From behind his back he pulled Hellfire in a holster and handed it to me.
“No way!” I exclaimed. “How?” I clasped her in my hands, and pressed her tightly to my chest. I never knew seeing my weapon would evoke so much emotion, but she’d become a part of me. “How did you get her?”
“The soldier in possession gave her to Juan in exchange for a bigger gun.”
“Well, size isn’t everything.” I shrugged, attaching the holster to my thigh. I then tucked Hellfire into it. I was complete. She was right where she was meant to be.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but we’ve really got to leave. Immediately,” Milton urged gathering us near the door. “Everyone stay close. We have to move quickly because once they find out what happened in the Arvy chamber, they’ll be coming after us.”
“What happened in the Arvy chamber?” my dad asked.
Finn shook his head. “You don’t wanna know.”
I looked into his eyes. “I’ll tell you as soon as I get the chance.”
“Okay,” he said, with a nod.
“Ready?” Milton held up the swipe card.
“You’re coming with us?” I asked.
“Of course. They’ll have my face all over the cameras, guiding you out. Plus, I acquired a few more vials of serum so I can finish off your therapy…the correct way.” He held up the suitcase.
I nodded. “Let’s go.”
Milton opened the door and quickly led us down another series of hallways.
We finally stopped at a huge steel door with a large, heavy crank lock. The men struggled to open it. Even Finn, with all his strength couldn’t budge it.
Uncle Frank lost it and hit it with the butt of his gun.
“Stupid worthless piece of—”
“Frank,” Aunt Sandy admonished.
“We have to get it open,” Milton pressed, pacing back and forth. Sweat dripped down his deeply furrowed brow.
“They’re working on it,” I said. “It’ll be okay.”
“It’s taking too long,” he whispered to himself, shaking his head. He was terrified, putting everything on the line.
Loud yells and tramping of feet echoed down the hallway.
“We’re gonna die. We’re gonna die,” Milton cried.
“We’re not going to die,” I snapped. His negativity was driving me mad.
But they were coming. The soldiers were heading our way.
“Keep at the door,” I said, stepping forward.
“Abi, what are you doing?” my dad called.
“No, Abi!” my mom screamed.
“Stay back,” I said, turning to them. “It’s okay. Don’t be afraid.”
I turned to Finn who had witnessed my gift firsthand. He nodded, and then held my mom back, trying to reassure them all. Nana was crying and Pops was trying to reassure her. Mei was sobbing uncontrollably telling her husband they should have stayed. Aunt Sandy held Lily tightly in her arms. They were all afraid because of me.
In a matter of seconds we were surrounded by a dozen soldiers with guns aimed at us, yelling for us to drop down or they’d shoot. I glanced back and saw panic and fear on every single one of my loved ones faces…except Finn. His eyes locked on mine, firm and unfearful, and he gave me a slight nod. He believed in me, and that’s all I needed.
I did as they said and lay prostrate on the ground, folding my hands behind my head.
But Milton was scared and began pleading with them for his life.
“Milton, get down and shut up,” I demanded.
But fear had deafened his ears.
“Get down!” the soldiers hollered over and over at him. “I said get down.”
He continued to plead with his hands up in the air. Tears and snot fell from his face as he stepped forward.
A gun fired.
Everything went silent.
Milton dropped on his knees beside me, and blood soaked through his shirt.
He grasped his chest and his terror-stricken eyes found mine. He tried to speak, but his breath was strained. The soldiers were still screaming at him, so he finally lay on the ground; his face a foot from mine, his eyes glazed and filled with tears.
“Why didn’t you listen?” I cried.
“I – I don’t want to die,” he gasped.
I blinked away the tears which had filled my eyes, then turned and pressed my forehead to the cold cement floor. Closing my eyes, in the midst of the madness, I tried to focus.
Soon, all the screaming and insanity became muffled, and I heard Milton’s voice speak softly. “Abi, no more death.”
