyhurriedpasteveryonetothebackoftheplane.Oncethejetwasairborne,shecheckedtomakesuretheboysweredistractedandthenpulledthatmorning’snewspaperoutofherbackpack.Lookingatit,shefeltthesamesicktwistinherstomachshehadwhenshe’dfirstseenitattheairportnewsstand.
TheCahillswerethemostpowerfulfamilyhistoryhadeverknown,butnowtheywereupagainsttheirgreatestchallenge—J.RutherfordPierce,amediatycoonwithdreamsofworlddomination.HehadalreadymanipulatedamemberoftheCahillfamily,ascientistnamedSammyMourad,togainaccesstotheCahills’mostcloselyguardedsecret:aserumthatgrantednear-superhumanstrengthandintelligencetoanyonewhotookit.Amyandtheothers,afraidofwhattheserumwouldmeanfortheworldinthehandsofsomeonelikePierce,wereonthetrailofanantidoteandhadonecomponentofitalready,thewhiskersofanAnatolianleopard.OnlysixmoretogoandtheywouldstopPierceforgood.
Unfortunately,Piercewasn’tstandingidlybywhiletheysearched.Notonlyhadhesentteamsofserum-enhancedmercenariesafterthem,hewasattackingthemdailyinhismanynewspapersandtelevisionprograms.AtfirsthehadcontentedhimselfwithharassingAmyandDanwithdumbstoriesaboutwhathecalledtheirirresponsibleglobe-trotting—andwhattheycalledTRYINGTOSAVETHEWORLD!—ordumbgossipaboutAmyandIanorAmyandJake.
Butnowthathadallchanged.Amyliftedthenewspaperoffherlap.Piercewasn’tjustharassingthemanymore.Hewasgoingforthethroat.
“Everythingokay?”
Amyjumped.Ianwasleaningovertheseatinfrontofher.
“Fine,”Amysaidasshehurriedlystuffedthenewspaperintoherbackpack.“Everything’sfine.Just...doingsomeresearch.”
“Ah,well,youcanneverknowtoomuch,”Iansaid,fallingintotheseatacrosstheaislefromAmy.“Speakingofwhich.DidyouknowtheAvenueHabibBourguibainTunisisknowntheworldoverastheChamps-Élyséesoftheneareast?Thecafés.Theshops.Thediscos.”
Amycouldn’thelpbutlaugh.“Thediscos?Honestly,Ian,whocallsthemdiscosanymore?”
“Well,theTunisians,Iexpect,”hesniffed.“SotheplanistorelyontheRosenblooms’father,then?He’sascientistofsomesort?”
Amysetherbackpackaside.“Anarchaeologist.Apparently,hispassionislostcivilizations.He’sinTunisstudyingtheCarthaginianruins.”
AmyhopedDr.Rosenbloomwouldbeabletohelp.Hewouldcertainlyhavehisworkcutoutforhim.AmyandDanhadfoundanancientnotebooklefttothembyOliviaCahill,oneofthefoundersoftheCahillfamily.Thenotebookgaveinstructionsonhowtocreatetheantidote,butmuchofitwasincode.AtticusandJake’sanalysisofOlivia’snotesmadethemcertainthatthenextpieceoftheantidotewasaplantnativetotheareaaroundTunisia,calledsilphium.Ofcourse,becausenothingwasevereasy,silphiumwassupposedtobejustasextinctastheAnatolianleopard.
Ianturnedtolookoutthewindownexttohim,wherethesunwaspaintingthecloudsgoldandorange.
“Youknow,it’sfunny,”hesaid.“IwasonthephonewithNelliewhentheotherswereoffgettingtheirsnacksandIsawyoucomingoutthedoortotherunway.ButIdidn’tspotanyofPierce’smen.”
AmycouldfeelIanstaringather,waitingforaresponse.Whenhedidn’tgetonehelookeduptheaisle,makingsuretheotherswereabsorbedintheirgames.Heleanedinclose,andwhenhespokeagain,hisvoicewaslowandhalting,asifhewerepickinghiswaythroughaminefield.
“Duetorecent...events,”hesaid,strugglingwithhowtorefertothedeathofhisyoungersister,Natalie,“I,too,havebeensometimestemptedtoisolatemyselfbut,tomysurprise,I’vefoundthathavingpeoplearound,even”—heglancedattheothersontheplane—“thesepeople,somewhatalleviates—”
“Pierce’smenwerethere,”Amysaidthroughgrittedteeth.“I’mnotlying.”
“Iwouldneversuggestyouwere,”Iansaid.“Isimply—”
“Amy?”
TheanxiousroilinAmy’sstomachjumpedtwofoldwhenshesawJakestandingintheaisleinfrontofher.
“Youokay?”heasked.
“Wewerejusthavingourselvesabitofachat,”Iansaid.“Nothingforthelikesofyoutoworryabout.”
“Atticushassomeideashewantstorunpastyou,”JakesaidtoAmy.
ShestartedtogetupbutIanputhishandonhers,holdingherback.
“IfyoukeeptroublingAmywitheverylittlething—”
“MaybeyoushouldletAmydecidewhat’slittleandwhat’s—”
“Guys!”Amycried.
IanandJakeshutupinstantly,asshockedtohearAmyyellasshewastodoit.
“Ijustneedaminute,”shesaid.“Okay?Alone?Jake,I’llbewithyousoon.”
TherewasatensepauseandthenJakestalkedofftothefrontoftheplane.IanwasabouttosaysomethingbutAmyturnedawayfromhim,andabeatlaterhepushedhimselfupoutofhisseatandleft.
Amyclosedhereyesandtriedtoquiethermind,butshekepthearingthesoundofherownraisedvoice.Wasthereaworsesound,Amywondered,thanyourownvoice,yellingatpeopleyoulove?Notonlythat,butshecouldfeelthatnewspapersittinginthepacknexttoher,likeanitchdemandingtobescratched.Amypulleditoutandspreaditacrossherlap.
Theheadlineread:THECAHILLWEBOFEVIL.
Toeachside,twocolumnsofthreepictureseachwerelaidoutlikemugshots.Atticus,Jake,andPonyononesideandIan,Hamilton,andJonahontheother.PicturesofAmyandDan—deeplyshadowedinPhotoshoptomakethemlookespeciallysinister—satbetweenthecolumns,withspiderylinesrunningfromtheirpicturestotheothersix.
ThearticlethataccompaniedthepicturesallegedthatAmyandDanwerenotsimplyinternationalnuisances,butwereheadingupafar-reachingcriminalconspiracywiththeothers.
HamiltonHolt!thearticlescreamednexttoHamilton’spicture.AburlybrutewhouseshisfiststolaydownthelawonwhoeverdarestocontradicttheCahillcabal!
AtticusRosenbloom—thecabal’stwistedmastermind.Thispint-sizedprovocateuruseshisbigbrainandhisconnectionstotheworldwideacademicelitetosubvertthewillofdecentfreedom-lovingpeopleeverywhere!
Itwentonandon.Ianwasamemberoftheglobalelitewhoprovidedthemwithanentranceintohighsociety,whileJonahWizardgleefullypoisonedtheyouthoftheworldthroughinsidiousmessagesinhismusic.Amycouldhardlybreathelookingatallofit.ItwasonethingforPiercetoattackherandDan,butitwassomethingelseentirelytogoaftertheirfriends.
Amylookeduptheaisle.JonahwasshowingHamiltonanewvideogamewhileAtticusandDanwerepracticingtheiraimbythrowingSkittlesintoeachother’smouths.
Itwasamazingthattheycouldseemsonormalafteralltheyhadbeenthrough.AtticusandJakehadbothlosttheirmothers,Ianhadlosthissister,andJonah’scousinPhoenixhadnearlydied.
Amycrumbledthenewspaperinherfist.They’veallbeenthroughsomuch,shethought.It’suptometomakesuretheydon’tloseanythingelse.
Delaware.TrilonPharmaceuticals.
EverysquareinchofNellieGomez’sbodyitched.
Shetriedtobeassubtleasshecould,butitwasdrivinghercrazy.Sherubbedhercalvestogetherandgroundherspineintothebackofherchair,buttheitchdidn’tstop.Nelliefigureditwastheresultofaripped-jeans-and-Bikini-Kill-T-shirtkindofgalbeingforcedtowearasuitmadeofitchy,stuffywool;apolyesterblouse;andstockingsmadeoutofsomekindofunholyblendofrayonand,shewasprettysure,steelwool.
Andherhair!Thegreatestinsultofallwasbeingforcedtostandoverasinkandwashoutallherbeautifulgothblackandreplaceitwith...brown!Mousebrown.Boring,boringbrown.
Getoveryourself,Gomez,shetoldherself.IfittakesasuittofindoutwhatPierceisdoinghereandstopit,thenasuititis.AndifIcanfindSammywhileI’mhere,allthebetter.
Nellieopenedthefolderonherlapandwentovertherésuméshehadmadethenightbefore.Lookingatthecrisplayoutandrazor-sharpbulletpoints,Nelliewasprettysurethatevenshewouldhireher.Andsheknewthateveryjobdescriptionandreferenceonthethingwasfaked.Eventhenamesheusedwasfake.
“Ms.,uh,Gormey?”
Nellieshotoutofherchairtofaceaslightmanwithablackcomb-overstandinginthedoorwayoftheoffice.
“ItisI!Imean,it’sme!Imean...”Nelliesuckedinadeepbreaththroughherringlessnoseandhandedhimherrésumé.“I’mNadineGormey.That’sme.I’mherefortheinterview.”
ThemanmotionedforNellietosit,thencamearoundanddepositedhimselfacrossthedeskfromher.Whilehewentoverherrésumé,Nelliereachedonepaintedfingernailunderneathhersleeveandscratchedhernowreddenedwrist.
“Ineedtobeclearthatthepositionwe’relookingtofillisquitejunior,”Comb-oversaid.
“That’sfine!”
“Butsomeonewithyourqualifications,”hesaid,marvelingatherrésumé.“Imean,tohaverunanentirelabatHarvardwhilestillanundergrad!”
“Yes,butIthinkit’salwaysimportanttostaypracticedinthefundamentals,youknow?Like”—Nellieslippedacheatsheetoutofherpocketandintoherlap—“howtoperformarecrystallizationorcalculateasolutiondilution.”
“Well,Idoubtyou’dbecalledontodoanythingthatbasic,butIapplaudyoursentiment.Honestly,Ms.Gormey,thisisoneofthemostimpressiverésumésI’veseeninquitealongtime.But”—heleanedoveracrossthedeskinakindofapology—“IwouldberemissifIdidn’tatleastcalloneofyourreferences.”
Nellie’sheartthumped.Sheknewthiswasapossibility,buthadhopeditwouldn’tcomeup.
“Ofcourse,”Nelliesaidthroughgrittedteeth.“Iunderstandcompletely.”
Nelliecrossedherfingersasthemanchoseanumberanddialed.MakethisworkandI’llneverspeedagain!I’llneverdrivethewrongwayonone-waystreets.Oronsidewalks!
“Whatdoyouwant?”ABritishvoiceexplodedfromthespeakerphone.“Hurry,please,I’monmywaytocatchaflight.”
NelliehadneverbeensohappytohearIanKabra’ssnooty,infuriatinglyentitledvoice.
“Uh,yes,Dr.,um,Kabra.ThisisGeorgeTakahashifromTri—”
“Gettothepoint!ThisisaboutGormey,Iassume.NadineGormey?Haveyouhiredheryet?”
“Well,no,Iwasjustwonderingif—”
“Whatintheblazesiswrongwithyou,man!”ThespeakerphoneshookasIanshouted.
You’reagenius,Nelliethought.ItakebackeverybadthoughtI’veeverhadaboutyou.
“IntheentiretimeIspentslummingattheHarvardchemistrylabs,”Iancontinued,“NadineGormeywas,withoutdoubt,theonlycertifiablegeniusIeverencountered.Onlyacompletemoronwouldbesostupidastonothireherthesecondshewalkedintohisoffice.Areyouacompletemoron?”
“No!Ijustthought—”
“Well,stopthinking,Jim!”
“It’sGeorgeactually.YouseeI—”
“Andgetdownonyourkneesrightnowandbeg—BEG!—NadineGormeytotakeoverthatrattrapofanoperationyou’rerunning!Begherandjustperhapsshe’lldeigntobringthelightofreasonandscientificrigortothatpitofmediocrityyoucallalab.Goodday,sir!”
“Well...”
“Isaidgoodday,sir!”
Thelinewentdead.Georgewasapalesweatymess.Evenhismustachewastrembling.HegotaholdofhimselfandlookedupatNellieslowly.
“So...whencanyoustart?”
SomewhereovertheMediterranean
“Thereitis,”AtticussaidfromtheseatnexttoDan.“Yourfuture.”
AjumbleofbrightlycoloredbrochureslitteredDan’slap.Heliftedoneoffthepileandhelditup.WasAtticusright?Wasthishisfuture?
“Youthink?”Danasked.“Itdoesn’tseemalittle...ridiculous?”
“Oh,man,it’ssocompletelyridiculous.”AtticustookthebrochurefromDan.Thejet’sreadinglightilluminatedalineofjugglers,swordswallowers,andbaggy-pantsedclowns.“‘Bartleby’sWorld-FamousClownAcademy.’Weremoreawesomewordseverwritten?Howcouldyounotwanttodothis?”
DanandAtticushadspentthepreviousnightbrainstormingDan’spost-CahilllifeoverendlessroundsoficecreamandItaliansodas.Itseemedlikeajokeatfirst,butnow,lookingdownatallthebrochurestheyhadprintedoutatthehotel,itfeltincrediblyreal.Dan’sheartracedashesiftedthroughthem.Eachonesetoffavolleyoffireworksinhishead.
“Idon’tknow,”Dansaid.“IfIdidtheAmericanSchoolinRome,wecouldhangout,like,everyday.Andthenthere’sbaseballcamp.Andastronautcamp!Icouldtotallygotoastronautcamp.”
“Youcoulddothemall!”Atticussaid,hiseyesroundwithexcitement.“It’saperkofbeingoneoftherichestthirteen-year-oldsontheplanet.Youcandoanythingyouwant.”
TherewasadingandthenthecaptaincameovertheloudspeakerannouncingtheirdescentintoTunis.Danfoldedupthebrochuresandstuffedtheminhisbackpack.Evenwiththezipperclosed,Dancouldfeeltheminthere,thesheerpossibilityofthemdrummingagainstthefabric.Hepushedthepackundertheseatinfrontofhimandturnedtolookdowntheaisle.
Amywasbyherselfinthelastrow,headdownoverOlivia’snotebook.Exceptforaquickconferencewiththepilot,that’swhereshehadbeentheentireflight.Nothingweirdaboutherstudying,ofcourse.Itwasjustweirdthatshewasdoingitalone.SurelyshecouldhaveusedAtticus’sbrainorhisownphotographicmemory.Dancouldn’thelpbutfeeluneasy.AmyhadbeenspendingsomuchtimealoneeversinceTurkey.
No,hecorrectedhimself.EversinceEvan.
Amy’sfirstboyfriend,EvanTolliver,haddiedonaCahillmissionmonthsago,andeversince,Amyhadspentmoreandmoretimebyherself,trainingandstudyingwithanintensitythatalmostfrightenedDan.
Dan,andjustabouteveryoneelseintheworld,thoughtthatwhateverhadbeenstartingbetweenherandJakemightbegoodforher,butforsomereason,wheneverthetwoofthemwereinthesameroom,italljustdevolvedintothekindofbickeringDanhaddonewithhisfifth-gradecrush.Whoknew.Maybethat’swhereAmyandJakewereheaded—pullinghairandknockingice-creamconesoutofeachother’shands.
NotthatDanwashelpinganywithAmy’sstress.DanhadjustannouncedthataftertheystoppedPierce,hewasleavingtheCahillfamily.Leavingher.MaybeAmywastheonewhoneededarelaxingmonthortwoatBartleby’sClownAcademy.
Assoonastheplanebumpedtoalandingandslidintoitsprivategate,Danjumpedup.
“Okay,everybody!”heannounced.“WelcometobeautifuldowntownTunis!Thelocaltemperatureishotwithaslightchanceofincredibly,ridiculouslyhot.Here’stheplan!AtticusandJake,youtwogotalktoyourdadandseewhatyoucanfindoutaboutthesilphium.AmyandIwillhittheCarthageruinsandseewhatwecanfindthere.IanandHamilton,weneedahotelandpossiblyalocalguide.”
“I’mcertainIcanfindsomethingatleastminimallyacceptable,”Iansaid.
“Good.Andwhileyou’reoutthere,don’tforgettomakefunofthelocalsfortheirfashionsense.Theylovethat.Now,JonahandPony—”
“Dan,wait!”
Everyone’sheadturnedtothebackoftheplane,whereAmywasstandingwithherbackpackslungoverhershoulder.
“Changeofplans,”shesaid.“ExceptforDanandme,everyoneisheadingbacktoAttleboro.”
Jakestoodupinhisseat.“What?Why?”
Amyheldupherhandtosilenceeveryone.“Theonlywaywe’regoingtofindeverythingweneedfortheantidoteintimeisifwebreakupintoteams.”
Amyheldupseveralbundlesofpaperwithherhandwritingalloverthem.
“I’vecopiedOlivia’snotebookintoseparatepacks,”shesaid.“We’llhavethreeresearchteamsandoneretrievalteam.Eachresearchteamwillberesponsibleforoneoftheingredients.AnythingyoulearnisfunneledtoDanandme,andwe’llretrieveit.JonahandHamilton,you’llbeteamTikal.IanandPonyareonAngkorduty.JakeandAtticus,you’regoingtostayonsilphium.”
“Whichwecandobesthere,”Jakesaid.“Seeingashowthisiswherethestuff,youknow,is.”
“Exactly!”Daninterjected.“Andbesides,Amy,youandIcan’tgotalktoDr.Rosenbloom.Thelasttimehesawus,hecalledInterpol.Hehatesus.Right,Att?”
“No!”Atticussaid.“Ofcoursenot.Mydadjust...”
Danlookedtohisfriendwithoneeyebrowraised.
Atticusflushed.“Okay,fine.Hedoes.Likealot.”
“AtticusandJakecantalktohimonthephoneandreportbacktous,”Amysaid.
“Nowwaitaminute,”Jakesaid.“YoumaybetheleaderoftheCahills.But,asyou’resofondofremindingus,AtticusandIarenotCahills.SoifyouthinkyoucanstopusfromstayinginTunisandseeingourownfather,you’recrazy.”
“I’mnottryingtostopyoufromseeingyourfather,”Amysaid.“I’mjusttryingtogetthejobdone.”
“Guys,guys,guys,”Dansaid,forcinghimselfinbetweenAmyandJake.“You’regoingtogiveournewfriendPonythewrongideaaboutus.Hedoesn’tknowthatwhileweargueoccasionally,weallshareadeeploveandabidingrespectthatrisesabovepettylittlequarrels.”
“Thisisn’tlittle,”Jakesaid.“Shedoesn’thavetherighttodothis.”
“No,”Amysaid.“Hedoesn’thavetherightto—”
“Hey!”Dansaid,pushingthetwoofthemapart.“Youknowwhatweneed?Pizza!Orthelocalequivalent.We’llhaveabiteandthenwe’llsitdownandwe’llallmakeaplan
together.”
AmyshovedpastDanandJaketotheplane’sexit.“Wedon’thavetimetostandaroundtalking,”shesaid.“Theplanismade.”
“Amy,wait!”Dancalled,butshewasalreadygone.
EveryoneleftintheplaneturnedandsilentlystaredatDan.Hebackeddelicatelytowardtheplane’sexit,hisbestfakesmileplasteredacrosshisface.
“Don’tworry,guys,”hesaid.“Thisisaminorhiccupcausedby,uh,extremejetlag.Whydon’tyouguysjusthangouthereontheplane.I’llberightback!”
Dandashedoutoftheplanebeforeanyonecouldsayaword.Hefoundhissisterstridingthroughtheintenseafternoonsuntowardtheirgate.
“Amy!Hey,Amy.Waitup!”Dancalled,joggingtocatchuptoher.“Whatwasthatallabout?”
“Thisisn’tpee-weesoccer,”Amysaidwithoutmissingastep.“Wedon’thavetimetomakesureeverybodyisplayingthepositiontheywant.Wehaveworktodo.”
“Whichwedobestwhenwe’realltogether.Seriously,Amy,Idon’tthink—”
AmywhippedsomethingoutofherbackpackandpusheditintoDan’schest.Anewspaper.
“What’sthis?”
Amysaidnothing.Dantookthepaperandopenedit.Hiseyeswentwideasheturnedfrompagetopage.
“Butthis...noneofthisistrue,”hesputtered.“Hecan’tjust—”
“Hecan,”Amysaid.“Anybodystandingwithusisatarget,Dan,andPierceisnotplayingaroundanymore.TheFBIisalreadylookingatusbackhome.WhatifPierce’sstoriesconvincethemtostartgoingaftertheothers,too?ThinkaboutJonah’smusiccareer.OrhowAtticuswantstogotoHarvard.YouandIhavetobehere,Dan,noneofthemdo.”
“Justbecausethey’rebackhomedoesn’tmeanthey’llbesafe.”
“No,butthey’llbesafer,”Amysaid.“It’sthebestwecando.”
SomethinginsideofDansankpainfully.Thepaperdangledinhishands.
“JakeandAtthavetostay,”hesaid.
Amystartedtosaysomething,butDancutheroff.“Wecan’twastetimesendingthemallthewayhomejusttotalktotheirdadonthephone.Theonlywaywe’regettingthisdoneintimeisifthey’rehere.”
TherewasaroarbehindthemasanotherplaneliftedoffintotheskiesaboveTunis.
“Fine,”Amysaid.“Butassoonaswe’redonehere,theybothgobacktoAttleboro.Noarguments.Agreed?”
Danmethissister’sgreeneyes.Forthefirsttime,theyresembledstone.“Agreed.”
AmywatchedasDanstoodbytheplane,fendingoffangryquestionsfromHamiltonandIan.Hemusthavebeenconvincing,sincehemanagedtotalkthemallbackinside.DanwentupthestairstohelpJakeandAtticuswiththeirthings,leavingIanaloneatthebackoftheline.
Amy’sheartachedasIanlookedatheracrosstherunway.HewasaKabra,sohishurtwasconcealedbeneathaveilofpride,butAmycouldseeitasplainasthedesertsunburningoverherhead.SheknewshewasdoingthisforIan’sowngood,butshealsoknewhowmuchtheirmissiondistractedhimfromwhathehadlost.Maybeonedayhe’dunderstand.
Amyturnedaway,fixinghereyesontheterminalandheadingforit.
“Amy!Wait!”
SheturnedbacktoseePonyrushinguptowardher.
“Sorry!”Ponysaidwhenhereachedher,huffingandpuffing.“Almostforgot!”Hepulledasmallpaddedenvelopeoutofhispocketandhelditouttoher.“SomemailcameafteryouleftAttleboro.Wantedtobringittoyou.”
“Thanks.”
Ponyranbacktothejet,sayinggood-byetoJakeandAtticusasDanledthemoutoftheplane.Amyturnedthepackageover.Hernameandaddresswereonthefront,buttherewasnoreturn.Shetoreitopenandpulledoutasinglesheetofpaper.
Amy,
Sorryagainformessingthingsupwiththeserum.Tookalookaroundthelabandfiguredouthowtomakeonemoredose.Thoughtyoumightneedit.
SammyMourad
Amydugbackintotheenvelope,heartracing.Shefoundsomethinginsideandpulleditout.Itwasasmallglassvial,halffilledwithserum.
“Hey,Amy,whatchagotthere?”askedDan.
Amydroppedthevialbackintotheenvelopeandstuffeditintoherbackpack.
“Nothing,”shesaid.“Nothingatall.”
Tunis,Tunisia
Lessthananhourlater,theyhadfoundthemselvesahotelandAtticuswasleadingthegroupthroughTunisonAvenueHabibBourguiba.AmyhadtoadmitthatIanwasright.Theavenuewasnothingifnotfashionable.Shedidn’tseeanydiscos,butshedidseesmart-lookingshoppersdartinginandoutofboutiquesorlounginginthesidewalkcafés.Thestreetitselfwaslinedwithwell-manicuredficustreesandornateblackstreetlights.Allofitsatbeneathashockinglybluesky.
“Att,”Jakesaid.“You’resureDad’slibraryisthisway?”
“Yep.Pasthereandintothemedina.”
“Themedina?”Danasked.
“It’sliketheoldpartofthecity,”Atticussaid.“Well,theoldpartofthecitythatstillstands.There’sbeenamajorcityonthissitefornearlythreethousandyears.ThereallyoldpartofthecityistheruinsofPunicCarthagetothenorth.”
“PunyCarthage?”Danasked.“Like,littletinywimpyCarthage?”
“No,”Atticussaid.“PuniclikePhoenician.See.Okay.Wedon’tknowmuchforsureaboutCarthage,butwethinkitmighthavebeenfoundedbyaPhoenicianqueennamedElissa.Only,whenVirgilwroteaboutherintheAeneid,hedecidedtocallherQueenDidoinstead.Anyway,whatweknowaboutheriskindofamixoflegendandpossiblyfact.”
“That’sprettyconfidenceinspiring,Atticus,”Dansaid.
“Givemeabreak!We’retalkinglikethreethousandyearsofhistoryhere.Anyway,thelegendandmaybesortakindafactisthatElissaandherbrotherPygmalionweresupposedtosharethethroneofPhoeniciawhentheirfatherdied.But!PygmalionkilledtheirfatherandthenkilledElissa’shusband.Notbeingsuicidal,Iguess,Elissatookabunchofherpeopleandgotasfarawayfromherbrotherasshecould.”
“Apparently,”Jakesaid,“thelocalsweren’ttoothrilledtohaveherandherpeoplehere,soshetoldthelocalkingsheonlywantedasmuchlandascouldbeencompassedbyasingleoxhide.Whenhesaidokay,shetoretheoxhideintotinylittlestripsandsurroundedanentirehillwithit.Totallyconnedtheguy.”
“Or,”Amysaid,“shedidwhatshehadtodotoprotectherselfandherpeople.”
“Right,”Jakesaid.“Theendtotallyjustifiesthemeans.”
“Ididn’tsaythat!”
“So,”DancutinashewedgedhimselfinbetweenAmyandJake,sendingthemtooppositesidesofthesidewalk.“IfCarthagewassuchabigdeal,thenwhydoweknowsolittleaboutit?”
“Because,”Jakesaid,“RomecompletelywipedthemoutaftertheThirdPunicWar.”
“Then,aftertheRomans,”Atticussaid,“thisplacewasconqueredagainbytheVandals—no,notthatkindofvandal,Dan.TheywereaGermanictribethatconqueredalotofNorthAfricaandtheMediterranean—andthentheByzantinesandthentheArabs.ThentheFrenchtookover,andnowthey’reontheirown.”
“Man,everybodywantedapieceofCarthage.”
“Itwasaprettygoodstrategiclocationandthefarmingwasamazing,apparently.WhenRomewasincharge,theycalledtheplacethegranaryoftheempire.”
“Didtheygrowanysilphium?”Amyasked.
Atticusshrugged.
“Oliviaseemedtothinkso,”Dansaid.
“AllweknowisshethinkssilphiumhadsomeconnectiontoCarthage,”Atticussaid.“Whatthatis,isanyone’sguess.LeonardodaVincisuggestedshelookforitonthe‘IslandoftheAthenian,’butsinceAthenswasthecapitalofGreeceandnotanisland,Oliviafigureditwashisideaofajoke.”
“Hilarious,”Dansaid.
“Sowhatissilphium,exactly?”Amyasked.
“Somekindofplant,”Jakesaid.“Wedon’tevenknowforsurewhatitlookedlike,sinceit’sbeenextinctforsomethinglikeathousandyears.”
Amyshookherhead.“Ifwedon’tknowwhatitlookedlike,howcanwebesureit’sextinct?Imean,therecouldbegrovesofthestuffandwewouldn’tknow.”
Theyhadmovedfromtheficus-linedHabibBourguibatoabroadplazaofwhatlookedlikewhitemarblecrisscrossedbysharpgeometricpatterns.Toweringinfrontofthemwasagreatstoneedificewithanarchedtunnelcuttingstraightthroughit.
“BabelBahr!”Atticusmarveled.“Theentiremedinausedtobesurroundedbyastonewall.Thewallisgonenowbuttheseportalsstillremain.”
Theplazawaspackedwithpeoplemovingineverydirection.AbabelofconversationsinFrenchandArabicmixedwiththesplashofafountainandtheshoutsofthesellersstandingatumbrella-coveredstalls.
Amyheldherbreathastheystarteddowntheroadintothemedina.Itwasincrediblynarrow,hemmedinbylinesofmerchants’stallsstackedupagainstthetwo-orthree-storybuildingsoneitherside.Thekioskswereteemingwithgoods,laidoutontablesandhangingfromtheroofsofthestalls.Everywherethekidslooked,therewereglitteringstacksofbrassandtin,alongwithelegantlyshapedceramicsandboltsoffabricsinbrilliantredsandgreensandlapisblue.Darkalleywaysandwindingarteriesshotoffthemainroadinaconfusionofdirections.
WhenAmyturnedtoDan,shesawhewasdoingthesamethingshewas.Scanningrooftopsandopenwindows,examiningthefacesofthesellersthatseemedtobeeverywhere.Itwassecondnaturetothemnow,tolookforanambush.
SomethingcaughtAmy’seyeandsheveeredoffthestreettoamerchant’skiosk.
“What’sup?”Danasked,movinginnexttoher.
“Lookatthese,Dan,aren’ttheypretty?”
Amypickeduponeoftheman’sbeatencopperpotsandhandedittoherbrother.“Oneo’clock,”shewhispered.“Bytherugmerchant’sstall.”
Danliftedthecopperpotupintothelight,thenturneditlikehewasexaminingadefect.JakeandAtticusappearedbehindthem.
“What’sgoingon?”Jakeasked.
“Oh,nothing,”AmysaidtoJakejustloudenoughsohecouldhear.“WewerelookingattheseforNellie.Youknowhowshelovestobeambushedwithgifts.”
Danputthepotback.“Guyinthehat?”heasked.“Doesn’tlooklikeanyoftheoneswe’veseen.”
“WhoknowshowmanyguysPiercehas,”Amywhispered.
“There’sanotherone,”Atticussaid.“Neartheflowerstall.Westerner.Newtothearea.”
“Howcanyoutell?”
“Hisfaceispink,”Jakesaid.“Sunburn.”
“Whatdowedo?”Danasked.
“Followhim,”Jakesaid.“Seewhatwecanlearn.”
Amythoughtasecond,thenbackedawayfromthetable.“No.Wegobacktothehotel.”
“Buthecouldleadusrighttotheirbase,”Jakewhisperedurgently.“Wecouldseehowmanyofthemthereare,findouttheirplans—”
“Getourselveskilled.No,”Amysaid.“Westicktotheplan!Getthesilphiumandgetout.”
ButJakewasalreadyonthemove.Amyreachedforhissleevebuthewastoofast.Jakethrewhimselfintotheriverofshoppersanddisappearedaroundacorner.Amywhirledaroundtofindthatthemaninthehatwasgone,too.
“Stayhere!”sheyelledatDanandAtticusbeforedivingintothecrowd.DidJakeevencarethathecouldgethimselfkilled?
Amystruggledthroughthecrowdedmedina.Despiteherbestefforts,sheseemedtoslamintoshoppersateverystep,earningherinsultsinatleastthreelanguages.ShesearchedthechaosforaglimpseofJakeorthemanwiththehat,butallshesawwerekiosksandbodiesandtwistingroads.
“Thereheis!”Dancalledout.
Jakeappearedattheotherendofanalley,speedingdownastreetthatranparalleltotheirown.
“Itoldyoutwotowait!”AmyyelledoverhershoulderasshetookoffafterJake.
AmyscreamedinwardlyasDanshotpasther,poundingdownthealleywaythatconnectedthetwostreets.Jakehaddisappearedagainbythetimetheyspilledintothe
road,butAmycaughtsightofthemanwiththehatasheheadedtowardatoweringmosque.
“Ifwetakethatroad,wecangetbetweenhimandJake,”Amysaid.
BrassandironclatteredagainstthegroundasAmybarreledpastmoremerchants,jostlingtheirstalls.Sheignoredtheircries,keepinghereyeonthemanasheslippedexpertlythroughthecrowds.Whentheywerejustfeetfromtheplaza,themanturneddownastone-roofedalley.Halfasecondlater,Jakeemergedfromthecrowdsandfollowedhimin.
Amy,Dan,andAtticusstoppedatthemouthofthealley,panting.Amypeereddownitslength.Itwaslongandevennarrowerthanthestreets.Theharshsunonlymanagedtolightthefirstfewfeet,andbeyondwasamurksodarkitlookedlikenight.Somewheredownthere,Jakewasalonewithamonster.
AmylookedbackatDanwheezingbehindher.Henoddedandtheybothbegantomove.AtticusstartedtojointhembutAmyheldhimback.
“Weneedalookout,”shewhispered.
“But—”
AmyraisedafingertoherlipstosilenceAtticusandthenfollowedDanintothealley.Itwasevendarkerthansheimaginedandfullofthevinegarysmellofmolderingtrash.Thesoundsofthecityandthemarketsweremutedbythealley’swalls,fillingthetunnelwithawhisperinghush.Amycreptforward,herbodyonhighalert.Danhadslippedfartheraheadandwaslostintheshadows.Amyfeltpanicbuildingupinher.Thenasingleshaftofsunlightfromagapinthestonerooffellsomethirtyfeetahead.Therewasaflashofwhiteasthemaninthehatsteppedintoit.
“AmyCahill,”themansaid.Hisvoicewaspleasant,buthadaflintyBritishaccent.“AndDanandJake.Ibelievethat’sAtticusRosenbloomwatchingthealley.AmIright?”
Amyfoundaloosepavingstoneatherfeet.Shegrabbeditandhelditattheready.“Whatdoyouwant?”
“Totalk.”
“Aboutwhat?”
Themanturnedtowardher,onehandreachinginsidehisjacket.
“He’sgotagun!”JakecriedasheexplodedoutofthegloomonlyfeetfromAmy.Themanwasreadyforhim,though.HepivotedtowardJake,butAmyleapedupandshovedJakeintothebrickwall,puttingherselfbetweenhimandtheBritishmercenary.
