Project Powers

Chapter Twenty One

We jogged a few more blocks, everyone breathing hard and exhausted. Sweat glistened on my forehead, only slowing me down more.

"Let's stop up here." Chip said as we headed a Pizza Hut. We all gasped for breath, leaning against each other for physical and emotional support.

"How're we supposed to reach the warehouse? It's in New York!" Miles asked, catching his breath.

"Do you think you can go Grand Theft Auto again?" Chip asked, and Miles nodded slowly.

"Guys, I'm worried about Avery." I said, catching everyone's attention. "What if she didn't make it? What if she's dead?"

Miles placed a hand on my shoulder, "She'll be fine Jace. Think positive."

I nodded, "Right, right..."

"Alright, stay here, I'll be back soon." He said, patting my shoulder. I smiled and he ran off. Taylor and Sam were seated, talking quietly. I sat on the curb, Chip joining me.

"What now?" He asked, almost in a daze.

"What do you mean?" I asked, turning towards him.

"Our lives will never be the same again. We have awesome power and will be wanted by that... Facility forever." He said softly.

"Chip, listen, what happened to us can never be forgiven... But we need to stay strong and together. We're lucky. We escaped. I know everything's confusing, but it's better then being homeless." I consoled. "Right now, let's focus on survival. We are alive and together."

He nodded but still looked conflicted, "Okay. Thanks Jace."

"Anytime buddy, anytime." I smiled and stood, stretching my sore limbs. Aaron was sitting on a bench, his eyes still bloodshot. He was dreadfully pale and worried me. I came and sat next to him.

"Hey, how're you doing?" I asked, looking at him.

"I want more Wenches. More wenches and Mead." Aaron said, his voice swaying from different tones.

"Ah, I see..." I trailed off, my worry increasing. "Do you remember Miles?"

Aaron looked at me, "There's a storm coming but you still don't run."

I tilted my head, "The sky is clear."

"I'll keep fighting... I'll keep fighting..." He muttered, looking off in the distance.

A frown tugged at my lips as I rubbed my temples. Those bastards destroyed his mind. Fried it with shocks. Just like Sam and the chip in her head. I looked at her, Taylor and Sam's heads against each other as they stared into each others eyes. I don't get girls.

"Need a ride?" A voice boomed from the street. We turned to see Miles in a purple minivan, a grin on his face. Not my choice, but it was better then walking. I gently picked up Aaron and carried him to the car, laying him down in the backseat. Sam and Taylor sat next to each other and Chip sat on the ground. I hopped in shotgun and Miles took off, playing pop music from the radio.

The trip to New York was shorter then expected, half the the time I was dozing off or telling my stories to lighten the mood. All the while, Aaron sat in the backseat, muttering softly to himself. He really worried me.

"Here we are. I'll go grab a few things from my home on the roof and Aaron's things too. Jace; you get Avery." Miles said. We hopped out, while Sam and Taylor would watch Aaron.

I couldn't help but run to the front door, barging in and scanning the lobby like area. I recognized a few old faces, who stared at us in shock as we stood in hospital gowns with a bit of blood stained from the guards. The population has lessened, most likely because that damn Food Truck took them. A few people ran up to Miles as he explained what happened. That's when I found her.

She was seated on a cushion, holding a few cards. Iris was curled up on her lap, asleep no doubt. Across from her was a girl who looked about fifteen. She had a Hunger Games T-shirt with brown hair and matching eyes. She wore a sweater and jeans, along with some sneakers. She also held some cards. I jogged over, hugging Avery tightly. She gasped in surprise, then began crying in happiness, gripping on to me. We embraced for a bit longer, before pulling apart, smiles never leaving our faces.

"I'm guessing that's Jace then?" The girl asked, referring to Avery. She nodded through blurred tears.

"Jace, she looked after me when I came here, she's awesome! She tells me all sorts of stories too!" Avery cried.

"Hi." She said, holding out a hand, "I'm Harper Turner."

I shook it, "Jace Graves. A pleasure meeting you."

"Ditto." She smiled.

"We uh, gotta go now..." I began dismissing myself.

"But Jace!" Avery whined. "Harper has to come with us! She doesn't have a family, like us... And she's been super nice to me!"

I sighed, looking at Harper, then to Avery, "We already have a lot of people Av."

"Pleeeeaaassseee?" She begged.

I shrugged, "Fine, whatever. Why not?"

Harper gave a big smile, "Thanks!"

"Alright, let's head to the van, the facility guards will probably be tracking us down with Sam's chip." I said, as we headed towards the door. Avery carried Iris, the cat looking happy to be back with its owner.

We stopped outside the van, "Okay listen guys, there's something important I have to tell you... Aaron had been tortured and he's kind of insane. Sam has a chip in her brain that messes with her head, making her stutter. Miles, Taylor and I have been through a shit-ton load of shit so yeah..."

Harper remained calm, but I could sense shock in her vibes. I pulled open the van door, revealing Taylor and Sam sitting in one seat together, laughing and hugging each other. Chip sat awkwardly on the floor, while Aaron stared off into space.

"This is Harper Turner, she watched Avery for me." I introduce, Harper waving. "The girl with blue hair is Sam, the one with brown hair is Taylor, Aaron is in the back and Chip is on the floor."

"Yay, new people!" Taylor cried, smiling happily.

"Avery and Harper, could you please sit in the back with Aaron?" I asked. The girls nodded and climbed in, nodding and saying hi to Aaron.

"It's a long way down to the bottom of the river." Aaron said, twitching.

I hopped up front, sighing as I leaned my head against the dashboard.

"Oh my God she's so cute!" Taylor cried, as a meow ripped through the car.

"Back!" Miles said from outside, loading his things in the trunk. He hopped up in the driver's seat, starting it up. He's getting better at driving. I leaned over and brushed his cheek with a kiss, needing the comfort. He smiled at me, his eyes sparkling as he took off down the road.

"Alright gang, here's the plan: we're gonna head to Chip's house in Wisconsin. His parents aren't there anymore and it's a nice cottage in the woods, the campsite is charged the bills, so it'll have hot water, electricity and wifi." Miles said, glancing in the rear view mirror.

"I wanna go home..." Aaron said, and Avery hugged him, "We are, I promise."

Miles zoomed through traffic, speeding through red lights and ignoring the speed limit. I didn't care though. I felt so free, like nothing could bound me again.

NOTES
We got a new character, Harper Turner, tell me what you think of her in the comments below.
Also! A HUGE shout out to writinggoddess9700 who wrote an AMAZING series you guys should check out :)
Thanks for reading:
Stay cool and outta school,
Bailey Dawson :3