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“Is everyone alright?” he asked their doctor.

“So far, everyone is doing surprisingly well. How much farther do you think we have to go? Is there no way to get vehicles?”

“I think walking is still the best. If we stay off the main roads, no rentals, no identifications, we’re going to be better off.”

“Did you find him yet? Any contact at all?” he asked.

“I’m still working on that. We sent a few of the boys ahead to scout for potential areas. He’d be at least in his seventies now, maybe older. I’m not sure. I never asked the man his age. Hell, I’m sixty.”

“We’re all old,” smiled his friend. “But we’ve done alright, don’t you think? We’ve helped others like us.”

They watched as their technology and communications specialist walked toward them, rubbing his temples.

“Are you alright?”

“I think we’re getting close to someone like us,” he said. “I can’t pinpoint it exactly, but I’m getting feedback from the search signal. It feels strong.”

“Then we’re headed in the right direction. This will hopefully be the last time any of us ever has to move.”

“You’re putting a lot of faith into this man,” said his friend. He nodded, looking at them all.

“I have to. I don’t have another choice.”

Nine sat on the bench near the fountains, watching Victoria and Monroe whispering to one another. He was scratching his head, and Victoria nodded, doing the same.

“Something wrong?” asked Ian, coming up behind him.

“I’m not sure it’s wrong, but someone or something is absolutely trying to connect to those kids. Did we check them for tracking devices, anything that might have been implanted?” he said, frowning.

“We did,” said Cruz and Wilson, walking up to join them. “It was one of the first things we did when they got here. We couldn’t find anything. It wasn’t until this week that we noticed the strange specimens from their brain biopsies.”

“Have we ever seen anything like this?” asked Nine.

“Not that I’m aware of,” said Wilson.

“I don’t want those kids going mad, thinking they’re hearing things when I know damn good and well they’re not. I believe them. I believe every word they say.”

“I spoke to Hawk. He said the other night, he heard Wyatt talking to someone in his bedroom. It was late, maybe midnight. Wyatt’s cell phone was connected to the cradle in the kitchen charging,” said Cruz. “Hawk stood at the door a few minutes, then pushed it open and didn’t see anyone with him. When he asked who he was talking to, he said Monroe.”

“Monroe? He’s a good five hundred yards away in another cottage. Did they have walkies?” asked Nine.

“No,” said Cruz quietly. “Wyatt said that he can hear Monroe. In his head.”

“Fucking hell,” muttered Nine. Victoria started to walk toward them, and they all stilled, smiling at her.

“You don’t have to pretend,” she said. “I heard everything you were talking about. It’s not just Monroe and Wyatt. I can speak that way with Stephanie but not with Katelyn. I can’t do it with Hayes, but Hayes can do it with Marilisa.”

“You didn’t tell us any of this,” frowned Nine.

“What would you have thought? Honestly? I mean, we start hearing one another, speaking to one another after finally all being together, and you’re going to think we’ve all lost our minds.”

“Honey, I promise if anyone is losing their mind, it’s me. Something is happening to all of you, and I’m pissed at myself for not being able to figure it all out.”

Victoria took the seat beside him, staring at the men seated on the edge of the fountain.

“Listen to me. This isn’t your responsibility to ‘figure out.’ We’re all doing exceptionally well because of the life you’ve given us here. We’re happy, well-fed, educated, and becoming more educated by the day. We have friends. We have family. We have everything we’ve ever wanted.

“Riley and Gabi said that we’re not sick. No one is dying. No one has anything that will hurt them. Whatever this is inside of us, we’ll figure it out, and we’ll all be okay. Here. Right here. We’re not going anywhere.”

Nine smiled at the young girl, hugging her tightly and kissing her forehead.

“Thank you for saying that. I’ll also have to remember to watch what I say from now on. If you can hear from anywhere, I might get into trouble.”

“No more so than with the ghosts,” she smirked. “You forget that they hear and see all.”

“Shit, she’s right,” laughed Wilson.

“Promise me that if you start feeling sick or feel that something is wrong, you’ll tell us,” said Nine.

“I promise. The only thing we’re all feeling right now is that it feels as though someone is trying to reach out to us. To speak with us. I think it might be kids just like us.”

“If it is, they’ll be welcome here,” he said. She smiled, waving as she walked back toward the cafeteria.

“What do we do now?” asked Cruz.

“Fuck if I know. Prepare for whatever bullshit Hugo is bringing to the party. If we see them, kill them. I don’t want anyone getting hurt because we want answers. I don’t give a fuck about the answers any longer. Kill Hugo, and if you see them, kill the Samaans.”

“Well, that’s going to make the boys happy,” smirked Wilson. “Tailor and Alec are on the island setting up camp to watch for them tonight. They’re acting like it’s a field trip.”

“That’s because, to them, it is.”