“Amy!Jake!”
ItwasAtticus.Atideofbodieswaspushingpasthimandintothealley.MoreofPierce’sgoons.Itwasatrap!AmyturnedbacktothemaninthehatjustasDanslammedintohimfrombehind.
“Dan!”
Therewasnothingtodonowbutfight.ThemanstumbledatDan’sstrike,butmanagedtopushhimasidesoDanwentreelingfartherintothealley.Itwastheperfectdistraction.JakeappearedbyAmy’ssideandtogethertheytookthemanbytheshouldersandflunghimaroundandintothewall.Hehitthebrickwithasatisfyingoof,andJakeswungforhim.Therewasacrackasheconnectedwiththeman’schin,sendinghimslumpingintothedirt.
JakelookedbackatAmy,buttheybarelyhadasecondtorelaxbeforeablastofwhitelightfilledthealley.Amystaggeredback,shieldinghereyes.Therewasanotherflash,andanother.Thistimefromthemanontheground.Hishandhademergedfromhisjacketandhewasholdingsomesortofadevice.Notagunbut...
“Smile,kids!”
Everythingsnappedintofocus.Notagun.Acamera.AflashwentoffandAmyturnedtowardthechargingmassofpeopletofaceafiringsquadofflashes.Everyonewasshouting.Aslightwomaninatansuitpushedamicrophoneinherface.
“Amy!DoyouplantobrutalizeanyotherpeoplewhileinTunisorjustthisinnocentreporter?”
Amy’smouthfellopen,stunned.Thereporterssurgedforward,crowdingthekidsdeeperintothealley.DanpickedhimselfupandjoinedAmyandJake.Themaninthehatgotup,camerainhand.Therewasbloodrunningdownhischin,buthewassmiling.
“Hey,Jake!Howdoesitfeeltojoinaglobalcriminalconspiracy?”
“Wasithardtobringyourinnocentlittlebrotherintoit,too?”
“Dan!Willyoueverbeabletowipeyournosewithoutyourbigsister’sokay?”
“Leaveusalone!”Amyshouted,andranatthem,drivingherwaythroughthecrowd,whichhadbecomeasthickasaforest.Handsreachedouttoherfromeverydirectionasthereporterspushedtheirbusinesscardsintoherpockets.
“Callme,Amy!”
“HowdoesitfeeltobepersonallyresponsibleforthedeathofEvanTolliver?”
Amyspuntowardthereporter,herhandcurlingintoafist.ButJakeappearedononesideofherandDanontheother.Theydraggedherbackthroughthecrowdsasthereporterstookpictureafterpicture.Atticuswaswaitingattheheadofthealleywithacabidlingbehindhim,itsbackdoorsthrownopen.
JakeandDantossedAmyintothecabandthenjumpedinbehindher.Atticushoppedintothefrontseatandslammedthedoor.
“Go!”Atticusshouted.“Now!”
“Unbelievable,”Jakesaid,cradlinghisbruisedhand.“They’reworsethanPierce’sgoons.”
AmyglaredatJakeacrossthebackseatofthetaxi.
“Yeah,”shesaid.“Andyougavethemexactlywhattheywanted.”
Tomakesuretheyevadedthereporters,Atticushadthedriverleadthemonahigh-speedramblethroughTunis.Theywereonahighway,thenoffagain.Bythelake,ontheHabibBourguiba,backinthemedina.Atensesilencefilledthecabtheentireway.AmystaredoutonewindowwhileJakestaredouttheother.Dansquirmedbetweenthem.
“Wheretonow?”DanaskedAmy,breakingthequiet.“Thehotel?”
“ThosereportersaregoingtobestakingouteveryhotelinTunislookingforus,”Amysaid.“Att,havethedrivertakeustoyourdad.Wemightaswellgetsomethingaccomplished.”
Minuteslater,thetaxiskiddedtoahaltoutsidethegatesofanornatebuilding.ThethreeofthemtumbledoutofthebackseatofthecarasAtticuspaidthedriver.OnceJakeintroducedhimselftotheguardjustinsidethelibrary,theywereallgivenbadgesandshownthroughasetofdoubledoors.
“CanIseeOlivia’snotebookagain?”Atticusasked.
Amyduginherbagandhandeditover.Itwasamazingtowatchhim,shethought.Ninetypercentofthetime,Atticuslookedlikeanyothertwelve-year-oldonthestreet,butnotwhenheread.Heseemedolderthanherthen.Helosthimselfinit,hisforeheadfurrowingintothinridgesandhiseyesgoingsharpascutglass.Shehadthedecodednotesinherbag,butitwaslikeAtticusdidn’tevenneedthem.Oncehehadbrokenthecode,hecouldreadrightthroughit.
Jakewaswatchinghisbrother,too,clearlyjustasamazedasshewas.WhenJakefeltAmywatchinghim,heturnedtowardher,hisfacebrighteninginasmile.Amyfeltajoltofnervesandturnedawayfromhim,continuingondownthehall.
Smallofficeslinedthehalloneitherside,eachonefilledwithenoughscientistsintweedandlabcoatstofillauniversity.Allofthemwerebentoverancientrocksand
scrollsofpaper.Eventheirmurmurssoundedsmart.
“Wow,”Dansaid.“Thisplaceisnerdcentral.Amy,wehavegottogetyouajobhere.”
TheycametotheendofthehallwayandanofficewithDr.Rosenbloomonthedoorplate.
“Okay,”Jakesaid.“YoutwowaitoutherewhileAtticusandIseewhatwecanlearn.”
JakewasabouttoclosethedoorbehindthembutAmyshovedherhandbetweenthedoorandthejamb.ShehissedwithpainbutmanagedtokeepitopenacrackwithoutattractingJake’sattention.
Dr.Rosenbloom’sofficeremindedAmyofalibrarythathadbeenstruckbyatornado.Booksandjournalsandnewspaperscoveredeverysquareinchoftheplace,mostofthemunderlinedandhighlightedandpowderedwithdust.Olddishesandtea-stainedmugswerestackedinlistingtowersbesidewallsofhalf-openedmail.Theplacedidn’tseemdirty,exactly,itjustseemedlikethespaceofamanwithamillionthoughtsgoingthroughhisheadatonce.
Theonlypartoftheofficethatwasatallwell-orderedweretheshelvesstuffedwithbooksrelatingtoDr.Rosenbloom’ssingularobsession—ancientorlostcivilizations.Amywasstunnedbythesheernumberandvarietyofthem.BooksontheAncestralPuebloPeopleandtheMinoansandtheOlmecssatbesideonesonmorefancifullostcivilizationslikeElDorado.TwowholeshelveswerefilledwithnothingbutbooksonAtlantis.
We’vedefinitelycometotherightplace,Amythought.
“Atticus!Jakey!”Dr.Rosenbloomappearedattheoffice’sbackdoor,beaming.Hethrewhisarmsopenandgatheredhissonsintohischest,glowingwithjoy.AmyhadtoadmitthatDr.Rosenbloomwasquitesomething.HewasaperfectmixtureofJakeandAtticus.Hehadthebroadshouldersandsquarejawofanathletebuttheunkemptclothesandthethick-rimmedglassesofaglobe-trottingslob/genius.
Thebestthingofallwashowmuchheclearlylovedhissons.Amyfeltatwingedeepinherchest.ShelookedatDanandguessedfromthedark,focusedlookonhisfaceashewatchedthemthathewasfeelingthesamething.Arealparent.Somethingthey’dhadforsuchashorttime.
Dr.Rosenbloomsweptstacksofbooksandpapersoffthechairsinhisofficeandsattheboysdown.Hehadtwopapersacksinhandandsetthemonhisdesk.
“Okay!Firstthingsfirst,Igrabbedussomelunch.Tajinemalsouka!Thisisgoingtoblowyourminds,guys.It’slikeachickenpiemadewithphyllodough.MyfriendAminamakesit.”
JakeandAtticussharedanamusedlook.Theirdadalwayshadawomanfriendwhowasmakinghimthingstoeat.Dr.Rosenbloomopenedthebagandpulledoutwhatlookedlikethickpiecesofpiewrappedinwaxedpaper.Theofficefilledwiththesmellsofspicychickenandwarmbread.AmyhadtograbontoDan’sshouldertokeephimfrombustingthroughthedoorandintotheroom.
“Sotellmeeverything!”Dr.Rosenbloomsaidthroughamouthfulofpie.“How’sschool?”
“Good!”Atticussaid,maybealittletooquickly.“Theindependentstudyisgoingreallywell.”
“Awesome,”Dr.Rosenbloomsaid.“Harvardwon’tknowwhathitthemwhenyougetthere.WhatbringsyouguysfromRome,though?I’mhappyyoucame,ofcourse,butit’ssuchshortnotice.Iseverythingallright?”
“Fine!”Jakesaid.“Wejustwantedtoseeyou.AndAtticushadsomequestions.Abouthisindependentstudy.”
“Happytohelp.Whatisit?”
“Well,I’mlookingatagriculture,”Atticussaid.“ParticularlythemajorRomancropsandwhoproducedthemoutsideofItaly.”
“Fascinatingtopic.”
DanrolledhiseyesandAmyelbowedhimhardintheside.
“Itis,”Atticuscontinued.“ButIkeepcomingacrossonecropthatIcan’tfindmuchabout.Silphium.”
Dr.Rosenbloomnoddedeagerly,swallowingamouthful.“Mmm.Well,that’sprobablybecausethere’snotmuchanyonecansay.Itwasoneofthebiggestandmostsoughtaftercropsofitstime,whichwasabouttheseventhcenturyB.C.tothefirstcenturyA.D.TheRomanssaiditwasworthitsweightinsilver.”
“Sowhatdiditdo?”Jakeasked.
Dr.Rosenbloomlaughed.“Everything,apparently.Peopleuseditasaseasoningintheirfoodandasageneral-purposeremedy.Curedjustaboutanythingyoucouldname.Or
sotheysaid.Here,guys,havesomemore.”
Dr.RosenbloomloadedJakeandAtticusupwithfreshslicesofpie.
“Well,ifitwassogreat,howdiditgoextinct?”Jakeasked.“Whydidn’tpeoplejustgrowmore?”
“Noonereallyknows,”Dr.Rosenbloomsaid,leaningbackandbrushingcrumbsoffofhisrumpledtie.“Maybetheywentthroughittoofastandthentherewasacropfailure.Somepeoplesaiditonlygrewwildandcouldn’tbecultivated,butthatseemsunlikely.”
“WasitgrownhereinCarthage?”
“Carthage?”Dr.Rosenbloomasked.“No,themaingrowerwasCyreneifIremembercorrectly.That’sLibyatoday.It’sclosebybutIdon’trememberreadinganythingaboutitbeinggrownhere.Why?”
“Justpartoftheproject,”Atticussaidquickly.“Kindoflikeascavengerhunt.We’resupposedtotryandfindsome,andmyadviserthoughtwecouldtryhere.”
“Ascavengerhunt?Forsomethingthatdoesn’texist?Atticus,that’satotalwasteofyourtime.Who’syouradviser?Ishouldcallandstraightenhimout.”
Dr.Rosenbloomreachedbacktoaphoneonhisdesk.
“No!”Atticussaid.“It’sfine.Really.”Atticusjumpeduptostophisdad,andwhenhedidOlivia’snotebookfelloutofhishandandontothetable.
“What’sthis?”
“Nothing!It’sjust—”
AmysuppressedagaspasDr.Rosenbloomtookthenotebookoffthetableandopenedit.
“Really,”Jakesaid.“It’snotanything.Just—”
Jakestopped.AnalmostphysicaltransformationcameoverDr.Rosenbloomasheread.Hissoftandbrightfeaturesturnedahard,ashygray.Amystartedforward,butDanheldherback.
“Ithoughtyousaidyoucamebecauseyouwantedtoseeme,”Dr.Rosenbloomsaidwithadarkfrown.
“Dad...”Jakestarted.
“OliviaCAHILL!?”heshouted,brandishingthenotebookintheirfaces.“ItoldyouIdidn’twantyougettinginvolvedwiththeCahillseveragain.”
“We’renot.We’rejust—”
“Don’tlietome,Jake!”
Dr.Rosenbloom’sshoutechoedinthesmalloffice.
“Wetoldthemwe’dseewhatwecouldfindoutaboutthesilphium,”Atticussaid.“That’sall.”
“You’veseenthestoriesabouttheminthepapers,”Dr.Rosenbloomsaid.“OnTV.Isthatwhatyouwanttobeapartof?Youwanttobefamous?”
“Thosestoriesaren’ttrue!”Atticusprotested.
“Thinkaboutyourfuture,Atticus.AndJake’s.IknowyouthinkAmyandDanareyourfriends,butiftheywere,theywouldn’tletyougetinvolvedinthesethings.”Heheldupthenotebookbetweenthem.“TheCahillsdon’tcareaboutanybodybutthemselvesandtheirstupidgames,andtheyneverhave!”
Amyfellbackfromthedoor,squeezinghereyesshutasifshecouldblockitout,buthiswordswerelikeknivestearingintoher.TherewasathumpasDr.RosenbloomthrewOlivia’snotebookontothetabletop.
“They’renotgames,”Jakecried.“Thisisimportant,andAmyandDan—”
Jakesuddenlywentquiet,andAmylookedbackintotheroom.Olivia’snotebookwaslyingopenonthedeskandDr.Rosenbloomwasleaningoverit,completelyabsorbedinsomethinginsidethathadcaughthiseye.Dr.Rosenbloomdrewthebookoffthecounterandintohislap,flippingquicklythroughthepages.
“Dad?”Atticussaid.
Dr.Rosenbloomhelduponehandandturnedanotherpage.Thelinesofhurtfellawayandhisfacetookonthesamediamond-likefocusthatAtticushadwhenhewasreading.
“Notpossible,”Dr.Rosenbloommutteredtohimself,shakinghishead.“It’snotpossible.”
“Whatisn’tpossible?”Jakeasked.“Dad!”
“Itwasrightundermynosethewholetime!”
Jakereachedacrossthedeskandshookhisfather’sarm,forcinghimtoemergefromthebook.Dr.Rosenbloomsnappeditshut.“IwantyoutwoonaplanebacktoRome.”
JakestartedtoprotestbutDr.Rosenbloomshuthimdown.“Nodiscussion.Youtwoleavetonight,andcallmeassoonasyougetin.”
“Butwhatdidyouread?”Jakeaskedashisfathertorethroughtheroom,fillingamessybriefcasewithpapersandstacksofbooksfromhisshelves.
“Tonight,Jake!”
Dr.Rosenbloomthrewonajacketandheadedtowardthedoor.AmyandDanjumpedforward,hidingbehindthedoorasDr.Rosenbloomthrewitopenandhitthehallatarun.Hisfootstepsclattereddownthehallwaypasthisastonishedcoworkers.Papersflewoutofhishalf-closedbriefcase.Adoorattheendofthehallflewopenandhewasgone.
JakeandAtticusjoinedDanandAmyinthenowsilenthallway.
“Uh...guys?”Dansaid.“Whattheheckwasthat?”
“Noidea,”Atticussaid,visiblyshaken.“I’veneverseenhimgetlikethatbefore.”
“Youthreebettergobacktothehotel,”Amysaid.“Digintothenotebookandfigureoutwhathesaw.Ithastobeimportant.”
“Whatareyougoingtodo?”Danasked.
“HeadtotheCarthageruins.There’samuseumthere,too.MaybeIcanlearnsomemore.”
“I’llgowithyou,”Jakesaid.
“No,”Amysaidquickly,alreadyrushingdownthehall.“Youstayhereandhelptheothers.”
“But,Amy—”
Amythrewopenthedoubledoors,stumblingintothebrightheatofTunis.Shemadeitaroundthesideofthebuildingandoutofsightbeforecollapsingwithherbackagainstawall.Shewassurprisedtofindherbreathcomingfastandherheartpounding.Dr.Rosenbloom’swordsechoedinherhead.TheCahillsdon’tcareaboutanybodybutthemselves.
Behindher,thedoorstothelibraryopenedandvoicesfilledthecourtyard.DanandJakeandAtticus.Amypushedherselfawayfromthewallanddisappeareddownthe
streetsofTunis.
CaraPiercesteppedintothedojoastheclockstrucknoon.Herbrother,Galt,stoodacrossfromher,barefootinhisblackuniformandblackbelt.Hesnappedintoafightingstancewithasnarl.
Thedojowasspacious,withcleanwhitewallsandapolishedfloorofblondwood.Aweaponsrackholdingbambooswords,staffs,andnunchakussatalongonewall.Upinahighcorner,asingleblackvideocameraswiveledbackandforth.Caraknewherfatherwasathisdesk,watchingonamonitor.Whentheyweredone,hewoulddescendandgivethewinnerareward.
Whentheywerekids,therewardforGaltandCara’sweeklysparringmatcheswasicecreamoranewtoy,butastheygotolderthewinnerreceivedanextrahelpingoftheirfather’smostprized,mosthoardedpossession—histime.Thewinnersatinhismeetings,listenedtohisplans,helpedhimconspire.Theloserwasshutout.
Ofcourse,sometimesCarawasn’tsurewhatshewantedmore—herfather’sfavorortowipethevicioussmirkoffofherbrother’sface.
Caradroppedintoherownstance,butbeforeshecouldmakeamovetherewasablurofmovementfollowedbyacrunchingimpacttoherjaw.TheworldflippedandCarafoundherselfonherback.Shecursedherselfforherdistractionandleapedbacktoherfeet.ShemanagedaquickroundhousekickthatconnectedwithGalt’ssidebutheflashedaway.
Galthadalwaysbeenfastandstrong,butinthelastfewweeks,heseemedtoborderoninhuman.Oneminutehewassafelyonherleft,andthenwithoutwarninghewasonherright,sendingapunchflyingtowardhertemple.CaragotafewpunchesinbuttheycamemoreandmoreinfrequentlywhileGaltbouncedbackfromthemfastereverytime.
Always,outofthecornerofhereye,shecouldseethatblackcameratrackingthem.
Caraspunawayfromanothercrushingblow.Alongwithherfather’sfavorscamethelectures.Survivalofthefittestiswhathealwayssaid.WinnersrosetothetopthroughhardworkandGod-giventalent.Andlosers?Alltheyweregoodforwasdoingthebiddingofthewinners.
Carahadanidea.InsteadofcirclingawayfromGaltastheirsenseihadtaught,sheslidstraightbackfromhim,dodgingaflurryofblows.Galtgrowledashecameather,workinghimselfintoafrenzy,hiseyesablaze.
That’sright,Carathought.Keepcoming.Youmaybestrongandfast,butit’stimetoseewhichoneofusissmart.
Caraslowedandlethimlandarightonherside.Itwasliketakingafreighttrainintheribs.Carastifledascreamandrespondedwithaworthlesspunchandthenasidekickthatwentnowhere.Galtlaughedandlandedastunningcombination.Rightleftright.Straightkick.Roundhouse.Cara’sbreathleftherinarushandshewentdowninaheap.
Galtstoodbeforeher,handsonhiships,self-satisfiedgrinflashing.Caracrawledovertotheweaponsrackandgrabbedthetoprail.Sheslowlypulledherselfup,finallymakingittoherkneesanddrapingherarmsoverthelipofthewoodenrack.Shedidn’thavetofakeitnow.Everyinchofherbodythrobbedwithpain.
Galtsaunteredover,revelingintheopportunitytomockher.“Needsomehelpthere,sis?”
Caralookedoverhershoulder.Theblacksurveillancecamerainthecornerwasrightonthem.Galtwasholdingouthishand,cockysmileburning.Carasmiledrightback.
“Nope.”
Carasweptabambooswordoutoftherackandswungwithallhermight.Galt’seyeswentwideastheshaftwhistledthroughtheair.
“Hey!Thisisn’taweaponsdrill!Cara!”
Caralaughedasherbrotherretreated,varyingherstrikestokeephimoffbalance.Shewentright,thenleft,ahardjabtothestomachwiththeswordpointtoknockthewindoutofhim,andthenaspinningkicktohisside.GaltwentdownwithacryandCarastoodoverhim,triumphant,herbarefootonhisstomach,theswordathisthroat.
“Okay!”Galtcried.“Youwin!Isurrender!”
“Yougetoverconfident,bro,”Carasaidwithasmileofherown.“Gettothinkingyou’reinvinciblewhenyou’renot.”
“Funny,”Galtsaid.“Iwasjustthinkingthesamethingaboutyou.”
“Whatdoyou—?”
BeforeCaracouldreact,theswordwasoutofherhandsandinGalt’s.Andhewasbackonhisfeet.Howdidhe—Galtwhirledtheswordlikeahelicopterblade,gainingmomentumbeforeslammingitintoCara’sside,andshoulder,andback.Eachstrikewasperfectlyaimed,hittingajuttingboneoranervepoint.Carafeintedleftandthenmovedright,butthebamboobladecameoutofnowhere,sendinghercrashingintothewoodenrack.
Whenshemanagedtolookup,Galtwasstridingtowardher,grinning.
“Sorry,sis,”hesaidwithashrug.“Iguessthere’sjustnofightingGod-giventalent.”
CarashuthereyesandGaltliftedthesword,tensingupfortheblow.
“Enough!”
Theirfatherstoodinthedoorway.Helookedlikeamarblestatueinhisinky-blacksuit.
“Dad!”Galtsaid.“Didyousee?ItotallybeatCara!”
“But,Dad,”Caracriedasshestruggledtogettoherfeet.“Hesurrendered!”
“Ididnot!”
“Youdid!Dad,Galttotally—”
“What?Cheated?”herfatherrepliedacidly.“Onlyloserswhineaboutrules,Cara.Rulesandregulationswereputinplacetocoddletheweak,andPiercesarenotweak!Now,Ibelieveyourmothercouldusesomehelparrangingherteddybearcollection.Ofcourse,ifyoudon’twantthistohappenagain,maybeyoushouldhitthegymmoreoften.”
“Yes,sir.”
“Galt,”hesaidashesteppedintothehallwayoutside.“You’rewithme.”
Assoonastheirfather’sbackwasturned,GaltstuckhistongueoutatCaraandthenslippedoutintothehall.Thedoorslammedbehindthem,andCaraforcedherselftoherfeetandstartedlurchingtowardthegym.She’dshowDadandGalt,too.She’dtrainharderthanever.Longer,too.
I’llshowthembothwho’sstronger.
Amywanderedformorethananhourbeforeshegatheredthecouragetoadmitsomethingveryimportant.
Shewaslost.
ThecabdriverwhopickedherupinthemedinaspokeArabic,French,andItalian,butnoEnglish.SothebestAmycoulddowasrepeatCarthage,museum,andnorthoverandoveragain.Finally,themanwavedhishandandhitthegas,drivingatterrifyingspeedsbeforescreechingtoahaltinthemiddleofasmalltown.Whenshequestionedhim,hepointedvaguely,thenspedoffinacloudofexhaust.
Amytriedtofigureoutwhereshewasusingherphone,butreceptionwasalmostnonexistent.
Asfrustratingasitwas,Amyhadtoadmittherewereworseplacestobelost.Thetownshefoundherselfinsatonapalmtree–coveredhillwithawideviewoftheMediterraneanbelow.Thenarrowstreetswerelinedwithlowbuildings,eachonepaintedsnowywhitewithaccentsofthedeepestblueAmyhadeverseen.Residentsloungedonwideporches,soakingupthelastraysofthesun,whiletouristsdrifteddowntheavenue,visitingthefewmerchantstallsthathungondespitethegatheringdark.
Amypausedatacornerandlookeddownonboatsglidingintoasmallmarinaforthenight.Shewassurprisedtofindthestrainofthedaybegintofade.
IsthiswhatDanwants?Amywondered.ThefactthatherbrotherwasleavingaftertheybeatPiercewasneverfarfromhermind.Tocometoaplacelikethisandsimply...be.Norunning.Nofighting.
Amycouldn’timagineit.AndwhatwouldhesaythenexttimesomeonelikePierceturnedup?“Sorry,world!Gottoworkonmytan.”
No,Amythought.DanandIareCahills.Itisn’tjustwhatwedo,it’swhoweare.Ifwestopped,ifwesplitup,what’sleft?Whowouldweevenbe?
Amypusheditoutofherhead.Dan’stalkwasjustthat—talk.AftertheyfinishedwithPierce,she’dmakesurehegotsometimeoff.Lethimgositonabeach.Afteralittledowntime,shewassurehe’dforgetaboutit.Satisfied,Amystruckoutagaindowntheroad.
“Excuseme?TheCarthageMuseum?”sheasked.
Touristaftertouristeithershooktheirheadorpointedgenerallytothesouth.Thesunwassettingfast.Amyneededtomove.Shehikedherbackpackuponhershouldersandheadeddowntheroad.
“You’relookingfortheCarthageMuseum?”Aman’svoicecamefrombehindher.
Finally!“Yes!”Amysaid,turningback.“IguessIjustgotalittle—”
JakeRosenbloomwasleaningagainstoneofthecleanwhitewalls,aninfuriatinggrinplasteredacrosshisface.“Lost?”
“Whatareyoudoinghere?”
“LookslikeI’mrescuingyou.”
“IknowexactlywhereI’mgoing!”Amyinsisted,turningandpointingdowntheroad.“It’s...thatway!”
Amywouldhavethoughtitimpossibleifshehadn’tseenitherself.Hisgrinactuallygrewwider.Jakesteppedoutofherway.“Well,afteryou,then.I’vealwayswantedtoseetheCarthageMuseum.”
Amyturnedandcontinueddownthestreet.ShewincedatthesoundofJake’ssneakersbehindher.
“Sohow’dyouenduphereanyway?”Jakeaskedinanoverlychippertone.“CabdrivernotspeakEnglish?”
Amyignoredhim.Thestreettookasharpturnandstartedheadingdownhillintothickerdarkness.
“It’sjustfunny,”Jakewenton.“SinceifIremembercorrectly,you’retravelingwithpeoplewhohaveaworkingknowledgeofArabicandItalian.SomeFrench,too!”
“Shouldn’tyoubelookingafterDanandAtticus?”
“They’refine,”Jakesaid.“HuntingthemythicalTunisianpizza.Thethreeofusfiguredwe’dallgobacktoDad’shouselaterontonightandgeteverythingsortedout.Oncehe’scooleddown,he’lllisten.AtticusthoughtitmightactuallygobetterifyouandDanmadeadirectappeal.”
“Oh,right,becausehelovesus.”
“Don’tworry,we’regoingtoletDandothetalking.Hisrecordonnotinfuriatingpeoplewhoareonlytryingtohelpiswaybetterthanyours.”
Amywantedtoscreambutsheforcedherselftokeepwalking.Thefarthertheywent,thedarkeritgot.Soon,Amybegantohearthecrashingofwaves.Gettingclosertothebeachmeanttheywerewalkingeast,notsouth.Amysearchedforroadsbranchingoffinthatdirectionbutsawnothing.Ofcourse,ifsheturnedback,she’dhavetofaceJake’sI-told-you-soglee,sosheputherheaddownandkeptgoing.
We’llgettothebottomofthishillandtheroadwillturnsouth,Amytoldherself.Righttothemuseum.
Ofcourse,itdidn’t.SeveralminuteslaterAmyfoundherselfankledeepinsand,justdownthebeachfromthemarina.Herfrustrationwasnearlyataboil.Atherside,Jakemadeanoisethatsoundedsuspiciouslylikealaugh.
“Don’t.Say.A.Word.”
“No!”hesaid.“Absolutelynot.Ijustdidn’tknowthattheCarthageMuseumwasoneofthosenewinvisiblefloatingmuseums,”Jakesaid,unabletocontrolhislaughteranylonger.“Look,Amy,youneedtojust—”
“What?Relax?Oh!Yes!Whydon’twealljustrelax?”Amyscreamed.“Imeanallwehaveontheagendaisdefeatingalunaticwhohashiredteamsofserum-enhancedassassinstokillus.Oh!Andthenyourdad,thenumberonepersonweneededtohelpus,justcompletelyfreaksout!Fornoreason!Andthenthetaxidriverdoesn’tspeakEnglishandmyphonedoesn’tworkandICAN’TEVENFINDASTUPIDMUSEUM!!”
Jakelookedupatthegaggleoftouristshangingoutbythemarina.“Uh...Amy.Maybeyoushould—”
“Andtotopitalloff,mystupidbrothersuddenlywantstoretireatthirteenandIhavetodealwithyou!You,whojustshowsupoutofnowherewithyoursmugattitudeandyourperfecthairandyourbigstupidfacethatlookslikeit’scarvedoutofmarble.”
“Youreallythinkmyhairisperfect?”
“Ahhh!”
Amystompedawaythroughthesand,leavingJakeandheadingtowardthemarina.
“Amy,wait!”
“I’mgoingtogofindacab.”
“Hey!AreyouAmyCahill?”
TwomeninsuitsstoodbetweenAmyandthemarina.Oneofthemreachedinsidehisjacket.
“Oh,great!AndnowIhavetodealwithyoupeople,too.What?Youwantmorepicturesforyourstupidnewspaper?Well,gorightaheadandtakethem!”
Oneofthemlaughed.“We’renotheretotakepictures,Ms.Cahill.”
“Thenwhatareyouherefor!?”
Themansmiledandpulledhishandoutofhisjacket,butinsteadofacameraAmyfoundherselfstaringdownthebarrelofaverylargegun.
“Duck!”
Amydroppedtoherkneesasacloudofsandflewoverherheadandintotheeyesofthetwomen.Jakegrabbedherbytheshouldersandyankedhertoherfeet.
“Run!”
AmyandJaketookofftowardthemarina,rightintothecrowdofonlookerswhohadallturnedtowardtheminvaryingstatesofshock.Themenwerebehindthemandclosingthedistanceincrediblyfast.TheseweredefinitelyPierce’sthugs.Amycaughtaglintofbronzeononeoftheremainingmerchants’tables.Shescoopeduparoundservingtrayandspunwithoutmissingabeat,hurlingtheplatelikeadiscus.Shemanagedasmilewhensheheardaverysatisfying“ugh”asthetrayfounditstarget.Oneofthemenwentdownandtheotherjumpedoverhim.
Jakeracedontothepierandleapedintoanearbypowerboat.Amybarelyhadtimetogetintotheseatnexttohimbeforeheturnedthekeyandgunnedtheengine.Amyshotaglanceoverhershoulder.Themenwerestrugglingtobreakthroughtheunrulycrowd,knockingpeopleoutoftheirwayastheymadetheirwaytowardthepier.
Jakepushedthethrottletofull,throwingAmybackintoherseat,lashedwithseaspray.Hecarvedapathsouth,straightdownthecoasttowardTunis.Behindthem,Pierce’smenwerethroughthecrowd,andAmywatchedastheycommandeeredaboatoftheirown.
“We’regoingtoneedanewplan!”Amysaid.
“It’syourturn,”Jakeyelledovertheroaroftheengines,earninghimselfaglarefromAmy.“Icameupwithstealingtheboat!”
Themenwerenowlessthanfiftyyardsbehindthem.Oneofthemwasleaningforward,guninhand.Assoonastheywereoutofsightofthecrowdsatthemarina,he
beganfiring.BulletszippedpastAmyandJake,splashingintothechurningwateraroundthem.
ThelightsofTunisweregrowingbrighterbythesecond.
“Ifweslowdownenoughtogetashore,they’llbeonusinnotime,”Amysaid.Shepivotedinherseat,searchingforanythingthatmighthelp.Alittlebitofland.Otherships.Anything.Allshesawwasavaststretchofdarksea.“Steerusoutintotheopenwater.”
“Anddowhat?TakethisthingtoItaly?”
Bulletspiercedthefiberglassdeckbehindthem,slammingtheirwaycloserandcloser.
“Justdoit!”
Jakepulledthewheelover,aimingtheboatstraightoutintoopenwaterahead.Themenbehindovershotthemandhadtoslowtoturnaround.
“Hopeyou’vegotagoodfollow-upidea!”
Metoo,Amythoughtasshedroppedintoherseatandstartedstrippingoffhershoes.
“Whatareyoudoing!?”
“Wehavetojump!”
“What!?Youmeaninthewater?”
“It’sdark,”Amysaid.“Theywon’tseeus.They’llfollowtheboatwhilewe’llswimbacktothebeach.”
Jakelookedbehindthem.“Swim?We’reamilefromshore!”
“Doyouhaveabetteridea?”
“Yes!It’scalledNOTDROWNING!”
Atrioofgunshotsthunderedbehindthem.Amystrippedoffhercardiganandstoodbytheedgeoftheboat.“Takeoffyourshoesandjacketandlet’sgo!”
“Amy!”
Amythrewherarmsoverherheadanddoveintotherushingwater.Asfastastheyweregoing,itwaslikehittingwetconcrete.Shetumbledinthewaterendoverend,plummetingintothedarkbeneaththewaves.ForaterrifyingmomentAmycouldn’tevenfigureoutwhichwaywasup,untilshespottedairbubblesfloatingtothesurface.Amy
followedthem,pullingwithallhermightuntilsheexplodedoutofthewaterwithagasp.Asecondlatertherewasascreamofenginesandtheotherboatracedby.
“Jake!”Amycalledintothedarkaftertheboathadpassed.“Jake!”
Amysearchedfrantically,butdidn’tseehimanywhere.Whatifhestayedintheboat?Whatifhe’sstilloutthereallalone?
“Jake!”shescreamed.
Amysearchedthedarkness,growingmoreandmoreanxiousuntilsheheardasplashnearby.ThesurfacebrokeandJakeappeared,gulpingbackair.Amystrokedtowardhim,puttingonearmaroundhisbackandkickingtoliftthembeyondthereachoftheswellsofblackwater.
“Youokay?”
Jakecoughedandthenhenoddedweakly.
“Canyouswim?”
“Yeah,”hesaid.“I’mgood.Let’sgo.”
Bythetimetheypulledthemselvesoutofthesurfandontothebeach,alltheycoulddowascollapseontotheirbacks.Amylaytherepanting,themusclesinherarmsandlegsbuzzingwithexhaustion.Jakewassittingup,drapedoverhisknees,breathinghardandshiveringdespitethewarmthofthenight.Helookedlikeahalf-drownedpuppy.Amycouldn’thelpbutsmile.
“Youwereright,”shesaidoverthecrashingwaves.“Iwascompletelylost.”
