Marjorie pressed a large button on top of her desk, which caused bright lights to flicker and a loud siren to sound. "Security! There's been a break-in and something incredibly valuable was stolen! Scour the premises and find the thief at all costs!" She shouted her orders into a microphone hidden in the succulent on her desk.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNutvY6dbqC
I grabbed Atlas's arm and tugged him towards the open window. "Come on! We have to go while Marjorie is distracted!" I said through our cerebral link.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXL029VhvZ
"I'll go get Marisa. You guys run," Katrina said. She dashed out of the room before Marjorie could stop her.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfGtXH3fLM
Atlas didn't move, he stood there frozen with a haunted expression on his face.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50KgbYdUcl
Tugged on his arm again, this time with much more force, but he still didn't budge. "Come on, pal. We need to leave! Now!"
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwHH1Qm8oy
"I'm sorry I let him get away with the map," Atlas replied through the link. He sounded so broken.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AODL893P2
"I don't care about that; I care about you."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RY9Lwsomp
He met my gaze for the first time.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnha0IIC3S
"Listen, security will be here any minute. We're in big trouble if they catch us. Do you want to get arrested?
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEU0nKzGWH
He shook his head.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbR8joy8ufS
"Then we have to go."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxclkVZmDzk
He gave a firm nod, then followed me out the window.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdrw5oubeV
Thank God! I was worried I was going to have to throw him over my shoulder and carry him out.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFF4wVJ2Rkg
"Come back here, or I'll make your lives hell!" Aunt Marjorie shouted.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIMsFlO9Qe
We didn't stop running.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0JesCQJlF
"She's already made my life hell," Atlas said through our cerebral link.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyf73x6iYJH
"Then I guess it can't get any worse," I replied.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpo5MQLdZ8v
"Unfortunately, there's always more to lose."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gkUfCQ3tf
We scaled the fence once more. This time, the climb wasn't nearly so perilous. I was running on pure adrenaline. I escorted Atlas to a darkened alleyway near Sydney Harbor. "I sent a message to Katrina, the girls will meet us here soon," I said.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPJvPRL7Ig
Atlas didn't respond; he just stared out at the sea with a solemn expression.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5NXpJZmmu
I tried to lighten the mood. "Do you wanna hear a joke?"
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3f2AwWJVs
"Absolutely not."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLOg5nd10D
Okay, then.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfpj5CvxD1
We stood in awkward silence for several minutes. Eventually, Atlas signed. "I'm so sorry about the map. I should've fought back harder."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvM2vcIlTbi
I rolled my eyes. "I already told you, I don't care about that."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowV6D5WDLw
"I did! Now I've ruined any chance of finding the Annihilation Code."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKYaWrHiEQ
"That was never your burden to bear. You don't have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLpbcX7aUR
"You sound just like Patch."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2GrRumhIr
I didn't know what to say, so I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDQFFDVbc2
He pulled away from me. "They're going to kill him, and it's my fault."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WixiOPJ5g
"It's not all your fault. It's not your fault Patch was kidnapped and held hostage. They forced you to make an impossible choice."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHV0ZjnijH
"It was all for nothing, we lost the map and Patch is going to die!" Atlas kicked over a trash can in anger, disturbing a family of cockatoos feasting on the refuse.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uftnXi4a5
A local cleaning bot whirred by. It paused when it caught sight of the mess. We covered our faces, so the bot couldn't identify us and report us to Bionic Corp. The cleaning bot quickly swept up the fallen garbage and reoriented the bin to an upright position. "All better." The tiny robot said in its adorable voice.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSLgXKDwXZ
Atlas stared down at the trashcan. "I feel like nothing I do has an impact."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4VN3DSidr
"You totally make an impact. You somehow made me into a slightly less awful human being. That's no small feat. You should be proud."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFhZ038eNx
"I didn't change you, you changed all by yourself."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxvFlSBvp0
"Yeah, but I would probably still be an asshole if we never crossed paths. Going on this crazy mission changed me for the better."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXX0RaepqcD
The faintest of smiles tugged at his lips before his face fell back into its previous distraught emotion.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQV6J0Iu1Gx
We dove into the shadows when we heard the sound of approaching footsteps.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RVJPx749v
"You're going to need a better hiding place than that. Bionic Corp's soldiers have night vision, you know," Katrina remarked.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPRiRKwATH
"Oh, yeah, I forgot about that," I said.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxPXZkmgGb
Marisa ran up to Atlas and threw her arms around him. "Oh my God, are you okay?"
