Tethered Souls (Tethered Twins Book 2)

Chapter Five

We worked our way through the tunnels which were more like deep caverns, twenty feet high in size. The floor was muddy - at least I hoped it was mud - and covered in large deep tracks that looked like they had come from heavy machinery.

According to Grace's GPS watch we had joined the tunnel at Churchill Gardens, which meant we had a two mile walk through the Thames Tunnel to get to the Houses of Parliament. It was a long way for Olive who felt the pain of every step shudder through her leg.

Away from her ears, we discussed leaving her in the tunnel with half the group, whilst the rest of us dashed ahead to get medicine for her from the lab, but it seemed quicker and safer to continue on. If we encountered the soldiers we'd need all the help we could get.

We were unprepared for a large siege. Grace, Chris and Tom each had a small pistol whilst Olive had given hers to me as she was in no state to use it. Not that I felt like I'd fare much better having only received minimal training in preparation for joining the police force. That felt like another life now.

Despite reassurances from Rex that I had "saved the world" I felt like the weakest member of the group. Rex had endured countless hours of torture and lost the use of one of his lungs for me and even Rufus had beaten up a thug with a frying pan.

If we saw the soldiers I knew that I'd shoot. Knew that I'd do what was needed in order to protect my friends. That wasn't the worry. It was whether or not I'd hit the target. What if I missed and the soldiers killed someone I loved? That was the real issue.

As Grace led the way I could see how strong and fearless she had become. She had always been more confident than me but there was a harder edge to her now. Our days of playing kids games were long over.

"Do you miss it?" I asked Grace. "The way things were before The Deck?"

"You mean when we were dating? Absolutely," Grace laughed a little too quickly.

"No, I mean when it was just you, me, Will and R&R. When we didn't have to worry about conspiracies."

"I do but I wouldn't trade it for what we do now. We're making things right and putting the world to order. That's more important than playing games of hide and seek in ruins."

Those words proved to me that Grace would never fall into the same trap as Chris or Gabe. Whereas they were motivated purely by anger at what the world had become, and frustration at their roles in not putting things right, Grace was motivated by kindness. She had a desire to help the world, not to judge it for its wrongs. Hopefully there was still time for Tom and Olive to choose the same path.

Watching Tom walk obediently behind Chris, I could see him mimic his movements. Both walked with straight backs, their chests raised and their arms moving in perfect unison. They were more focused on the route ahead, than the tunnel behind, the very same tunnel that contained a damaged Olive being helped along by R&R. Divisions were already starting to form amongst the group.

There were those fighting for what was right and those just fuelled by the need for revenge. Truth be told I was unsure which side I fell on.

"Boo!" A voice rang in my ear, startling me.

"Don't do that!" I replied, recognising the voice.

"Sorry," replied March. "I've got someone else here who wants to speak to you."

"BOO!" shouted Jill, even louder than March.

I made a mental note to find the volume settings for the earpiece and later switch it to mute.

"Smart work finding the tunnel," said Jill, "It looks like you are coming to an exit that will take you up to the surface. But, cameras are showing a large force of soldiers on the streets of Westminster. You'll need to find another way into the Houses of Parliament. Waltzing in via the front door just isn't going to be possible."

"So how did Will escape?"

"That's the crazy thing. I've replayed the footage over and over and can't see any record of him leaving through the external doors."

That meant there were two possible options; either Will was still inside or there was another way into and out of the building. Whilst I hoped for the former I'd still be happy with the latter. Both options would mean there was still a chance I'd find him.

"I'll keep looking for another way in," said Jill.

When we reached the tunnel exit, Olive slumped down against the metal pipe. Her face was pure white, her eyes filled with tears from holding back the pain.

"She can't go on any further," said Rufus.

"You don't have to," I said to Olive. "We're nearly there now. We'll get the medicine and bring it back to you."

A smile formed on her face beneath gritted teeth. I looked at Chris expecting his rejection of my plan but he seemed glad we'd be leaving her behind. R&R both agreed to stay with her, which left me with Tom, Grace and Chris for an assault on the building.

"Hello?" said Jill, startling me. I'd had enough of disembodied voices to last a lifetime. She explained the plan, all of us agreed it was crazy and then realising we had no other choice we decided to do it anyway.

More coming soon!