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Swinging around, I shoved Matt and Gene through the partially open door, dove in after them, and closed the door, locking it tightly behind us.
I turned and scanned the room critically. I wasn’t really sure what I was looking for. I wanted to be sure there were no cameras, bugs, or secret entrances; but I didn’t have a clue what they would look like.
Protect us from the dangers we can’t see.
“Are you okay? Did the Snake hurt you?” I turned my attention back to Dr. Rogers. He looked pale and haggard, but I couldn’t see any bruises or other signs of abuse.
“I’m fine. Now.” Dr. Rogers put his arm around Gene’s shoulders and pulled him closer to his side. “They were trying to control me using fear for my son’s safety. They can’t do that now.”
“I was so afraid for you, Dad.” Gene hugged his dad tightly. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
I turned away from the Rogerses and pretended to scan the room for threats again. Gene’s reunion with his father reminded me of the reunion I still hoped to have with my parents - of how much I wished I were in his place right now, how the Snake kept them from me, and how much I hated the Snake for it.
“We’re not okay yet.” Matt looked at the locked door apprehensively. “None of us will be okay until we are out of this place.”
Matt’s words brought me back to reality. I couldn’t afford to brood over my problems. Right now, I needed to find a way to get Dr. Rogers, Gene, and Matt to safety.
“He’s right.” I turned back to face the others. “We’re not safe until we are out of this hideout. SATURN can come back here and clean up the Snake and his thugs.” Though I was becoming less convinced I was willing to leave without my parents, after all.
“Can we just go back out the same way we came in?” Gene asked.
“I don’t know how we managed it the first time, honestly.” I shook my head. “Someone’s bound to notice us this time. I’m surprised they’re not trying to beat down that door by now.”
“Kestler already knows you’re here,” Dr. Rogers said softly. “He told me right before he left. He meant for you to get this far.”
“Why?” Gene’s eyes widened.
“A trap,” I answered grimly. “The Snake’s sick idea of a game.”
Dr. Rogers nodded. “He bragged about how he used an attack on you and your friends to lure you here.”
My jaw tightened in anger, but I allowed Dr. Rogers to finish.
“The Snake wants you even more than he wants me.” Dr. Rogers looked at me carefully. “He said he only took me because he was ordered to.”
“Ordered?” This was news to me.
Matt stared at Dr. Rogers in amazement. “By who?”
“He didn’t say.” Dr. Rogers looked away and pulled Gene closer to him. “He only told me that he was even willing to risk my escape to get you. He has the whole place wired. He said he... he won’t let you leave here alive.”
I rolled my eyes. That was no surprise.
“But why let us get this far?” Matt asked. “Why not capture us earlier? Then there would be no risk of your escaping.”
Dr. Rogers sighed and sat heavily back in his chair, then directed his answer at me. “He wants to capture you in front of your parents. He knew you would come here. He knew I would have to tell you all this to warn you. He means for it to taunt you. He wants you angry.”
I clenched my teeth and closed my eyes. It was working. I felt helpless, like a mouse trapped in a maze. My hatred for the Snake rose up again. I tried to shake it off. The safety of the others came first, then I could deal with the Snake.
“Scott.” Matt stepped forward and put his hand on my shoulder. His voice held a gentle warning.
“I’m fine.” I assured him softly. It wasn’t entirely true, but I was fine enough to push off my anger long enough to help the others escape. “Let’s get out of here.”
I took a deep breath and forced strength into my voice. I had to make it appear that the Snake wasn’t getting to me. “The Snake’s just trying to play mind games. He thinks if he can get me angry enough, he’ll have me beat. I can’t let him win.”
Dr. Rogers smiled tightly. “Exactly. He said he could force you to behave the way he wanted you to; that he could predict your reactions and plan ways to bring you to him.”
“But, Dad, why is Scott so important?” Gene frowned in confusion. “He’s just a teen.”
“The Snake has Scott’s parents,” Dr. Rogers said seriously. “They have information he wants. He wants to use Scott the same way he tried to use you to get what he wanted from me. Plus, he wants revenge on Scott for breaking up his last plot.”
