EVO Shift: EVO Nation Series: Book Two (27 page)

We walk within metres of the soldiers scouting the area. Just a cough and we could be discovered. As soon as I think it, I want to cough. I bury my face in Vin’s chest to muffle my wheezing.

As soon as we are out of ear shot, the group starts to jog. I brace against the jostling of Vin’s body. Within minutes we’re looking down at the rally. Every member of Bo’s gang is seething with rage at the sight below us.

“Take us down the coastal path and straight into the thick of it,” Bo tells the woman. “Let’s do this.”

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

We walk through the crowds of Non-EVO. Most are just enjoying a day out, whilst some discuss politics and talk hate. Vin tenses at the use of the word ‘Freak’ or ‘Mutation’. Bo glares at each person in her gang, warning them to remain schtum.

Soldiers guard the entrance to the house. I can see Towley pacing just inside the door. He is manic and shouting inaudibly at soldiers inside. He must know of my rescue. Little does he know that I’ve been brought right back by people claiming to keep me safe.

We move passed the blockades until we’re closer to the main stage. Bo hands the Technokin the USB stick and he plays with a piece of machinery at the side of the steps. He gives Bo the thumbs up, and she quickly backs away from the doors to make way for a red-faced Towley. He walks right by us without a clue of our presence. A cheer breaks out as the crowds see him grace the stage.

I revel in his flustered state. He expected to show me like a vegetable at a county fair, but his beating saw an end to that, and now he knows that I’m not even in his custody anymore. I would love to read his mind right now.

Addressing the crowd, he spins the usual yarn about Britain’s security, about how the government are working for the safety of the people, and how they will not negotiate with terrorists. The mention of the E.N.C bombings has the desired effect. The crowd boo and shout slurs against the E.N.C. This gives Towley a little boost; his chest puffs out and he smirks as he tries to calm his audience.

Then, he says my name. The crowd boo with more ferocity than I could have ever imagined. These people hate me- truly hate me.

Vin holds me a little tighter. “We’ll set them straight,” he whispers.

Towley is now within spitting distance. Bo’s hands ball into fists as he struts from one side of the stage to the other like a damn peacock… or at least a cock.

“As you may be aware, we have Theyda Woodman in custody, and she has confessed to her crimes. She is no longer a threat to Britain or the world.” The crowd cheers, and my heart shatters. “We have implemented a surgical procedure that our scientists have been perfecting in light of the recent bombings. We have effectively performed brain surgery on Woodman and implanted a device known as a Scrambler. This device will not harm the EVO unless a kinetic energy rise is detected. If the EVO use their abilities the device will humanely exterminate them. This is the future for our country.”

The crowd’s applause drowns out Towley’s voice.

“Enough of this shit,” Bo growls, climbing the steps with three of her gang.

The woman waits until they’re centre stage and releases them from the invisibility. As they materialise from thin air, the crowd goes into a wild panic. Bo stretches her hands and everyone falls still; bound by her Ergokinesis, even the soldiers cannot move. I never knew Bo had such a power.

Towley rushes to the far door, but Bo’s voice echoes over the speaker.

“Where are you going, Towley? I’ve got some questions for you,” she says, a smile in her voice. “It looks like Britain’s only defence is running, folks.”

He stops, straightens his jacket, and turns to face her. “We do not converse with terrorists,” he states. He wipes at the sweat threatening to drip into his eyes.

“Well, it’s a good job that we do,” Bo says. “What is the purpose of your EVO detention centres?”

Towley wrings his hands together. “We only have holding centres for EVO who have proven a threat. Just like any other Non-EVO penitentiary.”

“So, where are you holding the EVO children you have taken from their parents without permission?”

“EVO children are a rarity. We have specialist chipping programs designed for such circumstances, but we do not detain children.” He looks to the crowd as he speaks, opening his hands in a gesture of fake honesty.

The big screen flashes with images of children sat in squalor, children crying as their blood is being taken over and over, a screaming child being strapped into what appears to be a conditioning station. I have to close my eyes against the images. Some of the crowd look away, some stare open-mouthed.

“Question two- why did you torture Theyda Leason to elicit a false confession?”

“Theyda
Woodman
was humanly interrogated. She made her confession because I like to believe she saw the error of her ways.”

The footage changes to my lashing. I don’t even care that my butt is on display for everyone to see; I want them to see what they did to extract false confessions out of me.

