Shadow Moon, page 19
Before I could begin to figure it out, I heard the most beautiful sound in the world: Sammie. She was singing a song I didn’t recognize, probably one she’d made up.
Lock me up, throw out the key. Do your best, I’ll still be free . . .
Yes! Sammie was on the other side of the wall, just inches away. I jumped up and pressed my ear against the wall between the toilet and the wall-hung towel cabinet above it. I tapped softly on the wall, along with the beat of the song.
She stopped singing, mid-word. Complete and utter silence. I wanted to cry out, yell her name, but I couldn’t risk it.
“Allie, is that you?”
Her voice was crystal clear and seemed to come from inside my head. Startled, I reared up and whacked the back of my head on the towel cabinet.
“Damn, that hurt,” I muttered, rubbing my head.
“What happened?”
In spite of the pain, I wanted to dance around the tiny room and scream, “Yes!” It sounds hokey, but my heart literally leaped with joy.
I placed a hand on the wall, focused my thoughts and sent the following message. “Bumped my head when I heard your voice. Are we really communicating telepathically?”
“Pretty cool, huh?”
“Way cool. Are you okay, Sammie?”
“Yeah. Bored out of my gourd, but okay.”
“I’m so sorry I got you into this.”
“It’s okay. Remember, I’ve been living on the streets. At least I have a roof over my head and three meals a day.”
“Do you have cameras in your room?”
“Nope.”
“Are you sure? Did you check the lights in the corners?”
Sammie airmailed me an irritated sigh. “Trust me, Allie, I know what CCTV cameras looks like.”
“Good. That means nobody will notice if we’re both in our bathrooms at the same time.”
Sammie said, “Maybe we don’t have to be in the bathroom.”
“Ya think?”
We each took one step away from the wall while sending silent messages. Then, a second step and a third. Sadly, once we left our respective bathrooms, we were out of range. But still, the fact that Sammie and I could communicate was huge. Maybe I could cancel my plans to go crazy.
I’d been in the bathroom way longer than necessary to take care of business. On the off chance Kevin was paying attention and about to alert someone, I told Sammie I had to go. We decided on a signal for next time. Sammie would go into the bathroom and sing. If I was in my room, I’d take my book, stroll into the bathroom and close the door. If anybody asked me about it, I’d get all huffy and say something like, “How would you like to have cameras watching you every minute of the day?”
Holding the moonstone in my hand, I left the bathroom. The pulsating white light blinked and went out. It felt it cool in my hand. I curled up on the bed and stared at the wall, pondering this phenomenon. The last time the moonstone had behaved in this fashion, Sammie and I were in the same room. This time, we had a wall between us. Was Sammie’s presence triggering the moonstone’s strange white light? Was it the moonstone that made it possible for Sammie and me to communicate telepathically? Easy enough to find out, if I could bring myself to remove the moonstone from my body.
I still had no answers when R and D arrived and took me to a room packed with a bunch of people I hadn’t seen before. The only familiar faces were Angela, Tom and Fred, the lie detector guy. The table in the center of the room was bare except for three pigeon feathers.
Angela smiled sweetly and gestured at the feathers. “Allie, we would love to see you demonstrate your telekinetic ability. Do you mind?”
Since I’d been insisting TKP was my only skill, I could hardly refuse. But pigeon feathers? Puhleeze!
I nodded. I barely had to concentrate. Within seconds, I had the feathers dancing and whirling around the room at warp speed. After a stunned silence, the entire group burst into applause. When I insisted on a greater challenge (hoping for a heavy object I could bounce off their nerdy skulls, grab the keys and make a run for it) they brought in a down pillow, a baseball cap and a shoe box. Well, crap!
The best thing about the room was that it had a skylight. Each time they brought in a different object for me to move, I took a moment to look at the sky. At first, it was dark and gloomy with rain pelting hard against the skylight. By the time I finished, the sky was clearing, and I could see wind-whipped clouds flying across a blue sky. Not as good as being outside in the fresh air, but better than nothing.