Jakelookedbacktoher,pushingthewethairoutofhiseyes.Shehadgivenhimagoldenopportunitytorubitin.Allshecoulddowasbraceherselfforit.
“Youwereactuallyonlyaboutamileorsofromthemuseum,”hesaid.“Youwouldhavegottenthere.”
Inthewetchill,Jake’ssmilefeltaswarmasabonfire.
“Comeon,”Amysaid.“Let’sgetoutofhere.Maybeifwe’relucky,Dan’sfoundthatpizza.”
AmystartedtogobutJaketookholdofherwrist.
“Backinthemedina.Goingafterthatguy...itwasoneofthestupidestthingsI’veeverdoneinmylife.Iwasn’tthinking.Ijustwantedtodosomething.Youknow?”
“Yeah,”shesaid.“Ido.”
Twentyminutesaftertheyfoundataxiwillingtotaketwosopping-wetteenagers,JakeandAmypulledupinfrontoftheirhotel.
“Hey,look,”Amysaid,pointingoutthewindow.“It’sDanandAtticus.”
ThetwoofthemwerejustcomingupthesidewalkasJakeandAmyleftthecab.
“Whoa!”Atticussaidwhenhesawthem.“Whathappenedtoyouguys?”
“What?”Jakesaid,mockincredulous.“Wejustwentforalittleswim.”
Amylaughed.“Yeah,itwassuchanicenightwecouldn’tresist.Whatdidwemisshere?”
“Wefoundit!”Danexclaimed.“Tunisianpizza!Andyou’llneverbelieveit.Thestuffhastunafishonit!”
“Andhard-boiledeggs!”Atticuschimedin.
“Atfirst,youthinkit’sacrimeagainstthepizzagods,butthenyoutasteitanditblowsyourmind.”
“We’llhavetotrysome,”Amysaidwithadoubtfullook.“Att,Jakesaysyouthinkweshouldtryyourfatheragain.”
“Totally,”hesaid.“Youguyswanttochangefirstorsomething?”
“Nah,”Amysaid.“We’lldryoffontheway.Comeon.”
ThefourofthemsetoffdownthestreetsofTunis,AmyandJaketrailingbehindwhileDanandAtticustookthelead,babblingexcitedlyaboutavideoarcadetheyfounddownnearthemedina.Allaroundthem,nightclubsandcaféswerebuzzing.TheairwaswarmonAmy’sskin,anditsmelledofthespicyaromaofroastingmeatsfromtherestaurantstheypassed.
Forawonderfulmoment,Amyfeltlikejustanothertourist,glidingthroughthetownwithherfriendswithoutacareintheworld.SheevenfoundherselfwishingIanwasthereandJonahandNellieandHamilton,too.EvenPony.
“It’sjustuphere!”Atticussaid,leadingthemdownaquaintstreetlitbytheglowofamberstreetlights.Theywenthalfwaydowntheblock,thenopenedablackgatethatleduptoasmalltwo-storyhouse.
Amyknewtherewassomethingwrongimmediately.Thefrontdoorwashangingwideopen.Evenfromthesidewalk,shecouldseeaturned-overbookcaseandafloorcoveredinpapers.
“Doesyourdadlivealone?”Amyasked.
Atticusnodded,speechless,andAmyrushedpasthim,upthestairsandintothehouse.Shestoodinthebrightlylitfrontroom,surveyingthedamage.Theplacehadbeenransacked.Coffeetablesandchairswereturnedontheirsidesandeverysurfacewascoveredinpapersandbooksandjournals,alllookingliketheyhadbeentornofftheshelvesandthrownasiderandomly.
“Dr.Rosenbloom!”Amycalled.
“Dad!”Jakeyelled.
“I’mtryingtocallhiscellphone,butheisn’tanswering,”Atticussaid.
“It’sprobablynothing,”Jakesaid.“YouknowhowDadgetswhenhe’sworkingonsomething.Ibethejust—”
“Theysawhimtalkingtous.Theythinkhe’sinvolved.”
EveryoneturnedatthesoundofAmy’svoice.Shewasstaringatthefloor,hatinghowsureshefelt.
“Whodid?”Jakeasked.“Amy?Whosawhim?”
AmyforcedherselftolookatJakeandAtticus.Shefeltsomethinglikealumpofchalkinherthroat.
“Pierce’smen,”shesaid.“They’vekidnappedyourfather.”
Thisisnevergoingtowork,NelliethoughtasshestoodintheparkinglotatTrilonLaboratories.Hundredsofhersoon-to-befellowemployeeswerestreamingoutoftheircarsanduptothebuilding.Thereweresomanyofthem!Andtheyallseemedsofullofenergyandpurpose.EveryscrapofconversationNelliecaughtwasincomprehensible,fullofwordslikeentropyandmetalloidsandprotonation.
Nelliewaitedforthefloodtopass,thensteadiedherselfwithadeepbreathandtroopedupthestairs.Onceinside,shesawthatthebuildingwassurprisinglysmall.Iwonderhowtheygetallthosepeopleinhere?
AsNelliecrossedtheentryway,shenoticedtheblacksecuritycamerasthathungineverycorner,likenestingbats.Therewereguards,too,meningrayuniformswithgunsontheirhipsandradioearpieces.Itwasheavysecurityforalittlepharmaceuticalplant.Theplacewasgettingmoresuspiciousbythesecond.
Nelliecametoasecuritygatethatledbackintothelabs.NexttothecardreaderonthegatetherewasalargeblueDthatmatchedtheletteronNellie’sIDcard.Nellieswipedhercardandmadeherwaythroughamazeofwhitehallways,lookingforlab237.Eachlabshepassedbuzzedwithsmallteamsofscientists.ShekeptaneyeoutforSammy,butsheknewtherewasnowayfindinghimwasgoingtobeeasy.
Nellie’sstomachflippedwhenshefinallyfoundherselfoutsidelab237.Agroupoffivescientistsstoodinthemiddleconferringwiththeirbackstoher,spoutingmoresciencegibberish.
“...but,Doctor,Avogadro’slawclearlystatesthat...”
“SomeonebringmetheEppendorftube!!”
“—greatScott,man!Thinkoftheneutrinos!”
EverymoleculeinNellie’sbodywantedretreat;shecouldnevermixwiththesepeople.Itdidn’tmatterthatshechangedherclothesanddyedherhair.ShewasNellieGomez,not—
“Dr.Gormley!”
Thefivescientistswerestaringather.Oneofthem,anoldermanwithsnowyhair,crossedtheroomwithhishandout.
“I’mDr.Wentworth!Sogoodtohaveyouhere.We’veheardnothingbutwonderfulthings!It’llbeapleasuretohavesomeonewhoreallyknowswhatshe’sdoingtakeoverthelab!”
Nellie’sheartskippedabeat.“Takeover?”
“Yes!”Dr.Wentworthlaughed.“Weallheardthatyoucameinforanassistant’sposition,butGeorgeTakahashiknowstalentwhenheseesit.HefiredDr.Carstairsanddecidedtogiveyouthejob!”
“Well,that’s...that’sjust...it’samazing,”Nelliesputtered,feelingherheadspin.“Butcertainlytherearepeoplewhowouldbebettersuitedto—”
“Nonsense!”Dr.WentworthhustledNellieinsideandtoadeskatthefrontoftheroom.“Withyourcredentials,you’regoingtobeperfect.Abreathoffreshair.Now,isthereanythingwecangetyoubeforewestart?Coffee?Dr.Assad!CoffeeforDr.Gormey!”
“Yes,sir!”Oneoftheotherscientistsdashedoutoftheroom.
“Allofusherearesoeagertogetstarted,”Dr.Wentworthcontinued.
Nellieseizedontheopportunity.“Yes!Youshoulddothat!Justgoaheadandgetstarted.Greatidea!”
Dr.Wentworthstaredatherblanklyandthenturnedtoawomannexttohim.
“Getstarteddoing...what?”thewomanasked.
Nelliefloundered.Ahugechalkboardsatattheotherendoftheroom,coveredwithequationsandstrangesymbols.“Continuingthegreatworkyou’realreadydoing!”
Dr.Wentworthlaughedhisjollylaugh.“Oh,allofDr.Carstairs’sprojectswerecanceledwhenhewasfired.Bestthingthatcouldhavehappened,really;hisapproachwasgettingusnowhere.”
Thewomanchimedin.“Mr.Takahashisaidnowthatyou’reherewecanexpectaradicalnewapproachinthecreationofcomplexdihydratebenzoproteinphosphates.”
“Didhe!?”Nelliesqueaked.
“Oh,yes!SinceitwasthesubjectofyourPhDthesis.”
Nelliebracedherselfwithherpalmsonherdesk,fightingthelight-headednessthatwasspreadingfast.Thedoortothelabstoodopenlessthantenfeetaway.Theelevatorswerejustfifteenfeetdownthehall.Shecouldbebackinhercarandontheroadinminutes.
No!Theworldiscountingonyou,Gomez.Allyouhavetodoisgetthesepeopleoffyourbacklongenoughtodosomesnooping.Dosomething!
Butwhat?Thelasttimeshehadtakenachemistryclasswasintheeighthgrade,andshehadn’tpaidtheslightestbitofattention.Shehadjustdiscoveredcookingandcouldn’tgetherselftospendmorethanafewminuteswithhernoseoutofJuliaChild’sMasteringtheArtofFrenchCooking.
Butwait,Nelliethought.Isn’tcookingjustchemistry?Insteadofaformula,youhavearecipe.Insteadofchemicals,youmixingredientstogetherinpreciseproportionsuntiltheycombineandbecomesomethingelse.There’sreallynodifferenceatall.Sowhat’sthesecrettogreatcooking?Think,Gomez,think!
“Uh...Dr.Gormey?”
Nelliepoundedherpalmonthetabletop.“Salt!”
Shelookedupataseaofutterlyblankfaces.DidIjustsaythatoutloud?Dr.Wentworthsteppedforward.
“Uh...whatdoyoumeansalt?”
Nelliedecidedtogoforbroke.Shestrodetothechalkboardandpickedupaneraser.ShewipedawayalloftheirequationsandreplacedthemwithSALTinhugeletters.“That’sourradicalnewapproach,ladiesandgentlemen!”shedeclared.“Salt!Sodium!”
“You’resayingmixsodiumintotheformula?”
“Yes!”Nelliesaid.“That’sexactlywhatI’msaying.”
“Butthatdoesn’tmakeanysense!”oneoftheotherscientistsinterrupted.
“He’sright!”criedanother.“Ifwesimplyaddsodiumtothemixture,itwilldestroythewholething!”
“Anditwouldbehighlydangerous!”
Inseconds,thescientistshadhercompletelysurrounded,screechingaboutsaltandsodiumandtheacceptedpracticesinmodernchemistry.Theonlythingtodowasrun.NellietookasteptowardthedoorjustasyoungDr.Assadappearedinthedoorwaywithhercoffee,astunnedlookonhisfaceatthechaosintheroom.
That’swhentheideahither.Ian!NellieswipedthecoffeemugoutofDr.Assad’shand,tookonesip,thenhurleditacrosstheroom.Themughitthefarwallandexploded,sendingcoffeeandshardsofpotteryflying.
“YOUCALLTHISSWILLCOFFEE!?”
Theangrychatterceasedimmediately,asifsomeonehadreachedinandturnedthesoundoffintheroom.Thedoctorsturnedtoher,mouthsagape.
“Areyoutryingtopoisonme?”Nellieshrieked.“Isthatinstant?Andpowderedcreamer?WhatdoyouthinkIam,ananimal?”
Dr.Wentworthsteppedforward.“Dr.Gormey,I—”
NelliewheeledonWentworth.“Andyou!EveryonebackinmylabatHarvardsaidthescientistsatTrilonlabswereabunchofmonkey-brainedhacks!Isaidno!Alltheyneedisafewfreshnewideasandthesky’sthelimit.ButhereIam,droppinggeniusatyourfeet,andthisishowyoureact!?Areyouallblind?Areyoufools!?”
“But,Dr.Gormey—”
“Don’t‘Dr.Gormey’me,Dr.Wayneworth.”
“It’sWentworthactually,but—”
“Idon’thavetimetoholdyourhands!I’vegivenyoutheanswer!Doyouneedmetodoallofyourworkforyou?”
“N-no,”Dr.Wentworthstuttered.“Ofcoursenot!It’sjustthatsalt—”
“Noexcuses!Iwantreportsbytheendoftheweek.We’retryingtosaveliveshere,people!”
“Ofcourse,Dr.Gormey!”
“Andyou,”Nelliesaid,wheelingonaquakingDr.Assad.“Iwanttoseeadouble-caffnonfatcaramelmochaccinowithwhippedcreamonmydeskintenminutesoryou’refired!”
“Yes,ma’am!”
Dr.Assadsprintedoutoftheroom.Nelliecrossedherarmsandleanedagainstthebackwallaseveryonescatteredtotheirjobs,bendingoverBunsenburners.Theywouldn’tlookupagainforhours.
BeingDr.NadineGormeywasawesome.
“Amy!Amy,waitup!”Danranafterhissisterasshetoreintothehotellobby.“WhywouldPiercetakeDr.Rosenbloom?”
“Togettous.”
“ButPiercedoesn’twantanythingfromus.Hejustwantsusdead!Amy!”
Amybarreledpastatrioofstunnedtouristsandtookthestairwaytwostepsatatime.WhenshegottotheirfloorAmyrippedtheirhotelroomdooropenandstompedinside,headingstraightforthetelephone.
“Whoareyoucalling?”
“Thepolice!”
DanslappedhishanddownoverthereceiverbeforeAmycouldpickitup.“Whoa,Amy.Youknowhowthisworks.Ifwecallthepolice—”
“Wecan’tjustsitherewhilePiercedoeswhoknowswhattotheirfather,Dan.That’sthegameweplayedwithDamienVesper,andI’mnotplayingitthistime.”
“Amy—”
“WewenttoDr.Rosenbloomforhelp,Dan.”
ThepaininAmy’svoicewasheartwrenching.AsmuchasDanhatedtoadmitit,heknewshewasright.They’dlostpeoplebefore,andwerestilltryingtocope.Howcouldtheytakethatchanceagain,withAtticusandJake’sownfather?DanlethishandslipoffthephoneandAmygrabbeditandstartedtodial.Beforeshecouldfinish,thephonewasrippedoffthetableandoutofAmy’shand.TheyturnedtofindthephonecordclutchedinJake’sfist.
“Callingthepolicewillgethimkilled,”Jakesaid.“Piercetakinghimmeanshewantstobargain,andthatgivesusanopportunity.Wewaittoseewhathehastosayandthenwe
pulloneoveronhim.”
“Jake—”Amystarted.
“That’showthisworks,”Jakesaid.“Youknowthat.”
“Att,”Dansaid.“Youonboardwiththis?”
Atticuswasstandingbehindhisbrother,armscrossedoverhischest,headdownsohisdreadlocksshadowedhisface.Henoddedslowly.
“Sowhatdowedointhemeantime?”Danasked.
“Ourjob,”Jakesaidwithadeep,shudderingbreath.“Westillhavetofindthesilphium.Atticus,gothroughOlivia’snotebooklinebylineincasewemissedsomething.Dan,seeifyoucanfindanythingontheweb.Amy,helpmelookforplacesintheareawithaFoundersMediaconnection.MaybewecannarrowdowntheplacestheymightbeholdingDad.”
“Wewon’tfindhim,”Amysaid.
“Comeon,Amy,”Dansaidwithapalesmile.“Ourrecordforoutsmartinghomicidalmadmenisthebestintheleague!”
“ButPierceissmarterthananyofthem,”shesaid,lookingfromDantoJaketothestill-unmovingAtticus.“Isn’the?”
Thefourofthemspreadoutthroughtheroomandworkedsilently,hunchedoverpapersandcomputerscreens.Dancravedtheusualchatteroftheirresearchsessions,butevenhewastootensetokickitoff.Hecouldn’tstoplookingoveratthephone.Whydidn’tPiercejustcallandendthewaiting?
WhenDanwasn’tstaringatthephone,hewaswatchingAtticus.Someonewhodidn’tknowAttwouldprobablythinkhewasasfocusedasever,butDansawthetrutheachtimeAtticusfumbledhispencilandoneverypagehisfriendlingeredoverjustasecondtoolong.
“That’sit,”Jakesaid,sittingbackandrubbinghisLCD-burningeyes.“I’vedoneit.I’vereachedtheendoftheInternet.”
“What’sthere?”Danasked.
“Prettymuchwhatyou’dexpect,”hesaid.“Alolcat.”
Jakehadtherightidea.Danwasfried,too.HereachedacrossthetableandflickedtheTVontoanEnglish-languagenewschannel.
“Dan,”Amysaid.
“What?IjustwanttoseehowmySoxaredoing.YoufindanythingonFoundersMedia?”
“Nothing,”Amysaid.“Despiteowningeveryothermediaoutletintheworld—alongwithpharmaceuticalcompaniesandInternetstart-ups—FoundersMediahasnothinginTunisia.”
“Thatcan’tbepossible.”
“It’strue,”Jakesaid.“WeevenhadPonydosomediggingbackhome.Piercedoesn’thaveanyreachhere.Notonethatleavesatraceanyway.”
“Atticus?”
“Zilch,”hesaid,rubbingathisbloodshoteyes.“Imean,there’sallkindsofstuffinhere,butit’shardtofigureoutwhat’simportantandwhat’safour-hundred-year-oldshoppinglist.”
“Uh-oh!”Dansatupinhischairandfumbledfortheremote.
“What?”Amysaid.“Dan,whatisit?”
“Nothing!”DansnappedtheTVoff.“Don’tworryaboutit.Hey!WhowantstogobreakintotheTunisiannationalarchives?”
Amytoretheremoteoutofhishands.
“No,Amy,wait—”
TheTVcamebackon,showingtwohighlypolishedtalkingheadsatamassivechrome-and-glassdesk.AmytookaseatbehindDananddroppedtheremotebyalargecrystalashtrayonthetablenexttoher.
“...andformorenewsonthoseglobe-trottingtroublemakers,DanandAmyCahill,wenowturntoseniorinternationalcrimecorrespondentChetWaterdam.Chet?”
“Comeon,Amy,”Dansaid.“Wedon’tneedtoseethis.”
Aleathery-lookingmanwithorangeskinandbrightredsuspendersappearedonthescreen.
“Thanks,Wes.TheCahillkids!Atfirst,wehereatCVBNewsthoughtitwasallfunandgames,butnowwehavelearnedthatwhatwearelookingatisactuallyaninternationalcriminalconspiracyofstaggeringproportions.Butfirst,theCahills—whoarethey!?”
ThedopiestpictureDanhadeverseenofhimselfpoppeduponthescreen.
“DanCahill!”Chetexclaimed.“Secondincommand.Afanaticallyloyalbutweak-willedanddim-wittedhanger-on.”
“Hey!”criedDan.
“TherealpoweroftheCahillcabalrestshere.”
Dan’spicturewasreplacedbyagrainyoneofAmyatthemouthofaseedy-lookingstreetinsomeunnamedcity,lookingmysteriousandfurtive.
“AmyCahill!Arecklessthrilljunkieintheguiseofalibrarianintraining.”
“Well,theygotyouthere,”Dansaid,hopingforalaugh,butgettingaglareinstead.
“Ms.Cahilliscruel.Neverwillingtogetherownhandsdirty,though,shehasahistoryofluringboysintodoingherbidding.”
TheTVscreenfilledwithashotofasmilingEvan,standinginthesun.DanlookedbackatAmy.Shewastransfixed,eyeswide,skinpale.
“Amy,”hesaid.“Seriously.Turnitoff.”
“EvanTolliver,”thevoice-overintoned.“BrilliantstudentandbelovedsonofTerrenceandLetitiaTolliver.Butwhydon’tweletthemtellyouabouthim...”
Evan’spicturefaded,replacedbyagray-hairedmaninawhiteT-shirtandawomaninaprimbluedress.Theyweresittingsidebysideonasunlitporchwithafarmstretchingoutbehindthem.
“OursonlovedAmyCahill,”LetitiaTolliversaidinapain-rackedvoice.“Helovedhermorethananything.”
TerrenceTolliverdrewhiswifecloseasshepulledoffherglassestowipeasingletearfromhercheek.
“That’sright,”Terrencesaid.“Helovedherandshekilledhim.Sureasifthegirlhadheldtheguninherownhand.Shedrewhimintoherworld,andthispoorboy,ouronlyson,nevermadeitoutalive.Andsherunsaroundtheworldlikeshedoesn’thaveacare.”
“Amy...”Jakesaid,butevenhewentquietasthecameramovedclosertoMr.Tolliver’sface.Heandhiswifeeachlookedfarolderthantheyusedto.Anoff-cameravoicespokeup.
“AndwhatwouldyourmessagebetoanyoneassociatingwithMs.Cahillnow?”
“Getawayfromthatgirlasfastasyoucan,”Letitiasaid.“Shelooksinnocent,butshe’sasnake.”
Amywasmotionless,leaningforwardinherchair.IntheflickeringlightoftheTV,hereyesweredarkhollows.
“Strongwords,”Chetcontinued.“Onesthatleadtoperhapsthemostimportantquestionofall—hasAmyCahillalreadyfoundhernextvictim?”
Thescreenfadedtoanotherpicture.ItwasJake,caughtstandinginthatmedinaalley.Heworeanangrysneerandhisfistwascocked,readytostrikethereporterwhosatbleedingathisfeet.Amystoodintheshadowsbehindhim,watchingitallwithalookonherfacethat,hadDannotknownher,hewouldhavereadasdistinctlypleased.
“JakeRosenbloom—starathlete,honorsstudent,ayoungmanwithabrightfutureaheadofhim.HowlonguntilAmyCahilltakesallthataway,too?Formoreonthis—”
SomethingzippedthroughtheairbyDan’sheadandtheTVscreenexplodedinashowerofglassandplasticandelectricalsparks.Danjumpedoutofhisseatasacrystalashtrayhitthefloorandshattered.DanturnedtoseeAmystandingattheedgeofthetablewithtearsinhereyes.
“It’sPiercethat’sdoingthis,”Dansaid.“Youknowthat.Thisismeaningless.”
“It’snotmeaninglesstome!”Amycried.“Maybeyoucanjustrunaway,Dan,butIcan’t.Ihavetostay!Ihavetodealwiththis!”
“I’mnotrunningaway!”
“Imusthavebeencrazy,”Amysaid.“Idon’tknowwhyIthoughtthiswouldwork.Dan,callthepilot.Tellhimhe’stakingJakeandAtticushome.Tonight.”
“Amy,”Jakesaid.“Youcan’tthinkIbelieveanyofthis.”
Amywhirledonhim.“Itdoesn’tmatterwhatyoubelieve!Wearedonetalkingaboutthis.DanandIwillfindthesilphiumandthepolicewillfindyourfatherandthat’sit.”
“No,”Jakesaid.“Amy,that’snothowthisisgoingtowork.”
“Thisiscrazy,”Dansaid.“Youcan’texpectthemto—”
“Thatisanorder!”Amyroared.
Danfelthimselfknockedbackward,thestingofAmy’swordslikeapunch.Everyoneintheroomwentsilent.Theywerelikefourstatues,frozeninoppositecornersofthe
room,musclestenseassteel,vibratingwithanger.
“IamtheleaderoftheCahills,”Amysaid,herdeadlycalmmorefrighteningthanascream.“Idon’twanttohearanymorethoughtsoranymorediscussion.Thisishowit’sgoingtobeandthat’sit.”
Beforeanyonecouldsayanotherword,Amythrewopenthedoortoherbedroomandslammeditbehindher.
JakeandDanandAtticusdidn’tmove.
“Dan,”Jakesaid.“Youhavetotalktoher.”
Dannoddedbuthedidn’tturnbacktoJakeorAtticus,hejustkeptstaringatthesmashedTV.
Amysatonthefloorofhershower,searingwaterfallingoverherheadandshouldersandfillingtheroomwithsteam.Shehadturnedthewatersohot,herskinwasredandaching,butshecouldn’tstopshivering.
ThefacesofEvan’sparentshauntedher.Itwasasiftheyhadbeenprintedwithphosphorescentinkonthebackofhereyelids,inescapablenomatterhowhardshetriedtoblockthemout.Forsolong,Amyhaddrownedouttheguiltthatragedinsideherwiththevoicesofallofthepeoplewhotoldherthatitwasn’therfault.ThatEvanknewtherisks.
NowafewwordsfromEvan’sparents,andthewoundwasrawagain.Evanhadgotteninvolvedbecauseofhisfeelingsforher.Amycouldhavestoppedhim,butshehadn’t.
Amyshutthewateroffandwentintoherbedroom,wrappedinatowel.Itwasquietontheothersideofthedoor.Shecouldonlyimaginewhattheboysmusthavesaidwhenshelefttheroom.Whattheymustthinkofher.Amyfellacrossherbedjustashercellphonebegantoring.Shewantedtoignoreit,butthecallerIDshowedupascomingfromAttleboro.Shetookabreathandmadeherselfanswerit.
“We’rethinkingitmustbedrugs.”
AmyalmostsmiledwithreliefattherichliltofIanKabra’svoice.
“Somesortoftruthserum–likecompound—”
“Butnotonethatmakesyoutellthetruth!”Hamiltonshoutedinthebackground.
“Isaidtruthserum–like,Hamilton.Nowplease,I’mtryingtotalk.Tomas,”Iangrumbledandthenturnedbacktothephone.“WethinkPiercemusthaveslippedsomekindofwill-weakeningdrugintotheirwatersowhenthereportersuggestedwhathewantedtheTolliverstosay,theysaidit.Simple,really.”
Amywasonherback,staringatthepressed-tinceiling.Theheatfromtheshowerhaddissipatedandachillwassnakingupherlegs.Shefeltdistantfromherself,likeshewaswatchingfromabove.
“Amy?”Iansaid.“Amy,areyouthere?”
“Itwasn’tdrugs,”shesaid.
“Youcan’tbelievethatthesepeoplewouldhonestlythink—”
“HowoftendoyouthinkaboutNatalie?”
NowitwasIan’sturntogosilent.Amy’searwasfilledwiththesoftinandoutofhisbreathing.
“Idon’tthinkit’sappropriateto...”hestartedwithhisusualbrusqueenergybutthenhisvoicefaltered.“Ithinkaboutherallthetime,”headmitted.
Amyturnedontoherside,pressingthephonebetweenherearandthepillow.
“Butsometimesisitlikeyou..”Amystruggledwithanideathatseemedtoretreatfromherevenasshegrabbedatit.“Forget?”
“Forgetwhat?”
“Thatshe’sreallygone?Likeonedayyou’lljustturnacornerand”—Amy’svoicecaughtinherthroatbutshepressedon—“she’llbethere?Oryou’lllookatotherpeopleandforasecondyouseeherintheirplace.”
“Ihearhervoicesometimes,”Ianconfessed.“ImeanIthinkIdo.There’salwaysthissplitsecondwhenIthink,Oh,no,whatdoesshewantmetodonow?butthenIcatchmyself.”
“Iguessthat’swhatotherpeopledon’tget.Thatpeoplewhoaregonearen’treallygone.”
“No,”Iansaid.“Theyneverare.”
AlumpgrewinAmy’sthroat.
“Yo,Ian!”
Amycouldhearascuffleforthephone.
“Jonah!Unhandme!”
“Gogetmeaspotoftea,oldman,”JonahsaidinhisbestIanimpression.“Gottaholleratthebossaminute.”
AmyheardIanharrumphandthenJonah’sswaggeringvoicefilledherear.
“Yo!AmyK-to-the-Hill.”
“Hi,Jonah,”Amysaid.“Howarethingsthere?”
“Nevermindthat.Thisiswisdom-droppingtime.WhatthosetwosaidonTVwascold.”
“Ireallydon’twantto—”
“Iknow.Iknow.I’mnotheretodiscussyourfeelings.I’mheretomakeaknowledgedeposit.”
“Oh,yeah,andwhat’sthat?”
“Allthosepeoplecrowdingaroundyouwithcamerasandlittlenotebooks?Thosereporters.”Jonahsaidthewordwithobviousdisgust.“Theyarenothingbutdogslookingforabonetochewon.”
“Well,unfortunatelythatboneisus.”
“Yeah,butitdoesn’thavetobe.See,alladogwantsissomethingbetweenitsteeth.Itdoesn’tcarewhatitis.Reportersarethesameway.Allthey’retryingtodoismakeabuckbykeepingalotofboredpeopleentertained.”
“Sowhatareyousaying?”
“I’msayingthatifyouwantadogtodroponebone,allyougottadoisgivehimanewone.”
“AndhowamIsupposedtodothat?”
“WhenIwanttogetreportersoffmyback,IcallinananonymoustipthatJustinBieberisgettingacrewcutontheothersideoftown.”
“SomehowIdon’tthinkthey’regoingtobuythatoverhere.”
“Idon’tknow,Cahill,thatlittledudegetsaround.”
Amysurprisedherselfbylaughing.“Allright.Thanks,Jonah.I’llseewhatIcando.”
“Hard-wonknowledge,Amy.Hard.Won.”
Amysaidgood-byetoJonahandthenstaredatthedoor.Shecouldn’thideinhereforever.Amygotdressed,thenstoodwithherhandonthedoorknoblisteningtothequietshuffleofDanandAtticusandJakeontheotherside.Herstomachdidflipsassherememberedthesoundofhervoiceasshebarkedordersatthem.
Youdidwhatyouhadtodo,Amytoldherself.Whatyoushouldhavedonelongago.
Amycaughtherbreathandforcedherselfthroughthedoor.Noonesaidaword,buteveryheadintheroomturnedasAmysteppedthroughthedoor.Jakewasdownononekneebythebed,stuffingclothesintoagymbag.Dansatbythewindow,watchingherwithakindofguardedinterest.Thewayyou’dlookatastrangerbeforeyou’vedecidedifthey’refriendorfoe.
“Ididn’tcalltheplane,”heannounced.“Wedon’thavetherighttotellJakeandAtticustogo.”
“Butdon’tworry,YourLeaderhood,”Jakesaid.“We’releaving.AtticusandIwillstayatDad’splacewhilewekeeplookingforhim.YouandDancanfindthesilphium.WhensomethingcomesinfromPierceonDad,Danwillforwardittome.”
AllAmycoulddowasnod.Thiswaswhatshewanted,wasn’tit?ShecaughtaglimmerofglassontherugbytheTV,andthebuzzofnervesinherstomachswelled.
“I’vebeengoingoverOlivia’sjournal,”Atticussaid.Hesatbythedoor,Olivia’snotebookinfrontofhim,hisownbagathisfeet.Heturnedthenotebookaroundandshowedittoher.Hepointedatashinysmudgeatthetopcornerofonepage.
“Yourememberwewereeatinglunch?Well,that’sthelastgreasesmudgefromhisthumb,sothisiswhereDadstoppedrightbeforeheranout.Ithoughtmaybehesawsomethingaboutthesilphiumbut...”
Amystudiedajumbleofwhatlookedlikenames.Critias.Timaeus.Hermocrates.Atthebottomtherewasasinglesentence.ThetwentiethHafsidclaimstokeepthetestamentofthefailedstrategoi.
“Whatdoesitallmean?”
“Well,thesentenceisgibberishtome,”Atticussaid.“Butthefirstthreearenames.”
“Whoarethey?”
“Nobody,”hesaid.“Likeliterallynobody.They’recharactersPlatousedinhisdialogues.”
“Dialogues?”Dansaid.“Thisguywasaplaywright?”
“No,PlatowasaclassicalGreekphilosopheraroundthefourthcenturyB.C.Thedialogueswerealiteraryformheused.Insteadofhimwritingabookexplaininghisideas,he’dcreatecharactersandhavethemdiscussstuff.Thesethreewerethemainspeakersinaprojectedtrilogyofdialogues.”
“Projected?”
“Platocompletedthefirstone,calledTimaeus.Thesecondone,Critias,washalfdone.Hermocrateswassupposedtobethethird,butheneverwroteit.”
“Makessense,”Dansaid.“Sequelsareneverasgoodastheoriginal.”
Amycouldn’thelpbutsmile.ShelookedbackatDan,butheturnedawayassoonastheireyesmet.
“Sowhy’dyourdadgetsofreakedbyit?”
“Noidea,”Atticussaid.“AndIdon’tseeanyconnectiontosilphium,either.Plato’sdialoguesnevermentionit,andtheynevereventalkaboutCarthage.”
JakegrabbedhisbagandturnedtoAtticus.“Comeon,bro.Weshouldgetmoving.”
AtticushandedthenotebookovertoAmyandthenslunghisbagoverhisshoulder.“Goodluck,”hesaid.“Seeya,Dan.”
“Yeah,”Dansaid,fightingbacktheemotionAmycouldhearinhisvoice.“Seeya,Att.”
It’sforthebest,Amythought.Onedaythey’llunderstand.
JakeandAtticusstartedtogo,butbeforetheycouldleave,therewasacrispknockonthedoor.
“Excuseme,please,”cameaharriedman’svoicefromtheothersideofthedoor.“Thisisthehotelmanager.Iammostembarrassedbutwehavejustbeeninformedofasmallfireonthetopfloorsofthebuilding.Wemustaskthatallresidentsevacuateimmediately.”
“Afire?”Dansaid.
Jakequicklybacktrackedtothewindow.“Guys,”hesaid.“Look.”
“Justamoment!”Amysaidtothemanager,andcrossedtheroom.
Jakepulledasidethecurtainandnoddedoutintothedark.“I’mnotfromaroundhere,”
hesaid.“Butthosesuredon’tlooklikefiretruckstome.”
Severalnondescriptcarsandalargeminivanloiteredbelow.Allwereblackandseemedtohavemorethantheusualamountofantennasandlights.Bulkymeninsuitsstoodaroundsmokingcigarettesandkeepingasharpeyeallaround.
“Ifthere’sonethingI’velearnedinthelastyear,”Jakesaid,“it’sthatnomatterwhereyougo,copsprettymuchlookthesame.”
“That’sallforus?”Danasked.
“We’retheCahillkids,”Amysaid.“Internationalcriminals.”
“Stealingthatboatprobablydidn’thelp,”Jakesaid.
DanlookedatAmy.“Youguysstoleaboat?”
“It’snotjustcops,either,”Amysaid.
Shepointedtoanotherclusterofmen.TheyweremixingwiththeTunisianpolicebuttheywereWesterners,broadshoulderedandleanwithcrispmilitaryhaircuts.Official-lookingbadgeshungaroundtheirnecks,butAmyknewtheyweren’ttheFeds.
