Thisebookcomeswithsixdigitalgamecards.Theyunlockanexclusiveonlinemission.

TOADDCARDSTOYOURONLINECOLLECTION:

1. Gotothe39clues.scholastic.com/ebookunstoppable2andlogin.2. Youneedyourbookwithyou.Useittoanswertwoquestions.3. Yourevidencecardsandmissionwillbeunlocked.

ContentsHammerPage

Ready,Set,Go!

TitlePage

Dedication

Chapter1

Chapter2

Chapter3

Chapter4

Chapter5

Chapter6

Chapter7

Chapter8

Chapter9

Chapter10

Chapter11

Chapter12

Chapter13

Chapter14

Chapter15

Chapter16

Chapter17

Chapter18

Chapter19

Chapter20

Chapter21

Chapter22

Chapter23

Chapter24

Chapter25

Chapter26

Chapter27

Cipher

SneakPeek

Tabloid

Copyright

London

J.RutherfordPiercesmiledasthesixmercenariesfiledintohisLondonoffice.Eachonehadbeenhandpicked.Thebestofthebest.Hardenedsoldierswhomovedthroughtheirlivesfreeofthefearsanduncertaintiesoflessermen.Andyetrightnow,eachandeveryoneofthemwasterrified.Piercesavoredit.Somepeoplelikedwine.Somepeoplelikedfinefood.Piercelikedfear.

Oncethemercenarieswereseated,Piercepressedabuttonbeneathhisvastdeskandthedoubledoorsbehindthemslammedshut.

“Sir,”theirleaderbegan.“We—”

“Candy?”

Piercepushedalargecrystalbowltowardtheedgeofhisdesk.Itwasfulltothetopwithsmallred,white,andbluespheres.Americandy.Hisnewestcreationandcurrentlythefastest-sellingsweetintheUnitedStates.Themenlookedbackathim,uncertain,offbalance,justashewanted.Piercesmiledashepluckedoutaredoneanddevouredit.

“Theredismyfavorite,”hesaid.“Cherrypie.Theblueisblueberrypieandthewhiteisapplepie.Hadtofudgethecoloronthatoneabit,ofcourse.Goon.”

Hepushedthebowlforwardagainandeachmantookone.Ofcoursetheydid.TheworldwasasymphonyandPiercewasaconductor.

Pierceopenedtheiractionreport.

“WhyTurkey?”heasked.

“Sir,theguidestheyhiredindicatedthatthechildrenwerelookingforleopards.”

“Anatolianleopards,”Piercecorrected.

“Y-yes,sir,”themercenarystammered.“Anatolianleopards.Whichareextinct.”

“Andwherearetheyheadednow?”

“They’retakingaprivateplane,sir,butwewereabletoaccesstheirflightplans.RomefirstandthenTunis,Tunisia.”

“Why?”

“We,uh,wedon’tknow,sir.”

Pierceturnedthepagetoasimpleblack-and-whitemap.TurkeyandthenTunisia.TurkeywasthesiteofancientTroywhileTuniswasonceCarthage,oneofthegreatestempirestheworldhadeverknown.Coincidence?Piercethoughtnot.Butwhatdiditmean?Extinctanimals.Vanishedempires.

Whataretheyafter?

“So,canyoutellmeanywayinwhichyouandyourmendidnotfailinyourmission?”

Theleaderhesitated.Pierceslammedthereportontothedesktopandthefearlessmenbeforehimleapedbackintheirseats.

“Children!”Piercethundered.“Agroupofchildrenwhoshouldbehomeplayingvideogamesandavoidingtheirmathhomeworktookyouonandtheywon.Theybeatyou.Now,I’msureyouallcamehereexpectingpunishment,severepunishment,butI’mnotgoingtopunishyou.Infact,I’mgoingtogiveyoueachtwogifts.”

Themen,whohadbeenstaringdownattheplushcarpetingattheirfeet,lookedupathim,tentative,butallbreathingalittlebiteasier.

“Thefirstgift,”Piercesaid,“istheopportunitytoredeemyourselves.Wouldanyoneliketoknowwhatthesecondoneis?”

Themennoddeddumbly.Honestly,sometimesitwasliketheentireworldwasmovinginslowmotionexceptforhim.Piercesmiled.

“Thesecondgiftismotivation.”

“Sir?”theirleadersaid.

Piercepulledawhitepilloutofadrawerinhisdeskandheldituptothem.

“Thecandyyouatewasfilledwithaslow-actingpoison.Completeyourassignmentandreturnheretoreceivetheantidote.Ifyouareunabletocompleteyourassignment,

well,Iimaginemostofyouwouldwelcomeadeathofwrithingagonyafterbeingbestedtwicebyagroupofchildren,wouldn’tyou?”

ThedoubledoorsbehindthemenswungopenasifbytheforceofPierce’swill.

“There,”hesaid.“Consideryourselfmotivated.Nowgo!”

Oncetheyweregone,Piercepoppedtheantidoteintohismouthandwentbacktohisreport.TheCahills.

Individually,noneofthemwouldbeofconcern,buttogether...

Piercesmiledastheanswercametohim.

Hereachedforhisphone.

“ContacttheheadsofallourEuropeanmediaunits,”heorderedhisassistant.“Anyonewhoisn’tstandinginfrontofmeinonehourisfired.”

Piercehungupandsatbackinhischair.HewatchedLondonraceaboutbelow.

Itwasacitywitharichandexpansivehistory.Shakespeare.Churchill.IsaacNewton.

AndI’llbetheonetowipeitallaway.

Rome.TheNextDay.

AmyCahillwasrunningoutoftime.

Shehadmanagedtomakeitoutoftheairportandontothetarmacunseen,butherpursuersweresmart.Itwouldn’tbelongbeforetheypickeduphertrail.Theprivatejetwassittingjustahead,fueledup,itsenginesalreadyspinningintoahigh-pitchedwhine.Shehadtogetonboardandintheair,fast,beforetheysawher.

Shepeekedaroundthedumpstershewashidingbehind.Afewmembersofthegroundcrewmilledaroundtheplanemakingfinalpreparations,butotherwisethecoastwasclear.Amycinchedherbackpacktightandstartedtomove.

“AmyCahill!”

Amyflattenedherselfagainstthedumpsterasthedoorfromtheairporttotherunwayflewopen.Herpursuerswereheadingdownthestairwayandontothetarmac.

“Amy!Whereareyou?”

Shehadtodistractthem.Amyspiedwhatsheneededafewstepsaway.Shedashedoutofherhidingplacetograbametalcanoffashelf.Shepoureditscontentsintothedumpster,thenpulledamatchfromherjacketpocket.Thetrashlitwithadeepwhump,explodingintoawallofflame.Amyputherbackintothequicklywarmingmetalandpushed.

“A-my!”someonecriedinatauntingsingsong.“A-myCa-hill!Comeout,comeout,whereveryouare.”

Amydughersneakersintotheasphaltandboredownonthedumpster,herspineburningagainstthehotsteel,untilshefeltsomethinggive.Thewheelssqueakedand

begantoturn.Amygruntedandgaveanotherpush,andmomentumtookover.Thedumpsterracedoutacrossthetarmac,thefiresurginginthewind.

GaspscamefromallaroundasthegroundcrewcalledoutinfranticItalian.Herpursuersscattered,halfofthemrunningbacktotheterminaltogethelpwhiletheotherssprintedtowardthedumpster.Shehadabouttwominutesofchaos.Itwasallsheneeded.

Amyboltedacrossthetarmactothewaitingplane.DanandIanwereoutoftheirseatsandheadingforthecommotionwhensheranupthestairs.

“Amy,what’sgoingon!?”Danasked.

“Pierce’smen!Tellthepilotwehavetogetgoing!”

“Butwhatabouttheothers?”

“Now!”

Dandisappearedintothecockpit.

“Amy,areyouallright?”Ianasked.“WasitPierce’smen?Didthoseruffianshurtyou?”

“I’mfine.Wejustneedto—”

“Hey!Whatareyoudoing!?”

Amyfroze,herbacktothedoor.Sheslowlyturnedtofaceherpursuers.

“Wewerejustgettingsnacks!”

JonahandJakestoodatthefootofthestairs.Atticus,Pony,andHamiltonwerebehindthem,holdingupplasticbagsthatstretchedundertheweightofsodabottles,chips,pretzels,andcandy.

“Don’tlookatme,”Jakesaidasheledthegrouppastherandintotheplane.“Itoldthemwehadtogetgoing.”

“Littledudescan’tbecontainedwhentheyseesnacks,”Jonahsaid.

TheboyspassedAmy,droppingintotheirseatsandpullingoutsnacksandvideogames.Adinofconversationquicklyfilledthecabin.Ianhadn’tmovedfromhisplacebythefirstrowofseats.HewaswatchingAmyintently,anunaskedquestioninhiseyes.Thecockpitdooropenedagain.

“Pilotsayswe’reupinfive,”Dansaid.“Hey,whathappenedtoPierce’sgoons?”

Amyfoundherselfstuckforananswer,butIanjumpedintosaveher.

“Falsealarm,”hesaid.“Mightaswellgettoourseats.”

Amyhurriedpasteveryonetothebackoftheplane.Oncethejetwasairborne,shecheckedtomakesuretheboysweredistractedandthenpulledthatmorning’snewspaperoutofherbackpack.Lookingatit,shefeltthesamesicktwistinherstomachshehadwhenshe’dfirstseenitattheairportnewsstand.

TheCahillswerethemostpowerfulfamilyhistoryhadeverknown,butnowtheywereupagainsttheirgreatestchallenge—J.RutherfordPierce,amediatycoonwithdreamsofworlddomination.HehadalreadymanipulatedamemberoftheCahillfamily,ascientistnamedSammyMourad,togainaccesstotheCahills’mostcloselyguardedsecret:aserumthatgrantednear-superhumanstrengthandintelligencetoanyonewhotookit.Amyandtheothers,afraidofwhattheserumwouldmeanfortheworldinthehandsofsomeonelikePierce,wereonthetrailofanantidoteandhadonecomponentofitalready,thewhiskersofanAnatolianleopard.OnlysixmoretogoandtheywouldstopPierceforgood.

Unfortunately,Piercewasn’tstandingidlybywhiletheysearched.Notonlyhadhesentteamsofserum-enhancedmercenariesafterthem,hewasattackingthemdailyinhismanynewspapersandtelevisionprograms.AtfirsthehadcontentedhimselfwithharassingAmyandDanwithdumbstoriesaboutwhathecalledtheirirresponsibleglobe-trotting—andwhattheycalledTRYINGTOSAVETHEWORLD!—ordumbgossipaboutAmyandIanorAmyandJake.

Butnowthathadallchanged.Amyliftedthenewspaperoffherlap.Piercewasn’tjustharassingthemanymore.Hewasgoingforthethroat.

“Everythingokay?”

Amyjumped.Ianwasleaningovertheseatinfrontofher.

“Fine,”Amysaidasshehurriedlystuffedthenewspaperintoherbackpack.“Everything’sfine.Just...doingsomeresearch.”

“Ah,well,youcanneverknowtoomuch,”Iansaid,fallingintotheseatacrosstheaislefromAmy.“Speakingofwhich.DidyouknowtheAvenueHabibBourguibainTunisisknowntheworldoverastheChamps-Élyséesoftheneareast?Thecafés.Theshops.Thediscos.”

Amycouldn’thelpbutlaugh.“Thediscos?Honestly,Ian,whocallsthemdiscosanymore?”

“Well,theTunisians,Iexpect,”hesniffed.“SotheplanistorelyontheRosenblooms’father,then?He’sascientistofsomesort?”

Amysetherbackpackaside.“Anarchaeologist.Apparently,hispassionislostcivilizations.He’sinTunisstudyingtheCarthaginianruins.”

AmyhopedDr.Rosenbloomwouldbeabletohelp.Hewouldcertainlyhavehisworkcutoutforhim.AmyandDanhadfoundanancientnotebooklefttothembyOliviaCahill,oneofthefoundersoftheCahillfamily.Thenotebookgaveinstructionsonhowtocreatetheantidote,butmuchofitwasincode.AtticusandJake’sanalysisofOlivia’snotesmadethemcertainthatthenextpieceoftheantidotewasaplantnativetotheareaaroundTunisia,calledsilphium.Ofcourse,becausenothingwasevereasy,silphiumwassupposedtobejustasextinctastheAnatolianleopard.

Ianturnedtolookoutthewindownexttohim,wherethesunwaspaintingthecloudsgoldandorange.

“Youknow,it’sfunny,”hesaid.“IwasonthephonewithNelliewhentheotherswereoffgettingtheirsnacksandIsawyoucomingoutthedoortotherunway.ButIdidn’tspotanyofPierce’smen.”

AmycouldfeelIanstaringather,waitingforaresponse.Whenhedidn’tgetonehelookeduptheaisle,makingsuretheotherswereabsorbedintheirgames.Heleanedinclose,andwhenhespokeagain,hisvoicewaslowandhalting,asifhewerepickinghiswaythroughaminefield.

“Duetorecent...events,”hesaid,strugglingwithhowtorefertothedeathofhisyoungersister,Natalie,“I,too,havebeensometimestemptedtoisolatemyselfbut,tomysurprise,I’vefoundthathavingpeoplearound,even”—heglancedattheothersontheplane—“thesepeople,somewhatalleviates—”

“Pierce’smenwerethere,”Amysaidthroughgrittedteeth.“I’mnotlying.”

“Iwouldneversuggestyouwere,”Iansaid.“Isimply—”

“Amy?”

TheanxiousroilinAmy’sstomachjumpedtwofoldwhenshesawJakestandingintheaisleinfrontofher.

“Youokay?”heasked.

“Wewerejusthavingourselvesabitofachat,”Iansaid.“Nothingforthelikesofyoutoworryabout.”

“Atticushassomeideashewantstorunpastyou,”JakesaidtoAmy.

ShestartedtogetupbutIanputhishandonhers,holdingherback.

“IfyoukeeptroublingAmywitheverylittlething—”

“MaybeyoushouldletAmydecidewhat’slittleandwhat’s—”

“Guys!”Amycried.

IanandJakeshutupinstantly,asshockedtohearAmyyellasshewastodoit.

“Ijustneedaminute,”shesaid.“Okay?Alone?Jake,I’llbewithyousoon.”

TherewasatensepauseandthenJakestalkedofftothefrontoftheplane.IanwasabouttosaysomethingbutAmyturnedawayfromhim,andabeatlaterhepushedhimselfupoutofhisseatandleft.

Amyclosedhereyesandtriedtoquiethermind,butshekepthearingthesoundofherownraisedvoice.Wasthereaworsesound,Amywondered,thanyourownvoice,yellingatpeopleyoulove?Notonlythat,butshecouldfeelthatnewspapersittinginthepacknexttoher,likeanitchdemandingtobescratched.Amypulleditoutandspreaditacrossherlap.

Theheadlineread:THECAHILLWEBOFEVIL.

Toeachside,twocolumnsofthreepictureseachwerelaidoutlikemugshots.Atticus,Jake,andPonyononesideandIan,Hamilton,andJonahontheother.PicturesofAmyandDan—deeplyshadowedinPhotoshoptomakethemlookespeciallysinister—satbetweenthecolumns,withspiderylinesrunningfromtheirpicturestotheothersix.

ThearticlethataccompaniedthepicturesallegedthatAmyandDanwerenotsimplyinternationalnuisances,butwereheadingupafar-reachingcriminalconspiracywiththeothers.

HamiltonHolt!thearticlescreamednexttoHamilton’spicture.AburlybrutewhouseshisfiststolaydownthelawonwhoeverdarestocontradicttheCahillcabal!

AtticusRosenbloom—thecabal’stwistedmastermind.Thispint-sizedprovocateuruseshisbigbrainandhisconnectionstotheworldwideacademicelitetosubvertthewillofdecentfreedom-lovingpeopleeverywhere!

Itwentonandon.Ianwasamemberoftheglobalelitewhoprovidedthemwithanentranceintohighsociety,whileJonahWizardgleefullypoisonedtheyouthoftheworldthroughinsidiousmessagesinhismusic.Amycouldhardlybreathelookingatallofit.ItwasonethingforPiercetoattackherandDan,butitwassomethingelseentirelytogoaftertheirfriends.

Amylookeduptheaisle.JonahwasshowingHamiltonanewvideogamewhileAtticusandDanwerepracticingtheiraimbythrowingSkittlesintoeachother’smouths.

Itwasamazingthattheycouldseemsonormalafteralltheyhadbeenthrough.AtticusandJakehadbothlosttheirmothers,Ianhadlosthissister,andJonah’scousinPhoenixhadnearlydied.

Amycrumbledthenewspaperinherfist.They’veallbeenthroughsomuch,shethought.It’suptometomakesuretheydon’tloseanythingelse.

Delaware.TrilonPharmaceuticals.

EverysquareinchofNellieGomez’sbodyitched.

Shetriedtobeassubtleasshecould,butitwasdrivinghercrazy.Sherubbedhercalvestogetherandgroundherspineintothebackofherchair,buttheitchdidn’tstop.Nelliefigureditwastheresultofaripped-jeans-and-Bikini-Kill-T-shirtkindofgalbeingforcedtowearasuitmadeofitchy,stuffywool;apolyesterblouse;andstockingsmadeoutofsomekindofunholyblendofrayonand,shewasprettysure,steelwool.

Andherhair!Thegreatestinsultofallwasbeingforcedtostandoverasinkandwashoutallherbeautifulgothblackandreplaceitwith...brown!Mousebrown.Boring,boringbrown.

Getoveryourself,Gomez,shetoldherself.IfittakesasuittofindoutwhatPierceisdoinghereandstopit,thenasuititis.AndifIcanfindSammywhileI’mhere,allthebetter.

Nellieopenedthefolderonherlapandwentovertherésuméshehadmadethenightbefore.Lookingatthecrisplayoutandrazor-sharpbulletpoints,Nelliewasprettysurethatevenshewouldhireher.Andsheknewthateveryjobdescriptionandreferenceonthethingwasfaked.Eventhenamesheusedwasfake.

“Ms.,uh,Gormey?”

Nellieshotoutofherchairtofaceaslightmanwithablackcomb-overstandinginthedoorwayoftheoffice.

“ItisI!Imean,it’sme!Imean...”Nelliesuckedinadeepbreaththroughherringlessnoseandhandedhimherrésumé.“I’mNadineGormey.That’sme.I’mherefortheinterview.”

ThemanmotionedforNellietosit,thencamearoundanddepositedhimselfacrossthedeskfromher.Whilehewentoverherrésumé,Nelliereachedonepaintedfingernailunderneathhersleeveandscratchedhernowreddenedwrist.

“Ineedtobeclearthatthepositionwe’relookingtofillisquitejunior,”Comb-oversaid.

“That’sfine!”

“Butsomeonewithyourqualifications,”hesaid,marvelingatherrésumé.“Imean,tohaverunanentirelabatHarvardwhilestillanundergrad!”

“Yes,butIthinkit’salwaysimportanttostaypracticedinthefundamentals,youknow?Like”—Nellieslippedacheatsheetoutofherpocketandintoherlap—“howtoperformarecrystallizationorcalculateasolutiondilution.”

“Well,Idoubtyou’dbecalledontodoanythingthatbasic,butIapplaudyoursentiment.Honestly,Ms.Gormey,thisisoneofthemostimpressiverésumésI’veseeninquitealongtime.But”—heleanedoveracrossthedeskinakindofapology—“IwouldberemissifIdidn’tatleastcalloneofyourreferences.”

Nellie’sheartthumped.Sheknewthiswasapossibility,buthadhopeditwouldn’tcomeup.

“Ofcourse,”Nelliesaidthroughgrittedteeth.“Iunderstandcompletely.”

Nelliecrossedherfingersasthemanchoseanumberanddialed.MakethisworkandI’llneverspeedagain!I’llneverdrivethewrongwayonone-waystreets.Oronsidewalks!

“Whatdoyouwant?”ABritishvoiceexplodedfromthespeakerphone.“Hurry,please,I’monmywaytocatchaflight.”

NelliehadneverbeensohappytohearIanKabra’ssnooty,infuriatinglyentitledvoice.

“Uh,yes,Dr.,um,Kabra.ThisisGeorgeTakahashifromTri—”

“Gettothepoint!ThisisaboutGormey,Iassume.NadineGormey?Haveyouhiredheryet?”

“Well,no,Iwasjustwonderingif—”

“Whatintheblazesiswrongwithyou,man!”ThespeakerphoneshookasIanshouted.

You’reagenius,Nelliethought.ItakebackeverybadthoughtI’veeverhadaboutyou.

“IntheentiretimeIspentslummingattheHarvardchemistrylabs,”Iancontinued,“NadineGormeywas,withoutdoubt,theonlycertifiablegeniusIeverencountered.Onlyacompletemoronwouldbesostupidastonothireherthesecondshewalkedintohisoffice.Areyouacompletemoron?”

“No!Ijustthought—”

“Well,stopthinking,Jim!”

“It’sGeorgeactually.YouseeI—”

“Andgetdownonyourkneesrightnowandbeg—BEG!—NadineGormeytotakeoverthatrattrapofanoperationyou’rerunning!Begherandjustperhapsshe’lldeigntobringthelightofreasonandscientificrigortothatpitofmediocrityyoucallalab.Goodday,sir!”

“Well...”

“Isaidgoodday,sir!”

Thelinewentdead.Georgewasapalesweatymess.Evenhismustachewastrembling.HegotaholdofhimselfandlookedupatNellieslowly.

“So...whencanyoustart?”

SomewhereovertheMediterranean

“Thereitis,”AtticussaidfromtheseatnexttoDan.“Yourfuture.”

AjumbleofbrightlycoloredbrochureslitteredDan’slap.Heliftedoneoffthepileandhelditup.WasAtticusright?Wasthishisfuture?

“Youthink?”Danasked.“Itdoesn’tseemalittle...ridiculous?”

“Oh,man,it’ssocompletelyridiculous.”AtticustookthebrochurefromDan.Thejet’sreadinglightilluminatedalineofjugglers,swordswallowers,andbaggy-pantsedclowns.“‘Bartleby’sWorld-FamousClownAcademy.’Weremoreawesomewordseverwritten?Howcouldyounotwanttodothis?”

DanandAtticushadspentthepreviousnightbrainstormingDan’spost-CahilllifeoverendlessroundsoficecreamandItaliansodas.Itseemedlikeajokeatfirst,butnow,lookingdownatallthebrochurestheyhadprintedoutatthehotel,itfeltincrediblyreal.Dan’sheartracedashesiftedthroughthem.Eachonesetoffavolleyoffireworksinhishead.

“Idon’tknow,”Dansaid.“IfIdidtheAmericanSchoolinRome,wecouldhangout,like,everyday.Andthenthere’sbaseballcamp.Andastronautcamp!Icouldtotallygotoastronautcamp.”

“Youcoulddothemall!”Atticussaid,hiseyesroundwithexcitement.“It’saperkofbeingoneoftherichestthirteen-year-oldsontheplanet.Youcandoanythingyouwant.”

TherewasadingandthenthecaptaincameovertheloudspeakerannouncingtheirdescentintoTunis.Danfoldedupthebrochuresandstuffedtheminhisbackpack.Evenwiththezipperclosed,Dancouldfeeltheminthere,thesheerpossibilityofthemdrummingagainstthefabric.Hepushedthepackundertheseatinfrontofhimandturnedtolookdowntheaisle.

Amywasbyherselfinthelastrow,headdownoverOlivia’snotebook.Exceptforaquickconferencewiththepilot,that’swhereshehadbeentheentireflight.Nothingweirdaboutherstudying,ofcourse.Itwasjustweirdthatshewasdoingitalone.SurelyshecouldhaveusedAtticus’sbrainorhisownphotographicmemory.Dancouldn’thelpbutfeeluneasy.AmyhadbeenspendingsomuchtimealoneeversinceTurkey.

No,hecorrectedhimself.EversinceEvan.

Amy’sfirstboyfriend,EvanTolliver,haddiedonaCahillmissionmonthsago,andeversince,Amyhadspentmoreandmoretimebyherself,trainingandstudyingwithanintensitythatalmostfrightenedDan.

Dan,andjustabouteveryoneelseintheworld,thoughtthatwhateverhadbeenstartingbetweenherandJakemightbegoodforher,butforsomereason,wheneverthetwoofthemwereinthesameroom,italljustdevolvedintothekindofbickeringDanhaddonewithhisfifth-gradecrush.Whoknew.Maybethat’swhereAmyandJakewereheaded—pullinghairandknockingice-creamconesoutofeachother’shands.

NotthatDanwashelpinganywithAmy’sstress.DanhadjustannouncedthataftertheystoppedPierce,hewasleavingtheCahillfamily.Leavingher.MaybeAmywastheonewhoneededarelaxingmonthortwoatBartleby’sClownAcademy.

Assoonastheplanebumpedtoalandingandslidintoitsprivategate,Danjumpedup.

“Okay,everybody!”heannounced.“WelcometobeautifuldowntownTunis!Thelocaltemperatureishotwithaslightchanceofincredibly,ridiculouslyhot.Here’stheplan!AtticusandJake,youtwogotalktoyourdadandseewhatyoucanfindoutaboutthesilphium.AmyandIwillhittheCarthageruinsandseewhatwecanfindthere.IanandHamilton,weneedahotelandpossiblyalocalguide.”

“I’mcertainIcanfindsomethingatleastminimallyacceptable,”Iansaid.

“Good.Andwhileyou’reoutthere,don’tforgettomakefunofthelocalsfortheirfashionsense.Theylovethat.Now,JonahandPony—”

“Dan,wait!”

Everyone’sheadturnedtothebackoftheplane,whereAmywasstandingwithherbackpackslungoverhershoulder.

“Changeofplans,”shesaid.“ExceptforDanandme,everyoneisheadingbacktoAttleboro.”

Jakestoodupinhisseat.“What?Why?”

Amyheldupherhandtosilenceeveryone.“Theonlywaywe’regoingtofindeverythingweneedfortheantidoteintimeisifwebreakupintoteams.”

Amyheldupseveralbundlesofpaperwithherhandwritingalloverthem.

“I’vecopiedOlivia’snotebookintoseparatepacks,”shesaid.“We’llhavethreeresearchteamsandoneretrievalteam.Eachresearchteamwillberesponsibleforoneoftheingredients.AnythingyoulearnisfunneledtoDanandme,andwe’llretrieveit.JonahandHamilton,you’llbeteamTikal.IanandPonyareonAngkorduty.JakeandAtticus,you’regoingtostayonsilphium.”

“Whichwecandobesthere,”Jakesaid.“Seeingashowthisiswherethestuff,youknow,is.”

“Exactly!”Daninterjected.“Andbesides,Amy,youandIcan’tgotalktoDr.Rosenbloom.Thelasttimehesawus,hecalledInterpol.Hehatesus.Right,Att?”

“No!”Atticussaid.“Ofcoursenot.Mydadjust...”

Danlookedtohisfriendwithoneeyebrowraised.

Atticusflushed.“Okay,fine.Hedoes.Likealot.”

“AtticusandJakecantalktohimonthephoneandreportbacktous,”Amysaid.

“Nowwaitaminute,”Jakesaid.“YoumaybetheleaderoftheCahills.But,asyou’resofondofremindingus,AtticusandIarenotCahills.SoifyouthinkyoucanstopusfromstayinginTunisandseeingourownfather,you’recrazy.”

“I’mnottryingtostopyoufromseeingyourfather,”Amysaid.“I’mjusttryingtogetthejobdone.”

“Guys,guys,guys,”Dansaid,forcinghimselfinbetweenAmyandJake.“You’regoingtogiveournewfriendPonythewrongideaaboutus.Hedoesn’tknowthatwhileweargueoccasionally,weallshareadeeploveandabidingrespectthatrisesabovepettylittlequarrels.”

“Thisisn’tlittle,”Jakesaid.“Shedoesn’thavetherighttodothis.”

“No,”Amysaid.“Hedoesn’thavetherightto—”

“Hey!”Dansaid,pushingthetwoofthemapart.“Youknowwhatweneed?Pizza!Orthelocalequivalent.We’llhaveabiteandthenwe’llsitdownandwe’llallmakeaplan

together.”

AmyshovedpastDanandJaketotheplane’sexit.“Wedon’thavetimetostandaroundtalking,”shesaid.“Theplanismade.”

“Amy,wait!”Dancalled,butshewasalreadygone.

EveryoneleftintheplaneturnedandsilentlystaredatDan.Hebackeddelicatelytowardtheplane’sexit,hisbestfakesmileplasteredacrosshisface.

“Don’tworry,guys,”hesaid.“Thisisaminorhiccupcausedby,uh,extremejetlag.Whydon’tyouguysjusthangouthereontheplane.I’llberightback!”

Dandashedoutoftheplanebeforeanyonecouldsayaword.Hefoundhissisterstridingthroughtheintenseafternoonsuntowardtheirgate.

“Amy!Hey,Amy.Waitup!”Dancalled,joggingtocatchuptoher.“Whatwasthatallabout?”

“Thisisn’tpee-weesoccer,”Amysaidwithoutmissingastep.“Wedon’thavetimetomakesureeverybodyisplayingthepositiontheywant.Wehaveworktodo.”

“Whichwedobestwhenwe’realltogether.Seriously,Amy,Idon’tthink—”

AmywhippedsomethingoutofherbackpackandpusheditintoDan’schest.Anewspaper.

“What’sthis?”

Amysaidnothing.Dantookthepaperandopenedit.Hiseyeswentwideasheturnedfrompagetopage.

“Butthis...noneofthisistrue,”hesputtered.“Hecan’tjust—”

“Hecan,”Amysaid.“Anybodystandingwithusisatarget,Dan,andPierceisnotplayingaroundanymore.TheFBIisalreadylookingatusbackhome.WhatifPierce’sstoriesconvincethemtostartgoingaftertheothers,too?ThinkaboutJonah’smusiccareer.OrhowAtticuswantstogotoHarvard.YouandIhavetobehere,Dan,noneofthemdo.”

“Justbecausethey’rebackhomedoesn’tmeanthey’llbesafe.”

“No,butthey’llbesafer,”Amysaid.“It’sthebestwecando.”

SomethinginsideofDansankpainfully.Thepaperdangledinhishands.

“JakeandAtthavetostay,”hesaid.

Amystartedtosaysomething,butDancutheroff.“Wecan’twastetimesendingthemallthewayhomejusttotalktotheirdadonthephone.Theonlywaywe’regettingthisdoneintimeisifthey’rehere.”

TherewasaroarbehindthemasanotherplaneliftedoffintotheskiesaboveTunis.

“Fine,”Amysaid.“Butassoonaswe’redonehere,theybothgobacktoAttleboro.Noarguments.Agreed?”

Danmethissister’sgreeneyes.Forthefirsttime,theyresembledstone.“Agreed.”

AmywatchedasDanstoodbytheplane,fendingoffangryquestionsfromHamiltonandIan.Hemusthavebeenconvincing,sincehemanagedtotalkthemallbackinside.DanwentupthestairstohelpJakeandAtticuswiththeirthings,leavingIanaloneatthebackoftheline.

Amy’sheartachedasIanlookedatheracrosstherunway.HewasaKabra,sohishurtwasconcealedbeneathaveilofpride,butAmycouldseeitasplainasthedesertsunburningoverherhead.SheknewshewasdoingthisforIan’sowngood,butshealsoknewhowmuchtheirmissiondistractedhimfromwhathehadlost.Maybeonedayhe’dunderstand.

Amyturnedaway,fixinghereyesontheterminalandheadingforit.

“Amy!Wait!”

SheturnedbacktoseePonyrushinguptowardher.

“Sorry!”Ponysaidwhenhereachedher,huffingandpuffing.“Almostforgot!”Hepulledasmallpaddedenvelopeoutofhispocketandhelditouttoher.“SomemailcameafteryouleftAttleboro.Wantedtobringittoyou.”

“Thanks.”

Ponyranbacktothejet,sayinggood-byetoJakeandAtticusasDanledthemoutoftheplane.Amyturnedthepackageover.Hernameandaddresswereonthefront,buttherewasnoreturn.Shetoreitopenandpulledoutasinglesheetofpaper.

Amy,

Sorryagainformessingthingsupwiththeserum.Tookalookaroundthelabandfiguredouthowtomakeonemoredose.Thoughtyoumightneedit.

SammyMourad

Amydugbackintotheenvelope,heartracing.Shefoundsomethinginsideandpulleditout.Itwasasmallglassvial,halffilledwithserum.

“Hey,Amy,whatchagotthere?”askedDan.

Amydroppedthevialbackintotheenvelopeandstuffeditintoherbackpack.

“Nothing,”shesaid.“Nothingatall.”

Tunis,Tunisia

Lessthananhourlater,theyhadfoundthemselvesahotelandAtticuswasleadingthegroupthroughTunisonAvenueHabibBourguiba.AmyhadtoadmitthatIanwasright.Theavenuewasnothingifnotfashionable.Shedidn’tseeanydiscos,butshedidseesmart-lookingshoppersdartinginandoutofboutiquesorlounginginthesidewalkcafés.Thestreetitselfwaslinedwithwell-manicuredficustreesandornateblackstreetlights.Allofitsatbeneathashockinglybluesky.

“Att,”Jakesaid.“You’resureDad’slibraryisthisway?”

“Yep.Pasthereandintothemedina.”

“Themedina?”Danasked.

“It’sliketheoldpartofthecity,”Atticussaid.“Well,theoldpartofthecitythatstillstands.There’sbeenamajorcityonthissitefornearlythreethousandyears.ThereallyoldpartofthecityistheruinsofPunicCarthagetothenorth.”

“PunyCarthage?”Danasked.“Like,littletinywimpyCarthage?”

“No,”Atticussaid.“PuniclikePhoenician.See.Okay.Wedon’tknowmuchforsureaboutCarthage,butwethinkitmighthavebeenfoundedbyaPhoenicianqueennamedElissa.Only,whenVirgilwroteaboutherintheAeneid,hedecidedtocallherQueenDidoinstead.Anyway,whatweknowaboutheriskindofamixoflegendandpossiblyfact.”

“That’sprettyconfidenceinspiring,Atticus,”Dansaid.

“Givemeabreak!We’retalkinglikethreethousandyearsofhistoryhere.Anyway,thelegendandmaybesortakindafactisthatElissaandherbrotherPygmalionweresupposedtosharethethroneofPhoeniciawhentheirfatherdied.But!PygmalionkilledtheirfatherandthenkilledElissa’shusband.Notbeingsuicidal,Iguess,Elissatookabunchofherpeopleandgotasfarawayfromherbrotherasshecould.”

“Apparently,”Jakesaid,“thelocalsweren’ttoothrilledtohaveherandherpeoplehere,soshetoldthelocalkingsheonlywantedasmuchlandascouldbeencompassedbyasingleoxhide.Whenhesaidokay,shetoretheoxhideintotinylittlestripsandsurroundedanentirehillwithit.Totallyconnedtheguy.”

“Or,”Amysaid,“shedidwhatshehadtodotoprotectherselfandherpeople.”

“Right,”Jakesaid.“Theendtotallyjustifiesthemeans.”

“Ididn’tsaythat!”

“So,”DancutinashewedgedhimselfinbetweenAmyandJake,sendingthemtooppositesidesofthesidewalk.“IfCarthagewassuchabigdeal,thenwhydoweknowsolittleaboutit?”

“Because,”Jakesaid,“RomecompletelywipedthemoutaftertheThirdPunicWar.”