Back in my room, Barb delivered dinner at 5:30. Then at 6:30, Dickie picked up my dinner tray and brought me a book. Just one. Living in a small space didn’t bother me. I was used to that. It was the isolation and loneliness that was messing with my head. At least, now, I knew Sammie was close by. Together, we’d figure out a way to get away.
When Dickie stepped into the hall, I heard him greet someone passing by, followed by the low rumble of their voices. Being naturally nosy, I pressed my ear to the door.
“Hey, man, I hear they’re shutting this place down. Is that true?”
Dickie’s voice. “Dunno for sure, but they’re pushing the kid . . . hard. I hear she’s Ackerman and Redgrave’s last best hope.”
Moi?
Dickie continued, “If they don’t get results, they have to get real jobs.”
The men shared a chuckle. The other guy said, “If you ask me, it’s all a bunch of crap anyway.”
Dickie said, “A job’s a job, ya know?”
“You got that right, man.”
Geez, I was their last best hope? Wasn’t I special? If I could hold out, ESP would be history. But if Redgrave and Ackerman were desperate, hard telling what they might do to me. No choice. I had to stay strong.
Easier said than done. By the next day, my mind was filled with slithering snakes of doubt. They whispered to me in the night. Just give them what they want, Allie. It will be okay. I fought back, using the only method available. I punched the mattress and cursed and screamed into my pillow until, overcome by exhaustion, I fell into a fitful sleep.
The moonstone, usually my salvation, had become a curse. Without the moon, I couldn’t stop time. If I turned the moonstone away from zap mode, they would take it from me. Therefore, I wasn’t able to pick up their thoughts. Not that I needed to. I pretty much knew what was in their minds.
During the day, I refused to think about the people I loved. Way too painful. But in the middle of the night, my mind and heart were unguarded. Where were Faye and Junior? Had they returned to Peacock Flats? Or were they somewhere close by, trying to figure out what to do. Had Faye called my dad?
Before I bogged down in despair, I took my mother’s advice. “When something bad happens, Allie, something that causes you pain, do what I do. Imagine putting the pain in a little box and then store it away in a locked cupboard and forget about it.”
I know, I know. Faye’s hardly the poster child for good mental health. But, I was in survival mode. For now, I’d stuff my miseries away in a lockbox and try to ignore them. My motto: Whatever works.
Chapter Thirty-One
By the next day (seemed like fifty), I was fairly sure nobody was going to bust down the door and rescue me. I had to get myself and Sammie out of this mess. If I didn’t . . . well, it was just too scary to think about.
That same morning, Rickie and Dickie delivered me back to Fred, the lie-detector guy. Tom was waiting there, looking grim. Angela was conspicuously absent. After Fred hooked me up to the sensors, Tom said, “I’m afraid time is running out, Allie. Either you cooperate or we’ll have to step it up.”
“What does that mean? Are you going to pull out my fingernails?”
I was halfway kidding, but neither man smiled. I gulped nervously, trying to ignore the sudden fear leaping in my chest.
Tom said, “Fred will question you one more time. We’ll know if you’re lying. If that happens, I’m afraid it’s out of my hands.”
“Whose hands will I be in?”
Tom folded his arms across his chest and stared down at me through narrowed eyes. “A man whose methods have proved quite effective. Trust me; you don’t want to meet him.”
If he was trying to scare me, he was doing a good job. Since there was no way I could tell the truth about the moonstone, I was basically screwed.
Fred began with the same old questions. When he got around to the moonstone, Tom snapped to attention.
“Can you use the moonstone to pick up the thoughts of others?”
Beads of sweat popped out on my forehead. My heart picked up speed. Really, the lie detector was totally unnecessary.
“No.”
Tom sighed and shook his head sadly, as if he was terribly disappointed in me. I narrowed my eyes and glared back at him.
“You wear a cross next to the moonstone,” Fred said. “Does the cross affect the moonstone’s functions?”
To lie or not to lie? Did it really matter at this point?
I’d already told a whopper, so I went with “No,” and earned another reproachful look from Tom.