“Pierce’smen?”Danasked.
Amynodded.“ProbablypretendingtobeFBIorUSMarshals.”
“Excuseme!”themanagercalledagain,hisaccentedvoiceslurringwithpanic.“Miss!Itismostimportantthatyoucomedowntothelobbyimmediately.Thisfire,itisverydangerous!”
“Whatdowedo?”Atticusasked.
HelookedtoAmyandsomethinglockedupinsideofher.“Maybe...maybewegowithhim.Oncewe’reoutweslipaway,goouttheback...”
“Theotherhotelexitswillbecoveredbynow,”Jakesaid.“Besides,he’sprobablygotcopsstandingrightnexttohim.Atticus,blockthedoorandgetourthings!”
Atticusstuckachairunderthedoorhandleandgrabbedtheirbackpacks.Jakehitthelightswitchandthehotelroomwentdark.
“Whatareyoudoing?”Amyasked.
“Dan,givemeahand!”
JakepulledthewindowshadesopenandthenDanrushedovertohelp.Thewindowwasheavy,butwithagiantyank,itflewopenandahotgustofwindblewintotheroom.Therewasathinconcreteshelfjustbelowthewindowthatencircledthebuilding.
“Miss,please!”themanagerpleaded.“Thefire,itisquitebignow!”
Therewasaclickasthemanagerunlockedthedoor,andthenathumpashetriedtoopenit.Jakegrabbedthewindowsillandclimbedupontotheledge.
“Jake,wait!”Amysaid.“Wecan’t!”
ButDanwasalreadyfollowinghimout,withAtticusclosebehind.Awall-shakingboomcamefrombehindherassomeonebegantryingtobreakthedoordown.Therewasnootherchoice.Amyleapedupontothewindowsillandoutintothenight.
Ponywasdeepinthejungleandthereweretigerseverywhere.
Hecouldfeeltheireyesonhimateveryturn,crouchingattheedgeoffirewallsandlurking,ravenous,withinsystemregistries.Ponyhadnodoubtthathewasoneoftheverybest,butFoundersMediahadwithstoodyearsofattacksfromeveryonefromAnonymoustoMafiaboyandpossiblytoAprilMayherself.Itwouldn’tgiveupitssecretswithoutabloodyfight,hencethetigers—sentriesmadeofcodereadytopounceifhemadeonewrongmove.
AssoonasPonyhadseenthelastnewsstoryfromFoundersMedia,heknewhehadtotrysomething.Hestartedbyreachingintorelativelyunprotectedfileserversanddeletingarticlesandphotoandvideofiles.Theyalwayscameback,though,sometimeswithinminutes.
HisnewestgambitwastodelvedeepwithinFoundersMedia’sinternalservers.Hewasn’tquitesurewhattheendgamewas—maybetofindinfotoimplicatePierceintheattacksagainstAmyandDan.Maybedodeepandseriousdamagetohisnetwork.First,Ponyneededtogetin.Andthatwasprovingmuchharderthanhe’dthought.
Ponypushedthekeyboardaway.Hisheadwaspounding.Hiseyeballsached.Therewasonlyonecureforwhatailedhim.Ponylefthisstationinthecommandcenterandwalkedbacktothekitcheninapost-hackinghaze.Aroundhim,Hamilton,Ian,andJonahwerebentoverbooksandcomputersoftheirown,pokingatahundreddifferentmysteries.
“Hey,Pony,”Hamiltonsaid.
“PonyBoy!”Jonahsaid.“Youstayinggold?”
Ponystillcouldn’tquitebelievethatJonahWizardwasactuallytalkingtohim.
“Justtakingabreak.How’stheresearchgoing?”
Jonahswiveledaroundinhischair.“Huge!MeandHamherebrokethiswholethingwideopen.”
“Noway.”
“Checkitout,”Jonahsaid.“WelearnedthatthedesertoutsideTuniswasusedasaprimarylocationforthefirstStarWarsmovie.Andnotonlythat,sowasTikalinGuatemala.”
“And,”Hamiltonsaid,“AngkorWatwasusedasamodelforaplanetbrieflymentionedinRevengeoftheSith.”
Ponylookedatthemblankly.“So?”
Hamiltonleanedforward.“Sowehavetoaskourselves,”hesaidinaconspiratorialwhisper,“havewefullyconsideredGeorgeLucas’sroleinallofthis?”
Ponyrolledhiseyes.“Youtwoneedanythingfromthefridge?”
Hamiltonshookhishead.
“Bigglass,”Jonahsaid.“Halfgingerale.Halfrootbeer.”
“Ian?”
Ianignoredhim,whichwasnosurprise.He’dbarelysaidawordsincethey’dgottenbacktoAttleboro.Hesatinadarkalcovestaringatacomputerscreenorpacingangrilydownstairs.Ponyfiguredthatbeingbenchedmustbedrivinghimcrazy.
Ponyrootedaroundinthefridgeuntilhefoundhismagicelixir.ElectroshockCherryLimeadeCaffeineBlast.Ponydidn’tbotherwithaglass;heupendedthetwoliterandletitsloshoutofthebottleanddownhisthroat.Heimaginedhislifebargofromcautionredtoyellowtoaglowingelectricgreen.HegrabbedasecondtwoliterandJonah’sdrink,thenheadedbacktohisstation.
“What’sup,Pony?”
Ponyalmostspitoutamouthfulofsoda.Nelliewassittinginhischair,buttherewassomethingdistinctlyun-goddesslikeabouther.
“Youlook...weird.”
“Youknow,Pony,Ithinkit’syourtactthatmakeseveryoneloveyousomuch.”
“Butyourhair.Andyourclothes.You’redressedlikemymom.”
Nellie’sbrowneyesnarrowedonhim.“I’mundercover,”shegrowled.“Nowsitdown.Ineedyourhelp.”
“What’sup?”
“IneedanythingyoucangetmeonTrilonLaboratories.”
ThiswasmusictoPony’sears.Nelliemovedoutofhischairandheleanedintohiskeyboardlikeamusician,hisfingersbe-boppingoverthekeys,poundingoutacrispplasticrhythm.Intheendthewholethingwasabitofadisappointment.Ponyshruggedandtookanotherswigofhishackerjuice.“There.”
“Therewhat?”
“Pwnage.Totalandcompletepwnage.”
“Ireallyneedsomekindofgeek-to-Englishdictionary.”
“I’min,”Ponysaid.“Rightinthemiddleoftheirsystems.TrilonLaboratoriesnowofficiallyworksforme.”
“Already?”
“Itwasjustoff-the-shelfsecuritystuff.Easytobreak.”
“Sowhat’sthere?”
Ponysurfedthesystem,dippinginandoutoffilesatwill.“Notmuch.E-mail.Someaccountingstuff.Alistofallfifty-sevenemployees.”
“Wait.Fifty-seven?Isawlikeahundredpeopleintheparkinglot.”
Ponysurfedarounduntilhecouldbringuparoughschematicofthebuilding.“Inhere?They’dneedacrowbartofitthatmanypeopleinabuildingthissize.”
“Canyouprintthatout?”
Onekeystrokeandafullsetofblueprintswerespoolingthroughtheprinter.Ponyspreadthemoutonatableandporedoverlinesandnotation.
“Anythingweird?”Nellieasked.
“Itappearstobeabuilding,”Ponysaid.“Withwallsandafloor.Andaroof.”
Nellieglaredathim.
“What?Paperisn’treallymystrongsuit.”
Nelliepushedhimoutofthewayandtracedthemazeoflinesinandoutofrooms.Sheturnedapagetolookattheelectricalwiringschematics.
“Huh,”shesaid.“Look.”
Ponysatforward,flippingthepagesbackandforth.Hewouldneverhavethoughtitpossiblewithsomethingassupremelylameassomesheetsofpaper,buthestartedtofeelthatfamiliarhackingfeeling.Itwaslikehewasmeltingintothedata,becomingonewithit,losinghimself.Foraflashofasecond,Ponywasthoseblueprints.
“Doyouseeit?”Nellieasked.
“It’sliketherearetwobuildings,”Ponysaid.“Lookatthebasement.Thewallsandtheceilingaresuperthick,wayheavierthananythingelseupstairs,likethey’reblastwallsorsomething.Andit’sgotlikeanentirelyseparateelectricalsystem.Andlookatalloftheelevatorsandstaircases.”
Nelliestareddownatthembutshookherhead.“Idon’tseeanything.”
“Theydon’tactuallygodownintothebasement,”hesaid.“Withallthepeopleyousaidwerethere,you’dthinkthey’dmakesuretherewereplentyofwaystogetdownstairsbuttheydon’t.Theelevatorshaftsandthestairwaysallstopatthefirstfloor.Exceptforthisone.”Ponypointedoutwhatlookedlikeanotherstairwell.“Thatonegoesallthewaydown.”
Nelliethoughtbacktowanderingthehallsonherwaytoherlab,tryingtomatchhermemorieswiththeblueandwhitelinesbeforeher.“I’veneverseenstairsthere.”
“Nosurprise,”Ponysaid.“Accordingtotheplans,theyleadrightuptoasolidwall.There’snoentranceorexitintothatstairwellonanyfloorbutthebasement.”
“I’mguessingweshouldputthatinthesuspiciouscolumn,”Nelliesaidasshegatheredtheplans.“Goodwork.”
Nelliegavehimasisterlysockonthearmandheadedoutwiththeplansunderherarm.Watchinghergo,Ponyfeltthatdeflatedfeelingheusuallygotafterdisconnectingfromaseriousdayofhacking.Itwasstrange.Ponyhadalwaysbeenaloner.AkeyboardjockeyinadankbasementlivingonElectroshockandanchovy-and-pineapplepizza.Butnowhewaspartofateam.
There’snowayI’mlettingthesepeopledown.
PonypulleduptohiscomputerandtookanotherslugofElectroshock.
“Timetogotowar,FoundersMedia,”hesaid,crackinghisknucklesonebyone.“Braceyourselfforultimatepwnage.”
Amy’sclothessnappedlikeflagsinthewindoutontheledge.Shedaredaquicklookdownandinstantlyregrettedit.Theconcretesidewalkfourstoriesbelowseemedtohaveanalmostmagneticpull.
WithJakeinthelead,thefouroftheminchedtowardaladderthatledtotheroof.Theykepttheirbacksplasteredtothewall,thetipsoftheirtoesdanglingoverthecrumblystone.Sofarthepolicedownbelowhadn’tnoticedthem,buttheywerestillpoundingawayatthehotelroomdoor.Itwasonlyamatteroftimebeforetheygotin.
ShetookanothershufflingstepandAtticusfalteredbesideher,onefootslippingofftheedge.Amythrewanarmoverhischest,flatteninghimagainstthewall.Shecouldfeelhisheartpoundingbeneathherfingertips.Amygavehimaweaksmile.
“It’sokay,”shewhispered.“Look.”
Upahead,Jakegrabbedtheladderandpulledhimselfontoit.Amy’sreliefonlylastedasecond.Therewasawoodencrashbehindherastheirhotelroomdoorshattered.Thepolicehadmadeitinside.
“Stopwhereyouare!”apoliceofficeryelled,leaningoutthewindow.
“Go!”Amysaid,andpushedAtticusaheadofher.JakewasscramblinguptheladdernowandDanwasalmosttoit.
“You!”theofficershouted.“Downbelow!Lights!”
Spotlightsexplodedfromthestreet.AmyheldupahandtoblockthemandsawthatPierce’smenhadbrokenfromtheothersandwerestormingintothehotel.
DanjumpedontotheladderandpulledAtticusonbehindhim.WithaquickprayerAmythrewherselfontothemetalrungs.Therewasmoreshoutingbelowthemnow,andthesoundofmorevehiclesarriving.Shewasnearlytothetopwhenonehand,greased
withsweat,slipped.Gravityduginandtriedtopullherback,butDan’shandsnappedontoherwrist,holdinghersteady.Amypulledherselfovertheedgeandontothedarkroof.
“Itwon’tbelongbeforethey’reuphere,”Dansaid.
Amyscannedtherooftop.Therewasadoorwayinafarcornershefiguredledtoastairwellbackdownintothehotel.“Wefakethemout,”Amysaid.“Gobackdown,then—”
“Hey!Overhere.”
AmyandtheothersjoinedJake.Hehadcrawledhiswayacrosstheroofandwasatthesouthernedgeofthehotel.Theyweretenstoriesupnow,withallofTunisstretchedoutbelow.Itwasadenselypackedcity,onerooftopbleedingintothenext,likeaseriesofstepsheadingstraightdowntothetangleofthemedina.
JakelookedoverhisshoulderatDan,whoshrugged,thenbackedawayfromtheedgeanddroppedintoarunner’sstance.
“Whoa!”Amysaid.“Jake,wecan’t—”
Twopoliceofficersblewthroughthedoorontheroof,gunsdrawn.“Youthere!Stopwhereyouare!”
Danbrokeintoarun.
“Dan,no!”
Dansprintedpasther.Hisrightfoothitthetopofthestonewallandlaunchedhisbodyintotheair,sailingoverthethree-footgaptothenextbuilding.Amyleapeduptoseehimhittherooftophardandrollaway.Jakefollowed,butAtticuswashangingback,clearlyterrified.Thepolicewerehalfwayacrosstheroof.They’dbeontheminseconds.Insaneornot,itwastheironlychance.AmygrabbedAtticus’shandandtogethertheyracedtowardtheedgeoftheroof.
Amy’sfoottouchedthewallandshethrewherselfashardasshecouldintotheopenair.Atticusdidthesame,andforasecondtheywerebothweightless,hurtlingacrossspacehandinhand.
Amyhittheroofoftheoppositebuildingshoulder-firstandrolledaway.Painshotthroughhersidebutsheignoredit,turningbacktolookforAtticus.Hewasn’tbesideher.
“Atticus!”
Thefingersofonesmallhandgraspedtheedgeoftheroof.AmyracedoverandgrabbedAtticus’swrist,hissmallbodytwistingovertheconcretebelow.Amytriedtomusclehimovertheedge,buthisskinwassweatywithfearandhestartedtoslip.Shescrambledforabetterhold,buthewasslippingfastandpullingheralongwithhim.
Thenshefeltsomethingbehindher,ahandgrabbinghershirtandpulling.Shelookedback.Dan.Jakeappearedbesideher,graspingatAtticus’sotherarm.Together,thethreeofthemhauledAtticusupandovertheedge.HehitthetarpaperpantingandJakethrewhisarmsaroundhim.
“Youthere!Don’tmove!”
Thepolicewereattheedgeofthehotel’sroof.JakepulledAtticustohisfeet,andasecondlatertheywereallupandrunning.Behindthem,AmyheardacopshoutsomethinginArabicintohisradio.Amygruntedastheyjumpedontothenextroof.Danlandedandthenranbesideher,dodgingskylightsandexhaustcolumns.Hesparedalookback.Thetwocopswerestillonthehotel’sroof.
“Guesstheyjustdon’thavetheskillsoftheamazingflyingCahills,”Dansaid.
“Ha!”Atticussaid.“Maybeyoushouldtryouttobeanacrobatinsteadofaclown.”
“Keepgoing!”Jakesaid.“There’snowaytheycankeepupwithusfromdownthere.We’rehomefree,unlessofcoursetheyhavea—”
Thescreamofahelicopter’srotorshitthemafractionofasecondbeforeitssearchlightswitchedonanderasedthenightaroundthem.
“Youareunderarrest!”
Therewasnothingtodobutkeeprunning.ThefourjumpedfrombuildingtobuildinguntilthemusclesinAmy’slegswerescreaming.Thebuildingsgotlowerastheynearedthemedina.Firstsixstories,thenfive,thenfour.Butnomatterhowfasttheyranorthecleverturnstheytook,thetightringofthehelicopter’ssearchlightstayedfixedonthem.
“There!”Dancried.
Dansprintedforafireescapeandtheyallfollowed.Theymadeitdowntheladderanddroppedintoatightalleywaybehindthebuildings.Thehelicopter’sbeamwasstillonthem,butnowitwasfracturedbyfullclotheslinesandfireescapesandloadeddumpsters.Thefourkidsfoundapatchofshadowanddisappearedintoit.Theplazathatledintothemedinalaystraightahead.
“Theyhavetofigurethat’swherewe’reheaded,”Jakesaid.
“Nochoice!”Amysaid.“Lotsofthosestreetsarecovered,soitgetsusawayfromthehelicopter.”
“Isthatanorder?”Jakeasked.
Amy’sstomachclenched.“Jake—”
“It’samazeinthere,Amy!Onetheyknowalotbetterthanwedo.Onewrongturnandweendupatadeadendandthey’vegotus.”
“No,”Dansaid.“Amy’sright.Themedina’stheonlyway.”
Amyshotaquicklookatherbrother.“Canyoudoit?”
Danstaredoutintothenight.Amycouldfeelhimengagingthatphotographicmemoryofhis.
“Idon’tknow,”hesaid.“IthinkIrememberthebasiclayoutbut—”
“It’llbeenough,”Amysaid,legsmovinglikepistons.“Youtakethelead.”
Theydidn’theadstraighttothemedina.Insteadtheydodgedaroundinthenarrowalleys,untilthesearchlightslippedoffthemandthechopofthebladesfaded.
“Okay,”Dansaid.“Now!”
Theyranoutofthealleyandtowardthesquarethatsurroundedtheentrancetothemedina.Theymadeitintothemouthofthemainroadandfolloweditforafewturns.Sirensbegantowailoutinthesquare.Amyprayedthevehiclesweretoobigtomakeitintothecrampedstreets.
Danledthemonawildracethroughunimaginablytangledstreets.Astheymoveddeeperintothemedina,itwasasifheweretyingthemintoknotsanduntyingthemoverandoveragain.
Amyheardametallicradiosquawktoherleft,andthenapackofbodiesmovedfastdownanadjoiningstreet.Danpulledthemintoanalleywayandtheycrouchedbehindtrashcansasbootedfootstepsspedupthestonepath.Amyheldherbreathwhenthebootsstoppedatthemouthofthealley,herpulseracing.Jake,Atticus,andDanwerehuncheddown,curledintoballs,tryingtomakethemselvesinvisible.Attheirbackswasasolidwallofstone.Noescape.
Flashlightsflared,sendingknife-likebeaconsoflightoverthepilesoftrashanddebrisinthealley.Jakeflattenedhimselfjustsecondsbeforeoneofthebeamswouldhaveilluminatedhisarm.
ThementalkedlowinArabic.Aradioscreechedloudly.Bootheelsturnedonthegrittyroadandthemenwalkedbackthewaytheyhadcome.
Amytriedtoswallow,buthermouthhadgoneasdryasthedesert.Jakewenttostand,butAmytouchedhisbackandhepaused.Shecountedoutalongandpainfulfiveminutes.Whenshewasdone,shepeekedherheadupcautiously,emergedfromherhidingplace,andapproachedtheendofthealley.
Thehelicopterbuzzedthetopsofthebuildings,itssearchlightscorchingthestreetinfrontofher.Oncethebeampassed,Amysteadiedherselfandmovedoutontothestreet.
Shedidn’tmakeittwostepsbeforeanicyringofsteelpressedintohertemple.Adeepvoiceboomedattheoppositeendoftheblackhandgun.
“Outofthealley,Amy.Slow.”
Therewasarustleofmovementbehindher,butAmyliftedonehandbackintothedarktokeeptheothersintheirplace.Herlegsfeltheavyandthick,unwillingtomove,butshecouldn’tletPierce’smencomeintothealleyandseetheothers.Shemadeherselftakeastepforward.
Thinmoonlightilluminatedfourmeninherperipheralvision.Westernersinblacksuits,allwiththesteel-springbodiesofOlympicathletes.Thegunbarrelathertempleneverwavered.
“Wherearetheothers?”thevoicebesideherasked.
“Wesplitup,”Amysaid,tryingtokeephervoicesteady.“Aboutahalfmileback.”
OneofPierce’smenrandownthestreettocheckitout.
“Whatareyoukidsdoinghere?”heasked.
“Goingtodiscos,”Amysaid.
Therewasaclickasthemanpulledthegun’shammerbackandpushedthebarrelhardintoherskull.Amyflinchedandbitbackascream.Herskinthrobbedwheretheguntouchedher.Herkneeswentweakbutsherefusedtogodown.TherewasanotherrustleinthedarkofthealleyandAmymotionedfranticallybehindherbacktowarntheotherstostayhidden.
“Youdonotwanttojokewithme,”themanwiththegunsaid.Hesteppedtotheside,keepingthegunpressedtoherskull,andAmycaughtsightofhimforthefirsttime.
Sheknewhim.Hiseyeswerecoldandblue.Amyglancedbehindhim.Oneoftheothermenwasholdingnotagun,butapairofhandcuffs.TheotherhadwhatshethoughtwasaTaser.Somethingaboutthatseemedstrange.Amystruggledthroughherfeartograspwhatwasbotheringher.Onlyoneofthemhasagun.There’snoonearound.Nothingtostophimfrompullingthetrigger.SowhyamIstillalive?Andthenitclicked.
“Ifyouweregoingtokillme,”shesaid,“youwouldhavedoneitalready.”
Sheexpectedareaction,buttheblue-eyedmandidn’tspeak,didn’tmove.Amydecidedtotestthetheory.Shesteppedawayfromhim,findingherbreathwithouttheringofsteelagainsthertemple.
“Youhavetomakeitlooklikeanaccident,”shesaid,terrifiedbuttakinganotherstepanyway.Themantrackedher,alsosteppingtowardthemouthofthealley.
“Don’tyou?”Amyinsisted.“LikeonthebridgeinNewYork.CahillKidsMurdereddoesn’tmakeagoodheadline,doesit?Raisesalotofquestions.”
Amykeptmovingbackwardandthemanfollowed,hisgunfallingalmostimperceptibly.Histeamfollowed,too.AmyprayedthatsomeshredofherandDan’soldteamworkstillexisted,thatherbrotherwouldguesswhatshewastryingtodo.
Amywasjustafewfeetfromthebackofthealley.Shemovedtotakeanotherstepback,butthistimethegunroseagain,pointingatherforehead,deadcenter.Theman’sfingercurledaroundtheblacktriggerandAmy’sheartmissedabeat.
“Howaboutthisheadline?”hesaid.“CahillKidsWanderintoDarkAlley.ShotbyLocalCriminals.Betpeoplewillbelievethat.”
“Please,”Amysaid,raisingherhands,tryingtocontrolherbreathing,tryingtostaycalm.“Whateveryoudowithme,justletDr.Rosenbloomgo.Hedoesn’thaveanythingtodowiththis.Iswear.Ifyouwantahostage,lethimgoandI’lltakehisplace.”
“Takewhoseplace?”
“MarkRosenbloom!”
Theman’seyesnarrowedandhisheadtiltedtooneside.“Who’sMarkRosenbloom?”
“AAAAAHHHHHH!”
Jakeexplodedoutofthealley,swingingaplankofwood.Itsmackedintotheman’swristandthegunfell.Jakedidn’tmissabeat.Heswungagain,hittingthebackoftheman’sheadwitheverythinghehad.Theboardshatteredandthemanwentdowntohisknees.DanandAtticuswererightbehindhim,aheavysteeltrashcanbetweenthem.Theyhurleditthroughtheairandcaughtoneoftheothersinthestomach.HedoubledoverandtheTaserclatteredtothestreet.
AmydovefortheTaserandjammeditintothethirdman’ssideashecameather.Therewasacrackleandsparkandthemanhittheground,floppinglikeadyingfish.
“Run!”sheyelled.
TheothersjoinedAmyasshetookoffdownthestreet.Shelookedoverhershoulder.Thethreemenweregroggybutalreadystartingtopickthemselvesup.
“Thisway!”
Danjerkedtotheright,leadingthemdownanothertwist.Amy’smindraced.Pierce’smenweresomuchfaster.Theyhadonlyminutesbeforeherenergygaveouttothepointthatrunningbecamestumblingandfalling.MaybeshecoulddistractPierce’smenforafewsecondswithasurprisemelee,butfightingthemhead-onwashopeless.
Acramptoreintohersideassheran.Amygaspedandherhandwenttoit,underherjacket.Shefeltsomethingstiffandsquareinherpocket.Theideahitherwiththeimpactofagunshot.
“Weneedaplacetohide,”sheyelleduptoDan.
Danturnedthroughroadafterroadinthedarkuntilhecametoanotheralleyandranintoit.
ThankGodforthatmemoryofhis!thoughtAmy.
Thekidsfelltotheirkneesinthedark,outofbreath.Amylistenedbutdidn’thearthepoundingofthemercenaries’boots.Theyhadlostthem,butsheknewitwouldn’tlast.Theyhadboughtthemselvesseconds.Ifthat.
“Dan,”shesaid.“What’sthefastestroutebacktotheBabelBahr?”
“Butthat’srightoutintheopen!”Jakesaid.“Amy!Whatareyoudoing?”
Amypulledoutherphoneandthenduginherjacketpocket.
“Throwingourdoganewbone.”
Danwatchedashissistermadeahalfdozenphonecallsandthenstuffedherphonebackinherpocket.
“Yousurethisisgoingtowork?”hewhispered.Amylookedoverathimbutdidn’tsayanything.Danswallowed.Hecouldseeitinhereyes.ThiswasaHailMarypass.Hehadtrustedhissisterwithoutquestion,butshe’dbeensoerraticlately.Wassheactingrationally?
“Heretheycome,”Jakewhispered.
EverymuscleinDan’sbodytensedasPierce’smenturnedthecorner.Danheldhisbreathastheyranpast.TheywerelikeGreekstatuesinmotion,tireless,invulnerable.Theinstanttheirfootstepsfaded,AmynoddedtoJakeandhesprangintotheroad.
“Hey!”Jakeshouted.“What’sthematter?Youjerkscan’tcatchacoupleofkids!?”
“Go,”Amysaid.
DanburstoutofthealleywithAmyandAtticusrightbehindhim.Heturnedasharprightandheadedupthestreet,followingthemapinhisheadtotheBabelBahr.TherewasacrashbehindhimasJakepushedanemptymerchant’scartintothestreet.Itwouldonlyslowthemendownforasecond.Onceagain,heprayedhissisterknewwhatshewasdoing.
Dantookanothersharpturn.TheplazasurroundingtheBabelBahrwasinsight.Herocketedtowarditbutthentherewasaclatteronstoneandadeepoofbehindhim.DanturnedtoseeJakesprawledoutonthepavement,Pierce’smenbreakingoverhimlikeawave.
“Jake!”Dancriedasheskiddedtoastop.“Amy!”
DanstartedforJakebutAmy’shandclampedontohisarm,holdinghimback.
“Whatareyou—”
“Wehavetokeepgoing!”
“Wecan’tleavehim!”
SheyankedDanbacktowardher.“Go!Now!”
AmygrabbedAtticus’sarm,too,andpulledthemalldownthestreet.Danlookedbackandsawtheblue-eyedmanhaulingJakeofftheground.TheBabelBahrandtheplazasurroundingitweredeadahead.Behindthem,Pierce’smenwereinpursuit,draggingJakealongwiththem.Themoonlightglintedofftheguninoneoftheirhands.
Amydidn’tstopuntiltheywereatthefootofthegate.Shesearchedtheemptystreetsaroundthem,hereyeswide,desperate.“Theydidn’tcome!”shesaid,hereyesfrantic.“Whydidn’ttheycome?”
“Thislittlechaseisover.”
Amy,Dan,andAtticusturnedtofindPierce’smeninasemicirclearoundthem,withJakeonhiskneesbesidetheblue-eyedman.Themanhadthejet-blackautomaticpointedatthebackofJake’shead.
“Aquicksurrenderwillbetheeasiestforallofyou,”theleadersaid.
“Andthenwhat?”Amyasked,steppingforward.“Wefalloffabuilding?Whatmakesthebestnews?”
ThemanliftedhisgunfromJake’sbackandpointeditatAmy’schest.“Nomoretimeforgames.”
Hisfingertensedonthetriggerbutbeforehecouldfire,thesoundofvoicescamefromalldirections.Thesquarewasdark,butthevoicesgotlouderandlouder,asiftherewereastampedeontheway.Floodlightspiercedthedarkness.
“Amy!Dan!Overhere!”
Amypulledastackofbusinesscardsfromherpocketandthrewthemattheman’sfeet.
“Nope,it’sjusttimeforanewgame,”shesaid.“Hopeyoulikeit.”
Secondslatertheyweresurroundedonallsidesbyjostlingreporters,nearlythirtyofthem,pushingandelbowingtheirwayforward.Flasheswentofflikefirecrackersovertheirheads.Inthedistance,Dancouldseevanswithspotlightstearingintothesquare.
Pierce’smenweresurrounded.Theirmusclestensedandnostrilsflaredasguns,Tasers,andhandcuffsdisappearedintheirjackets.OneofthemevenpulledJakebackuptohisfeetandthrewanarmaroundhim,liketheywereoldfriends.
Mysister’sagenius,Danthought.Mysisterisanunbelievablegenius.
“Amy!Dan!”oneofthereportersshouted.“Telluswhatyou’redoinginTunis!”
“AnyresponsetotheTolliverinterview?”
“IsJakeRosenbloomyournewboyfriend!?”
“Dan?Whydoyoudowhateveryoursistertellsyou?”
ThereportersfellintosilenceasAmysteppedintotheharshlights.
“You’reaskingthewrongquestions!”Amyannouncedtothecrowdofreporters.“Itdoesn’tmatterwhomyboyfriendisanditdoesn’tmatterhowIfeelaboutwhattheTolliverssaid.Whatmattersiswhat’shappeningrighthereandrightnow.Whatmattersisthesemen!”ShethrewanaccusingfingeratPierce’smen,andthereporters’headsswiveledintheirdirection.Pierce’smenfumbledaround,clearlyunsurewhatwouldmaketheirbossmoreangry—fightingorrunning.
“Youneedtoaskyourselfwhymenwithgunsarechasingabunchofkidsinthemiddleofthenight!”Amywenton,hervoiceringingoutovertheclickingcameras.“Youneedtoaskwhy,whenbarelyanyonehadeverheardofanyofusbefore,we’resuddenlyinthenewseverysingleday!Whobenefitsfromthat,andwhy?”
“Who,Amy?”areportershouted.“Who’safteryou!?”
Amystoodtallintheglareofthelights.Dancouldfeelthetensionbuildingaroundthemuntilitfeltlikeitwasgoingtoexplode.Hetookhissister’sarmandstartedtodrawherbackfromthecameras,butshepulledawayfromhim.
“Thepersonyouneedtobeinvestigatingistheirboss!”shesaid.“Themanwhopaysthemtochaseusallovertheworld.ThesamemanwhokidnappedaninnocentscholarnamedDr.MarkRosenbloom!”
“Who!?”awomaninaredsuitcried.“Telluswho!”
“J.RutherfordPierce!”yelledAmy.
Itwasasifabombwentoffinthemiddleoftheplaza.Everyreporterbegantoshout,surgingforwardinatidalwave.TheyblewpastDanandAmyandwentrightforPierce’smen.Danalmostlaughedtoseethelookofabjectterrorontheblue-eyedman’sface.
Piercemayhaveturnedhimintothemostlethalkillingmachinetheworldhadeverknown,butnothingcouldpreparehimforanonslaughtlikethis.Jakeshookoffthemanholdinghim,andPierce’smuscleranliketheyhadanarmyafterthem.Thereportersdidn’tletup,goingafterthemenlikeapackofstarvingpiranha.Withinaminute,theplazawasempty.
“AreyouINSANE!?”Jakewasstandinginthemiddleofthesquare,faceredwithanger.
“YoutoldthemaboutPierce?Aboutmyfather?”
“Iwastryingtosaveyourlife!”Amysaid.
“Whataboutmyfather’slife?WhatdoyouthinkPierceisgoingtodotohimnowthatyououtedhim?”Jakeyelled.
“Jake,I—”
“Youdonotgettomakedecisionsformyfamily,Amy!”
“Wecan’tjustkeepwaiting,”Amysaid,herfacehardening.“Ifweact,maybewecanforcePiercetomakeamistake.”
“Andwhatifthatmistakeiskillingmyfather?Doyouevencare?”
“OfcourseIcare!”
DanforcedhimselfbetweenJakeandAmy.“Guys!Holdon.Let’sjustcalmdown.We’llfindyourdad,Jake.Ipromise.”
Jakeglaredathim.“Andwhatifyoudon’t?Yougoingtostickupforherthen,too,Dan?Thosereporterswererightaboutyou.Whenareyougoingtogetamindofyourown?”
Danfelthisownrageignite.“Amy’sdoingherbest!”
“Forherself!NotforAtticusandme!”
“EVERYBODYSHUTUP!!”
Dan,Amy,andJakewheeledonAtticus,theirchestsheaving.Atticusstoodbeneathastreetlight,Olivia’snotebookopeninhishands.
“Atticus,”Jakesaid.“What?Whatisit?”
“Ifigureditout.”
“Figuredwhatout?”
Atticustookadeepbreath,likehewassteadyinghimselfbeforegoingoffahighdive.
“IknowwhereDadis,”hesaid.“AndIknowwherethesilphiumis,too.”
AtticusrefusedtosayanotherworduntiltheyweredeepinthestacksoftheTunislibrary,whereDr.Rosenbloomworked.Itwasstillwellbeforedawn,butthenightsecurityguardrecognizedJakeandAtticusandlettheminside.Atticusguidedthemdownnarrowcorridorsofbooksthatgotolderandolderthefarthertheywent.Everyfewseconds,Atticusstoppedtoexamineabook,haulingafewintohisincreasinglyheavybackpack.
Finally,theyfoundthemselvesinacrampedreadingroomwithanantiquetableandafewricketychairs.Atticuspulledthebooksoutofhispackandarrangedthemonthetable,goingthrougheachoneinturn.
AmywasstandingacrossfromJake,butneitherofthemcameclosetolookingattheother.Theygloweredatthedarktable,theirlingeringangerfillingtheroomlikeablackcloud.DanfeltsuffocatedbyitandbyJake’swordsintheplaza.Amywashissister.Theyalwaysstucktogether,nomatterwhat.Andshedidtherightthing.Didn’tshe?
“Att,”Jakesaid.“Seriously.Wedon’thavealotoftimehere.Ifyouknowwherethey’rekeepingDad—”
“Noone’skeepingDadanywhere,”Atticussaid,hiseyesmeetingJake’s.