“Then,aftertheRomans,”Atticussaid,“thisplacewasconqueredagainbytheVandals—no,notthatkindofvandal,Dan.TheywereaGermanictribethatconqueredalotofNorthAfricaandtheMediterranean—andthentheByzantinesandthentheArabs.ThentheFrenchtookover,andnowthey’reontheirown.”

“Man,everybodywantedapieceofCarthage.”

“Itwasaprettygoodstrategiclocationandthefarmingwasamazing,apparently.WhenRomewasincharge,theycalledtheplacethegranaryoftheempire.”

“Didtheygrowanysilphium?”Amyasked.

Atticusshrugged.

“Oliviaseemedtothinkso,”Dansaid.

“AllweknowisshethinkssilphiumhadsomeconnectiontoCarthage,”Atticussaid.“Whatthatis,isanyone’sguess.LeonardodaVincisuggestedshelookforitonthe‘IslandoftheAthenian,’butsinceAthenswasthecapitalofGreeceandnotanisland,Oliviafigureditwashisideaofajoke.”

“Hilarious,”Dansaid.

“Sowhatissilphium,exactly?”Amyasked.

“Somekindofplant,”Jakesaid.“Wedon’tevenknowforsurewhatitlookedlike,sinceit’sbeenextinctforsomethinglikeathousandyears.”

Amyshookherhead.“Ifwedon’tknowwhatitlookedlike,howcanwebesureit’sextinct?Imean,therecouldbegrovesofthestuffandwewouldn’tknow.”

Theyhadmovedfromtheficus-linedHabibBourguibatoabroadplazaofwhatlookedlikewhitemarblecrisscrossedbysharpgeometricpatterns.Toweringinfrontofthemwasagreatstoneedificewithanarchedtunnelcuttingstraightthroughit.

“BabelBahr!”Atticusmarveled.“Theentiremedinausedtobesurroundedbyastonewall.Thewallisgonenowbuttheseportalsstillremain.”

Theplazawaspackedwithpeoplemovingineverydirection.AbabelofconversationsinFrenchandArabicmixedwiththesplashofafountainandtheshoutsofthesellersstandingatumbrella-coveredstalls.

Amyheldherbreathastheystarteddowntheroadintothemedina.Itwasincrediblynarrow,hemmedinbylinesofmerchants’stallsstackedupagainstthetwo-orthree-storybuildingsoneitherside.Thekioskswereteemingwithgoods,laidoutontablesandhangingfromtheroofsofthestalls.Everywherethekidslooked,therewereglitteringstacksofbrassandtin,alongwithelegantlyshapedceramicsandboltsoffabricsinbrilliantredsandgreensandlapisblue.Darkalleywaysandwindingarteriesshotoffthemainroadinaconfusionofdirections.

WhenAmyturnedtoDan,shesawhewasdoingthesamethingshewas.Scanningrooftopsandopenwindows,examiningthefacesofthesellersthatseemedtobeeverywhere.Itwassecondnaturetothemnow,tolookforanambush.

SomethingcaughtAmy’seyeandsheveeredoffthestreettoamerchant’skiosk.

“What’sup?”Danasked,movinginnexttoher.

“Lookatthese,Dan,aren’ttheypretty?”

Amypickeduponeoftheman’sbeatencopperpotsandhandedittoherbrother.“Oneo’clock,”shewhispered.“Bytherugmerchant’sstall.”

Danliftedthecopperpotupintothelight,thenturneditlikehewasexaminingadefect.JakeandAtticusappearedbehindthem.

“What’sgoingon?”Jakeasked.

“Oh,nothing,”AmysaidtoJakejustloudenoughsohecouldhear.“WewerelookingattheseforNellie.Youknowhowshelovestobeambushedwithgifts.”

Danputthepotback.“Guyinthehat?”heasked.“Doesn’tlooklikeanyoftheoneswe’veseen.”

“WhoknowshowmanyguysPiercehas,”Amywhispered.

“There’sanotherone,”Atticussaid.“Neartheflowerstall.Westerner.Newtothearea.”

“Howcanyoutell?”

“Hisfaceispink,”Jakesaid.“Sunburn.”

“Whatdowedo?”Danasked.

“Followhim,”Jakesaid.“Seewhatwecanlearn.”

Amythoughtasecond,thenbackedawayfromthetable.“No.Wegobacktothehotel.”

“Buthecouldleadusrighttotheirbase,”Jakewhisperedurgently.“Wecouldseehowmanyofthemthereare,findouttheirplans—”

“Getourselveskilled.No,”Amysaid.“Westicktotheplan!Getthesilphiumandgetout.”

ButJakewasalreadyonthemove.Amyreachedforhissleevebuthewastoofast.Jakethrewhimselfintotheriverofshoppersanddisappearedaroundacorner.Amywhirledaroundtofindthatthemaninthehatwasgone,too.

“Stayhere!”sheyelledatDanandAtticusbeforedivingintothecrowd.DidJakeevencarethathecouldgethimselfkilled?

Amystruggledthroughthecrowdedmedina.Despiteherbestefforts,sheseemedtoslamintoshoppersateverystep,earningherinsultsinatleastthreelanguages.ShesearchedthechaosforaglimpseofJakeorthemanwiththehat,butallshesawwerekiosksandbodiesandtwistingroads.

“Thereheis!”Dancalledout.

Jakeappearedattheotherendofanalley,speedingdownastreetthatranparalleltotheirown.

“Itoldyoutwotowait!”AmyyelledoverhershoulderasshetookoffafterJake.

AmyscreamedinwardlyasDanshotpasther,poundingdownthealleywaythatconnectedthetwostreets.Jakehaddisappearedagainbythetimetheyspilledintothe

road,butAmycaughtsightofthemanwiththehatasheheadedtowardatoweringmosque.

“Ifwetakethatroad,wecangetbetweenhimandJake,”Amysaid.

BrassandironclatteredagainstthegroundasAmybarreledpastmoremerchants,jostlingtheirstalls.Sheignoredtheircries,keepinghereyeonthemanasheslippedexpertlythroughthecrowds.Whentheywerejustfeetfromtheplaza,themanturneddownastone-roofedalley.Halfasecondlater,Jakeemergedfromthecrowdsandfollowedhimin.

Amy,Dan,andAtticusstoppedatthemouthofthealley,panting.Amypeereddownitslength.Itwaslongandevennarrowerthanthestreets.Theharshsunonlymanagedtolightthefirstfewfeet,andbeyondwasamurksodarkitlookedlikenight.Somewheredownthere,Jakewasalonewithamonster.

AmylookedbackatDanwheezingbehindher.Henoddedandtheybothbegantomove.AtticusstartedtojointhembutAmyheldhimback.

“Weneedalookout,”shewhispered.

“But—”

AmyraisedafingertoherlipstosilenceAtticusandthenfollowedDanintothealley.Itwasevendarkerthansheimaginedandfullofthevinegarysmellofmolderingtrash.Thesoundsofthecityandthemarketsweremutedbythealley’swalls,fillingthetunnelwithawhisperinghush.Amycreptforward,herbodyonhighalert.Danhadslippedfartheraheadandwaslostintheshadows.Amyfeltpanicbuildingupinher.Thenasingleshaftofsunlightfromagapinthestonerooffellsomethirtyfeetahead.Therewasaflashofwhiteasthemaninthehatsteppedintoit.

“AmyCahill,”themansaid.Hisvoicewaspleasant,buthadaflintyBritishaccent.“AndDanandJake.Ibelievethat’sAtticusRosenbloomwatchingthealley.AmIright?”

Amyfoundaloosepavingstoneatherfeet.Shegrabbeditandhelditattheready.“Whatdoyouwant?”

“Totalk.”

“Aboutwhat?”

Themanturnedtowardher,onehandreachinginsidehisjacket.

“He’sgotagun!”JakecriedasheexplodedoutofthegloomonlyfeetfromAmy.Themanwasreadyforhim,though.HepivotedtowardJake,butAmyleapedupandshovedJakeintothebrickwall,puttingherselfbetweenhimandtheBritishmercenary.

“Amy!Jake!”

ItwasAtticus.Atideofbodieswaspushingpasthimandintothealley.MoreofPierce’sgoons.Itwasatrap!AmyturnedbacktothemaninthehatjustasDanslammedintohimfrombehind.

“Dan!”

Therewasnothingtodonowbutfight.ThemanstumbledatDan’sstrike,butmanagedtopushhimasidesoDanwentreelingfartherintothealley.Itwastheperfectdistraction.JakeappearedbyAmy’ssideandtogethertheytookthemanbytheshouldersandflunghimaroundandintothewall.Hehitthebrickwithasatisfyingoof,andJakeswungforhim.Therewasacrackasheconnectedwiththeman’schin,sendinghimslumpingintothedirt.

JakelookedbackatAmy,buttheybarelyhadasecondtorelaxbeforeablastofwhitelightfilledthealley.Amystaggeredback,shieldinghereyes.Therewasanotherflash,andanother.Thistimefromthemanontheground.Hishandhademergedfromhisjacketandhewasholdingsomesortofadevice.Notagunbut...

“Smile,kids!”

Everythingsnappedintofocus.Notagun.Acamera.AflashwentoffandAmyturnedtowardthechargingmassofpeopletofaceafiringsquadofflashes.Everyonewasshouting.Aslightwomaninatansuitpushedamicrophoneinherface.

“Amy!DoyouplantobrutalizeanyotherpeoplewhileinTunisorjustthisinnocentreporter?”

Amy’smouthfellopen,stunned.Thereporterssurgedforward,crowdingthekidsdeeperintothealley.DanpickedhimselfupandjoinedAmyandJake.Themaninthehatgotup,camerainhand.Therewasbloodrunningdownhischin,buthewassmiling.

“Hey,Jake!Howdoesitfeeltojoinaglobalcriminalconspiracy?”

“Wasithardtobringyourinnocentlittlebrotherintoit,too?”

“Dan!Willyoueverbeabletowipeyournosewithoutyourbigsister’sokay?”

“Leaveusalone!”Amyshouted,andranatthem,drivingherwaythroughthecrowd,whichhadbecomeasthickasaforest.Handsreachedouttoherfromeverydirectionasthereporterspushedtheirbusinesscardsintoherpockets.

“Callme,Amy!”

“HowdoesitfeeltobepersonallyresponsibleforthedeathofEvanTolliver?”

Amyspuntowardthereporter,herhandcurlingintoafist.ButJakeappearedononesideofherandDanontheother.Theydraggedherbackthroughthecrowdsasthereporterstookpictureafterpicture.Atticuswaswaitingattheheadofthealleywithacabidlingbehindhim,itsbackdoorsthrownopen.

JakeandDantossedAmyintothecabandthenjumpedinbehindher.Atticushoppedintothefrontseatandslammedthedoor.

“Go!”Atticusshouted.“Now!”

“Unbelievable,”Jakesaid,cradlinghisbruisedhand.“They’reworsethanPierce’sgoons.”

AmyglaredatJakeacrossthebackseatofthetaxi.

“Yeah,”shesaid.“Andyougavethemexactlywhattheywanted.”

Tomakesuretheyevadedthereporters,Atticushadthedriverleadthemonahigh-speedramblethroughTunis.Theywereonahighway,thenoffagain.Bythelake,ontheHabibBourguiba,backinthemedina.Atensesilencefilledthecabtheentireway.AmystaredoutonewindowwhileJakestaredouttheother.Dansquirmedbetweenthem.

“Wheretonow?”DanaskedAmy,breakingthequiet.“Thehotel?”

“ThosereportersaregoingtobestakingouteveryhotelinTunislookingforus,”Amysaid.“Att,havethedrivertakeustoyourdad.Wemightaswellgetsomethingaccomplished.”

Minuteslater,thetaxiskiddedtoahaltoutsidethegatesofanornatebuilding.ThethreeofthemtumbledoutofthebackseatofthecarasAtticuspaidthedriver.OnceJakeintroducedhimselftotheguardjustinsidethelibrary,theywereallgivenbadgesandshownthroughasetofdoubledoors.

“CanIseeOlivia’snotebookagain?”Atticusasked.

Amyduginherbagandhandeditover.Itwasamazingtowatchhim,shethought.Ninetypercentofthetime,Atticuslookedlikeanyothertwelve-year-oldonthestreet,butnotwhenheread.Heseemedolderthanherthen.Helosthimselfinit,hisforeheadfurrowingintothinridgesandhiseyesgoingsharpascutglass.Shehadthedecodednotesinherbag,butitwaslikeAtticusdidn’tevenneedthem.Oncehehadbrokenthecode,hecouldreadrightthroughit.

Jakewaswatchinghisbrother,too,clearlyjustasamazedasshewas.WhenJakefeltAmywatchinghim,heturnedtowardher,hisfacebrighteninginasmile.Amyfeltajoltofnervesandturnedawayfromhim,continuingondownthehall.

Smallofficeslinedthehalloneitherside,eachonefilledwithenoughscientistsintweedandlabcoatstofillauniversity.Allofthemwerebentoverancientrocksand

scrollsofpaper.Eventheirmurmurssoundedsmart.

“Wow,”Dansaid.“Thisplaceisnerdcentral.Amy,wehavegottogetyouajobhere.”

TheycametotheendofthehallwayandanofficewithDr.Rosenbloomonthedoorplate.

“Okay,”Jakesaid.“YoutwowaitoutherewhileAtticusandIseewhatwecanlearn.”

JakewasabouttoclosethedoorbehindthembutAmyshovedherhandbetweenthedoorandthejamb.ShehissedwithpainbutmanagedtokeepitopenacrackwithoutattractingJake’sattention.

Dr.Rosenbloom’sofficeremindedAmyofalibrarythathadbeenstruckbyatornado.Booksandjournalsandnewspaperscoveredeverysquareinchoftheplace,mostofthemunderlinedandhighlightedandpowderedwithdust.Olddishesandtea-stainedmugswerestackedinlistingtowersbesidewallsofhalf-openedmail.Theplacedidn’tseemdirty,exactly,itjustseemedlikethespaceofamanwithamillionthoughtsgoingthroughhisheadatonce.

Theonlypartoftheofficethatwasatallwell-orderedweretheshelvesstuffedwithbooksrelatingtoDr.Rosenbloom’ssingularobsession—ancientorlostcivilizations.Amywasstunnedbythesheernumberandvarietyofthem.BooksontheAncestralPuebloPeopleandtheMinoansandtheOlmecssatbesideonesonmorefancifullostcivilizationslikeElDorado.TwowholeshelveswerefilledwithnothingbutbooksonAtlantis.

We’vedefinitelycometotherightplace,Amythought.

“Atticus!Jakey!”Dr.Rosenbloomappearedattheoffice’sbackdoor,beaming.Hethrewhisarmsopenandgatheredhissonsintohischest,glowingwithjoy.AmyhadtoadmitthatDr.Rosenbloomwasquitesomething.HewasaperfectmixtureofJakeandAtticus.Hehadthebroadshouldersandsquarejawofanathletebuttheunkemptclothesandthethick-rimmedglassesofaglobe-trottingslob/genius.

Thebestthingofallwashowmuchheclearlylovedhissons.Amyfeltatwingedeepinherchest.ShelookedatDanandguessedfromthedark,focusedlookonhisfaceashewatchedthemthathewasfeelingthesamething.Arealparent.Somethingthey’dhadforsuchashorttime.

Dr.Rosenbloomsweptstacksofbooksandpapersoffthechairsinhisofficeandsattheboysdown.Hehadtwopapersacksinhandandsetthemonhisdesk.

“Okay!Firstthingsfirst,Igrabbedussomelunch.Tajinemalsouka!Thisisgoingtoblowyourminds,guys.It’slikeachickenpiemadewithphyllodough.MyfriendAminamakesit.”

JakeandAtticussharedanamusedlook.Theirdadalwayshadawomanfriendwhowasmakinghimthingstoeat.Dr.Rosenbloomopenedthebagandpulledoutwhatlookedlikethickpiecesofpiewrappedinwaxedpaper.Theofficefilledwiththesmellsofspicychickenandwarmbread.AmyhadtograbontoDan’sshouldertokeephimfrombustingthroughthedoorandintotheroom.

“Sotellmeeverything!”Dr.Rosenbloomsaidthroughamouthfulofpie.“How’sschool?”

“Good!”Atticussaid,maybealittletooquickly.“Theindependentstudyisgoingreallywell.”

“Awesome,”Dr.Rosenbloomsaid.“Harvardwon’tknowwhathitthemwhenyougetthere.WhatbringsyouguysfromRome,though?I’mhappyyoucame,ofcourse,butit’ssuchshortnotice.Iseverythingallright?”

“Fine!”Jakesaid.“Wejustwantedtoseeyou.AndAtticushadsomequestions.Abouthisindependentstudy.”

“Happytohelp.Whatisit?”

“Well,I’mlookingatagriculture,”Atticussaid.“ParticularlythemajorRomancropsandwhoproducedthemoutsideofItaly.”

“Fascinatingtopic.”

DanrolledhiseyesandAmyelbowedhimhardintheside.

“Itis,”Atticuscontinued.“ButIkeepcomingacrossonecropthatIcan’tfindmuchabout.Silphium.”

Dr.Rosenbloomnoddedeagerly,swallowingamouthful.“Mmm.Well,that’sprobablybecausethere’snotmuchanyonecansay.Itwasoneofthebiggestandmostsoughtaftercropsofitstime,whichwasabouttheseventhcenturyB.C.tothefirstcenturyA.D.TheRomanssaiditwasworthitsweightinsilver.”

“Sowhatdiditdo?”Jakeasked.

Dr.Rosenbloomlaughed.“Everything,apparently.Peopleuseditasaseasoningintheirfoodandasageneral-purposeremedy.Curedjustaboutanythingyoucouldname.Or

sotheysaid.Here,guys,havesomemore.”

Dr.RosenbloomloadedJakeandAtticusupwithfreshslicesofpie.

“Well,ifitwassogreat,howdiditgoextinct?”Jakeasked.“Whydidn’tpeoplejustgrowmore?”

“Noonereallyknows,”Dr.Rosenbloomsaid,leaningbackandbrushingcrumbsoffofhisrumpledtie.“Maybetheywentthroughittoofastandthentherewasacropfailure.Somepeoplesaiditonlygrewwildandcouldn’tbecultivated,butthatseemsunlikely.”

“WasitgrownhereinCarthage?”

“Carthage?”Dr.Rosenbloomasked.“No,themaingrowerwasCyreneifIremembercorrectly.That’sLibyatoday.It’sclosebybutIdon’trememberreadinganythingaboutitbeinggrownhere.Why?”

“Justpartoftheproject,”Atticussaidquickly.“Kindoflikeascavengerhunt.We’resupposedtotryandfindsome,andmyadviserthoughtwecouldtryhere.”

“Ascavengerhunt?Forsomethingthatdoesn’texist?Atticus,that’satotalwasteofyourtime.Who’syouradviser?Ishouldcallandstraightenhimout.”

Dr.Rosenbloomreachedbacktoaphoneonhisdesk.

“No!”Atticussaid.“It’sfine.Really.”Atticusjumpeduptostophisdad,andwhenhedidOlivia’snotebookfelloutofhishandandontothetable.

“What’sthis?”

“Nothing!It’sjust—”

AmysuppressedagaspasDr.Rosenbloomtookthenotebookoffthetableandopenedit.

“Really,”Jakesaid.“It’snotanything.Just—”

Jakestopped.AnalmostphysicaltransformationcameoverDr.Rosenbloomasheread.Hissoftandbrightfeaturesturnedahard,ashygray.Amystartedforward,butDanheldherback.

“Ithoughtyousaidyoucamebecauseyouwantedtoseeme,”Dr.Rosenbloomsaidwithadarkfrown.

“Dad...”Jakestarted.

“OliviaCAHILL!?”heshouted,brandishingthenotebookintheirfaces.“ItoldyouIdidn’twantyougettinginvolvedwiththeCahillseveragain.”

“We’renot.We’rejust—”

“Don’tlietome,Jake!”

Dr.Rosenbloom’sshoutechoedinthesmalloffice.

“Wetoldthemwe’dseewhatwecouldfindoutaboutthesilphium,”Atticussaid.“That’sall.”

“You’veseenthestoriesabouttheminthepapers,”Dr.Rosenbloomsaid.“OnTV.Isthatwhatyouwanttobeapartof?Youwanttobefamous?”

“Thosestoriesaren’ttrue!”Atticusprotested.

“Thinkaboutyourfuture,Atticus.AndJake’s.IknowyouthinkAmyandDanareyourfriends,butiftheywere,theywouldn’tletyougetinvolvedinthesethings.”Heheldupthenotebookbetweenthem.“TheCahillsdon’tcareaboutanybodybutthemselvesandtheirstupidgames,andtheyneverhave!”

Amyfellbackfromthedoor,squeezinghereyesshutasifshecouldblockitout,buthiswordswerelikeknivestearingintoher.TherewasathumpasDr.RosenbloomthrewOlivia’snotebookontothetabletop.

“They’renotgames,”Jakecried.“Thisisimportant,andAmyandDan—”

Jakesuddenlywentquiet,andAmylookedbackintotheroom.Olivia’snotebookwaslyingopenonthedeskandDr.Rosenbloomwasleaningoverit,completelyabsorbedinsomethinginsidethathadcaughthiseye.Dr.Rosenbloomdrewthebookoffthecounterandintohislap,flippingquicklythroughthepages.

“Dad?”Atticussaid.

Dr.Rosenbloomhelduponehandandturnedanotherpage.Thelinesofhurtfellawayandhisfacetookonthesamediamond-likefocusthatAtticushadwhenhewasreading.

“Notpossible,”Dr.Rosenbloommutteredtohimself,shakinghishead.“It’snotpossible.”

“Whatisn’tpossible?”Jakeasked.“Dad!”

“Itwasrightundermynosethewholetime!”

Jakereachedacrossthedeskandshookhisfather’sarm,forcinghimtoemergefromthebook.Dr.Rosenbloomsnappeditshut.“IwantyoutwoonaplanebacktoRome.”

JakestartedtoprotestbutDr.Rosenbloomshuthimdown.“Nodiscussion.Youtwoleavetonight,andcallmeassoonasyougetin.”

“Butwhatdidyouread?”Jakeaskedashisfathertorethroughtheroom,fillingamessybriefcasewithpapersandstacksofbooksfromhisshelves.

“Tonight,Jake!”

Dr.Rosenbloomthrewonajacketandheadedtowardthedoor.AmyandDanjumpedforward,hidingbehindthedoorasDr.Rosenbloomthrewitopenandhitthehallatarun.Hisfootstepsclattereddownthehallwaypasthisastonishedcoworkers.Papersflewoutofhishalf-closedbriefcase.Adoorattheendofthehallflewopenandhewasgone.

JakeandAtticusjoinedDanandAmyinthenowsilenthallway.

“Uh...guys?”Dansaid.“Whattheheckwasthat?”

“Noidea,”Atticussaid,visiblyshaken.“I’veneverseenhimgetlikethatbefore.”

“Youthreebettergobacktothehotel,”Amysaid.“Digintothenotebookandfigureoutwhathesaw.Ithastobeimportant.”

“Whatareyougoingtodo?”Danasked.

“HeadtotheCarthageruins.There’samuseumthere,too.MaybeIcanlearnsomemore.”

“I’llgowithyou,”Jakesaid.

“No,”Amysaidquickly,alreadyrushingdownthehall.“Youstayhereandhelptheothers.”

“But,Amy—”

Amythrewopenthedoubledoors,stumblingintothebrightheatofTunis.Shemadeitaroundthesideofthebuildingandoutofsightbeforecollapsingwithherbackagainstawall.Shewassurprisedtofindherbreathcomingfastandherheartpounding.Dr.Rosenbloom’swordsechoedinherhead.TheCahillsdon’tcareaboutanybodybutthemselves.

Behindher,thedoorstothelibraryopenedandvoicesfilledthecourtyard.DanandJakeandAtticus.Amypushedherselfawayfromthewallanddisappeareddownthe

streetsofTunis.

CaraPiercesteppedintothedojoastheclockstrucknoon.Herbrother,Galt,stoodacrossfromher,barefootinhisblackuniformandblackbelt.Hesnappedintoafightingstancewithasnarl.

Thedojowasspacious,withcleanwhitewallsandapolishedfloorofblondwood.Aweaponsrackholdingbambooswords,staffs,andnunchakussatalongonewall.Upinahighcorner,asingleblackvideocameraswiveledbackandforth.Caraknewherfatherwasathisdesk,watchingonamonitor.Whentheyweredone,hewoulddescendandgivethewinnerareward.

Whentheywerekids,therewardforGaltandCara’sweeklysparringmatcheswasicecreamoranewtoy,butastheygotolderthewinnerreceivedanextrahelpingoftheirfather’smostprized,mosthoardedpossession—histime.Thewinnersatinhismeetings,listenedtohisplans,helpedhimconspire.Theloserwasshutout.

Ofcourse,sometimesCarawasn’tsurewhatshewantedmore—herfather’sfavorortowipethevicioussmirkoffofherbrother’sface.

Caradroppedintoherownstance,butbeforeshecouldmakeamovetherewasablurofmovementfollowedbyacrunchingimpacttoherjaw.TheworldflippedandCarafoundherselfonherback.Shecursedherselfforherdistractionandleapedbacktoherfeet.ShemanagedaquickroundhousekickthatconnectedwithGalt’ssidebutheflashedaway.

Galthadalwaysbeenfastandstrong,butinthelastfewweeks,heseemedtoborderoninhuman.Oneminutehewassafelyonherleft,andthenwithoutwarninghewasonherright,sendingapunchflyingtowardhertemple.CaragotafewpunchesinbuttheycamemoreandmoreinfrequentlywhileGaltbouncedbackfromthemfastereverytime.

Always,outofthecornerofhereye,shecouldseethatblackcameratrackingthem.

Caraspunawayfromanothercrushingblow.Alongwithherfather’sfavorscamethelectures.Survivalofthefittestiswhathealwayssaid.WinnersrosetothetopthroughhardworkandGod-giventalent.Andlosers?Alltheyweregoodforwasdoingthebiddingofthewinners.

Carahadanidea.InsteadofcirclingawayfromGaltastheirsenseihadtaught,sheslidstraightbackfromhim,dodgingaflurryofblows.Galtgrowledashecameather,workinghimselfintoafrenzy,hiseyesablaze.

That’sright,Carathought.Keepcoming.Youmaybestrongandfast,butit’stimetoseewhichoneofusissmart.

Caraslowedandlethimlandarightonherside.Itwasliketakingafreighttrainintheribs.Carastifledascreamandrespondedwithaworthlesspunchandthenasidekickthatwentnowhere.Galtlaughedandlandedastunningcombination.Rightleftright.Straightkick.Roundhouse.Cara’sbreathleftherinarushandshewentdowninaheap.

Galtstoodbeforeher,handsonhiships,self-satisfiedgrinflashing.Caracrawledovertotheweaponsrackandgrabbedthetoprail.Sheslowlypulledherselfup,finallymakingittoherkneesanddrapingherarmsoverthelipofthewoodenrack.Shedidn’thavetofakeitnow.Everyinchofherbodythrobbedwithpain.

Galtsaunteredover,revelingintheopportunitytomockher.“Needsomehelpthere,sis?”

Caralookedoverhershoulder.Theblacksurveillancecamerainthecornerwasrightonthem.Galtwasholdingouthishand,cockysmileburning.Carasmiledrightback.

“Nope.”

Carasweptabambooswordoutoftherackandswungwithallhermight.Galt’seyeswentwideastheshaftwhistledthroughtheair.

“Hey!Thisisn’taweaponsdrill!Cara!”

Caralaughedasherbrotherretreated,varyingherstrikestokeephimoffbalance.Shewentright,thenleft,ahardjabtothestomachwiththeswordpointtoknockthewindoutofhim,andthenaspinningkicktohisside.GaltwentdownwithacryandCarastoodoverhim,triumphant,herbarefootonhisstomach,theswordathisthroat.

“Okay!”Galtcried.“Youwin!Isurrender!”

“Yougetoverconfident,bro,”Carasaidwithasmileofherown.“Gettothinkingyou’reinvinciblewhenyou’renot.”

“Funny,”Galtsaid.“Iwasjustthinkingthesamethingaboutyou.”

“Whatdoyou—?”

BeforeCaracouldreact,theswordwasoutofherhandsandinGalt’s.Andhewasbackonhisfeet.Howdidhe—Galtwhirledtheswordlikeahelicopterblade,gainingmomentumbeforeslammingitintoCara’sside,andshoulder,andback.Eachstrikewasperfectlyaimed,hittingajuttingboneoranervepoint.Carafeintedleftandthenmovedright,butthebamboobladecameoutofnowhere,sendinghercrashingintothewoodenrack.

Whenshemanagedtolookup,Galtwasstridingtowardher,grinning.

“Sorry,sis,”hesaidwithashrug.“Iguessthere’sjustnofightingGod-giventalent.”

CarashuthereyesandGaltliftedthesword,tensingupfortheblow.

“Enough!”

Theirfatherstoodinthedoorway.Helookedlikeamarblestatueinhisinky-blacksuit.

“Dad!”Galtsaid.“Didyousee?ItotallybeatCara!”

“But,Dad,”Caracriedasshestruggledtogettoherfeet.“Hesurrendered!”

“Ididnot!”

“Youdid!Dad,Galttotally—”

“What?Cheated?”herfatherrepliedacidly.“Onlyloserswhineaboutrules,Cara.Rulesandregulationswereputinplacetocoddletheweak,andPiercesarenotweak!Now,Ibelieveyourmothercouldusesomehelparrangingherteddybearcollection.Ofcourse,ifyoudon’twantthistohappenagain,maybeyoushouldhitthegymmoreoften.”

“Yes,sir.”

“Galt,”hesaidashesteppedintothehallwayoutside.“You’rewithme.”

Assoonastheirfather’sbackwasturned,GaltstuckhistongueoutatCaraandthenslippedoutintothehall.Thedoorslammedbehindthem,andCaraforcedherselftoherfeetandstartedlurchingtowardthegym.She’dshowDadandGalt,too.She’dtrainharderthanever.Longer,too.

I’llshowthembothwho’sstronger.

Amywanderedformorethananhourbeforeshegatheredthecouragetoadmitsomethingveryimportant.

Shewaslost.

ThecabdriverwhopickedherupinthemedinaspokeArabic,French,andItalian,butnoEnglish.SothebestAmycoulddowasrepeatCarthage,museum,andnorthoverandoveragain.Finally,themanwavedhishandandhitthegas,drivingatterrifyingspeedsbeforescreechingtoahaltinthemiddleofasmalltown.Whenshequestionedhim,hepointedvaguely,thenspedoffinacloudofexhaust.

Amytriedtofigureoutwhereshewasusingherphone,butreceptionwasalmostnonexistent.

Asfrustratingasitwas,Amyhadtoadmittherewereworseplacestobelost.Thetownshefoundherselfinsatonapalmtree–coveredhillwithawideviewoftheMediterraneanbelow.Thenarrowstreetswerelinedwithlowbuildings,eachonepaintedsnowywhitewithaccentsofthedeepestblueAmyhadeverseen.Residentsloungedonwideporches,soakingupthelastraysofthesun,whiletouristsdrifteddowntheavenue,visitingthefewmerchantstallsthathungondespitethegatheringdark.

Amypausedatacornerandlookeddownonboatsglidingintoasmallmarinaforthenight.Shewassurprisedtofindthestrainofthedaybegintofade.

IsthiswhatDanwants?Amywondered.ThefactthatherbrotherwasleavingaftertheybeatPiercewasneverfarfromhermind.Tocometoaplacelikethisandsimply...be.Norunning.Nofighting.

Amycouldn’timagineit.AndwhatwouldhesaythenexttimesomeonelikePierceturnedup?“Sorry,world!Gottoworkonmytan.”

No,Amythought.DanandIareCahills.Itisn’tjustwhatwedo,it’swhoweare.Ifwestopped,ifwesplitup,what’sleft?Whowouldweevenbe?

Amypusheditoutofherhead.Dan’stalkwasjustthat—talk.AftertheyfinishedwithPierce,she’dmakesurehegotsometimeoff.Lethimgositonabeach.Afteralittledowntime,shewassurehe’dforgetaboutit.Satisfied,Amystruckoutagaindowntheroad.

“Excuseme?TheCarthageMuseum?”sheasked.

Touristaftertouristeithershooktheirheadorpointedgenerallytothesouth.Thesunwassettingfast.Amyneededtomove.Shehikedherbackpackuponhershouldersandheadeddowntheroad.

“You’relookingfortheCarthageMuseum?”Aman’svoicecamefrombehindher.

Finally!“Yes!”Amysaid,turningback.“IguessIjustgotalittle—”

JakeRosenbloomwasleaningagainstoneofthecleanwhitewalls,aninfuriatinggrinplasteredacrosshisface.“Lost?”

“Whatareyoudoinghere?”

“LookslikeI’mrescuingyou.”

“IknowexactlywhereI’mgoing!”Amyinsisted,turningandpointingdowntheroad.“It’s...thatway!”

Amywouldhavethoughtitimpossibleifshehadn’tseenitherself.Hisgrinactuallygrewwider.Jakesteppedoutofherway.“Well,afteryou,then.I’vealwayswantedtoseetheCarthageMuseum.”

Amyturnedandcontinueddownthestreet.ShewincedatthesoundofJake’ssneakersbehindher.

“Sohow’dyouenduphereanyway?”Jakeaskedinanoverlychippertone.“CabdrivernotspeakEnglish?”

Amyignoredhim.Thestreettookasharpturnandstartedheadingdownhillintothickerdarkness.

“It’sjustfunny,”Jakewenton.“SinceifIremembercorrectly,you’retravelingwithpeoplewhohaveaworkingknowledgeofArabicandItalian.SomeFrench,too!”

“Shouldn’tyoubelookingafterDanandAtticus?”

“They’refine,”Jakesaid.“HuntingthemythicalTunisianpizza.Thethreeofusfiguredwe’dallgobacktoDad’shouselaterontonightandgeteverythingsortedout.Oncehe’scooleddown,he’lllisten.AtticusthoughtitmightactuallygobetterifyouandDanmadeadirectappeal.”

“Oh,right,becausehelovesus.”

“Don’tworry,we’regoingtoletDandothetalking.Hisrecordonnotinfuriatingpeoplewhoareonlytryingtohelpiswaybetterthanyours.”

Amywantedtoscreambutsheforcedherselftokeepwalking.Thefarthertheywent,thedarkeritgot.Soon,Amybegantohearthecrashingofwaves.Gettingclosertothebeachmeanttheywerewalkingeast,notsouth.Amysearchedforroadsbranchingoffinthatdirectionbutsawnothing.Ofcourse,ifsheturnedback,she’dhavetofaceJake’sI-told-you-soglee,sosheputherheaddownandkeptgoing.

We’llgettothebottomofthishillandtheroadwillturnsouth,Amytoldherself.Righttothemuseum.

Ofcourse,itdidn’t.SeveralminuteslaterAmyfoundherselfankledeepinsand,justdownthebeachfromthemarina.Herfrustrationwasnearlyataboil.Atherside,Jakemadeanoisethatsoundedsuspiciouslylikealaugh.

“Don’t.Say.A.Word.”