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYd4tMXcvhL
He shook his head.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDpIbh9QMZ
"It's been a rough night for all of us," I said.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEatbtsP40
"What took you guys so long?" Atlas asked.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1Dwhdfuxi
"The whole party erupted into chaos after you guys left. It took ages to push through the crowd and find Marisa," Katrina said.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiyJNCzVUx
"And you changed shoes, apparently. You weren't wearing those boots earlier," I said, gesturing to her sleek leather boots.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlNq5vBTNk
"Duh, it's impossible to run in heels. Everyone knows that, Chase."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrti4itCHOo
Clouds rolled in over the horizon and thunder crackled in the distance.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDb1vwKxEkF
"Looks like a nasty storm is on its way. We should probably head... Wait, where are we going from here?" I asked.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1worNj6P0
"Back to Ikigai II, Patch has a safe house on the north side of the island. We'll regroup there." Atlas signed.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4XPLWZm6k
Marisa raised an eyebrow. "Patch got another safe house? Why didn't he tell me?"
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZzsM6yDPb
Atlas gave an apathetic shrug. "There are a lot of things he doesn't tell you."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYhjiS88NG
Marisa shot him a piercing stare. "I guess I have two family members that lie to me."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQ8GfEtQPR
Atlas showed no reaction to her comment. His face remained stiff and emotionless. "I don't have time for this," He signed and stomped towards Ikigai II.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsw8hJm8wzj
"Atlas, wait up!" I jogged after him. I'm so glad I'm an only child. I'm not cut out for dealing with sibling drama, and I love being the center of attention.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIw5em0trW
Lightning flashed in the distance as we trudged back to Ikigai II. Big drops of rain pounded the surrounding ground. Within seconds, we were soaked to the bone.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24OWYJYfZL
Lucky for us, the Ikigai II customs agents were slacking tonight. They seemed as perturbed to be stuck in the rain as we were, so they didn't ask too many questions. We made it safely onto the island without much of a hassle. It's about damn time something went right for us tonight.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysnVL8j7S5
Marisa hugged herself tightly and shivered.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84dbloErXo
Atlas slipped off his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. It probably didn't help, considering it was completely soaked. It's the thought that counts.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyAEAFJcj9
On our walk to the safe house, we passed by the boardwalk.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtx1aicTas9
"Atlas, look! Your Hovercycle is still here!" I exclaimed. It was parked exactly where we left it. It hadn't moved an inch.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcnv3s2LVS
Atlas knelt beside the Hovercycle and examined it. "Someone stole the brake pads."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gDt9KWvtt
"What? Why?"
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIuCAOruZG
"People will steal and sell anything they can find around here. I'm surprised they didn't steal more."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkjQvmNyqK
"At least it's still here, right?"
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQsjpNDHIf
Atlas wasn't listening. "I got a parking ticket, too." He gestured to a soggy piece of paper taped to the handlebars.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFGJrXRx1K
"That sucks," I said honestly.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwqrtHaAeD
Atlas frowned. "It's just the terrible cherry on the crappy sundae that is my life."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0NgeIiW5b
I grabbed the Hovercycle by the handle and pushed it toward the safe house. It was the least I could do to help him.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBXH8aAT59
"Thank you," he signed. A soft smile spread across his lips, as he grabbed the other handle and helped me push.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mjyMLK1Hn
Together, we wheeled the Hovercycle to the safe house. Atlas stashed it in the alley beside the building. Then he led us up a secret flight of stairs to the upstairs apartment.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfB4UWKrfL
The safe house reeked of musk and decomposing sewage. I pinched my nose and coughed.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIPxbEKCrs
Katrina stifled a gag.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVW5QZ0sum
This safe house is even more dilapidated than the previous one. The ugliest wallpaper I'd ever seen lined the walls. The color was somewhere between chartreuse and mustard yellow. Rats, cockroaches, and fungus seemed to have formed their own ecosystem within the walls. The old, worn couch in the center of the room had large holes with springs and stuffing sticking out. The light fixtures were missing, and the windows were boarded up. The only light came from a small lamp on an end table that looked like it had been knocked over one too many times. Something sticky had melted into the carpet, and my shoe was now stuck to it. Gross!
