Page 78 of Ramshackle
“What?! No miniature Raegan. I’m not riding inanyone’spocket!” I shout, turning to Jackson. He tilts his head to the side, and a small smile curls on his lips as he considers that idea as well. “No.” I point my finger at him to make sure he’s just as clear as the others. “Just get us out of this tub before we all get caught because ofus.”
Wouldn’t that be dumb? I asked for these missions, Aiden planned them, and then it all falls apart because of us?
Thankfully, the others agree because Jackson takes Aiden and me out while Kellan gets Dane and then himself over the edge.
Evie taps the side of the tub, and it immediately reverts to its smaller size.
We’ve been free from our island for five years.
For five years, GE continued to grow and kidnap and brainwash.
Now, at last, we’re really fighting back.
We’re going to save people like us.
It’s the beginning of the end of GE.
Whether it’s luck or good guessing, the building Aiden directs us to check first holds all the imprisoned gifted. Dane hacks into their system from wherever Aiden’s group is, and all the locked doors spring open at once.
“Evie and Tinsley, get them out and direct them to the lobby. Jack and Raegan, load them in the tub there. Reid, you and I are going to clear the building,” Kellan directs like a born leader. I’m used to him goofing around or breaking rules. Seeing him take charge like this…
He catches me staring and waggles his eyebrows.
Nope. Same old Kell.
I roll my eyes and follow Jackson down the stairs to the lobby. Once we confirm the kids are here, Evie sets up the tub, so all we have to do is wait. Jack stands next to the tub while I position myself at the stairwell.
It isn’t long before a flurry of steps pound down the stairs. The first one to see me as they turn the corner for the last flight falters. She looks to be in her young teens, with a black bob haircut and glasses.
“It’s okay. This way. We’re going to get you guys out of here. You’re safe now.” My voice is calm and soft. Between that and my words, she doesn’t hesitate any longer and barrels through the open doorway. Once she passes through, the rest follow without question. I continue to encourage them down the stairs,pointing to Jackson. “Everyone’s going in that giant container, and it’ll take us home. He’ll help you get in it; just listen to him.”
Jackson uses his gift to send two to three kids in at a time, lifting them by air and setting them down on the other side. I wonder if it feels like lifting weights. Up. And down. Up. And down.
The last of the crowd of kids and teens piles through the door, but one hangs back in the stairwell. I peek inside, trying to get a good look at them. “It’s okay. We’re going to take everyone somewhere safe,” I repeat again, in case they didn’t hear me over the noise of the others before.
The young girl shyly steps forward into the dim lighting. She has medium-length brown hair and dark eyes, and she’s dressed in a frilly princess nightdress. She stares at me with big, round eyes.
“It’s okay,” I try again. “We’re not going to hurt you. You’re safe now.”
Calm, soothing voice. Nice smile. I’m sure I’m doing this right, but there’s something about the way she’s looking at me that sets my teeth on edge. I’ve never met this girl before, so why…?
“Are you taking us home? I’m…I’m not better yet.”
Her voice makes my heart skip a beat.
I know that voice.
Squinting past the poor lighting, I get a better look at her face and see the fear in her eyes. She’s not afraid of us being caught. She’s afraid ofme.
“Mallory?”
The girl tenses, squeezing her hands together against her chest and then takes a step backward. “N-no.” She lifts some of her hair in front of her, and then tears erupt from her eyes. Her hair shifts back to blonde the moment she releases a wail that echoes through the stairwell.
I lunge forward in an attempt to cover her mouth. She must take it as an attack because she screams louder and runs away, but she runs into a corner of the stairwell and traps herself instead.
“Mallory! Mallory!” I whisper sharply to get her attention. I creep forward, palms outstretched so she can see them. “I’m not going to hurt you. Please, stop screaming and crying. You’ll wake the bad people.” Hopefully, Kellan and Reid have taken care of everyone else in this building, but the fact that they aren’t here yet says otherwise.
Mallory curls into a ball in the concrete corner. Her tears are streaming down her face as she sniffles and hiccups, biting her lip to keep quiet, but the fear is still there as she looks at me.
