In our arms.
“Okay,” I say, coming to a halt in the center of the room. “Here’s what’s going to happen.”
Before I can share my plan, a loud beeping comes from the corner of the room. I glance over to see a computer sitting on a desk. “Did that just?—?”
It beeps again.
“It could be a trap,” Matthias warns as I draw nearer.
My lips tug up incredulously as I stare at the lines appearing on the screen. “It’s not. It’s Ansel.”
“What?” Samson barks.
We crowd around the desk, watching as lines of text appear on the screen. The first, I’ve already read, but more are appearing with each second that passes.
It’s Ansel.
Please let this work.
I can’t make it keep fucking beeping.
Oh good, there you are.
We can see you from the camera in the corner. I have it on a loop, so anyone watching will think you’re all still restrained and guarded.
My head snaps up to the camera. “Ansel? Do you know where Neo is? Is he okay?”
Sorry, dude, can’t hear you.
You three and Neo were the only ones taken. As soon as we realized what was happening, I started tracking you all using your watches.
Suddenly, I’m so fucking grateful Neo had them looped in on the feed.
I glance down to see I’m still wearing my watch. Thank god for small mercies.
Neo doesn’t wear one.
He doesn’t. Fuck. After today, I’m going to make sure he’s got a tracker on him at all times.
“Are the others okay?” Matthias asks urgently.
Ansel can’t hear us, but he must know that’s what we’re worried about, because he answers it in his next message.
Cade, Harley, and Dalton went off the opposite side of the boat so escaped the worst of the blast. The fire kept them from getting to you in time. They’re safe and with us.
“Thank fuck,” Matthias sighs, Samson grunting in agreement. “Having them on the outside can only help.”
Wyatt is driving us all to your location now.
Matthias shoves me out of the way, glaring at the screen as he barks, “He’s fuckingwhat?”
I told Wyatt you seem upset, Matthias, and he said several words that would take too long to type. The general message is that if you’re in danger, then he’s coming to save you.
I can’t take it anymore. I look directly into the camera, mouthing slowly and clearly, just two words. “Where’s Neo?”
The response takes a painfully long time to come through.
We don’t know for sure.
