Mission 'Don't get killed'

Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen

I don't have a lot of time to think about what has happened, both with Barbara and with my father's associate, because just after Barbara left to go to the infirmary, she's back. She looks flushed and is out of breath, probably because she's been running to get back to me.

'You have to come with me to the infirmary.' She says.

'What, why?' I ask confused.

'That girl has woken up.' She says and when I hear her say the words I immediately jump up.

'Are you serious?'

'Of course I am.' She says impatiently. 'Now, come on, if you want to talk to her, you have to be quick because I'll have to drug her as well.' I don't hesitate and immediately go after her.

In the infirmary I rush over to Sara's bedside. When she sees me, she looks alarmed.

'Zoë?' She whispers, barely audible. I nod.

'It's me.' I say.

'Where am I?' Sara asks. 'Where's Ellen? And Rachel?'

'Shh.' I say, stroking her hair. Even though she's fifteen, she looks younger in the hospital bed, with her pale face and hooked up to the IV's. Her face shifts and where she seemed confused only a moment ago, she now seems to remember everything.

'What are you doing here?' She asks. 'Is Zac okay?'

'Don't worry, Sara.' I say. 'Zac is okay. I'll get you out of here soon, okay?'

'Did it work?' Sara whispers. She doesn't have to explain what she means. It's the trick she pulled on Zac's mindscape. I nod and can't help but smile.

'It did. He's safe.' For now, I think, but I don't say it out loud.

'Did they take you too?'

'No.' I reply, shaking my head. 'But I'm going to get you out of here, don't worry. We're going home soon.' I smile, hoping to encourage her. It works and Sara smiles back.

'But how are you going to do that?' Good question, Sara, good question.

'I'm not sure yet.' I admit. 'But I'll come up with something.'

'I'm sure you will.' Sara says and I know she means it.

'But for now you'll have to sleep for a bit, okay?' I say because I know we don't have a lot of time any more. Someone could come in any minute.

'But I'm not tired.' Sara protests. 'I've been asleep for ages.' Barbara already warned me that the medicines could make her a bit rebellious.

'I really need you to.' I say. 'That way, they can't get into your mindscape.'

Sara seems to find reason in this explanation and nods.

'But promise to wake me up if you need me.' She says.

'I will.' I say. Then Barbara gives her a sedative and Sara drifts back to sleep again.

'It will keep her asleep for about twenty four hours.' Barbara says. 'Then I'll have to give her some more.'

I nod. 'Please make sure she's awake when the attack is planned on Wednesday. That's when I want to leave.'

Barbara doesn't look very convinced about this plan. 'Won't they see you? There are going to be loads of guards around the Furlow syndicate.' She says.

'I'm not planning on going directly to Matt.' I explain. 'I just need to get out of here first, with these two,' I point at Zac and Sara, 'and my chances at succeeding are highest when there are less guards around here. When I know they've retreated, I'll go to Matt's.' I continue.

'That's smart.' Barbara admits. 'But dangerous. If someone sees you, you're dead, you know that right? And not only you, but also your friends.' She looks at Zac and Sara.

'I know that.' I say softly. 'But it's my only chance. If I don't get out of here in time and warn Matt about the other attack, everyone I know and care about will die anyway.' Barbara doesn't say anything anymore. Then Shelley enters the infirmary and I quickly make up an excuse about having to give something of importance to Barbara before I get out as fast as I can.

In the hallway I run into Tegan, who I haven't seen here in a few days.

'Hey.' She greets and she smiles broadly.

'Hi.' I say politely. I'm not in the mood for small talk. I've got an escape to plan.

'I haven't seen you a lot lately.' She says.

'No, indeed.' I reply. 'I've been busy.' She seems to feel that I don't want to talk, which makes her a bit agitated.

'I've heard something from Vic.' She says. 'He doesn't believe you.'

'I know.' I say. Does she really have to talk about this now? It's not important. 'But it's true. My father has been in my mindscape remember?' I say. 'I've been cleared. Go ask him if you don't believe me.'

'I do believe you.' She says, but her expression suggests otherwise, which makes me automatically strengthen my walls. 'I was just surprised by Vic and I thought that he may had a reason to think so.' She looks as if she's not entirely here with me. 'But I believe you. I just wanted to see if you already knew.' Of course she knew I already knew, Vic had been talking to me right in front of her face. Then I feel something around my mindscape. I look at Tegan and my suspicions are confirmed.

'Stay out of my mindscape.' I hiss at her.

'I'm not doing anything!' She protests but her face tells otherwise. Even though I just told her to stay out of mine, I quickly enter hers, which is easy, especially now that I'm driven by my annoyance.

Then I see it. In her memories. In her current thoughts. She hasn't been honest with me. I should have seen it coming way earlier. I see how her father tells her to spy on me. To try and get information from me. I see how she's been trying to get inside my mindscape a couple of times already. The irritation when she didn't succeed at doing so, her wonder at how I could have built such strong, inpenetrable walls around my mindscape. How her dad scolds her when she tells him she needs more time. I see how she's annoyed when I didn't show up for training for a few days.

Then I retreat.

'Why are you doing this?' I whisper. I thought we were friends. Apparently not.

'My father told me to do so.' She says, she doesn't look like she regrets anything she's done. 'And he was right. You're hiding something. Your story just doesn't seem to fit.' She says.

'My father cleared me. How could you question him?' I say.

'We think for ourselves. We want to know why Zoë Arlana has returned. Why have you returned, Zoë?' She asks me.

'I was imprisoned.' I answer. 'Then I escaped. Then the scouters found me.' I speak to her as if she' s four-year old. I hope it will shake her off. 'Your father will never beat mine.' I say, but not in a childish way. I don't say it because I want to tell her that I'm the winner, but because it's a warning. 'I'm telling you, he'll never step down. And you know it. If your father tries to outsmart mine, he'll die.' That's true. I've seen it happen before. Don't try to outsmart Kendrick Arlana. It won't end well for you.

'You watch and see.' Tegan bites back and then she walks away. It's stupid from her to think like that and I know she knows it. She just can't stand not being the best at something. I'm just glad that she left and I hope she'll leave me alone now. I go to my room and prepare my plans. Wednesday is around the corner. I better be ready.