“Whatdoyoumean?Whereishe?”
Atticusclosedthebookinfrontofhimandtookadeepbreath.“Thisisgoingtosoundcrazy.”
“Atticus,wouldyoujust—”
“Dad’sinAtlantis.”
DanhadneverheardasilenceascompleteorasawkwardastheonethatfollowedAtticus’spronouncement.Everyonejustsortoffrozeinplace.
“Um...buddy,”Dansaidasdelicatelyaspossible,“Iknowwe’veallbeenunderalittlestresslately,butAtlantisdoesn’t,youknow,um...”
“Exist,”Jakesaid.
AtticuspushedhisglassesupandturnedtolookatAmy.“Backinthemedina,whenyouaskedthemantoletmyfathergo,heactedlikehedidn’tknowwhatyouweretalkingabout,right?”
“Theseguysarewelltrained,”shesaid.“Theyknowhowtoliewhentheyneedto.”
“Iknowthat,”Atticussaid.“Butdidyoubelievehim?”
Amystareddownatthetable,herbrowwrinklinginconcentration.“Yeah,”shesaid.“Idid.”
“Metoo,”Atticussaid.“Inactuality,that’swhenitbecameclear.”
“ThatyourfatherisinAtlantis,”Dansaid.“Doingwhat,Att?Hangingoutwiththemermaids?”
AtticusignoredDanandheldupOlivia’snotebook.“Thisisthepagemydadwaslookingatbeforeheleft.”
“Namesandgibberish,”Jakesaid.“We’vebeenoverthis.”
Atticusheldupafinger.“Butwhatifthey’renotgibberish?Lookatthelastsentence,theonethatdoesn’tseemtomakeanysense.ThetwentiethHafsidclaimstokeepthetestamentofthefailedstrategoi.”
AtticusopenedamassiveleatherbookmarkedCaliphsofIfriqiya.Dancouldalmostseethewheelsturninginhisfriend’shead.
“TheHafsidwasadynastythatcontrolledTunis,calledIfriqiyabackthen,fromthethirteenthtosixteenthcenturies.ThetwentiethHafsidshouldmeanthetwentiethCaliph,orruler.ThatwasamannamedAbuUmarUthmanbenAbulHasanMuhammad.Uthmanforshort.”
“Okay,”Amysaid.“Sowho’sthefailedstrategoi?”
“Thatwasalittleharder,”Atticusadmitted.“Astrategoiwasakindofgeneral.Thefailedonecouldmeananynumberofthem.ButthenIlookedintothosenamesfromPlato’sdialoguesandfoundoutthathebasedhischaracterHermocratesonarealguy.”
“Ageneral,”Dansaid,suddenlyfeelingtheexcitementthatalwaysbuiltupinsideofhimwhenhesawAtticusatwork.
“Exactly,”Atticussaid.“Andapparentlynotaverygoodone.Hewasmadeageneralbutthenhadthetitletakenawaybecausehedidn’twinenoughbattles.”
“So...”
“SowhatOliviaissayingisthatthetwentiethHafsid,Uthman,claimedtohavethetestamentofthefailedstrategoi,Hermocrates.ThattestamentmustmeanPlato’sthirddialogue,whichwassupposedtobenamedafterhim.”
“Whichyousaiddoesn’texist,”Jakesaid.
“Itisn’tsupposedtoexist.”Atticus’seyesgleamed.“Butwhatifitdoes?”
“Sowait,”Dansaid.“What’sthisevenhavetodowithAtlantis?”
“Nothing,”Amysaid.“Atticus,Danisright,Atlantisisamyth.”
“EverybodywasprettysureTroywasamyth,”Jakesaid.“UntilCalvertandSchliemannfoundit.”
“Butthat’sdifferent!”
“How?”Atticussaid,andthenheldupanotherbook.“ThisisPlato’sCritias,okay?It’sthesecondofthethreedialoguesandthefirsttimeanyoneinhistorymentionsaplacecalledAtlantis.It’sjustlikehoweveryonethoughtTroywassomethingHomermadeupintheIliaduntiltheyactuallyfoundit.”
“Idon’tknow...”Amysaid.
Atticuspracticallybouncedinhischair.“Okay,”hesaid.“Wasthereonceanisland-basedworldpowerwith,like,supertechnologyandmermaidsthatcompletelyvanished?Duh,ofcoursenot!Butcouldtherehavebeensomepowerfulkingdomthousandsofyearsagothatwasdestroyedinanaturaldisaster?Andthen,overthousandsofyears,themythofitgrewuntilPlatowroteaboutitandcalleditAtlantis?Whynot?”
“ButwefoundTroy,”Amysaid.“Withallthetechnologywehavetoday,howcouldwehavemissedanentireisland?”
“Whoknows?”Atticussaid.“Ifit’sreally,really,reallyold,maybethere’snotalotlefttofind.Ormaybewe’relookinginthewrongplaces.Imean,it’snotlikePlatoleftusamapinCritiasoranything.”
“ButmaybehedidinHermocrates,”Dansaid.
“Exactly,”Atticussaid.“Look,allIknowisthatAtlantistheorieshavealwaysbeenakindofhobbyforourdad.AndthesecondhesawthisstuffinOlivia’snotebook,stuffthatseemedtoreferenceawaytofindtheactualAtlantis,heranlikehislifedependedonit.”
Jakefrowned.“You’resayinghewasn’tkidnappedatall.”
“Exactly!Hejustsawoneofthebiggestdiscoveriesinhistoryandwentafterit.That’swhyhishousewassuchawreck.Itwasn’transacked.YouknowhowDadis!Hewasprobablysoexcitedtogetafteritthathetoretheplaceapartgrabbingwhatheneededandranwithoutevenclosingthedoor.”
“Ranwhere,though?”Amyasked.
“ToresearchUthman,I’mguessing.IfhecanfindwhereUthmanwaskeepingtheHermocrates,thenmaybehecanfindAtlantis.”
Amyconsideredamomentandthenshookherhead.“Atticus,youandJakeshouldgocheckonyourdad,butDanandIhavetogobacktosearchingforthesilphium.”
“Fine,”Jakesaid.“Comeon,Atticus.Wecanstartathishouseandgofromthere.”
“Wait!”Atticussaidashisbrotherreachedforthedoor.“There’sonemorething.”
“What?”
Atticussatbackinhischairwithhisarmscrossedoverhischestandabroadsmileonhisface.Helookedunusuallypleasedwithhimself.
“ThenoteOliviamadeaboutLeonardo’sjoke.Remember?Whensheaskedhimwhereshecouldfindthesilphium,hesaidsheshouldlook—”
“OntheIslandoftheAthenian,”Dansaid.“But...”
ThewordshadbarelyleftDan’smouthwhenithithimlikeanavalanche.
“Plato,”Dansaid.“HewastotallyfromAthens,wasn’the?”
“Aborn-and-raisedAthenian,”Atticussaid,andwavedhishandslikehehadjustperformedamagictrick.“MakingAtlantishisislandandwherewe’llfindsilphium.”
Anotherastoundedsilencedescendedontheroom.Danfeltasifhisheadwasbuzzing.JaketurnedtoAmywithasmirk.
“So,”hesaid.“Lookslikewe’reheadedtothesameplace.”
Amywasonaladderhighabovethelibraryfloorwhenhercellphonehummed.Shesetasidethebookshewaslookingthroughandpulleditout.
CarthageMuseum,readthetextmessage.
AtticusandJakehadgonebacktotheirfather’stolookforclues,whilesheandDanstayedbehindandresearchedUthmanandhisreign.Lookedliketheothershadhitonsomethingfirst.Amypackedupthenotesshehadbeentakingandthensliddowntheladder.
ShewenttothestudyroomDanhadbeeninallmorning,butherbrotherwasn’tthere.Thetablewascoveredwithaclutterofbooks,papers,andcandywrappers.Dan,shethought.Shecouldrememberatimewhenhismessinessdrovehercrazybutnow....
Amyneatenedthebooksandthrewthewrappersaway.ShewasabouttoputDan’snotesinhisbackpackwhenshesawasheafofbrightlycoloredpapersstickingoutfromit.Curious,Amypulledoneout.
ItwasabrochureadvertisingsomethingcalledBartleby’sWorld-FamousClownAcademy.Therewasanotherforabaseballcamp,andanotherforanastronautcamp.AnapplicationfortheAmericanSchoolinRomesatatthebottom.EachpagewasprintedinbrightjewelcolorsandcoveredwithpicturesofboysDan’sage.Boysrunningthroughparksorjugglingtorches.Boysslidingintohomebase.
Amyfeltadarkholeopenupinsideher.
He’salreadymakingplanstoleave.
Sheleafedthroughthebrochuresagain.HowlonghadDanbeenhidingthese?She’dtriedtoconvinceherselfthathistalkofleavingwasapassingthing,butnow...herlastfamilymember,thepersonshetrustedmostofall,hadonefootoutthedoor.
“Amy?”
Amystuffedthebrochuresbackintohispackandturnedaround.
“Everythingokay?”Danasked.
“Y-yeah,”shestuttered,unabletomeethiseyes.“Jaketexted.They’reattheCarthageMuseum.”
AmypushedpastDanbeforehecouldsayaword,nearlyrunningintothehalloutside.Itwaslikethesheafofpapersstuffedinsidehispackwasabomb,andshehadtogetawaybeforeitwentoff.
Amysteppedoutofthegloomofthelibrary,shieldinghereyesfromtheTunisianmorninglight.Thebuzzingsoundofthecalltoprayerseemedtocomefromeverydirectionatonce.Everythingseemedoverloudandoverbright.Danappearedbehindherandraisedahandoutoverthetrafficuntilacabskiddedtoastopatthecurb.DantoldthedriverwheretheyweregoingandthecarpulledawayfromthelibraryandjoinedtheTunisiantraffic.
“Amy?”Danasked.“Youfindanythinghelpful?”
Sheshookherhead,eyesfixedoutthewindow.“Ijusttooksomenotes.Whateverseemedworthwhile.”
TheyleftthecitytrafficandmovedontoahighwaythatspannedLakeTunis.TheglareofthesunonthesteelywaterhitAmy’seyeslikespikesandshehadtolookaway.
Danwassittingacrossfromherwithhisarmswrappedaroundhisbackpack,holdingitclosetohischestashelookedoutthewindow.Acornerofbrightbluepaperstuckoutthetopofthepack.ShewantedtosaysomethingtoDan,butwhat?Don’tgo?Howcouldyou?Forthefirsttime,therewassomethingbetweenthemtooimmenseforwords.He’sreallygoingtodoit.He’sreallygoingtoleave.Amycouldn’tbreathe.
Therestofthetrippassedinablur.ThecablurchedtoastopandDanpiledoutandheadedupthesidewalktothemuseum,hisbackpackbouncingonhisshoulder.JakeandAtticuswerewaiting.Everythingsuddenlysnappedbackintofocus.Theyhadworktodo.Amyshookherselfandpaidthedriver.
“Whathaveyougot?”sheaskedwhenshejoinedthematthemuseum’sentrance.
“WefoundthisinDad’slivingroom,”Atticussaid,handingoverascrapofpaper.“Whenwethoughthehadbeenkidnapped,wefiguredallthemesswasjustPierce’sgoons
ransackingtheplace,sowemissedthis.”
Amyunfoldedthepieceofpaper.“Dr.Abdallah,twoP.M.”
“He’saresearcherhere,”Jakesaid.“Wecalledandtoldhimwewerecoming.”
JakepulledopentheglassdoortothemuseumandtheyweremetbyanelegantTunisianmaninthelobby.
“Jake!Atticus!I’veheardsomuchaboutyouboth.Everyoneherewasterriblyworriedtohearyoudon’tknowyourfather’swhereabouts.”
“Thankyou,Dr.Abdallah,”Jakesaid.“Wethinkyouwereourfather’slastappointmentbeforewelosttrackofhim.”
Dr.Abdallahsignaledthereceptionist,whobuzzedthemthroughintoalonghallwaylinedwithoffices.
“Ofcourse,”thedoctorsaidasheledthemdownthehall.“Butwedidn’ttalkformorethanafewmoments.Yourfatherseemed...agitated.Excited!MoreexcitedthanI’veeverseenhim,infact.”
“Whatdidhesay?”
“Wewillsoonbeexhibitingalargecollectionoffifteenth-centuryartifacts,”Dr.Abdallahsaidasheunlockedaheavydoorattheendofthehall.“Hewantedanearlylookatthecollection.”
“Canweseeitaswell?”Atticusasked.“We’llbeverycareful.”
Dr.Abdallahshowedthemintoalargeroomfulloftablescoveredinartifactsandstacksofoldbooks.
“DoesanythingrelatetoUthman?”Jakeasked.
“Ah,likefatherlikeson!”Dr.Abdallahsmiled.“Dr.Rosenbloomaskedthesamething.Rightoverhere.”
Dr.Abdallahshowedthemtoabackcorneroftheroom,toatabledisplayingclayvasesandgleamingmetalwork.Atticuswentimmediatelytoasmallstackofbooksandopenedthefirstone.
“ThereareEnglishtranslationstotheside,”Dr.Abdallahsaid.“Iwillbeinmyofficeifyouneedme.”
Asthedoctorlefttheroom,Atticusleanedintooneofthetranslationslikehewastryingtodivein.
“What’sitsay,Att?”Danasked.
Atticusignoredhimandread,flippingpages,hisfacegettingcloserandclosertothebook.“Aw,man!”
“Whatisit?”Jakeasked.
Atticusturnedanotherpageandshookhishead.“Thisdoesn’tmakesense!”
“What?”Jakeasked.
“Well,it’ssortofadiary,”Atticussaid.“Uthman’stalkingaboutmeetingatravelingmerchantwhoclaimedtopossessacopyofHermocrates.ItsoundslikeUthmanwasn’tahundredpercentsuretheguywaslegit,buthesaysthebookwentintomoredetailaboutAtlantis.Allaboutitshistoryandculture,butnothingaboutwhereitactuallywas.Allhesaysisthatinoldertimes,itwascalledbyanothername.”
“Whatothername?”
Atticusturnedthepageandfoundafootnotepassage.“Tartessos.”
“Tartessos?”Dansaid.“Neverheardofit.”
“Meeither.”Jakefrowned.
Dansighed,frustrated.“Okay,Iguesswe’lllookatoldmapsandtrytofindanislandcalledTartessos.”
“Wait!”Amytorethroughhernotebook,runningherfingeralongeachpage.
“Whatisit,Amy?Youhavesomething?”
Shedroppedthenotebookonthetableandriffledthroughthepages.
“Itwashere,”shemumbled.“Righthere.”
“Whatwas?”Danasked.
Amyturnedthepagesuntilshecametoamap.AnotationbelowindicatedthatitdepictedtheworldasitwasinthefourthcenturyB.C.
“It’snotreallytherightcentury,butIthoughtitwasinterestingandwantedacopy.”
AmystabbedherfingeratthecoastlineofwhatwasnowTunisia,thendrewitwestpastMoroccoandacrosstheStraitofGibraltar.Tothenorthlaythebordersofacountry
theyallrecognizedasSpain.
Justinlandfromthesouthwestcoast,therewasalargeregionmarkedwithacircle.Inthatcirclewaswrittenasingleword:
Tartessos.
“Ladiesandgentlemen,”Dansaid,breakingthesilence.“ItlookslikewehavejustdiscoveredAtlantis.”
“Awesomesauce!”saidAtticus,andpumpedhisfist.
AprilMaywonderedhowtobillherclientsinawaythatreallycapturedthescaleoftheworkshedid.Notbythehourorperproject,butbytheemptytwoliterofElectroshockCherryLimeadeCaffeineBlast.Oneglassconsumedmeantanamateurjob—breakingintoagmailorFacebookaccount.BreakingintotheCahills’systemshadbeenathree-bottleprojectandshewouldchargehandsomelyforit.
Andnowhereshewassittinginfrontofhertwogleamingmonitors,surroundedbysixemptybottles.Aseventhwasinherhandandhalfemptyalready.
FindingoutwhatJ.RutherfordPiercewasuptowasthebiggestprojectofhercareer.Partoftheproblemwasthatbeforeacertaintime,therebarelywasaJ.RutherfordPierce.Oh,heexisted,buthardlyintheformhewasnow.Hewasasecondrater,aloser.
Howdidhebecomethemanhewas?Andmoreimportant,whatkindofmanisheplanningonbecomingnext?
Ithadseemedsoinnocentinthebeginningwhenhehiredhertogetsomedirtonacoupleofrichbrats.Easy.Harmless.Butthenshesawthepicture.Somethick-neckedgoonholdingthebusinessendofahypodermicneedletoAmyCahill’sneck.Piercedidn’twanttoembarrassAmy,hewantedtokillher.Andprobablyherfriends,too.
AprilMaytriedtotellherselfitwasamistake.Amusclemanwhojumpedthegunandwentinforanunsanctionedkill.Itworkedforawhileasareasonabletheory,butthemoreAprilMaylearned,themoreitsoundedlikesomethingelse—wishfulthinking.Sheneededtoknowforsure.AndifamanlikePiercewastryingtokillacoupleofkids,whatwastheendgame?
AprilMayputherfingerstothekeyboardandsoonthatdeliciousfeelingofbecomingonewiththenetworkswashedoverher.Sheavoidedalloftheobviousplacesinformationmightbe.Pierce’se-mail.Hiscellphone.Hewastoosmarttostoreanythingimportant
somewheresoobvious.No,anythingworthwhilewouldbeontheFoundersMedianetwork,hiddenawayonaremotehub.SinceshehadbuiltagreatdealofthesecurityprotocolsforFounders,shewasgoingtogetpastthem.Itwasjustamatteroftime.
AprilMayslitheredthroughhumanresourcesandaccounting,thendippedinandoutofafewisolatedterminals.ShesearchedtheharddriveofareporterinBogotá,Colombia,andtheTwitteraccountofaFoundersMediainterninDesMoines,Iowa.Aprilfoundafewjuicysecretshereandthere—someevenworthfilingawayforlater—butnothingthatexplainedwhatPiercewasupto.
TherewasapingasAprilmovedthroughthesystem.Sheignoreditatfirstbutthesoundgrewloudereachtime,andfinallysheforcedherselftobreakthetranceandlookoverathersecondmonitor.
There,inpalegreenletters,werethewords:There’samouseinthemaze.
AprilMayalmostspilledherElectroshockCherryLimeade.Interesting.
Anoldsecuritysubroutinehadbeenactivated.Shehadcreatedittowatchforinvadersonthenetwork,anditlookedlikeithadjustsniffedsomeoneout.AprilMaydelvedintothesystemlogs.Thisparticularmousehadbeenpokingaroundforafewdaysnow,butthestrangethingwas,ithadn’tdoneanydamage.Noviruses.Nodownloadsofsensitivedata.Thateliminatedblackmail,corporateespionage,andmostblackhathackers.
“Whoareyou?”sheaskedthelittlemouse.
AprilMayturnedherattentiontothesecondmonitor.Shetrackedthemouseforafewminutes,afunnyfeelinggrowinginherstomach.Themousewasverygoodandveryfamiliar.Afewminuteslater,andshewaspositive.ShewasstaringattheCahills’veryownpethacker.
AprilMaysmiled.Themousewasgood,nearlyasgoodasshewas.Shetookanotherslugofsodaandinspirationstruck.SearchingPierce’ssystemscouldtakeweeksandmightnotwork.ButsittingrightinfrontofherwasoneoftheCahillteam.DidtheCahillsknowwhytheyweretargets?
“Stayrightthere,”shesaid,staringatthescreen.“Stayrightwhereyouare.”
Aprilspentthenexthourbuildingelaboratesecurityprotocols,allthewhilekeepinganeyeonhermouse.Onceshewassatisfied,sheopenedthechatinterface.Shewasabouttostarttypingbutstoppedherself.Noreasontomissanopportunity.AprilMaywoveaverycleverandnearlyinvisiblebitofcodeintothechatsystem.Themousewouldsee
nothingbuttext,butifitresponded,shewouldgetatinyfootholdintothenewCahillsystem.Onceshewasdone,AprilMaycrackedherknucklesandsetthemonthekeys.
WhatdoIsay?
Shefeltastrangebundleofnervesinherstomachasshethoughtofthereallivehumanbehindthelightsofhersystem.Shepaused,thenloweredasinglefingerandtypedtwowords.
Ponysatinfrontofhiscomputer,staringattwowordsinglowingtype.
Hithere.
Helookedbehindhim,expectingtoseeIanoroneoftheothersmessingwithhim,butthecommandcenterwasempty.Justhim,thedarkness,andthewords.Hesethisfingersonthekeysandthenpulledthembackagain.Thiswasstrange.Toostrangetonotbecareful.Hemovedtohissecondmachineanddidsometracing.
“Unbelievable,”hewhispered.“Un-freaking-believable!”
Hehadneverseensuchacomplicatedrouting.Andsomasterfullydone!Thesignalwascomingfromoutsidethecommandcenterbutitwasimpossibletotellfromwhere.WhoeverwascontactinghimcouldbeinthehousenextdoororatacybercaféinMumbai.
Thereallyinterestingthing,though,wasthattheroutingwasalmosttoocomplicated.Therewasnoreasontogothatoverboardunlessyouweretryingtosendamessage.Butwhatmessage?
Whodoyouknowthat’sthisgood?Andtothatquestiontherewasonlyoneanswer.AprilMay.
Ponyscrambledforhisphone.Someonehadtotellhimwhattodo!HecalledIan,andthenHamiltonandJonah,butgotnoresponse.It’sfourA.M.!Whogoestobedthisearly!?Hewasabouttorundownstairs,butathoughtcheckedhim.Whatifshewasgonewhenhegotback?
Apparently,thisonewasuptohim.Ponycheckedthecommunicationstreamagain.Definitelynothingcomingthroughbutplaintext.AprilMaywasn’tsendingavirusor
anythinglikethat.Sheonlywantedtotalk.Ponydecidedtokeephisresponsesimple,too.
Hi.
Hisreplysatonscreenforamoment.HestartedtothinkthatmaybeAprilMayhadgottenspooked,buttherewasanotherping.
YouknowwhoIam?
Sure,Ponytyped.You’retheQueenoftheUniverse.
Flattering,Aprilresponded.Wannafillmeinonyou?
TheycallmePony.
You’renotbad.
Ponygrinned.Hewasreallydoingit!HewastalkingtothegreatAprilMay!Hewasafraidhisbrainwasgoingtorupturefrompurefanboyglee.Hisfingersshookasheresumedtyping.
WhatcanIdoforyou?Ponytyped.
Something’sbeenbotheringmelately,Apriltyped.Thoughtyoumighthaveanopinionaboutit.
Ponyfrowned.
Iwon’tgiveyouanythingthatwillhurtmyfriends.
I’mnotaskingforany,AprilMayreplied.I’mjustaskingaquestion.Freelancegeniustofreelancegenius.
Ponyflushedwithpride,butthoughtamomentbeforeheanswered.Whatdoyouwanttoknow?
AprilMaystaredatthewordsonthescreen,ajoltofnervesinherstomach.Shegrabbedherbottleofsodaanddrowneditincaffeine.Thepingofane-mailnotificationcamefromhersecondarysystem.
Aprilglancedup.Onee-mailstoodoutfromtheothers,boldandhighlightedinred,likeitwasscreamingather.ItwasfromPierce,demandingtoknowwheretheCahills
were.Whattheyweredoing.Howhecouldfindthem.ApriltookaswigofElectroshockCherryLimeadeCaffeineBlastandbegantotype.
Who’sthebadguy?You?Orme?
“ButhowcanAtlantisbeSpain?”DanaskedastheMediterraneanslippedbeneaththeirsmallplane.“LasttimeIchecked,Spainwasn’tevenanisland!”
Atticuswassittingintheback,wedgedbetweenAmyandJake,hislapfullofbooks.Hehadbeenimmersedinhisresearcheversincetheyleftthemuseum.AftertheirchasethroughthestreetsofTunis,therewasfartoomuchmediaandpoliceinterestintheCahillsforthemtogototheairport,soJonah’spilothadmadealast-minuteswitch-up.Thefourkidshadrentedaboatandmetthepilotandhisseaplaneamileoffshore.ItwouldbeanotherhourstillbeforetheylandedneartheSpanishcoastandwerepickedupbyanotherboat.
“Inactuality,itmatchesupprettywellwithwhatPlatowrote,”Atticussaid.“AtlantiswassupposedtobetothewestofthePillarsofHercules,whichweknowaretherocksoneithersideoftheStraitofGibraltar.Spainisdefinitelywestofthat.AndapparentlyPlato’snottheonlyonewhothinksthisistheplace.AscientistnamedRichardFreundhasbeenstudyingthepossibilityforyears.”
“Sowhyhaven’tweheardabouthim?”Danasked.
Atticusshiftedinhisseat.“Well...mostpeoplethinkhe’snuts.”
“Soundslikeourkindofguy.”
“Buthe’sfoundsomeinterestingstuff,”Atticussaid.“Accordingtohim,thereusedtobeahugebayinsouthernSpain.HesaysAtlantiswasbuiltrightonthewaterinaseriesofconcentriccircleswithamazingtemplesandportsandeverything.AndwhatweknowaboutTartessosdefinitelymatchesupwiththelegendofAtlantis.Itwasincrediblyrich,largelyfromtheoresitminedfromthesurroundingarea.Butthen,thousandsofyearsago,amassivetsunamisweptintothatareaandwouldhavewreckedtheentirecity.Overthe
years,itwascoveredwithdozensoffeetofsilt.Eventually,thewholethingbecameabigmarshlandandSpainmadeitanationalpark.”
“Sodoesthisguyhaveactual,youknow,proof?”Danasked.
Atticus’svoicegothighandsqueaky.“Hehassomeinterestingimagesonground-penetratingradar,”hesaidcarefully.“Andsomepeopleagreethatsomesiteslookliketheycould,maybe,bememorialstothelostcity.There’ssomethingdownthereallright,butthewholeareaistoomarshytodoalotofexcavating.Idon’tknow!It’swhywe’recheckingitout,okay?”Atticusplungedbackintohisbooks.
Danlookedaroundtheplane,frowning.HeandAmyhadflownallaroundtheworld,alotofthetimewithAtticusandJakewiththem.Buthe’dneverknownaflightsosilent.Amystaredouttheplane’swindowwiththesamebroodysilencethathadsurroundedhersincetheyhadleftthelibrary.
Danknewwhatitwasabout,buttherewasnothinghecouldsay.Asslickasshe’dtriedtobe,he’dseenherlookinginhisbackpack.Heknewwhatshemusthavefound.
Danflushed.Hecouldn’thelpfeelingasifhe’dbeencaughtdoingsomethingshameful,likestealingorconspiringwiththeenemy.Buttheywerejustsomebrochures.Andhe’dtoldAmythathewasdonewiththeCahillsaftertheyfiguredouthowtostopPierce.IftheyfiguredouthowtostopPierce.Hecouldn’tdothisanymore.Itfeltasifhisskinwasgettingtightereveryday,untilsoonitwouldsuffocatehim.Isthatwhatshewantedforhim?
Themorehethoughtaboutit,themorehisguiltwasreplacedwithanger.AngeratAmy.He’dbeenmadatherbefore—alot—butitwasusuallya“heyyouborrowedmyhoodiewithoutasking”kindofanger.Thiswasreal,burninghot,eventeary.Somuchsothathecouldn’tbringhimselftosayanythingaboutit.They’dbeenthroughsomuchtogetherandthey’dalwaysbeenabletotalkthroughanything.Itwastheonlywaythey’dsurvived.Itwasimpossible,unthinkable,butsomethinghadchanged.
Thepilotannouncedthathewaspreparingtoland.Danclippedhisseatbeltinplaceandlookedoutthewindow,gulpingwhenallhesawbelowthemwastheironsweepoftheocean.Landingwithoutarunwayjustdidn’tseemright.
Itendedupbeingsurprisinglysmooth,though,andminuteslatertheyweremetbyafishingboat.Theyallsteppeduneasilyontotheplane’spontoonsbeforetakingthehandofagrizzled-lookingfishermanandcrossingoverontotheboatdeck.
DansteadiedhimselfagainsttherailingasJakehelpedAtticuswithhislifevest.Amystoodoffbyherself,again,thehoodofhersweatshirtpulledupasshewatchedthechurnoftheboat’swakewithemptyeyes.Thisisridiculous!Danstartedtocrossthedecktowardher,butsomethingstoppedhim.
Oncewehavethesilphium,we’llbothbemorerelaxed,Danthought.We’lltalkthen.Danhuddledagainsttherailing,hopingitwastrue.
ALandRovermetthemattheshoreandbroughtthemintoDoñanaNationalPark,whichdidnotlooktoDanlikethehomeoftheworld’smostfamoussunkencity.Itwasamixofsanddunesandlush,reedymarshlands.Aboutfivemilesinland,theymovedontoaflatplainofsun-bleacheddirtdottedwithsprigsofdryreedsandtuftsofgrass.
“So,thisisAtlantis,”Dansaid.“Man,theAquamancomicbookswerewayoff.”
“Youwouldn’tlooksogreat,either,ifyou’dbeencoveredinsiltforafewthousandyears,”Atticusshotback.
Adustycampcameintoview.Itconsistedofahandfuloftentswithscientistsbustlingaroundinkhakiandhikingboots.TheirLandRovercametoahaltjustoutsideofcamp.
“Whatifwe’rewrong,”Atticussaid,lookingevenyoungerthanusual.“WhatifDad’snothereandPiercereallydoeshavehim?”
Danlookedbackathisfriend.“Hey,whenareyoueverwrong?He’shere.So,what’stheplan?Jake,doyouwantto—”
Amythrewopenherdoorandstartedacrosstheplain.Danandtheothersexchangedalook.
It’slikewe’renotevenhere,Danthought,andthenthethreeofthempiledoutofthecarwithJakeinthelead.
“Hey!”JakecalledafterAmy.“Yourememberthatwholethingaboutmydaddislikingyou,right?”
“Yes,”saidAmy,notevenbotheringtoturnaround.“AndIalsorememberyousayingthatDanandIshouldtrymakingadirectappeal.Justhangbackandletmetalktohim.”
DancouldseethetensioninJake’sshouldersaheadofhim.
“AllduerespecttoyourLeader-tude,”Jakecalled,“buthe’smydadandyoudon’texactlyseeminthemostdiplomaticframeofmindrightnow.”
“I’mfine!”
“You’reactinglikeacrazyperson!”Jakefiredback.
“Dad!”yelledAtticus,andranpasteveryoneintothecamp.
Dr.Rosenbloomhadjustemergedfromoneofthetents.Atticusthrewhisarmsaroundhisverystartledfather,whospunhimaround.
“What’sgoingon?”Dr.Rosenbloomasked.“Att,whatareyoudoinghere?Areyouokay?”
“We’refine.”
JakeglancedatAmyandthenranovertojoinAtticus.“Wesawyourhouse,”Jakesaid.“Wethoughtsomethingmighthavehappenedtoyou.”
Dr.Rosenbloom’sexpressionclearedandhelaughed.“Ah,IguessIwasinabitofahurry.Sorryifitworriedyouguys.Butaren’tyousupposedtobebackinRome?Didyoumissyourflight?”Dr.Rosenbloomwavedhisownquestionaway.“Youknowwhat?Itdoesn’tmatter!Whenyouguysseewhatwe’vefoundhere,yourheadsaregoingtoexploderightoffyourshoulders.Comeon,letmeshowyou!”
Amysteppedforward,andDanputupahandtoholdherback.“Amy,wait.Letthem—”
“Dr.Rosenbloom!”Amycalled.
Dr.Rosenbloomturned.Hissmileevaporatedthesecondhelaideyesonher.Theglowthatlithisfacefromthemomenthesawhissonsdisappearedinstantly,replacedwithsomethingdarkandcold.
“Dad—”Atticusbegan.
“So,youwereworriedaboutme?”Dr.Rosenbloomrepeated,angercoloringhisvoice.
“It’strue,”Jakesaid.“We—”
Dr.Rosenbloombrokeawayfromthemandmarchedacrossthefield,hiseyeslockedonAmy.
“Sir,I...”
“Wemaybeoutinthemiddleofnowhere,Ms.Cahill,butwedogetthenews,”hesaid.“IfyouthinkforasinglesecondthatI’mgoingtoletmysonsgetinvolvedwithapairofentitledbratslikeyouandyourbrother,thenyou’reoutofyourmind!Iwon’tletyoudotoJakewhatyoudidtothatTolliverboy!”
“Dad!”JakeexclaimedasAmy’sfacewenttotallywhite.
“Notanotherword,Jake,”Dr.Rosenbloomsnapped.“Takeyourbrotherintomytentrightnow.”
“Amydidn’tdoanything!”Jakeprotested.“Thosenewsreportsarelies!”
Dr.Rosenbloomwhirledonhisson.“Thatboy’sparentswerelying,then?Isthatwhatyou’resaying?Isthatwhatshetoldyou?”
“No!It’sjust—AmyandEvanweretryingtodosomethingveryimportantandhegothurt,butitwasn’tAmy’sfault.Shetriedtokeephimfromgettinginvolved.She’dneverletanyonegethurtifshecouldhelpit.”
“Isaid,notanotherword!”
“Sir,please,”Amycutin.“DanandIwillgo.Rightnow.Ipromise.You’llneverseeusagain.ButIneedtoknowaboutsilphium.It’sveryimportant.Haveyoufoundany?”
Dr.Rosenbloomwalkedover,notstoppinguntilhenearlyranherdown.HeglaredatherwithaheatthatmadeDanflinch.
“Wefoundtwosealedjarsthismorning,”Dr.Rosenbloomsaidthroughclenchedteeth.“Theyhadmarkingsthatindicatedsilphiumseedswereinside.”
“Canweseethem?”Danasked,tryingtomovebetweenAmyandJakeandAtticus’sdad.“Likemysistersaid.It’sincrediblyimportant.”
Dr.Rosenbloomshookhishead.“Iwouldn’tdreamofit.Andanyway,you’retoolate.Isentthemonalready.”
“Where?”Amypersisted.
“OnewenttocolleaguesinTunisforstudy.Theother’sonitswaytotheGlobalSeedVaultinSvalbard.Bothplacesareoutofyourreach.Andnow?Ibelieveyouweregoing?”
