“He broke out of jail. He’s free.”
19
BENTON.
He broke out of jail.
He’s free.
The words echo in my head, accompanied by thewhoosh- whoosh-whooshof blood pulsing through my body. He can’t be out. His trial starts in three days. He can’t—
“How do you know?” My voice is harsh and unrecognizable. The world spins, and I stumble. Morgan keeps a hand on my elbow to hold me steady. “It has to be some kind of trick.”
But Gemma’s eyes glitter with tears. “It’s all over the news.” She presses something on the screen and holds out her phone.
A video reloads to reveal a reporter standing in front of the prison gates. “We’ve received word of a disturbance at the prison tonight. Tensions have been high as we near Monday’s jury selection for the trial of Benton Hall. A small riot broke out at approximately seven o’clock tonight, and sources inside—” She pauses, touching one hand to her ear.
The reporter looks up, past the lens, like she’s staring at her camera operator. After a beat, she focuses on her audience. “I’ve just received an update from inside the prison. Benton Hall has escaped. I repeat, Benton Hall has escaped from prison. Though he was not armed at the time, officials warn that he is extremely dangerous and should not be approached by civilians.”
Before the video ends, I reach for my phone, dialing Archer. He answers on the second ring. “Have you seen the news?”
“I’m on my way to the precinct now. They called in all off-duty personnel to help with the search.”
“What do we do?” I lean against the wall for support, Morgan and Gemma a shield against our classmates as they stream out of the gym. Teachers usher them toward the doors, and they must know. All of them. Which means it’s only a matter of time before they’re looking for me.
A door slams on Archer’s side of the line and his car rumbles to life. “You don’t do anything, Hannah. I want you home. I’m sending Ellen and Cal to watch over your place.”
“You don’t have to do that. The barrier is still—”
“I’m not taking any chances, Hannah. Go home. I need to know you’re safe.”
“The raid,” I say before he can hang up. “I’m going with you.” Alice’s threat is meaningless now. No one could keep me away from the Hunters, not with Benton loose. My heart beats with the raging fire of a thousand suns. If the Hunters think they can take Benton back without consequences, they’re sorely mistaken.
“Hannah...”
“Elder Keating said I can still go with you. I’m coming.”
Archer sighs. “Is Morgan there? Give her the phone.”
I do as I’m asked, passing my cell to Morgan. The initial surge of adrenaline is already fading, and I slide down the wall, tucking my knees to my chest. My body trembles, but my mind is made up. Benton being free changes everything. If anyone is going to bring him down, it’s going to be me.
He will regret ever crossing us.
“Yes, sir.” Morgan glances down at me. “Of course, sir.” Shenods once more and hangs up the phone. “Come on, Hannah.” She pulls me up from the floor and wipes tears from my face. I didn’t even realize I was crying. “Let’s get you out of here.”
Morgan calls her parents and comes home with me. She explains everything to my mom so I don’t have to, sending me to wash the makeup from my face and change into fuzzy pajamas. They take my silence for shock, and I let them assume. Instead, my mind is whirring with all the things I remember about the raid despite the meeting I missed.
Alice got Eisha to agree to the show. That’s our way in.
Cal will loop the security footage to keep us off their screens and serve as our digital lookout.
But then... what? I don’t know how we’re supposed to neutralize the drug without David’s research. I know Lexie’s good, but I doubt she had enough time to translate his work in just a few short days.
When I can’t stall in the bathroom any longer, I emerge to find Morgan’s parents in the dining room with my mom.
She crushes me in another hug. “It’s going to be okay,” Mom whispers into my hair. “Morgan’s parents agreed to stay with us tonight to keep an eye on you.”
Mr. Hughes offers me a smile. “We’ll spell the doors to keep the Hunters out.”