“No!”hesaid.“Absolutelynot.Ijustdidn’tknowthattheCarthageMuseumwasoneofthosenewinvisiblefloatingmuseums,”Jakesaid,unabletocontrolhislaughteranylonger.“Look,Amy,youneedtojust—”

“What?Relax?Oh!Yes!Whydon’twealljustrelax?”Amyscreamed.“Imeanallwehaveontheagendaisdefeatingalunaticwhohashiredteamsofserum-enhancedassassinstokillus.Oh!Andthenyourdad,thenumberonepersonweneededtohelpus,justcompletelyfreaksout!Fornoreason!Andthenthetaxidriverdoesn’tspeakEnglishandmyphonedoesn’tworkandICAN’TEVENFINDASTUPIDMUSEUM!!”

Jakelookedupatthegaggleoftouristshangingoutbythemarina.“Uh...Amy.Maybeyoushould—”

“Andtotopitalloff,mystupidbrothersuddenlywantstoretireatthirteenandIhavetodealwithyou!You,whojustshowsupoutofnowherewithyoursmugattitudeandyourperfecthairandyourbigstupidfacethatlookslikeit’scarvedoutofmarble.”

“Youreallythinkmyhairisperfect?”

“Ahhh!”

Amystompedawaythroughthesand,leavingJakeandheadingtowardthemarina.

“Amy,wait!”

“I’mgoingtogofindacab.”

“Hey!AreyouAmyCahill?”

TwomeninsuitsstoodbetweenAmyandthemarina.Oneofthemreachedinsidehisjacket.

“Oh,great!AndnowIhavetodealwithyoupeople,too.What?Youwantmorepicturesforyourstupidnewspaper?Well,gorightaheadandtakethem!”

Oneofthemlaughed.“We’renotheretotakepictures,Ms.Cahill.”

“Thenwhatareyouherefor!?”

Themansmiledandpulledhishandoutofhisjacket,butinsteadofacameraAmyfoundherselfstaringdownthebarrelofaverylargegun.

“Duck!”

Amydroppedtoherkneesasacloudofsandflewoverherheadandintotheeyesofthetwomen.Jakegrabbedherbytheshouldersandyankedhertoherfeet.

“Run!”

AmyandJaketookofftowardthemarina,rightintothecrowdofonlookerswhohadallturnedtowardtheminvaryingstatesofshock.Themenwerebehindthemandclosingthedistanceincrediblyfast.TheseweredefinitelyPierce’sthugs.Amycaughtaglintofbronzeononeoftheremainingmerchants’tables.Shescoopeduparoundservingtrayandspunwithoutmissingabeat,hurlingtheplatelikeadiscus.Shemanagedasmilewhensheheardaverysatisfying“ugh”asthetrayfounditstarget.Oneofthemenwentdownandtheotherjumpedoverhim.

Jakeracedontothepierandleapedintoanearbypowerboat.Amybarelyhadtimetogetintotheseatnexttohimbeforeheturnedthekeyandgunnedtheengine.Amyshotaglanceoverhershoulder.Themenwerestrugglingtobreakthroughtheunrulycrowd,knockingpeopleoutoftheirwayastheymadetheirwaytowardthepier.

Jakepushedthethrottletofull,throwingAmybackintoherseat,lashedwithseaspray.Hecarvedapathsouth,straightdownthecoasttowardTunis.Behindthem,Pierce’smenwerethroughthecrowd,andAmywatchedastheycommandeeredaboatoftheirown.

“We’regoingtoneedanewplan!”Amysaid.

“It’syourturn,”Jakeyelledovertheroaroftheengines,earninghimselfaglarefromAmy.“Icameupwithstealingtheboat!”

Themenwerenowlessthanfiftyyardsbehindthem.Oneofthemwasleaningforward,guninhand.Assoonastheywereoutofsightofthecrowdsatthemarina,he

beganfiring.BulletszippedpastAmyandJake,splashingintothechurningwateraroundthem.

ThelightsofTunisweregrowingbrighterbythesecond.

“Ifweslowdownenoughtogetashore,they’llbeonusinnotime,”Amysaid.Shepivotedinherseat,searchingforanythingthatmighthelp.Alittlebitofland.Otherships.Anything.Allshesawwasavaststretchofdarksea.“Steerusoutintotheopenwater.”

“Anddowhat?TakethisthingtoItaly?”

Bulletspiercedthefiberglassdeckbehindthem,slammingtheirwaycloserandcloser.

“Justdoit!”

Jakepulledthewheelover,aimingtheboatstraightoutintoopenwaterahead.Themenbehindovershotthemandhadtoslowtoturnaround.

“Hopeyou’vegotagoodfollow-upidea!”

Metoo,Amythoughtasshedroppedintoherseatandstartedstrippingoffhershoes.

“Whatareyoudoing!?”

“Wehavetojump!”

“What!?Youmeaninthewater?”

“It’sdark,”Amysaid.“Theywon’tseeus.They’llfollowtheboatwhilewe’llswimbacktothebeach.”

Jakelookedbehindthem.“Swim?We’reamilefromshore!”

“Doyouhaveabetteridea?”

“Yes!It’scalledNOTDROWNING!”

Atrioofgunshotsthunderedbehindthem.Amystrippedoffhercardiganandstoodbytheedgeoftheboat.“Takeoffyourshoesandjacketandlet’sgo!”

“Amy!”

Amythrewherarmsoverherheadanddoveintotherushingwater.Asfastastheyweregoing,itwaslikehittingwetconcrete.Shetumbledinthewaterendoverend,plummetingintothedarkbeneaththewaves.ForaterrifyingmomentAmycouldn’tevenfigureoutwhichwaywasup,untilshespottedairbubblesfloatingtothesurface.Amy

followedthem,pullingwithallhermightuntilsheexplodedoutofthewaterwithagasp.Asecondlatertherewasascreamofenginesandtheotherboatracedby.

“Jake!”Amycalledintothedarkaftertheboathadpassed.“Jake!”

Amysearchedfrantically,butdidn’tseehimanywhere.Whatifhestayedintheboat?Whatifhe’sstilloutthereallalone?

“Jake!”shescreamed.

Amysearchedthedarkness,growingmoreandmoreanxiousuntilsheheardasplashnearby.ThesurfacebrokeandJakeappeared,gulpingbackair.Amystrokedtowardhim,puttingonearmaroundhisbackandkickingtoliftthembeyondthereachoftheswellsofblackwater.

“Youokay?”

Jakecoughedandthenhenoddedweakly.

“Canyouswim?”

“Yeah,”hesaid.“I’mgood.Let’sgo.”

Bythetimetheypulledthemselvesoutofthesurfandontothebeach,alltheycoulddowascollapseontotheirbacks.Amylaytherepanting,themusclesinherarmsandlegsbuzzingwithexhaustion.Jakewassittingup,drapedoverhisknees,breathinghardandshiveringdespitethewarmthofthenight.Helookedlikeahalf-drownedpuppy.Amycouldn’thelpbutsmile.

“Youwereright,”shesaidoverthecrashingwaves.“Iwascompletelylost.”

Jakelookedbacktoher,pushingthewethairoutofhiseyes.Shehadgivenhimagoldenopportunitytorubitin.Allshecoulddowasbraceherselfforit.

“Youwereactuallyonlyaboutamileorsofromthemuseum,”hesaid.“Youwouldhavegottenthere.”

Inthewetchill,Jake’ssmilefeltaswarmasabonfire.

“Comeon,”Amysaid.“Let’sgetoutofhere.Maybeifwe’relucky,Dan’sfoundthatpizza.”

AmystartedtogobutJaketookholdofherwrist.

“Backinthemedina.Goingafterthatguy...itwasoneofthestupidestthingsI’veeverdoneinmylife.Iwasn’tthinking.Ijustwantedtodosomething.Youknow?”

“Yeah,”shesaid.“Ido.”

Twentyminutesaftertheyfoundataxiwillingtotaketwosopping-wetteenagers,JakeandAmypulledupinfrontoftheirhotel.

“Hey,look,”Amysaid,pointingoutthewindow.“It’sDanandAtticus.”

ThetwoofthemwerejustcomingupthesidewalkasJakeandAmyleftthecab.

“Whoa!”Atticussaidwhenhesawthem.“Whathappenedtoyouguys?”

“What?”Jakesaid,mockincredulous.“Wejustwentforalittleswim.”

Amylaughed.“Yeah,itwassuchanicenightwecouldn’tresist.Whatdidwemisshere?”

“Wefoundit!”Danexclaimed.“Tunisianpizza!Andyou’llneverbelieveit.Thestuffhastunafishonit!”

“Andhard-boiledeggs!”Atticuschimedin.

“Atfirst,youthinkit’sacrimeagainstthepizzagods,butthenyoutasteitanditblowsyourmind.”

“We’llhavetotrysome,”Amysaidwithadoubtfullook.“Att,Jakesaysyouthinkweshouldtryyourfatheragain.”

“Totally,”hesaid.“Youguyswanttochangefirstorsomething?”

“Nah,”Amysaid.“We’lldryoffontheway.Comeon.”

ThefourofthemsetoffdownthestreetsofTunis,AmyandJaketrailingbehindwhileDanandAtticustookthelead,babblingexcitedlyaboutavideoarcadetheyfounddownnearthemedina.Allaroundthem,nightclubsandcaféswerebuzzing.TheairwaswarmonAmy’sskin,anditsmelledofthespicyaromaofroastingmeatsfromtherestaurantstheypassed.

Forawonderfulmoment,Amyfeltlikejustanothertourist,glidingthroughthetownwithherfriendswithoutacareintheworld.SheevenfoundherselfwishingIanwasthereandJonahandNellieandHamilton,too.EvenPony.

“It’sjustuphere!”Atticussaid,leadingthemdownaquaintstreetlitbytheglowofamberstreetlights.Theywenthalfwaydowntheblock,thenopenedablackgatethatleduptoasmalltwo-storyhouse.

Amyknewtherewassomethingwrongimmediately.Thefrontdoorwashangingwideopen.Evenfromthesidewalk,shecouldseeaturned-overbookcaseandafloorcoveredinpapers.

“Doesyourdadlivealone?”Amyasked.

Atticusnodded,speechless,andAmyrushedpasthim,upthestairsandintothehouse.Shestoodinthebrightlylitfrontroom,surveyingthedamage.Theplacehadbeenransacked.Coffeetablesandchairswereturnedontheirsidesandeverysurfacewascoveredinpapersandbooksandjournals,alllookingliketheyhadbeentornofftheshelvesandthrownasiderandomly.

“Dr.Rosenbloom!”Amycalled.

“Dad!”Jakeyelled.

“I’mtryingtocallhiscellphone,butheisn’tanswering,”Atticussaid.

“It’sprobablynothing,”Jakesaid.“YouknowhowDadgetswhenhe’sworkingonsomething.Ibethejust—”

“Theysawhimtalkingtous.Theythinkhe’sinvolved.”

EveryoneturnedatthesoundofAmy’svoice.Shewasstaringatthefloor,hatinghowsureshefelt.

“Whodid?”Jakeasked.“Amy?Whosawhim?”

AmyforcedherselftolookatJakeandAtticus.Shefeltsomethinglikealumpofchalkinherthroat.

“Pierce’smen,”shesaid.“They’vekidnappedyourfather.”

Thisisnevergoingtowork,NelliethoughtasshestoodintheparkinglotatTrilonLaboratories.Hundredsofhersoon-to-befellowemployeeswerestreamingoutoftheircarsanduptothebuilding.Thereweresomanyofthem!Andtheyallseemedsofullofenergyandpurpose.EveryscrapofconversationNelliecaughtwasincomprehensible,fullofwordslikeentropyandmetalloidsandprotonation.

Nelliewaitedforthefloodtopass,thensteadiedherselfwithadeepbreathandtroopedupthestairs.Onceinside,shesawthatthebuildingwassurprisinglysmall.Iwonderhowtheygetallthosepeopleinhere?

AsNelliecrossedtheentryway,shenoticedtheblacksecuritycamerasthathungineverycorner,likenestingbats.Therewereguards,too,meningrayuniformswithgunsontheirhipsandradioearpieces.Itwasheavysecurityforalittlepharmaceuticalplant.Theplacewasgettingmoresuspiciousbythesecond.

Nelliecametoasecuritygatethatledbackintothelabs.NexttothecardreaderonthegatetherewasalargeblueDthatmatchedtheletteronNellie’sIDcard.Nellieswipedhercardandmadeherwaythroughamazeofwhitehallways,lookingforlab237.Eachlabshepassedbuzzedwithsmallteamsofscientists.ShekeptaneyeoutforSammy,butsheknewtherewasnowayfindinghimwasgoingtobeeasy.

Nellie’sstomachflippedwhenshefinallyfoundherselfoutsidelab237.Agroupoffivescientistsstoodinthemiddleconferringwiththeirbackstoher,spoutingmoresciencegibberish.

“...but,Doctor,Avogadro’slawclearlystatesthat...”

“SomeonebringmetheEppendorftube!!”

“—greatScott,man!Thinkoftheneutrinos!”

EverymoleculeinNellie’sbodywantedretreat;shecouldnevermixwiththesepeople.Itdidn’tmatterthatshechangedherclothesanddyedherhair.ShewasNellieGomez,not—

“Dr.Gormley!”

Thefivescientistswerestaringather.Oneofthem,anoldermanwithsnowyhair,crossedtheroomwithhishandout.

“I’mDr.Wentworth!Sogoodtohaveyouhere.We’veheardnothingbutwonderfulthings!It’llbeapleasuretohavesomeonewhoreallyknowswhatshe’sdoingtakeoverthelab!”

Nellie’sheartskippedabeat.“Takeover?”

“Yes!”Dr.Wentworthlaughed.“Weallheardthatyoucameinforanassistant’sposition,butGeorgeTakahashiknowstalentwhenheseesit.HefiredDr.Carstairsanddecidedtogiveyouthejob!”

“Well,that’s...that’sjust...it’samazing,”Nelliesputtered,feelingherheadspin.“Butcertainlytherearepeoplewhowouldbebettersuitedto—”

“Nonsense!”Dr.WentworthhustledNellieinsideandtoadeskatthefrontoftheroom.“Withyourcredentials,you’regoingtobeperfect.Abreathoffreshair.Now,isthereanythingwecangetyoubeforewestart?Coffee?Dr.Assad!CoffeeforDr.Gormey!”

“Yes,sir!”Oneoftheotherscientistsdashedoutoftheroom.

“Allofusherearesoeagertogetstarted,”Dr.Wentworthcontinued.

Nellieseizedontheopportunity.“Yes!Youshoulddothat!Justgoaheadandgetstarted.Greatidea!”

Dr.Wentworthstaredatherblanklyandthenturnedtoawomannexttohim.

“Getstarteddoing...what?”thewomanasked.

Nelliefloundered.Ahugechalkboardsatattheotherendoftheroom,coveredwithequationsandstrangesymbols.“Continuingthegreatworkyou’realreadydoing!”

Dr.Wentworthlaughedhisjollylaugh.“Oh,allofDr.Carstairs’sprojectswerecanceledwhenhewasfired.Bestthingthatcouldhavehappened,really;hisapproachwasgettingusnowhere.”

Thewomanchimedin.“Mr.Takahashisaidnowthatyou’reherewecanexpectaradicalnewapproachinthecreationofcomplexdihydratebenzoproteinphosphates.”

“Didhe!?”Nelliesqueaked.

“Oh,yes!SinceitwasthesubjectofyourPhDthesis.”

Nelliebracedherselfwithherpalmsonherdesk,fightingthelight-headednessthatwasspreadingfast.Thedoortothelabstoodopenlessthantenfeetaway.Theelevatorswerejustfifteenfeetdownthehall.Shecouldbebackinhercarandontheroadinminutes.

No!Theworldiscountingonyou,Gomez.Allyouhavetodoisgetthesepeopleoffyourbacklongenoughtodosomesnooping.Dosomething!

Butwhat?Thelasttimeshehadtakenachemistryclasswasintheeighthgrade,andshehadn’tpaidtheslightestbitofattention.Shehadjustdiscoveredcookingandcouldn’tgetherselftospendmorethanafewminuteswithhernoseoutofJuliaChild’sMasteringtheArtofFrenchCooking.

Butwait,Nelliethought.Isn’tcookingjustchemistry?Insteadofaformula,youhavearecipe.Insteadofchemicals,youmixingredientstogetherinpreciseproportionsuntiltheycombineandbecomesomethingelse.There’sreallynodifferenceatall.Sowhat’sthesecrettogreatcooking?Think,Gomez,think!

“Uh...Dr.Gormey?”

Nelliepoundedherpalmonthetabletop.“Salt!”

Shelookedupataseaofutterlyblankfaces.DidIjustsaythatoutloud?Dr.Wentworthsteppedforward.

“Uh...whatdoyoumeansalt?”

Nelliedecidedtogoforbroke.Shestrodetothechalkboardandpickedupaneraser.ShewipedawayalloftheirequationsandreplacedthemwithSALTinhugeletters.“That’sourradicalnewapproach,ladiesandgentlemen!”shedeclared.“Salt!Sodium!”

“You’resayingmixsodiumintotheformula?”

“Yes!”Nelliesaid.“That’sexactlywhatI’msaying.”

“Butthatdoesn’tmakeanysense!”oneoftheotherscientistsinterrupted.

“He’sright!”criedanother.“Ifwesimplyaddsodiumtothemixture,itwilldestroythewholething!”

“Anditwouldbehighlydangerous!”

Inseconds,thescientistshadhercompletelysurrounded,screechingaboutsaltandsodiumandtheacceptedpracticesinmodernchemistry.Theonlythingtodowasrun.NellietookasteptowardthedoorjustasyoungDr.Assadappearedinthedoorwaywithhercoffee,astunnedlookonhisfaceatthechaosintheroom.

That’swhentheideahither.Ian!NellieswipedthecoffeemugoutofDr.Assad’shand,tookonesip,thenhurleditacrosstheroom.Themughitthefarwallandexploded,sendingcoffeeandshardsofpotteryflying.

“YOUCALLTHISSWILLCOFFEE!?”

Theangrychatterceasedimmediately,asifsomeonehadreachedinandturnedthesoundoffintheroom.Thedoctorsturnedtoher,mouthsagape.

“Areyoutryingtopoisonme?”Nellieshrieked.“Isthatinstant?Andpowderedcreamer?WhatdoyouthinkIam,ananimal?”

Dr.Wentworthsteppedforward.“Dr.Gormey,I—”

NelliewheeledonWentworth.“Andyou!EveryonebackinmylabatHarvardsaidthescientistsatTrilonlabswereabunchofmonkey-brainedhacks!Isaidno!Alltheyneedisafewfreshnewideasandthesky’sthelimit.ButhereIam,droppinggeniusatyourfeet,andthisishowyoureact!?Areyouallblind?Areyoufools!?”

“But,Dr.Gormey—”

“Don’t‘Dr.Gormey’me,Dr.Wayneworth.”

“It’sWentworthactually,but—”

“Idon’thavetimetoholdyourhands!I’vegivenyoutheanswer!Doyouneedmetodoallofyourworkforyou?”

“N-no,”Dr.Wentworthstuttered.“Ofcoursenot!It’sjustthatsalt—”

“Noexcuses!Iwantreportsbytheendoftheweek.We’retryingtosaveliveshere,people!”

“Ofcourse,Dr.Gormey!”

“Andyou,”Nelliesaid,wheelingonaquakingDr.Assad.“Iwanttoseeadouble-caffnonfatcaramelmochaccinowithwhippedcreamonmydeskintenminutesoryou’refired!”

“Yes,ma’am!”

Dr.Assadsprintedoutoftheroom.Nelliecrossedherarmsandleanedagainstthebackwallaseveryonescatteredtotheirjobs,bendingoverBunsenburners.Theywouldn’tlookupagainforhours.

BeingDr.NadineGormeywasawesome.

“Amy!Amy,waitup!”Danranafterhissisterasshetoreintothehotellobby.“WhywouldPiercetakeDr.Rosenbloom?”

“Togettous.”

“ButPiercedoesn’twantanythingfromus.Hejustwantsusdead!Amy!”

Amybarreledpastatrioofstunnedtouristsandtookthestairwaytwostepsatatime.WhenshegottotheirfloorAmyrippedtheirhotelroomdooropenandstompedinside,headingstraightforthetelephone.

“Whoareyoucalling?”

“Thepolice!”

DanslappedhishanddownoverthereceiverbeforeAmycouldpickitup.“Whoa,Amy.Youknowhowthisworks.Ifwecallthepolice—”

“Wecan’tjustsitherewhilePiercedoeswhoknowswhattotheirfather,Dan.That’sthegameweplayedwithDamienVesper,andI’mnotplayingitthistime.”

“Amy—”

“WewenttoDr.Rosenbloomforhelp,Dan.”

ThepaininAmy’svoicewasheartwrenching.AsmuchasDanhatedtoadmitit,heknewshewasright.They’dlostpeoplebefore,andwerestilltryingtocope.Howcouldtheytakethatchanceagain,withAtticusandJake’sownfather?DanlethishandslipoffthephoneandAmygrabbeditandstartedtodial.Beforeshecouldfinish,thephonewasrippedoffthetableandoutofAmy’shand.TheyturnedtofindthephonecordclutchedinJake’sfist.

“Callingthepolicewillgethimkilled,”Jakesaid.“Piercetakinghimmeanshewantstobargain,andthatgivesusanopportunity.Wewaittoseewhathehastosayandthenwe

pulloneoveronhim.”

“Jake—”Amystarted.

“That’showthisworks,”Jakesaid.“Youknowthat.”

“Att,”Dansaid.“Youonboardwiththis?”

Atticuswasstandingbehindhisbrother,armscrossedoverhischest,headdownsohisdreadlocksshadowedhisface.Henoddedslowly.

“Sowhatdowedointhemeantime?”Danasked.

“Ourjob,”Jakesaidwithadeep,shudderingbreath.“Westillhavetofindthesilphium.Atticus,gothroughOlivia’snotebooklinebylineincasewemissedsomething.Dan,seeifyoucanfindanythingontheweb.Amy,helpmelookforplacesintheareawithaFoundersMediaconnection.MaybewecannarrowdowntheplacestheymightbeholdingDad.”

“Wewon’tfindhim,”Amysaid.

“Comeon,Amy,”Dansaidwithapalesmile.“Ourrecordforoutsmartinghomicidalmadmenisthebestintheleague!”

“ButPierceissmarterthananyofthem,”shesaid,lookingfromDantoJaketothestill-unmovingAtticus.“Isn’the?”

Thefourofthemspreadoutthroughtheroomandworkedsilently,hunchedoverpapersandcomputerscreens.Dancravedtheusualchatteroftheirresearchsessions,butevenhewastootensetokickitoff.Hecouldn’tstoplookingoveratthephone.Whydidn’tPiercejustcallandendthewaiting?

WhenDanwasn’tstaringatthephone,hewaswatchingAtticus.Someonewhodidn’tknowAttwouldprobablythinkhewasasfocusedasever,butDansawthetrutheachtimeAtticusfumbledhispencilandoneverypagehisfriendlingeredoverjustasecondtoolong.

“That’sit,”Jakesaid,sittingbackandrubbinghisLCD-burningeyes.“I’vedoneit.I’vereachedtheendoftheInternet.”

“What’sthere?”Danasked.

“Prettymuchwhatyou’dexpect,”hesaid.“Alolcat.”

Jakehadtherightidea.Danwasfried,too.HereachedacrossthetableandflickedtheTVontoanEnglish-languagenewschannel.

“Dan,”Amysaid.

“What?IjustwanttoseehowmySoxaredoing.YoufindanythingonFoundersMedia?”

“Nothing,”Amysaid.“Despiteowningeveryothermediaoutletintheworld—alongwithpharmaceuticalcompaniesandInternetstart-ups—FoundersMediahasnothinginTunisia.”

“Thatcan’tbepossible.”

“It’strue,”Jakesaid.“WeevenhadPonydosomediggingbackhome.Piercedoesn’thaveanyreachhere.Notonethatleavesatraceanyway.”

“Atticus?”

“Zilch,”hesaid,rubbingathisbloodshoteyes.“Imean,there’sallkindsofstuffinhere,butit’shardtofigureoutwhat’simportantandwhat’safour-hundred-year-oldshoppinglist.”

“Uh-oh!”Dansatupinhischairandfumbledfortheremote.

“What?”Amysaid.“Dan,whatisit?”

“Nothing!”DansnappedtheTVoff.“Don’tworryaboutit.Hey!WhowantstogobreakintotheTunisiannationalarchives?”

Amytoretheremoteoutofhishands.

“No,Amy,wait—”

TheTVcamebackon,showingtwohighlypolishedtalkingheadsatamassivechrome-and-glassdesk.AmytookaseatbehindDananddroppedtheremotebyalargecrystalashtrayonthetablenexttoher.

“...andformorenewsonthoseglobe-trottingtroublemakers,DanandAmyCahill,wenowturntoseniorinternationalcrimecorrespondentChetWaterdam.Chet?”

“Comeon,Amy,”Dansaid.“Wedon’tneedtoseethis.”

Aleathery-lookingmanwithorangeskinandbrightredsuspendersappearedonthescreen.

“Thanks,Wes.TheCahillkids!Atfirst,wehereatCVBNewsthoughtitwasallfunandgames,butnowwehavelearnedthatwhatwearelookingatisactuallyaninternationalcriminalconspiracyofstaggeringproportions.Butfirst,theCahills—whoarethey!?”

ThedopiestpictureDanhadeverseenofhimselfpoppeduponthescreen.

“DanCahill!”Chetexclaimed.“Secondincommand.Afanaticallyloyalbutweak-willedanddim-wittedhanger-on.”

“Hey!”criedDan.

“TherealpoweroftheCahillcabalrestshere.”

Dan’spicturewasreplacedbyagrainyoneofAmyatthemouthofaseedy-lookingstreetinsomeunnamedcity,lookingmysteriousandfurtive.

“AmyCahill!Arecklessthrilljunkieintheguiseofalibrarianintraining.”

“Well,theygotyouthere,”Dansaid,hopingforalaugh,butgettingaglareinstead.

“Ms.Cahilliscruel.Neverwillingtogetherownhandsdirty,though,shehasahistoryofluringboysintodoingherbidding.”

TheTVscreenfilledwithashotofasmilingEvan,standinginthesun.DanlookedbackatAmy.Shewastransfixed,eyeswide,skinpale.

“Amy,”hesaid.“Seriously.Turnitoff.”

“EvanTolliver,”thevoice-overintoned.“BrilliantstudentandbelovedsonofTerrenceandLetitiaTolliver.Butwhydon’tweletthemtellyouabouthim...”

Evan’spicturefaded,replacedbyagray-hairedmaninawhiteT-shirtandawomaninaprimbluedress.Theyweresittingsidebysideonasunlitporchwithafarmstretchingoutbehindthem.

“OursonlovedAmyCahill,”LetitiaTolliversaidinapain-rackedvoice.“Helovedhermorethananything.”

TerrenceTolliverdrewhiswifecloseasshepulledoffherglassestowipeasingletearfromhercheek.

“That’sright,”Terrencesaid.“Helovedherandshekilledhim.Sureasifthegirlhadheldtheguninherownhand.Shedrewhimintoherworld,andthispoorboy,ouronlyson,nevermadeitoutalive.Andsherunsaroundtheworldlikeshedoesn’thaveacare.”

“Amy...”Jakesaid,butevenhewentquietasthecameramovedclosertoMr.Tolliver’sface.Heandhiswifeeachlookedfarolderthantheyusedto.Anoff-cameravoicespokeup.

“AndwhatwouldyourmessagebetoanyoneassociatingwithMs.Cahillnow?”

“Getawayfromthatgirlasfastasyoucan,”Letitiasaid.“Shelooksinnocent,butshe’sasnake.”

Amywasmotionless,leaningforwardinherchair.IntheflickeringlightoftheTV,hereyesweredarkhollows.

“Strongwords,”Chetcontinued.“Onesthatleadtoperhapsthemostimportantquestionofall—hasAmyCahillalreadyfoundhernextvictim?”

Thescreenfadedtoanotherpicture.ItwasJake,caughtstandinginthatmedinaalley.Heworeanangrysneerandhisfistwascocked,readytostrikethereporterwhosatbleedingathisfeet.Amystoodintheshadowsbehindhim,watchingitallwithalookonherfacethat,hadDannotknownher,hewouldhavereadasdistinctlypleased.

“JakeRosenbloom—starathlete,honorsstudent,ayoungmanwithabrightfutureaheadofhim.HowlonguntilAmyCahilltakesallthataway,too?Formoreonthis—”

SomethingzippedthroughtheairbyDan’sheadandtheTVscreenexplodedinashowerofglassandplasticandelectricalsparks.Danjumpedoutofhisseatasacrystalashtrayhitthefloorandshattered.DanturnedtoseeAmystandingattheedgeofthetablewithtearsinhereyes.

“It’sPiercethat’sdoingthis,”Dansaid.“Youknowthat.Thisismeaningless.”

“It’snotmeaninglesstome!”Amycried.“Maybeyoucanjustrunaway,Dan,butIcan’t.Ihavetostay!Ihavetodealwiththis!”

“I’mnotrunningaway!”

“Imusthavebeencrazy,”Amysaid.“Idon’tknowwhyIthoughtthiswouldwork.Dan,callthepilot.Tellhimhe’stakingJakeandAtticushome.Tonight.”

“Amy,”Jakesaid.“Youcan’tthinkIbelieveanyofthis.”

Amywhirledonhim.“Itdoesn’tmatterwhatyoubelieve!Wearedonetalkingaboutthis.DanandIwillfindthesilphiumandthepolicewillfindyourfatherandthat’sit.”

“No,”Jakesaid.“Amy,that’snothowthisisgoingtowork.”

“Thisiscrazy,”Dansaid.“Youcan’texpectthemto—”

“Thatisanorder!”Amyroared.

Danfelthimselfknockedbackward,thestingofAmy’swordslikeapunch.Everyoneintheroomwentsilent.Theywerelikefourstatues,frozeninoppositecornersofthe

room,musclestenseassteel,vibratingwithanger.

“IamtheleaderoftheCahills,”Amysaid,herdeadlycalmmorefrighteningthanascream.“Idon’twanttohearanymorethoughtsoranymorediscussion.Thisishowit’sgoingtobeandthat’sit.”

Beforeanyonecouldsayanotherword,Amythrewopenthedoortoherbedroomandslammeditbehindher.

JakeandDanandAtticusdidn’tmove.

“Dan,”Jakesaid.“Youhavetotalktoher.”

Dannoddedbuthedidn’tturnbacktoJakeorAtticus,hejustkeptstaringatthesmashedTV.

Amysatonthefloorofhershower,searingwaterfallingoverherheadandshouldersandfillingtheroomwithsteam.Shehadturnedthewatersohot,herskinwasredandaching,butshecouldn’tstopshivering.

ThefacesofEvan’sparentshauntedher.Itwasasiftheyhadbeenprintedwithphosphorescentinkonthebackofhereyelids,inescapablenomatterhowhardshetriedtoblockthemout.Forsolong,Amyhaddrownedouttheguiltthatragedinsideherwiththevoicesofallofthepeoplewhotoldherthatitwasn’therfault.ThatEvanknewtherisks.

NowafewwordsfromEvan’sparents,andthewoundwasrawagain.Evanhadgotteninvolvedbecauseofhisfeelingsforher.Amycouldhavestoppedhim,butshehadn’t.

Amyshutthewateroffandwentintoherbedroom,wrappedinatowel.Itwasquietontheothersideofthedoor.Shecouldonlyimaginewhattheboysmusthavesaidwhenshelefttheroom.Whattheymustthinkofher.Amyfellacrossherbedjustashercellphonebegantoring.Shewantedtoignoreit,butthecallerIDshowedupascomingfromAttleboro.Shetookabreathandmadeherselfanswerit.

“We’rethinkingitmustbedrugs.”

AmyalmostsmiledwithreliefattherichliltofIanKabra’svoice.

“Somesortoftruthserum–likecompound—”

“Butnotonethatmakesyoutellthetruth!”Hamiltonshoutedinthebackground.

“Isaidtruthserum–like,Hamilton.Nowplease,I’mtryingtotalk.Tomas,”Iangrumbledandthenturnedbacktothephone.“WethinkPiercemusthaveslippedsomekindofwill-weakeningdrugintotheirwatersowhenthereportersuggestedwhathewantedtheTolliverstosay,theysaidit.Simple,really.”

Amywasonherback,staringatthepressed-tinceiling.Theheatfromtheshowerhaddissipatedandachillwassnakingupherlegs.Shefeltdistantfromherself,likeshewaswatchingfromabove.

“Amy?”Iansaid.“Amy,areyouthere?”

“Itwasn’tdrugs,”shesaid.

“Youcan’tbelievethatthesepeoplewouldhonestlythink—”

“HowoftendoyouthinkaboutNatalie?”

NowitwasIan’sturntogosilent.Amy’searwasfilledwiththesoftinandoutofhisbreathing.

“Idon’tthinkit’sappropriateto...”hestartedwithhisusualbrusqueenergybutthenhisvoicefaltered.“Ithinkaboutherallthetime,”headmitted.

Amyturnedontoherside,pressingthephonebetweenherearandthepillow.

“Butsometimesisitlikeyou..”Amystruggledwithanideathatseemedtoretreatfromherevenasshegrabbedatit.“Forget?”

“Forgetwhat?”

“Thatshe’sreallygone?Likeonedayyou’lljustturnacornerand”—Amy’svoicecaughtinherthroatbutshepressedon—“she’llbethere?Oryou’lllookatotherpeopleandforasecondyouseeherintheirplace.”

“Ihearhervoicesometimes,”Ianconfessed.“ImeanIthinkIdo.There’salwaysthissplitsecondwhenIthink,Oh,no,whatdoesshewantmetodonow?butthenIcatchmyself.”

“Iguessthat’swhatotherpeopledon’tget.Thatpeoplewhoaregonearen’treallygone.”

“No,”Iansaid.“Theyneverare.”

AlumpgrewinAmy’sthroat.

“Yo,Ian!”

Amycouldhearascuffleforthephone.

“Jonah!Unhandme!”

“Gogetmeaspotoftea,oldman,”JonahsaidinhisbestIanimpression.“Gottaholleratthebossaminute.”

AmyheardIanharrumphandthenJonah’sswaggeringvoicefilledherear.

“Yo!AmyK-to-the-Hill.”

“Hi,Jonah,”Amysaid.“Howarethingsthere?”

“Nevermindthat.Thisiswisdom-droppingtime.WhatthosetwosaidonTVwascold.”

“Ireallydon’twantto—”

“Iknow.Iknow.I’mnotheretodiscussyourfeelings.I’mheretomakeaknowledgedeposit.”

“Oh,yeah,andwhat’sthat?”

“Allthosepeoplecrowdingaroundyouwithcamerasandlittlenotebooks?Thosereporters.”Jonahsaidthewordwithobviousdisgust.“Theyarenothingbutdogslookingforabonetochewon.”

“Well,unfortunatelythatboneisus.”

“Yeah,butitdoesn’thavetobe.See,alladogwantsissomethingbetweenitsteeth.Itdoesn’tcarewhatitis.Reportersarethesameway.Allthey’retryingtodoismakeabuckbykeepingalotofboredpeopleentertained.”

“Sowhatareyousaying?”

“I’msayingthatifyouwantadogtodroponebone,allyougottadoisgivehimanewone.”

“AndhowamIsupposedtodothat?”

“WhenIwanttogetreportersoffmyback,IcallinananonymoustipthatJustinBieberisgettingacrewcutontheothersideoftown.”

“SomehowIdon’tthinkthey’regoingtobuythatoverhere.”

