D E A D H E A D

Chapter 17

"I don't know what the retrieval photo means," Violet explained to the group.

"You choose to not show it to me," Taylor argued.

"I was trying to protect you," Violet said.

"Are you leaving or not?" Taylor asked. Taylor is very frustrated with Violet and he's letting his emotions get the best of him.

Violet took a long pause. She still couldn't believe that after everything that she and Taylor have been through he still wants to leave her in the dust. "You know you can't trust them," Violet said hoping to change Taylor's mind.

"I trust them a hell of a lot more than I trust you right now," Taylor responded.

"Taylor please." Violet now trying to hold back her tears. Taylor handed her the promise ring that she got each other. "It was a gift, keep it." Taylor kept the ring. "Don't let them use the beacon," Violet whispered in Taylor's ear before walking off. Violet was now at the front entrance taking off the tarps the protected the door. She felt something hit her shoulder. She whipped her head around to see what it was.

"We were wondering if we could hitch a ride," Peter said. Peter and Zora were all geared up and ready to leave.

"With me?" Violet asked.

"I think you're right about the helicopter and I'm not excited about waiting for my own execution," Peter replied.

"I can't stay in here anymore, I'm going insane from all the horrific memories" Zora replied.

Violet nodded. "Let's go." They all put their masks on and headed outside. They snuck past all the Deadheads and got into the nearest working car. Violet got in the driver's seat, Peter got into the passenger's seat, and Zora got into the back seat. They drove as far away from the school as they could. They all wanted to forget that place, what happened there, and the people they left behind. All they wanted was a fresh and new start. They drove all the way to the exit of the town but they were suddenly faced with a dilemma.

"I should've known they would block the tunnels and highways out of town," Violet said. There were barricades blocked the exit of the town.

"We can't go back to the school," Zora said.

"Why don't we try something a little less obvious," Peter suggested.

"Like what?" Zora asked.

"Possibly the fire roads," Peter said.

"If we're heading that direction, there is somewhere I wanna stop first," Zora said.

"Where?" Violet asked.

"My house," she replied. When they got to Zora's house all that was left was the foundation of the house and her mailbox. Zora got out of the car and cried her eyes out while holding the mailbox that was laying on the ground. She was thinking about her mother and her little brothers. She picked the mailbox up and slammed it on the ground, taking all of her anger out on it. When she calmed down she got back into the car.

"The only reason I came is that I wanted to make sure my mom and brothers were okay." Zora took a long pause and looked out of the window to what was left of her house. "That was my home. It was everything my family ever owned. My mom worked at the plant but anytime she was off work she busted tables at a diner nearby just so she can provide for her kids."

"Things are replaceable," Peter said. He was trying to comfort her.

Zora looked at Peter with a disgusted look. "That's where you are wrong." Then Zora tried to change the subject. "Is there anywhere you would like to go Violet?"

"My house was across from the plant. If this is what your house looks like then there is no way in hell there are any remains of my house. What I wanna know is what the retrieval photo means."

"Violet, we just need to keep on driving," Peter said.

"Maybe my mom survived so they are trying to retrieve me," Violet thought out loud.

"We need to go to my house," Peter said.

"To see if it's still there?" Zora asked.

"So I can you y'all something," Peter replied. Violet drove while Peter gave her directions. They showed up at his house all three of them put their masks on and went inside his house. His house seemed completely fine and unaffected. Peter lead Violet and Zora to his bedroom and handed Violet his IPad.

"What is this for?" Violet asked.

"The real story on what Keller Chemical was up to," Peter replied. Violet turned on the tablet.

"Project Wednesday," She read.

"When you finish what you're reading, I'll be in the living room with Zora waiting," Peter said. Peter and Zora walked out of the room.

Later...

"Keller Chemical is experimenting on people?" Violet asked while walking into the living room. "How do you know any of this is real?"

"It came from the people I worked with. I trust them, they are reliable sources." Peter said. "Now Keller Chemical are killing people to try and cover up their secrets."

"Peter, this is crazy! We have to tell people about this!" Zora said.

"That's what I was trying to do," Peter said. "Look at the bottom of the screen where the signature is."

"NHA," Violet read.

"Oh my god! Norman Henry Adams! Violet, that's your dad!" Zora said.

"But, he's dead," Violet replied.

"It could also be your mom, Nova," Zora said. 

"They have been working on this for over five years," Peter informed.

"There are other people with those initials," Violet said.

"I know everyone that works there and your parents are the only one that had those initials," Peter said. "Your father planned it. Your mother took action."

"My parents are responsible for all of this?" Violet questioned.