Svalbard?Danthought,andlookedtoAtticus.
“It’savaultbuiltintothesideofamountainintheArcticCircle,”Atticussaid.“They’reusingittostoreseedsfromallovertheworld.”
“Andthevaultisshuttight,sothere’snothrill-seekingtobedonethere,”Dr.Rosenbloomsaid,nearlyshakingwithrage.“Theyonlyhavestaffatthevaultacoupleoftimesayear.They’rewaitingtostorethesilphiumandthenthey’reheadedout.”
“Thankyou,sir,”Amysaid.Shekeptherheadraised,butDancouldseethatshecouldn’tquitelookDr.Rosenbloomintheeye.SheturnedtoJakeandAtticus.“Youtwostaywithyourfather.DanandIwilltakeitfromhere.”
Amyturnedherbackonthemandstartedtowalkaway.Herbackwasstraight,buttheycouldallseehowbadlyshewastrembling.
“Amy!Wait!”saidJakeashechargedafterher.
Dr.RosenbloomreachedoutandcaughthissonasJaketriedtorushpasthim.“Thisisover,”hesaid,grabbingJake’sshirtandshakinghimforemphasis.“YouandAtticusaregoingbacktoschool,andI’mcallingtheTunisianpolicerightnow.”
Jaketoreoutofhisfather’sgrip.“Thenyou’llbecallingthemonme,too.”
“Jake!”
“Ican’texplaineverythingnow,”hesaid.“Ijustneedyoutotrustme.AmyandDanhaven’tmadeusdoanything.We’redoingthisbecauseweknowhowimportantitis.It’sprobablythemostimportantthingAtticusorIwilleverdo.We’llbecareful,Iswear.Butwe’regoing.Now.”
“Jake,don’tyoudare—”
Jake’sfacewasgraniteasheturnedawayfromhisfather.Dr.RosenbloomsteppedforwardtograbJakeagain,andAtticusranoutbehindhim.AmystoodmotionlessneartheLandRover,watchingtheRosenbloomssprinttowardher,withwhatlookedliketearsglisteninginthecornersofhereyes.WhenshesawDanlooking,shewipedthemawayandfixedhereyesontheground.
“Atticus!”Dr.Rosenbloomcriedashissonsstreakedtowardthecar.Helookedshocked,asifhehadwokenupintoanalternateuniverse.
“Guys,”Amysaid,puttingherselfbetweenJakeandAtticusandthecar.“Youcan’t—”
“Itdoesn’tmatterwhatyousay,either,”Jakesaid.“We’renotdoingthisforyou.We’redoingitbecauseit’sright.SounlessbothyouandDanwantusgone,we’recomingwithyou.”
AmyturnedtoDan,whowassittinginthefrontseatofthecar.Theforceofherexpectationwaslikeapunchtohischest.HelookedfromhertoJakeandAtticus.
“Weneedthem,Amy,”Dansaid.“They’recomingwithus.”
“Stop!”Dr.RosenbloomshoutedasherantowardtheLandRover.JakeandAtticusjumpedin,andthenDangrabbedhissisterandpulledherintothecar.
“Let’sgo,”heshoutedtothedriver.“Andhurry!”
DanglancedbackatAmyastheytookoffinacloudofdust.Hereyeswerefilledwiththesameemotionhe’dseenbackatthelibrary.Alookthatscreamedoutthatshe’dbeenbetrayed,andbythepersonshetrustedthemost.
Danmadehimselflookaway.
“We’llbeinTunisinafewhours,”heannouncedtothegroup.“Weneedaplan.Thoughts,everybody?”
Amywasfrozeninplace,shockedbreathless.Whathadhappenedtothetwoofthem?Danlookedatherlatelyasifshewereastranger,buthehadtoknowshewasonlytryingtokeepeveryonesafe.Didn’the?
AmydrewherselfoverthebackseatandintotherearoftheLandRover’sstoragecompartment.Sheleanedovertheirbackpackssoitlookedlikeshewascheckingtheirgear,andpulledoutherphone.Shedialed,andwhileitrangshekepthereyeslockedonDanandJakeandAtticus,herheartachingtoseethemmakingplanswithouther.
Theringingstoppedandtheirpilotanswered.
“It’sme,”Amywhispered.“Yes.ButI’llneedyoutobringsomethingswithyouwhenyoucome.”
Amyrattledoffalistandthenshelookedahead.Theboysstillwereabsorbedintheirplans.DanandJakeandAtticusseemedsofaraway,almostasiftheinsideofthecarhadbeensplitintotwoseparateworlds.Somethingcoldclickedintoplace.
Andthat’sthesafestplaceforthem,shethought.Faraway.Thewayitalwaysshouldhavebeen.
Thepilotaskedheraquestion,snappingAmybacktoreality.
“No,”shesaid,answeringhim.“There’sbeenachangeofplans.Listenup....”
Nelliehidinthebathroom,listeningasthelastofthelate-shiftemployeesfiledoutoftheirlabs.Ahalfhouraftertheirvoicesfaded,thecleaningcrewsmovedinwiththeswishofmopsandthewhineofvacuums.Finally,theonlythingNelliecouldhearwasthesofttickingoftheairconditionerswindingdownforthenight.
Nellietookabreath,thenunfoldedherselffromherperchontopofthetoiletbowl.
Outsidethebathroom,thecorridorwasfilledwithamixofsafetylightsanddeepshadows.Nellieglancedupatthesecuritycamerasmountedalongtheceiling.Theywerestationary,andshewasprettysureshecouldstayoutoftheirfieldsofview.
Sheslinkedupthestairstothenextfloor,openingandclosingdoorswithexcruciatingcaresotheydidn’tmakeasound.Shemadeittothefourthfloor,thenconsultedhermentalmap.Theentrancetothesecretstaircasewassupposedtobeatadeadend—left,thenright,thenleftagainfromwhereshewasstanding.
Nelliestarteddownthefirsthall,butdovebackintotheshadowsattheclickofadooraheadofher.Sheflattenedagainstawallasasmallwomaninawhitelabcoatsteppedintothecorridorandwalkeddownthehall.Thewomanpattedatherpockets,growingincreasinglyfrustratedasshesearchedforsomething.Oncethewomanwasoutofsight,Nelliewaitedandlistenedbeforecontinuingon.Everystepconfirmedthatsheandthewomanwereheadedinthesamedirection.
MaybesheknowsI’mbehindherandisleadingmeintoatrap.Maybethisendswithmeinthehandsofacoupleofgoonsliketheonesthatnearlykilledthekiddos.
Nellieshookofftheunproductivethoughtsandmadeherselfcontinueforward.Herlegsweren’tquitesteady.Left,thenright,thenleftagain.Nelliehungbackinthedarkandpeekedaroundacorner.ThewomanwasattheendofahallwithherbacktoNellie.Shewasstilldiggingthroughherpockets,mutteringtoherself.Nellieheardaclinkofchange
andthenadeepka-chunk.ThewomanmovedasideandNelliecaughtsightofwhatwasattheendofthehall.
Itwasn’tasecretentrance.
Itwasavendingmachine.
Thescientistreachedintoaslotforhersnack,toreopenthebag,andchoweddownanentirebagofhoneyBBQporkrinds,goingsofarastoupendthebagsoshecouldsuckbackthelastremainingcrumbs.
Hmm.Maybesheisn’tapartofaninternationalcriminalconspiracy,afterall.
Nellieflattenedherselfintotheshadowsonceagainasthewomanmovedpasther.WhenMadamePorkRindswasgone,Nellietiptoeddowntothevendingmachine,runningherhandsalongthewalls,searchingforaseamorahollowplacethatmightindicateanentrance.Therewasnothing.
Thevendingmachineitselflookedperfectlynormal.Glassfrontandblackmetalsides.Aslotforchangeandaplacetoswipecreditcards.NexttothecardreadertherewasalargeredAsurroundedinwhite.Themachineitselfwasfullofcandyandchipsandrollsofmints.Nellienudgeditwithonehandbutitdidn’tmove.Shesethershoulderintoitandpushed,stillnothing.
“Comeon,youstupidthing.Iknowthere’smorethanporkrindsinyou!Therehastobe!”
Nelliegaveitanotherpush,andwhenitgavenothinginreturn,herfrustrationhitabreakingpoint.Shekickedatthethingandpushed,rockingitbackandforth.
“Openup!Openup,youstupidthing!Opensesame!”
“Hey!”
Nelliegaspedandwhirled.Shewasface-to-facewithamaninacharcoal-graysuitwhowasbuilttomoreorlesstheexactsamespecificationsasthevendingmachine.AradioreceiversatinoneearandNelliespiedagun-shapedbulgeunderneathhisjacket.
Nellie’sbackwasagainstthemachine,andshecouldonlylookoninhorrorasthemanstrodetowardher,reachingintohisjacket.
“Wait,no,Iwasjust—”
Theguardpulledoutahandfulofchange.“Youscientistsareallthesame,”hesaidwithashakeofhishead.“Soexcitable.Youhavetoloveyourmachinesifyouwanttoget
anythingoutofthem.Treat’emnice.”
HeturnedtoNelliewithanoddsmileonhischiseledface.
“So?Whatisitthatyouwanted,Doc?”
Nellieopenedhermouthtoanswer,butwordsfledwhenshecaughtsightoftheIDcardhangingfromtheman’sbelt.Itwaswhite,justlikehers,butinsteadoftheblueDasonhercard,hissportedabrightredA.
NellieglancedbackattheAonthevendingmachine.Itwasaperfectmatchfortheoneontheguard’sID.AvolleyoffireworkswentoffinNellie’shead.
“Uh,ma’am?”
“Porkrinds,”Nelliesaidwithasmile.“I’llhavetheporkrinds.”
Amystoodaloneondecklatethatnight,lookingupatglisteningstarssurroundedbyblack.Theywereintheopenocean,somewherebetweenthecoastsofSpainandMorocco.Therewasn’tatraceoflandoragleamofartificiallightinanydirection.AmythoughttheviewmusthavebeennodifferentthantheoneseenbythesailorsofCarthageorAtlantis.
Sheclimbedthestairsupontothebridge.Everyoneelsewasdownbelow.Amyhadexplainedthatduetoadelayingettingfuel,theplanewouldn’tmeetthemforhoursyet,soeveryoneshouldgetsomerest.
Amykneltbesidetheboat’sbigsteeringwheelandtookthekeyfromtheignitionbeneathit.Shedroppeditintoherpalmwhereitjoinedthespareshehadfoundamongthecaptain’sthings.Thekeysclinkedtogetherinherpalm,catchingthemoonlight.Shewalkedtotherailingandturnedherhandover.Thekeysfellintothewater,hittingwithabarelyaudibleplop.Therewasaflashofsilverinthemoonlightandthentheywereswallowedupbythedark.
“Whatareyoudoing?”
Amyturned.Jakewasstandingatthehatchthatleddowntothecrewcompartment.
“Iwasjust...gettingsomeair.”
Jakeclimbeduptothebridge,whereheleanedagainsttherailingandlookedoutontothesea.Thewaterwasflatbutforafewlow,rollingswells,bandedwithsliversofmoonlight.
“Youshouldgogetsomesleep,”Amysaidnervously.“Theplanewillbehereinafewhours.”
Jakenodded,butkeptstaringoutintothedarkwater.“Doyouthinktheyknewitwascoming?”
ThesuddenshiftthrewAmy.“Who?Didtheyknowwhatwascoming?”
“ThepeopleinAtlantis,”hesaid.“OrTartessos.Orwhateveritwascalled.Atticussaiditwasprobablyoneofthegreatestcitiesofalltime.Iwasthinkingsincetheyhadaccomplishedsomuch,maybetheycouldn’timaginetheendcoming.Ibetthat’swhatkilledthem.”JakelookedbackoverhisshoulderatAmy.“Thinkingtheywereinvincible.”
“Jake...”
“ItusedtobethatIknewwhatyouweregoingtodoorwhatDanwasgoingtodoalmostbeforeyoudidit.Wewerethatinsync.Butnowitseemslikeallanyofusdoisfight.Idon’tlikewhatIseecoming,Amy.”
AnimpulsetocontradicthimflaredinAmy,butitburneditselfoutbeforeshecouldgiveitvoice.“Iknow,”shesaid.Itwasbarelyawhisper.
Jaketookasteptowardherjustasthedistantwhineofenginesbrokethesilence.Jakelookedupastheseaplane’srunninglightswinkedintoview.Moonlightglintedoffofitswingsasitangledinforalanding.
“Iguesshe’searly,”Jakesaid.“Wecantalkaboutthislater.I’llgogettheothers.”
HestartedtogobutAmygrabbedhissleevetoholdhimback.“Whatareyou—?”
“I’mgoingtoSvalbard,”shesaid.“Alone.”
“What?Amy—”
“EveryonewillbewaitingforusinTunis,”shesaid.“Reporters,police,Pierce’smen.Svalbardistheonlychance.”
“Fine,butgoingaloneiscrazy!Dadsaidtheplacewillbeemptyandlockedup.You’llnevergetinalone.Togetherwecould—”
“I’mnotlettinganyoneelsegethurtoverthis,”Amysaid.“You’reright,Jake.We’renotinvincible.AndPierceistoogood.He’stoosmart.”
Therewasaroarofenginesandthenasplashastheseaplanelanded.JaketookholdofAmy’sarmassheturnedtowardtheboat’srailing.
“You’reright,”hesaid.“LeaveDanandAtticusbehind.Butletmecomewithyou.”
TheexpressiononJake’sfacenearlysentAmytoherknees.Despiteeverything,allthefightsandthehurt,Jakewouldn’thesitatetoputhimselfindangertohelpher.She
knewexactlyhowhefelt,becauseshefeltthesame.Amyfeltsomethingbrightflareupinsideofher.Butthebriefrushofjoycouldn’twithstandthecoldwalloffear,worry,andguiltshe’dbuiltup.Sheknewwhatshehadtodo.Amythoughtofhergrandmother,imaginedthespineofsteelthatranthroughGrace,andforcedherselftolookJakeintheeye.
“Idon’tloveyou,”shesaid.“IknowyouthinkIdo.Youthinkthatthere’sthis...thingbetweenus,butthereisn’t.Thereneverwas,andthereneverwillbe.”
Therewasapause,andthenthelightinJake’seyesbegantoslowlyfade.Amywasguttedtoseeitgo,butshecouldn’tlookaway.Shecouldn’tletup.Jake’sgriponherarmloosened.Theplanetaxiedtoastopfiftyfeetfromtheboatandthepilotpoppedthereardoor.
“I’vedisabledtheboat,”Amysaid.“Butthere’splentyoffoodandwateronboard.You’llallbesafeuntilIsendsomeoneforyou.Ifsomethinghappenstome,tellDantogatherwhatwehaveonPierceandcalltheFBI.”
BeforeJakecouldprotest,Amygrabbedherpackanddoveoffthesideoftheboat.Thechillywaterhitherlikeafistbutshewasupandpullingherselfthroughthelowswellsinseconds.Shecouldhearshoutingbehindhernow.Theplanewasthirtyfeetaway,thentwenty,thenten.
Thepilotreacheddownandtookherbythewrist,pullingherupontothewidepontoon.Hewrappedatowelaroundherasshesteppedupintotheplane.Amyturnedtoshutthedoor.
“AMY!”
Danwasondecknow,standingjustbehindJake.HerbrotherscreamedhernameandAmyfelthottearsfillinghereyes.
“AMY!”
Theplane’senginesspunupandthepropellerbegantoturn.Danstrippedoffhisshoesandshirtanddoveofftheboat.Hedisappearedintheblack,andsecondslatershesawhisthinwhitearmstearingthroughthewater.Thepilotturnedbacktoher.
“WhatdoIdo?”
“Go.Now!”AmysaidasDangotcloserandcloser.Inanotherfewstrokeshe’dbeabletograbthepontoons.
“Butthere’ssomeoneinthewater,”thepilotcalledoutovertheengines.“Shouldn’twe—”
“Justgo!”
Amyslammedthedoorandfellintoherseat.AmycouldhearJake,Atticus,andDanyelling,evenoverthenoiseofthepropellers.Eachshoutwaslikeafistdiggingintoher,clutchingatherinsides.Amyclosedhereyestightandtheenginessurged,drowningtheboysout.Theplanebegantopullaway,pickingupspeed.Therewasasluiceofwaterbelowandthenthestrangelyheavyfeelingastheystrainedintothesky.
Amyopenedhereyes.Below,theboatgrewsmalleruntilDanandtheothersfadedintothedistance.Soon,theboatwasnothingbutawhitedotamidtheblack.
Amymadeherselflookstraightahead,staringoutthepilot’swindow,astheysoaredawayintothedarkness.
Nelliefeltherselfgrowtenseasshepassedroomsofpatientshookeduptopingingmachineryandwheezybreathingmachines.Shehadbeenpromisingherselffordaysthatshe’dcometoseeFiskeandhadbeenavoidingit,tellingherselfthattheTriloninvestigationwastooimportant.Butfinallytheexcusesdidn’tholdanymore.Itwasn’tthatshedidn’tloveFiske,it’sjustthatshehatedhospitals.EvenwhentheywereasluxeastheCallenderInstitute,theystillcreepedherout.
Shehadbeentwelvewhenhergrandmagotcancer,andNelliehadneverquitegottenoverseeingherlaidupinthestarkwhiteofthatroom.Asifbeingsickwasn’tbadenough,Nellie’sgrandmahadtodoitwhilebeingassaultedbyfluorescentlightingandthenose-stingingsmellofdisinfectant.Itseemedliketheultimateinsult.Andthefood!Hospitalsshouldbeaboutloveandhealingandcomfort,aboutbeefstewseasonedwithjusttherightamountofthymeandrosemary.Instead,hergrandmagotmysterymeatandiceberglettuce.DessertwasasadlittlecubeofgreenJell-O.
Howwassomeonesupposedtoembracelifeeatingthatgarbage?Whywouldtheywantto?
Well,itwon’tbelikethatforFiske,Nelliethought,swingingthewickerpicnicbasketshehadbroughtwithher.Shehadwaitedtoolongtovisit,butshewasgoingtomakeupforitnow.I’mgoingtohealthatman!
“NellieGomez!”Fiskepracticallyleapedoutofbedasshesteppedintohisroom.
“Fiske!”
Nellietriedtohidehershockatseeinghim.ThereportshehadgottenfromthekiddoswasthatFiskewasasgrayasdishwaterandwrinklierthanamantenyearshissenior.Thatcertainlywasn’tthecasenow.Fiskepracticallyglowed.Hisskinwassmoothandruddy,hiseyesbright.
“Youlookamazing!”
Fiskelaughed,loudandhearty.“Asdoyou,asalways.IsthatacarepackageIseeinyourhands?”
“Itis,butIthinkIshouldgofindsomeonewho’sactuallysickandgiveittothem!”
“Ifitgetsmesomeofyourdeliciouscooking,Iwillendeavortobeappropriatelymoribund.Now,bringithere,Nellie!Bringithere!”
FiskerubbedhispalmstogetherwiththeeagernessofalittlekidasNelliesetthebasketdownandthrewitopen.“Okay,”shesaid,pullingoutstacksofplastictubs.“Wehaveabigbowlofchickenanddumplingsoupfollowedbyanapplecider–brinedporkchop,ricepilaf,mixedgreensalad,andfordessert...”
Nelliewhippedthetopoffatub.
“Banoffeepie!”
“Banoffeepie!”Fiskeexclaimed.“Myfavorite!Ibarelyknowwheretostart.”
Nelliehandedhimabigsilverspoon.“Chickensoup,”shesaid.
“Withpleasure!”
Nelliefoundaseatnexttothebed,smilingasFiskeduginwithobviousrelish.
“Delicious,”hesaidthroughstuffedmouthfuls.“Marvelous.Nowtellmethenews.HowareDanandAmy?Howisthehunt!?”
Fiskepolishedoffthesoupandmovedontotheporkchop,notevenbotheringwithaknifeandfork.Hepickeditupinhishandsandtoreintoitwithhisteeth.
“Uh...they’refine,”Nelliesaid,distractedbythespectacleofFiskeeatinglikeahungrytiger.“TheyfoundthewhiskersandareinTunisnowsearchingforthesilphium.IthinkAmyisfeelingthestress,though.ShesentmostoftheteambacktotheStates.”
“Excellent!”Fiskesaid.“Excellent.”
“Excellent?Whyis—”
“Amyisfeelingherpower,Nellie.Hermastery.Sheiscomingintoherown.Whenapersondoesthat,otherpeoplecanstarttofeellike...howcanIsayit?Likeanchorsratherthansails.Doyoucatchmymeaning?Myword,thisporkchopisdelicious!”
“Fiske,areyousureyou’reokay?Youseem—”
“Mydeargirl,Ihaven’tfeltthisgoodsinceIwassixteen,”hesaid.“No!Scratchthat.EventhenIdidn’tfeelthisstrong,thisfast,this...attuned.I’mseeingthingsI’veneverseenbefore.Theworldisascleartomeasapaneoffreshlywashedglass.”
NelliereachedforthephonebyFiske’sbedside.“Youknow,maybeIshouldtalktoyourdoc—OW!”
Fiske’shandshotoutofnowhereandclampeddownonNellie’swrist.Shecriedoutasherbonesbowedunderthepressure,readytosnap.
“Fiske,you’rehurtingme!”
Heyankedhishandbacklikehehadbeenshocked.Hismouthfellopenandhiseyeswentcoldandhollow.Hisshouldersfell.Suddenly,hishandthathadthestrengthofasteelvisethesecondbeforewasasweakasakitten’spaw.
“Oh,Nellie.Oh,Nellie.I’msosorry.No!”
TearsbegantofillFiske’seyes.Theycourseddownhischeeksashedrewintohimselflikeapieceofpaperbeingslowlycrumpled.
“I’msosorry.Idon’t...Idon’tknowwhathappened.It’slikeIdon’tknowmyownstrength.IactbeforeIeventhink.What’shappeningtome?”
NelliepushedthelunchbasketoutofthewayandlaidacomfortinghandonFiske’sshoulder.Hisfacewasbeetred,hisfeaturesscrunchedtogether.Helookedlikeabewilderedchild.
“It’sokay,”shesaidquietly,strokinghisarm.“You’regoingtobefine.We’rejustgoingtotalktoyourdoctor.Okay?”
Fiskeseizedontheidealikealiferope.“Yes!”hesaid.“TalktoDr.Callender.Healwaysknowswhatto—”
Beforehecouldfinishhissentence,Fiske’seyesfellshutandhisbreathevenedout.Hewasasleep,hisarmscrossedoverhischest,clutchinghimselftight.Thehandjustbeneathhischinwasshakingvisibly.
Nellietoreoutoftheroomtowardanurses’stationjustoutside.Thenurse’seyeswentwideasNelliestrodetowardher.
“Hey!You!IwanttoseeDr.JeffreyCallender.Rightnow!”
NelliestoodoutsideDr.Callender’soffice,tappingherfootimpatientlywhilehesatathisdeskspeakingwithayoungwomaninabrightredblazer.Fiskehadbeenoneofthestrongest,mostin-controlmenshehadeverknown.Whenthekiddoswenttoseehim,theysaidhelookedtiredandweakbuttheydidn’tsayanythingaboutareactionlikethis.
“Ms.Gomez?”
NellielookedupasDr.Callenderwavedherinside.ThewomanintheredblazerjostledNellieonherwaytothedoor.
“Hey!”Nelliesaid.
Thewomaninreddidn’tsayaword.Shealreadyhadacellphonestucktoherearandwaschattingawayasshewalked.
“Somepeoplesayexcuseme!”Nelliecalled.
Thewomandidn’teventurnherhead.Nellierolledhereyesandwasabouttogointheofficewhenshesawsomethingfamiliarhangingoffthebackofthewoman’spurse—awhitekeycardimprintedwithalargeredA.BeneathitwastheTrilonlogo.
“Ms.Gomez?”
NellietoreherselfawayandduckedintoDr.Callender’soffice.Hewasasmallmanwithstylishglassesandathickheadofdarkbrownhair.
“Sorrytokeepyouwaiting,”hesaid.“Meetingwithpharmaceuticalrepsissadlynecessary.HowcanIhelpyou?YouwantedtotalkaboutMr.Cahill.”
“Yes,Ineedtoknowwhat’sgoingonandIneedtoknownow.”
Dr.Callenderhelduphishandsinsurrender.“Ofcourse,”hesaid.“Mr.Cahillhasgonethroughaverydifficulttime,agreatdealofstress.”
Nellienarrowedhereyes.“He’sdealtwithstresshisentirelife.”
Thedoctornoddedhisheadsadly.“Sometimestheoneswhoseemstrongestaremostatrisk.Theytaketheworldontheirback,neverimaginingatimewhentheycan’thandletheweight.”
“Butwhatdowedo?Howdowe...”
“Fixhim?”Dr.Callenderasked.“Ifonlyitwerethateasy.I’mtryingdifferentdrugsandwe’redoingintensivetherapy,butit’samatteroftime.”
Nelliefeltasinkingsensation.“Areyousayingit’spossiblethathe’ll...”
“Stressisaninsidiousthing,Ms.Gomez,”Dr.Callendersaid.“It’snearlyimpossibleforustoeverreallyknowitseffects,or,oncetheeffectstakehold,thelong-termoutlook.Asyousaid,though,Mr.Cahillisverystrong.I’moptimistic.”
Nellienodded,numb.Sherosefromherchair,stillinadaze.“Thankyouforyourtime.”
Shestumbledoutoftheofficeandintothebustlinghallway.“Sorry,”shesaidasshemadeherwaythroughthenursesandvisitors.“Excuseme.”
ThoughtsofFiskequicklyturnedtoAmyandDan.WasFiskeavisionoftheirfuture?Wouldalifeofstressanddangerbreakthem,too?Nellieshuddered.Herkiddoshadneverfeltsofaraway.
Alaughdownthehallcaughtherattention.Thewomanintheredblazercameoutofanotherdoctor’soffice.ShewavedandthenheadeddownthehallinthesamedirectionNelliewasgoing,herspikedheelsclick-clackingagainstthelinoleum.Herpursehungbyherside,thekeycardwithitslargeredAswingingbackandforth.
Nelliesquaredhershoulders,hereyeslockedonthekeycard.Shecouldn’tbeatAmyandDan’ssiderightnowbecauseshehadamissiontocomplete.
Nelliestarteddownthehall,prayingherbackwasstrongerthanFiske’s.
SpitsbergenIsland,TheSvalbardArchipelago
Amy’sentireworldwassnow.ShesankintoitwitheverystepanditblewsothicklythroughtheairthatAmycouldbarelyseefivefeetinfrontofher.Notthattherewasanythingtosee.Shehadbeenwalkingforatleastanhournowandthelandscapearoundherwasstillnothingbutfieldsofwhite,brokennowandagainbyagraypillarofrock.
AmypulledaGPSdevicefromthepocketofherheavycoatandwipedthesnowoffitsfacewithherthickgloves.
HerpositionwasmarkedasabluedotmovingslowlyacrossthefaceofSpitsbergen,anislandinthemiddleoftheArcticOcean.ItwaspartofNorway’sremoteSvalbardterritoriesandsatwithintheArcticCircle,lessthansevenhundredmilesfromtheNorthPole.HerdotwascreepingalongtheroadthatconnectedtheLongyearbyenairport,whereshehadlandedonlyhoursago,totheSvalbardGlobalSeedVault.
Assmallastheairportwas,shecouldhavegottenataxitotakehertothevault.Thepilothadgonetogreatpainstopointoutthatwhilethethermometerclaimeditwasabalmytwodegreesout,thewindswouldradicallyincreaseherriskofhypothermia,coldweathergearornot.Amywasn’tabouttotakechancesonadriver,though.Themediamighthavealreadybroadcastherlocationacrosstheworld.Iftheyhad,shewassurethatPierce’smenwouldn’tmissanopportunitytoarrangealittleaccidentforher,andshecouldn’tletanyoneelsegetinvolved.Asdifficultasitmadegettingintothefacility,Amywasrelievedwhenshelearnedtheseedbankwasonlystaffedtwiceayeartoacceptnewseedshipments.Therewouldn’tbeanothersoulatSvalbardformonths,andthatmeanttherewasnooneshecouldhurt.
ThescreenoftheGPSpulsed.Shewasalmostthere.ThesnowfallwaveredinthewindandAmycaughtsightofanundulatingglowinthedistance.ShedroppedtheGPSintoherpocketandtrudgedthelasthundredyardsuparockyhill.Amymovedcarefully,
halfbentover,glovedhandsgraspingrocksandherthickbootskickingintowhatevercreviceshecouldfind.Finally,thejaggedlandgavewaytoaflatroadcoveredbyathicksheetofsnow.
AmycouldjustmakeoutthegraylinesoftheentrancetotheSvalbardGlobalSeedVault.Itwasasimplesteelrectangle,abouttwentyfeethigh,standingattheedgeoftheroadlikeanimmenseburialmarker.Asquareatthetopofthemonolithglowedinshiftingpatternsofturquoiseandblue.AmyhadreadaboutitontheflightoverandlearnedthatitwasmeanttoevoketheskiesabovetheArcticCircle.
Asteelcorridorranfromthefacility’sentranceintothesnowbankbehind.Beyondthat,thestructureplungedintothesandstoneofthemountain,tunnelingthroughnearlyfourhundredfeetofsolidrockbeforeitbranchedoffintotherefrigeratedseedstorageareas.ThattheywouldneedtorefrigerateanythingouthereseemedinsanetoAmy,butitwastokeeptheseedsataconstantzerodegrees.Theideawasthatthestoredseedswouldactasakindofbackupsystemforeveryplantonearth.Ifsometreeinthemiddleofthejunglesuddenlywentextinct,noproblem;withtheseedsstoredinthevaulttheycouldbringitback.Theymusthavebeenthrilledtoreceivethesilphium.Aplantbroughtbackfromthedead!
Amypulledapairofbinocularsfromherbackpackandscannedthearea.Thesnowalongtheroadwayandbythedoorwasfreshpowder,unmarredbyanytracks.Shecheckedtheroadbehindher.NosignofPierce’smenthere.Afewbuildingssatamileorsotothesouth,butAmydidn’tseeanylightcomingfromthem.Amywishedalltheisolationcouldputhermindatease,butsheknewhowgoodPierce’smenwere.Iftheydidn’twanttobeseen,theywouldn’tbe.
Amypocketedthebinocularsandcrossedtheroad,leaningintothewind.Onceshewasattheentranceshebroughtoutahandheldcomputerwithaseriesofwiresrunningtoakeycard.Amyslidthecardintothereaderonthedoorandthemachinewenttowork.Soontherewasaclickandthedooropened.Amypeereddownthehallwayontheotherside.Shelookedfortracksinsidethedoor,signsthatsomeonehadbeenthere,butthefloorwasclean.
Amypulledthedoorclosedbehindher,fillingthegloomwiththefogofherbreath.Shewasoutofthewind,butitwasnowarmerinsidethefacility.Luckily,shewouldn’thavetobetherelong.Theseedvaultswereaboutthreehundredfeetdeadahead,sealedoffbehindblastdoors.Justtotherightofthevaultswasasmallofficeforthestaff.That’swhereshewasgoing.
Amycreptdownthehallwaywithhernervesonhighalert.Shewaspainfullyawarethatshewasintheperfectplacetobeambushed.IfPierce’smenhithernow,therewouldbenoescapeandnowitnesses.
Theofficewasnothingmorethanafewdesksandchairswithcomputers.Athermostatsatononewallbuttherewasnopointturningtheheaton.She’dbeinandoutbeforeitevenkickedin.Amystrippedoffherglovesandhitthepowerbuttononthenearestterminal.ThecomputerscreenfilledwithunfamiliariconsandtextinNorwegian.Notthatitmattered.AllshehadtodowasgetonlineanddownloadaprogramfromasitePonysetupbackinAttleboro.Onceshedid,thescreenpulsedgreenthreetimesandthenaglowinggreenskullappearedalongwiththewordsYOU.HAVE.BEEN.PWNED!!!
Amyrolledhereyesandwaiteduntiltheskullvanished,replacedbyagreencursor.
Connected.AmytypedandhitSEND.
Minutestickedbyasshewaitedforaresponse.Amycuppedherbarefingersoverhermouthandblew,eagerforanybitofwarmth.Comeon,Pony.Whereareyou?
Sheglancedoutintothehallway.Itwasemptybutherpulsebegantothumpanyway.Thequietwasintense,likebeingatthebottomofthesea.Shecouldfeeltheentiremountainpressingdownonhershoulders.Amyalmostjumpedwhenthecomputerpinged.
What’sup?
“Hemaybeagenius,”Amysaidoutloud.“Buthismemorycouldclearlyusealittlework.”
Thevaultdoors,shetyped,withfingersalreadygoingstifffromthecold.Remember?Youneedtohackthesystemandfindoutwherethesilphiumis,thenopenthevaultdoorsoIcangettoit?
Right!Ofcourse!I’monit.
Ponyreturnedamomentlater.Vault#1-Row#8-Bin#63.Therewasametallicka-chunkoutinthehallway.Amypeekedoutsideasoneoftheblastdoorsswungopen.
You’rethebest,Pony!Amytyped,buttherewasnoresponse.Thatboyseriouslyneededtoworkonhissocialskills.
AblastofcoldairhitAmyassoonasshesteppedintovaultnumberone.Itwaslikestandinginthemiddleofasuperchargedfreezer.Herbreathroseinbillowsofwhiteand
theskinonherhandsandfaceburnedwiththecold.Amypulledherglovesbackonandtightenedtheinsulatedhoodacrossherface.Ijusthavetogetinandout,shethought.
Thevaultitselfwasasbigasafootballfield,withthirty-footceilings.Blueshelvingunitsranthelengthofthefloorandallthewayuptotheceiling.Eachonewaspackedwithrowafterrowofgrayplasticbins.
Amyfoundherwaytoroweightandthenranitslengthuntilshecametobinsixty-three.Insidetherewerescoresofaluminumpackets,eachonemarkedwiththenameoftheseedsinside.Hercoldfingersfumbledwiththeslickenvelopesuntilshefoundwhatshewaslookingfor.Amypulledoutthepacketandheldituptoreadthelabel:Silphium.Five(5)seeds.
Gotcha,Amythought.
“Thatwasquiteastuntyoupulledwiththosereporters.”
