Marjorie pressed a large button on top of her desk, which caused bright lights to flicker and a loud siren to sound. "Security! There's been a break-in and something incredibly valuable was stolen! Scour the premises and find the thief at all costs!" She shouted her orders into a microphone hidden in the succulent on her desk.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2MqwhmsOB
I grabbed Atlas's arm and tugged him towards the open window. "Come on! We have to go while Marjorie is distracted!" I said through our cerebral link.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdRQ8YF3LF
"I'll go get Marisa. You guys run," Katrina said. She dashed out of the room before Marjorie could stop her.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ669wQ70eaw
Atlas didn't move, he stood there frozen with a haunted expression on his face.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpxLsVvvkb
Tugged on his arm again, this time with much more force, but he still didn't budge. "Come on, pal. We need to leave! Now!"
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdobibBHbB
"I'm sorry I let him get away with the map," Atlas replied through the link. He sounded so broken.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWBBpO0dUS
"I don't care about that; I care about you."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvjh79OQZn
He met my gaze for the first time.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo1r15JvRN
"Listen, security will be here any minute. We're in big trouble if they catch us. Do you want to get arrested?
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMt8oZH4OiX
He shook his head.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4zYii4flK
"Then we have to go."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSpUcscN4e
He gave a firm nod, then followed me out the window.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbxwjHYuHA
Thank God! I was worried I was going to have to throw him over my shoulder and carry him out.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmo14G9J2yP
"Come back here, or I'll make your lives hell!" Aunt Marjorie shouted.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyR4sjccHou
We didn't stop running.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDkOYTZ3hO
"She's already made my life hell," Atlas said through our cerebral link.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pwwHmRxav
"Then I guess it can't get any worse," I replied.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iwyNrXNFi
"Unfortunately, there's always more to lose."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2TFafAfv6
We scaled the fence once more. This time, the climb wasn't nearly so perilous. I was running on pure adrenaline. I escorted Atlas to a darkened alleyway near Sydney Harbor. "I sent a message to Katrina, the girls will meet us here soon," I said.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriThMo9h7r
Atlas didn't respond; he just stared out at the sea with a solemn expression.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcRHDykKz1
I tried to lighten the mood. "Do you wanna hear a joke?"
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFm4eH44u5I
"Absolutely not."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2mO8QXwV1
Okay, then.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaPHDedNi8
We stood in awkward silence for several minutes. Eventually, Atlas signed. "I'm so sorry about the map. I should've fought back harder."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10KG6NhmYB
I rolled my eyes. "I already told you, I don't care about that."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Mz6l1xW8V
"I did! Now I've ruined any chance of finding the Annihilation Code."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIaAOt4Kpr
"That was never your burden to bear. You don't have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDal0k2clk
"You sound just like Patch."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYRPavsOPD
I didn't know what to say, so I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggt6BPoPiu
He pulled away from me. "They're going to kill him, and it's my fault."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxWZj0Ye0h
"It's not all your fault. It's not your fault Patch was kidnapped and held hostage. They forced you to make an impossible choice."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5orZLmh73
"It was all for nothing, we lost the map and Patch is going to die!" Atlas kicked over a trash can in anger, disturbing a family of cockatoos feasting on the refuse.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHDxuqmQqc
A local cleaning bot whirred by. It paused when it caught sight of the mess. We covered our faces, so the bot couldn't identify us and report us to Bionic Corp. The cleaning bot quickly swept up the fallen garbage and reoriented the bin to an upright position. "All better." The tiny robot said in its adorable voice.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsarjE4I821
Atlas stared down at the trashcan. "I feel like nothing I do has an impact."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCTVRhekOY
"You totally make an impact. You somehow made me into a slightly less awful human being. That's no small feat. You should be proud."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxanZ5lPZqF
"I didn't change you, you changed all by yourself."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bOlIEFSGs
"Yeah, but I would probably still be an asshole if we never crossed paths. Going on this crazy mission changed me for the better."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd93TxrfxZZ
The faintest of smiles tugged at his lips before his face fell back into its previous distraught emotion.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOPIkJ8Z5g
We dove into the shadows when we heard the sound of approaching footsteps.
