chapter 27
The sounds of chaos rumbled through the sterile room and into Zero’s cage, charging the atmosphere. “Bolt the door,” one of the black-clad thugs hollered. Another had disappeared with Vessler — and Nikki — through a side door. The lights flickered. The white-coated flunkies stared at the ceiling. The bulbs flickered again. Then the room went black.
Zero watched the pathetic scientists and tough guys huddle together in the darkness, shifting their weight, eyes wide and fearful each time a boom permeated the air. When the computer screens glowed green, all eyes fell to their digital displays. Across every screen in the room, a banner flashed:
Zero runs the network. Zero runs the network. Zero runs the network.
Zero’s small, sad smile split the cut open on his lips. Vegan had come. But she was too late.
Several scientists roamed from computer station to computer station, clicking buttons and rattling cords. Again, the screens went black, blanketing the room in darkness. Tension rose like a hot air balloon with too much fire.
Beyond the door to the room, Zero could hear a battle. With each pounding jolt and scream, the skirmish drew closer, and the room’s population — including him—jumped with each sound. Someone managed to produce an emergency light. Excited chatter began, discussing if they should remain inside or try to escape. Zero overheard two of them whispering about Vessler’s secret exit, though it became clear neither knew the code to open the door.
He knew he should keep his mouth shut, but he just couldn’t do it. “Hey, science guys, how does it feel to be a rat in a cage?”
Frightened eyes shot to him. They must have forgotten he was there.
“Do you know what Halflings do to humans?” He thought quickly, trying to conjure the most sadistic action he could imagine. “We string them alive and peel the skin from their bodies.” He stifled a weak snicker.
People screamed beyond the door. The pathetic scientists searched the room and grabbed for anything they could fashion into a weapon. One even broke a rickety metal chair and clasped the leg like a club. The guard cradled a short club and pitched his weight from one foot to the other.
“That’s a toothpick for a Halfling,” Zero taunted. “When that door opens, they’ll wrap it around your neck like a noose and allow just enough oxygen past your windpipe to keep you alive. Then they’ll dangle you from the ceiling until your neck snaps.”
The man dropped the chair leg like it was on fire. The guard struggled to pull a gun from his holster. His hand shook as he pointed it at Zero.
“A .22? Really? What are you going to do with that? Those shells simply bounce off Halflings.” It was a lie, but the guy didn’t know it.
Another crashing boom and the door flew open. Zero saw the .22 barrel flash and looked down. Blood gushed from his leg. And was that Raven running toward him?
It was. Soon other Halflings were stopping the scientists, but Raven was carrying a … He must be hallucinating. Raven stripped a wrapper from a candy bar and pressed it to the cage lock while he screamed for Zero to get back. Then he disappeared through the same door he’d entered.
Five seconds later, the candy bar exploded and blew the door open. Definitely hallucinating. And weak. Zero could feel his life force draining from his leg. It was okay. He didn’t mind dying.
Then Vegan walked in, and he remembered what he had to live for.
Vegan entered the cage and went to work on Zero’s leg. She ripped a strip of material from his shirt and tied it off quickly. “I’m getting you out of here,” she said, and dropped a kiss on his cheek.
Mace followed her in. “Where are they keeping Nikki?”
Halflings were routing the scientists out until his brothers and sisters were the only ones who remained around him, and this brought a rush of safety — a sensation Zero’d wondered if he’d ever feel again. From the corner of his eye, he saw Vine searching the adjacent rooms.
Mace dropped to his knees beside Vegan. “Zero, where are they keeping Nikki?”
Zero shook his head. How could he tell him? “She’s, she’s gone.”
“Gone where?” He grabbed Zero’s shoulder.
“She’s gone, Mace. She’s dead.”
Mace’s hand became a vice on his collarbone. Vegan had to pry his fingers away. “No! She can’t be dead. Vine, keep looking!”
“Mace, she died in my arms.”
His head shook, refusing to believe.
“They put her on a heart monitor. I saw the readings. No life. Nothing. Just a long, flat line. She’s dead.”
Mace flew from him and hammered his fist into the titanium bars with such force the metal groaned and shook under the pressure.
Vegan was crying. She dropped her face into her hands, and Zero reached up to stroke her cheek. His hand was slick with blood, and when she looked at his fingers with wide eyes, she sat straight. “Mace, we have to get Zero out of here.”
Mace turned, his eyes glassy. Vegan showed him the blood still pouring from Zero’s wounded leg. With a jolt, Mace ran back over and scooped Zero into his arms.