Amywhippedaroundtofindamanstandingattheendoftheaisle,leaningcasuallyagainsttheshelves.Hewastallandbroadanddressedallinblackgear,whichmadehisshockinglyblueeyesstandoutallthemore.Amyhidthesilphiumpacketbehindher.Hermusclestensed,readytorun.
“Luckily,we’reprettyadaptable,”hesaidwithashrug.“Travelinglighternowsowedon’traiseanymediaeyebrows.Adaptordie.That’stherule,right?”
Therefrigerationunitskickedonagainwithaloudblastofair,andthemanturned.Amyexplodedoffthefloor,swingingherbackpackhardassheranstraightathim.Itstruckthemanonhisshoulder,takinghimbysurpriseandknockinghimbacklongenoughforAmytospeedpasthim,armspumping.Thedoorwasinsight.She’dbeoutinsecondsandthenshe’d—
Amyhitwhatfeltlikeabrickwallandwentflyingbackward.Sheslammedintothefloorandthepackageofsilphiumshotacrosstheconcrete.AnotheroneofPierce’smensteppedthroughthedoor,crossinghisarmsoverhisenormouschest.
Theblue-eyedmanlaughedashewalkedupbehindAmy.“Isaidweweretravelinglighter.Youdidn’tthinkthatmeantIwasdumbenoughtocomeallthewayoutherealone,didyou?”
Themercenarybythedoorreachedforthegunonhiship,buttheblue-eyedmanwavedhimaway.
“Gogetthetruck.”
Themassivemanfadedbackintothecorridor.Windhowledastheouterdooropenedandclosed.Theblue-eyedmantookthepackageofsilphiumoffthegroundasheapproachedher.
“Whywouldyoucomeallthewayouthereforapackageofseeds?”
HiseyesboredintoAmy,butshesaidnothing.Themanshruggedandtorethepackageopen,upendingitsotheseedsfelloutontotheconcretefloor.Heliftedhisbootoverthepile.
“No!”Amyrushedtostophimbutitwastoolate.Hisbootheelfell.Whenhelifteditagain,theseedshadbeengroundtodust.
Amystaredatthepowder,adarkchasmyawningopeninsideofher.Thenextthingsheknewthemangrabbedherbytheanklesandpulledhertowardhim.Amystruggled,buthewastoostrong.Heheldherdownwithonehandwhilehesystematicallystrippedoffhercoldweathergearwiththeother.
“Now,let’stryandthinkofagoodheadline,”theblue-eyedmansaidashegatheredhergearintoaballandstuffeditintoherbackpackalongwithherphoneandtherestofhersupplies.“Howabout,InternationallyKnownTroublemakerVandalizesFamedLandmarkOnlytoGetTrappedandFreezetoDeath.”
“Youdon’thavetodothis,”Amysaidasthemanslungherpackoverhisshoulderandheadedtowardthedoor.“Please,listentome.Youcan’t—”
Thedoorslammedshutbehindhim.Amyleapedupandthrewherselfatit,poundingonthesteelasthelocksfellintoplace.“Wait!Please!”
Theouterdoorclosedwithadeepboomandthentherewassilence.Amysliddownthelengthofsteeldoorandhittheground.Therefrigerationsystemkickedonagain,sendingfingersoficywindinalldirections.Themanhadleftherinathinsweaterandthermals.Nocoat.Nohood.Nogloves.Nosnowpants.Shecouldfeelherskinfreezingandthenthecoldsinkingdeeper,reachingoutforbone.Amywrappedherarmsaroundherselfasshelookedacrosstheconcrete-and-steelvaultthatwouldbehertomb.
Amygottoherfeetandwalkedtheperimeterofthevault,shiveringassheexaminedeverycornerofherprison.Shefeltamomentofexcitementwhenshefoundarefrigerationductwithinreach.Maybeshecouldcrawlthroughitandoutintothemainoffice,whereshecouldcrankuptheheat.Butthatdreamwasdashed.Theslottedsteelcoverontheventwasbolteddown,andherfreezingfingerscouldn’tsomuchasbudgeit.
Anotherburstofhopecamewhenshediscoveredacomputerterminalfixedtoabackwall,butallitseemedtodowassearchtheseeddatabase.Ithadnocontroloverthedoorsandwasn’tconnectedtotheInternet.
AmyfumbledwiththemousenexttotheterminalandstartedclickingthroughmenusinNorwegian,herhandssocoldshecouldbarelycontrolthem.Shestumbleduponamapofallthecomputersinsidethefacility.Therewerenotationsforthreecomputerssittinginarow,whichmusthavebeenthreeterminalsinsidethevaults,andthenfourtogetherinaseparatelocation.Thosemustbetheoffice!Amyhadtouseherpalmtomovethemouse.Herhandsweregrowingmoreandmorenumb,makingherfingersthickandheavy.Sherubbedherhandstogetherandtriedagain,clickingoneachcomputerinturnuntilherscreenwentblackandasmallgreencursorappearedatthebottom.Gotit!
Pony!shetyped.911.Emergency.Trappedinthevault.Needhelp!
AmyhitSEND,thenstoodbackfromthecomputer,huggingherselfandstampingherfeettofightthecold.Comeon,Pony.Comeon.Therefrigerationcycledonagain,sendingacruelblastoffreezingairoverherbody.Tremorsshookherarmsandshoulders.
Amyknewshecouldn’tstaystillanylonger,shehadtogetherbodytemperatureup.Shemovedawayfromtheterminalandstartedjoggingaroundtheshelves,herwhitebreathtrailingbehindher.Assheran,Amyworkedthrougheveryescapeshehadmadeoverthelastfewyears.Howmanyhopelesssituationshadshefoundherwayoutofatthelastsecond?Ahundred?More?Oneofthemhadtohavesomethingincommonwith
whereshefoundherselfnow,oneofthemwouldofferherasolution,anescape.Buteveryscenarioshecameupwithhitawall.Why?Whatwasthedifferencebetweennowandthen?Inanswer,asingleworddroppedintohermind.
Dan,shethought.Hewasthedifference.DanandJakeandAtticusandIanandHamilton.Iwasn’talonethen.
Amypushedthethoughtoutofherhead.Havingotherpeopleherewouldn’tmakethevaultanylessescape-proof,allitwoulddowasgetthepeopleshelovedkilledalongsideher.Amyforcedherselftotakeanotherlaparoundthevault.Shecouldfeelhowmuchslowershewasalready.Herlegsfeltthickandnumb,andthecoldsearedherlungswitheverybreath.
AsAmycamebackaroundtowardthecomputerterminal,shestumbledandwentcrashingintotheconcrete.Shegotherhandsunderherandpushed,butthecoldwascreepingintoherarms.Comeon,Cahill,sheinsisted.Pushyourselfup.Youcandoit.Amystrained,butherarmswereshakingsobadlynowthatthebestshecoulddowasthrowherselfontohersideandthenslowlycurluptoaseatedposition,withherbackagainstanicywall.Theterminalwasjustafewyardsaway.Thescreenwasblack,nothingbutherownwordsmockingheronthescreen.
Amypulledherkneesuptoherchest,huggingthemclosetoherchest,tryingtotrapeverydegreeofheat.Theshiveringwasgrowingmoreintense,almostlikeconvulsionsnow.Shetriedtostillit,butitwasnouse.Shefeltasifsheweretrappedwithinafistofice.Thetipsofherearsstungbadly,asifasmallcreatureweregnawingatthemwithneedleteeth.Mostalarmingweretheitchyspotsofredgrowingalongherfingertips.Itwasthebeginningoffrostbite.Inashorttime,herskinwouldhardenandblister.Thentheredwouldturntoblack,andherfingerswouldbegone.
Amytuckedherhandsinherarmpitsanddroppedherforeheadtoherknees.ShewonderedwhereDanandtheotherswererightthen.MaybeswimmingintheMediterranean?Shecouldalmostfeelthewarmthofthewaterandtheweightlessfeelingoffloatinginit,underthatintensebluesky.Amy’seyelidsbegantodroopandshefeltastrangesensationinthebackofhermind,liketheapproachofadarkstormfront.Itwasn’tfrightening,though.Infact,Amycouldtellthatwhenthemassofroilingblackcloudsfinallyovertookher,shewouldfeelcalmandatpeace.Shewouldsimplydriftaway.
Avoiceinthebackofherheadurgedherup,remindingherthatPiercewasstilloutthere,thatshehadtostophim,butthatvoiceseemedtogrowfainterandfainter.Soonit
waslittlemorethanawhisper.
Amy’shandslippedandhittheconcretewithabonycrack.Shehissedinpain,thentriedtoliftitagain,butitwassoheavy.Herwholebodywas.Shehadneverfeltsosleepy.Maybeifsherestedforalittlewhile...
Therewasametallicpingsomewherefaraway.Itwasmuffled,likeabellwrappedinlayersofcotton,butitpersisted.AtfirstthesoundwasonlyatinyprickagainstAmy’sskin,butitsankinlikeahook,draggingAmyupthroughlayersofdarkness.Thepinggrewlouder.Somethingintherefrigerationducts?Amygrittedherteeth.Onepingeveryfewseconds.Amygothereyesopenaslitandsearchedthevault.Thepingsoundedagainandthistimeshesawthecomputerscreenbrightenasitdid.
AflarelitinsideAmyandsheseizeditbeforeitwentout.Shebegantomove,slowanddumb,eachturnofherjointsarustytorment,butshewasmoving.Shedugherspineintothewallbehindherandflexedherlegsuntilshebegantorise.Shemadeitup,trembling,andplantedapalmflatonthewall.Shestaggeredforward,thewholetimefeelingliketherewasananchorattachedtoherchest,tryingtopullherdown.Amykepthereyeslockedonthecomputer,andherbrother’simagefixedinhermind.
Thecomputerpingedagain.
“Coming,”Amysaid,hervoiceslurryandindistinct.“I’mcoming....”
Amycollapsedintothewallbesidethecomputer.Amessageflashedonthescreen.What’sgoingon?Whereareyou?
Amyliftedherhandstothekeyboard.Theredsplotchescoveredherfingersnowandwerecreepinguptoherknuckles.Herhandswereasnumbaslumpsofclay.Sheliftedonehandwiththeotherandsetafingerdownonkeyafterkey.
Valt1.dorlcked.Needutoopn
AmymashedENTER,thenslumpedagainstthewallbesidetheterminal,staringattheblinkingcursoruntilhereyesclosedagainandthedarkpulledather.Therefrigerationsystemroaredagain,sendingicyneedlesintotheair.Hurry,Pony,Amythoughtashereyesdrooped.Hurry.
Therewasaclickacrosstheroom.Amy’seyessnappedopenandsheturnedtowardit.Thedoorwasopen.Amypushedofffromthewall,reeledacrossthespace,andthrewherselfintothehallway.
Theoffice.Pierce’smenhadsmashedthecomputermonitorsbeforetheyleft,butshe
didn’tcareaboutthem.Amycrashedthroughthedesksuntilshegottothefarwallandreachedforthethermostat.Herfingershitshardsofglassandbrokenplastic.Wireshunguselesslyfromthewall.
...troublemakervandalizesfamedlandmark...
Amyturnedaway,asoundbubblingupinsideher,somethingbetweenlaughterandasob.Theanimalstrangenessofthesoundterrifiedher.Shelurchedawayfromthewall,tryingtogetherthoughtsinorder.Theyneededtomakeitlooklikeanaccident,shethought.LikeIcamehereandgotcareless.Maybethatmeanstheyleftbehind...
Herbackpacksatononeofthetablesandhercoathungfromthebackofthechair.Shefumbledwiththecoat,abletosummonenoughstrengthtogetherarmsthroughitandliftthehood,butnotenoughtoworkthezipper.Thetwosidesofthecoathunglimp,awayfromherbody,nearlyuseless.Shejammedherfrozenhandsintothegloves,expectingasurgeofwarmthnowthatshewasdressed,butnonecame.Herbodywassocoldthatthecoatandgloveshadnoheattotrap.
Amywentforherbackpacknextbutwasn’tsurprisedtofindthatherphonewasgone,alongwithallofherothersupplies.Herfrozenhandhitapaddedenvelope,anditwaslikeatuningforkwasstruckinsideher.Shepulleditoutandopenedit.Sammy’svialofserumwastuckedinside.Amystaredatitassheshivered.Onedrinkandshecouldprobablysprintbacktotheairportbutsheknewtheserumwouldn’tjustsaveher.Itwouldmakeherintoamonster,too.AmonsterlikePierce.
Amythrusttheserumintothepackandmadeitbackoutintothecorridor,pullingherselftowardtheouterdoor.Thehallwayofferedshelter,butitwasstillsocoldinsidethatallitwoulddowaskillhermarginallymoreslowly.Ifshewantedtolive,sheneededtofindhelp.Fast.
Amythrewhershoulderintothedoor,diggingherfeetintotheconcreteuntilthedoorgaveandshefelloutontotheroadway.Shehitthegroundhardandrolled,tippingovertheedgeofahillandtumblingdownanembankment.Outcroppingsofstonestruckherbackandarmsasshefell,butwiththenumbnessshebarelyfeltthem.
Amyhitbottomandlaypuffingonherback,thewindblowingacrossherbody,carryingawayanyscrapofheatshehadleft.Havetokeepgoing.Keepmoving.Shemadeherselfrolloverandclimbontoherfeet.Itwasnightnowandthesnowwasswirlingaroundher,awhitefogintheblackness.WhenAmyturnedaround,shecouldn’tevenseethevaultentranceortheaquaglowofitsmarker.
Thewindhowledinherearsandbitatherbody.Thoughmostofthelandscapehadbeenwipedaway,Amycouldmakeoutaflatdepressioninthewhite,likearibbonthatrandownandaroundthemountain.Aroad?Buttowhere?Amyfeltsuresheknew,butherbrainwasrunningasthickassludgeandnoanswercame.
Amyturnedsouthtowardanoutcroppingofdarkstructuresdownthehill.Theyappearedanddisappearedinthedriftingsnowbutshewassureshemadeoutwallsandroofs.Surelyshecouldreachthemandthensomeonewouldhelpher.Takeherin.JustlikeBhaileAnois.Everythingbecameperfectlyclearinaninstant.Andnowthatshelookedatthebuildingsmoreclosely,thebuildingsweren’tdarkatall,werethey?Therewerelightson,warmamberlampsglowinginthewindowsandthedoorways.Andcouldn’tshesmellthewoodsyplumeofchimneysmokeandcookingfires?Shecouldhearthewarmdinofvoices,alltalkingexcitedlyoveroneanother.
ThesoundsreachedintoAmyandpulled.Sheyankedherfootupoutofashin-deepdriftandgotmoving.Herpacewasagonizinglyslowasshefoughtthesnowandthedarknessandthewindstrikingherwithallitsforce.
Amypulledalastbitofstrengthfromthewispyimagesofallherfriendswaitingforherdownbelow.Dan.Atticus.Jake.Ian.
Evan.
Amy’smindhitchedatthename,struckbythestrangenessofit.AnaggingvoiceinthebackofhermindtoldherthatEvancouldn’tbethere,butshedidn’tknowwhy.HowcouldEvanbegonewhenhisfacewassoclearinhermind?Whenshecouldhearhisvoice,asclearasifhewasstandingrightbesideher?Amyloweredherheadintothewindandmarchedthroughthesnow,thepromiseofseeingEvanlikeafire,urgingheronward.
Timepassedstrangely,stretchingandcontracting,speedingupandthenslowingtoanumbingcrawl.Amybarelyevenfeltthecoldanymore.Herbodydidn’tshake.Infact,astrangewarmthwasgrowinginher.Herglovesfelloffherhandsandhercoatslippedfromhershouldersanddroppedintothesnow.Sheleftitbehindandcontinuedon.Shedidn’tneeditanymore.Shewouldbehomesoon.
Eventually,thesnowstoppedandthecloudsretreated.AboveAmy,starsglitteredhardintheblack.Thewhitelandscapestretchedoutbeforeher,cleanandstill.HerfootstrucksomethinghardandAmythrewherhandsouttokeepfromfalling.Theytouchedwood.Amylookedupandsawdarktimbersstretchingintothesky.Roughplanksstretchedtoeitherside.Awall.
Amyreeledforwardintoawidedoorway,fullyexpectingtoseeGraceandDanandtheotherswaitingforher,andtosmellfoodcooking.Insteadshefoundherselfinanemptyroomcoveredinivorysheetsofsnow.Thefloorswerewhite.Thewallsweredrapedinit.Amycranedherheadbackandlookedup.Theroofwasrivenwithgapingholes.Shecouldseethestarsthroughit.
Amyfellbackwardandstruckgroundwithoutanypain.Shesankdeepintosnowsosoftitfeltlikeafeathermattress.Shefeltherselffloat,weightlessanddreamy,lookingupatthedarksky.Somepartofherselftoldhertogetup,keepmoving,butthevoicewasfaintandherbodywouldn’tlistenanyway.EverypartofAmywasretreatingdeepwithinher,formingitselfintosomethingwrinkledandhard,likeaseedorthestoneburiedinapieceoffruit.Herbodybecameashell,thickandunfeeling.Theworldfellawayexceptforthedistantwhisperingofairfromsomewherehighabove.
“Amy!Amy,canyouhearme?”
ItwasDan.Hewasstandingrightbesideher,lookingexactlyashehadwhenshelefthim.Amyusedeveryounceofherstrengthtoreachouttohim,butherhandonlybrushedair.
“I’mokay,”shecroaked.“IfoundBhaileAnois.”
TherewasaflashofwhitelightandAmywasweightless,risingoutofthesnow.DanwasgonenowanditwasJakeatherside,glidingalong,hislipsmovingwithoutsound,hishandwrappedaroundhers.TherewasagustofwindandJakebecameEvanandEvanbecameherfatherandthenhermother.Amyfeltherheartturnpainfully.Shewassohappytheywerehere.Sohappytobegoinghome.
Caraclosedherlaptop,settlingherachingbodyintoherexecutivechair.ShehadbeentrainingnonstopforhernextboutwithGaltandwasfeelingit.
Downthehall,thedoortoherfather’sstudyopenedandslammedshut.Galthadgoneinhoursago.Sincethen,allCarahadheardwasmurmuringvoicesinterruptedbyspikesoflaughter.
Laughingatme.
Eversinceherdefeatinthegym,herfatherhadbeenspendingmoretimewithGaltwhileshewasstuckhelpingoutwithhermother’sannualteddybearinventory.Ifshehadtocountonemorebear,shefeltsureshe’dscream.
TherewerefootstepsasGaltandherfatherwenttotheirseparaterooms,shuttingthedoorsbehindthem.Thehousesettledintoquiet.Caraleftherroomandwanderedinthedark.Shemovedfromthekitchenandthroughthedentotheopendoorwayofherfather’semptystudy.WhensheandGaltwerekids,theywouldtesteachother’scouragewithescalatingdares.Idareyoutotouchhisdoorandcomeback.Idoubledareyoutosteponefootinside.
AndnowGaltwentinandsatdownbehindcloseddoorsandhadhoursofconversationswhileshewasshutout.Whyhim?Cararackedherbrain.
Becausehebeatme.Becausehe’sfaster.Stronger.Smarter.Better.
Therealizationhungonhershoulderslikeasheetoflead.Caraleftherfather’sstudyandheadedbacktoherroom.Maybeifshesleptonit,shewouldfeelalittlebetterinthemorning.Shestoppedandjumpedbackatthesoundofsomeoneelsemovingthroughthehouse.Itwasherfather.Whatwashedoinginthekitchenatthishour?
Herfatherclickedonanoverheadlightandreachedintoacabinet.Hepulleddownajuicerandvariouspowders,andthenthefamily’sproteinshakebottles.
He’smakingourmorningshakes,Carathought.He’sbeengivingusthesethingsforages,andI’veneveractuallyseenhimmakeone.
Hestartedbyjuicinganumberofdifferentfruitsandvegetables:apples,grapes,peaches,broccoli,kale,somestrange-lookinggrass.Hepouredequalamountsofeachjuicemixtureintoeachbottle,followedwithascoopofproteinpowder.Thenhetooksomethingoutofthepocketofhisrobeandhelditupintothelight.
Itwasasquatglassvial,fullwithathick-lookinggreenishliquid.Herfathertookasyringeoutofhispocketandtoreoffitssterilewrapper.Heplungedthesyringeintothevialandfilleditwiththeliquid.
Caralookedon,shocked.That’snotproteinpowder,Carathought.That’sadrug!What’shedoing?
PierceheldtheneedletipoverGalt’sbottleandcarefullypressedtheplunger.AlongstreamofthedrugshotintoGalt’sshake.Whentheneedlewasempty,Pierceshookthebottlevigorouslyandputitintherefrigerator.HeturnedtoCara’sbottlenext,butthistimehefilledthesyringelessthanhalfwaybeforesqueezingitintoCara’sshake.Hecappedherbottle,shookit,andputitinthefridgenexttoGalt’s.Oncethekitchenwasspotless,hehitthelightandleft.
WhensheheardthedoortoPierce’sbedroomshut,Caracrepttowardtherefrigerator.Shepulledthebottlesoutandsetthemdownonthecounter,feelingherragebuildasitallbecameclear.
Galtwasn’tbetterthanher.Hewasn’tstrongerorfasterandhecertainlywasn’tsmarter.Hewascheating!Worsethanthat,herfatherwascheatingforhim.
Carastoodquietlyforawhile,staringatthebottles.Thenshegrabbedhersandworkedafingernailbeneaththelabel.SheswitchedherlabelwithGalt’ssoshegotthefullboostandhegotthescraps.
Whatwillitbelike,Carawondered,tofeelallthatstrength?ToshowGaltonceandforallwho’snumberone?
Cara’sstomachknottedwithanger,andastrangesortofhunger.
Let’sseewhothefittestisnow,Dad.
Amywokeinahalf-litroom,bleary,herbodyasheavyasasackofconcrete.Therewasastrangetearingsoundintheair,likepaperbeingrippedagainandagain.Hermusclesachedasshepushedherselfup.Shewasinwhatlookedlikeagenerichotelroom,whiteandbeigewalls,big-screenTV,shadedwindows.
“You’reinOslo.”
Danwassittingatadeskacrosstheroom.Assheturnedtohim,ascrapofpaperfellfromhishandsintoatrashcanbyhisfeet.
“How...?”Amybegan,recoilingfromthepainofwhatfeltlikeground-upglassinherthroat.
“TheboatcaptaingotAttleboroontheradio,”hesaid,hisvoiceaflatline.“TheysentahelicoptertopickmeupandthenIcametogetyou.”
“Soyoureallywerethere,”Amysaid,almosttoherself.“Thatwasyou.”
“Ifwe’dgottenthereafewminuteslater,youwouldhavebeendead.”
InsteadofreliefinDan’svoice,Amythoughtsheheardsomethingharder,likeanaccusation.Herarmswereweakbutshemanagedtohaulthedown-filledcomforteroff.Sherecoiledatthesightofherself.Herlegswerecoveredinuglypurplebruisesandsowereherarmsandherside.Thetipsofthreefingerswerenumbbeneathwhitebandages.
“Weneedtogetmoving,”shesaid,tryingnottogroanasshepushedherselftotheedgeofthebed.“WecanstillgettheseedsinTunis.Maybeifwe—”
Aplasticbagrattledasitflewacrosstheroomandlandedonthebed.Itwasfullofsmalltanseeds.ShelookedupatDan.“How?”
“AtticusandJakegotaplanetoTunis.Theytrackedtheseedsdownthroughtheirdad’sfriends.”
“Everyone’sokay?”
Dansaidnothing.Justnodded.Hewasn’tevenlookingather.
“Dan—”
“Explainhowyoucoulddosomethingsocompletelyinsane!”Dansaid,explodingoutofhischair,hisfaceredwithanger.“Doyouhaveanyideahowworriedallofuswere?Youcouldhavegottenyourselfkilled!”
“IdidwhatIthoughtwasbest,”Amysaid,tryingtocontrolwhatwasbuildingupinsideher.“I’mtheleaderofthe—”
“Don’tgivemethat‘leaderoftheCahills’junk!”Danyelled.“Weworktogether!Wealwayshave.Everythinggoodwe’veeveraccomplished,weaccomplishedtogether!”
“Thenwhyareyouleaving!?”Amy’scryfeltlikeitwasrippedfromtheverycenterofher.Itbatteredthewallsofthesmallroom.“Isawthosebrochures,Dan.Theonesyou’vebeenhidingfromme.What?It’sokayforyoutogooffonyourownbutnotme?”
Dan’sfacewassoreditlookedasifitwasburning.“Itoldyou,Iwasgoingafterthisisover.After.”
Amycouldn’tcontrolthetearscoursingdownhercheeks.“Thisisnevergoingtobeover!Yousaidthatyourself.AfterwedealwithPierce,someoneelsewillcomealong,andthenthere’llbesomeoneelseafterthat.Ifyouwanttoleavesobadly,gonow!”
“Isthatwhatyouwant,Amy?Youwantmetoleave?Wantallofustoleave?Didn’talmostdyingoutthereshowyouhowcrazythatwas?”
Danwaitedforaresponse,butitwasalongtimecoming.
“Youcan’thaveitbothways,Dan,”Amysaid,hervoicesoquiethecouldbarelyhearit.
Dancouldn’tmeethissister’seyes.“IcalledJakeandAtticus,”hesaid.“They’remeetingushereinOslotomorrow.Oncewemakeaplan,we’reallheadingtoGuatemala.Together.”
Amywantedtoprotest,butshedidn’thavethestrength.Shenoddedweakly.DanreachedintohispocketandtossedanewphoneacrosstheroomandontoAmy’sbed.
“FromPony,”hesaid.“Toreplacetheoneyoulostinthevault.Healsowantedmetotellyouhe’ssorry.”
“Forwhat?”
“Hesaidtheremusthavebeensomethingwrongwiththenetwork.HewaswaitingathiscomputerthewholetimeyouwereinSvalbard,butheneverheardfromyou.”
Amyfrowned.“Idon’tunderstand.Pony’stheonewhogotmeout.”
Danshookhishead.“Hesaidheneverheardfromyou.”
“Butthat’snotpossible.IfIwasn’ttalkingtohim,thenwho...”
Danshookhisheadandstartedforthedoor.
“Dan,wait.Please.”
Hestoppedwithhisbacktoher,onehandonthedoorknob.Amyrememberedthebrochuresinhisbag,eachonefilledwithboyshisage,laughingandsmiling.Carefree.
“Evanhadsomanyplans,”shesaidsoftly,atrembleinhervoice.“Didyouknowthatheandhisdadweregoingtotakeayearofftogetherafterhegraduatedhighschool?TheyweregoingtogotoSouthAmericaandhelpbuildhousesforpeoplewhoneededthem.AfterthattheyweregoingtogotomeethismominChina,becausetheyalwaysdreamedofseeingtheGreatWall.Theyhadnoideathat—”
ThewordscaughtinAmy’sthroat,toobigandtooterribletopass.
“Iwantallofyoutobehappy.YouandJakeandAtticusandalltheothers.Idon’twantthisforyou.Idon’twantthisforanybody.Butyoushouldgorightnow,Dan,beforeit’stoolate.”
Danseemedabouttosaysomething,buthedidn’t.Heopenedthedoorandsteppedintothehall.
“Dan,wait,I—”
Thedoorclosedbehindhimwithaslap.ThesilenceinthehotelroomsettledheavilyonAmy’sshoulders.ShelookedawayfromthedoorandnoticedthatDanhaddraggedthetrashcanoutfromunderthedesk.Sherememberedthesoundoftearingpaperandgotherselfoutofthebedandwentovertoit.
Inside,therewasacrumpledballofpaperstreakedwithblueandyellowandcandy-applered.Scrapsofpaperblewoutofherhandandontothefloorassheunfoldedit,likethefeathersofsomesmall,brilliantlycoloredbird.Dan’sbrochures.Eachone,withitsboldcolorsandsmiling,lightheartedboys,hadbeentorninhalfandthentornagain.
Amy’sheartbroke,lookingdownatthem.Sheknewpartofhershouldhavebeenglad,butsuddenlythethoughtofDanstayingmadeheracheworsethanthethoughtofhimleavingeverhad.
Therewasasoftdingbehindher.Amyflippedoverhernewphoneandsawane-mailwaitingtoberead.ItwasfromJake.Shestaredatitforalongtime,herstomachturning,beforeshefinallyworkedupthenervetoclickonit.
Amy,
Idon’tthinkthere’smuchtosay,oranythingthatDanprobablyhasn’tsaidalready,butthere’sonethingIhadtogetoffmychest.Firstoff,AtticusandIaregladyou’reokay.Wewereallprettymadwhenyoutookoffwithoutus,butthatwasbecausewewereterrified.Noneofusknowwhatwe’ddoifanythinghappenedtoyou.
IwantyoutoknowthatI’mnotgoingtostoptryingtohelpyoufightPierce.ButIacceptwhatyousaidbeforeyouleftandwantyoutoknowthatIagree.Therewasneveranythingbetweenusandthereneverwillbe.Don’twasteanymoretimeworryingaboutfeelingsthatneitherofuseverhad.
—Jake
Amyclosedthee-mailandthensatwithoutmovingforsometime.Shelookedaroundatthestarkwallsoftheroom,andforamomentshefeltlikeshewasbackinthevault,trappedandalone.AmyhitREPLYandstartedtotype:
Jake,
IonlysaidwhatIdidbecauseifyouknewhowIreallyfelt,youwouldhavepulledthatplaneoutoftheskybeforeyouletmegooffalone.AndI’dratheryouhatemeandlivethandiebecauseyoucare.Icouldn’tforgivemyselfifyouorAtticuswerehurt.ButI’mtiredoflying.Andthetruthis,there’snooneI’dratherfightwith,nooneI’dratherbeinfuriatedby,thanyou.
Dansaidthatthebestthingsanyofushaveeveraccomplished,weaccomplishedtogether.That’strueformeandyouaswell.
—Amy
Amystaredatthemessage,thinkingofhowJaketeasedheronthebeachinTunis,andthenhisfaceassheboardedtheplane.
Shehighlightedthee-mailandhitDELETE.
Oncethee-mailwasgone,shemovedtoherbrowserandtypedinGuatemalaandRivenCrystal.Alonglistofhitscameupandshemovedthroughthemonebyone,examiningeach,makinglistsofnotes,losingherselfintheresearch.
NelliecrouchedintheweedsattheedgeoftheTrilonparkinglot,lookingupatthedarkbuilding.Therewerefourlabswithlightsstillon.Shewaited,legscramping,untilthelightswentoffonebyone.Soonthestragglingscientistsleftthebuildingandgotintotheircars.
Nellieslippedoutoftheditchandranacrosstheparkinglotinalowcrouch,doingherbesttoavoidthepoolsoflightstreamingdownfromtoweringsteelpoles.Therewasasecuritystationjustinsidethemainentrancethatwasmanned24/7,sothatwaywasout.Luckily,shehadthebuilding’sschematicsallbutmemorized.Nellielefttheparkinglotandcamearoundthenorthsideofthebuilding,bellycrawlingunderneaththefirst-floorwindowsjustincase.
Nelliefoundthesidedoorandpulledasetoflock-picktoolsoutofherbackpocket.Sheeasedthethinmetaltoolsintothelockandclosedhereyesasshedugaroundinside,judginghersuccessbythevibrationscomingbackthroughthemetal.Shefelttumblersmoveoutofherwayonebyone,butgotstuckonthelast.Itslippedandslidoutofhergraspandherhandswenttense.
Nellieheardfootstepsoutinthedark.Nodoubtaguardonpatrol.Hewasgettingcloser.Twentyfeetaway.Thenfifteen.Nelliepouredherwholeconcentrationintothetools,twistingandturningthem.Comeon.Comeon.Aflashlightbeamappeared.Nellieheldherbreath.Tenfeet.Five.Thefinaltumblerliftedandthelockclickedopen.Shethrewhershoulderintothedoorastheguardappeared.Sherolledinside,stickingoutonehandatthelastsecondtostopthedoorbeforeitslammedagainsttheframe.Shehelditthere,listeninguntiltheguardwasgoneagain.Nellieeasedthedoorshutandthenturnedintothegloomofthebuilding.
Shewasinafirst-floorstairwell.Togetbacktothevendingmachinesheneededtogoupthreeflightsandthenwindthroughthecorridorsuntilshewasonthefar-westsideof
thebuilding.
Nelliegotmoving,slinkinguptothefourthfloor,thenpeekingoutthedooruntilshewassurenoonewascoming.Thehallwayswerehalflitbysafetylights,fillingthestringoflabsandcorridorswithaneeriegloom.Nelliefrozeateverysound,herbodygoingonhighalertuntilsherealizedthatitwassimplythebuildingsettlingortheair-conditioningcyclingon.Shehadmemorizedtheplacementofthevideocamerasandtookalongandwindingroutetoavoidthem.Itfeltlikeittookherhoursbeforeshefinallyendedupbackatthedead-endhallway.
Thesnackmachineglowedinfrontofher.Assheapproachedit,theglassfrontpickedupherreflection.Nellie’sskinwentcoldassheimaginedtheblackmachinewasahugemouth,poisedtodevourher.
Comeon,Gomez,pullyourselftogether.It’sjustyourimagination.
Nellie’shandsshookasshepulledthestolenkeycardfromherbackpocket.Shehaddefinitelypickedupathingortwoovertheyears.AsubtleshoulderbumpandthepharmaceuticalrepshehadseenoutsideofDr.Callender’sofficehadbeendistractedenoughthatNelliecouldswipehercardwithoutbeingnoticed.Nellieranitthroughthereader.Therewasaclickandoneedgeofthesnackmachinepoppedawayfromthewall.
Nelliepeekedaroundthesideofthemachine.Therewasnowasliverofspacebetweenitandthewallbehind.Sheslippedherfingertipsintothecrackthathadformedandpulled.Thesnack-machinedoorswungopeneasilyandwithoutasound.Ontheothersidewasanarrowconcretestaircaseleadingdownintodarkness.
Nellieswallowedagrowinglumpoffearinherthroatandsteppedintotheblack,shuttingthedoorbehindher.Shestoodthereinthedark,herhearthammering,untiltherewasafainthumallaroundherandaseriesofdimfluorescentlightscutonallalongthestaircase.Huh,Nelliethought.Iguessyoucanbeevilandenergyconsciousatthesametime.