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCLARk8qkU
"It may not be pretty, but it's safe for now," Atlas signed.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYX9M3kblW
Katrina somersaulted onto the broken couch. "So, now what."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrYzcDGMbY
We all stared down at the ground. No one answered. What could we do? Maybe I can take Atlas back to New Sacramento with me. He can forge a new life there, he's already changed his identity once, what's one more time?
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrvYJ6S5B6
I shifted my gaze to Atlas. He wrapped his arms around himself and watched the raindrops trickle down the windowsill. The lost and broken look in his eyes broke my heart. There had to be something I could do to help him. But what?
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjFUEN5RA2
"What happened at the party? You guys have been acting differently ever since. I want to know what happened," Marisa said.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWWoMzzpJC
Atlas sighed. "Everything was going according to plan until Marjorie returned to her office earlier than expected. He tried to hide, but she found us. She started to interrogate us."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJlHcirpD7
"That's when I got dragged in," Katrina said. "Those security guys are faster than I thought they'd be."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAIwCVfuMf
"What happened next?"
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKHAb1wLG5
No one answered. Atlas refused to make eye contact.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCU5ZKuOgd
Eventually, I spoke up. "We saw Patch."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcc4U4dNZAb
Marisa gasped. "What? Where was he? Is he okay?"
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡny1lTlDloe
I don't know where he was. She showed us live video footage of him in some kind of interrogation room. He's in rough shape. It looks like he took a beating."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4tHO1Zop3
Marisa buried her face in her hands. "Do you know how he got captured?"
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCDgsUoeXQ
"Um..." I twiddled my thumbs as I debated how much I wanted to tell her.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdEOYIonXY
"Please don't tell her. It'll break her heart," Atlas said through our cerebral link.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcVjuauKWK
"She deserves to know the truth," I responded.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpDY1KCbaR
I let out a long, deep breath. "Patch was kidnapped by Bionic Corp while he was trying to flee the island."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5nGDPDuLW
"No. That can't be right. Patch would never leave without telling us!"
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZDq7fZ2kQ
"I'm sorry," I said.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsejUE6IaQw
Marisa turned to Atlas. "Tell him he's wrong! Patch would never do such a thing!"
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iR3klyv5r
Atlas stared at her long and hard before finally giving in. "Marisa. He's telling the truth. Patch heard that Bionic Corp was coming after him, he got scared and made a run for it."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZFkAhQkrh
"There must be some sort of misunderstanding!" She protested.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3btXDxcvW
"There's not. He left us to save himself."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGF8BK8D60
"Why would Bionic Corp let you call Patch?" Marisa asked.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88QPDrRU0G
"They gave me an ultimatum, hand over the map, or they'd kill Patch in twenty-four hours," Atlas signed.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDBPnXqB9V
"And then Vindicator swooped in and stole the map," Marisa finished.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNH9UuIwHyz
Atlas froze. "Wait, how did you know Vindicator stole the map?"
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpylMl8UHb2
She looked like a deer in headlights. "Oh, Katrina told me."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrfCkB7sjn
Katrina shot her a puzzled look. "No, I didn't."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXo5zIXR4Ny
Atlas slammed his fists on the counter. "Marisa, what did you do?"
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XMmAHHfQL
"I was the one who turned off the lights, and I was the one who messed with everyone's Holowatches! Is that what you wanted to hear?"
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sqoDiZxSx
My jaw fell open. "Why would you do that?"
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8vHIfCXle
"Because Vindicator promised me, he'd rescue Patch if I did one simple favor for him."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqRXREnHHj
"Did you forget the part where he wants me dead!"
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNNXiCdROW
"Of course not, but I did what I had to protect Patch! I thought you'd understand that. Besides, finding the Annihilation Code was never your responsibility in the first place!"
