Unplugged: The Hidden World (#2, Unplugged Trilogy)

Chapter Thirty Four

Enna

My arms throb, twisted behind my back by Victoria. Matthew silently grits his teeth on her other side: I don't want to think of all the injuries he's had to sustain in the last few days. Gale marches silently behind Victoria, wrists chained to her belt. We progress down the hall, passing Workers and groups of Elite who glance over at us half-heartedly. I wonder how many times they've seen prisoners being dragged along by Victoria.

As we pass through corridors of bleached walls, my eyes scan the doors on either side, wondering--somewhat naïvely--where my mother and Ariel are being held, whether they are waiting for me to save them or not. The thought makes me start to feel reckless, so I extinguish it and force myself to look straight ahead. Now we stride between the long rows of lab tables, and a group of Elite start to head towards us. I recognize the leader of the pack as John Elliot. Matthew curses under his breath and Victoria's steps nearly falter.

"Greetings Victoria, son, Ms. McAllister... Ms. Price." John surveys us, confusion slightly muddling his features. "Didn't you all have an appointment with Mr. Grey?"

"Change of location," Victoria utters emotionlessly. I notice that John looks dubious, eyes scanning over all of the scars on Matthew's body. Silently, I realize that Matthew is supposed to be dead. That was the plan. My Depot training kicks in amongst my fear: John and three Elites block the way to the elevator. The scientists swarming around us have no other weapons than the syringes they hold. If we have a skirmish, it has to be in the elevator. That's the only way we'd stand a chance.

"Are you sure you are being entirely truthful, Victoria? You do know how fickleness annoys me..."

I catch Matthew's eye behind Victoria's back, glancing towards the direction of the elevator. He nods, almost silently whispering the plan to Gale. She sets her jaw determinedly.

"Of course, John," she mutters. He stares at her for many moments then pulls out a radio. He holds down a button.

"Grey, come in Grey." Silence on the other side. Dread courses through our pathetic line of prisoners. "Sam, do you hear me?"

I nod, and our whole party rushes towards the Elite, taking them by surprise. They stumble backwards into the elevator, and when we enter it Victoria presses the "8" button. Scientists sprint towards us, but the seamless glass doors close far before any of them can reach us.

"They can't follow us!" Victoria screams, yanking out her flashgun and attacking the three Elite: they crumple to the floor easily. I watch in slow motion as John raises his gun, pointing it at my head. Terror grounds my feet; I close my eyes and cower against the wall.

"No!" Matthew screams. He leaps at his father, shoving a fist deep into his gut. John gasps for air, his grip on the flashgun temporarily loosened. Matthew reaches for it and receives a large foot on his chest. I scream as he crashes against the opposite wall, unconscious. Gale rushes over to him.

Rage and fear fuel me as I leap onto John, kicking his face over and over again. He groans and moans, blood running down his neck. I bend down and yank the flashgun from his grip. Blindly, I set the weapon to the "Anti-Gravity" option.

"Enna, what are you doing?" Victoria asks carefully. I glance up at the numbered wall, telling me that we are seconds away from level eight.

"Get ready to jump off!" I scream, unable to hear anything else but the blood rushing through my veins. As soon as the elevator doors open, Victoria runs out and Gale carries Matthew over a shoulder, following Victoria.

"I'm sorry, John!" I scream, pressing the button. As if by magic, he floats into the air, suspended peacefully in space. Then I yank my arm downwards and he slams into the glass floor of the elevator. A deafening shatter rips through the air.