“Is there any way to test if something’s merinite?” I ask, thinking of that scientist girl and her tests at the waterfall.
“Yeah, Hector’s been working on performing it,” Seth says as Mom flips to the right page to show me. “We should be able to pull it off if we get a sample.”
“And what, exactly, will you do if you discover this secret place of yours does have what they’re looking for?” Graham asks. “Destroy it?”
“I don’t see why not,” Hector says.
Graham purses his lips. “Why not just take it out now, then?”
“Because,” I say, hesitating as I think of those beautiful pools that hold so many good memories, “it’s an amazing place. It shouldn’t be destroyed if it’s not a threat to anyone. I want to know for sure before that has to happen.”
“Me too,” Seth says.
“Sounds sentimental to me.” Graham floats higher up, reclining in the air.
“It’s not all sentimental,” Brady defends. “We know nothing about this element. What if we do something wrong with it and the whole place explodes? We need more information before we try to destroy it. If we even have it.”
Graham nods. “I guess that’s true. But you don’t have much time to figure it out.”
“Nope,” I say as this pit forms in my stomach. My whole being craves revenge for what The Phantom and the Army put me through, but there are other people I have to think about, too. “If you guys don’t want to be involved…I understand. You’ve seen what can happen now, and I’m afraid it’s gonna get worse from here on out because I’m not stopping. If you help me, it might be you locked up next time.”
Bea’s dark eyes seem hesitant. “What are you trying to say, Fi?”
Part of me doesn’t want to admit it, because there’s no going back and they might abandon me. But my mind is made up: I have to do the right thing. “I’m saying I’m going vigilante here. Look at how much violence just the search for this merinite element has caused—can you imagine how much worse it’ll get if they find it? There’s no way in hell I’m letting anyone make Radiasure again. And I’d love to have you all on my team, but I’m not forcing anyone.”
Shocked silence.
I look down, embarrassed. “I know I’ve made fun of those vigilante groups, but I think I’m starting to get it. Someone has to fight back against all this shit. Why not me? Why not us? We’re strong. You can’t tell me we aren’t.”
Still no one answers, and I’m waiting for them to walk out on me. Covering our tracks was one thing, but going on the offensive is another. Finally, Carlos clears his throat. “I just have one question.”
“Yes?” I say tentatively.
“Do I have to wear a dorky costume?”
I roll my eyes. “Um, no.”
“I’m in then!” He strikes a pose, puffing out his chest. “What’re we gonna call ourselves? The Justice Coalition?”
“Hell no.” Hector smacks the back of Carlos’ head. “We’d need a better name than that.”
I raise an eyebrow. “We don’t need a name at all—but does that mean you’re in, too, Hector?”
Bea punches my shoulder. “Of course we’re all in. Being in your gang is better than someone else’s. At least we’ll get priority.”
“It’s not a gang!”
Seth gives me this look that is one part worry and two parts pride. “It kind of is, but that’s okay.”
I sigh. “Whatever. I’m just making sure you know I’m not expecting you to follow me on this, because I know I’m being crazy.”
Brady holds his hands up. “As long as you know.”
Mom gives me a knowing smile. “Your family will always have your back.”
“Okay then. Let’s plan,” I say, though my heart races with fear. As much as this feels right, it’s the craziest thing I could possibly do. I ran from my crime life, and now I’m officially jumping right back into it.
Chapter 20
Since Seth is banned from attending school, he spent all of yesterday at my house taking care of me. It’s nice spending so much time with him after being locked up, and Mom is able to go to work without worrying so much about me and my gimp leg. But this morning he’s late, and I get a text: Dad being stupid. Be there once I get him to work.
I’m okay. Miles is here, I send back, knowing he’ll stress if he thinks I’m alone. “You’re not going anywhere soon, right, Miles?”
He looks away from the baseball game just briefly. “Wasn’t planning on it, why?”
“Seth is gonna be late.”
“Ah.” He sits up straighter and flexes his muscles. “So I’m on guard duty.”
“Whatever.”
“Someone has to keep an eye on our leader—you’re a prime target.”
For some reason, I’m not in the mood for his jokes today. They used to be fun, but now it feels like they’re hiding something. I can’t help but ask, “It’s been over a week and your ankle is fine. Won’t you get in trouble if you miss more work?”
“I quit. It was getting in the way of school.” He makes it sound like no big deal, but I don’t buy it.
“But you’re missing classes, too, aren’t you?”
He turns off the TV. Finally I have his full attention, but his expression is clearly annoyed. I’m not sure if it’s because of the questions or interrupting him while a game is on. “What are you trying to get at?”
“It’s just…I feel bad that I’m putting you in harm’s way when you’ve already sacrificed so much for me and Mom. I know you’re worried, but if you want to go back to Tucson—”
“Fiona, I’m not just here because I have to be, okay? I want to. I need to…” Miles’ phone makes the sound of a baseball hitting a bat, and his eyes about pop out of his head. He grabs it, and by the way he looks at the screen I can only assume it’s one person.
“Is it Spud?”
He nods, reading the message intently.
“Can I see?”
He looks hesitant, but then shows me the screen. Sorry, babe. Things are bad here. I have to take out this chick first.
I frown, not fully understanding the context. “What does that mean?”
“It means she can’t help you like I asked. Gotta admit I kinda hoped she’d say yes, because then maybe I’d get to see her. Last time was the hack on Dad.” He sighs, and it sounds so sad I can’t help but hug him. He squeezes my arm. “Do I look as pathetic as I feel?”
“No,” I say, imagining how I might feel if I couldn’t see Seth for three months. “So does that mean there’s no way she can help? Because if we’re going on the offensive Spud would be a huge asset.”
He shrugs. “I don’t really know. She’s had to take on a lot of extra work lately, which is probably my fault.”
This surprises me. “Why would it be your fault?”
“Think about it, Fi.” His tone is sharp. “Dad knows she’s tied to me.”
“Oh.” A pit forms in my stomach. If Spud was on my Dad’s hit list before, now she must be at number one. She ruined his plans, helped us get out, and is probably paying the price. Which means that whatever reason she can’t come now is likely my fault.
“Not tonight,” Seth says when I insist we have to get to the cave as soon as possible. He sits at my bedside, where I’ve slept most of the past three days when I’m not eating. “You’re still weak, and Brady really tore the place up. It’ll be more like a hike than a run.”
“What if they find it?” I eat the ham sandwich he brought me. “Bea said it sounded like the Army was expanding its search, since they aren’t finding what they want at the factory.”