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceIp46PIPY
"Well, thanks to you, we lost the map, and Bionic Corp is going to kill Patch tomorrow!" Atlas stormed out of the apartment and slammed the door.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxMdJQyIxh
"I'm going to go talk to him," I said.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8bhJEQy1e
"Go ahead, it seems like you're the only person he'll talk to these days." Marisa rubbed the heel of her palm against her chest.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizvbrp8TkI
I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly, and let out an uncomfortable chuckle. "Um, okay. I think I'm going to go now, bye."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOqfgJc7ta
I knew I'd find him on the roof. Every time we used our cerebral link, our connection grew stronger. I could sense his emotions, so intensely they felt like my own. Now I know why Atlas was hesitant to form a link with anyone. They are a powerful and overwhelming thing. Knowing what I know now, I can't believe he agreed to form one with me.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEC94r2I8w3
I found Atlas curled up under an umbrella on the rooftop. He was furiously scribbling something on an ancient Holopad with one hand. With his other hand, he shoveled Flamin' Hot Cheetos into his mouth using chopsticks.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUa7WmTqiM
This was the sight of a man in desperation if I'd ever seen one. I tried to make my voice sound as gentle as possible. "Um, hey buddy, what are you doing?"
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDXkF3n98V
His cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I'm just working on an art project."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwsPw1OOKT
I raised a skeptical eyebrow. "In the pouring rain?"
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOpYgD6pB5
He nodded.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2iaxljq7C
"What are you sketching?"
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iKNr2UtTF
"It's nothing." He leaned away from me, hiding the drawing from view.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VDYVWQURh
I snatched the picture from his hands.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡse4fNHPv6C
"Give it back!" He tried to yank it out of my hands, but I wrestled it away from him.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZ6OADrmxP
I held the drawing up to the light and studied it. I recognized the shape immediately. "You're trying to recreate the map."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuUroPA5xC
He tried to pry it from me again, this time I released my grip. "I saw it! I saw the last piece of the map!"
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZVb4R2uTS
"Yeah, for a split second."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzVdHxNwYw
"I remember what it looked like! I can recreate it from memory! If we hurry, we still have a chance to find the map before Vindicator does."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHX8gPU6DS
I rolled my eyes and let out a long, exasperated sigh. "This is what Marisa was talking about! You need to let things go!"
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1nfMRBXNq
"Do you want me to let Patch die? Because that's what will happen if I do nothing!"
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Lsu6HOFL0
"Of course not, but I don't want you to die doing something stupid!"
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyLFfbexdB
"You can't stop me!"
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rtW6zElBt
"I know." I massaged my aching temples. "Once you set your mind to something, no one can stop you, but I'm sure Patch wouldn't want you to die trying to save him."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqaiK3TKyq
"I can't sit here and do nothing. I have to go."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphnSDINal4
I sighed. "Then I'm going with you. I won't let you do this alone. If we go down, we go down together.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmKp0z93yd
He threw his arms around me in a tight hug.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7280JoDJ9o
I returned his embrace, gently patting him on the back. "Now, let's go kick some ass!"
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TizboropS
We heard the sound of rustling coming from behind a potted fern.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPluIHcfE03
Atlas crept towards it with knives drawn.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSDFhqonr8
We peered through the branches to catch the sight of Katrina and Marisa eavesdropping.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5ZbV3b7t8
I placed my hands on my hips. "What the hell, guys? Don't you know eavesdropping is rude? Did no one teach you manners growing up?"
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLz2BdMGVz
"We're coming with you," Marisa said.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnWf1IzKQG
Atlas shot daggers in her direction. "No."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyorLaT9dee
"If you want to pull off this heist, you're going to need a hacker."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPNVyPKZuD
Atlas tightened his lips into a firm line.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6twuOhl7IM
I folded my arms across my chest. "How do we know we can trust you? You've helped Vindicator before."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZ4uveK9pP
"I know you have no reason to trust me, but you won't find another hacker in time to save Patch."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOBKEdiMvO
Atlas and I shot each other a questioning look.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAGJpFpyps
"What do you think?" Atlas asked through our link, so only I could hear.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkIkP0d0S6
I raised my shoulders in a half shrug. "I think she has a point. Our options are limited at the moment. I believe she cares about Patch and will do what it takes to save him."
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1yGUw8rE3
Atlas nodded.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrHbmIxzjY
We turned our attention back to the girls. "Okay, you're in."
ns216.73.216.167da2
