There is no money system here. At first it was refreshing, but now people are asserting their dominance by beating up the weak and taking what they want. I am grateful for my position close to the general, or else I would never survive this time.
—The journal of Isaac Ryland
Everything was fuzzy. Andrew followed Zack’s lead and moved the body of a RAG agent to search his pockets, adding the identification and wallet to the already formed pile. Carter was tying up the unconscious agent in the back of the room. Once all the agents were searched Andrew went toward Flo and Albin. They were gray on the floor. Mia had called them shells, but they looked very much like people who had undertaken a noble deed for others.
Things became clearer. These good people were dead and it was Andrew’s fault. As soon as the clarity came it vanished again; this time nausea returned with his foggy brain. The room felt like it was turning sideways and Andrew was unable to stand upright. He heard Zack and Carter call out, but Andrew couldn’t make out their words. He hit the floor with a thump.
Someone flipped him onto his back and Andrew concentrated on Zack’s face. He saw the man’s lips moving but the noises made no sense. Zack’s face started to distort and Andrew blinked his eyes but the picture didn’t get any more focused. Andrew did not want to lose consciousness but could feel the blackness gripping him.
Zack looked away. He was talking to someone else now. Andrew wondered if it was Carter or Mia. Mia. Not only had Andrew caused so much death today, he had destroyed Mia’s trust. He had promised her no more lies. Even if he had planned on telling her the truth about Affinity’s knowledge the opportunity never presented itself. He regretted not lying to her with that explanation. Maybe he still could. The world started to settle back in place. Andrew could not make amends for his mistakes to the dead, but he could make it right with Mia.
“She’s gone,” Carter said.
“What?” Zack asked.
Carter’s words made Andrew’s world come back into focus. Andrew pushed himself up and ran past Carter and outside. He saw the two black SUVs waiting. The third was nowhere in sight. Andrew closed his eyes and tried to listen for the sound of an engine, but none could be heard. Instead the sound of the doors opening and two people walking out behind him came to his ears.
“Where did she go?” Carter asked.
Zack pulled out his cell phone. He was dialing Mia, but Andrew knew she wouldn’t pick up. There was a reason she had taken off without them.
“Could someone have grabbed her?” Carter asked.
“There’s nobody else here,” Zack said.
“She wouldn’t leave,” Carter said. “She’ll want to help my dad too.”
“How long were we inside?” Andrew asked.
“She’s not picking up,” Zack said.
“Can’t you use the GPS?” Carter asked.
“It was deactivated for finding her,” Zack said. “In case one of us was captured and they got our phone.”
“How long were we inside?” Andrew asked again.
“About thirty minutes,” Zack said.
It felt like thirty seconds.
“You thought she was outside getting gasoline for a half hour?” Andrew asked.
“You were acting like a comatose man,” Zack said. “I thought she needed some space to process all of this.”
“Well you gave her enough space,” Andrew said.
He started walking toward one of the SUVs.
“Where are you going?” Carter asked.
“I’m going to find Mia,” Andrew said.
“She has a thirty-minute head start,” Zack said. “She could be anywhere.”
“There are only four places she knows in this whole country,” Andrew said. “I’m willing to bet she’s headed to one of them.”
“Stop,” Zack said. “How would she figure out where any of them are?”
“Her phone is filled with maps,” Andrew said. “She can read them.”
Andrew felt the man lay a hand on his shoulder. Andrew was quick to flip it off. He turned around and tried to punch Zack, but the man moved out of the way and Andrew almost fell over.
“This is your fault,” Andrew said. “Why did you have to keep lying to her?”
“My fault?” Zack said. “You’re the one who threw the first punch.”
Andrew’s breaths were heavy in his chest. He didn’t know how to respond. His chest hurt, because Zack was right. This was all Andrew’s fault.
“I didn’t mean that,” Zack said. “As soon as he mentioned Grant’s name none of us were safe. I don’t know how he found out.”
“We have to find her,” Andrew said. “She’s not safe.”
“We need her,” Carter said.
Zack looked away.
“The mission is over,” Zack said. “We head across the border back to Affinity. We have no cover.”
Andrew started walking toward one of the SUVs again.
“She can find us,” Zack said. “The GPS in her phone still works to locate others. Mia knows exactly where you are. If she wanted to stay with you she would have.”
Andrew froze in his tracks. He felt a vibration in his pocket. He reached in and pulled out his phone. There was a text message from Mia.
I am taking charge of this mission. I am getting the proof we need to prove my identity. I need some space. Head toward the capital. I will meet you there in three days. Please, give me my three days.
“Mia is familiar with the danger. She has firsthand knowledge from your first cross-country trip. Whatever the risks are she thought she could handle them. Are you betting against her?” Zack asked.
Andrew ignored him and reread the message before replying.
Three days? Grant is out there, he knows you’re here. How will you protect yourself? You need me.
What I need is assurance. If anything happens to me, promise you will try to save Rod and stop the Registry? We have a better chance of not getting caught if we split up.
Andrew didn’t have the time to reply before Mia sent another message.
Trust me. It is better this way. Even if Grant is as clever as he thinks it will be harder for him to track us if we split up. I need to keep driving. I will be safe. We will stop the Registry. Trust me.
Andrew tuned out Zack and Carter and thought about what Mia was saying. He didn’t like it, but she was right. Andrew sent the only words he could think to say.
I love you. Three days.
Mia replied right away.
I love you. Three days.
“We have three days to make it to the capital,” Andrew said.
“I’ve been shot,” Zack said. “First we need to take care of that.”
Andrew spun around to face Zack. Carter was a few feet behind him. His brow was furrowed. Andrew didn’t know if he considered Carter a deserter for running out of the room or smart for avoiding bloodshed.
“What do you think?” Andrew asked.
“I think we need to find a new way to get my dad out,” Carter said. “I also think Mia can take care of herself better than you give her credit for. She doesn’t want rescuing at the moment.”
How could Andrew be sure of anything if Mia wasn’t near him? Part of him wanted to drive after her and scream at her for taking off like this. Then it clicked in Andrew’s brain. Mia wasn’t a child. Andrew couldn’t scream at her or keep her safe all the time.
“Zack, stay out here and search the SUVs for tracking chips,” Andrew said. “Carter, come inside with me. Mia was right about one thing: we’re going to blow this place up.”
“There won’t be a chip,” Zack said.
“How do you know?” Andrew asked.
“Your low-tech government wouldn’t invest in one,” Zack said. “That and who would be crazy enough to steal a vehicle belonging to a RAG agent?”
“Check anyway,” Andrew said.
He started walking back toward the building. Carter followed him.
“What’s the plan?” Carter asked.
“Mia needs time to herself and I am going to trust her,” Andrew said. “We’ll continue on toward the capital. Figure out a way to get your dad out. Mia is taking control. I have to trust she knows what she’s doing.”
“Thank you,” Carter said.
Andrew stopped moving and grabbed Carter by the shirt collar. He clenched his fist around the material and brought the blond man’s face closer to his.
“If you ever lie to me again I will leave you to die in the middle of a desert,” Andrew said. “And don’t think you can get through the rest of our time here without getting your hands dirty. No more running and hiding.”
The look of shock on Carter’s face did not fade away. Andrew released him from his grip and threw the man back a little. Andrew continued on his walk and Carter dutifully fell in line. Andrew hoped it would be for longer than tonight.