“Idon’tknow,Cahill,thatlittledudegetsaround.”

Amysurprisedherselfbylaughing.“Allright.Thanks,Jonah.I’llseewhatIcando.”

“Hard-wonknowledge,Amy.Hard.Won.”

Amysaidgood-byetoJonahandthenstaredatthedoor.Shecouldn’thideinhereforever.Amygotdressed,thenstoodwithherhandonthedoorknoblisteningtothequietshuffleofDanandAtticusandJakeontheotherside.Herstomachdidflipsassherememberedthesoundofhervoiceasshebarkedordersatthem.

Youdidwhatyouhadtodo,Amytoldherself.Whatyoushouldhavedonelongago.

Amycaughtherbreathandforcedherselfthroughthedoor.Noonesaidaword,buteveryheadintheroomturnedasAmysteppedthroughthedoor.Jakewasdownononekneebythebed,stuffingclothesintoagymbag.Dansatbythewindow,watchingherwithakindofguardedinterest.Thewayyou’dlookatastrangerbeforeyou’vedecidedifthey’refriendorfoe.

“Ididn’tcalltheplane,”heannounced.“Wedon’thavetherighttotellJakeandAtticustogo.”

“Butdon’tworry,YourLeaderhood,”Jakesaid.“We’releaving.AtticusandIwillstayatDad’splacewhilewekeeplookingforhim.YouandDancanfindthesilphium.WhensomethingcomesinfromPierceonDad,Danwillforwardittome.”

AllAmycoulddowasnod.Thiswaswhatshewanted,wasn’tit?ShecaughtaglimmerofglassontherugbytheTV,andthebuzzofnervesinherstomachswelled.

“I’vebeengoingoverOlivia’sjournal,”Atticussaid.Hesatbythedoor,Olivia’snotebookinfrontofhim,hisownbagathisfeet.Heturnedthenotebookaroundandshowedittoher.Hepointedatashinysmudgeatthetopcornerofonepage.

“Yourememberwewereeatinglunch?Well,that’sthelastgreasesmudgefromhisthumb,sothisiswhereDadstoppedrightbeforeheranout.Ithoughtmaybehesawsomethingaboutthesilphiumbut...”

Amystudiedajumbleofwhatlookedlikenames.Critias.Timaeus.Hermocrates.Atthebottomtherewasasinglesentence.ThetwentiethHafsidclaimstokeepthetestamentofthefailedstrategoi.

“Whatdoesitallmean?”

“Well,thesentenceisgibberishtome,”Atticussaid.“Butthefirstthreearenames.”

“Whoarethey?”

“Nobody,”hesaid.“Likeliterallynobody.They’recharactersPlatousedinhisdialogues.”

“Dialogues?”Dansaid.“Thisguywasaplaywright?”

“No,PlatowasaclassicalGreekphilosopheraroundthefourthcenturyB.C.Thedialogueswerealiteraryformheused.Insteadofhimwritingabookexplaininghisideas,he’dcreatecharactersandhavethemdiscussstuff.Thesethreewerethemainspeakersinaprojectedtrilogyofdialogues.”

“Projected?”

“Platocompletedthefirstone,calledTimaeus.Thesecondone,Critias,washalfdone.Hermocrateswassupposedtobethethird,butheneverwroteit.”

“Makessense,”Dansaid.“Sequelsareneverasgoodastheoriginal.”

Amycouldn’thelpbutsmile.ShelookedbackatDan,butheturnedawayassoonastheireyesmet.

“Sowhy’dyourdadgetsofreakedbyit?”

“Noidea,”Atticussaid.“AndIdon’tseeanyconnectiontosilphium,either.Plato’sdialoguesnevermentionit,andtheynevereventalkaboutCarthage.”

JakegrabbedhisbagandturnedtoAtticus.“Comeon,bro.Weshouldgetmoving.”

AtticushandedthenotebookovertoAmyandthenslunghisbagoverhisshoulder.“Goodluck,”hesaid.“Seeya,Dan.”

“Yeah,”Dansaid,fightingbacktheemotionAmycouldhearinhisvoice.“Seeya,Att.”

It’sforthebest,Amythought.Onedaythey’llunderstand.

JakeandAtticusstartedtogo,butbeforetheycouldleave,therewasacrispknockonthedoor.

“Excuseme,please,”cameaharriedman’svoicefromtheothersideofthedoor.“Thisisthehotelmanager.Iammostembarrassedbutwehavejustbeeninformedofasmallfireonthetopfloorsofthebuilding.Wemustaskthatallresidentsevacuateimmediately.”

“Afire?”Dansaid.

Jakequicklybacktrackedtothewindow.“Guys,”hesaid.“Look.”

“Justamoment!”Amysaidtothemanager,andcrossedtheroom.

Jakepulledasidethecurtainandnoddedoutintothedark.“I’mnotfromaroundhere,”

hesaid.“Butthosesuredon’tlooklikefiretruckstome.”

Severalnondescriptcarsandalargeminivanloiteredbelow.Allwereblackandseemedtohavemorethantheusualamountofantennasandlights.Bulkymeninsuitsstoodaroundsmokingcigarettesandkeepingasharpeyeallaround.

“Ifthere’sonethingI’velearnedinthelastyear,”Jakesaid,“it’sthatnomatterwhereyougo,copsprettymuchlookthesame.”

“That’sallforus?”Danasked.

“We’retheCahillkids,”Amysaid.“Internationalcriminals.”

“Stealingthatboatprobablydidn’thelp,”Jakesaid.

DanlookedatAmy.“Youguysstoleaboat?”

“It’snotjustcops,either,”Amysaid.

Shepointedtoanotherclusterofmen.TheyweremixingwiththeTunisianpolicebuttheywereWesterners,broadshoulderedandleanwithcrispmilitaryhaircuts.Official-lookingbadgeshungaroundtheirnecks,butAmyknewtheyweren’ttheFeds.

“Pierce’smen?”Danasked.

Amynodded.“ProbablypretendingtobeFBIorUSMarshals.”

“Excuseme!”themanagercalledagain,hisaccentedvoiceslurringwithpanic.“Miss!Itismostimportantthatyoucomedowntothelobbyimmediately.Thisfire,itisverydangerous!”

“Whatdowedo?”Atticusasked.

HelookedtoAmyandsomethinglockedupinsideofher.“Maybe...maybewegowithhim.Oncewe’reoutweslipaway,goouttheback...”

“Theotherhotelexitswillbecoveredbynow,”Jakesaid.“Besides,he’sprobablygotcopsstandingrightnexttohim.Atticus,blockthedoorandgetourthings!”

Atticusstuckachairunderthedoorhandleandgrabbedtheirbackpacks.Jakehitthelightswitchandthehotelroomwentdark.

“Whatareyoudoing?”Amyasked.

“Dan,givemeahand!”

JakepulledthewindowshadesopenandthenDanrushedovertohelp.Thewindowwasheavy,butwithagiantyank,itflewopenandahotgustofwindblewintotheroom.Therewasathinconcreteshelfjustbelowthewindowthatencircledthebuilding.

“Miss,please!”themanagerpleaded.“Thefire,itisquitebignow!”

Therewasaclickasthemanagerunlockedthedoor,andthenathumpashetriedtoopenit.Jakegrabbedthewindowsillandclimbedupontotheledge.

“Jake,wait!”Amysaid.“Wecan’t!”

ButDanwasalreadyfollowinghimout,withAtticusclosebehind.Awall-shakingboomcamefrombehindherassomeonebegantryingtobreakthedoordown.Therewasnootherchoice.Amyleapedupontothewindowsillandoutintothenight.

Ponywasdeepinthejungleandthereweretigerseverywhere.

Hecouldfeeltheireyesonhimateveryturn,crouchingattheedgeoffirewallsandlurking,ravenous,withinsystemregistries.Ponyhadnodoubtthathewasoneoftheverybest,butFoundersMediahadwithstoodyearsofattacksfromeveryonefromAnonymoustoMafiaboyandpossiblytoAprilMayherself.Itwouldn’tgiveupitssecretswithoutabloodyfight,hencethetigers—sentriesmadeofcodereadytopounceifhemadeonewrongmove.

AssoonasPonyhadseenthelastnewsstoryfromFoundersMedia,heknewhehadtotrysomething.Hestartedbyreachingintorelativelyunprotectedfileserversanddeletingarticlesandphotoandvideofiles.Theyalwayscameback,though,sometimeswithinminutes.

HisnewestgambitwastodelvedeepwithinFoundersMedia’sinternalservers.Hewasn’tquitesurewhattheendgamewas—maybetofindinfotoimplicatePierceintheattacksagainstAmyandDan.Maybedodeepandseriousdamagetohisnetwork.First,Ponyneededtogetin.Andthatwasprovingmuchharderthanhe’dthought.

Ponypushedthekeyboardaway.Hisheadwaspounding.Hiseyeballsached.Therewasonlyonecureforwhatailedhim.Ponylefthisstationinthecommandcenterandwalkedbacktothekitcheninapost-hackinghaze.Aroundhim,Hamilton,Ian,andJonahwerebentoverbooksandcomputersoftheirown,pokingatahundreddifferentmysteries.

“Hey,Pony,”Hamiltonsaid.

“PonyBoy!”Jonahsaid.“Youstayinggold?”

Ponystillcouldn’tquitebelievethatJonahWizardwasactuallytalkingtohim.

“Justtakingabreak.How’stheresearchgoing?”

Jonahswiveledaroundinhischair.“Huge!MeandHamherebrokethiswholethingwideopen.”

“Noway.”

“Checkitout,”Jonahsaid.“WelearnedthatthedesertoutsideTuniswasusedasaprimarylocationforthefirstStarWarsmovie.Andnotonlythat,sowasTikalinGuatemala.”

“And,”Hamiltonsaid,“AngkorWatwasusedasamodelforaplanetbrieflymentionedinRevengeoftheSith.”

Ponylookedatthemblankly.“So?”

Hamiltonleanedforward.“Sowehavetoaskourselves,”hesaidinaconspiratorialwhisper,“havewefullyconsideredGeorgeLucas’sroleinallofthis?”

Ponyrolledhiseyes.“Youtwoneedanythingfromthefridge?”

Hamiltonshookhishead.

“Bigglass,”Jonahsaid.“Halfgingerale.Halfrootbeer.”

“Ian?”

Ianignoredhim,whichwasnosurprise.He’dbarelysaidawordsincethey’dgottenbacktoAttleboro.Hesatinadarkalcovestaringatacomputerscreenorpacingangrilydownstairs.Ponyfiguredthatbeingbenchedmustbedrivinghimcrazy.

Ponyrootedaroundinthefridgeuntilhefoundhismagicelixir.ElectroshockCherryLimeadeCaffeineBlast.Ponydidn’tbotherwithaglass;heupendedthetwoliterandletitsloshoutofthebottleanddownhisthroat.Heimaginedhislifebargofromcautionredtoyellowtoaglowingelectricgreen.HegrabbedasecondtwoliterandJonah’sdrink,thenheadedbacktohisstation.

“What’sup,Pony?”

Ponyalmostspitoutamouthfulofsoda.Nelliewassittinginhischair,buttherewassomethingdistinctlyun-goddesslikeabouther.

“Youlook...weird.”

“Youknow,Pony,Ithinkit’syourtactthatmakeseveryoneloveyousomuch.”

“Butyourhair.Andyourclothes.You’redressedlikemymom.”

Nellie’sbrowneyesnarrowedonhim.“I’mundercover,”shegrowled.“Nowsitdown.Ineedyourhelp.”

“What’sup?”

“IneedanythingyoucangetmeonTrilonLaboratories.”

ThiswasmusictoPony’sears.Nelliemovedoutofhischairandheleanedintohiskeyboardlikeamusician,hisfingersbe-boppingoverthekeys,poundingoutacrispplasticrhythm.Intheendthewholethingwasabitofadisappointment.Ponyshruggedandtookanotherswigofhishackerjuice.“There.”

“Therewhat?”

“Pwnage.Totalandcompletepwnage.”

“Ireallyneedsomekindofgeek-to-Englishdictionary.”

“I’min,”Ponysaid.“Rightinthemiddleoftheirsystems.TrilonLaboratoriesnowofficiallyworksforme.”

“Already?”

“Itwasjustoff-the-shelfsecuritystuff.Easytobreak.”

“Sowhat’sthere?”

Ponysurfedthesystem,dippinginandoutoffilesatwill.“Notmuch.E-mail.Someaccountingstuff.Alistofallfifty-sevenemployees.”

“Wait.Fifty-seven?Isawlikeahundredpeopleintheparkinglot.”

Ponysurfedarounduntilhecouldbringuparoughschematicofthebuilding.“Inhere?They’dneedacrowbartofitthatmanypeopleinabuildingthissize.”

“Canyouprintthatout?”

Onekeystrokeandafullsetofblueprintswerespoolingthroughtheprinter.Ponyspreadthemoutonatableandporedoverlinesandnotation.

“Anythingweird?”Nellieasked.

“Itappearstobeabuilding,”Ponysaid.“Withwallsandafloor.Andaroof.”

Nellieglaredathim.

“What?Paperisn’treallymystrongsuit.”

Nelliepushedhimoutofthewayandtracedthemazeoflinesinandoutofrooms.Sheturnedapagetolookattheelectricalwiringschematics.

“Huh,”shesaid.“Look.”

Ponysatforward,flippingthepagesbackandforth.Hewouldneverhavethoughtitpossiblewithsomethingassupremelylameassomesheetsofpaper,buthestartedtofeelthatfamiliarhackingfeeling.Itwaslikehewasmeltingintothedata,becomingonewithit,losinghimself.Foraflashofasecond,Ponywasthoseblueprints.

“Doyouseeit?”Nellieasked.

“It’sliketherearetwobuildings,”Ponysaid.“Lookatthebasement.Thewallsandtheceilingaresuperthick,wayheavierthananythingelseupstairs,likethey’reblastwallsorsomething.Andit’sgotlikeanentirelyseparateelectricalsystem.Andlookatalloftheelevatorsandstaircases.”

Nelliestareddownatthembutshookherhead.“Idon’tseeanything.”

“Theydon’tactuallygodownintothebasement,”hesaid.“Withallthepeopleyousaidwerethere,you’dthinkthey’dmakesuretherewereplentyofwaystogetdownstairsbuttheydon’t.Theelevatorshaftsandthestairwaysallstopatthefirstfloor.Exceptforthisone.”Ponypointedoutwhatlookedlikeanotherstairwell.“Thatonegoesallthewaydown.”

Nelliethoughtbacktowanderingthehallsonherwaytoherlab,tryingtomatchhermemorieswiththeblueandwhitelinesbeforeher.“I’veneverseenstairsthere.”

“Nosurprise,”Ponysaid.“Accordingtotheplans,theyleadrightuptoasolidwall.There’snoentranceorexitintothatstairwellonanyfloorbutthebasement.”

“I’mguessingweshouldputthatinthesuspiciouscolumn,”Nelliesaidasshegatheredtheplans.“Goodwork.”

Nelliegavehimasisterlysockonthearmandheadedoutwiththeplansunderherarm.Watchinghergo,Ponyfeltthatdeflatedfeelingheusuallygotafterdisconnectingfromaseriousdayofhacking.Itwasstrange.Ponyhadalwaysbeenaloner.AkeyboardjockeyinadankbasementlivingonElectroshockandanchovy-and-pineapplepizza.Butnowhewaspartofateam.

There’snowayI’mlettingthesepeopledown.

PonypulleduptohiscomputerandtookanotherslugofElectroshock.

“Timetogotowar,FoundersMedia,”hesaid,crackinghisknucklesonebyone.“Braceyourselfforultimatepwnage.”

Amy’sclothessnappedlikeflagsinthewindoutontheledge.Shedaredaquicklookdownandinstantlyregrettedit.Theconcretesidewalkfourstoriesbelowseemedtohaveanalmostmagneticpull.

WithJakeinthelead,thefouroftheminchedtowardaladderthatledtotheroof.Theykepttheirbacksplasteredtothewall,thetipsoftheirtoesdanglingoverthecrumblystone.Sofarthepolicedownbelowhadn’tnoticedthem,buttheywerestillpoundingawayatthehotelroomdoor.Itwasonlyamatteroftimebeforetheygotin.

ShetookanothershufflingstepandAtticusfalteredbesideher,onefootslippingofftheedge.Amythrewanarmoverhischest,flatteninghimagainstthewall.Shecouldfeelhisheartpoundingbeneathherfingertips.Amygavehimaweaksmile.

“It’sokay,”shewhispered.“Look.”

Upahead,Jakegrabbedtheladderandpulledhimselfontoit.Amy’sreliefonlylastedasecond.Therewasawoodencrashbehindherastheirhotelroomdoorshattered.Thepolicehadmadeitinside.

“Stopwhereyouare!”apoliceofficeryelled,leaningoutthewindow.

“Go!”Amysaid,andpushedAtticusaheadofher.JakewasscramblinguptheladdernowandDanwasalmosttoit.

“You!”theofficershouted.“Downbelow!Lights!”

Spotlightsexplodedfromthestreet.AmyheldupahandtoblockthemandsawthatPierce’smenhadbrokenfromtheothersandwerestormingintothehotel.

DanjumpedontotheladderandpulledAtticusonbehindhim.WithaquickprayerAmythrewherselfontothemetalrungs.Therewasmoreshoutingbelowthemnow,andthesoundofmorevehiclesarriving.Shewasnearlytothetopwhenonehand,greased

withsweat,slipped.Gravityduginandtriedtopullherback,butDan’shandsnappedontoherwrist,holdinghersteady.Amypulledherselfovertheedgeandontothedarkroof.

“Itwon’tbelongbeforethey’reuphere,”Dansaid.

Amyscannedtherooftop.Therewasadoorwayinafarcornershefiguredledtoastairwellbackdownintothehotel.“Wefakethemout,”Amysaid.“Gobackdown,then—”

“Hey!Overhere.”

AmyandtheothersjoinedJake.Hehadcrawledhiswayacrosstheroofandwasatthesouthernedgeofthehotel.Theyweretenstoriesupnow,withallofTunisstretchedoutbelow.Itwasadenselypackedcity,onerooftopbleedingintothenext,likeaseriesofstepsheadingstraightdowntothetangleofthemedina.

JakelookedoverhisshoulderatDan,whoshrugged,thenbackedawayfromtheedgeanddroppedintoarunner’sstance.

“Whoa!”Amysaid.“Jake,wecan’t—”

Twopoliceofficersblewthroughthedoorontheroof,gunsdrawn.“Youthere!Stopwhereyouare!”

Danbrokeintoarun.

“Dan,no!”

Dansprintedpasther.Hisrightfoothitthetopofthestonewallandlaunchedhisbodyintotheair,sailingoverthethree-footgaptothenextbuilding.Amyleapeduptoseehimhittherooftophardandrollaway.Jakefollowed,butAtticuswashangingback,clearlyterrified.Thepolicewerehalfwayacrosstheroof.They’dbeontheminseconds.Insaneornot,itwastheironlychance.AmygrabbedAtticus’shandandtogethertheyracedtowardtheedgeoftheroof.

Amy’sfoottouchedthewallandshethrewherselfashardasshecouldintotheopenair.Atticusdidthesame,andforasecondtheywerebothweightless,hurtlingacrossspacehandinhand.

Amyhittheroofoftheoppositebuildingshoulder-firstandrolledaway.Painshotthroughhersidebutsheignoredit,turningbacktolookforAtticus.Hewasn’tbesideher.

“Atticus!”

Thefingersofonesmallhandgraspedtheedgeoftheroof.AmyracedoverandgrabbedAtticus’swrist,hissmallbodytwistingovertheconcretebelow.Amytriedtomusclehimovertheedge,buthisskinwassweatywithfearandhestartedtoslip.Shescrambledforabetterhold,buthewasslippingfastandpullingheralongwithhim.

Thenshefeltsomethingbehindher,ahandgrabbinghershirtandpulling.Shelookedback.Dan.Jakeappearedbesideher,graspingatAtticus’sotherarm.Together,thethreeofthemhauledAtticusupandovertheedge.HehitthetarpaperpantingandJakethrewhisarmsaroundhim.

“Youthere!Don’tmove!”

Thepolicewereattheedgeofthehotel’sroof.JakepulledAtticustohisfeet,andasecondlatertheywereallupandrunning.Behindthem,AmyheardacopshoutsomethinginArabicintohisradio.Amygruntedastheyjumpedontothenextroof.Danlandedandthenranbesideher,dodgingskylightsandexhaustcolumns.Hesparedalookback.Thetwocopswerestillonthehotel’sroof.

“Guesstheyjustdon’thavetheskillsoftheamazingflyingCahills,”Dansaid.

“Ha!”Atticussaid.“Maybeyoushouldtryouttobeanacrobatinsteadofaclown.”

“Keepgoing!”Jakesaid.“There’snowaytheycankeepupwithusfromdownthere.We’rehomefree,unlessofcoursetheyhavea—”

Thescreamofahelicopter’srotorshitthemafractionofasecondbeforeitssearchlightswitchedonanderasedthenightaroundthem.

“Youareunderarrest!”

Therewasnothingtodobutkeeprunning.ThefourjumpedfrombuildingtobuildinguntilthemusclesinAmy’slegswerescreaming.Thebuildingsgotlowerastheynearedthemedina.Firstsixstories,thenfive,thenfour.Butnomatterhowfasttheyranorthecleverturnstheytook,thetightringofthehelicopter’ssearchlightstayedfixedonthem.

“There!”Dancried.

Dansprintedforafireescapeandtheyallfollowed.Theymadeitdowntheladderanddroppedintoatightalleywaybehindthebuildings.Thehelicopter’sbeamwasstillonthem,butnowitwasfracturedbyfullclotheslinesandfireescapesandloadeddumpsters.Thefourkidsfoundapatchofshadowanddisappearedintoit.Theplazathatledintothemedinalaystraightahead.

“Theyhavetofigurethat’swherewe’reheaded,”Jakesaid.

“Nochoice!”Amysaid.“Lotsofthosestreetsarecovered,soitgetsusawayfromthehelicopter.”

“Isthatanorder?”Jakeasked.

Amy’sstomachclenched.“Jake—”

“It’samazeinthere,Amy!Onetheyknowalotbetterthanwedo.Onewrongturnandweendupatadeadendandthey’vegotus.”

“No,”Dansaid.“Amy’sright.Themedina’stheonlyway.”

Amyshotaquicklookatherbrother.“Canyoudoit?”

Danstaredoutintothenight.Amycouldfeelhimengagingthatphotographicmemoryofhis.

“Idon’tknow,”hesaid.“IthinkIrememberthebasiclayoutbut—”

“It’llbeenough,”Amysaid,legsmovinglikepistons.“Youtakethelead.”

Theydidn’theadstraighttothemedina.Insteadtheydodgedaroundinthenarrowalleys,untilthesearchlightslippedoffthemandthechopofthebladesfaded.

“Okay,”Dansaid.“Now!”

Theyranoutofthealleyandtowardthesquarethatsurroundedtheentrancetothemedina.Theymadeitintothemouthofthemainroadandfolloweditforafewturns.Sirensbegantowailoutinthesquare.Amyprayedthevehiclesweretoobigtomakeitintothecrampedstreets.

Danledthemonawildracethroughunimaginablytangledstreets.Astheymoveddeeperintothemedina,itwasasifheweretyingthemintoknotsanduntyingthemoverandoveragain.

Amyheardametallicradiosquawktoherleft,andthenapackofbodiesmovedfastdownanadjoiningstreet.Danpulledthemintoanalleywayandtheycrouchedbehindtrashcansasbootedfootstepsspedupthestonepath.Amyheldherbreathwhenthebootsstoppedatthemouthofthealley,herpulseracing.Jake,Atticus,andDanwerehuncheddown,curledintoballs,tryingtomakethemselvesinvisible.Attheirbackswasasolidwallofstone.Noescape.

Flashlightsflared,sendingknife-likebeaconsoflightoverthepilesoftrashanddebrisinthealley.Jakeflattenedhimselfjustsecondsbeforeoneofthebeamswouldhaveilluminatedhisarm.

ThementalkedlowinArabic.Aradioscreechedloudly.Bootheelsturnedonthegrittyroadandthemenwalkedbackthewaytheyhadcome.

Amytriedtoswallow,buthermouthhadgoneasdryasthedesert.Jakewenttostand,butAmytouchedhisbackandhepaused.Shecountedoutalongandpainfulfiveminutes.Whenshewasdone,shepeekedherheadupcautiously,emergedfromherhidingplace,andapproachedtheendofthealley.

Thehelicopterbuzzedthetopsofthebuildings,itssearchlightscorchingthestreetinfrontofher.Oncethebeampassed,Amysteadiedherselfandmovedoutontothestreet.

Shedidn’tmakeittwostepsbeforeanicyringofsteelpressedintohertemple.Adeepvoiceboomedattheoppositeendoftheblackhandgun.

“Outofthealley,Amy.Slow.”

Therewasarustleofmovementbehindher,butAmyliftedonehandbackintothedarktokeeptheothersintheirplace.Herlegsfeltheavyandthick,unwillingtomove,butshecouldn’tletPierce’smencomeintothealleyandseetheothers.Shemadeherselftakeastepforward.

Thinmoonlightilluminatedfourmeninherperipheralvision.Westernersinblacksuits,allwiththesteel-springbodiesofOlympicathletes.Thegunbarrelathertempleneverwavered.

“Wherearetheothers?”thevoicebesideherasked.

“Wesplitup,”Amysaid,tryingtokeephervoicesteady.“Aboutahalfmileback.”

OneofPierce’smenrandownthestreettocheckitout.

“Whatareyoukidsdoinghere?”heasked.

“Goingtodiscos,”Amysaid.

Therewasaclickasthemanpulledthegun’shammerbackandpushedthebarrelhardintoherskull.Amyflinchedandbitbackascream.Herskinthrobbedwheretheguntouchedher.Herkneeswentweakbutsherefusedtogodown.TherewasanotherrustleinthedarkofthealleyandAmymotionedfranticallybehindherbacktowarntheotherstostayhidden.

“Youdonotwanttojokewithme,”themanwiththegunsaid.Hesteppedtotheside,keepingthegunpressedtoherskull,andAmycaughtsightofhimforthefirsttime.

Sheknewhim.Hiseyeswerecoldandblue.Amyglancedbehindhim.Oneoftheothermenwasholdingnotagun,butapairofhandcuffs.TheotherhadwhatshethoughtwasaTaser.Somethingaboutthatseemedstrange.Amystruggledthroughherfeartograspwhatwasbotheringher.Onlyoneofthemhasagun.There’snoonearound.Nothingtostophimfrompullingthetrigger.SowhyamIstillalive?Andthenitclicked.

“Ifyouweregoingtokillme,”shesaid,“youwouldhavedoneitalready.”

Sheexpectedareaction,buttheblue-eyedmandidn’tspeak,didn’tmove.Amydecidedtotestthetheory.Shesteppedawayfromhim,findingherbreathwithouttheringofsteelagainsthertemple.

“Youhavetomakeitlooklikeanaccident,”shesaid,terrifiedbuttakinganotherstepanyway.Themantrackedher,alsosteppingtowardthemouthofthealley.

“Don’tyou?”Amyinsisted.“LikeonthebridgeinNewYork.CahillKidsMurdereddoesn’tmakeagoodheadline,doesit?Raisesalotofquestions.”

Amykeptmovingbackwardandthemanfollowed,hisgunfallingalmostimperceptibly.Histeamfollowed,too.AmyprayedthatsomeshredofherandDan’soldteamworkstillexisted,thatherbrotherwouldguesswhatshewastryingtodo.

Amywasjustafewfeetfromthebackofthealley.Shemovedtotakeanotherstepback,butthistimethegunroseagain,pointingatherforehead,deadcenter.Theman’sfingercurledaroundtheblacktriggerandAmy’sheartmissedabeat.

“Howaboutthisheadline?”hesaid.“CahillKidsWanderintoDarkAlley.ShotbyLocalCriminals.Betpeoplewillbelievethat.”

“Please,”Amysaid,raisingherhands,tryingtocontrolherbreathing,tryingtostaycalm.“Whateveryoudowithme,justletDr.Rosenbloomgo.Hedoesn’thaveanythingtodowiththis.Iswear.Ifyouwantahostage,lethimgoandI’lltakehisplace.”

“Takewhoseplace?”

“MarkRosenbloom!”

Theman’seyesnarrowedandhisheadtiltedtooneside.“Who’sMarkRosenbloom?”

“AAAAAHHHHHH!”

Jakeexplodedoutofthealley,swingingaplankofwood.Itsmackedintotheman’swristandthegunfell.Jakedidn’tmissabeat.Heswungagain,hittingthebackoftheman’sheadwitheverythinghehad.Theboardshatteredandthemanwentdowntohisknees.DanandAtticuswererightbehindhim,aheavysteeltrashcanbetweenthem.Theyhurleditthroughtheairandcaughtoneoftheothersinthestomach.HedoubledoverandtheTaserclatteredtothestreet.

AmydovefortheTaserandjammeditintothethirdman’ssideashecameather.Therewasacrackleandsparkandthemanhittheground,floppinglikeadyingfish.

“Run!”sheyelled.

TheothersjoinedAmyasshetookoffdownthestreet.Shelookedoverhershoulder.Thethreemenweregroggybutalreadystartingtopickthemselvesup.

“Thisway!”

Danjerkedtotheright,leadingthemdownanothertwist.Amy’smindraced.Pierce’smenweresomuchfaster.Theyhadonlyminutesbeforeherenergygaveouttothepointthatrunningbecamestumblingandfalling.MaybeshecoulddistractPierce’smenforafewsecondswithasurprisemelee,butfightingthemhead-onwashopeless.

Acramptoreintohersideassheran.Amygaspedandherhandwenttoit,underherjacket.Shefeltsomethingstiffandsquareinherpocket.Theideahitherwiththeimpactofagunshot.

“Weneedaplacetohide,”sheyelleduptoDan.

Danturnedthroughroadafterroadinthedarkuntilhecametoanotheralleyandranintoit.

ThankGodforthatmemoryofhis!thoughtAmy.

Thekidsfelltotheirkneesinthedark,outofbreath.Amylistenedbutdidn’thearthepoundingofthemercenaries’boots.Theyhadlostthem,butsheknewitwouldn’tlast.Theyhadboughtthemselvesseconds.Ifthat.

“Dan,”shesaid.“What’sthefastestroutebacktotheBabelBahr?”

“Butthat’srightoutintheopen!”Jakesaid.“Amy!Whatareyoudoing?”

Amypulledoutherphoneandthenduginherjacketpocket.

“Throwingourdoganewbone.”

Danwatchedashissistermadeahalfdozenphonecallsandthenstuffedherphonebackinherpocket.

“Yousurethisisgoingtowork?”hewhispered.Amylookedoverathimbutdidn’tsayanything.Danswallowed.Hecouldseeitinhereyes.ThiswasaHailMarypass.Hehadtrustedhissisterwithoutquestion,butshe’dbeensoerraticlately.Wassheactingrationally?

“Heretheycome,”Jakewhispered.

EverymuscleinDan’sbodytensedasPierce’smenturnedthecorner.Danheldhisbreathastheyranpast.TheywerelikeGreekstatuesinmotion,tireless,invulnerable.Theinstanttheirfootstepsfaded,AmynoddedtoJakeandhesprangintotheroad.

“Hey!”Jakeshouted.“What’sthematter?Youjerkscan’tcatchacoupleofkids!?”

“Go,”Amysaid.

DanburstoutofthealleywithAmyandAtticusrightbehindhim.Heturnedasharprightandheadedupthestreet,followingthemapinhisheadtotheBabelBahr.TherewasacrashbehindhimasJakepushedanemptymerchant’scartintothestreet.Itwouldonlyslowthemendownforasecond.Onceagain,heprayedhissisterknewwhatshewasdoing.

Dantookanothersharpturn.TheplazasurroundingtheBabelBahrwasinsight.Herocketedtowarditbutthentherewasaclatteronstoneandadeepoofbehindhim.DanturnedtoseeJakesprawledoutonthepavement,Pierce’smenbreakingoverhimlikeawave.

“Jake!”Dancriedasheskiddedtoastop.“Amy!”

DanstartedforJakebutAmy’shandclampedontohisarm,holdinghimback.

“Whatareyou—”

“Wehavetokeepgoing!”

“Wecan’tleavehim!”

SheyankedDanbacktowardher.“Go!Now!”

AmygrabbedAtticus’sarm,too,andpulledthemalldownthestreet.Danlookedbackandsawtheblue-eyedmanhaulingJakeofftheground.TheBabelBahrandtheplazasurroundingitweredeadahead.Behindthem,Pierce’smenwereinpursuit,draggingJakealongwiththem.Themoonlightglintedofftheguninoneoftheirhands.

Amydidn’tstopuntiltheywereatthefootofthegate.Shesearchedtheemptystreetsaroundthem,hereyeswide,desperate.“Theydidn’tcome!”shesaid,hereyesfrantic.“Whydidn’ttheycome?”

“Thislittlechaseisover.”

Amy,Dan,andAtticusturnedtofindPierce’smeninasemicirclearoundthem,withJakeonhiskneesbesidetheblue-eyedman.Themanhadthejet-blackautomaticpointedatthebackofJake’shead.

“Aquicksurrenderwillbetheeasiestforallofyou,”theleadersaid.

“Andthenwhat?”Amyasked,steppingforward.“Wefalloffabuilding?Whatmakesthebestnews?”

ThemanliftedhisgunfromJake’sbackandpointeditatAmy’schest.“Nomoretimeforgames.”

Hisfingertensedonthetriggerbutbeforehecouldfire,thesoundofvoicescamefromalldirections.Thesquarewasdark,butthevoicesgotlouderandlouder,asiftherewereastampedeontheway.Floodlightspiercedthedarkness.

“Amy!Dan!Overhere!”

Amypulledastackofbusinesscardsfromherpocketandthrewthemattheman’sfeet.

“Nope,it’sjusttimeforanewgame,”shesaid.“Hopeyoulikeit.”

Secondslatertheyweresurroundedonallsidesbyjostlingreporters,nearlythirtyofthem,pushingandelbowingtheirwayforward.Flasheswentofflikefirecrackersovertheirheads.Inthedistance,Dancouldseevanswithspotlightstearingintothesquare.

Pierce’smenweresurrounded.Theirmusclestensedandnostrilsflaredasguns,Tasers,andhandcuffsdisappearedintheirjackets.OneofthemevenpulledJakebackuptohisfeetandthrewanarmaroundhim,liketheywereoldfriends.

Mysister’sagenius,Danthought.Mysisterisanunbelievablegenius.

“Amy!Dan!”oneofthereportersshouted.“Telluswhatyou’redoinginTunis!”

“AnyresponsetotheTolliverinterview?”

“IsJakeRosenbloomyournewboyfriend!?”

“Dan?Whydoyoudowhateveryoursistertellsyou?”

ThereportersfellintosilenceasAmysteppedintotheharshlights.

“You’reaskingthewrongquestions!”Amyannouncedtothecrowdofreporters.“Itdoesn’tmatterwhomyboyfriendisanditdoesn’tmatterhowIfeelaboutwhattheTolliverssaid.Whatmattersiswhat’shappeningrighthereandrightnow.Whatmattersisthesemen!”ShethrewanaccusingfingeratPierce’smen,andthereporters’headsswiveledintheirdirection.Pierce’smenfumbledaround,clearlyunsurewhatwouldmaketheirbossmoreangry—fightingorrunning.