I could feel the power inside, buzzing like an electrical current. It started from the top of my head and surged through my fingertips and out the souls of my feet.
I welcomed it.
When I knew it was ready, I opened my eyes and lifted my chin off the ground.
“Holy shit, what the hell?” One of the soldiers cursed, aiming his gun at me.
I didn’t blink.
I stayed focused and channeled every bit of my power, sending it outward with one single word.
“Stop.”
Every soldier stopped and stood at attention; their faces were filled with blank expressions. They were dazed and their minds were now an empty space. A blank canvas ready for paint.
“Drop your weapons,” I said with authority.
Guns clanked on the ground as the soldiers released them.
A slight grin lifted on my lips. They were putty in my hands. The power was consuming and I was learning how to control it.
Slowly, I stood, staying focused and in control.
“Open the door,” I ordered, pointing at our exit.
As the soldiers made their way past us, I could hear Uncle Frank and my dad gathering everyone together. They ran over and collected a few more guns and ammo from the ground, whatever they could carry.
The soldiers pushed and pressed against the rusted crank until it finally gave, and snapped open. They pushed the heavy door open, and then stood to the side. Their eyes remained vacant, waiting for their next command.
Uncle Frank and my dad clicked on two flashlights then took the family into the dark tunnel, while Dr. Banks and Martheus lifted Milton.
Once I knew my family was safe, I gave my final order.
“When I enter, seal the door behind me and leave.”
They stood frozen until I backed into the corridor, and as soon as I crossed the threshold, the soldiers pushed the steel door shut. I heard the crank return to its locked position, then turned to run.
I collided with Finn, who was standing right behind me.
“Hey,” he whispered.
I paused for a brief moment then fell into his arms and began weeping.
Without saying a word, he lifted me into his arms and began running to catch up with the others.
IT TOOK US ALMOST AN hour to walk the few miles through the dark tunnel. When we reached the end, there was one more door with a circular handle to unlock it, much like the one we had in our first hive. All the men, except Milton and Charlie, helped to turn it. This one was much easier, and in no time, the door unlatched and they pushed it open.
A wave of overpowering heat rushed in, and the blazing light caused us to shield our delicate eyes. The sun was sitting high in the sky, and we had no protection against it.
“Is it safe out there from radiation?” Nana asked.
“Yes. The test results said this area is clear,” my dad reassured. He and Uncle Frank stepped out first and scanned the area.
Dr. Banks had given Milton a shot and quickly applied a temporary tourniquet around his chest.
“Is he going to be okay?” I asked.
“It doesn’t look like the bullet hit any vital organs and it wasn’t to his chest. It’s right below his shoulder. I think he’ll live.”
“Oh, good,” I sighed.
“We need to get him to a place where I can give him proper attention.”
“You have medicine?” I asked.
“I have enough,” he said pointing to a few bags Martheus had thrown over his back.
“Abi?” My grandpa’s eyes were narrowed on me.
“Yeah, Pops?” I asked.
“How did you do that? What you did back there with the soldiers?” he asked.
Everyone’s eyes fell on me, and I felt like a freak.
Finn stepped next to me and put his arm over my shoulder, addressing the group and giving a brief account of my training and the most recent outcome to the serum.
“Is this true, darling?” Nana asked.
I nodded.
“Dang, Abi. You’re amazing,” Charlie said, with a huge smile on his face.
“Yeah, Abi. You saved all of us,” Lily chimed.
They all thanked me, and my eyes filled up with tears.
“We love you, Abi. No matter what,” Nana said, and they all nodded and murmured their agreement.
My dad and Uncle Frank ducked back inside, their faces already pink from the sun, and beads of sweat formed across their foreheads.
“There are a few buildings approximately three miles away,” Uncle Frank reported. “One looks like a large commercial warehouse or barn, and there are some smaller ones around it. Right now, that’s our best bet for shelter until the sun sets.”