As Fred removed the sensors from my body, Tom said, “Your lack of cooperation leaves me no choice, Allie. We were hoping you would willingly help your country in the war against terrorism. However, you seem unable to see past your own selfish needs.”
“My selfish needs?” I snapped. “You kidnapped me along with another totally innocent person, locked us up and, in the process, violated every one of our civil rights. You have a choice. Do the right thing and let us go.”
To his credit, Fred looked ashamed. His face turned red and he refused to meet my eyes. Not Tom. Jaw jutting in belligerence, he leaned across the table, totally invading my personal space. “The defense of our country supersedes your civil rights. Since you’re just a kid, I guess you don’t get that concept.”
Instead of backing off like he expected, I moved closer until we were almost nose-to-nose. “Since I’m just a kid, why are you wasting your time with me? Obviously, I’m not going to help you.”
We locked gazes for a long moment. Finally Tom retreated, mumbling, “We’ll see about that.”
He wasted no time carrying out his threat. After lunch, Rickie and Dickie came to fetch me for an afternoon of testing.
“Lab rat time?” I joked, as we stepped into the corridor. “If I pass, do I get a piece of cheese?”
Rickie smirked. “Not today.”
I looked up at Dickie. His jaw was clenched and he didn’t make eye contact.
When we reached the end of the corridor, I started to turn right toward the testing rooms. Rickie’s grip tightened and he jerked me to the left, a little harder than necessary.
I slammed on the brakes. “What’s up?”
Dickie stopped. Rickie kept walking. Since they each held one of my arms, I felt like the rope in a tug of war.
“Hold it!” I yelled, fighting the panic bubbling up in my chest. “Why are we going this way?”
Rickie snarled, “You don’t get to ask the questions.”
Dickie flushed and jerked me forward. “That’s right. Just shut the hell up.”
Shocked by his answer, I stumbled forward. So far, Dickie had been the nicer of the two. Why was he acting like an ass? I got my answer a few seconds later when we stopped in front of yet another closed door.
Rickie’s pager buzzed. He released my arm and told Dickie, “Gotta go, man. She’s all yours.”
Anxious and confused, I waited for Dickie to tap on the door. Instead, he leaned close and whispered, “Hang in there, Allie. What they’re doing is wrong. Stay strong, and you can close this place down.”
Shocked, I searched his eyes to see if he was lying. His gaze didn’t waver. “What are they going to do to me?”
He bit his lip and looked away. Not a good sign.
When I spoke, I had a quaver in my voice. “I’m not that brave. Really.”
Dickie snorted. “Bullshit. You’re tougher than most, and don’t you forget it.”
I whispered, “But if this place closes down, you’ll be out of a job.”
“Don’t worry about me. Just take care of yourself.” He rapped on the door.
Tom opened it and stepped out. “You’ll be meeting Chuck Radcliffe in a minute, Allie. Instead of a testing room, we thought you might be more willing to cooperate here, in the library.”
“Is he the guy you said I wouldn’t want to meet?”
Tom frowned. “I don’t believe I expressed it quite like that.”
“Oh yeah, you did. You said it would be out of your hands.”
With an irritated huff, Tom said, “I may have said something to that effect. But, only because I find your inability to tell the truth extremely frustrating.”
“You’re frustrated?” I yelled. “Well, gee, I’m really sorry you’re not having a good time.”
Tom’s left eye began to twitch. “Never mind.” He ushered me through the open door. I glanced over my shoulder at Dickie, who made sure Tom wasn’t looking before he winked and gave me a nod of encouragement.
The moment the door clicked shut behind me, I was slammed with a feeling of dread so powerful, so gut wrenching, I’d have fallen to my knees if Tom hadn’t been gripping my arm. It’s hard to put it into words, but I felt the presence of something dark and evil. It sucked the oxygen out of the room and left me in a vacuum, desperate for life-giving air.
Gasping and trying to steady my trembling legs, I looked around the room.