“Youneedtoaskyourselfwhymenwithgunsarechasingabunchofkidsinthemiddleofthenight!”Amywenton,hervoiceringingoutovertheclickingcameras.“Youneedtoaskwhy,whenbarelyanyonehadeverheardofanyofusbefore,we’resuddenlyinthenewseverysingleday!Whobenefitsfromthat,andwhy?”

“Who,Amy?”areportershouted.“Who’safteryou!?”

Amystoodtallintheglareofthelights.Dancouldfeelthetensionbuildingaroundthemuntilitfeltlikeitwasgoingtoexplode.Hetookhissister’sarmandstartedtodrawherbackfromthecameras,butshepulledawayfromhim.

“Thepersonyouneedtobeinvestigatingistheirboss!”shesaid.“Themanwhopaysthemtochaseusallovertheworld.ThesamemanwhokidnappedaninnocentscholarnamedDr.MarkRosenbloom!”

“Who!?”awomaninaredsuitcried.“Telluswho!”

“J.RutherfordPierce!”yelledAmy.

Itwasasifabombwentoffinthemiddleoftheplaza.Everyreporterbegantoshout,surgingforwardinatidalwave.TheyblewpastDanandAmyandwentrightforPierce’smen.Danalmostlaughedtoseethelookofabjectterrorontheblue-eyedman’sface.

Piercemayhaveturnedhimintothemostlethalkillingmachinetheworldhadeverknown,butnothingcouldpreparehimforanonslaughtlikethis.Jakeshookoffthemanholdinghim,andPierce’smuscleranliketheyhadanarmyafterthem.Thereportersdidn’tletup,goingafterthemenlikeapackofstarvingpiranha.Withinaminute,theplazawasempty.

“AreyouINSANE!?”Jakewasstandinginthemiddleofthesquare,faceredwithanger.

“YoutoldthemaboutPierce?Aboutmyfather?”

“Iwastryingtosaveyourlife!”Amysaid.

“Whataboutmyfather’slife?WhatdoyouthinkPierceisgoingtodotohimnowthatyououtedhim?”Jakeyelled.

“Jake,I—”

“Youdonotgettomakedecisionsformyfamily,Amy!”

“Wecan’tjustkeepwaiting,”Amysaid,herfacehardening.“Ifweact,maybewecanforcePiercetomakeamistake.”

“Andwhatifthatmistakeiskillingmyfather?Doyouevencare?”

“OfcourseIcare!”

DanforcedhimselfbetweenJakeandAmy.“Guys!Holdon.Let’sjustcalmdown.We’llfindyourdad,Jake.Ipromise.”

Jakeglaredathim.“Andwhatifyoudon’t?Yougoingtostickupforherthen,too,Dan?Thosereporterswererightaboutyou.Whenareyougoingtogetamindofyourown?”

Danfelthisownrageignite.“Amy’sdoingherbest!”

“Forherself!NotforAtticusandme!”

“EVERYBODYSHUTUP!!”

Dan,Amy,andJakewheeledonAtticus,theirchestsheaving.Atticusstoodbeneathastreetlight,Olivia’snotebookopeninhishands.

“Atticus,”Jakesaid.“What?Whatisit?”

“Ifigureditout.”

“Figuredwhatout?”

Atticustookadeepbreath,likehewassteadyinghimselfbeforegoingoffahighdive.

“IknowwhereDadis,”hesaid.“AndIknowwherethesilphiumis,too.”

AtticusrefusedtosayanotherworduntiltheyweredeepinthestacksoftheTunislibrary,whereDr.Rosenbloomworked.Itwasstillwellbeforedawn,butthenightsecurityguardrecognizedJakeandAtticusandlettheminside.Atticusguidedthemdownnarrowcorridorsofbooksthatgotolderandolderthefarthertheywent.Everyfewseconds,Atticusstoppedtoexamineabook,haulingafewintohisincreasinglyheavybackpack.

Finally,theyfoundthemselvesinacrampedreadingroomwithanantiquetableandafewricketychairs.Atticuspulledthebooksoutofhispackandarrangedthemonthetable,goingthrougheachoneinturn.

AmywasstandingacrossfromJake,butneitherofthemcameclosetolookingattheother.Theygloweredatthedarktable,theirlingeringangerfillingtheroomlikeablackcloud.DanfeltsuffocatedbyitandbyJake’swordsintheplaza.Amywashissister.Theyalwaysstucktogether,nomatterwhat.Andshedidtherightthing.Didn’tshe?

“Att,”Jakesaid.“Seriously.Wedon’thavealotoftimehere.Ifyouknowwherethey’rekeepingDad—”

“Noone’skeepingDadanywhere,”Atticussaid,hiseyesmeetingJake’s.

“Whatdoyoumean?Whereishe?”

Atticusclosedthebookinfrontofhimandtookadeepbreath.“Thisisgoingtosoundcrazy.”

“Atticus,wouldyoujust—”

“Dad’sinAtlantis.”

DanhadneverheardasilenceascompleteorasawkwardastheonethatfollowedAtticus’spronouncement.Everyonejustsortoffrozeinplace.

“Um...buddy,”Dansaidasdelicatelyaspossible,“Iknowwe’veallbeenunderalittlestresslately,butAtlantisdoesn’t,youknow,um...”

“Exist,”Jakesaid.

AtticuspushedhisglassesupandturnedtolookatAmy.“Backinthemedina,whenyouaskedthemantoletmyfathergo,heactedlikehedidn’tknowwhatyouweretalkingabout,right?”

“Theseguysarewelltrained,”shesaid.“Theyknowhowtoliewhentheyneedto.”

“Iknowthat,”Atticussaid.“Butdidyoubelievehim?”

Amystareddownatthetable,herbrowwrinklinginconcentration.“Yeah,”shesaid.“Idid.”

“Metoo,”Atticussaid.“Inactuality,that’swhenitbecameclear.”

“ThatyourfatherisinAtlantis,”Dansaid.“Doingwhat,Att?Hangingoutwiththemermaids?”

AtticusignoredDanandheldupOlivia’snotebook.“Thisisthepagemydadwaslookingatbeforeheleft.”

“Namesandgibberish,”Jakesaid.“We’vebeenoverthis.”

Atticusheldupafinger.“Butwhatifthey’renotgibberish?Lookatthelastsentence,theonethatdoesn’tseemtomakeanysense.ThetwentiethHafsidclaimstokeepthetestamentofthefailedstrategoi.”

AtticusopenedamassiveleatherbookmarkedCaliphsofIfriqiya.Dancouldalmostseethewheelsturninginhisfriend’shead.

“TheHafsidwasadynastythatcontrolledTunis,calledIfriqiyabackthen,fromthethirteenthtosixteenthcenturies.ThetwentiethHafsidshouldmeanthetwentiethCaliph,orruler.ThatwasamannamedAbuUmarUthmanbenAbulHasanMuhammad.Uthmanforshort.”

“Okay,”Amysaid.“Sowho’sthefailedstrategoi?”

“Thatwasalittleharder,”Atticusadmitted.“Astrategoiwasakindofgeneral.Thefailedonecouldmeananynumberofthem.ButthenIlookedintothosenamesfromPlato’sdialoguesandfoundoutthathebasedhischaracterHermocratesonarealguy.”

“Ageneral,”Dansaid,suddenlyfeelingtheexcitementthatalwaysbuiltupinsideofhimwhenhesawAtticusatwork.

“Exactly,”Atticussaid.“Andapparentlynotaverygoodone.Hewasmadeageneralbutthenhadthetitletakenawaybecausehedidn’twinenoughbattles.”

“So...”

“SowhatOliviaissayingisthatthetwentiethHafsid,Uthman,claimedtohavethetestamentofthefailedstrategoi,Hermocrates.ThattestamentmustmeanPlato’sthirddialogue,whichwassupposedtobenamedafterhim.”

“Whichyousaiddoesn’texist,”Jakesaid.

“Itisn’tsupposedtoexist.”Atticus’seyesgleamed.“Butwhatifitdoes?”

“Sowait,”Dansaid.“What’sthisevenhavetodowithAtlantis?”

“Nothing,”Amysaid.“Atticus,Danisright,Atlantisisamyth.”

“EverybodywasprettysureTroywasamyth,”Jakesaid.“UntilCalvertandSchliemannfoundit.”

“Butthat’sdifferent!”

“How?”Atticussaid,andthenheldupanotherbook.“ThisisPlato’sCritias,okay?It’sthesecondofthethreedialoguesandthefirsttimeanyoneinhistorymentionsaplacecalledAtlantis.It’sjustlikehoweveryonethoughtTroywassomethingHomermadeupintheIliaduntiltheyactuallyfoundit.”

“Idon’tknow...”Amysaid.

Atticuspracticallybouncedinhischair.“Okay,”hesaid.“Wasthereonceanisland-basedworldpowerwith,like,supertechnologyandmermaidsthatcompletelyvanished?Duh,ofcoursenot!Butcouldtherehavebeensomepowerfulkingdomthousandsofyearsagothatwasdestroyedinanaturaldisaster?Andthen,overthousandsofyears,themythofitgrewuntilPlatowroteaboutitandcalleditAtlantis?Whynot?”

“ButwefoundTroy,”Amysaid.“Withallthetechnologywehavetoday,howcouldwehavemissedanentireisland?”

“Whoknows?”Atticussaid.“Ifit’sreally,really,reallyold,maybethere’snotalotlefttofind.Ormaybewe’relookinginthewrongplaces.Imean,it’snotlikePlatoleftusamapinCritiasoranything.”

“ButmaybehedidinHermocrates,”Dansaid.

“Exactly,”Atticussaid.“Look,allIknowisthatAtlantistheorieshavealwaysbeenakindofhobbyforourdad.AndthesecondhesawthisstuffinOlivia’snotebook,stuffthatseemedtoreferenceawaytofindtheactualAtlantis,heranlikehislifedependedonit.”

Jakefrowned.“You’resayinghewasn’tkidnappedatall.”

“Exactly!Hejustsawoneofthebiggestdiscoveriesinhistoryandwentafterit.That’swhyhishousewassuchawreck.Itwasn’transacked.YouknowhowDadis!Hewasprobablysoexcitedtogetafteritthathetoretheplaceapartgrabbingwhatheneededandranwithoutevenclosingthedoor.”

“Ranwhere,though?”Amyasked.

“ToresearchUthman,I’mguessing.IfhecanfindwhereUthmanwaskeepingtheHermocrates,thenmaybehecanfindAtlantis.”

Amyconsideredamomentandthenshookherhead.“Atticus,youandJakeshouldgocheckonyourdad,butDanandIhavetogobacktosearchingforthesilphium.”

“Fine,”Jakesaid.“Comeon,Atticus.Wecanstartathishouseandgofromthere.”

“Wait!”Atticussaidashisbrotherreachedforthedoor.“There’sonemorething.”

“What?”

Atticussatbackinhischairwithhisarmscrossedoverhischestandabroadsmileonhisface.Helookedunusuallypleasedwithhimself.

“ThenoteOliviamadeaboutLeonardo’sjoke.Remember?Whensheaskedhimwhereshecouldfindthesilphium,hesaidsheshouldlook—”

“OntheIslandoftheAthenian,”Dansaid.“But...”

ThewordshadbarelyleftDan’smouthwhenithithimlikeanavalanche.

“Plato,”Dansaid.“HewastotallyfromAthens,wasn’the?”

“Aborn-and-raisedAthenian,”Atticussaid,andwavedhishandslikehehadjustperformedamagictrick.“MakingAtlantishisislandandwherewe’llfindsilphium.”

Anotherastoundedsilencedescendedontheroom.Danfeltasifhisheadwasbuzzing.JaketurnedtoAmywithasmirk.

“So,”hesaid.“Lookslikewe’reheadedtothesameplace.”

Amywasonaladderhighabovethelibraryfloorwhenhercellphonehummed.Shesetasidethebookshewaslookingthroughandpulleditout.

CarthageMuseum,readthetextmessage.

AtticusandJakehadgonebacktotheirfather’stolookforclues,whilesheandDanstayedbehindandresearchedUthmanandhisreign.Lookedliketheothershadhitonsomethingfirst.Amypackedupthenotesshehadbeentakingandthensliddowntheladder.

ShewenttothestudyroomDanhadbeeninallmorning,butherbrotherwasn’tthere.Thetablewascoveredwithaclutterofbooks,papers,andcandywrappers.Dan,shethought.Shecouldrememberatimewhenhismessinessdrovehercrazybutnow....

Amyneatenedthebooksandthrewthewrappersaway.ShewasabouttoputDan’snotesinhisbackpackwhenshesawasheafofbrightlycoloredpapersstickingoutfromit.Curious,Amypulledoneout.

ItwasabrochureadvertisingsomethingcalledBartleby’sWorld-FamousClownAcademy.Therewasanotherforabaseballcamp,andanotherforanastronautcamp.AnapplicationfortheAmericanSchoolinRomesatatthebottom.EachpagewasprintedinbrightjewelcolorsandcoveredwithpicturesofboysDan’sage.Boysrunningthroughparksorjugglingtorches.Boysslidingintohomebase.

Amyfeltadarkholeopenupinsideher.

He’salreadymakingplanstoleave.

Sheleafedthroughthebrochuresagain.HowlonghadDanbeenhidingthese?She’dtriedtoconvinceherselfthathistalkofleavingwasapassingthing,butnow...herlastfamilymember,thepersonshetrustedmostofall,hadonefootoutthedoor.

“Amy?”

Amystuffedthebrochuresbackintohispackandturnedaround.

“Everythingokay?”Danasked.

“Y-yeah,”shestuttered,unabletomeethiseyes.“Jaketexted.They’reattheCarthageMuseum.”

AmypushedpastDanbeforehecouldsayaword,nearlyrunningintothehalloutside.Itwaslikethesheafofpapersstuffedinsidehispackwasabomb,andshehadtogetawaybeforeitwentoff.

Amysteppedoutofthegloomofthelibrary,shieldinghereyesfromtheTunisianmorninglight.Thebuzzingsoundofthecalltoprayerseemedtocomefromeverydirectionatonce.Everythingseemedoverloudandoverbright.Danappearedbehindherandraisedahandoutoverthetrafficuntilacabskiddedtoastopatthecurb.DantoldthedriverwheretheyweregoingandthecarpulledawayfromthelibraryandjoinedtheTunisiantraffic.

“Amy?”Danasked.“Youfindanythinghelpful?”

Sheshookherhead,eyesfixedoutthewindow.“Ijusttooksomenotes.Whateverseemedworthwhile.”

TheyleftthecitytrafficandmovedontoahighwaythatspannedLakeTunis.TheglareofthesunonthesteelywaterhitAmy’seyeslikespikesandshehadtolookaway.

Danwassittingacrossfromherwithhisarmswrappedaroundhisbackpack,holdingitclosetohischestashelookedoutthewindow.Acornerofbrightbluepaperstuckoutthetopofthepack.ShewantedtosaysomethingtoDan,butwhat?Don’tgo?Howcouldyou?Forthefirsttime,therewassomethingbetweenthemtooimmenseforwords.He’sreallygoingtodoit.He’sreallygoingtoleave.Amycouldn’tbreathe.

Therestofthetrippassedinablur.ThecablurchedtoastopandDanpiledoutandheadedupthesidewalktothemuseum,hisbackpackbouncingonhisshoulder.JakeandAtticuswerewaiting.Everythingsuddenlysnappedbackintofocus.Theyhadworktodo.Amyshookherselfandpaidthedriver.

“Whathaveyougot?”sheaskedwhenshejoinedthematthemuseum’sentrance.

“WefoundthisinDad’slivingroom,”Atticussaid,handingoverascrapofpaper.“Whenwethoughthehadbeenkidnapped,wefiguredallthemesswasjustPierce’sgoons

ransackingtheplace,sowemissedthis.”

Amyunfoldedthepieceofpaper.“Dr.Abdallah,twoP.M.”

“He’saresearcherhere,”Jakesaid.“Wecalledandtoldhimwewerecoming.”

JakepulledopentheglassdoortothemuseumandtheyweremetbyanelegantTunisianmaninthelobby.

“Jake!Atticus!I’veheardsomuchaboutyouboth.Everyoneherewasterriblyworriedtohearyoudon’tknowyourfather’swhereabouts.”

“Thankyou,Dr.Abdallah,”Jakesaid.“Wethinkyouwereourfather’slastappointmentbeforewelosttrackofhim.”

Dr.Abdallahsignaledthereceptionist,whobuzzedthemthroughintoalonghallwaylinedwithoffices.

“Ofcourse,”thedoctorsaidasheledthemdownthehall.“Butwedidn’ttalkformorethanafewmoments.Yourfatherseemed...agitated.Excited!MoreexcitedthanI’veeverseenhim,infact.”

“Whatdidhesay?”

“Wewillsoonbeexhibitingalargecollectionoffifteenth-centuryartifacts,”Dr.Abdallahsaidasheunlockedaheavydoorattheendofthehall.“Hewantedanearlylookatthecollection.”

“Canweseeitaswell?”Atticusasked.“We’llbeverycareful.”

Dr.Abdallahshowedthemintoalargeroomfulloftablescoveredinartifactsandstacksofoldbooks.

“DoesanythingrelatetoUthman?”Jakeasked.

“Ah,likefatherlikeson!”Dr.Abdallahsmiled.“Dr.Rosenbloomaskedthesamething.Rightoverhere.”

Dr.Abdallahshowedthemtoabackcorneroftheroom,toatabledisplayingclayvasesandgleamingmetalwork.Atticuswentimmediatelytoasmallstackofbooksandopenedthefirstone.

“ThereareEnglishtranslationstotheside,”Dr.Abdallahsaid.“Iwillbeinmyofficeifyouneedme.”

Asthedoctorlefttheroom,Atticusleanedintooneofthetranslationslikehewastryingtodivein.

“What’sitsay,Att?”Danasked.

Atticusignoredhimandread,flippingpages,hisfacegettingcloserandclosertothebook.“Aw,man!”

“Whatisit?”Jakeasked.

Atticusturnedanotherpageandshookhishead.“Thisdoesn’tmakesense!”

“What?”Jakeasked.

“Well,it’ssortofadiary,”Atticussaid.“Uthman’stalkingaboutmeetingatravelingmerchantwhoclaimedtopossessacopyofHermocrates.ItsoundslikeUthmanwasn’tahundredpercentsuretheguywaslegit,buthesaysthebookwentintomoredetailaboutAtlantis.Allaboutitshistoryandculture,butnothingaboutwhereitactuallywas.Allhesaysisthatinoldertimes,itwascalledbyanothername.”

“Whatothername?”

Atticusturnedthepageandfoundafootnotepassage.“Tartessos.”

“Tartessos?”Dansaid.“Neverheardofit.”

“Meeither.”Jakefrowned.

Dansighed,frustrated.“Okay,Iguesswe’lllookatoldmapsandtrytofindanislandcalledTartessos.”

“Wait!”Amytorethroughhernotebook,runningherfingeralongeachpage.

“Whatisit,Amy?Youhavesomething?”

Shedroppedthenotebookonthetableandriffledthroughthepages.

“Itwashere,”shemumbled.“Righthere.”

“Whatwas?”Danasked.

Amyturnedthepagesuntilshecametoamap.AnotationbelowindicatedthatitdepictedtheworldasitwasinthefourthcenturyB.C.

“It’snotreallytherightcentury,butIthoughtitwasinterestingandwantedacopy.”

AmystabbedherfingeratthecoastlineofwhatwasnowTunisia,thendrewitwestpastMoroccoandacrosstheStraitofGibraltar.Tothenorthlaythebordersofacountry

theyallrecognizedasSpain.

Justinlandfromthesouthwestcoast,therewasalargeregionmarkedwithacircle.Inthatcirclewaswrittenasingleword:

Tartessos.

“Ladiesandgentlemen,”Dansaid,breakingthesilence.“ItlookslikewehavejustdiscoveredAtlantis.”

“Awesomesauce!”saidAtticus,andpumpedhisfist.

AprilMaywonderedhowtobillherclientsinawaythatreallycapturedthescaleoftheworkshedid.Notbythehourorperproject,butbytheemptytwoliterofElectroshockCherryLimeadeCaffeineBlast.Oneglassconsumedmeantanamateurjob—breakingintoagmailorFacebookaccount.BreakingintotheCahills’systemshadbeenathree-bottleprojectandshewouldchargehandsomelyforit.

Andnowhereshewassittinginfrontofhertwogleamingmonitors,surroundedbysixemptybottles.Aseventhwasinherhandandhalfemptyalready.

FindingoutwhatJ.RutherfordPiercewasuptowasthebiggestprojectofhercareer.Partoftheproblemwasthatbeforeacertaintime,therebarelywasaJ.RutherfordPierce.Oh,heexisted,buthardlyintheformhewasnow.Hewasasecondrater,aloser.

Howdidhebecomethemanhewas?Andmoreimportant,whatkindofmanisheplanningonbecomingnext?

Ithadseemedsoinnocentinthebeginningwhenhehiredhertogetsomedirtonacoupleofrichbrats.Easy.Harmless.Butthenshesawthepicture.Somethick-neckedgoonholdingthebusinessendofahypodermicneedletoAmyCahill’sneck.Piercedidn’twanttoembarrassAmy,hewantedtokillher.Andprobablyherfriends,too.

AprilMaytriedtotellherselfitwasamistake.Amusclemanwhojumpedthegunandwentinforanunsanctionedkill.Itworkedforawhileasareasonabletheory,butthemoreAprilMaylearned,themoreitsoundedlikesomethingelse—wishfulthinking.Sheneededtoknowforsure.AndifamanlikePiercewastryingtokillacoupleofkids,whatwastheendgame?

AprilMayputherfingerstothekeyboardandsoonthatdeliciousfeelingofbecomingonewiththenetworkswashedoverher.Sheavoidedalloftheobviousplacesinformationmightbe.Pierce’se-mail.Hiscellphone.Hewastoosmarttostoreanythingimportant

somewheresoobvious.No,anythingworthwhilewouldbeontheFoundersMedianetwork,hiddenawayonaremotehub.SinceshehadbuiltagreatdealofthesecurityprotocolsforFounders,shewasgoingtogetpastthem.Itwasjustamatteroftime.

AprilMayslitheredthroughhumanresourcesandaccounting,thendippedinandoutofafewisolatedterminals.ShesearchedtheharddriveofareporterinBogotá,Colombia,andtheTwitteraccountofaFoundersMediainterninDesMoines,Iowa.Aprilfoundafewjuicysecretshereandthere—someevenworthfilingawayforlater—butnothingthatexplainedwhatPiercewasupto.

TherewasapingasAprilmovedthroughthesystem.Sheignoreditatfirstbutthesoundgrewloudereachtime,andfinallysheforcedherselftobreakthetranceandlookoverathersecondmonitor.

There,inpalegreenletters,werethewords:There’samouseinthemaze.

AprilMayalmostspilledherElectroshockCherryLimeade.Interesting.

Anoldsecuritysubroutinehadbeenactivated.Shehadcreatedittowatchforinvadersonthenetwork,anditlookedlikeithadjustsniffedsomeoneout.AprilMaydelvedintothesystemlogs.Thisparticularmousehadbeenpokingaroundforafewdaysnow,butthestrangethingwas,ithadn’tdoneanydamage.Noviruses.Nodownloadsofsensitivedata.Thateliminatedblackmail,corporateespionage,andmostblackhathackers.

“Whoareyou?”sheaskedthelittlemouse.

AprilMayturnedherattentiontothesecondmonitor.Shetrackedthemouseforafewminutes,afunnyfeelinggrowinginherstomach.Themousewasverygoodandveryfamiliar.Afewminuteslater,andshewaspositive.ShewasstaringattheCahills’veryownpethacker.

AprilMaysmiled.Themousewasgood,nearlyasgoodasshewas.Shetookanotherslugofsodaandinspirationstruck.SearchingPierce’ssystemscouldtakeweeksandmightnotwork.ButsittingrightinfrontofherwasoneoftheCahillteam.DidtheCahillsknowwhytheyweretargets?

“Stayrightthere,”shesaid,staringatthescreen.“Stayrightwhereyouare.”

Aprilspentthenexthourbuildingelaboratesecurityprotocols,allthewhilekeepinganeyeonhermouse.Onceshewassatisfied,sheopenedthechatinterface.Shewasabouttostarttypingbutstoppedherself.Noreasontomissanopportunity.AprilMaywoveaverycleverandnearlyinvisiblebitofcodeintothechatsystem.Themousewouldsee

nothingbuttext,butifitresponded,shewouldgetatinyfootholdintothenewCahillsystem.Onceshewasdone,AprilMaycrackedherknucklesandsetthemonthekeys.

WhatdoIsay?

Shefeltastrangebundleofnervesinherstomachasshethoughtofthereallivehumanbehindthelightsofhersystem.Shepaused,thenloweredasinglefingerandtypedtwowords.

Ponysatinfrontofhiscomputer,staringattwowordsinglowingtype.

Hithere.

Helookedbehindhim,expectingtoseeIanoroneoftheothersmessingwithhim,butthecommandcenterwasempty.Justhim,thedarkness,andthewords.Hesethisfingersonthekeysandthenpulledthembackagain.Thiswasstrange.Toostrangetonotbecareful.Hemovedtohissecondmachineanddidsometracing.

“Unbelievable,”hewhispered.“Un-freaking-believable!”

Hehadneverseensuchacomplicatedrouting.Andsomasterfullydone!Thesignalwascomingfromoutsidethecommandcenterbutitwasimpossibletotellfromwhere.WhoeverwascontactinghimcouldbeinthehousenextdoororatacybercaféinMumbai.

Thereallyinterestingthing,though,wasthattheroutingwasalmosttoocomplicated.Therewasnoreasontogothatoverboardunlessyouweretryingtosendamessage.Butwhatmessage?

Whodoyouknowthat’sthisgood?Andtothatquestiontherewasonlyoneanswer.AprilMay.

Ponyscrambledforhisphone.Someonehadtotellhimwhattodo!HecalledIan,andthenHamiltonandJonah,butgotnoresponse.It’sfourA.M.!Whogoestobedthisearly!?Hewasabouttorundownstairs,butathoughtcheckedhim.Whatifshewasgonewhenhegotback?

Apparently,thisonewasuptohim.Ponycheckedthecommunicationstreamagain.Definitelynothingcomingthroughbutplaintext.AprilMaywasn’tsendingavirusor

anythinglikethat.Sheonlywantedtotalk.Ponydecidedtokeephisresponsesimple,too.

Hi.

Hisreplysatonscreenforamoment.HestartedtothinkthatmaybeAprilMayhadgottenspooked,buttherewasanotherping.

YouknowwhoIam?

Sure,Ponytyped.You’retheQueenoftheUniverse.

Flattering,Aprilresponded.Wannafillmeinonyou?

TheycallmePony.

You’renotbad.

Ponygrinned.Hewasreallydoingit!HewastalkingtothegreatAprilMay!Hewasafraidhisbrainwasgoingtorupturefrompurefanboyglee.Hisfingersshookasheresumedtyping.

WhatcanIdoforyou?Ponytyped.

Something’sbeenbotheringmelately,Apriltyped.Thoughtyoumighthaveanopinionaboutit.

Ponyfrowned.

Iwon’tgiveyouanythingthatwillhurtmyfriends.

I’mnotaskingforany,AprilMayreplied.I’mjustaskingaquestion.Freelancegeniustofreelancegenius.

Ponyflushedwithpride,butthoughtamomentbeforeheanswered.Whatdoyouwanttoknow?

AprilMaystaredatthewordsonthescreen,ajoltofnervesinherstomach.Shegrabbedherbottleofsodaanddrowneditincaffeine.Thepingofane-mailnotificationcamefromhersecondarysystem.

Aprilglancedup.Onee-mailstoodoutfromtheothers,boldandhighlightedinred,likeitwasscreamingather.ItwasfromPierce,demandingtoknowwheretheCahills

were.Whattheyweredoing.Howhecouldfindthem.ApriltookaswigofElectroshockCherryLimeadeCaffeineBlastandbegantotype.

Who’sthebadguy?You?Orme?

“ButhowcanAtlantisbeSpain?”DanaskedastheMediterraneanslippedbeneaththeirsmallplane.“LasttimeIchecked,Spainwasn’tevenanisland!”

Atticuswassittingintheback,wedgedbetweenAmyandJake,hislapfullofbooks.Hehadbeenimmersedinhisresearcheversincetheyleftthemuseum.AftertheirchasethroughthestreetsofTunis,therewasfartoomuchmediaandpoliceinterestintheCahillsforthemtogototheairport,soJonah’spilothadmadealast-minuteswitch-up.Thefourkidshadrentedaboatandmetthepilotandhisseaplaneamileoffshore.ItwouldbeanotherhourstillbeforetheylandedneartheSpanishcoastandwerepickedupbyanotherboat.

“Inactuality,itmatchesupprettywellwithwhatPlatowrote,”Atticussaid.“AtlantiswassupposedtobetothewestofthePillarsofHercules,whichweknowaretherocksoneithersideoftheStraitofGibraltar.Spainisdefinitelywestofthat.AndapparentlyPlato’snottheonlyonewhothinksthisistheplace.AscientistnamedRichardFreundhasbeenstudyingthepossibilityforyears.”

“Sowhyhaven’tweheardabouthim?”Danasked.

Atticusshiftedinhisseat.“Well...mostpeoplethinkhe’snuts.”

“Soundslikeourkindofguy.”

“Buthe’sfoundsomeinterestingstuff,”Atticussaid.“Accordingtohim,thereusedtobeahugebayinsouthernSpain.HesaysAtlantiswasbuiltrightonthewaterinaseriesofconcentriccircleswithamazingtemplesandportsandeverything.AndwhatweknowaboutTartessosdefinitelymatchesupwiththelegendofAtlantis.Itwasincrediblyrich,largelyfromtheoresitminedfromthesurroundingarea.Butthen,thousandsofyearsago,amassivetsunamisweptintothatareaandwouldhavewreckedtheentirecity.Overthe

years,itwascoveredwithdozensoffeetofsilt.Eventually,thewholethingbecameabigmarshlandandSpainmadeitanationalpark.”

“Sodoesthisguyhaveactual,youknow,proof?”Danasked.

Atticus’svoicegothighandsqueaky.“Hehassomeinterestingimagesonground-penetratingradar,”hesaidcarefully.“Andsomepeopleagreethatsomesiteslookliketheycould,maybe,bememorialstothelostcity.There’ssomethingdownthereallright,butthewholeareaistoomarshytodoalotofexcavating.Idon’tknow!It’swhywe’recheckingitout,okay?”Atticusplungedbackintohisbooks.

Danlookedaroundtheplane,frowning.HeandAmyhadflownallaroundtheworld,alotofthetimewithAtticusandJakewiththem.Buthe’dneverknownaflightsosilent.Amystaredouttheplane’swindowwiththesamebroodysilencethathadsurroundedhersincetheyhadleftthelibrary.

Danknewwhatitwasabout,buttherewasnothinghecouldsay.Asslickasshe’dtriedtobe,he’dseenherlookinginhisbackpack.Heknewwhatshemusthavefound.

Danflushed.Hecouldn’thelpfeelingasifhe’dbeencaughtdoingsomethingshameful,likestealingorconspiringwiththeenemy.Buttheywerejustsomebrochures.Andhe’dtoldAmythathewasdonewiththeCahillsaftertheyfiguredouthowtostopPierce.IftheyfiguredouthowtostopPierce.Hecouldn’tdothisanymore.Itfeltasifhisskinwasgettingtightereveryday,untilsoonitwouldsuffocatehim.Isthatwhatshewantedforhim?

Themorehethoughtaboutit,themorehisguiltwasreplacedwithanger.AngeratAmy.He’dbeenmadatherbefore—alot—butitwasusuallya“heyyouborrowedmyhoodiewithoutasking”kindofanger.Thiswasreal,burninghot,eventeary.Somuchsothathecouldn’tbringhimselftosayanythingaboutit.They’dbeenthroughsomuchtogetherandthey’dalwaysbeenabletotalkthroughanything.Itwastheonlywaythey’dsurvived.Itwasimpossible,unthinkable,butsomethinghadchanged.

Thepilotannouncedthathewaspreparingtoland.Danclippedhisseatbeltinplaceandlookedoutthewindow,gulpingwhenallhesawbelowthemwastheironsweepoftheocean.Landingwithoutarunwayjustdidn’tseemright.

Itendedupbeingsurprisinglysmooth,though,andminuteslatertheyweremetbyafishingboat.Theyallsteppeduneasilyontotheplane’spontoonsbeforetakingthehandofagrizzled-lookingfishermanandcrossingoverontotheboatdeck.

DansteadiedhimselfagainsttherailingasJakehelpedAtticuswithhislifevest.Amystoodoffbyherself,again,thehoodofhersweatshirtpulledupasshewatchedthechurnoftheboat’swakewithemptyeyes.Thisisridiculous!Danstartedtocrossthedecktowardher,butsomethingstoppedhim.

Oncewehavethesilphium,we’llbothbemorerelaxed,Danthought.We’lltalkthen.Danhuddledagainsttherailing,hopingitwastrue.

ALandRovermetthemattheshoreandbroughtthemintoDoñanaNationalPark,whichdidnotlooktoDanlikethehomeoftheworld’smostfamoussunkencity.Itwasamixofsanddunesandlush,reedymarshlands.Aboutfivemilesinland,theymovedontoaflatplainofsun-bleacheddirtdottedwithsprigsofdryreedsandtuftsofgrass.

“So,thisisAtlantis,”Dansaid.“Man,theAquamancomicbookswerewayoff.”

“Youwouldn’tlooksogreat,either,ifyou’dbeencoveredinsiltforafewthousandyears,”Atticusshotback.

Adustycampcameintoview.Itconsistedofahandfuloftentswithscientistsbustlingaroundinkhakiandhikingboots.TheirLandRovercametoahaltjustoutsideofcamp.

“Whatifwe’rewrong,”Atticussaid,lookingevenyoungerthanusual.“WhatifDad’snothereandPiercereallydoeshavehim?”

Danlookedbackathisfriend.“Hey,whenareyoueverwrong?He’shere.So,what’stheplan?Jake,doyouwantto—”

Amythrewopenherdoorandstartedacrosstheplain.Danandtheothersexchangedalook.

It’slikewe’renotevenhere,Danthought,andthenthethreeofthempiledoutofthecarwithJakeinthelead.

“Hey!”JakecalledafterAmy.“Yourememberthatwholethingaboutmydaddislikingyou,right?”

“Yes,”saidAmy,notevenbotheringtoturnaround.“AndIalsorememberyousayingthatDanandIshouldtrymakingadirectappeal.Justhangbackandletmetalktohim.”

DancouldseethetensioninJake’sshouldersaheadofhim.

“AllduerespecttoyourLeader-tude,”Jakecalled,“buthe’smydadandyoudon’texactlyseeminthemostdiplomaticframeofmindrightnow.”

“I’mfine!”

“You’reactinglikeacrazyperson!”Jakefiredback.

“Dad!”yelledAtticus,andranpasteveryoneintothecamp.

Dr.Rosenbloomhadjustemergedfromoneofthetents.Atticusthrewhisarmsaroundhisverystartledfather,whospunhimaround.

“What’sgoingon?”Dr.Rosenbloomasked.“Att,whatareyoudoinghere?Areyouokay?”

“We’refine.”

JakeglancedatAmyandthenranovertojoinAtticus.“Wesawyourhouse,”Jakesaid.“Wethoughtsomethingmighthavehappenedtoyou.”

