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His expression is grim, resigned. “It didn’t work.”
“Was it spelled correctly?”
“We think so. I know every letter that was typed in on the first four tries. I was there.”
“How did you guys spell it?”
“M-A-R-S-Y-A-S.”
I nod. “That’s it. At least, in most translations. In strict letter-by-letter Greek translations, it’s different.”
“We tried it with a u in place of the y and also an i. Neither one worked. One of the CIA guys thought it could be Korolev, the mastermind of the Soviet space program, who wanted to beat the US to the moon. That was our fourth try.” He takes a deep breath, rubbing his clean-shaven jaw. “Anyway, now you know. There’s a tunnel in this building that will take us outside the hub perimeter so you can leave.”
“You’re not going to try to convince me to stay and help anymore?”
He shakes his head. “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but ... you’re right. I know Smythe will tell Sela to let you go, because I know Smythe. But we’ve been extra careful with the message because of the Deadmen, which is why it’s taking so long.” His shoulders lift and drop with a heavy sigh. “We got intel overnight that a group of men in Ohio is asking around about Alice Glass.”
I nearly pee myself, clenching just in time. “No.”
“That intel came from Ohio, so I don’t know if it’s connected to the ILF’s messages. But when I found out, I knew I had to get you out of here right away.”
He picks up my bag, and then another one nearby, slinging both over his shoulder. I follow him, taking a slow, deep breath to steady myself.
There’s a back entrance to the building, a camera mounted over it.
“Will you get in trouble for doing this?” I ask his back as I follow him down a flight of stairs.
“Doesn’t matter.”
We go down another flight of stairs, a small landing at the base of this one. Against the wall are several different bows and quivers of arrows. Several guns, including a machine gun and a lot of ammunition, are on the floor near the bows.
“Take as much as you want.” Evander takes the bags from his shoulder, putting them on the floor. “This is your bag, and another one with food, a canteen, a tarp, more ammo, and a couple good knives.”
My emotions are at war. We were both so worked up yesterday, and today he’s back to robot mode. I don’t know if it makes any sense, but I miss the man who pleaded with me for another chance.
“The tunnel through this door is a little over three miles long. It opens into a concrete building that used to be part of a water treatment facility. Once you close the door at the end of the tunnel, you can’t open it back up.”
I look at him, agonizing seconds passing as his eyes focus on the floor, the stairway, the wall. Anything but me.
This is everything I wanted. I can walk down that tunnel and disappear if I choose to. Being alone was lonely, but it came with a predictability I haven’t had since the day I met the Deadmen.
“Do you want to come with me?” I ask softly.
He flicks his gaze from the floor to mine, hope swimming in his eyes. “More than anything.”
“It doesn’t mean all is forgiven.”
“I understand.”
“And what about the ILF?”
He shakes his head. “You and my brother mean more to me than anything. I want to go wherever you go.”
I tuck my hair behind my ear, almost smiling at him. “Is there a canteen for you in the second bag?”
He shakes his head. “I didn’t think you’d want me to come. I know where I can find one a few floors up, though.”
“Okay. I’ll test the bows while you’re gone. I can’t take them all, unfortunately.”