“If the Snake thinks I’ll be that predictable, I’ll just do something unpredictable.” I was about to do something that went against every desire I had. Give me the strength to do what’s right. “We’ll leave. Now. All of us. I’ll come back for my parents after SATURN gets here.”
Matt raised an eyebrow, but nodded his approval. He had to realize how difficult that choice was for me to make.
He didn’t know my second reason for leaving. The anger I had against the Snake was beginning to take control of my thoughts. I needed to get out before I gave in.
“It won’t work.” Dr. Rogers shook his head, dejection settling on his face. “The Snake thought you might try that. He said...”
“He said what?” I pressed when Dr. Rogers trailed off. Panic began to grip me. I felt trapped already. “Tell me.”
Dr. Rogers looked down and away, as if he didn’t enjoy being the Snake’s messenger.
“He said that he would torture your parents from the moment you left until you got back,” he finally said reluctantly. “He said the choice was up to you.”
“Would he do that?” Gene asked, his face etched with fear.
“Without a second thought,” Matt said angrily.
I walked to the table, put my hands on the tabletop, and leaned against it, staring blankly at the wall. I couldn’t allow my parents to be tortured, but I couldn’t allow Matt, Gene, and Dr. Rogers stay in the Snake’s clutches either. I hated the Snake for putting me in this position, for not giving me a choice. Let this work. I have to make sure everyone is safe.
“Here’s what we are going to do,” I said firmly enough that I hoped to avoid any argument, but quietly enough that I hoped the Snake couldn’t hear me over any bugs he might have in the room. “Matt, you are going to escort Gene and Dr. Rogers out of this place.” I put up a hand to stop his objection. “I’ll provide a distraction. If the Snake want’s me that badly, he may be willing to let you guys go to keep me. Once you’re gone, I’ll go try to help my parents.”
“You can’t stay here!” Dr. Rogers leaned forward and protested hoarsely. “Who knows what that mad man will do. We’re all leaving!”
“I can’t leave,” I returned sharply. “We do know what he will do if I leave. Besides, you need to get Gene out of here.”
“Once we’re all safe, we can call Chris,” Matt argued. “Let him handle it.”
“By then it will be too late.” I had persuaded him to leave me last time the Snake had caught us, I had to do it again this time. I couldn’t let him stay and get hurt. “I have to get you all out of here before the Snake decides he’s tired of waiting.”
“You can’t just walk into a trap!” Matt balled his fists and took a step toward me.
“I won’t,” I assured him softly, trying to bring the volume of the conversation down, “but I can’t leave my parents for him to torture.”
I turned to Dr. Rogers. “Where did he say they were? You may as well tell me. The Snake will make sure I find them anyway. At least this way I might be able to get an element of surprise.”
“In a cell behind his office.” Dr. Rogers sighed in defeat. “The only entrance I’ve seen is in his office.”
“Scott.” Gene’s eyes were filled with fear. “You can’t!”
“The Snake won’t just let you leave,” I said firmly. “I’ll create a diversion. The Snake will focus on me and you guys should be able to slip out. You can lead SATURN back here.”
I looked at Dr. Rogers. “SATURN needs you. Matt will make sure you and Gene are safe.”
“I’ll take them to the exit, but I’m coming back with you.” Matt folded his arms across his broad chest stubbornly.
“Matt, this is my mess.” I turned to him and tried to keep my voice calm. “I can’t let you stay and get hurt.”
“I won’t leave a friend.” Matt growled. “You wouldn’t leave me.”
He was right. I hesitated. “I won’t be responsible for the Snake hurting you.”
“You’re right, you won’t be.” Matt jabbed his finger toward my chest, opening his hand and jerking it back just before he touched me as if he had remembered my injuries. “I would be. Either you come along, or I stay.”
“You know why I can’t go.” I had to make him understand quickly, before time ran out.
“If you insist on committing suicide,” Matt glared. “I insist on going with you.”