Dr.Rosenbloom’sexpressionclearedandhelaughed.“Ah,IguessIwasinabitofahurry.Sorryifitworriedyouguys.Butaren’tyousupposedtobebackinRome?Didyoumissyourflight?”Dr.Rosenbloomwavedhisownquestionaway.“Youknowwhat?Itdoesn’tmatter!Whenyouguysseewhatwe’vefoundhere,yourheadsaregoingtoexploderightoffyourshoulders.Comeon,letmeshowyou!”

Amysteppedforward,andDanputupahandtoholdherback.“Amy,wait.Letthem—”

“Dr.Rosenbloom!”Amycalled.

Dr.Rosenbloomturned.Hissmileevaporatedthesecondhelaideyesonher.Theglowthatlithisfacefromthemomenthesawhissonsdisappearedinstantly,replacedwithsomethingdarkandcold.

“Dad—”Atticusbegan.

“So,youwereworriedaboutme?”Dr.Rosenbloomrepeated,angercoloringhisvoice.

“It’strue,”Jakesaid.“We—”

Dr.Rosenbloombrokeawayfromthemandmarchedacrossthefield,hiseyeslockedonAmy.

“Sir,I...”

“Wemaybeoutinthemiddleofnowhere,Ms.Cahill,butwedogetthenews,”hesaid.“IfyouthinkforasinglesecondthatI’mgoingtoletmysonsgetinvolvedwithapairofentitledbratslikeyouandyourbrother,thenyou’reoutofyourmind!Iwon’tletyoudotoJakewhatyoudidtothatTolliverboy!”

“Dad!”JakeexclaimedasAmy’sfacewenttotallywhite.

“Notanotherword,Jake,”Dr.Rosenbloomsnapped.“Takeyourbrotherintomytentrightnow.”

“Amydidn’tdoanything!”Jakeprotested.“Thosenewsreportsarelies!”

Dr.Rosenbloomwhirledonhisson.“Thatboy’sparentswerelying,then?Isthatwhatyou’resaying?Isthatwhatshetoldyou?”

“No!It’sjust—AmyandEvanweretryingtodosomethingveryimportantandhegothurt,butitwasn’tAmy’sfault.Shetriedtokeephimfromgettinginvolved.She’dneverletanyonegethurtifshecouldhelpit.”

“Isaid,notanotherword!”

“Sir,please,”Amycutin.“DanandIwillgo.Rightnow.Ipromise.You’llneverseeusagain.ButIneedtoknowaboutsilphium.It’sveryimportant.Haveyoufoundany?”

Dr.Rosenbloomwalkedover,notstoppinguntilhenearlyranherdown.HeglaredatherwithaheatthatmadeDanflinch.

“Wefoundtwosealedjarsthismorning,”Dr.Rosenbloomsaidthroughclenchedteeth.“Theyhadmarkingsthatindicatedsilphiumseedswereinside.”

“Canweseethem?”Danasked,tryingtomovebetweenAmyandJakeandAtticus’sdad.“Likemysistersaid.It’sincrediblyimportant.”

Dr.Rosenbloomshookhishead.“Iwouldn’tdreamofit.Andanyway,you’retoolate.Isentthemonalready.”

“Where?”Amypersisted.

“OnewenttocolleaguesinTunisforstudy.Theother’sonitswaytotheGlobalSeedVaultinSvalbard.Bothplacesareoutofyourreach.Andnow?Ibelieveyouweregoing?”

Svalbard?Danthought,andlookedtoAtticus.

“It’savaultbuiltintothesideofamountainintheArcticCircle,”Atticussaid.“They’reusingittostoreseedsfromallovertheworld.”

“Andthevaultisshuttight,sothere’snothrill-seekingtobedonethere,”Dr.Rosenbloomsaid,nearlyshakingwithrage.“Theyonlyhavestaffatthevaultacoupleoftimesayear.They’rewaitingtostorethesilphiumandthenthey’reheadedout.”

“Thankyou,sir,”Amysaid.Shekeptherheadraised,butDancouldseethatshecouldn’tquitelookDr.Rosenbloomintheeye.SheturnedtoJakeandAtticus.“Youtwostaywithyourfather.DanandIwilltakeitfromhere.”

Amyturnedherbackonthemandstartedtowalkaway.Herbackwasstraight,buttheycouldallseehowbadlyshewastrembling.

“Amy!Wait!”saidJakeashechargedafterher.

Dr.RosenbloomreachedoutandcaughthissonasJaketriedtorushpasthim.“Thisisover,”hesaid,grabbingJake’sshirtandshakinghimforemphasis.“YouandAtticusaregoingbacktoschool,andI’mcallingtheTunisianpolicerightnow.”

Jaketoreoutofhisfather’sgrip.“Thenyou’llbecallingthemonme,too.”

“Jake!”

“Ican’texplaineverythingnow,”hesaid.“Ijustneedyoutotrustme.AmyandDanhaven’tmadeusdoanything.We’redoingthisbecauseweknowhowimportantitis.It’sprobablythemostimportantthingAtticusorIwilleverdo.We’llbecareful,Iswear.Butwe’regoing.Now.”

“Jake,don’tyoudare—”

Jake’sfacewasgraniteasheturnedawayfromhisfather.Dr.RosenbloomsteppedforwardtograbJakeagain,andAtticusranoutbehindhim.AmystoodmotionlessneartheLandRover,watchingtheRosenbloomssprinttowardher,withwhatlookedliketearsglisteninginthecornersofhereyes.WhenshesawDanlooking,shewipedthemawayandfixedhereyesontheground.

“Atticus!”Dr.Rosenbloomcriedashissonsstreakedtowardthecar.Helookedshocked,asifhehadwokenupintoanalternateuniverse.

“Guys,”Amysaid,puttingherselfbetweenJakeandAtticusandthecar.“Youcan’t—”

“Itdoesn’tmatterwhatyousay,either,”Jakesaid.“We’renotdoingthisforyou.We’redoingitbecauseit’sright.SounlessbothyouandDanwantusgone,we’recomingwithyou.”

AmyturnedtoDan,whowassittinginthefrontseatofthecar.Theforceofherexpectationwaslikeapunchtohischest.HelookedfromhertoJakeandAtticus.

“Weneedthem,Amy,”Dansaid.“They’recomingwithus.”

“Stop!”Dr.RosenbloomshoutedasherantowardtheLandRover.JakeandAtticusjumpedin,andthenDangrabbedhissisterandpulledherintothecar.

“Let’sgo,”heshoutedtothedriver.“Andhurry!”

DanglancedbackatAmyastheytookoffinacloudofdust.Hereyeswerefilledwiththesameemotionhe’dseenbackatthelibrary.Alookthatscreamedoutthatshe’dbeenbetrayed,andbythepersonshetrustedthemost.

Danmadehimselflookaway.

“We’llbeinTunisinafewhours,”heannouncedtothegroup.“Weneedaplan.Thoughts,everybody?”

Amywasfrozeninplace,shockedbreathless.Whathadhappenedtothetwoofthem?Danlookedatherlatelyasifshewereastranger,buthehadtoknowshewasonlytryingtokeepeveryonesafe.Didn’the?

AmydrewherselfoverthebackseatandintotherearoftheLandRover’sstoragecompartment.Sheleanedovertheirbackpackssoitlookedlikeshewascheckingtheirgear,andpulledoutherphone.Shedialed,andwhileitrangshekepthereyeslockedonDanandJakeandAtticus,herheartachingtoseethemmakingplanswithouther.

Theringingstoppedandtheirpilotanswered.

“It’sme,”Amywhispered.“Yes.ButI’llneedyoutobringsomethingswithyouwhenyoucome.”

Amyrattledoffalistandthenshelookedahead.Theboysstillwereabsorbedintheirplans.DanandJakeandAtticusseemedsofaraway,almostasiftheinsideofthecarhadbeensplitintotwoseparateworlds.Somethingcoldclickedintoplace.

Andthat’sthesafestplaceforthem,shethought.Faraway.Thewayitalwaysshouldhavebeen.

Thepilotaskedheraquestion,snappingAmybacktoreality.

“No,”shesaid,answeringhim.“There’sbeenachangeofplans.Listenup....”

Nelliehidinthebathroom,listeningasthelastofthelate-shiftemployeesfiledoutoftheirlabs.Ahalfhouraftertheirvoicesfaded,thecleaningcrewsmovedinwiththeswishofmopsandthewhineofvacuums.Finally,theonlythingNelliecouldhearwasthesofttickingoftheairconditionerswindingdownforthenight.

Nellietookabreath,thenunfoldedherselffromherperchontopofthetoiletbowl.

Outsidethebathroom,thecorridorwasfilledwithamixofsafetylightsanddeepshadows.Nellieglancedupatthesecuritycamerasmountedalongtheceiling.Theywerestationary,andshewasprettysureshecouldstayoutoftheirfieldsofview.

Sheslinkedupthestairstothenextfloor,openingandclosingdoorswithexcruciatingcaresotheydidn’tmakeasound.Shemadeittothefourthfloor,thenconsultedhermentalmap.Theentrancetothesecretstaircasewassupposedtobeatadeadend—left,thenright,thenleftagainfromwhereshewasstanding.

Nelliestarteddownthefirsthall,butdovebackintotheshadowsattheclickofadooraheadofher.Sheflattenedagainstawallasasmallwomaninawhitelabcoatsteppedintothecorridorandwalkeddownthehall.Thewomanpattedatherpockets,growingincreasinglyfrustratedasshesearchedforsomething.Oncethewomanwasoutofsight,Nelliewaitedandlistenedbeforecontinuingon.Everystepconfirmedthatsheandthewomanwereheadedinthesamedirection.

MaybesheknowsI’mbehindherandisleadingmeintoatrap.Maybethisendswithmeinthehandsofacoupleofgoonsliketheonesthatnearlykilledthekiddos.

Nellieshookofftheunproductivethoughtsandmadeherselfcontinueforward.Herlegsweren’tquitesteady.Left,thenright,thenleftagain.Nelliehungbackinthedarkandpeekedaroundacorner.ThewomanwasattheendofahallwithherbacktoNellie.Shewasstilldiggingthroughherpockets,mutteringtoherself.Nellieheardaclinkofchange

andthenadeepka-chunk.ThewomanmovedasideandNelliecaughtsightofwhatwasattheendofthehall.

Itwasn’tasecretentrance.

Itwasavendingmachine.

Thescientistreachedintoaslotforhersnack,toreopenthebag,andchoweddownanentirebagofhoneyBBQporkrinds,goingsofarastoupendthebagsoshecouldsuckbackthelastremainingcrumbs.

Hmm.Maybesheisn’tapartofaninternationalcriminalconspiracy,afterall.

Nellieflattenedherselfintotheshadowsonceagainasthewomanmovedpasther.WhenMadamePorkRindswasgone,Nellietiptoeddowntothevendingmachine,runningherhandsalongthewalls,searchingforaseamorahollowplacethatmightindicateanentrance.Therewasnothing.

Thevendingmachineitselflookedperfectlynormal.Glassfrontandblackmetalsides.Aslotforchangeandaplacetoswipecreditcards.NexttothecardreadertherewasalargeredAsurroundedinwhite.Themachineitselfwasfullofcandyandchipsandrollsofmints.Nellienudgeditwithonehandbutitdidn’tmove.Shesethershoulderintoitandpushed,stillnothing.

“Comeon,youstupidthing.Iknowthere’smorethanporkrindsinyou!Therehastobe!”

Nelliegaveitanotherpush,andwhenitgavenothinginreturn,herfrustrationhitabreakingpoint.Shekickedatthethingandpushed,rockingitbackandforth.

“Openup!Openup,youstupidthing!Opensesame!”

“Hey!”

Nelliegaspedandwhirled.Shewasface-to-facewithamaninacharcoal-graysuitwhowasbuilttomoreorlesstheexactsamespecificationsasthevendingmachine.AradioreceiversatinoneearandNelliespiedagun-shapedbulgeunderneathhisjacket.

Nellie’sbackwasagainstthemachine,andshecouldonlylookoninhorrorasthemanstrodetowardher,reachingintohisjacket.

“Wait,no,Iwasjust—”

Theguardpulledoutahandfulofchange.“Youscientistsareallthesame,”hesaidwithashakeofhishead.“Soexcitable.Youhavetoloveyourmachinesifyouwanttoget

anythingoutofthem.Treat’emnice.”

HeturnedtoNelliewithanoddsmileonhischiseledface.

“So?Whatisitthatyouwanted,Doc?”

Nellieopenedhermouthtoanswer,butwordsfledwhenshecaughtsightoftheIDcardhangingfromtheman’sbelt.Itwaswhite,justlikehers,butinsteadoftheblueDasonhercard,hissportedabrightredA.

NellieglancedbackattheAonthevendingmachine.Itwasaperfectmatchfortheoneontheguard’sID.AvolleyoffireworkswentoffinNellie’shead.

“Uh,ma’am?”

“Porkrinds,”Nelliesaidwithasmile.“I’llhavetheporkrinds.”

Amystoodaloneondecklatethatnight,lookingupatglisteningstarssurroundedbyblack.Theywereintheopenocean,somewherebetweenthecoastsofSpainandMorocco.Therewasn’tatraceoflandoragleamofartificiallightinanydirection.AmythoughttheviewmusthavebeennodifferentthantheoneseenbythesailorsofCarthageorAtlantis.

Sheclimbedthestairsupontothebridge.Everyoneelsewasdownbelow.Amyhadexplainedthatduetoadelayingettingfuel,theplanewouldn’tmeetthemforhoursyet,soeveryoneshouldgetsomerest.

Amykneltbesidetheboat’sbigsteeringwheelandtookthekeyfromtheignitionbeneathit.Shedroppeditintoherpalmwhereitjoinedthespareshehadfoundamongthecaptain’sthings.Thekeysclinkedtogetherinherpalm,catchingthemoonlight.Shewalkedtotherailingandturnedherhandover.Thekeysfellintothewater,hittingwithabarelyaudibleplop.Therewasaflashofsilverinthemoonlightandthentheywereswallowedupbythedark.

“Whatareyoudoing?”

Amyturned.Jakewasstandingatthehatchthatleddowntothecrewcompartment.

“Iwasjust...gettingsomeair.”

Jakeclimbeduptothebridge,whereheleanedagainsttherailingandlookedoutontothesea.Thewaterwasflatbutforafewlow,rollingswells,bandedwithsliversofmoonlight.

“Youshouldgogetsomesleep,”Amysaidnervously.“Theplanewillbehereinafewhours.”

Jakenodded,butkeptstaringoutintothedarkwater.“Doyouthinktheyknewitwascoming?”

ThesuddenshiftthrewAmy.“Who?Didtheyknowwhatwascoming?”

“ThepeopleinAtlantis,”hesaid.“OrTartessos.Orwhateveritwascalled.Atticussaiditwasprobablyoneofthegreatestcitiesofalltime.Iwasthinkingsincetheyhadaccomplishedsomuch,maybetheycouldn’timaginetheendcoming.Ibetthat’swhatkilledthem.”JakelookedbackoverhisshoulderatAmy.“Thinkingtheywereinvincible.”

“Jake...”

“ItusedtobethatIknewwhatyouweregoingtodoorwhatDanwasgoingtodoalmostbeforeyoudidit.Wewerethatinsync.Butnowitseemslikeallanyofusdoisfight.Idon’tlikewhatIseecoming,Amy.”

AnimpulsetocontradicthimflaredinAmy,butitburneditselfoutbeforeshecouldgiveitvoice.“Iknow,”shesaid.Itwasbarelyawhisper.

Jaketookasteptowardherjustasthedistantwhineofenginesbrokethesilence.Jakelookedupastheseaplane’srunninglightswinkedintoview.Moonlightglintedoffofitswingsasitangledinforalanding.

“Iguesshe’searly,”Jakesaid.“Wecantalkaboutthislater.I’llgogettheothers.”

HestartedtogobutAmygrabbedhissleevetoholdhimback.“Whatareyou—?”

“I’mgoingtoSvalbard,”shesaid.“Alone.”

“What?Amy—”

“EveryonewillbewaitingforusinTunis,”shesaid.“Reporters,police,Pierce’smen.Svalbardistheonlychance.”

“Fine,butgoingaloneiscrazy!Dadsaidtheplacewillbeemptyandlockedup.You’llnevergetinalone.Togetherwecould—”

“I’mnotlettinganyoneelsegethurtoverthis,”Amysaid.“You’reright,Jake.We’renotinvincible.AndPierceistoogood.He’stoosmart.”

Therewasaroarofenginesandthenasplashastheseaplanelanded.JaketookholdofAmy’sarmassheturnedtowardtheboat’srailing.

“You’reright,”hesaid.“LeaveDanandAtticusbehind.Butletmecomewithyou.”

TheexpressiononJake’sfacenearlysentAmytoherknees.Despiteeverything,allthefightsandthehurt,Jakewouldn’thesitatetoputhimselfindangertohelpher.She

knewexactlyhowhefelt,becauseshefeltthesame.Amyfeltsomethingbrightflareupinsideofher.Butthebriefrushofjoycouldn’twithstandthecoldwalloffear,worry,andguiltshe’dbuiltup.Sheknewwhatshehadtodo.Amythoughtofhergrandmother,imaginedthespineofsteelthatranthroughGrace,andforcedherselftolookJakeintheeye.

“Idon’tloveyou,”shesaid.“IknowyouthinkIdo.Youthinkthatthere’sthis...thingbetweenus,butthereisn’t.Thereneverwas,andthereneverwillbe.”

Therewasapause,andthenthelightinJake’seyesbegantoslowlyfade.Amywasguttedtoseeitgo,butshecouldn’tlookaway.Shecouldn’tletup.Jake’sgriponherarmloosened.Theplanetaxiedtoastopfiftyfeetfromtheboatandthepilotpoppedthereardoor.

“I’vedisabledtheboat,”Amysaid.“Butthere’splentyoffoodandwateronboard.You’llallbesafeuntilIsendsomeoneforyou.Ifsomethinghappenstome,tellDantogatherwhatwehaveonPierceandcalltheFBI.”

BeforeJakecouldprotest,Amygrabbedherpackanddoveoffthesideoftheboat.Thechillywaterhitherlikeafistbutshewasupandpullingherselfthroughthelowswellsinseconds.Shecouldhearshoutingbehindhernow.Theplanewasthirtyfeetaway,thentwenty,thenten.

Thepilotreacheddownandtookherbythewrist,pullingherupontothewidepontoon.Hewrappedatowelaroundherasshesteppedupintotheplane.Amyturnedtoshutthedoor.

“AMY!”

Danwasondecknow,standingjustbehindJake.HerbrotherscreamedhernameandAmyfelthottearsfillinghereyes.

“AMY!”

Theplane’senginesspunupandthepropellerbegantoturn.Danstrippedoffhisshoesandshirtanddoveofftheboat.Hedisappearedintheblack,andsecondslatershesawhisthinwhitearmstearingthroughthewater.Thepilotturnedbacktoher.

“WhatdoIdo?”

“Go.Now!”AmysaidasDangotcloserandcloser.Inanotherfewstrokeshe’dbeabletograbthepontoons.

“Butthere’ssomeoneinthewater,”thepilotcalledoutovertheengines.“Shouldn’twe—”

“Justgo!”

Amyslammedthedoorandfellintoherseat.AmycouldhearJake,Atticus,andDanyelling,evenoverthenoiseofthepropellers.Eachshoutwaslikeafistdiggingintoher,clutchingatherinsides.Amyclosedhereyestightandtheenginessurged,drowningtheboysout.Theplanebegantopullaway,pickingupspeed.Therewasasluiceofwaterbelowandthenthestrangelyheavyfeelingastheystrainedintothesky.

Amyopenedhereyes.Below,theboatgrewsmalleruntilDanandtheothersfadedintothedistance.Soon,theboatwasnothingbutawhitedotamidtheblack.

Amymadeherselflookstraightahead,staringoutthepilot’swindow,astheysoaredawayintothedarkness.

Nelliefeltherselfgrowtenseasshepassedroomsofpatientshookeduptopingingmachineryandwheezybreathingmachines.Shehadbeenpromisingherselffordaysthatshe’dcometoseeFiskeandhadbeenavoidingit,tellingherselfthattheTriloninvestigationwastooimportant.Butfinallytheexcusesdidn’tholdanymore.Itwasn’tthatshedidn’tloveFiske,it’sjustthatshehatedhospitals.EvenwhentheywereasluxeastheCallenderInstitute,theystillcreepedherout.

Shehadbeentwelvewhenhergrandmagotcancer,andNelliehadneverquitegottenoverseeingherlaidupinthestarkwhiteofthatroom.Asifbeingsickwasn’tbadenough,Nellie’sgrandmahadtodoitwhilebeingassaultedbyfluorescentlightingandthenose-stingingsmellofdisinfectant.Itseemedliketheultimateinsult.Andthefood!Hospitalsshouldbeaboutloveandhealingandcomfort,aboutbeefstewseasonedwithjusttherightamountofthymeandrosemary.Instead,hergrandmagotmysterymeatandiceberglettuce.DessertwasasadlittlecubeofgreenJell-O.

Howwassomeonesupposedtoembracelifeeatingthatgarbage?Whywouldtheywantto?

Well,itwon’tbelikethatforFiske,Nelliethought,swingingthewickerpicnicbasketshehadbroughtwithher.Shehadwaitedtoolongtovisit,butshewasgoingtomakeupforitnow.I’mgoingtohealthatman!

“NellieGomez!”Fiskepracticallyleapedoutofbedasshesteppedintohisroom.

“Fiske!”

Nellietriedtohidehershockatseeinghim.ThereportshehadgottenfromthekiddoswasthatFiskewasasgrayasdishwaterandwrinklierthanamantenyearshissenior.Thatcertainlywasn’tthecasenow.Fiskepracticallyglowed.Hisskinwassmoothandruddy,hiseyesbright.

“Youlookamazing!”

Fiskelaughed,loudandhearty.“Asdoyou,asalways.IsthatacarepackageIseeinyourhands?”

“Itis,butIthinkIshouldgofindsomeonewho’sactuallysickandgiveittothem!”

“Ifitgetsmesomeofyourdeliciouscooking,Iwillendeavortobeappropriatelymoribund.Now,bringithere,Nellie!Bringithere!”

FiskerubbedhispalmstogetherwiththeeagernessofalittlekidasNelliesetthebasketdownandthrewitopen.“Okay,”shesaid,pullingoutstacksofplastictubs.“Wehaveabigbowlofchickenanddumplingsoupfollowedbyanapplecider–brinedporkchop,ricepilaf,mixedgreensalad,andfordessert...”

Nelliewhippedthetopoffatub.

“Banoffeepie!”

“Banoffeepie!”Fiskeexclaimed.“Myfavorite!Ibarelyknowwheretostart.”

Nelliehandedhimabigsilverspoon.“Chickensoup,”shesaid.

“Withpleasure!”

Nelliefoundaseatnexttothebed,smilingasFiskeduginwithobviousrelish.

“Delicious,”hesaidthroughstuffedmouthfuls.“Marvelous.Nowtellmethenews.HowareDanandAmy?Howisthehunt!?”

Fiskepolishedoffthesoupandmovedontotheporkchop,notevenbotheringwithaknifeandfork.Hepickeditupinhishandsandtoreintoitwithhisteeth.

“Uh...they’refine,”Nelliesaid,distractedbythespectacleofFiskeeatinglikeahungrytiger.“TheyfoundthewhiskersandareinTunisnowsearchingforthesilphium.IthinkAmyisfeelingthestress,though.ShesentmostoftheteambacktotheStates.”

“Excellent!”Fiskesaid.“Excellent.”

“Excellent?Whyis—”

“Amyisfeelingherpower,Nellie.Hermastery.Sheiscomingintoherown.Whenapersondoesthat,otherpeoplecanstarttofeellike...howcanIsayit?Likeanchorsratherthansails.Doyoucatchmymeaning?Myword,thisporkchopisdelicious!”

“Fiske,areyousureyou’reokay?Youseem—”

“Mydeargirl,Ihaven’tfeltthisgoodsinceIwassixteen,”hesaid.“No!Scratchthat.EventhenIdidn’tfeelthisstrong,thisfast,this...attuned.I’mseeingthingsI’veneverseenbefore.Theworldisascleartomeasapaneoffreshlywashedglass.”

NelliereachedforthephonebyFiske’sbedside.“Youknow,maybeIshouldtalktoyourdoc—OW!”

Fiske’shandshotoutofnowhereandclampeddownonNellie’swrist.Shecriedoutasherbonesbowedunderthepressure,readytosnap.

“Fiske,you’rehurtingme!”

Heyankedhishandbacklikehehadbeenshocked.Hismouthfellopenandhiseyeswentcoldandhollow.Hisshouldersfell.Suddenly,hishandthathadthestrengthofasteelvisethesecondbeforewasasweakasakitten’spaw.

“Oh,Nellie.Oh,Nellie.I’msosorry.No!”

TearsbegantofillFiske’seyes.Theycourseddownhischeeksashedrewintohimselflikeapieceofpaperbeingslowlycrumpled.

“I’msosorry.Idon’t...Idon’tknowwhathappened.It’slikeIdon’tknowmyownstrength.IactbeforeIeventhink.What’shappeningtome?”

NelliepushedthelunchbasketoutofthewayandlaidacomfortinghandonFiske’sshoulder.Hisfacewasbeetred,hisfeaturesscrunchedtogether.Helookedlikeabewilderedchild.

“It’sokay,”shesaidquietly,strokinghisarm.“You’regoingtobefine.We’rejustgoingtotalktoyourdoctor.Okay?”

Fiskeseizedontheidealikealiferope.“Yes!”hesaid.“TalktoDr.Callender.Healwaysknowswhatto—”

Beforehecouldfinishhissentence,Fiske’seyesfellshutandhisbreathevenedout.Hewasasleep,hisarmscrossedoverhischest,clutchinghimselftight.Thehandjustbeneathhischinwasshakingvisibly.

Nellietoreoutoftheroomtowardanurses’stationjustoutside.Thenurse’seyeswentwideasNelliestrodetowardher.

“Hey!You!IwanttoseeDr.JeffreyCallender.Rightnow!”

NelliestoodoutsideDr.Callender’soffice,tappingherfootimpatientlywhilehesatathisdeskspeakingwithayoungwomaninabrightredblazer.Fiskehadbeenoneofthestrongest,mostin-controlmenshehadeverknown.Whenthekiddoswenttoseehim,theysaidhelookedtiredandweakbuttheydidn’tsayanythingaboutareactionlikethis.

“Ms.Gomez?”

NellielookedupasDr.Callenderwavedherinside.ThewomanintheredblazerjostledNellieonherwaytothedoor.

“Hey!”Nelliesaid.

Thewomaninreddidn’tsayaword.Shealreadyhadacellphonestucktoherearandwaschattingawayasshewalked.

“Somepeoplesayexcuseme!”Nelliecalled.

Thewomandidn’teventurnherhead.Nellierolledhereyesandwasabouttogointheofficewhenshesawsomethingfamiliarhangingoffthebackofthewoman’spurse—awhitekeycardimprintedwithalargeredA.BeneathitwastheTrilonlogo.

“Ms.Gomez?”

NellietoreherselfawayandduckedintoDr.Callender’soffice.Hewasasmallmanwithstylishglassesandathickheadofdarkbrownhair.

“Sorrytokeepyouwaiting,”hesaid.“Meetingwithpharmaceuticalrepsissadlynecessary.HowcanIhelpyou?YouwantedtotalkaboutMr.Cahill.”

“Yes,Ineedtoknowwhat’sgoingonandIneedtoknownow.”

Dr.Callenderhelduphishandsinsurrender.“Ofcourse,”hesaid.“Mr.Cahillhasgonethroughaverydifficulttime,agreatdealofstress.”

Nellienarrowedhereyes.“He’sdealtwithstresshisentirelife.”

Thedoctornoddedhisheadsadly.“Sometimestheoneswhoseemstrongestaremostatrisk.Theytaketheworldontheirback,neverimaginingatimewhentheycan’thandletheweight.”

“Butwhatdowedo?Howdowe...”

“Fixhim?”Dr.Callenderasked.“Ifonlyitwerethateasy.I’mtryingdifferentdrugsandwe’redoingintensivetherapy,butit’samatteroftime.”

Nelliefeltasinkingsensation.“Areyousayingit’spossiblethathe’ll...”

“Stressisaninsidiousthing,Ms.Gomez,”Dr.Callendersaid.“It’snearlyimpossibleforustoeverreallyknowitseffects,or,oncetheeffectstakehold,thelong-termoutlook.Asyousaid,though,Mr.Cahillisverystrong.I’moptimistic.”

Nellienodded,numb.Sherosefromherchair,stillinadaze.“Thankyouforyourtime.”

Shestumbledoutoftheofficeandintothebustlinghallway.“Sorry,”shesaidasshemadeherwaythroughthenursesandvisitors.“Excuseme.”

ThoughtsofFiskequicklyturnedtoAmyandDan.WasFiskeavisionoftheirfuture?Wouldalifeofstressanddangerbreakthem,too?Nellieshuddered.Herkiddoshadneverfeltsofaraway.

Alaughdownthehallcaughtherattention.Thewomanintheredblazercameoutofanotherdoctor’soffice.ShewavedandthenheadeddownthehallinthesamedirectionNelliewasgoing,herspikedheelsclick-clackingagainstthelinoleum.Herpursehungbyherside,thekeycardwithitslargeredAswingingbackandforth.

Nelliesquaredhershoulders,hereyeslockedonthekeycard.Shecouldn’tbeatAmyandDan’ssiderightnowbecauseshehadamissiontocomplete.

Nelliestarteddownthehall,prayingherbackwasstrongerthanFiske’s.

SpitsbergenIsland,TheSvalbardArchipelago

Amy’sentireworldwassnow.ShesankintoitwitheverystepanditblewsothicklythroughtheairthatAmycouldbarelyseefivefeetinfrontofher.Notthattherewasanythingtosee.Shehadbeenwalkingforatleastanhournowandthelandscapearoundherwasstillnothingbutfieldsofwhite,brokennowandagainbyagraypillarofrock.

AmypulledaGPSdevicefromthepocketofherheavycoatandwipedthesnowoffitsfacewithherthickgloves.

HerpositionwasmarkedasabluedotmovingslowlyacrossthefaceofSpitsbergen,anislandinthemiddleoftheArcticOcean.ItwaspartofNorway’sremoteSvalbardterritoriesandsatwithintheArcticCircle,lessthansevenhundredmilesfromtheNorthPole.HerdotwascreepingalongtheroadthatconnectedtheLongyearbyenairport,whereshehadlandedonlyhoursago,totheSvalbardGlobalSeedVault.

Assmallastheairportwas,shecouldhavegottenataxitotakehertothevault.Thepilothadgonetogreatpainstopointoutthatwhilethethermometerclaimeditwasabalmytwodegreesout,thewindswouldradicallyincreaseherriskofhypothermia,coldweathergearornot.Amywasn’tabouttotakechancesonadriver,though.Themediamighthavealreadybroadcastherlocationacrosstheworld.Iftheyhad,shewassurethatPierce’smenwouldn’tmissanopportunitytoarrangealittleaccidentforher,andshecouldn’tletanyoneelsegetinvolved.Asdifficultasitmadegettingintothefacility,Amywasrelievedwhenshelearnedtheseedbankwasonlystaffedtwiceayeartoacceptnewseedshipments.Therewouldn’tbeanothersoulatSvalbardformonths,andthatmeanttherewasnooneshecouldhurt.

ThescreenoftheGPSpulsed.Shewasalmostthere.ThesnowfallwaveredinthewindandAmycaughtsightofanundulatingglowinthedistance.ShedroppedtheGPSintoherpocketandtrudgedthelasthundredyardsuparockyhill.Amymovedcarefully,

halfbentover,glovedhandsgraspingrocksandherthickbootskickingintowhatevercreviceshecouldfind.Finally,thejaggedlandgavewaytoaflatroadcoveredbyathicksheetofsnow.

AmycouldjustmakeoutthegraylinesoftheentrancetotheSvalbardGlobalSeedVault.Itwasasimplesteelrectangle,abouttwentyfeethigh,standingattheedgeoftheroadlikeanimmenseburialmarker.Asquareatthetopofthemonolithglowedinshiftingpatternsofturquoiseandblue.AmyhadreadaboutitontheflightoverandlearnedthatitwasmeanttoevoketheskiesabovetheArcticCircle.

Asteelcorridorranfromthefacility’sentranceintothesnowbankbehind.Beyondthat,thestructureplungedintothesandstoneofthemountain,tunnelingthroughnearlyfourhundredfeetofsolidrockbeforeitbranchedoffintotherefrigeratedseedstorageareas.ThattheywouldneedtorefrigerateanythingouthereseemedinsanetoAmy,butitwastokeeptheseedsataconstantzerodegrees.Theideawasthatthestoredseedswouldactasakindofbackupsystemforeveryplantonearth.Ifsometreeinthemiddleofthejunglesuddenlywentextinct,noproblem;withtheseedsstoredinthevaulttheycouldbringitback.Theymusthavebeenthrilledtoreceivethesilphium.Aplantbroughtbackfromthedead!

Amypulledapairofbinocularsfromherbackpackandscannedthearea.Thesnowalongtheroadwayandbythedoorwasfreshpowder,unmarredbyanytracks.Shecheckedtheroadbehindher.NosignofPierce’smenthere.Afewbuildingssatamileorsotothesouth,butAmydidn’tseeanylightcomingfromthem.Amywishedalltheisolationcouldputhermindatease,butsheknewhowgoodPierce’smenwere.Iftheydidn’twanttobeseen,theywouldn’tbe.

Amypocketedthebinocularsandcrossedtheroad,leaningintothewind.Onceshewasattheentranceshebroughtoutahandheldcomputerwithaseriesofwiresrunningtoakeycard.Amyslidthecardintothereaderonthedoorandthemachinewenttowork.Soontherewasaclickandthedooropened.Amypeereddownthehallwayontheotherside.Shelookedfortracksinsidethedoor,signsthatsomeonehadbeenthere,butthefloorwasclean.

Amypulledthedoorclosedbehindher,fillingthegloomwiththefogofherbreath.Shewasoutofthewind,butitwasnowarmerinsidethefacility.Luckily,shewouldn’thavetobetherelong.Theseedvaultswereaboutthreehundredfeetdeadahead,sealedoffbehindblastdoors.Justtotherightofthevaultswasasmallofficeforthestaff.That’swhereshewasgoing.

Amycreptdownthehallwaywithhernervesonhighalert.Shewaspainfullyawarethatshewasintheperfectplacetobeambushed.IfPierce’smenhithernow,therewouldbenoescapeandnowitnesses.

Theofficewasnothingmorethanafewdesksandchairswithcomputers.Athermostatsatononewallbuttherewasnopointturningtheheaton.She’dbeinandoutbeforeitevenkickedin.Amystrippedoffherglovesandhitthepowerbuttononthenearestterminal.ThecomputerscreenfilledwithunfamiliariconsandtextinNorwegian.Notthatitmattered.AllshehadtodowasgetonlineanddownloadaprogramfromasitePonysetupbackinAttleboro.Onceshedid,thescreenpulsedgreenthreetimesandthenaglowinggreenskullappearedalongwiththewordsYOU.HAVE.BEEN.PWNED!!!

Amyrolledhereyesandwaiteduntiltheskullvanished,replacedbyagreencursor.

