Elusion(57)

I have to talk to Josh now, even if it means stalking him through the school. The information on that QuTap was taken from my dad’s computer, and whether he likes it or not, it really belongs to me.

As kids begin to clear out of the hall, anxiously hurrying to get inside classrooms before the final bell, I dash to the elevator bank, pressing the up button several times in succession. I groan in frustration, watching the antiquated lights as the elevator slowly ascends, making its way to the eighth floor, where all the science labs are located.

An adjacent elevator opens and I rush inside, happy that no one else follows me in. I press the button marked with the number 8, my palms slick with perspiration and my throat dry. The last bell rings, signaling the beginning of class. I’m officially late to English. Worse yet, it means that the GPS signal on my tab will soon give my location away, and whatever administrator is nearest will happily come and collect me.

I only have a few minutes.

After what seems like an eternity, I reach the eighth floor. I quietly walk down the hall, peering in the window of each classroom to see if Josh is inside, but he isn’t there. We’re not allowed to have our tabs on during class, but I text him anyway, just in case.

Regan: On 8th floor. What class r u in?

Then I see something odd—the door to the B stairwell closing automatically, as if someone just entered through it.

The B stairwells are to be used only in case of emergency. In fact, I’ve never even been inside one. I swipe my passcard near the lockpad and the door slides open. Directly opposite me is another door that leads outside to the flat tar roof. It must be left over from before this building was remodeled, because it’s heavy steel and still has a handle, which I try turning, but it won’t budge.

I’m not about to retreat.

I put all of my weight against the door, pushing with my back and using my quad muscles to provide most of the force. The door nudges open, ever so slightly, allowing me to leverage all my strength to shove it the rest of the way.

That’s when I see Josh on the opposite side of the roof.

Talking to Avery Leavenworth.

I can’t hear a word of what they’re saying, but I don’t have to.

Josh is handing Avery the QuTap I used to take data off the quantum computer at Orexis.

“No!” I yell, my voice filled with pure venom.

Josh turns toward me and for a moment our eyes lock. I can’t think. I can’t feel. But when my gaze shifts toward Avery and she pulls her frizzy red hair back from her face and gives me a smug, self-satisfied smile, my entire body feels like it’s been thrown into an inferno.

“Regan Welch!” I hear someone shout.

The deep, booming sound startles me, and I step back clumsily, crashing into a wall of bulk and flab. I turn around and see Mr. Oxbow, the tenth-grade vice principal with the highest rate of issued demerits, standing there frowning at me. I would say that he’s angry, but since he always looks really aggravated, it’s hard to gauge his feelings.

Even so, there’s no way he could be more furious than me.

“Get to class,” he says through clenched teeth. “Now!”

I look back toward Josh, ready to sell him and Avery out to Mr. Oxbow, but I’m too late.

They have somehow disappeared.

With everything that was important to me.

And perhaps even more.


TabTalk Message

From: Heywood, Joshua

To: Welch, Regan

5:27 p.m.

Don’t be mad. I can explain. Call me when you get this.


TabTalk Message

From: Heywood, Joshua

To: Welch, Regan

6:09 p.m.

Sorry. Know I hurt u. But u have 2 hear my side of the story.


TabTalk Message

From: Welch, Meredith

To: Welch, Regan

6:33 p.m.

Are u ok? Just saw the report on Mr. Caldwell’s son/Elusion. Can’t believe this is happening. InstaComm me @ work when u get home.


TabTalk Message

From: Heywood, Joshua

To: Welch, Regan

7:14 p.m.

Why aren’t u answering? Pls write or call back.


TabTalk Message

From: Heywood, Joshua

To: Welch, Regan

7:29 p.m.

Going to yr place. Hope u r there.


TabTalk Message

From: Simmons, Patrick

To: Welch, Regan

7:52 p.m.

Need to c you. V urgent. Meet me @ office around 9?


TabTalk Message

From: Heywood, Joshua

To: Welch, Regan

8:47 p.m.

The Ice Cave, 10 pm. Code 9017. Pls come.





TWELVE


I’M STANDING IN FRONT OF OREXIS HEADQUARTERS during an acid-rain downpour with a brand-new umbrella hovering above me. My socks are beginning to soak through, and the hems of my pants are like wet rags. As a gust of wind blows, I breathe into my O2 shield, clutching the handle of my umbrella with a death grip, my legs glued to the sidewalk.

I’m not the only one outside weathering this flash storm. I’m huddled with a pack of journalists, vloggers, and all sorts of media talking heads, who are waiting to pounce on any high-ranking Orexis official for a comment on today’s big news, but they’re not having much luck. There’s a wall of stiff-postured security guards looming in front of all the entrances to Orexis, preventing anyone from getting too close.