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"You're going to need a better hiding place than that. Bionic Corp's soldiers have night vision, you know," Katrina remarked.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UdykXhFbF
"Oh, yeah, I forgot about that," I said.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMZUUBog8U
Marisa ran up to Atlas and threw her arms around him. "Oh my God, are you okay?"
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwI8eR7G4bF
He shook his head.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1I6Lh1IdbN
"It's been a rough night for all of us," I said.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2FoadXMsZ
"What took you guys so long?" Atlas asked.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9Q5vCV3Vs
"The whole party erupted into chaos after you guys left. It took ages to push through the crowd and find Marisa," Katrina said.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5RPREL1fN
"And you changed shoes, apparently. You weren't wearing those boots earlier," I said, gesturing to her sleek leather boots.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaclvI4Sab
"Duh, it's impossible to run in heels. Everyone knows that, Chase."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUndbEL4uL
Clouds rolled in over the horizon and thunder crackled in the distance.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6J1VK0nLE
"Looks like a nasty storm is on its way. We should probably head... Wait, where are we going from here?" I asked.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1UMiVNQqt
"Back to Ikigai II, Patch has a safe house on the north side of the island. We'll regroup there." Atlas signed.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMzgpQN8XR
Marisa raised an eyebrow. "Patch got another safe house? Why didn't he tell me?"
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ32KOvqzr
Atlas gave an apathetic shrug. "There are a lot of things he doesn't tell you."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF07rZLEIIJ
Marisa shot him a piercing stare. "I guess I have two family members that lie to me."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0PQkmd3Ra
Atlas showed no reaction to her comment. His face remained stiff and emotionless. "I don't have time for this," He signed and stomped towards Ikigai II.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9MwUJUahD
"Atlas, wait up!" I jogged after him. I'm so glad I'm an only child. I'm not cut out for dealing with sibling drama, and I love being the center of attention.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOhexKRp8Z
Lightning flashed in the distance as we trudged back to Ikigai II. Big drops of rain pounded the surrounding ground. Within seconds, we were soaked to the bone.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBZ2Nrm9WB
Lucky for us, the Ikigai II customs agents were slacking tonight. They seemed as perturbed to be stuck in the rain as we were, so they didn't ask too many questions. We made it safely onto the island without much of a hassle. It's about damn time something went right for us tonight.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPheerqTYoz
Marisa hugged herself tightly and shivered.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjd7i9DG0bq
Atlas slipped off his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. It probably didn't help, considering it was completely soaked. It's the thought that counts.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5al8pynOjv
On our walk to the safe house, we passed by the boardwalk.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe11FbBSfSO
"Atlas, look! Your Hovercycle is still here!" I exclaimed. It was parked exactly where we left it. It hadn't moved an inch.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0MWqGdMqu
Atlas knelt beside the Hovercycle and examined it. "Someone stole the brake pads."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yCxDta89d
"What? Why?"
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FLDeLgUjk
"People will steal and sell anything they can find around here. I'm surprised they didn't steal more."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEuxEQKteH
"At least it's still here, right?"
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD97m2chIiW
Atlas wasn't listening. "I got a parking ticket, too." He gestured to a soggy piece of paper taped to the handlebars.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9eUmFcUDe
"That sucks," I said honestly.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mWHCeP1xy
Atlas frowned. "It's just the terrible cherry on the crappy sundae that is my life."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOq1VofB6c
I grabbed the Hovercycle by the handle and pushed it toward the safe house. It was the least I could do to help him.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTFei4tZl4
"Thank you," he signed. A soft smile spread across his lips, as he grabbed the other handle and helped me push.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSV340Dp65O
Together, we wheeled the Hovercycle to the safe house. Atlas stashed it in the alley beside the building. Then he led us up a secret flight of stairs to the upstairs apartment.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWCVFfwGlU
The safe house reeked of musk and decomposing sewage. I pinched my nose and coughed.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoqv9acfEx
Katrina stifled a gag.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05w9sHHF1d
This safe house is even more dilapidated than the previous one. The ugliest wallpaper I'd ever seen lined the walls. The color was somewhere between chartreuse and mustard yellow. Rats, cockroaches, and fungus seemed to have formed their own ecosystem within the walls. The old, worn couch in the center of the room had large holes with springs and stuffing sticking out. The light fixtures were missing, and the windows were boarded up. The only light came from a small lamp on an end table that looked like it had been knocked over one too many times. Something sticky had melted into the carpet, and my shoe was now stuck to it. Gross!