Connected.AmytypedandhitSEND.

Minutestickedbyasshewaitedforaresponse.Amycuppedherbarefingersoverhermouthandblew,eagerforanybitofwarmth.Comeon,Pony.Whereareyou?

Sheglancedoutintothehallway.Itwasemptybutherpulsebegantothumpanyway.Thequietwasintense,likebeingatthebottomofthesea.Shecouldfeeltheentiremountainpressingdownonhershoulders.Amyalmostjumpedwhenthecomputerpinged.

What’sup?

“Hemaybeagenius,”Amysaidoutloud.“Buthismemorycouldclearlyusealittlework.”

Thevaultdoors,shetyped,withfingersalreadygoingstifffromthecold.Remember?Youneedtohackthesystemandfindoutwherethesilphiumis,thenopenthevaultdoorsoIcangettoit?

Right!Ofcourse!I’monit.

Ponyreturnedamomentlater.Vault#1-Row#8-Bin#63.Therewasametallicka-chunkoutinthehallway.Amypeekedoutsideasoneoftheblastdoorsswungopen.

You’rethebest,Pony!Amytyped,buttherewasnoresponse.Thatboyseriouslyneededtoworkonhissocialskills.

AblastofcoldairhitAmyassoonasshesteppedintovaultnumberone.Itwaslikestandinginthemiddleofasuperchargedfreezer.Herbreathroseinbillowsofwhiteand

theskinonherhandsandfaceburnedwiththecold.Amypulledherglovesbackonandtightenedtheinsulatedhoodacrossherface.Ijusthavetogetinandout,shethought.

Thevaultitselfwasasbigasafootballfield,withthirty-footceilings.Blueshelvingunitsranthelengthofthefloorandallthewayuptotheceiling.Eachonewaspackedwithrowafterrowofgrayplasticbins.

Amyfoundherwaytoroweightandthenranitslengthuntilshecametobinsixty-three.Insidetherewerescoresofaluminumpackets,eachonemarkedwiththenameoftheseedsinside.Hercoldfingersfumbledwiththeslickenvelopesuntilshefoundwhatshewaslookingfor.Amypulledoutthepacketandheldituptoreadthelabel:Silphium.Five(5)seeds.

Gotcha,Amythought.

“Thatwasquiteastuntyoupulledwiththosereporters.”

Amywhippedaroundtofindamanstandingattheendoftheaisle,leaningcasuallyagainsttheshelves.Hewastallandbroadanddressedallinblackgear,whichmadehisshockinglyblueeyesstandoutallthemore.Amyhidthesilphiumpacketbehindher.Hermusclestensed,readytorun.

“Luckily,we’reprettyadaptable,”hesaidwithashrug.“Travelinglighternowsowedon’traiseanymediaeyebrows.Adaptordie.That’stherule,right?”

Therefrigerationunitskickedonagainwithaloudblastofair,andthemanturned.Amyexplodedoffthefloor,swingingherbackpackhardassheranstraightathim.Itstruckthemanonhisshoulder,takinghimbysurpriseandknockinghimbacklongenoughforAmytospeedpasthim,armspumping.Thedoorwasinsight.She’dbeoutinsecondsandthenshe’d—

Amyhitwhatfeltlikeabrickwallandwentflyingbackward.Sheslammedintothefloorandthepackageofsilphiumshotacrosstheconcrete.AnotheroneofPierce’smensteppedthroughthedoor,crossinghisarmsoverhisenormouschest.

Theblue-eyedmanlaughedashewalkedupbehindAmy.“Isaidweweretravelinglighter.Youdidn’tthinkthatmeantIwasdumbenoughtocomeallthewayoutherealone,didyou?”

Themercenarybythedoorreachedforthegunonhiship,buttheblue-eyedmanwavedhimaway.

“Gogetthetruck.”

Themassivemanfadedbackintothecorridor.Windhowledastheouterdooropenedandclosed.Theblue-eyedmantookthepackageofsilphiumoffthegroundasheapproachedher.

“Whywouldyoucomeallthewayouthereforapackageofseeds?”

HiseyesboredintoAmy,butshesaidnothing.Themanshruggedandtorethepackageopen,upendingitsotheseedsfelloutontotheconcretefloor.Heliftedhisbootoverthepile.

“No!”Amyrushedtostophimbutitwastoolate.Hisbootheelfell.Whenhelifteditagain,theseedshadbeengroundtodust.

Amystaredatthepowder,adarkchasmyawningopeninsideofher.Thenextthingsheknewthemangrabbedherbytheanklesandpulledhertowardhim.Amystruggled,buthewastoostrong.Heheldherdownwithonehandwhilehesystematicallystrippedoffhercoldweathergearwiththeother.

“Now,let’stryandthinkofagoodheadline,”theblue-eyedmansaidashegatheredhergearintoaballandstuffeditintoherbackpackalongwithherphoneandtherestofhersupplies.“Howabout,InternationallyKnownTroublemakerVandalizesFamedLandmarkOnlytoGetTrappedandFreezetoDeath.”

“Youdon’thavetodothis,”Amysaidasthemanslungherpackoverhisshoulderandheadedtowardthedoor.“Please,listentome.Youcan’t—”

Thedoorslammedshutbehindhim.Amyleapedupandthrewherselfatit,poundingonthesteelasthelocksfellintoplace.“Wait!Please!”

Theouterdoorclosedwithadeepboomandthentherewassilence.Amysliddownthelengthofsteeldoorandhittheground.Therefrigerationsystemkickedonagain,sendingfingersoficywindinalldirections.Themanhadleftherinathinsweaterandthermals.Nocoat.Nohood.Nogloves.Nosnowpants.Shecouldfeelherskinfreezingandthenthecoldsinkingdeeper,reachingoutforbone.Amywrappedherarmsaroundherselfasshelookedacrosstheconcrete-and-steelvaultthatwouldbehertomb.

Amygottoherfeetandwalkedtheperimeterofthevault,shiveringassheexaminedeverycornerofherprison.Shefeltamomentofexcitementwhenshefoundarefrigerationductwithinreach.Maybeshecouldcrawlthroughitandoutintothemainoffice,whereshecouldcrankuptheheat.Butthatdreamwasdashed.Theslottedsteelcoverontheventwasbolteddown,andherfreezingfingerscouldn’tsomuchasbudgeit.

Anotherburstofhopecamewhenshediscoveredacomputerterminalfixedtoabackwall,butallitseemedtodowassearchtheseeddatabase.Ithadnocontroloverthedoorsandwasn’tconnectedtotheInternet.

AmyfumbledwiththemousenexttotheterminalandstartedclickingthroughmenusinNorwegian,herhandssocoldshecouldbarelycontrolthem.Shestumbleduponamapofallthecomputersinsidethefacility.Therewerenotationsforthreecomputerssittinginarow,whichmusthavebeenthreeterminalsinsidethevaults,andthenfourtogetherinaseparatelocation.Thosemustbetheoffice!Amyhadtouseherpalmtomovethemouse.Herhandsweregrowingmoreandmorenumb,makingherfingersthickandheavy.Sherubbedherhandstogetherandtriedagain,clickingoneachcomputerinturnuntilherscreenwentblackandasmallgreencursorappearedatthebottom.Gotit!

Pony!shetyped.911.Emergency.Trappedinthevault.Needhelp!

AmyhitSEND,thenstoodbackfromthecomputer,huggingherselfandstampingherfeettofightthecold.Comeon,Pony.Comeon.Therefrigerationcycledonagain,sendingacruelblastoffreezingairoverherbody.Tremorsshookherarmsandshoulders.

Amyknewshecouldn’tstaystillanylonger,shehadtogetherbodytemperatureup.Shemovedawayfromtheterminalandstartedjoggingaroundtheshelves,herwhitebreathtrailingbehindher.Assheran,Amyworkedthrougheveryescapeshehadmadeoverthelastfewyears.Howmanyhopelesssituationshadshefoundherwayoutofatthelastsecond?Ahundred?More?Oneofthemhadtohavesomethingincommonwith

whereshefoundherselfnow,oneofthemwouldofferherasolution,anescape.Buteveryscenarioshecameupwithhitawall.Why?Whatwasthedifferencebetweennowandthen?Inanswer,asingleworddroppedintohermind.

Dan,shethought.Hewasthedifference.DanandJakeandAtticusandIanandHamilton.Iwasn’talonethen.

Amypushedthethoughtoutofherhead.Havingotherpeopleherewouldn’tmakethevaultanylessescape-proof,allitwoulddowasgetthepeopleshelovedkilledalongsideher.Amyforcedherselftotakeanotherlaparoundthevault.Shecouldfeelhowmuchslowershewasalready.Herlegsfeltthickandnumb,andthecoldsearedherlungswitheverybreath.

AsAmycamebackaroundtowardthecomputerterminal,shestumbledandwentcrashingintotheconcrete.Shegotherhandsunderherandpushed,butthecoldwascreepingintoherarms.Comeon,Cahill,sheinsisted.Pushyourselfup.Youcandoit.Amystrained,butherarmswereshakingsobadlynowthatthebestshecoulddowasthrowherselfontohersideandthenslowlycurluptoaseatedposition,withherbackagainstanicywall.Theterminalwasjustafewyardsaway.Thescreenwasblack,nothingbutherownwordsmockingheronthescreen.

Amypulledherkneesuptoherchest,huggingthemclosetoherchest,tryingtotrapeverydegreeofheat.Theshiveringwasgrowingmoreintense,almostlikeconvulsionsnow.Shetriedtostillit,butitwasnouse.Shefeltasifsheweretrappedwithinafistofice.Thetipsofherearsstungbadly,asifasmallcreatureweregnawingatthemwithneedleteeth.Mostalarmingweretheitchyspotsofredgrowingalongherfingertips.Itwasthebeginningoffrostbite.Inashorttime,herskinwouldhardenandblister.Thentheredwouldturntoblack,andherfingerswouldbegone.

Amytuckedherhandsinherarmpitsanddroppedherforeheadtoherknees.ShewonderedwhereDanandtheotherswererightthen.MaybeswimmingintheMediterranean?Shecouldalmostfeelthewarmthofthewaterandtheweightlessfeelingoffloatinginit,underthatintensebluesky.Amy’seyelidsbegantodroopandshefeltastrangesensationinthebackofhermind,liketheapproachofadarkstormfront.Itwasn’tfrightening,though.Infact,Amycouldtellthatwhenthemassofroilingblackcloudsfinallyovertookher,shewouldfeelcalmandatpeace.Shewouldsimplydriftaway.

Avoiceinthebackofherheadurgedherup,remindingherthatPiercewasstilloutthere,thatshehadtostophim,butthatvoiceseemedtogrowfainterandfainter.Soonit

waslittlemorethanawhisper.

Amy’shandslippedandhittheconcretewithabonycrack.Shehissedinpain,thentriedtoliftitagain,butitwassoheavy.Herwholebodywas.Shehadneverfeltsosleepy.Maybeifsherestedforalittlewhile...

Therewasametallicpingsomewherefaraway.Itwasmuffled,likeabellwrappedinlayersofcotton,butitpersisted.AtfirstthesoundwasonlyatinyprickagainstAmy’sskin,butitsankinlikeahook,draggingAmyupthroughlayersofdarkness.Thepinggrewlouder.Somethingintherefrigerationducts?Amygrittedherteeth.Onepingeveryfewseconds.Amygothereyesopenaslitandsearchedthevault.Thepingsoundedagainandthistimeshesawthecomputerscreenbrightenasitdid.

AflarelitinsideAmyandsheseizeditbeforeitwentout.Shebegantomove,slowanddumb,eachturnofherjointsarustytorment,butshewasmoving.Shedugherspineintothewallbehindherandflexedherlegsuntilshebegantorise.Shemadeitup,trembling,andplantedapalmflatonthewall.Shestaggeredforward,thewholetimefeelingliketherewasananchorattachedtoherchest,tryingtopullherdown.Amykepthereyeslockedonthecomputer,andherbrother’simagefixedinhermind.

Thecomputerpingedagain.

“Coming,”Amysaid,hervoiceslurryandindistinct.“I’mcoming....”

Amycollapsedintothewallbesidethecomputer.Amessageflashedonthescreen.What’sgoingon?Whereareyou?

Amyliftedherhandstothekeyboard.Theredsplotchescoveredherfingersnowandwerecreepinguptoherknuckles.Herhandswereasnumbaslumpsofclay.Sheliftedonehandwiththeotherandsetafingerdownonkeyafterkey.

Valt1.dorlcked.Needutoopn

AmymashedENTER,thenslumpedagainstthewallbesidetheterminal,staringattheblinkingcursoruntilhereyesclosedagainandthedarkpulledather.Therefrigerationsystemroaredagain,sendingicyneedlesintotheair.Hurry,Pony,Amythoughtashereyesdrooped.Hurry.

Therewasaclickacrosstheroom.Amy’seyessnappedopenandsheturnedtowardit.Thedoorwasopen.Amypushedofffromthewall,reeledacrossthespace,andthrewherselfintothehallway.

Theoffice.Pierce’smenhadsmashedthecomputermonitorsbeforetheyleft,butshe

didn’tcareaboutthem.Amycrashedthroughthedesksuntilshegottothefarwallandreachedforthethermostat.Herfingershitshardsofglassandbrokenplastic.Wireshunguselesslyfromthewall.

...troublemakervandalizesfamedlandmark...

Amyturnedaway,asoundbubblingupinsideher,somethingbetweenlaughterandasob.Theanimalstrangenessofthesoundterrifiedher.Shelurchedawayfromthewall,tryingtogetherthoughtsinorder.Theyneededtomakeitlooklikeanaccident,shethought.LikeIcamehereandgotcareless.Maybethatmeanstheyleftbehind...

Herbackpacksatononeofthetablesandhercoathungfromthebackofthechair.Shefumbledwiththecoat,abletosummonenoughstrengthtogetherarmsthroughitandliftthehood,butnotenoughtoworkthezipper.Thetwosidesofthecoathunglimp,awayfromherbody,nearlyuseless.Shejammedherfrozenhandsintothegloves,expectingasurgeofwarmthnowthatshewasdressed,butnonecame.Herbodywassocoldthatthecoatandgloveshadnoheattotrap.

Amywentforherbackpacknextbutwasn’tsurprisedtofindthatherphonewasgone,alongwithallofherothersupplies.Herfrozenhandhitapaddedenvelope,anditwaslikeatuningforkwasstruckinsideher.Shepulleditoutandopenedit.Sammy’svialofserumwastuckedinside.Amystaredatitassheshivered.Onedrinkandshecouldprobablysprintbacktotheairportbutsheknewtheserumwouldn’tjustsaveher.Itwouldmakeherintoamonster,too.AmonsterlikePierce.

Amythrusttheserumintothepackandmadeitbackoutintothecorridor,pullingherselftowardtheouterdoor.Thehallwayofferedshelter,butitwasstillsocoldinsidethatallitwoulddowaskillhermarginallymoreslowly.Ifshewantedtolive,sheneededtofindhelp.Fast.

Amythrewhershoulderintothedoor,diggingherfeetintotheconcreteuntilthedoorgaveandshefelloutontotheroadway.Shehitthegroundhardandrolled,tippingovertheedgeofahillandtumblingdownanembankment.Outcroppingsofstonestruckherbackandarmsasshefell,butwiththenumbnessshebarelyfeltthem.

Amyhitbottomandlaypuffingonherback,thewindblowingacrossherbody,carryingawayanyscrapofheatshehadleft.Havetokeepgoing.Keepmoving.Shemadeherselfrolloverandclimbontoherfeet.Itwasnightnowandthesnowwasswirlingaroundher,awhitefogintheblackness.WhenAmyturnedaround,shecouldn’tevenseethevaultentranceortheaquaglowofitsmarker.

Thewindhowledinherearsandbitatherbody.Thoughmostofthelandscapehadbeenwipedaway,Amycouldmakeoutaflatdepressioninthewhite,likearibbonthatrandownandaroundthemountain.Aroad?Buttowhere?Amyfeltsuresheknew,butherbrainwasrunningasthickassludgeandnoanswercame.

Amyturnedsouthtowardanoutcroppingofdarkstructuresdownthehill.Theyappearedanddisappearedinthedriftingsnowbutshewassureshemadeoutwallsandroofs.Surelyshecouldreachthemandthensomeonewouldhelpher.Takeherin.JustlikeBhaileAnois.Everythingbecameperfectlyclearinaninstant.Andnowthatshelookedatthebuildingsmoreclosely,thebuildingsweren’tdarkatall,werethey?Therewerelightson,warmamberlampsglowinginthewindowsandthedoorways.Andcouldn’tshesmellthewoodsyplumeofchimneysmokeandcookingfires?Shecouldhearthewarmdinofvoices,alltalkingexcitedlyoveroneanother.

ThesoundsreachedintoAmyandpulled.Sheyankedherfootupoutofashin-deepdriftandgotmoving.Herpacewasagonizinglyslowasshefoughtthesnowandthedarknessandthewindstrikingherwithallitsforce.

Amypulledalastbitofstrengthfromthewispyimagesofallherfriendswaitingforherdownbelow.Dan.Atticus.Jake.Ian.

Evan.

Amy’smindhitchedatthename,struckbythestrangenessofit.AnaggingvoiceinthebackofhermindtoldherthatEvancouldn’tbethere,butshedidn’tknowwhy.HowcouldEvanbegonewhenhisfacewassoclearinhermind?Whenshecouldhearhisvoice,asclearasifhewasstandingrightbesideher?Amyloweredherheadintothewindandmarchedthroughthesnow,thepromiseofseeingEvanlikeafire,urgingheronward.

Timepassedstrangely,stretchingandcontracting,speedingupandthenslowingtoanumbingcrawl.Amybarelyevenfeltthecoldanymore.Herbodydidn’tshake.Infact,astrangewarmthwasgrowinginher.Herglovesfelloffherhandsandhercoatslippedfromhershouldersanddroppedintothesnow.Sheleftitbehindandcontinuedon.Shedidn’tneeditanymore.Shewouldbehomesoon.

Eventually,thesnowstoppedandthecloudsretreated.AboveAmy,starsglitteredhardintheblack.Thewhitelandscapestretchedoutbeforeher,cleanandstill.HerfootstrucksomethinghardandAmythrewherhandsouttokeepfromfalling.Theytouchedwood.Amylookedupandsawdarktimbersstretchingintothesky.Roughplanksstretchedtoeitherside.Awall.

Amyreeledforwardintoawidedoorway,fullyexpectingtoseeGraceandDanandtheotherswaitingforher,andtosmellfoodcooking.Insteadshefoundherselfinanemptyroomcoveredinivorysheetsofsnow.Thefloorswerewhite.Thewallsweredrapedinit.Amycranedherheadbackandlookedup.Theroofwasrivenwithgapingholes.Shecouldseethestarsthroughit.

Amyfellbackwardandstruckgroundwithoutanypain.Shesankdeepintosnowsosoftitfeltlikeafeathermattress.Shefeltherselffloat,weightlessanddreamy,lookingupatthedarksky.Somepartofherselftoldhertogetup,keepmoving,butthevoicewasfaintandherbodywouldn’tlistenanyway.EverypartofAmywasretreatingdeepwithinher,formingitselfintosomethingwrinkledandhard,likeaseedorthestoneburiedinapieceoffruit.Herbodybecameashell,thickandunfeeling.Theworldfellawayexceptforthedistantwhisperingofairfromsomewherehighabove.

“Amy!Amy,canyouhearme?”

ItwasDan.Hewasstandingrightbesideher,lookingexactlyashehadwhenshelefthim.Amyusedeveryounceofherstrengthtoreachouttohim,butherhandonlybrushedair.

“I’mokay,”shecroaked.“IfoundBhaileAnois.”

TherewasaflashofwhitelightandAmywasweightless,risingoutofthesnow.DanwasgonenowanditwasJakeatherside,glidingalong,hislipsmovingwithoutsound,hishandwrappedaroundhers.TherewasagustofwindandJakebecameEvanandEvanbecameherfatherandthenhermother.Amyfeltherheartturnpainfully.Shewassohappytheywerehere.Sohappytobegoinghome.

Caraclosedherlaptop,settlingherachingbodyintoherexecutivechair.ShehadbeentrainingnonstopforhernextboutwithGaltandwasfeelingit.

Downthehall,thedoortoherfather’sstudyopenedandslammedshut.Galthadgoneinhoursago.Sincethen,allCarahadheardwasmurmuringvoicesinterruptedbyspikesoflaughter.

Laughingatme.

Eversinceherdefeatinthegym,herfatherhadbeenspendingmoretimewithGaltwhileshewasstuckhelpingoutwithhermother’sannualteddybearinventory.Ifshehadtocountonemorebear,shefeltsureshe’dscream.

TherewerefootstepsasGaltandherfatherwenttotheirseparaterooms,shuttingthedoorsbehindthem.Thehousesettledintoquiet.Caraleftherroomandwanderedinthedark.Shemovedfromthekitchenandthroughthedentotheopendoorwayofherfather’semptystudy.WhensheandGaltwerekids,theywouldtesteachother’scouragewithescalatingdares.Idareyoutotouchhisdoorandcomeback.Idoubledareyoutosteponefootinside.

AndnowGaltwentinandsatdownbehindcloseddoorsandhadhoursofconversationswhileshewasshutout.Whyhim?Cararackedherbrain.

Becausehebeatme.Becausehe’sfaster.Stronger.Smarter.Better.

Therealizationhungonhershoulderslikeasheetoflead.Caraleftherfather’sstudyandheadedbacktoherroom.Maybeifshesleptonit,shewouldfeelalittlebetterinthemorning.Shestoppedandjumpedbackatthesoundofsomeoneelsemovingthroughthehouse.Itwasherfather.Whatwashedoinginthekitchenatthishour?

Herfatherclickedonanoverheadlightandreachedintoacabinet.Hepulleddownajuicerandvariouspowders,andthenthefamily’sproteinshakebottles.

He’smakingourmorningshakes,Carathought.He’sbeengivingusthesethingsforages,andI’veneveractuallyseenhimmakeone.

Hestartedbyjuicinganumberofdifferentfruitsandvegetables:apples,grapes,peaches,broccoli,kale,somestrange-lookinggrass.Hepouredequalamountsofeachjuicemixtureintoeachbottle,followedwithascoopofproteinpowder.Thenhetooksomethingoutofthepocketofhisrobeandhelditupintothelight.

Itwasasquatglassvial,fullwithathick-lookinggreenishliquid.Herfathertookasyringeoutofhispocketandtoreoffitssterilewrapper.Heplungedthesyringeintothevialandfilleditwiththeliquid.

Caralookedon,shocked.That’snotproteinpowder,Carathought.That’sadrug!What’shedoing?

PierceheldtheneedletipoverGalt’sbottleandcarefullypressedtheplunger.AlongstreamofthedrugshotintoGalt’sshake.Whentheneedlewasempty,Pierceshookthebottlevigorouslyandputitintherefrigerator.HeturnedtoCara’sbottlenext,butthistimehefilledthesyringelessthanhalfwaybeforesqueezingitintoCara’sshake.Hecappedherbottle,shookit,andputitinthefridgenexttoGalt’s.Oncethekitchenwasspotless,hehitthelightandleft.

WhensheheardthedoortoPierce’sbedroomshut,Caracrepttowardtherefrigerator.Shepulledthebottlesoutandsetthemdownonthecounter,feelingherragebuildasitallbecameclear.

Galtwasn’tbetterthanher.Hewasn’tstrongerorfasterandhecertainlywasn’tsmarter.Hewascheating!Worsethanthat,herfatherwascheatingforhim.

Carastoodquietlyforawhile,staringatthebottles.Thenshegrabbedhersandworkedafingernailbeneaththelabel.SheswitchedherlabelwithGalt’ssoshegotthefullboostandhegotthescraps.

Whatwillitbelike,Carawondered,tofeelallthatstrength?ToshowGaltonceandforallwho’snumberone?

Cara’sstomachknottedwithanger,andastrangesortofhunger.

Let’sseewhothefittestisnow,Dad.

Amywokeinahalf-litroom,bleary,herbodyasheavyasasackofconcrete.Therewasastrangetearingsoundintheair,likepaperbeingrippedagainandagain.Hermusclesachedasshepushedherselfup.Shewasinwhatlookedlikeagenerichotelroom,whiteandbeigewalls,big-screenTV,shadedwindows.

“You’reinOslo.”

Danwassittingatadeskacrosstheroom.Assheturnedtohim,ascrapofpaperfellfromhishandsintoatrashcanbyhisfeet.

“How...?”Amybegan,recoilingfromthepainofwhatfeltlikeground-upglassinherthroat.

“TheboatcaptaingotAttleboroontheradio,”hesaid,hisvoiceaflatline.“TheysentahelicoptertopickmeupandthenIcametogetyou.”

“Soyoureallywerethere,”Amysaid,almosttoherself.“Thatwasyou.”

“Ifwe’dgottenthereafewminuteslater,youwouldhavebeendead.”

InsteadofreliefinDan’svoice,Amythoughtsheheardsomethingharder,likeanaccusation.Herarmswereweakbutshemanagedtohaulthedown-filledcomforteroff.Sherecoiledatthesightofherself.Herlegswerecoveredinuglypurplebruisesandsowereherarmsandherside.Thetipsofthreefingerswerenumbbeneathwhitebandages.

“Weneedtogetmoving,”shesaid,tryingnottogroanasshepushedherselftotheedgeofthebed.“WecanstillgettheseedsinTunis.Maybeifwe—”

Aplasticbagrattledasitflewacrosstheroomandlandedonthebed.Itwasfullofsmalltanseeds.ShelookedupatDan.“How?”

“AtticusandJakegotaplanetoTunis.Theytrackedtheseedsdownthroughtheirdad’sfriends.”

“Everyone’sokay?”

Dansaidnothing.Justnodded.Hewasn’tevenlookingather.

“Dan—”

“Explainhowyoucoulddosomethingsocompletelyinsane!”Dansaid,explodingoutofhischair,hisfaceredwithanger.“Doyouhaveanyideahowworriedallofuswere?Youcouldhavegottenyourselfkilled!”

“IdidwhatIthoughtwasbest,”Amysaid,tryingtocontrolwhatwasbuildingupinsideher.“I’mtheleaderofthe—”

“Don’tgivemethat‘leaderoftheCahills’junk!”Danyelled.“Weworktogether!Wealwayshave.Everythinggoodwe’veeveraccomplished,weaccomplishedtogether!”

“Thenwhyareyouleaving!?”Amy’scryfeltlikeitwasrippedfromtheverycenterofher.Itbatteredthewallsofthesmallroom.“Isawthosebrochures,Dan.Theonesyou’vebeenhidingfromme.What?It’sokayforyoutogooffonyourownbutnotme?”

Dan’sfacewassoreditlookedasifitwasburning.“Itoldyou,Iwasgoingafterthisisover.After.”

Amycouldn’tcontrolthetearscoursingdownhercheeks.“Thisisnevergoingtobeover!Yousaidthatyourself.AfterwedealwithPierce,someoneelsewillcomealong,andthenthere’llbesomeoneelseafterthat.Ifyouwanttoleavesobadly,gonow!”

“Isthatwhatyouwant,Amy?Youwantmetoleave?Wantallofustoleave?Didn’talmostdyingoutthereshowyouhowcrazythatwas?”

Danwaitedforaresponse,butitwasalongtimecoming.

“Youcan’thaveitbothways,Dan,”Amysaid,hervoicesoquiethecouldbarelyhearit.

Dancouldn’tmeethissister’seyes.“IcalledJakeandAtticus,”hesaid.“They’remeetingushereinOslotomorrow.Oncewemakeaplan,we’reallheadingtoGuatemala.Together.”

Amywantedtoprotest,butshedidn’thavethestrength.Shenoddedweakly.DanreachedintohispocketandtossedanewphoneacrosstheroomandontoAmy’sbed.

“FromPony,”hesaid.“Toreplacetheoneyoulostinthevault.Healsowantedmetotellyouhe’ssorry.”

“Forwhat?”

“Hesaidtheremusthavebeensomethingwrongwiththenetwork.HewaswaitingathiscomputerthewholetimeyouwereinSvalbard,butheneverheardfromyou.”

Amyfrowned.“Idon’tunderstand.Pony’stheonewhogotmeout.”

Danshookhishead.“Hesaidheneverheardfromyou.”

“Butthat’snotpossible.IfIwasn’ttalkingtohim,thenwho...”

Danshookhisheadandstartedforthedoor.

“Dan,wait.Please.”

Hestoppedwithhisbacktoher,onehandonthedoorknob.Amyrememberedthebrochuresinhisbag,eachonefilledwithboyshisage,laughingandsmiling.Carefree.

“Evanhadsomanyplans,”shesaidsoftly,atrembleinhervoice.“Didyouknowthatheandhisdadweregoingtotakeayearofftogetherafterhegraduatedhighschool?TheyweregoingtogotoSouthAmericaandhelpbuildhousesforpeoplewhoneededthem.AfterthattheyweregoingtogotomeethismominChina,becausetheyalwaysdreamedofseeingtheGreatWall.Theyhadnoideathat—”

ThewordscaughtinAmy’sthroat,toobigandtooterribletopass.

“Iwantallofyoutobehappy.YouandJakeandAtticusandalltheothers.Idon’twantthisforyou.Idon’twantthisforanybody.Butyoushouldgorightnow,Dan,beforeit’stoolate.”

Danseemedabouttosaysomething,buthedidn’t.Heopenedthedoorandsteppedintothehall.

“Dan,wait,I—”

Thedoorclosedbehindhimwithaslap.ThesilenceinthehotelroomsettledheavilyonAmy’sshoulders.ShelookedawayfromthedoorandnoticedthatDanhaddraggedthetrashcanoutfromunderthedesk.Sherememberedthesoundoftearingpaperandgotherselfoutofthebedandwentovertoit.

Inside,therewasacrumpledballofpaperstreakedwithblueandyellowandcandy-applered.Scrapsofpaperblewoutofherhandandontothefloorassheunfoldedit,likethefeathersofsomesmall,brilliantlycoloredbird.Dan’sbrochures.Eachone,withitsboldcolorsandsmiling,lightheartedboys,hadbeentorninhalfandthentornagain.

Amy’sheartbroke,lookingdownatthem.Sheknewpartofhershouldhavebeenglad,butsuddenlythethoughtofDanstayingmadeheracheworsethanthethoughtofhimleavingeverhad.

Therewasasoftdingbehindher.Amyflippedoverhernewphoneandsawane-mailwaitingtoberead.ItwasfromJake.Shestaredatitforalongtime,herstomachturning,beforeshefinallyworkedupthenervetoclickonit.

Amy,

Idon’tthinkthere’smuchtosay,oranythingthatDanprobablyhasn’tsaidalready,butthere’sonethingIhadtogetoffmychest.Firstoff,AtticusandIaregladyou’reokay.Wewereallprettymadwhenyoutookoffwithoutus,butthatwasbecausewewereterrified.Noneofusknowwhatwe’ddoifanythinghappenedtoyou.

IwantyoutoknowthatI’mnotgoingtostoptryingtohelpyoufightPierce.ButIacceptwhatyousaidbeforeyouleftandwantyoutoknowthatIagree.Therewasneveranythingbetweenusandthereneverwillbe.Don’twasteanymoretimeworryingaboutfeelingsthatneitherofuseverhad.

—Jake

Amyclosedthee-mailandthensatwithoutmovingforsometime.Shelookedaroundatthestarkwallsoftheroom,andforamomentshefeltlikeshewasbackinthevault,trappedandalone.AmyhitREPLYandstartedtotype:

Jake,

IonlysaidwhatIdidbecauseifyouknewhowIreallyfelt,youwouldhavepulledthatplaneoutoftheskybeforeyouletmegooffalone.AndI’dratheryouhatemeandlivethandiebecauseyoucare.Icouldn’tforgivemyselfifyouorAtticuswerehurt.ButI’mtiredoflying.Andthetruthis,there’snooneI’dratherfightwith,nooneI’dratherbeinfuriatedby,thanyou.

Dansaidthatthebestthingsanyofushaveeveraccomplished,weaccomplishedtogether.That’strueformeandyouaswell.

—Amy

Amystaredatthemessage,thinkingofhowJaketeasedheronthebeachinTunis,andthenhisfaceassheboardedtheplane.

Shehighlightedthee-mailandhitDELETE.

Oncethee-mailwasgone,shemovedtoherbrowserandtypedinGuatemalaandRivenCrystal.Alonglistofhitscameupandshemovedthroughthemonebyone,examiningeach,makinglistsofnotes,losingherselfintheresearch.

NelliecrouchedintheweedsattheedgeoftheTrilonparkinglot,lookingupatthedarkbuilding.Therewerefourlabswithlightsstillon.Shewaited,legscramping,untilthelightswentoffonebyone.Soonthestragglingscientistsleftthebuildingandgotintotheircars.

Nellieslippedoutoftheditchandranacrosstheparkinglotinalowcrouch,doingherbesttoavoidthepoolsoflightstreamingdownfromtoweringsteelpoles.Therewasasecuritystationjustinsidethemainentrancethatwasmanned24/7,sothatwaywasout.Luckily,shehadthebuilding’sschematicsallbutmemorized.Nellielefttheparkinglotandcamearoundthenorthsideofthebuilding,bellycrawlingunderneaththefirst-floorwindowsjustincase.

Nelliefoundthesidedoorandpulledasetoflock-picktoolsoutofherbackpocket.Sheeasedthethinmetaltoolsintothelockandclosedhereyesasshedugaroundinside,judginghersuccessbythevibrationscomingbackthroughthemetal.Shefelttumblersmoveoutofherwayonebyone,butgotstuckonthelast.Itslippedandslidoutofhergraspandherhandswenttense.

Nellieheardfootstepsoutinthedark.Nodoubtaguardonpatrol.Hewasgettingcloser.Twentyfeetaway.Thenfifteen.Nelliepouredherwholeconcentrationintothetools,twistingandturningthem.Comeon.Comeon.Aflashlightbeamappeared.Nellieheldherbreath.Tenfeet.Five.Thefinaltumblerliftedandthelockclickedopen.Shethrewhershoulderintothedoorastheguardappeared.Sherolledinside,stickingoutonehandatthelastsecondtostopthedoorbeforeitslammedagainsttheframe.Shehelditthere,listeninguntiltheguardwasgoneagain.Nellieeasedthedoorshutandthenturnedintothegloomofthebuilding.

Shewasinafirst-floorstairwell.Togetbacktothevendingmachinesheneededtogoupthreeflightsandthenwindthroughthecorridorsuntilshewasonthefar-westsideof

thebuilding.

Nelliegotmoving,slinkinguptothefourthfloor,thenpeekingoutthedooruntilshewassurenoonewascoming.Thehallwayswerehalflitbysafetylights,fillingthestringoflabsandcorridorswithaneeriegloom.Nelliefrozeateverysound,herbodygoingonhighalertuntilsherealizedthatitwassimplythebuildingsettlingortheair-conditioningcyclingon.Shehadmemorizedtheplacementofthevideocamerasandtookalongandwindingroutetoavoidthem.Itfeltlikeittookherhoursbeforeshefinallyendedupbackatthedead-endhallway.

Thesnackmachineglowedinfrontofher.Assheapproachedit,theglassfrontpickedupherreflection.Nellie’sskinwentcoldassheimaginedtheblackmachinewasahugemouth,poisedtodevourher.

Comeon,Gomez,pullyourselftogether.It’sjustyourimagination.