Dr Hollister places the electric rod between my thighs and I scream and spasm. Towley races to the side of the stage, waving his arms like a lunatic for someone to stop the footage.

Hollister’s voice booms out once more, repeating the question. I scream ‘no’ and he pops my finger out of place.

“Did you think I was done with them? No, they will be your motivation for this next question. Answer it incorrectly and your friends will be executed. You are the one we need. These two are expendable, so don’t think that we won’t kill them. Question two- Were you involved in Isaac Woodman’s plan to attack the British government, start an EVO war, and murder innocent Non-EVO humans?”

I scream my admission to save my friends life.

“Correct. Kill them anyway.”

Cooper’s protests, my screams and pleas fall on deaf ears, and two gunshots ring out as clear as day. The crowd are uneasy now, unsure what they’re witnessing. The next few moments are of my hysterics.

“That footage has clearly been tampered with. We do not know the extent of their abilities or what they can do to manipulate technology? Theyda Woodman was humanly interrogated. As you can see, we have been infiltrated by the E.N.C. That video has been edited. We do not torture EVO. We want a harmonious world for both Non-EVO and EVO with protection and safety for all.”

Bo nods in our direction and Vin starts to walk on stage with me in his arms. I feel the warmth of the invisibility recede and another round of gasps rolls over the crowd. Vin lowers me to the floor and steps away. I lie unmoving except for my ragged breathing and the rapid rising of my chest.

“How did your prisoner end up in this state?” asks Bo. “This girl has been tortured into confessions because the truth will shatter every illusion you have built. Isaac Woodman was not Theyda’s father, she was not involved in his domination schemes, and she was ultimately the one who killed him on that fateful night in Italy.”

“Isaac Woodman was killed by special oper—”

Bo makes a tutting noise and wags her finger at him. “More lies.”

The footage from Italy appears on screen. Towley’s face drops and he staggers backward a few paces, tugging at his collar. I hold Isaac’s jacket, screaming in his face. There isn’t sound with this footage, but the exchange is obvious. Seeing myself floating above the pool doesn’t seem real. Even after knowing what I am capable of, I still can’t get my head around it. I let go of Isaac and he tumbles into the pool, the splash so big that it licks at my feet. I hold my hands outstretched and Isaac doesn’t re-emerge.

“Your government is lying to you,” Bo addresses the crowd. “We are not the bad guys; we are just trying to survive this genocide. We could be your biggest allies, but we
will
protect ourselves. Make up your minds- whose side do you want to be on when the pot boils over. You will all be released when we are a safe distance away.”

She starts to walk off stage and gestures for Vin to retrieve me. The whole group exits quickly and quietly.

“You’ve made your point. Now, take me to my family,” I tell her.

“With pleasure.”

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

We make it back to the vans without hiccup. Bo removes Brick’s cuff, but steps in between us when he attempts to take me from Vin.  “Do you think she’ll survive a sprint with you? Go alone and give them our location.”

Brick disappears with only a gust of wind and a popping noise in his wake.

“Put me down,” I say to Vin, coughing up a lung in the process. “Please, just lie me down right here. I need a break.”

He lowers me to the floor and I curl into the foetal position, fighting the pain away with the last bit of energy I have. Bo and her gang move away slightly, talking in whispers and occasionally glancing over at me. She presses her ear, and talks to some unknown person, nodding her head, and chewing her lip.

They move to the cliff edge, eyeing the horizon- waiting. I watch these people with curiosity. Who the hell are you?

A hand strokes my shoulder and I roll toward the affectionate gesture.

“Hello, Theyda. Where do you think you’re going?”

Fear rushes over me like ice water. He has followed us.

The barrel of a gun presses against my skull. Bo spins on her heels, unholstering her own weapon.

“I know she is important to you, so unless you want me to put a bullet in her brain, you will get in your vans and leave- right now.”

The group freeze, making the smallest of movements, so as not to provoke Towley.

“It’s game over, Towley. What could you possibly achieve from this?” Bo asks.

Towley holds a square box, brandishing it like the Holy Grail. “I don’t like loose ends. There is an explosive device in her skull. If I detonate she will destroy an area the size of four football pitches.

Bo scoffs. “Bullshit.”

She looks to the Technokin and he gives her a serious nod. My world crashes around me. I’m a walking, talking weapon of destruction at Towley’s disposal.

Towley grips my throat, his breath hot on my ear. “Tell them to go, Theyda. You don’t want their deaths on your hands.”