Nelliedescendedthestairs,crossingswitchbacklandingsateachflooruntilshehaddescendedfivelevels.There,shefoundalandingandasteel-jacketeddoor.Thebasementshouldbejustontheotherside.SheswipedherAcardinthereaderbythehandleandthedoorpoppedopen.
Nelliepeekedthroughthedoorway.Ontheothersidewasanondescripthallwaywithlargepicturewindowsrunningdownitslength.Shedidn’tseeanypeopleorhearanyvoices.
Nelliemovedintothehallwayinaslightcrouch,easingthedoorclosedbehindher.Whenshecametothefirstlab,sheflattenedherselfagainstthewallandpeeredoverhershoulder.
Thelabwasfilledwithracksofcomputers,tables,chairs,andachalkboardthatwascoveredinaconfusionofsymbols.Therewasanotherlabnextdoorjustlikeit.Shecametoathirdlabandfoundglasstanksfilledwithathickgreenliquid.Odd,lumpyshapesfloatedinthegreen,whilebubblesofairstreamedpast.
Theserum,Nelliethoughtwithachill.Herinstinctwastobustinsideandsmashthetanks,butsheneededtoseethefullscaleoftheoperation.AsNelliestarteddownthehall,adoorswungopenbehindherandsomeoneexplodedoutofanadjoiningroom.Ahandfelloverhermouthandshewasyankedoutofthehallwayandintoanotherroom.Nelliemovedwithoutthinking.Shespiedafireextinguisheronthefloorandgrabbeditandswungashardasshecould.Therewasasatisfyingyelpofpainandherattackercrashedtothefloor.Shepulledthesteelcanisterbackforanotherswipe.
“Nellie!Please!Wait!”
Nelliestoppedmid-swing.Belowhershesawatangleofblackhairanddarkeyeswidewithfear.
“Sammy!”
ThefireextinguisherclankedtothegroundandNelliedroppeddownbesidehim.Hehadfallenagainstanearbytableandwasbleedingfromhisforehead.
“Oh,no.Oh,God.Ican’tbelieveIjust—areyouokay?”
“I’mfine!Butwhat—whatareyoudoinghere?”
Nelliegrinned.“I’myourownpersonalcavalry.I’mgoingtogetyououtofhere,butfirst,IneedtoseewhatPierceisupto.Canyouwalk?”
SammynoddedandNelliehelpedhimup.Sheputherbacktothewallandpeeredoutintothecorridor.Thecoastwasclear.
NellieandSammymoveddownthehall.Nellie’smouthwentdryandthemusclesinherlegsquiveredasshedrewcloser.Anotherwindowsatinthewallahead,thebiggestoneyet.Nelliemovedupalongsideit,herbacktothewall.Shewassurprisedtofindherheartracing.Sheturnedslowlyandlookedinside.
Therewerenopeopleanywherethatshecouldsee,onlyafactoryfloorthelengthofafootballfield,filledwithranksofblackmachines.Aconveyerbeltranalongtheroom,connectingmachinetomachine.Butwhatwasonit?Nelliemovedinfrontofthewindowandpeeredintoabackcorner.Whatshesawtheremadeherbloodgocold.
“He’sreallydoingit,”Nelliesaid,struckdumbattheidea.
Alongthebackwallwerethreemassiveglasstanks,eachonenearlythreestorieshigh.Theywereempty,butsheknewsoontheywouldbefilledwiththesamethickgreenliquidshehadseenearlier.Hosesranfromthebottomofthetankstothemachinesthatrantheconveyerbelts.
“He’smass-producingtheserum,”Nelliesaid.
“Butwhy?”Sammyasked.
Therewerehosesatthereadytosquirttheserumintovials,andbeltswaitingtowhiskthevialsaway.Nelliecouldseehundreds,maybethousandsofemptyvials,justwaitingforPiercetopressthebutton.
“Because,”Nelliesaid,herfacegrim,“he’sgoingtobuildanarmy.”
SneakPeek
AfterleavingDanbehind,AmybarelymadeitoutofSvalbardalive.Willhereffortstokeepherfamilysafeleadtoherdownfall?OrwilltheCahills’fightsagainstPiercedemandanevenlargersacrifice?
FindoutinCOUNTDOWNbyNatalieStandiford.Turnthepageforasneakpeek!
GuatemalaCity,Guatemala
AmyCahillputonhersunglassesinpreparationforapaparazzimobsceneastheplanelandedatLaAuroraInternationalAirport,butalllookedquiet.Funny.ThisshouldhavehelpedAmyrelax,butshe’dforgottenhowtodothat.Instead,thenervesinhernecktensedevenmore.
Sheandtheothers—herbrother,Dan;hisfriendAtticus;andAtticus’solderbrother,Jake—deplanedandwalkedthroughtheairporttowardthegatewheretheywouldboardacharteredhelicopter.They’dhiredalocalpilotwhoknewhowtoflythroughthevolcanicjunglemountains,sincelandingatTikalwastricky.
“Niceandquiet,”Jakesaid.“Forachange.”People—normal-lookingpeopleinthetouristuniformofshorts,sandals,andT-shirts—satplayingwiththeirmobilephones,walkedcalmlytotheirgates,gazedinboredomatthesameoldduty-freechocolatesthatseemedtobeforsaleateveryairport.
Amydidn’tanswer.TherewasnothingtoaddtoJake’sobservationotherthan:Fornow.Or:We’llsee.
Besides,shedoubtedhe’dmeantthecommentforher.Hewasbarelyspeakingtoher,communicatingonanas-neededbasis.ThesamewentforDan.Atticusslippedupoccasionallyandofferedhergumorflashedherhissweetsmile,butthenDanwouldglareatAtttochastisehimforthesmallbetrayal.
Amytoldherselfitdidn’tmatteriftheyhatedher.Shewasn’tracingaroundtheworldtomakefriends.AstheleaderoftheCahillfamily,shehadtomakehardchoices—likeleavingDan,Atticus,andJakebehindwhensheheadedtotheArcticCirclealone.Abandoningthefewpeopleshelovedhadfeltlikecuttingoffherownhand,butthatdidn’tmatter.Shehadajobtodo.Aslongastheothersdidn’tgetinherway,whethertheyincludedherintheirjokesandgum-sharingwastheirbusiness.
TherewasashoutfromanewsstandandAmyturnedtowardit.
“Theretheyare!”
“Thepapsattwoo’clock,”Danmuttered.Asmallmobofphotographerszeroedinonthem,theirgearclankingastheyran.
Amycouldn’tcontainanexasperatedsigh.Herewegoagain.
ItwasbadenoughthatJ.RutherfordPiercesentmurderousthugsafterAmyandDanwherevertheywent.Ontopofthat,he’densuredthatthepaparazziwasobsessedwiththem—AmyandDanCahill,theteenageleadersoftherichestandmostpowerfulfamilytheworldhaseverknown.ThesourceoftheirpowerwasaserumthatPiercehadmanagedtosteal,enhancinghisownpowerandmakinghimexceedinglydangerous.AmyandDanwereonadesperatemissiontofindtheantidotetothatserum,andhadcometoGuatemalabecausetheysuspectedthenextingredienttheyneeded—“rivencrystal,”whateverthatwas—washiddenintheancientMayanruinsofTikal.Butitwasnexttoimpossibletoconductacovertoperation—oreventohide—whenreporterspublicizedyoureverymove.
“Thatway.”Jakepointedtoadoormarkedviplounge,mannedbyaguard.
AmyflashedaVIPTravelClubIDattheguardandtheyduckedinside,butnotbeforeoneofthephotographersspottedthemandtooksomequickshots.Theflashcasteerieshadowsonthewallinfrontofher.Shecouldn’tletthephotographersfollowthemtotheirwaitingchopper.Ifthepaparazzifoundoutwheretheywereheaded,thatmeantPiercewouldknow,too.
“Amy!”thephotographercalled.“Usingyourprivilegetoavoidthepublic?Whatarewe,theunwashedhordes?”Amyignoredhimandkeptrunning,butthephotogpushedpasttheguard,whocouldn’tstopawholemobdeterminedtogetaroundhim.
Amy,Jake,Dan,andAtticusracedthroughthelounge,dodgingplacidpassengerssippingdrinks.Amyleapedoverasidetablejustasawomanreachedforhercoffeecup.Thewomanglaredatherandsnapped,“Rudechildren!”ThecommentbouncedoffAmy’sTeflonshell.ThedayswhenAmycaredaboutgoodmannerswerelonggone.Hernear-fataltriptoSvalbardhadicedoverwhatremainedofherheart.Beinghoundedbythepresscoulddothattoaperson—andbeinghuntedbyapowerful,ruthlesskiller,evenmore.PiercehardlyneededhisarmytofindtheCahills—thepressdidthatjobforhim.
Danfoundadooratthebackoftheloungeandthrewitopen.“Inhere!”
Theothersfollowedhimthroughastaffchangingarea.Theyranpastaflightattendantshruggingintohisuniformjacket.“Hey!Whatareyou—?”
Notimetoheartherestofthatquestion.Theyranpastalongmirror,whereanotherflightattendantspritzedhishairwithspray.Amygotafaceful,wipedthesprayfromhereyes,andkeptrunningwithoutmissingabeat.
Theyfoundanotherexitandmadetheirwaythroughthemazeoftheairport,leapingoversuitcasesandthelegsofpeoplesittingonthefloor,untiltheyendedupatbaggageclaim.Acrowdofpassengershadjustarrivedtopickuptheirluggage.“Trytogetlostinthecrowd,”Amysaid.Eveniftheboysweren’tspeakingtoher,theycouldn’tblockoutherorders.
Theywovetheirwayamongthetiredpassengersimpatientfortheirbags.Amyheardashoutfromtheedgeofthecrowd.
“There’sAmy!”
“Letusthrough!”Thetelltaleflashoflightbulbspoppedfromacrossthelargehall.Thepaparazzihadspottedthem.
“WhatareyoudoinginGuatemala,Amy?”areportershoutedoverthecrowd.“Planningtospoiltherainforest?”
“Dan,youfollowingorderslikeagoodboy?”
AmyriskedaglanceatDan,knowingthatremarkhadhitasorespot.“Idon’twantthemtoknowwherewe’regoing,”Amytoldtheothers.“We’vegottoleavetheairportforawhile.Thechopperwilljusthavetowait.”
“Whilewedowhat?”Jakedemanded.
“Ihaven’tgottenthatfaryet.”
Amyledthemthroughacorridortotheairportexit,hereyesscouringtheterminalforsomeotherwaytogetout.Buttheairportexitwasblockedbyawallofsixbig,muscular,stone-facedmeninblacksuits.Amyknewthemalltoowellbynow.
Pierce’smen.ThesoldiersoftheFoundersMediaarmy.
TheyhomedinontheCahills,musclesrippling,liketigerspreparingtospringforthekill.
“Back!”Amyshoutedtotheothers.“Backthewaywecame!”
Trappedbetweenthemuscleandthepaparazzi,Amywouldrathertakeonthepaps.Pierce’ssoldierscouldn’tbeseenattackingkids.AmyknewPierce’smenhadorderstokill,butithadtolooklikeanaccident.Astheybacktrackedintothebaggagehall,therewasaloudbuzzandflashingyellowlight,andoneoftheluggagecarouselsbegantospin.Suitcasesstartedspillingoutandridingaroundtheconveyerbelt.Thepassengerscrowdedaround,eagerlywaitingtograbtheirbags,temporarilyblockingthepapsfromreachingtheCahills.
“Thisway!”Danjumpedonthecarouselandrodeittotheend,disappearingbehindarubbermat.Amy,Jake,andAtticusslippedthroughthecrowdandjumpedontheconveyerbeltbeforethepaparazzicouldreachthem.
“Getdown!”AmygrabbedAtticusandthetwoofthemhidbehindalargeredsuitcaseheldtogetherwithtwine.Someonereachedforthesuitcaseandpulleditofftheconveyer,suddenlyexposingAmyandAtt.
“Hey!”themanshoutedinshockwhentheywererevealed.“Therearekidsridingthisthing!”
AmygrabbedAtt’shandandjumpedoffthebeltintothecenteroftheconveyerring.Anairportsecurityguardsteppedontotheedgeoftheconveyertograbthem,butoneofPierce’smenshovedhimaside.AmycouldseethecrowdpartingasPierce’ssoldierssurgedforward.
Amy,Atticus,andJakeranandjumpedbackontothecirclingbeltbehindabigboxthathadn’tbeenclaimed.OneofthemengrabbedAtticus’sarmandyankedhimoff.
“Letgo!”Jakejumpedup,kickingthemanswiftlyinthechest.Themanreeled,knockingthesoldierbehindhimover.Theystumbled,trippingoverluggageandlandinginaheaponthefloor.
Amyduckedasarubbermatsweptovertheirheads,knockingAtt’sglassesaskew.Danwaitedforthemontheothersideastheyweredumpedoutintoasecureluggageareaandtumbleddownaramp.Itwaslikestreakingdownaverylumpyslide.AirportworkersstaredattheminshockandtheneruptedintoaclamorofangrySpanish.
“Don’tworry,dudes,we’reoutofhere,”Dansaid.
Amyglancedback.OneofPierce’smencamethroughtheflap,butanairportsecurityguarddraggedhimback.Securitycouldn’tholdhimforlong,sheknew.“GateSeven.Moveit,”shetoldtheothers.
Theyranpastcartspiledwithluggage,outontothetarmac.SixofPierce’smenemergedfromtheluggagearea,scannedthetarmac,andpointedintheirdirection.“Where’sourchopper?”JakeaskedAmy.
Amynoddedatahelicopterrevvinguponthetarmac.“That’situpahead.”
“We’renotgoingtomakeit!”Atticuscried.
Atticuswasright.Pierce’sthugshadtakenasmalldoseoftheserum,andtheirsuper-enhancedbodiescouldrunfasterthanthekidsevercould.Withoutthatchemicaladvantage,thekidshadnochanceinaflat-outrace.
Amyandtheotherschargedforthechopper,butshecouldfeelthemenclosingin,ahundredyardsbehindher,fifty,twenty...theirfootstepspounding,louderandlouder,eachstepsoundingofdoom.
Amycouldalmostfeelthesoldiers’hotbreathonherneck—ithadacertainodor,akindofgreenkalesmellmixedwithchlorineandammonia.Sheknewthatsmellalltoowellbynow,fromfartoomanyrun-inswithbrick-likemenwhoweretryingtokillher.
Sheturned,preparingtofight.Therewerefivemen,fourkids...outmannedandout-muscled,butiftheyweresmarttheymighthaveachanceatescape.Shespottedtwoairportmechanicsinspectingaplaneaboutahundredfeetaway.Maybeifshecouldgettheirattention,thesoldierswouldbeafraidtoattack.
Shejumpedup,wavingandshouting,“Hey!”asoneofPierce’smenleapedforher.Sheduckedandlethimsailoverher,landingwithathudontherunway.Justthenaloadedluggagetruckzoomedoutoftheterminal,headingforajetwaitingonthetarmac.
“Jumpon!”Amyshouted.Sheleapedontothetruckasitpassed,hidingbehindthemountainofsuitcases.ShereachedforAtticus’shandtohaulhimupafterher,butitwasslickwithsweatandslippedthroughherfingers.Heran,panting,tokeepupwiththeracingtruck.Shegrabbedholdofhiswristthistimeandyankedhimupsohardshenearlydislocatedhisshoulder.
JakeandDanhauledthemselvesoverthesideatthelastsecond.
Amylookedbacktoseehowmuchgroundthey’dgained,butPierce’smenkeptcoming,notfarbehindthespeedingtruck.Theyhadnotimetospare.Shewavedfranticallyatthepilotoftheirhelicopter,whowassittingatthecontrols.“Let’sgo!”sheshoutedathim.“Now!”
Thechoppermotorroaredtolife,andtherotorsbegantoturn,slowlyatfirst,thenfaster.Thedriverpoppedopenthedoor.
“Jump!”AmycalledtoJake,Dan,andAtticus.“Now!”ShetookAtt’shandastheyhoppedoffthespeedingluggagetruck.Amylandedonherkneesandrolledoverthehot
tarmac.ShepulledAtticustohisfeetandranforthechopper,JakeandDanrightbehindthem.Pierce’smenwereclosingin.AmyandDanscrambledaboardthehelicopter.JakepushedAtticuson,jumpedin,andshutthedoorastherotorswhirredfasterandthechopperliftedoff.
ThepilotyelledsomethingattheminSpanish,andJakeyelledsomethingbackathim.“He’saskingwhythosebigmenarechasingfourkids,”Jaketranslated.“Itoldhimtojustgetusoutofhere.”Thepilotbellowedagain,pointingatthetarmacjustbelow.Oneofthethugswasleapingintotheair,freakishlyhigh,tryingtograbthelandingskid.Hebarelymissed,tumblingtothegroundunhurtasthechopperroseoutofhisreach.
Amybreathedaquicksighofrelief.
“Thankgoodnessgoonscan’tfly,”Dansaid.“Notevenserum-enhancedgoons.”
TheboyssettledintotheirseatsbehindthepilotandbuckledupfortheridetoTikal.Itwasabighelicopterwithtworowsofthreeseatsfacingeachotherbehindanenclosedtwo-seatcockpit.Amypokedherheadintothecockpittomakesurethepilotknewwheretheyweregoingandtothankhimforhisquickthinking.
“Mypleasure,”hesaidinathickaccent,noddingbutnotmeetinghereye.“Pleasesitdownandbuckleyourseatbelt,miss.TheridetoTikalcanbebumpy.We’llbeflyingoveractivevolcanoes.”
Amysatdownandbuckledup.Somethingwasbotheringher;somethingaboutthepilotdidn’tlookright.Historsowasthickandlumpyunderhisjacket.“Didyounoticeanythingstrangeaboutthepilot?”shewhisperedtoDan.
“Likewhat?”heaskedcoldly,asifittooksuperhumaneffortjusttorespondtoher.
“Nevermind.”Amypressedherforeheadagainstthewindow,frustrated.
ThehelicopterroseandleftGuatemalaCitybehind.Farbelow,ablanketofbrownvolcanicmountainsrippled.
Sheshiftedherleatherbagtothefloorandheardatinyclink.Shecouldn’tresistanotherglanceatDan,whowasnowengrossedinacomputergame.Hisstraightbrownhairfellintohiseyes,andhehadtokeepreachinguptosweepitoutofhisway.Amytriedtostifleasurgeoftendernessforhim,butthesightwasenoughtomakeherheartstinglikeskinrecoveringfromfrostbite.Itsometimeswaseasytoforgetthathewasonlythirteen.IftheywerestillinAttleboro,thebiggestthingthey’dbefightingaboutwouldbe
haircutsandhomework,argumentsshe’dlikelylosebecauseDanwasthemoststubbornpersonshe’devermet.
Nowondertheywerebarelyspeakingtoeachother.
DanwassickofthewholeCahillthing.“I’mout,”he’dtoldher.OncetheyfinallytookdownPierce,nomoreCahillstuffforhim.Heplannedtodisappearandliveouttherestofhislifequietlyandanonymously,withaslittlemystery,action,andadventureashecouldmanage.
Amyrememberedatime,notsolongago,whenDanwouldhavedismissedalifelikethatasboring.That’sthekindofdamagetheCluehunthaddonetohim.Aboywhoselifehadbeensostressfulhewasreadytoretireatthirteen.
AtticussatnexttoDan,hiswirybodycurledinhisseat,poringoverOlivia’sCodex,hisolderbrother,Jake,besidehim,readingoverhisshoulder.He’dbeenfixatedonapageofweird,unfamiliarglyphsthathecouldn’tfigureout.Theywerelinedupinneatrows,eachonearoundedsquarewithadesigninside,andbetweeneachonewasasetoflettersandnumbers.Amyhadlookedatthesymbolsbutcouldn’tmakemuchofthem.Sometimesshesawsomethingthatlookedlikeafaceoratongueoramonster.Sometimestheywerejustdotsandlinesandcircles,almostdecorative.Theywerecomplexshapes,notletters,exactly,butalmostlikeroughdrawings...thoughofwhat?
TheyhadlefttheseatnexttoAmyempty.Noonewantedtositnexttoher.Jakeleastofall.Herheartcrampedastheghostofhercruellieechoedinherhead.Idon’tloveyou....Youthinkthere’sthisthingbetweenus,butthereneverwas,andthereneverwillbe.
Theydidn’tunderstandwhatitwaslike,beingincharge.Theydidn’tknowhowitfelttosendsomeoneyouloveoffonamissionsodangerousthatdeathwasnearlycertain.Sherefusedtobethereasonherlittlebrothernevergotanotherhaircut.Onemoremishap,andshe’dbestaringathisshaggybrownhairagainsttheliningofacasket.Fromnowon,she’ddowhatwasnecessarytokeepherfamily—andtheworld—safefromPierce.
Ifthatmakesthemangry,thentoobad.She’dratherhavethemangryandalivethandead.Sheputherbackpackunderherseatandheardtheclinkagain.IthadbeenmadebyasmallflaskofCahillserum.Nooneknewshehadit.Shehatedtheideaofhavingafull,undiluteddoseoftheserumnearher.Itwaslikekeepingsomethingradioactivenexttoyourskin,likeSupermancarryingaroundKryptonite.
AtticuswasworkingondecodingtheformulafromOliviaCahill’sCodex.Latelyhe’dbeenobsessedwitharecipeinthebookfor“CrystalSugarCandy.”“Ifyouwantsomecandysobadly,Atticus,I’llbuyyousomewhenweland,”Amyjoked,mostlytotrytojoltoneofthemintoacknowledgingherpresence.
“It’snotthat,”Atticussaid.“Rockcrystalcandyisverysimpletomake.Thisrecipeisridiculouslycomplicated.There’ssomethingelsegoingonhere.”
“Crystal...”Amymused.“Maybethere’saconnectiontorivencrystal.”
“Maybe,”Dansaid.“Butwhatisrivencrystal?”
“Readthedescriptionagain,Jake,”Amysaid.
AtticushandedtheCodextoJake.Olivia’sdescriptionofthecrystalwaswritteninLatin,andAmy’sLatinwaspoor-to-nonexistent.
Amy’sphonebuzzed.“Finally,”shesaidwithrelief.They’dbeenoutofcellrangeandoutoftouchwiththeirbaseinAttleboroforseveralhours,anditmadehernervous.“It’sIan.Hangonasec,Jake.”
ShecouldsenseJakestiffeningfromacrosstheaisleandcaughttheannoyance—orwasitanger?—thatflashedacrosshisface.
“Ian?”
“Amy.”
“It’sgoodtohearyourvoice.”
“Yes,we’vebeentryingtoreachyousinceyouleftUSairspace,”Iansaid.“Didyoumakethechopperwesetupforyou?”
“Yes.”Nopointingoingintohowthey’dbarelymadeitoutoftheairportalive.“Thanksforyourhelp,Ian.”
OutofthecornerofhereyeshecouldswearshesawJakewrinklehisnoseandmutter,“Thanksforyourhelp,Ian”underhisbreath.Typical.Jakecouldbarelylookatherwithoutgrimacing,yetwatchinghertalktoaboyshe’doncehadacrushonturnedhimfromdarkandbroodingintopricklyandchildish.
“How’sIan?”Jakeaskedwhenshegotoffthephone.Hestraightenedhisspine,buttoningthetopbuttonofhisshirtandstickinghisnoseintotheair.“Tip-topshape,Ihope?”headdedinaterrible,exaggeratedBritishaccent.“All’sjollywellinold
Attleboro,isit?OrasIcallit,YankeePurgatory?IdohopeI’llbeabletoleavethisblastedlandofrubesandreturntocivilizationoneofthesedays.”
DanandAtticussnickeredintheirseats.Amycrossedherarms,annoyed.“JustreadmeOlivia’sdescriptionoftheingredient,please.”
“Isay,itsaysherethatsheusedflakesofarivencrystalchippedoffastonefromaMayantempleinTikal.”JakewasstillusinghisfakeIanaccent.
“Thankyou.Youcandroptheaccentnow.”
“Jollygood.Funny,IthoughtyoulikedBritishaccents.”
“Jake—”
“Mymistake.”
“Yes.Itisyourmistake.WhatelsedoesOliviasay?Inyourregularaccent,please.”
Jakefrownedatthebook.“Basically,Olivialookedattherockunderamagnifyingglassandsawthatitscrystalshadanunusualzigzagstructure,asifithadbeendeformedbysomegreatpressure.”
“Thatsoundslikeshockedquartz.IsawitonWeirdButTrue,”Dansaid.“It’sfoundinplaceswherenucleardeviceshavebeensetoff,butalsoinplaceswhereameteorcrashedtoearth.”
“Chicxulub!”Atticussaid.
“Gesundheit,”Dansaidback.
“No,theChicxulubcrater,”Atticuscontinued.“Ameteorhittheearththereaboutsixty-fivemillionyearsago.Itcausedgianttsunamisandsentupsomuchdustitalmostcausedanartificialiceage—likeanuclearwinter.Somescientiststhinkthatmeteorisresponsiblefortheextinctionofthedinosaurs.”
“I’mafanofthevolcanictheorymyself,”Danchimed.“Thatvolcanodustwipedthemout.”
“Whatever,ameteorlandedthere,”Atticussaid.“They’vefoundshockedquartzinthatspot,deformedbytheimpactofthemeteor.Butit’sintheYucatán,inMexico,notinGuatemala.”
“TheMayatradedalloverCentralAmerica,”Jakesaid.“TheycouldeasilyhavetradedforstonesfromtheYucatán.”
“Ifallweneedisapieceofshockedquartz,wecanbuyitofftheInternet,”Dansaid.“Wedon’tneedtoflyallthewaytoGuatemala.”
“Thebookspecificallycallsfora‘rivencrystalfromTikal,’”Jakesaid.“Itmusthavesomespecialproperties.”
“DidtheMayabuildtemplesoutofit?”Danasked.
“Icheckedintothat,”Amyreplied.Shewasgratefulthat,atleastwhentheywerediscussingtheantidote,theothersdroppedthesilenttreatment.“Thetemplesarebuiltoflocallimestone.Buttheymighthaveputspecialstonesatthealtarsofthetemples,maybesomethingtheytradedfor,somethingunique.”
Tikalwasanationalparkandarchaeologicaltreasure.Theruinsofagreatancientcity—afallenempire—hadbeenhiddenbycenturiesofjunglegrowth,butin1956archaeologistsbegantoexcavateandwereamazedatwhattheyfound:wholecitiesmadeofstone,hugeMayanpyramidsandtemples,milesandmilesofancientbuildings.
“JustasIthought,”Atticusannounced,wavingthepaperhe’dbeenusingtodecodethecandyrecipe.
“Itwon’tmakecandy?”Danasked.
“Notunlessyoulikecandysoharditwillbreakyourteeth,”Atticussaid.“It’sacodedmessage.Sugar,orsucrose,hasachemicalformulaofC12H22O11,butwhenIdecodedthisingredientlist,theformulafor‘sugar’readsSiO2.That’sthechemicalformulaforquartz.Butitgoesontodescribeamolecularstructurethat’salittleoff,notquiterightforquartz.OnceIappliedthemolecularstructureforrivenquartztothecode,Ifigureditout.Theantidoterequiresaspecialpieceofrivenrock,whichhascertainmolecularproperties.OneofthosespecialpiecesisembeddedintheruinsofaMayantempleinTikal.ThepieceOliviausedwasbrokenofffromthatcrystal.”
“ButTikalisfullofruinedtemples,”Amysaid.
“Andit’sgigantic,”Jakeadded.“Howwillweknowwhichtempleholdsthecrystalweneed?”
“Letmehavethebookback,Jake,”Atticussaid.Heopenedittothepagecoveredwithweirdglyphs.
“Checkitout.”Dannoddedatthewindow.“Thatvolcanoisspewingash.”
Justthenthechopperblewthroughabriefblackcloud.Everythingwentdarkoutsidethewindows.Forasecond,Amyhadthefeelingshewassuffocating.Buttheblackcloud—theashDanhadjustbeentalkingabout—disappearedquickly.
Thechopperswervedtotheright,thenveeredsharplytotheleft.Itlurchedupanddown.
“What’sgoingon?”Jakeasked.
Anotherlurch,andAmyfeltherstomachdroptoherknees.
“Whoa!”Atticusshouted.
“Thisisbetterthanarollercoaster!”Dansaid.
“Thisisn’tgood.”TheywerefarfromGuatemalaCitynow,flyingovermountainsandjunglethatlookedlikethemiddleofnowhere.Amyopenedthepartitiondividingthecockpitfromthepassengerseatsandcaughtthepilotquicklysittingdown.
“What’sgoingon?”sheasked.
Thepilotdidn’tlookather.“NoEnglish.”
NoEnglish?Hadn’thetoldhertositdownandbuckleherseatbelt?Shenoticedhiscoatontheseatnexttohim.Sheleanedfartherintothecockpitandimmediatelyrealizedwhythepilothadlookedlikehehadalumpunderhiscoat.Hehadaparachutestrappedtohisback.
AwaveofanxiousnauseawashedoverAmy.“Whatdoyouthinkyou’redoing?”shedemanded.Thepilotrefusedtomeethereye.Thechopperlurchedagain,justmissingthesideofamountain.
“He’swearingaparachute!”shetoldtheothers.“Ithinkhe’sgoingtojump!”
“Piercemusthavegottentohim,”Dansaid.
Thepilotjerkedonthehandleofthecockpitdoortohisleft,tryingtoopenitandthrowhimselfout.“Grabhim!”Jakeshouted.
Amyduckedoutoftheway.Jakedovethroughthepartitionandgrabbedthepilotbeforehecouldopentheoutsidedoor.“Dan,helpme!”
DanreachedthroughthepartitiondoorandhelpedJakedragthepilotintothepassengerarea.Thechopperimmediatelybegantodrop.
“Amy—takethecontrols!”Jakebarked.
AmycrawledoverDanandJake,whowerewrestlingthepilot,intothefrontseatandgrabbedthecontrols.Shepanicked.Nowwhat?
“Steadythisthing!”Jakeshouted.
“How?”Amyshriekedbackathim.
“Idon’tknow!”Jakecalledback.
Thechoppernoseddowntowardthetrees.Shepulledonthecontrolstickinfrontofherandthenosetiltedup.Thechopperdidn’trise,butitstoppedfalling.Itleveledandmovedforward—straightforthesideofavolcano.
“AMY!”Danscreamed.
“I’mtrying!”Shefoundaleveronthefloortoherleft.Shehadn’ttriedthatoneyet.Sheyankedonit,prayingitwoulddosomethinggood.
Thechopperrose.Itliftedoverthevolcano.Amylookeddownintothedarkabyssatthetopandthoughtshesawapuffofsmoke.
ThepilotescapedfromJake’sholdandthrewhisupperbodyintothecockpit,tryingtoknockherhandawayfromthecontrols.“Gethimoutofhere!”sheshouted.
Jake,Dan,andAtticusdraggedthepilotbacktothesecondrowofseats.Thechopperdroppedfast,downtowardagreenvalley.“Pullup!Up!”Jakeshouted.
“Iknow!”Amyyankedontheleveragainwithallhermight.Thechopperroseuptowardthesky,pullingoutofthevalleyandalmostshavingoffthetopofahill.Itwobbled.Shestraightenedoutandthechoppersteadied,butthenitstartedspinning,circlingaroundintheair.Amyfranticallytuggedatthecontrolstickagain,andthechoppernosedforward.
Theboysstruggledtosubduethepilot,buthewasn’tgoingdownwithoutafight.Hemanagedtounlatchthepassengerdoor.Amyfeltthechangeinpressure.Shelookedbacktoseewhatwashappening,andthechopperswervedadeepleft.Everyonetumbledovertothatside.
“Amy,watchit!”Danshouted.
Amyconcentratedonkeepingthechoppersteady.ThepilothadgrabbedAtticusbythearmsasakindofhostage.
“Lethimgo!”Jakeyelled.
Amydidn’tdareturnawayfromthecontrols—oneslipandthechopperwouldcrash,ortipandknockAtticusout.Behindhersheheardthumping,grunting,andshouting.ButwhenJakecriedoutdesperately,“No!No!”shehadtoturntoseewhatwashappening.
ThepilotwasleaningoutofthehelicopterwithAtticusclutchedinonearm.HewasgoingtojumpandtakeAtticuswithhim.Butthepilothadaparachute,andAtticusdidn’t.
Danthrewallhisweightononeofthepilot’slegs,andJaketuggedonhisarm,tryingtoreelhimbackintothechopper.Suddenly,thepilotscreamed.
Amyturnedherattentiontothefrontofthechopper.Shewasabouttoflystraightintoacliff.Shepulledthecyclicupandthechopperroseoverthecliff,nearlyscrapingoffitslandingskids.Sweatbrokeoutonherforehead.Itdrippedintohereyes,butshedidn’tdarereleasethecontrolstowipeitaway.
“We’llhandlethis,Amy!”Jakeyelled.“Justflythisthing!”
Amyconcentratedonthecontrolpanelandtriednottolookbacktoseewhatwashappeningbehindher.Butitwashard.Thesoundscomingfromthebackseat—grunts,groansofpain,heavythuds—terrifiedher.Shecouldn’tsee,butshefelteachthudlikeapunchinthestomach.
Danfelteverymuscleinhisbodyexertitself,fromhisstrainingeyeballstothetoesthatcurledaroundthelegofaseat.Thepilothungoutthecabindoor,bentatthewaist,headdangling,stillclutchingAtticus.Jakewastuggingonthepilot’slegsandDanheldAtt’sfeet,bracinghislegsagainstaseat.Atticus’seyeswerehugewithterrorashestrainedtograbDan’shand.Hewaspanting,hisbreathfastandshallowlikeaterrifiedrabbit’s.
ThepilotgaveJakeamightykickinthechin,knockinghimbackward.“Ugh!”Jake’sgriploosened,andthepilottumbledoutthedoor.
“Att!”Danscreamed.Atticus’slittlebodyseemedtofloatoutintotheairoverthejunglebelow.DanclutchedAtt’sfoot,buthissneakerslippedoffinhishand.Jakelungedforhisbrotherandcaughthimbythetorso.Withahugeeffortheheavedhisbodybackintothecabin,Atticusinhisarms.Theycollapsedonthefloor.
Danlookeddownjustbeforeyankingthecabindoorshut.Thepilot’schuteopenedashefloatedintothejungleanddisappearedamongthetreetops.
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