In any other setting, it would have been a cozy place to curl up with a good book. A dark blue carpet covered the floor. Built-in shelves filled with books lined the walls from floor to ceiling. Angela Ackerman, bathed in soft lamplight, sat on a leather couch, thumbing through a file folder. She didn’t acknowledge my presence. A desk with a computer and printer dominated the center of the room. A high-backed chair next to the desk was turned, facing the back of the room. A man sat in the chair. All I could see was the top of a blond head and two hands gripping the arm rests.
Then, I saw Sammie. She was sitting next to the desk, her arm strapped into some sort of electronic device. Her face was pasty white, her eyes wide and staring. Fear flowed from her body and slammed into my gut like a blow from a ten-pound hammer.
Oh my God, Allie. I’m so scared. Do something. Please!
I tried not to react, but my mouth went dry.
Tom said, “Allie, I’d like you to meet Chuck Radcliffe. He has some questions for you.”
The chair swiveled around slowly, and shock reverberated through my body like a powerful jolt of electricity. I was face to face with Chris Revelle.
“No!” I yelled.
The last time I’d seen Revelle, a vicious Trimark, he’d tried to kill my mother and me and steal the moonstone.
He smiled. “Hello, Allie.”
Instantly, the world turned blurry around the edges, and starbursts exploded behind my eyes. My knees buckled and I sagged against Tom.
“Allie? Are you okay?” Tom’s voice seemed to come from a faraway place.
At his words, rage blew through my body like wildfire. I jerked away from him and shoved him so hard, he staggered backward and bounced off the wall.
“Are you kidding me?” I said. “Do you know who this is?”
Ackerman jumped up. The file folder fell to the floor. “Now, Allie . . . ”
I was right in her face even though I didn’t remember crossing the room. “Just shut the hell up and listen! He’s Chris Revelle, not Chuck Radcliffe, and he’s a Trimark. Did you even check to see if he had the inverted triangle on his palm?”
Ackerman turned pale and plopped down on the love seat.
I turned to face Revelle. His forehead was creased with concern. He extended his hands, palms up. “This poor child is obviously confused. My name is Chuck Radcliffe, and, as you can clearly see, there’s no inverted triangle on my palm.”
Even though I resisted it with every fiber of my being, I stepped closer to Revelle. Tom and Angela joined me. No triangle. Nothing. Nada.
Sammie looked up at me. Please. Help me.
“He’s had the mark removed, probably with a laser,” I said. “You can do that, you know.”
Tom put his hand on my shoulder. “It’s okay, Allie. I understand. You’ve been under a lot of stress.”
“No!” I screamed again. A firestorm of energy zinged through my body, and Ackerman’s file folder exploded. A blizzard of papers shot upward, fluttering and swooping like frantic birds looking for an escape route. Ackerman tried to snatch them out of the air, leaping and darting around the room.
Frantic to get away from Chris Revelle, I whirled toward the door. My pent-up fury must have triggered a power surge, because as my gaze swept over the book-lined walls, heavy volumes shot from the shelves like heat-seeking missiles. With a shout of alarm, Revelle dived under the desk. Ackerman screamed and hit the floor, her arms covering her head. Tom and I both ran for the door.
“Come on, Sammie, we’re getting out of here!”
Tom and I reached the door at the same time. I gave him another hard shove. He staggered sideways, directly into the path of a massive leather-bound book that slammed into the back of his head and toppled him like a bowling pin. His glasses sailed off his nose and joined the rest of the flying objects. Yes! Score one for Allie!
Down but not out, Tom crawled to the door just as I grabbed the door knob. He clutched my left ankle with both hands. “Angela! Call for backup. Now!”
Sammie piled on top of Tom, whacking him with the device still strapped to her arm. Loose electrical cords whipped through the air like flying snakes.
Still clinging to the doorknob, I lashed out with my right foot and caught Tom in the ribs. He grunted with pain and dove for my knees, slamming me into the floor. Fueled by fury, I twisted my upper body and swung an elbow into his face. Blood gushed from his nose and his grip loosened. I didn’t back off.
