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“What’s going on with them, Gabi?” asked Nine, staring at the young people all lined up in the room.

“I’m not sure. They’re not delusional. Their heart rates are elevated, their senses seem to be on high alert, something is definitely putting them all on edge, but none of them can pinpoint what it is.”

“These kids have never been dramatic about anything. Not even when they had a right to be dramatic. I don’t think this has anything to do with Hugo, I mean, how could it? But something has affected them.”

“I’m going to keep asking questions, and we’ll draw some more labs,” said Gabi. “Listen, Nine, we’re not sure what was done to them in their special schools or what was given to them. Those poor kids could have been kept unconscious for long periods of time, experiments done on them, and we may never know. I don’t want them to feel like lab rats, but I’m also worried that this might get worse and drive them to something strange.”

“You don’t think…” asked Gaspar, tapering off.

“No. No, no. I don’t think any of them are even contemplating something like that, but it doesn’t mean I’m not thinking about the potential.”

“Hey! We’ve got Hugo on the line,” said Code. Nine nodded at him as Gabi rose to leave the room. She closed the door, allowing Nine, Gaspar, Ian, and Ghost to handle the call.

“Hugo! My man, long time no hear,” smirked Ghost.

“Fuck you. You want me. Well, you can find me in two days’ time.”

“Two days? Wow, I can already feel the anticipation,” smirked Gaspar. “And pray tell, where should we meet you?”

“It’s an animal rescue center,” he said calmly. The men all stilled, staring at one another. “Hello? Are you there?”

“We’re here. Why an animal rescue center? You into hurting animals now, Hugo?” asked Gaspar carefully.

“You guys are such assholes. If you could contemplate how much I despise you, you would be shocked.”

“Probably not, but please enlighten us,” said Ian.

“Contrary to what you believe, I don’t want to harm innocent humans.”

“You’re right, I don’t believe that,” said Nine. “But you’re willing to harm innocent animals?”

“They’re fucking animals. Old. Buying time until they die. I don’t give a shit. If you want to meet me, you can find me at the Last Chance Animal Sanctuary.” Gaspar looked at the men and frowned.

“We know that place, but you usually have to have a personal invite.”

“Yeah,” he chuckled. “Well, I promised a sizeable donation to a college kid working out there, and she got the university to give me an invite.”

There was a light tap on the windows, and Gaspar jumped, staring at the image of his mother and father with a big smile on their faces. His father gave a thumbs up, and Gaspar held in the laughter.

“Okay. We’ll meet you there. Then what? Are we supposed to believe you’ll come with us peacefully, Hugo?”

“I’m willing to talk,” he said with confidence. “Meet me at the giraffe enclosure at 0800 in two days’ time.”

“0800. That’s eight a.m. for you civilians, right?” grinned Ghost.

“You have no idea how much I hate you guys.” He ended the call, and Ghost raised his eyebrows.

“Oh, I think we know exactly how much he hates us. I wonder how he’s going to get the Samaan family on the island?”

“I’ll guess that they’ll either swim or think they can just walk through,” said Nine. “We need to have someone on our team at the gate. Maybe Teddy. They would never expect an old man to be with us.”

“We are old men,” grinned Ghost.

“Fine. Older man.” Nine stared at Ian, who looked like he was a million miles away. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know. This shit happening with the kids. Something feels off, but not wrong if that makes sense.”

“I know what you’re saying,” said Gaspar. “They don’t seem to feel any danger, but they’re definitely feeling something. Those kids have amazing instincts, and we’re only now getting to know their true genius. If they say something is wrong, I have to believe that.”

“The question is, what is wrong? And is it a danger to all of us?” asked Nine.

“I guess we’re going to find out.”

“Where are we?” asked his wife.

“I’m not positive, but I think we’re in north Louisiana. I think we’re okay to rest for the night, maybe even a day or two. There’s no one around, and we haven’t seen or heard anything following us for nearly a week now.”

She nodded, leaning against him. They were all exhausted. When they knew where they were going, the exact location, they would be able to send a few people ahead to ask for permission to meet with the men of REAPER or whatever they were calling themselves now.

All he could do was pray that they would remember him. Or at least respect who he was. Without their help, their band of misfits would all die.

“Can we start a fire?” asked one of the men.

“I think we’re safe to do that.”

“Great. We caught about a dozen fish, and they’re big. We should be able to give some to everyone. We also found some wild blueberries and other things we can eat. It will be our first good meal in a while.”

“Perfect. I think we’re going to need the energy.”