“Do as he says. Go.”

Bo shakes her head. Her eyes searching my face for me to let her know it is okay. Guilt oozes from her because she knows as well as I do that we wouldn’t be in this mess if she had just let Brick take me back to Adam and the others. But if there is a bomb in my head I would rather be around Towley than my loved ones.

Towley waves the detonator menacingly. “You heard her.”

“Just go,” I say again.

They get in the vans and drive away, Bo and Vin watching me from the window. As soon as I see them disappear over the hill top, I bring my elbow back into Towley’s face. He staggers away, and I run. I’m not sure what I hope to achieve? I just want as far away from him as possible. I can barely stand, limping along, and grunting for breath.

“I just have to take my finger off of this button,” he calls, spitting blood on the ground.

“But you won’t. You’re too much of a coward.” I have to take a few gulping breaths to continue. “Why don’t you get Dr Hollister here? Ask him to bring your balls with him.”

“You’re verging on dead, you’ve just found out that you have a bomb in your brain, and yet you’re still talking about my balls.”

My knees buckle and I fall down a grass verge. “It’s one of the many reasons why you love me.” I spit the words, and he just laughs, nodding in agreement.

I can’t move; my body wants to give up, and I rake in half breaths that leave my throat aching.

Towley climbs down the verge to me, flopping down to sit beside me. “Do you know what it is like to hate something so much, and then to fall in love with the very thing that embodies your hate?”

Love? The man has no idea what the word even means.

“Most people would take that as a sign,” I say.

“A sign?”

“That perhaps you had it wrong all along.”

He sighs loudly, tilting his head to me as if we’re old friends sat down for a chat. I watch the strain on his thumb from holding in the button. He doesn’t plan on releasing it.

“I would have killed you just so no one else could have you.”

“You
would
have?”

“As if I can take my thumb off of this trigger. I can’t be the man who killed the most important discovery in human history.”

Something resembling relief washes over me. He takes my hand and I expect an emotional rant, the ones he is practised at, but he opens my fingers, places the detonator into my hand. Sliding his thumb away, he shakes out his wrist, and then pushes himself to his feet.

I know how I look- confused, scared, and weak. It is only a small box, but it feels weighted with a tonne of bricks. I cry; heavy sobs amongst rasping breaths and coughs.

“I can’t have that responsibility pressing on me.”

“There must be a code?”

He nods. “You will die, Theyda, but it’ll be you who does it. I reckon that you know it must happen, whether it is in a month, a year, or right this very moment. Theyda Woodman is a catalyst for war and wars must end.”

“Goodbye, my beautiful creature.” He kisses my forehead, and then climbs up the verge. “You really are extraordinary,” he says, before jogging away.

I feel the most alone I have ever felt in all my life. I attempt to climb the bank, slipping and screaming out in pain as I do so. I drop to my knees at the top and try to calm my shaking hands. I spread my legs out in front of me like a teddy bear and stare at the detonator, praying I won’t feel anything at the end.

There’s a whine from behind me, and Darcy licks at my face. I ruffle his fur, allowing him to rest his head on my legs. Where has he come from? The others must be close by. They say dogs are intuitive and he definitely knows my fate.

“I’m scared, boy,” I say. He looks at me with those gorgeous, unique eyes of his, nuzzling against my free hand. “Okay, you need to go now. Go on.” I stagger to my feet. Darcy entwines himself around my legs. “Darcy go!” I croak.

His ears prick up, and he looks to the top fields. A truck speeds through the field toward me. As it approaches the cliffs, Adam leaps from the moving truck, racing full speed.

I crumple into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

“I’ve got you, Baby. It’s okay, you’re safe now.”  He tries to lift me, but I make a feeble attempt to stop him. “Where are you hurting? Tell me, Teds.” He shouts to Ingrid and she races from the van with Jude, Leoni, and Kesh.

I find some strength to pull out of Adam’s arms, and stumble closer to the cliff edge. “Stay away from me,” I cry, showing them the detonator. “There’s a bomb in my head. Stay away from me.”

Adam shakes his head in disbelief. “Teddie, what—” He takes a step toward me, but I scream at him to stop.

“Stay away. If I take my finger off of this trigger we’re all dead.”

Jude grabs Kesh’s arm. “Do something. Sort this!”

Kesh closes his eyes. “There is nothing to be done. It’s wired to Teddie’s nervous system. If we tamper with it she will die, and if she dies it will explode anyway. There’s a coded timer; if it’s not disabled in six minutes it’ll blow.”

