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We tear back the way we came, but Inez makes a left turn instead of heading into Times Square, probably worried that we’d get stuck in a crowd. Nobody glances at us as we race along the streets. Those who are facing us part as we get near, while we bump into some who are looking in the opposite direction. They yelp and look for someone to shout at. When their eyes pass over us, they frown and shrug, something in their brains telling them not to ask any questions.
We come to a red light but Inez doesn’t pause. She bolts across the road, Cal and I just behind, weaving around cars, trucks and taxis. No drivers blow their horns, but they slow to let us duck in front of them.
As we hit the pavement on the other side, I chance a look back. The two men are keeping pace but haven’t closed the gap, even though, with their longer legs, they must be faster than Inez and me.
“Why aren’t they trying to catch us?” I gasp as we run.
Inez looks over her shoulder and growls. “They’re biding their time. Maybe they think we’ll tire, making it easier for them to get the better of us.”
“I hate to admit it,” I pant, “but they’re right, in my case anyway.” I’m already huffing and puffing.
“Me too,” Cal groans. “Let me turn and fight them. Fighting’s what I’m good at, not running.”
Inez shakes her head firmly. “We can’t risk it. I mustn’t be caught.”
“What if I stop and tackle them while you carry on with Archibald?” Cal suggests. “Even if they defeat me, you’ll be long gone by the time they finish.”
Inez bites her lower lip, tempted by Cal’s sacrificial offer.
“We can’t,” I wheeze, not wanting to see the friendly guard come to harm.
“It’s an option,” Inez disagrees. Then she clicks her tongue. “But I promised you a new home, not death.”
“I’m not afraid of death,” Cal says.
“I’m sure you’re not,” she says, “but let’s avoid it if we can. I know a few boreholes here that lead to towns in the Merge. If we make it to one of them, we can call for support.” She grimaces. “The only problem is it will lead us astray.”
She thinks about it in silence as we jog along, taking things slower now that it’s clear that the SubMerged are happy to play a waiting game.
Finally she casts a worried look at me. “Can I trust you, Archie?”
“Of course,” I answer instantly.
“I mean it,” she presses. “If I set you a vital task to perform, can I trust you to not let me down?”
“What sort of a guy do you think I am?” I ask stiffly.
“A good guy,” she says, “but this is a big ask. You might decide it’s too dangerous and you’d rather turn your back on all this.”
“I’m terrified,” I tell her honestly, “but if I can help you, I will.”
Inez flashes me a grateful smile. “I’ll reward you when this is over,” she vows, “treat you to whatever you desire, money, jewels, you name it.”
“You don’t need to buy my allegiance,” I reply. “I’ll help because I want to.”
Inez nods. “OK. The next time we turn a corner, split from us. Cal and I will lead the SubMerged a merry chase while you head for our original target.”
“What if one of the men goes after him?” Cal asks.
“They won’t,” Inez says confidently. “He’s nothing to them. You aren’t either. I’m the only one they’re interested in.”
“Where will I head?” I ask, then add, “And bear in mind I don’t know the city.”
“You’ll be able to find this place easily enough,” Inez says. “You’ve heard of the Empire State Building?”
“Sure.”
“Go there. You’ll spot a borehole close to the entrance. It’s yellow and has a spire sticking out of it, like the one on top of the building.”
“Yellow borehole, spire,” I repeat.
“You’ll find a foot vine through the borehole,” Inez goes on.
“What’s a foot vine?” I ask.
She waves the question away. “It climbs up through the building. At the top you’ll spot a familiar clock tower in the distance. Head for that and you’ll find another borehole. It will be locked. Holler until someone lets you in.”
“Can’t I pick the lock?”
“You won’t be able to open it,” she says. “You’re not that good.”
I bristle at the slight, but she pushes on before I can protest.
“You’ll find an elderly man inside. Tell him you’ve been travelling with me. Then...” She hesitates, deciding how much information to share. “Tell him I need his help to ensure the missing princess can cast her vote.”
I blink. “What does that mean?”
“It doesn’t matter. He’ll understand. If he’s willing to help, ask him to meet me on the island of pineapples, though it might take me a few days to make my way there. Have you got all that?”
“The missing princess needs his help to vote. You’ll meet him on an... island of pineapples?”
“That’s it,” she says.
“I hope he can make more sense of that than me,” I mutter. “Will I meet you in pineapple land too?”
“No,” Inez says. “You’ll find yourself close to where you live once you’ve delivered the message. Go home.”
“But I want to learn more about the Merge,” I cry.
“This isn’t the time,” Inez snaps.
I stare at her, not wanting this to be the end.
“Trust me,” she says in a softer voice. “I only want what’s best for you.”
“You’re not my mother,” I growl. “It’s not your place to worry about what’s best for me.”
She grimaces. “Sorry. Let’s strike a deal — if I survive my mission, I’ll find you in London, tell you what it was about, then take you on a tour of the Merge. How does that sound?”
I roll my eyes, but I’m over a barrel. Killers are hot on our heels. Inez has asked for help. It wouldn’t be fair to hold her to ransom. “OK,” I sigh.
“Thanks,” she says. Then, as we come to the end of a block, she snaps, “Now!”
She turns right with Cal and shoots off. I want to call goodbye, but as I’ve already noted, that isn’t the done thing among the Merged. Instead I step out into the flow of traffic and jog to the middle of the road, where I stop and turn.
As cars veer round me, the chasing SubMerged reach the corner. The guy with the mace asks the guy with the sword a question. Sword-guy spares me a glance, then shakes his head, and they carry on after Cal and Inez. They don’t even bother to make a we’ll deal with you later gesture.
I stand in the middle of the traffic for a minute, feeling lonely and small. Then, with a heavy sigh, I return to the footpath and, as I step back onto it, I think, That’s that, then. It’s over.
And to my surprise I find myself blinking away a flood of salty tears.
***
This is the end of Book One, Volume One of Archibald Lox. Archie’s story continues in Book Two, Archibald Lox and the Empress of Suanpan. click here to buy now