Awakened: Book One of the Mind Agents series

Awakened: Book One of the Mind Agents series, Chapter 21

Jack holds Maya's hand as he runs alongside the gurney. He doesn't want to let go.

"Maya, hang in there, okay?" Jack doesn't know what to say, or if she can even hear him.

Chris runs along the other side. "Maya, you're strong, if you can hear me, stay strong."

Orderlies steer her into an operating room. Somebody whips open a large curtain around a table. Medics come in from another entrance, snapping on latex gloves. Jewel is with them.

"We need these kids out," one of the medics says. Jewel makes his way toward Jack and Chris.

Jack doesn't want to let go of Maya.

"Need you guys to go outside and wait," Jewel says. "They need to take a look at her. You'll just be in the way."

"Is she going to be okay?" Jack asks.

"They're going to take a look." He moves closer, trying to sweep them back toward the door.

Jack cups Maya's hand in his. He doesn't dare let his mind go where he feels it going. Could she be dying? Will he ever see her again? These doctors couldn't possibly know anything about what happened, could they?

Jewel puts his hand on Jack's arm.

"Jack, best thing you can do to help her right now is let the doctors do their work."

A medic detaches Jack's hand from Maya's as the others move her to the operating table.

Jewel escorts Jack and Chris to the hall, and then takes out a smartphone and starts tapping.

Chris looks at Jack angrily "Why did you have to do that?"

"Do what?"

"Was it your idea? This whole experiment?"

"Don't even—"

"Don't even what?" Chris steps close, and looks right in his face.

"Boys, boys," Jewel says, stepping back into the hall. "Settle down and have a seat." He motions to a small, open waiting room and walks behind them toward it.

Jack and Chris sit in chairs facing each other. Jewel walks back toward the operating room.

"If anything happens to her, I swear . . ." Chris says, shaking his head.

Jack's blood boils. He's not sure why Chris is being so hostile. "Chris, just leave me alone. I'm seriously upset right now, and you're blaming me? Maya's in there hurt and you have to act all tough? What's that about?"

Chris looks away. Jack's baring his honest feelings seems to have mollified him for now.

"Somebody has to set things right," Chris says. "This is not right."

Jack unthinkingly blurts out, "Yeah, well, it's not you."

"Who is it, then? You?"

"Lay off!" Jack stands.

Chris runs to Jack as if to tackle him. Jack stands his ground and braces for impact.

Before he hits, Jewel steps between them and stops Chris with an outstretched arm like a steel girder. He puts his other hand on Jack's chest.

"Gentlemen, I'm pretty sure there's some kind of brig in this facility. I'm sure it's dark, and dank, and not very comfortable. But if you can't settle down, I am going to put both y'all in it. Am I making myself clear?"

Chris simmers, breathing heavily through his nostrils, his eyes locked on Jack's.

"Get your emotions in check. You're not helping anybody with this, least of all yourselves."