“What kind of stories?”
“About A Block being where the rest of the survivors lived. We’d heard it’s like a real city, with markets and shops, and all sorts of signs of civilization we don’t have here. It’s supposed to look the way the world up top used to before the nuclear war. We wanted to know what it was like, and how people lived their lives over there.” He shook his head. “I never expected to have you go topside and literally blow my mind.”
“How long were you going to stay inside me?”
“Just until tomorrow, when we met up again. That’s all.”
“Cydney.” K8 called for her attention. “We only wanted to know what was outside C Block. We never meant to upset you.”
“If you hadn’t noticed the eye change, you wouldn’t have been aware of anything going on,” G8 quipped.
“Maybe it’s a good thing she did,” N8 remarked. “In fact, if it wasn’t for her, we wouldn’t have learned the truth. We wouldn’t know what these people are up to, and what they have planned for us.”
“Yeah,” P8 spoke up. “Which means we got our work cut out for us now.”
Cydney sniffed. “What do you mean?”
“We can’t stay here. Not any longer,” T8 told her. “We got to get out of here. We need to formulate a plan, and we need to do itnow. Not tomorrow. Not next week.Now. Because if we stay any longer, there’s no telling what they’ll put us through. And I’m sick and tired of being poked, and prodded, and used like some fucking guinea pig to the point where I sometimes throw my guts up for days on end.”
“Same here,” G8 agreed.
“We all are,” N8 seconded. “So, does anyone have any ideas? Suggestions?”
They all looked at each other. No one did. Not at this moment. Everything was happening too quickly, and they were exhausted from the events of the day to think clearly.
He felt a movement, and turned to find Cydney timidly raising her hand.
“I do,” she admitted. “I can’t guarantee it’ll work. You guys may not even like it. That’s fine if you don’t.”
“Spit it out, woman!” T8 barked. “We’re open to anything at this point.”
“You have a perspective none of us have,” N8 informed her. He was amazed to see a smile cross her face, and it wasn’t a happy smile. It was, if he pegged it correctly, downright devious.
“All right. Here’s my suggestion.”
10Activ8
N8 stoppedher before they exited K8’s apartment and tapped her key card. “Don’t forget this thing will reactivate once we leave here.”
F8 came up beside them. “I think it has a tracking device in it, too. I’m getting those kinds of vibes.”
“A tracking device?” Cydney looked at both of them. “Why?”
“Not just a tracking device. It also has a listening device in it,” F8 told her.
“Guess they want to make sure you don’t say the wrong thing to the wrong people,” N8 concluded.
Cydney nodded. “Got it.”
G8 put his hand on the handle. “Everyone ready? Got your marching orders? This is your last chance to back out.”
“Fuck backing out,” T8 spat. “Let’s activate this plan!”
“Okay, people! Happy faces! Keep tight. We only have one shot at this.” Taking Cydney’s hand, N8 gave it a quick kiss. “Here we go.”
G8 opened the door, letting N8 and Cydney exit first. They smiled and laughed to give those they met or who watched from the video cameras the impression that all was well. The rest of the group followed behind as they headed for the double doors leading to the decontamination chambers.
When they arrived, Cydney made the pretense of giving everyone a hug as they exchanged goodbyes and see you laters. They remained at the double doors as Cydney swiped her key card. The light went green, and she pulled it open. N8 saw her bow her head for a second, and in that moment he wondered if she was reconsidering what she was about to do. Before he could react, she threw the door open.