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIW8zVI4YP
"It may not be pretty, but it's safe for now," Atlas signed.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqaabKtmnK
Katrina somersaulted onto the broken couch. "So, now what."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaHyjHCDVa
We all stared down at the ground. No one answered. What could we do? Maybe I can take Atlas back to New Sacramento with me. He can forge a new life there, he's already changed his identity once, what's one more time?
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeZc6XISsF
I shifted my gaze to Atlas. He wrapped his arms around himself and watched the raindrops trickle down the windowsill. The lost and broken look in his eyes broke my heart. There had to be something I could do to help him. But what?
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ihdQg3FfJ
"What happened at the party? You guys have been acting differently ever since. I want to know what happened," Marisa said.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3pkxNzGsD
Atlas sighed. "Everything was going according to plan until Marjorie returned to her office earlier than expected. He tried to hide, but she found us. She started to interrogate us."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpw9PdfPjq
"That's when I got dragged in," Katrina said. "Those security guys are faster than I thought they'd be."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOul7ziZUYz
"What happened next?"
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXf964gkTb
No one answered. Atlas refused to make eye contact.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8RjnzeMex
Eventually, I spoke up. "We saw Patch."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPypBCoEjb
Marisa gasped. "What? Where was he? Is he okay?"
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0BwVDXwcX
I don't know where he was. She showed us live video footage of him in some kind of interrogation room. He's in rough shape. It looks like he took a beating."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGDQJkWkA8
Marisa buried her face in her hands. "Do you know how he got captured?"
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCkwYPMaX2
"Um..." I twiddled my thumbs as I debated how much I wanted to tell her.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96HwngKOuV
"Please don't tell her. It'll break her heart," Atlas said through our cerebral link.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvekSynjux
"She deserves to know the truth," I responded.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05OjbuIsWp
I let out a long, deep breath. "Patch was kidnapped by Bionic Corp while he was trying to flee the island."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSDC9ZfsaD
"No. That can't be right. Patch would never leave without telling us!"
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIHMOWfB2E
"I'm sorry," I said.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ532f2hlyq
Marisa turned to Atlas. "Tell him he's wrong! Patch would never do such a thing!"
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYSSb59Mvs
Atlas stared at her long and hard before finally giving in. "Marisa. He's telling the truth. Patch heard that Bionic Corp was coming after him, he got scared and made a run for it."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVr9dd2kNAo
"There must be some sort of misunderstanding!" She protested.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBH5gN1vLiL
"There's not. He left us to save himself."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2Gll65ajj
"Why would Bionic Corp let you call Patch?" Marisa asked.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynHK0m62Z2
"They gave me an ultimatum, hand over the map, or they'd kill Patch in twenty-four hours," Atlas signed.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdw3GY4ENeA
"And then Vindicator swooped in and stole the map," Marisa finished.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdyBTEOLnD
Atlas froze. "Wait, how did you know Vindicator stole the map?"
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEWssJ7jIx
She looked like a deer in headlights. "Oh, Katrina told me."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmsridmVP3
Katrina shot her a puzzled look. "No, I didn't."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rfjSrUbmF
Atlas slammed his fists on the counter. "Marisa, what did you do?"
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa55uWJLsq9
"I was the one who turned off the lights, and I was the one who messed with everyone's Holowatches! Is that what you wanted to hear?"
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWeWsJKZzQ
My jaw fell open. "Why would you do that?"
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJF8ktgrUyw
"Because Vindicator promised me, he'd rescue Patch if I did one simple favor for him."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMDNjc5E1g
"Did you forget the part where he wants me dead!"
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kXRIzPV7z
"Of course not, but I did what I had to protect Patch! I thought you'd understand that. Besides, finding the Annihilation Code was never your responsibility in the first place!"