Nellie’shandsshookasshepulledthestolenkeycardfromherbackpocket.Shehaddefinitelypickedupathingortwoovertheyears.AsubtleshoulderbumpandthepharmaceuticalrepshehadseenoutsideofDr.Callender’sofficehadbeendistractedenoughthatNelliecouldswipehercardwithoutbeingnoticed.Nellieranitthroughthereader.Therewasaclickandoneedgeofthesnackmachinepoppedawayfromthewall.

Nelliepeekedaroundthesideofthemachine.Therewasnowasliverofspacebetweenitandthewallbehind.Sheslippedherfingertipsintothecrackthathadformedandpulled.Thesnack-machinedoorswungopeneasilyandwithoutasound.Ontheothersidewasanarrowconcretestaircaseleadingdownintodarkness.

Nellieswallowedagrowinglumpoffearinherthroatandsteppedintotheblack,shuttingthedoorbehindher.Shestoodthereinthedark,herhearthammering,untiltherewasafainthumallaroundherandaseriesofdimfluorescentlightscutonallalongthestaircase.Huh,Nelliethought.Iguessyoucanbeevilandenergyconsciousatthesametime.

Nelliedescendedthestairs,crossingswitchbacklandingsateachflooruntilshehaddescendedfivelevels.There,shefoundalandingandasteel-jacketeddoor.Thebasementshouldbejustontheotherside.SheswipedherAcardinthereaderbythehandleandthedoorpoppedopen.

Nelliepeekedthroughthedoorway.Ontheothersidewasanondescripthallwaywithlargepicturewindowsrunningdownitslength.Shedidn’tseeanypeopleorhearanyvoices.

Nelliemovedintothehallwayinaslightcrouch,easingthedoorclosedbehindher.Whenshecametothefirstlab,sheflattenedherselfagainstthewallandpeeredoverhershoulder.

Thelabwasfilledwithracksofcomputers,tables,chairs,andachalkboardthatwascoveredinaconfusionofsymbols.Therewasanotherlabnextdoorjustlikeit.Shecametoathirdlabandfoundglasstanksfilledwithathickgreenliquid.Odd,lumpyshapesfloatedinthegreen,whilebubblesofairstreamedpast.

Theserum,Nelliethoughtwithachill.Herinstinctwastobustinsideandsmashthetanks,butsheneededtoseethefullscaleoftheoperation.AsNelliestarteddownthehall,adoorswungopenbehindherandsomeoneexplodedoutofanadjoiningroom.Ahandfelloverhermouthandshewasyankedoutofthehallwayandintoanotherroom.Nelliemovedwithoutthinking.Shespiedafireextinguisheronthefloorandgrabbeditandswungashardasshecould.Therewasasatisfyingyelpofpainandherattackercrashedtothefloor.Shepulledthesteelcanisterbackforanotherswipe.

“Nellie!Please!Wait!”

Nelliestoppedmid-swing.Belowhershesawatangleofblackhairanddarkeyeswidewithfear.

“Sammy!”

ThefireextinguisherclankedtothegroundandNelliedroppeddownbesidehim.Hehadfallenagainstanearbytableandwasbleedingfromhisforehead.

“Oh,no.Oh,God.Ican’tbelieveIjust—areyouokay?”

“I’mfine!Butwhat—whatareyoudoinghere?”

Nelliegrinned.“I’myourownpersonalcavalry.I’mgoingtogetyououtofhere,butfirst,IneedtoseewhatPierceisupto.Canyouwalk?”

SammynoddedandNelliehelpedhimup.Sheputherbacktothewallandpeeredoutintothecorridor.Thecoastwasclear.

NellieandSammymoveddownthehall.Nellie’smouthwentdryandthemusclesinherlegsquiveredasshedrewcloser.Anotherwindowsatinthewallahead,thebiggestoneyet.Nelliemovedupalongsideit,herbacktothewall.Shewassurprisedtofindherheartracing.Sheturnedslowlyandlookedinside.

Therewerenopeopleanywherethatshecouldsee,onlyafactoryfloorthelengthofafootballfield,filledwithranksofblackmachines.Aconveyerbeltranalongtheroom,connectingmachinetomachine.Butwhatwasonit?Nelliemovedinfrontofthewindowandpeeredintoabackcorner.Whatshesawtheremadeherbloodgocold.

“He’sreallydoingit,”Nelliesaid,struckdumbattheidea.

Alongthebackwallwerethreemassiveglasstanks,eachonenearlythreestorieshigh.Theywereempty,butsheknewsoontheywouldbefilledwiththesamethickgreenliquidshehadseenearlier.Hosesranfromthebottomofthetankstothemachinesthatrantheconveyerbelts.

“He’smass-producingtheserum,”Nelliesaid.

“Butwhy?”Sammyasked.

Therewerehosesatthereadytosquirttheserumintovials,andbeltswaitingtowhiskthevialsaway.Nelliecouldseehundreds,maybethousandsofemptyvials,justwaitingforPiercetopressthebutton.

“Because,”Nelliesaid,herfacegrim,“he’sgoingtobuildanarmy.”

SneakPeek

AfterleavingDanbehind,AmybarelymadeitoutofSvalbardalive.Willhereffortstokeepherfamilysafeleadtoherdownfall?OrwilltheCahills’fightsagainstPiercedemandanevenlargersacrifice?

FindoutinCOUNTDOWNbyNatalieStandiford.Turnthepageforasneakpeek!

GuatemalaCity,Guatemala

AmyCahillputonhersunglassesinpreparationforapaparazzimobsceneastheplanelandedatLaAuroraInternationalAirport,butalllookedquiet.Funny.ThisshouldhavehelpedAmyrelax,butshe’dforgottenhowtodothat.Instead,thenervesinhernecktensedevenmore.

Sheandtheothers—herbrother,Dan;hisfriendAtticus;andAtticus’solderbrother,Jake—deplanedandwalkedthroughtheairporttowardthegatewheretheywouldboardacharteredhelicopter.They’dhiredalocalpilotwhoknewhowtoflythroughthevolcanicjunglemountains,sincelandingatTikalwastricky.

“Niceandquiet,”Jakesaid.“Forachange.”People—normal-lookingpeopleinthetouristuniformofshorts,sandals,andT-shirts—satplayingwiththeirmobilephones,walkedcalmlytotheirgates,gazedinboredomatthesameoldduty-freechocolatesthatseemedtobeforsaleateveryairport.

Amydidn’tanswer.TherewasnothingtoaddtoJake’sobservationotherthan:Fornow.Or:We’llsee.

Besides,shedoubtedhe’dmeantthecommentforher.Hewasbarelyspeakingtoher,communicatingonanas-neededbasis.ThesamewentforDan.Atticusslippedupoccasionallyandofferedhergumorflashedherhissweetsmile,butthenDanwouldglareatAtttochastisehimforthesmallbetrayal.

Amytoldherselfitdidn’tmatteriftheyhatedher.Shewasn’tracingaroundtheworldtomakefriends.AstheleaderoftheCahillfamily,shehadtomakehardchoices—likeleavingDan,Atticus,andJakebehindwhensheheadedtotheArcticCirclealone.Abandoningthefewpeopleshelovedhadfeltlikecuttingoffherownhand,butthatdidn’tmatter.Shehadajobtodo.Aslongastheothersdidn’tgetinherway,whethertheyincludedherintheirjokesandgum-sharingwastheirbusiness.

TherewasashoutfromanewsstandandAmyturnedtowardit.

“Theretheyare!”

“Thepapsattwoo’clock,”Danmuttered.Asmallmobofphotographerszeroedinonthem,theirgearclankingastheyran.

Amycouldn’tcontainanexasperatedsigh.Herewegoagain.

ItwasbadenoughthatJ.RutherfordPiercesentmurderousthugsafterAmyandDanwherevertheywent.Ontopofthat,he’densuredthatthepaparazziwasobsessedwiththem—AmyandDanCahill,theteenageleadersoftherichestandmostpowerfulfamilytheworldhaseverknown.ThesourceoftheirpowerwasaserumthatPiercehadmanagedtosteal,enhancinghisownpowerandmakinghimexceedinglydangerous.AmyandDanwereonadesperatemissiontofindtheantidotetothatserum,andhadcometoGuatemalabecausetheysuspectedthenextingredienttheyneeded—“rivencrystal,”whateverthatwas—washiddenintheancientMayanruinsofTikal.Butitwasnexttoimpossibletoconductacovertoperation—oreventohide—whenreporterspublicizedyoureverymove.

“Thatway.”Jakepointedtoadoormarkedviplounge,mannedbyaguard.

AmyflashedaVIPTravelClubIDattheguardandtheyduckedinside,butnotbeforeoneofthephotographersspottedthemandtooksomequickshots.Theflashcasteerieshadowsonthewallinfrontofher.Shecouldn’tletthephotographersfollowthemtotheirwaitingchopper.Ifthepaparazzifoundoutwheretheywereheaded,thatmeantPiercewouldknow,too.

“Amy!”thephotographercalled.“Usingyourprivilegetoavoidthepublic?Whatarewe,theunwashedhordes?”Amyignoredhimandkeptrunning,butthephotogpushedpasttheguard,whocouldn’tstopawholemobdeterminedtogetaroundhim.

Amy,Jake,Dan,andAtticusracedthroughthelounge,dodgingplacidpassengerssippingdrinks.Amyleapedoverasidetablejustasawomanreachedforhercoffeecup.Thewomanglaredatherandsnapped,“Rudechildren!”ThecommentbouncedoffAmy’sTeflonshell.ThedayswhenAmycaredaboutgoodmannerswerelonggone.Hernear-fataltriptoSvalbardhadicedoverwhatremainedofherheart.Beinghoundedbythepresscoulddothattoaperson—andbeinghuntedbyapowerful,ruthlesskiller,evenmore.PiercehardlyneededhisarmytofindtheCahills—thepressdidthatjobforhim.

Danfoundadooratthebackoftheloungeandthrewitopen.“Inhere!”

Theothersfollowedhimthroughastaffchangingarea.Theyranpastaflightattendantshruggingintohisuniformjacket.“Hey!Whatareyou—?”

Notimetoheartherestofthatquestion.Theyranpastalongmirror,whereanotherflightattendantspritzedhishairwithspray.Amygotafaceful,wipedthesprayfromhereyes,andkeptrunningwithoutmissingabeat.

Theyfoundanotherexitandmadetheirwaythroughthemazeoftheairport,leapingoversuitcasesandthelegsofpeoplesittingonthefloor,untiltheyendedupatbaggageclaim.Acrowdofpassengershadjustarrivedtopickuptheirluggage.“Trytogetlostinthecrowd,”Amysaid.Eveniftheboysweren’tspeakingtoher,theycouldn’tblockoutherorders.

Theywovetheirwayamongthetiredpassengersimpatientfortheirbags.Amyheardashoutfromtheedgeofthecrowd.

“There’sAmy!”

“Letusthrough!”Thetelltaleflashoflightbulbspoppedfromacrossthelargehall.Thepaparazzihadspottedthem.

“WhatareyoudoinginGuatemala,Amy?”areportershoutedoverthecrowd.“Planningtospoiltherainforest?”

“Dan,youfollowingorderslikeagoodboy?”

AmyriskedaglanceatDan,knowingthatremarkhadhitasorespot.“Idon’twantthemtoknowwherewe’regoing,”Amytoldtheothers.“We’vegottoleavetheairportforawhile.Thechopperwilljusthavetowait.”

“Whilewedowhat?”Jakedemanded.

“Ihaven’tgottenthatfaryet.”

Amyledthemthroughacorridortotheairportexit,hereyesscouringtheterminalforsomeotherwaytogetout.Buttheairportexitwasblockedbyawallofsixbig,muscular,stone-facedmeninblacksuits.Amyknewthemalltoowellbynow.

Pierce’smen.ThesoldiersoftheFoundersMediaarmy.

TheyhomedinontheCahills,musclesrippling,liketigerspreparingtospringforthekill.

“Back!”Amyshoutedtotheothers.“Backthewaywecame!”

Trappedbetweenthemuscleandthepaparazzi,Amywouldrathertakeonthepaps.Pierce’ssoldierscouldn’tbeseenattackingkids.AmyknewPierce’smenhadorderstokill,butithadtolooklikeanaccident.Astheybacktrackedintothebaggagehall,therewasaloudbuzzandflashingyellowlight,andoneoftheluggagecarouselsbegantospin.Suitcasesstartedspillingoutandridingaroundtheconveyerbelt.Thepassengerscrowdedaround,eagerlywaitingtograbtheirbags,temporarilyblockingthepapsfromreachingtheCahills.

“Thisway!”Danjumpedonthecarouselandrodeittotheend,disappearingbehindarubbermat.Amy,Jake,andAtticusslippedthroughthecrowdandjumpedontheconveyerbeltbeforethepaparazzicouldreachthem.

“Getdown!”AmygrabbedAtticusandthetwoofthemhidbehindalargeredsuitcaseheldtogetherwithtwine.Someonereachedforthesuitcaseandpulleditofftheconveyer,suddenlyexposingAmyandAtt.

“Hey!”themanshoutedinshockwhentheywererevealed.“Therearekidsridingthisthing!”

AmygrabbedAtt’shandandjumpedoffthebeltintothecenteroftheconveyerring.Anairportsecurityguardsteppedontotheedgeoftheconveyertograbthem,butoneofPierce’smenshovedhimaside.AmycouldseethecrowdpartingasPierce’ssoldierssurgedforward.

Amy,Atticus,andJakeranandjumpedbackontothecirclingbeltbehindabigboxthathadn’tbeenclaimed.OneofthemengrabbedAtticus’sarmandyankedhimoff.

“Letgo!”Jakejumpedup,kickingthemanswiftlyinthechest.Themanreeled,knockingthesoldierbehindhimover.Theystumbled,trippingoverluggageandlandinginaheaponthefloor.

Amyduckedasarubbermatsweptovertheirheads,knockingAtt’sglassesaskew.Danwaitedforthemontheothersideastheyweredumpedoutintoasecureluggageareaandtumbleddownaramp.Itwaslikestreakingdownaverylumpyslide.AirportworkersstaredattheminshockandtheneruptedintoaclamorofangrySpanish.

“Don’tworry,dudes,we’reoutofhere,”Dansaid.

Amyglancedback.OneofPierce’smencamethroughtheflap,butanairportsecurityguarddraggedhimback.Securitycouldn’tholdhimforlong,sheknew.“GateSeven.Moveit,”shetoldtheothers.

Theyranpastcartspiledwithluggage,outontothetarmac.SixofPierce’smenemergedfromtheluggagearea,scannedthetarmac,andpointedintheirdirection.“Where’sourchopper?”JakeaskedAmy.

Amynoddedatahelicopterrevvinguponthetarmac.“That’situpahead.”

“We’renotgoingtomakeit!”Atticuscried.

Atticuswasright.Pierce’sthugshadtakenasmalldoseoftheserum,andtheirsuper-enhancedbodiescouldrunfasterthanthekidsevercould.Withoutthatchemicaladvantage,thekidshadnochanceinaflat-outrace.

Amyandtheotherschargedforthechopper,butshecouldfeelthemenclosingin,ahundredyardsbehindher,fifty,twenty...theirfootstepspounding,louderandlouder,eachstepsoundingofdoom.

Amycouldalmostfeelthesoldiers’hotbreathonherneck—ithadacertainodor,akindofgreenkalesmellmixedwithchlorineandammonia.Sheknewthatsmellalltoowellbynow,fromfartoomanyrun-inswithbrick-likemenwhoweretryingtokillher.

Sheturned,preparingtofight.Therewerefivemen,fourkids...outmannedandout-muscled,butiftheyweresmarttheymighthaveachanceatescape.Shespottedtwoairportmechanicsinspectingaplaneaboutahundredfeetaway.Maybeifshecouldgettheirattention,thesoldierswouldbeafraidtoattack.

Shejumpedup,wavingandshouting,“Hey!”asoneofPierce’smenleapedforher.Sheduckedandlethimsailoverher,landingwithathudontherunway.Justthenaloadedluggagetruckzoomedoutoftheterminal,headingforajetwaitingonthetarmac.

“Jumpon!”Amyshouted.Sheleapedontothetruckasitpassed,hidingbehindthemountainofsuitcases.ShereachedforAtticus’shandtohaulhimupafterher,butitwasslickwithsweatandslippedthroughherfingers.Heran,panting,tokeepupwiththeracingtruck.Shegrabbedholdofhiswristthistimeandyankedhimupsohardshenearlydislocatedhisshoulder.

JakeandDanhauledthemselvesoverthesideatthelastsecond.

Amylookedbacktoseehowmuchgroundthey’dgained,butPierce’smenkeptcoming,notfarbehindthespeedingtruck.Theyhadnotimetospare.Shewavedfranticallyatthepilotoftheirhelicopter,whowassittingatthecontrols.“Let’sgo!”sheshoutedathim.“Now!”

Thechoppermotorroaredtolife,andtherotorsbegantoturn,slowlyatfirst,thenfaster.Thedriverpoppedopenthedoor.

“Jump!”AmycalledtoJake,Dan,andAtticus.“Now!”ShetookAtt’shandastheyhoppedoffthespeedingluggagetruck.Amylandedonherkneesandrolledoverthehot

tarmac.ShepulledAtticustohisfeetandranforthechopper,JakeandDanrightbehindthem.Pierce’smenwereclosingin.AmyandDanscrambledaboardthehelicopter.JakepushedAtticuson,jumpedin,andshutthedoorastherotorswhirredfasterandthechopperliftedoff.

ThepilotyelledsomethingattheminSpanish,andJakeyelledsomethingbackathim.“He’saskingwhythosebigmenarechasingfourkids,”Jaketranslated.“Itoldhimtojustgetusoutofhere.”Thepilotbellowedagain,pointingatthetarmacjustbelow.Oneofthethugswasleapingintotheair,freakishlyhigh,tryingtograbthelandingskid.Hebarelymissed,tumblingtothegroundunhurtasthechopperroseoutofhisreach.

Amybreathedaquicksighofrelief.

“Thankgoodnessgoonscan’tfly,”Dansaid.“Notevenserum-enhancedgoons.”

TheboyssettledintotheirseatsbehindthepilotandbuckledupfortheridetoTikal.Itwasabighelicopterwithtworowsofthreeseatsfacingeachotherbehindanenclosedtwo-seatcockpit.Amypokedherheadintothecockpittomakesurethepilotknewwheretheyweregoingandtothankhimforhisquickthinking.

“Mypleasure,”hesaidinathickaccent,noddingbutnotmeetinghereye.“Pleasesitdownandbuckleyourseatbelt,miss.TheridetoTikalcanbebumpy.We’llbeflyingoveractivevolcanoes.”

Amysatdownandbuckledup.Somethingwasbotheringher;somethingaboutthepilotdidn’tlookright.Historsowasthickandlumpyunderhisjacket.“Didyounoticeanythingstrangeaboutthepilot?”shewhisperedtoDan.

“Likewhat?”heaskedcoldly,asifittooksuperhumaneffortjusttorespondtoher.

“Nevermind.”Amypressedherforeheadagainstthewindow,frustrated.

ThehelicopterroseandleftGuatemalaCitybehind.Farbelow,ablanketofbrownvolcanicmountainsrippled.

Sheshiftedherleatherbagtothefloorandheardatinyclink.Shecouldn’tresistanotherglanceatDan,whowasnowengrossedinacomputergame.Hisstraightbrownhairfellintohiseyes,andhehadtokeepreachinguptosweepitoutofhisway.Amytriedtostifleasurgeoftendernessforhim,butthesightwasenoughtomakeherheartstinglikeskinrecoveringfromfrostbite.Itsometimeswaseasytoforgetthathewasonlythirteen.IftheywerestillinAttleboro,thebiggestthingthey’dbefightingaboutwouldbe

haircutsandhomework,argumentsshe’dlikelylosebecauseDanwasthemoststubbornpersonshe’devermet.

Nowondertheywerebarelyspeakingtoeachother.

DanwassickofthewholeCahillthing.“I’mout,”he’dtoldher.OncetheyfinallytookdownPierce,nomoreCahillstuffforhim.Heplannedtodisappearandliveouttherestofhislifequietlyandanonymously,withaslittlemystery,action,andadventureashecouldmanage.

Amyrememberedatime,notsolongago,whenDanwouldhavedismissedalifelikethatasboring.That’sthekindofdamagetheCluehunthaddonetohim.Aboywhoselifehadbeensostressfulhewasreadytoretireatthirteen.

AtticussatnexttoDan,hiswirybodycurledinhisseat,poringoverOlivia’sCodex,hisolderbrother,Jake,besidehim,readingoverhisshoulder.He’dbeenfixatedonapageofweird,unfamiliarglyphsthathecouldn’tfigureout.Theywerelinedupinneatrows,eachonearoundedsquarewithadesigninside,andbetweeneachonewasasetoflettersandnumbers.Amyhadlookedatthesymbolsbutcouldn’tmakemuchofthem.Sometimesshesawsomethingthatlookedlikeafaceoratongueoramonster.Sometimestheywerejustdotsandlinesandcircles,almostdecorative.Theywerecomplexshapes,notletters,exactly,butalmostlikeroughdrawings...thoughofwhat?

TheyhadlefttheseatnexttoAmyempty.Noonewantedtositnexttoher.Jakeleastofall.Herheartcrampedastheghostofhercruellieechoedinherhead.Idon’tloveyou....Youthinkthere’sthisthingbetweenus,butthereneverwas,andthereneverwillbe.

Theydidn’tunderstandwhatitwaslike,beingincharge.Theydidn’tknowhowitfelttosendsomeoneyouloveoffonamissionsodangerousthatdeathwasnearlycertain.Sherefusedtobethereasonherlittlebrothernevergotanotherhaircut.Onemoremishap,andshe’dbestaringathisshaggybrownhairagainsttheliningofacasket.Fromnowon,she’ddowhatwasnecessarytokeepherfamily—andtheworld—safefromPierce.

Ifthatmakesthemangry,thentoobad.She’dratherhavethemangryandalivethandead.Sheputherbackpackunderherseatandheardtheclinkagain.IthadbeenmadebyasmallflaskofCahillserum.Nooneknewshehadit.Shehatedtheideaofhavingafull,undiluteddoseoftheserumnearher.Itwaslikekeepingsomethingradioactivenexttoyourskin,likeSupermancarryingaroundKryptonite.

AtticuswasworkingondecodingtheformulafromOliviaCahill’sCodex.Latelyhe’dbeenobsessedwitharecipeinthebookfor“CrystalSugarCandy.”“Ifyouwantsomecandysobadly,Atticus,I’llbuyyousomewhenweland,”Amyjoked,mostlytotrytojoltoneofthemintoacknowledgingherpresence.

“It’snotthat,”Atticussaid.“Rockcrystalcandyisverysimpletomake.Thisrecipeisridiculouslycomplicated.There’ssomethingelsegoingonhere.”

“Crystal...”Amymused.“Maybethere’saconnectiontorivencrystal.”

“Maybe,”Dansaid.“Butwhatisrivencrystal?”

“Readthedescriptionagain,Jake,”Amysaid.

AtticushandedtheCodextoJake.Olivia’sdescriptionofthecrystalwaswritteninLatin,andAmy’sLatinwaspoor-to-nonexistent.

Amy’sphonebuzzed.“Finally,”shesaidwithrelief.They’dbeenoutofcellrangeandoutoftouchwiththeirbaseinAttleboroforseveralhours,anditmadehernervous.“It’sIan.Hangonasec,Jake.”

ShecouldsenseJakestiffeningfromacrosstheaisleandcaughttheannoyance—orwasitanger?—thatflashedacrosshisface.

“Ian?”

“Amy.”

“It’sgoodtohearyourvoice.”

“Yes,we’vebeentryingtoreachyousinceyouleftUSairspace,”Iansaid.“Didyoumakethechopperwesetupforyou?”

“Yes.”Nopointingoingintohowthey’dbarelymadeitoutoftheairportalive.“Thanksforyourhelp,Ian.”

OutofthecornerofhereyeshecouldswearshesawJakewrinklehisnoseandmutter,“Thanksforyourhelp,Ian”underhisbreath.Typical.Jakecouldbarelylookatherwithoutgrimacing,yetwatchinghertalktoaboyshe’doncehadacrushonturnedhimfromdarkandbroodingintopricklyandchildish.

“How’sIan?”Jakeaskedwhenshegotoffthephone.Hestraightenedhisspine,buttoningthetopbuttonofhisshirtandstickinghisnoseintotheair.“Tip-topshape,Ihope?”headdedinaterrible,exaggeratedBritishaccent.“All’sjollywellinold

Attleboro,isit?OrasIcallit,YankeePurgatory?IdohopeI’llbeabletoleavethisblastedlandofrubesandreturntocivilizationoneofthesedays.”

DanandAtticussnickeredintheirseats.Amycrossedherarms,annoyed.“JustreadmeOlivia’sdescriptionoftheingredient,please.”

“Isay,itsaysherethatsheusedflakesofarivencrystalchippedoffastonefromaMayantempleinTikal.”JakewasstillusinghisfakeIanaccent.

“Thankyou.Youcandroptheaccentnow.”

“Jollygood.Funny,IthoughtyoulikedBritishaccents.”

“Jake—”

“Mymistake.”

“Yes.Itisyourmistake.WhatelsedoesOliviasay?Inyourregularaccent,please.”

Jakefrownedatthebook.“Basically,Olivialookedattherockunderamagnifyingglassandsawthatitscrystalshadanunusualzigzagstructure,asifithadbeendeformedbysomegreatpressure.”

“Thatsoundslikeshockedquartz.IsawitonWeirdButTrue,”Dansaid.“It’sfoundinplaceswherenucleardeviceshavebeensetoff,butalsoinplaceswhereameteorcrashedtoearth.”

“Chicxulub!”Atticussaid.

“Gesundheit,”Dansaidback.

“No,theChicxulubcrater,”Atticuscontinued.“Ameteorhittheearththereaboutsixty-fivemillionyearsago.Itcausedgianttsunamisandsentupsomuchdustitalmostcausedanartificialiceage—likeanuclearwinter.Somescientiststhinkthatmeteorisresponsiblefortheextinctionofthedinosaurs.”

“I’mafanofthevolcanictheorymyself,”Danchimed.“Thatvolcanodustwipedthemout.”

“Whatever,ameteorlandedthere,”Atticussaid.“They’vefoundshockedquartzinthatspot,deformedbytheimpactofthemeteor.Butit’sintheYucatán,inMexico,notinGuatemala.”

“TheMayatradedalloverCentralAmerica,”Jakesaid.“TheycouldeasilyhavetradedforstonesfromtheYucatán.”

“Ifallweneedisapieceofshockedquartz,wecanbuyitofftheInternet,”Dansaid.“Wedon’tneedtoflyallthewaytoGuatemala.”

“Thebookspecificallycallsfora‘rivencrystalfromTikal,’”Jakesaid.“Itmusthavesomespecialproperties.”

“DidtheMayabuildtemplesoutofit?”Danasked.

“Icheckedintothat,”Amyreplied.Shewasgratefulthat,atleastwhentheywerediscussingtheantidote,theothersdroppedthesilenttreatment.“Thetemplesarebuiltoflocallimestone.Buttheymighthaveputspecialstonesatthealtarsofthetemples,maybesomethingtheytradedfor,somethingunique.”

Tikalwasanationalparkandarchaeologicaltreasure.Theruinsofagreatancientcity—afallenempire—hadbeenhiddenbycenturiesofjunglegrowth,butin1956archaeologistsbegantoexcavateandwereamazedatwhattheyfound:wholecitiesmadeofstone,hugeMayanpyramidsandtemples,milesandmilesofancientbuildings.

“JustasIthought,”Atticusannounced,wavingthepaperhe’dbeenusingtodecodethecandyrecipe.

“Itwon’tmakecandy?”Danasked.

“Notunlessyoulikecandysoharditwillbreakyourteeth,”Atticussaid.“It’sacodedmessage.Sugar,orsucrose,hasachemicalformulaofC12H22O11,butwhenIdecodedthisingredientlist,theformulafor‘sugar’readsSiO2.That’sthechemicalformulaforquartz.Butitgoesontodescribeamolecularstructurethat’salittleoff,notquiterightforquartz.OnceIappliedthemolecularstructureforrivenquartztothecode,Ifigureditout.Theantidoterequiresaspecialpieceofrivenrock,whichhascertainmolecularproperties.OneofthosespecialpiecesisembeddedintheruinsofaMayantempleinTikal.ThepieceOliviausedwasbrokenofffromthatcrystal.”

“ButTikalisfullofruinedtemples,”Amysaid.

“Andit’sgigantic,”Jakeadded.“Howwillweknowwhichtempleholdsthecrystalweneed?”

“Letmehavethebookback,Jake,”Atticussaid.Heopenedittothepagecoveredwithweirdglyphs.

“Checkitout.”Dannoddedatthewindow.“Thatvolcanoisspewingash.”

Justthenthechopperblewthroughabriefblackcloud.Everythingwentdarkoutsidethewindows.Forasecond,Amyhadthefeelingshewassuffocating.Buttheblackcloud—theashDanhadjustbeentalkingabout—disappearedquickly.

Thechopperswervedtotheright,thenveeredsharplytotheleft.Itlurchedupanddown.

“What’sgoingon?”Jakeasked.

Anotherlurch,andAmyfeltherstomachdroptoherknees.

“Whoa!”Atticusshouted.

“Thisisbetterthanarollercoaster!”Dansaid.

“Thisisn’tgood.”TheywerefarfromGuatemalaCitynow,flyingovermountainsandjunglethatlookedlikethemiddleofnowhere.Amyopenedthepartitiondividingthecockpitfromthepassengerseatsandcaughtthepilotquicklysittingdown.

“What’sgoingon?”sheasked.

Thepilotdidn’tlookather.“NoEnglish.”

NoEnglish?Hadn’thetoldhertositdownandbuckleherseatbelt?Shenoticedhiscoatontheseatnexttohim.Sheleanedfartherintothecockpitandimmediatelyrealizedwhythepilothadlookedlikehehadalumpunderhiscoat.Hehadaparachutestrappedtohisback.

AwaveofanxiousnauseawashedoverAmy.“Whatdoyouthinkyou’redoing?”shedemanded.Thepilotrefusedtomeethereye.Thechopperlurchedagain,justmissingthesideofamountain.

“He’swearingaparachute!”shetoldtheothers.“Ithinkhe’sgoingtojump!”

“Piercemusthavegottentohim,”Dansaid.

Thepilotjerkedonthehandleofthecockpitdoortohisleft,tryingtoopenitandthrowhimselfout.“Grabhim!”Jakeshouted.

Amyduckedoutoftheway.Jakedovethroughthepartitionandgrabbedthepilotbeforehecouldopentheoutsidedoor.“Dan,helpme!”

DanreachedthroughthepartitiondoorandhelpedJakedragthepilotintothepassengerarea.Thechopperimmediatelybegantodrop.

“Amy—takethecontrols!”Jakebarked.

AmycrawledoverDanandJake,whowerewrestlingthepilot,intothefrontseatandgrabbedthecontrols.Shepanicked.Nowwhat?

“Steadythisthing!”Jakeshouted.

“How?”Amyshriekedbackathim.

“Idon’tknow!”Jakecalledback.

Thechoppernoseddowntowardthetrees.Shepulledonthecontrolstickinfrontofherandthenosetiltedup.Thechopperdidn’trise,butitstoppedfalling.Itleveledandmovedforward—straightforthesideofavolcano.

“AMY!”Danscreamed.

“I’mtrying!”Shefoundaleveronthefloortoherleft.Shehadn’ttriedthatoneyet.Sheyankedonit,prayingitwoulddosomethinggood.

Thechopperrose.Itliftedoverthevolcano.Amylookeddownintothedarkabyssatthetopandthoughtshesawapuffofsmoke.

ThepilotescapedfromJake’sholdandthrewhisupperbodyintothecockpit,tryingtoknockherhandawayfromthecontrols.“Gethimoutofhere!”sheshouted.

Jake,Dan,andAtticusdraggedthepilotbacktothesecondrowofseats.Thechopperdroppedfast,downtowardagreenvalley.“Pullup!Up!”Jakeshouted.

“Iknow!”Amyyankedontheleveragainwithallhermight.Thechopperroseuptowardthesky,pullingoutofthevalleyandalmostshavingoffthetopofahill.Itwobbled.Shestraightenedoutandthechoppersteadied,butthenitstartedspinning,circlingaroundintheair.Amyfranticallytuggedatthecontrolstickagain,andthechoppernosedforward.

Theboysstruggledtosubduethepilot,buthewasn’tgoingdownwithoutafight.Hemanagedtounlatchthepassengerdoor.Amyfeltthechangeinpressure.Shelookedbacktoseewhatwashappening,andthechopperswervedadeepleft.Everyonetumbledovertothatside.

“Amy,watchit!”Danshouted.

Amyconcentratedonkeepingthechoppersteady.ThepilothadgrabbedAtticusbythearmsasakindofhostage.

“Lethimgo!”Jakeyelled.

Amydidn’tdareturnawayfromthecontrols—oneslipandthechopperwouldcrash,ortipandknockAtticusout.Behindhersheheardthumping,grunting,andshouting.ButwhenJakecriedoutdesperately,“No!No!”shehadtoturntoseewhatwashappening.

ThepilotwasleaningoutofthehelicopterwithAtticusclutchedinonearm.HewasgoingtojumpandtakeAtticuswithhim.Butthepilothadaparachute,andAtticusdidn’t.

Danthrewallhisweightononeofthepilot’slegs,andJaketuggedonhisarm,tryingtoreelhimbackintothechopper.Suddenly,thepilotscreamed.

Amyturnedherattentiontothefrontofthechopper.Shewasabouttoflystraightintoacliff.Shepulledthecyclicupandthechopperroseoverthecliff,nearlyscrapingoffitslandingskids.Sweatbrokeoutonherforehead.Itdrippedintohereyes,butshedidn’tdarereleasethecontrolstowipeitaway.

“We’llhandlethis,Amy!”Jakeyelled.“Justflythisthing!”

Amyconcentratedonthecontrolpanelandtriednottolookbacktoseewhatwashappeningbehindher.Butitwashard.Thesoundscomingfromthebackseat—grunts,groansofpain,heavythuds—terrifiedher.Shecouldn’tsee,butshefelteachthudlikeapunchinthestomach.

Danfelteverymuscleinhisbodyexertitself,fromhisstrainingeyeballstothetoesthatcurledaroundthelegofaseat.Thepilothungoutthecabindoor,bentatthewaist,headdangling,stillclutchingAtticus.Jakewastuggingonthepilot’slegsandDanheldAtt’sfeet,bracinghislegsagainstaseat.Atticus’seyeswerehugewithterrorashestrainedtograbDan’shand.Hewaspanting,hisbreathfastandshallowlikeaterrifiedrabbit’s.

ThepilotgaveJakeamightykickinthechin,knockinghimbackward.“Ugh!”Jake’sgriploosened,andthepilottumbledoutthedoor.

“Att!”Danscreamed.Atticus’slittlebodyseemedtofloatoutintotheairoverthejunglebelow.DanclutchedAtt’sfoot,buthissneakerslippedoffinhishand.Jakelungedforhisbrotherandcaughthimbythetorso.Withahugeeffortheheavedhisbodybackintothecabin,Atticusinhisarms.Theycollapsedonthefloor.

Danlookeddownjustbeforeyankingthecabindoorshut.Thepilot’schuteopenedashefloatedintothejungleanddisappearedamongthetreetops.

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