Adam lets out a guttural cry and squats down, wrapping his arms over his head.

“You’re wrong,” Jude shouts. He grabs Kesh by the scruff. “There must be something.”

“He was never going to let me walk away from this, but it’s okay.” I turn to Leoni. “Shift needs to continue. Tell Crow not to give up- with or without Syndicate.”

“Shift have gone, Teddie. They left as soon as Brick returned- I’m sorry. They weren’t who we thought they were.”

Kick me when I’m down. I feel stupid- stupid for trusting them, believing them, growing close to them in the short time that I knew them. How could they just run off with their tails between their legs. “What about Syndicate?”

“Grayson is moving base. His priority is the safety of those in his care,” says Ingrid. She strokes a palm over my cheek. “We’re not sure what is going to happen now.”

“Bo did Syndicate a favour. Tell Grayson he needs to step up. With Shift gone, it’s just him. Strength and mercy.”

“None of that matters,” sobs Adam. He draws me into him in the most beautiful, agonising embrace I have ever felt. I want this forever. “This can’t be the last time,” he sobs into my ear.

I kiss him gently and place his palm against my chest. “You get this forever.”

“I don’t want memories, I want you.” His knees crumple beneath him and he grips at my waist sobbing.

“You have to go, Baby. I need to know that you’re safe.”

“I’m staying. If this is how it has to be, then I’m with you.”

Leoni places a hand on his shoulder. “No, Adam. You have to come away now. Come on, Sweetheart.”

He forces her away. “I’m not leaving her. Whatever happens we stick together, remember?” he says to me.

“Not like this. I love you- I love you- I love you.” I kiss him, tasting the salt of his tears. “Please take him,” I ask, looking to Kesh and Jude.

They advance on Adam, tearing him from me. He screams like a wild animal, fighting them and dragging his feet. They can barely restrain him.

“Leave me be with her. I love you, Theyda Leason. Don’t do this.”

“And because I love you is why I have to,” I cry. Coughing as thw ords leave me mouth.

Ingrid approaches behind him and sticks his neck with something. He knows what it means and struggles with more vehemence than ever, until his legs fall away beneath him, and his eyes begin to glaze.

I spread my palm out toward him. “It’s something more,” I say, and his eyes close.

Leoni kisses my forehead. “Thank you, Teddie. And thank you for loving my boy.”

“Just look after him for me, yeah?”

Jude grabs me, crying into my hair. “You do not deserve this. If I could take it away from you, I would. You know that, right?”

“Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I love you.”

He catches a sob before he’s overcome. “You’ve done more for me than anyone in my whole life. I love you too, Princess.”

“Keep an eye on Cooper for me. He’s already lost one sister. Tell him I said it wasn’t his fault then, and that it’s not his fault now. That asshole is my big brother forever. And Yana- tell her I’ll always have her back.”

Kesh kisses my forehead and says goodbye. It’s surreal, like I’m off on holiday or something, not about to die. He hands me a watch set with a timer. “That’s all you’ve got, Teds.”

“How long do you need to get away?”

He shrugs “I don’t know. The water may contain the blast a little more. I’m so sorry I can’t help you, Teds,” he cries.

“Hey, this isn’t anyone’s fault except Towley’s. Now, you listen to me. You need to look after Seth. He is a gentle guy, and you both deserve a little happiness.” Kesh looks shocked, as do the others, but I wink at him.

I force Jude away. “Get in that van and get some distance from me.” He hugs me one last time, kisses my forehead, and then helps Kesh carry Adam to the van. I can’t stand their tears, it’s breaking me. No, I’m okay with this. I’m bursting with love and that’s enough.

“Tell everyone that I love them with all my heart. Go on. Get away with ya,” I say, smiling. It’s genuine.

Jude starts the truck and I watch their faces retreat into a blur of tears. Let’s end this how it started- just me.

***

I walk along the cliff, eyeing the rushing swell. There is something poetic about the ocean. I’ll be joining Dad. The watch ticks down to the final thirty seconds. This is happening, Teddie. This is it. I open my arms,
close my eyes, and rise onto the balls of my feet. The wind is strong, unsteadying, and it feels as if Mother Nature is tugging me on.

Ten seconds- I picture Adam’s face- the time he took care of me in the shower room of Facility One- the first moment I knew I loved him. Then I launch myself.

I have jumped.