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Sasui93xL
"Well, thanks to you, we lost the map, and Bionic Corp is going to kill Patch tomorrow!" Atlas stormed out of the apartment and slammed the door.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwxq4TXkEK
"I'm going to go talk to him," I said.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkPua7a09v
"Go ahead, it seems like you're the only person he'll talk to these days." Marisa rubbed the heel of her palm against her chest.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvTFlV407D
I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly, and let out an uncomfortable chuckle. "Um, okay. I think I'm going to go now, bye."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTy1RrDYV6z
I knew I'd find him on the roof. Every time we used our cerebral link, our connection grew stronger. I could sense his emotions, so intensely they felt like my own. Now I know why Atlas was hesitant to form a link with anyone. They are a powerful and overwhelming thing. Knowing what I know now, I can't believe he agreed to form one with me.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvqoMMvI05
I found Atlas curled up under an umbrella on the rooftop. He was furiously scribbling something on an ancient Holopad with one hand. With his other hand, he shoveled Flamin' Hot Cheetos into his mouth using chopsticks.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqn6j4Wd6cL
This was the sight of a man in desperation if I'd ever seen one. I tried to make my voice sound as gentle as possible. "Um, hey buddy, what are you doing?"
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1i7ANsBVYy
His cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I'm just working on an art project."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmdI30u8gY
I raised a skeptical eyebrow. "In the pouring rain?"
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXoVlIlUYl
He nodded.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU16Zw6SlFn
"What are you sketching?"
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrenRSAgDx
"It's nothing." He leaned away from me, hiding the drawing from view.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWm7l6EkRyt
I snatched the picture from his hands.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ixScm4au8
"Give it back!" He tried to yank it out of my hands, but I wrestled it away from him.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsbOYCd0Qa
I held the drawing up to the light and studied it. I recognized the shape immediately. "You're trying to recreate the map."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTEwN1LY5M
He tried to pry it from me again, this time I released my grip. "I saw it! I saw the last piece of the map!"
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOYtYdsY3J
"Yeah, for a split second."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcJ9NiHuXj
"I remember what it looked like! I can recreate it from memory! If we hurry, we still have a chance to find the map before Vindicator does."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEFqcPjBF4
I rolled my eyes and let out a long, exasperated sigh. "This is what Marisa was talking about! You need to let things go!"
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOERBgizgQy
"Do you want me to let Patch die? Because that's what will happen if I do nothing!"
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AAx7OEZ0K
"Of course not, but I don't want you to die doing something stupid!"
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKt8BU70BYf
"You can't stop me!"
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUllMH6dMu9
"I know." I massaged my aching temples. "Once you set your mind to something, no one can stop you, but I'm sure Patch wouldn't want you to die trying to save him."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ958IFEpx
"I can't sit here and do nothing. I have to go."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd58YJa94aP
I sighed. "Then I'm going with you. I won't let you do this alone. If we go down, we go down together.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Vp1JJGSEE
He threw his arms around me in a tight hug.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIU1s5GV2Z
I returned his embrace, gently patting him on the back. "Now, let's go kick some ass!"
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bmlV2HFxn
We heard the sound of rustling coming from behind a potted fern.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHra49etjz
Atlas crept towards it with knives drawn.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ei3hYgxHO
We peered through the branches to catch the sight of Katrina and Marisa eavesdropping.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXE0T6LqAJQ
I placed my hands on my hips. "What the hell, guys? Don't you know eavesdropping is rude? Did no one teach you manners growing up?"
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RdVHFzMic
"We're coming with you," Marisa said.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPATu2pQreo
Atlas shot daggers in her direction. "No."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBwZfgM45J
"If you want to pull off this heist, you're going to need a hacker."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXL5L9bV1k
Atlas tightened his lips into a firm line.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48FKQTYXAK
I folded my arms across my chest. "How do we know we can trust you? You've helped Vindicator before."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYpvjPidil
"I know you have no reason to trust me, but you won't find another hacker in time to save Patch."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1ULlanfdy
Atlas and I shot each other a questioning look.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2xuh0XLIL
"What do you think?" Atlas asked through our link, so only I could hear.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ljvsNK32J
I raised my shoulders in a half shrug. "I think she has a point. Our options are limited at the moment. I believe she cares about Patch and will do what it takes to save him."
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpz8ZGB7V7
Atlas nodded.
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHectOyL3G
We turned our attention back to the girls. "Okay, you're in."
ns18.191.176.192da2
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