“How are we going to make it in this heat, with all those monsters out there?” Nana asked.
“We can’t stay here,” my dad said. “They’ll be coming for us shortly. It’s either take a chance out there, or stay here and know we’ll be captured and most likely killed.”
His eyes scanned to everyone.
“I say we go,” Martheus spoke up. “What’s the use of coming all this way to give up? We’ve gotten this far. Let’s just see what the big ol’ world has for us.”
“You’re a smart boy,” Dr. Banks said, patting his nephew proudly on the back. “I’m with him. Let’s go.”
“Freedom or bust!” Uncle Frank added, raising his fist in the air.
Everyone else was in agreement.
We were going to do this.
AS SOON AS WE STEPPED outside, the heat was asphyxiating. We were in the middle of nowhere; everything was dead and the land was dry and desolate.
We traveled slowly, keeping our heads down so our faces wouldn’t get too badly burned. In no time, all of the uncovered areas of our skin were bright red. Nana and Pops were struggling. Their breathing was heavy and they were falling behind, so Uncle Frank dropped back and stood between them, helping pull them forward. Finn, Martheus, and Dr. Banks helped to carry Milton.
We had to keep a steady pace.
I glanced behind us and saw thousands of pale bodies staying in the shadows of the mountain which housed the bunker. We were only a couple miles away and I could only hope they wouldn’t spot us.
After walking for nearly two hours, we finally made it to our destination. The structure turned out to be a large barn with a few houses surrounding it. Uncle Frank readied his weapon and told everyone to stay put and be quiet.
My dad and Finn were right behind him, each with an AR-15 at the ready. After a silent count of three, they pushed in and disappeared into the darkness. We waited anxiously for any sound, but before we knew it, were back at the door waving us in.
The inside of the barn was a huge open space. Its frame and roof were metal and still intact, but whatever wood was inside had rotted. There were a lot of tools and equipment laying around, and even an old tractor. My dad tried to start it up, to no avail.
In one corner was a pile of concrete blocks, which we all pulled to the center to sit on. We also built a small platform to lay Milton on while Dr. Banks tended to him.
“We’ll stay here and rest until the sun goes down, then we have to move again,” my dad said. “We can’t stay here. They’ll know this is the only option we had.”
Uncle Frank opened his backpack and passed around pieces of beef jerky and bottled waters. Everyone was exhausted and overheated. Unfortunately, Dr. Banks didn’t have anything in his medical bag for sunburns.
“Where will we go next?” my mom asked.
“I don’t know,” my dad said. “I’m sure we’ll find places to rest until we find a new home.”
“I know a safe place we can go,” I said.
Everyone turned to me.
“Where?” my dad asked.
“A place in Trappers Peak, Colorado,” I replied.
“Trappers Peak?” Tom spoke. “I was raised near Trappers Peak.”
“How do you know this, Abi?” my dad asked.
I paused, knowing it would sound crazy, but Finn took my hand and gave it a squeeze.
I looked over to my mom and answered softly, “Grammy told me.”
Her eyes narrowed, like she was trying to process what I was saying, and then they opened wide. “Grammy? Abi, you saw Grammy?”
“Yes.” I nodded. “She visited me the other night.”
“She’s in that bunker?”
“No, she’s in Colorado. At a safe zone.”
“Are you sure it was her?” she questioned.
“Yes, I’m sure. She looked the same as the first day I met her,” I said.
My mom’s eyes filled with tears. The look on her face was one that had given up hope. For thirteen years she’d believed my Grammy to be dead, and now it was as if she’d been resurrected.
“Did she give you any details?” Uncle Frank jumped in.
“Yes, she said she is with a group of survivors who took shelter in a bunker there. The land is fertile and they’ve already started to build homes, and plant seeds which are growing. They’ve had only minor Arvy threats because the place is secluded. She wanted me to find a way to bring you all there, and said we’d be welcomed.”
“You actually saw her?” My mom exhaled.
