Page 179 of Aviatrix

“He knows the Pentagon layout,” I say. “He’ll know where to go. How to get in.”

“And the Colonel?”

“That’s his call.”

A pause. Then Eli says, “For what it’s worth, I’m glad he chose you, Quay. I know that sounds selfish, but I don’t know what I would’ve done if…”

But he can’t say the words. He clears his throat instead.

Eli will never know the guilt I carry for handing Amber off. I feel so much guilt. And if she dies today…

My heart still thinks I can bring people home, but my record says otherwise.

So, I change the subject. “You think my mom will ever get your name right?”

“She’ll have to,” he replies. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”

“You can’t promise me that.”

“I can promise anything I want to,” he says cockily. “And I promise I’m not going anywhere.”

I wish I could breathe a sigh of relief. But instead, I suggest, “We’re getting close. We should probably return to the other channel.”

“I’ll see you in fifteen minutes when we land.”

“Fifteen minutes,” I echo, as dread coils tight like a knot in my stomach.

Exactly fifteen minutes later, all eight of our aircraft touch down.

But there’s no convoy waiting. No welcoming crew. Nothing. Just the echo of the wind through the hangar and a single voice from the control tower, warning, “All aircraft land at your own peril.”

The base is abandoned.

“Where is everyone?” I radio out.

Only static answers back.

THIRTY-EIGHT

FISTS IT IS THEN

I hop down, the unforgiving runway jarring my knees, and glance around. It’s empty.

I shield my eyes against the sun. Still no one. No aircraft besides ours. No personnel. No aircrew.

“Where the hell is everyone?” Thea calls, jogging over to me.

I shake my head. “No clue.”

Lark strides up next, his face carved from stone. “Looks like they’ve evacuated.”

“That’s good, right?” I ask. “Less people to get hurt?”

“They’re probably all at the Pentagon,” he scoffs, like it should be obvious.

“Why would they be there?” I frown.

“Lockdown,” he replies.