“Yes,” I smiled, picturing her in my mind. “She’s older, but still beautiful. You look a lot like her. Your eyes are the same color.”
She became emotional, but my dad was right there to comfort her.
“Hatch, do you think we can make it to Colorado?” Uncle Frank asked.
“Trappers Peak is a long way away. Probably a good thousand miles…give or take a few hundred,” Tom replied. “It would take us months by foot.”
“We only have enough food and water to last a couple days,” Nana stated the obvious.
“Yes, but we can’t give up. There has to be a way,” my dad said.
“Hey, do you hear that?” Martheus said.
The place went quiet and we heard the sound of—
“That’s an engine. Sounds like a beater,” Pops said.
Uncle Frank, my dad, and Finn ran to the door. The rest of us gathered together and waited.
“Who do you think it is?” Mei whispered.
“Do you think it’s the people from the bunker?” Nana questioned.
“I doubt it,” Pops answered. “They’re coming from the wrong direction.”
As the sound grew louder, Uncle Frank held his finger on the safety of his weapon. He turned to us and put a finger up to his mouth.
The noise stopped, and we heard the sound of metal doors swinging open and clanging shut.
“You go check the house for supplies, and keep an eye out for fuel. I’m gonna go check the barn. Maybe they’ve got some gas cans,” a booming voice said with a strong southern accent.
“Move back,” my dad urged quietly. “Hide.”
Everyone scattered and hid throughout the barn, while I helped Dr. Banks drag Milton behind a stacked pile of rotted wood.
When I peeked out, everyone was well hidden.
The barn door banged open, and a big burly man stepped in. He paused at the opening, giving the place a quick scan. He was tall, and wearing a tattered tank top with cutoff jeans which were frayed at the knee. He came in holding a pistol, but it was aimed down to the ground. He must not have felt a threat.
Then he scanned the building and his eyes focused in on our area. I quickly pu
lled back and footsteps pounded toward us. I went to grab Hellfire, but Dr. Banks held my hand down and shook his head. He had a handgun. I knew he stopped me because he didn’t want me to get hurt.
The man was right on the other side of our pile sifting through the rotted wood, when he pulled a piece that had made the whole pile crumble.
We were uncovered.
Dr. Banks jumped up and raised his gun.
“What the—” the man yelled.
He swung and knocked the gun from Dr. Banks’ hand. Dr. Banks flew forward but the big man grabbed him by the throat and squeezed. I watched Dr. Banks’ eyes roll back.
“Let him go,” I screamed, jumping up. I hit the man and tried to release his grip.
Everyone jumped out of hiding, screaming and charging toward the man with guns drawn.
Then, I was slammed from behind. My head went numb, and darkness quickly encroached on my eyes.
I watched the man release Dr. Banks, before everything went black.
I WAS STUCK IN MY mind. No matter how much I blinked, or tried to will myself awake, I couldn’t. I was trapped and fear overwhelmed me, knowing my family was on the outside, and I wasn’t able to reach or protect them.
Was Dr. Banks alright? Did they kill the man?
What the hell was happening?
I was about to lose it when tiny lights burst around me. Then, a golden trail formed at my feat, leading me into the darkness. Who was trying to contact me? I hadn’t even thought of contacting anyone, and felt a little stupid for not thinking of it earlier.
“Grammy?” I called out.
A faint voice replied, but it was barely audible.
“Hello?” I called, continuing to head down the path.
“Abi, it’s Dr. Simon,” the voice replied, this time a lot clearer.
“How are you?” I hollered.
“I’m fine. Are you safe?”
“I don’t know. We ran into some trouble and I was knocked out. I have no idea what’s going on outside.”
“You have to listen to me. They are coming for you, Abi.”
“Who?” I questioned.
“The newly appointed leaders. They saw what you could do and the power you possess. They will stop at nothing to get you back. You have become the new priority. Orders have been given to retrieve you alive, and kill anyone who is with you.”