Into the Fire (Flame in the Shadows Trilogy #1)

37. Mel

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

MEL

My team and I sprawl over the three mismatched couches surrounding the fireplace in Lisa’s office, our attention fixed on the large screen now parked on the mantel over her crackling fire. The ten p.m. news broadcast has just started, the jingle finishing up. Predictably, my face appears over a headline which, no matter how many times I see it, doesn’t fail to turn my stomach.

A New Generation of Domestic Terrorism: Extremist Melanie Snow Utilizes Social Media to Sow Unrest, Incite Fear

The story’s all over the national news. Everyone back home in California will have seen it. My old friends, Aunt Amy. What do they think of me? When they look at my face on the screen, do they remember who I am? Or do they see someone hateful? Someone violent?

A terrorist.

I curl over my ribs, fighting another roll of nausea. I knew I was taking an awful risk when I released the video into cyberspace, but to be painted in such an ugly light is horrifying.

With a vapid smile that doesn’t reach her eyes, the news anchor starts to talk. Her voice is lilting, cheerful even as she discusses terrorism and doom.

“In reaction to a shocking video released via social media early this morning, Homeland Security officials are warning the public not to fall prey to the destabilizing tactics of nineteen-year-old Melanie Snow, figurehead for the elusive and dangerous terrorist group known as ‘the Forgotten.’”

I hug my knees tighter to my chest, my stomach full of lead. To the American public, I’m not a hero. I’m a symbol of fear.

“The video, which started to go viral before authorities could remove it from circulation, warned the public of an impending assault on their safety, alleging our military’s largest and most reliable weapons supplier, Levett Technologies, is behind the threat. We’ve got Alyssa MacDonald, head of the Department of Homeland Security, with us tonight. Welcome, Alyssa.”

The screen splits to show the anchor on the left and a dark-haired woman wearing a navy blazer and deep red lipstick on the right. Underneath the new woman’s shoulders is a gold banner with ‘Alyssa MacDonald, Department of Homeland Security’ on it.

“Happy to be here,” she says.

“Can you shed some light on the situation for us?”

Alyssa folds her hands in front of her. “What we’re seeing is propaganda, plain and simple. A brash and transparent attempt to intimidate the American people, and to create civilian mistrust toward not only our military, but our government. That the Forgotten have grown bold enough to launch an attack of this magnitude is worrisome, to say the least.”

The anchor nods, still smiling. “Snow, who was indicted in July for attempting to steal top-secret information from Levett Technologies, has since vanished without a trace. How has she been able to evade the authorities so successfully?”

“We’ve been struggling to locate and dissolve the terrorist cell known as the Forgotten for years,” says Alyssa. “They’re a slippery group, to be sure. It comes as no surprise, given our difficulty in tracking her down, that Snow is now revealed to be in league with them.”

I snort. In league with them indeed. If only Alyssa understood what she was saying.

“And what of the method the group made use of to distribute their misinformation?” the anchor asks.

“Social media is a powerful weapon for those who would seek to wield it. Its reach is incredible. The public needs to remember people can say anything they want online. A video created by known terrorists is not a reliable source of information. You must look to reputable outlets, and consider all the facts, before you make up your mind about what to believe. In this case, there is overwhelming evidence to support Levett Technologies and to condemn Snow.”

The reporter gives another curt nod. “Is there anything the public can do to help as law enforcement deals with this new-age threat?”

Alyssa leans forward. “Yes. If anyone has information as to the whereabouts of Snow, please inform the authorities immediately. This was an act of domestic terrorism, and we will treat it as such. The American people can rest assured justice will be served, and it will be swift and thorough.”

“Thank you for those reassuring words, Alyssa. We here at KLY News are glad to hear it.”

I bury my face in my knees. Sam, who’s sitting beside me, wraps a comforting arm around my shoulders.

I failed. We may have swayed the masses at first, but in the end, we had no impact on Levett Tech whatsoever. They censored our video and destroyed our credibility.

We knew they probably would—but to fail so quickly, without anything to show for our efforts, stings.

And now, so many innocents will die.

“All those people,” I moan, leaning into Sam.

“This mission was always a long shot. We did everything we could.”

Did we, though? I gave all I had to stop the Organization. Jack and Zara gave their lives. Where has it gotten us? What was made better by their sacrifice?

Nothing, that’s what. Nothing’s changed at all. The pathogen is still on its way here, the Organization barely inconvenienced by our actions. Jack and Zara are my parents all over again. Tortured and killed for nothing.

Anger and frustration rise, for them, for my parents and the Williamses, and for the others here who have dedicated their lives to ending the corruption.

How long will we fight and die before we have any kind of effect? Will any of it matter, ever?

We need to push harder. If we want to stop the coming devastation, we have to fully commit, to see this through all the way to its bitter end. Lisa said no one would be able to destroy the pathogen and make it out alive, but what if we destroy the pathogen, knowing we won’t make it out?

I’ve seen the BioAgent bill of lading a thousand times when planning with my team, and so I know right now, the pathogen is parked for the night, concealed in the vast wilderness outside Burlington, Vermont. If we don’t destroy it, it will arrive at Levett Tech by mid-morning tomorrow. The Organization could launch their first assault less than twenty-four hours from now.

We still have a chance to achieve something. We could save thousands, no, millions of lives.

I look up at the reporter on the screen, now extolling the many long-enduring virtues of Levett Tech. My picture’s fixed in the top right-hand corner, along with a hotline number to call should I be spotted.

I’m the perfect person to lead a doomed mission. My future’s already ruined. In any case, there’s no way I’m not finishing what I started.

I won’t order Sam, Vik, and Hunter to follow me to their deaths, but they should be given the choice. We’re the ones who will otherwise have to live with the consequence of our failure; of watching so many suffer and die knowing we could have done more to save them. It would be as good as having their blood on our own hands.

Adrenaline zings through my veins, jittering in my tense limbs. I jump to my feet.

“Stay here,” I say to Sam. “I want to ask Lisa something.”

Concern colors his features. “Um, okay. Hey, don’t forget, we’re all here for you. I know this seems really, really bad, but you’ll make it through. I promise.”

I smile as Sam’s warmth wraps around my heart. “What would I do without you?”

Despite the hopeless air in the room, his brown eyes sparkle. “You’d be lost. Obviously.”

Even with everything that’s happened over the last few days, even with Hunter sitting across the room, so cold and distant, Sam’s innate light can’t help but shine through. He’s stronger than anyone I know.

“No doubt.” I punch his shoulder affectionately. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

“Kay,” he calls as I wend my way around the couches.

Lisa’s sitting by herself behind her desk, chin in her palm and misted eyes far away. She doesn’t seem to notice my approach.

I know what her answer will be. I have to try anyway.

I brace a hand by her hip, leaning down to whisper in her ear. “Can I have a word, please? In private?”

As if she’s peering through a thick veil, Lisa blinks up at me. It takes her a moment to focus. “Of course. We can go to my room, through the door behind my desk.”

Sliding my hands into my pockets, I straighten up. “All right.”

The others pay us little heed as we pass. They’re still staring morosely at the news.

Ensconced in Lisa’s room, I turn on her, ready to explain how we could still save everyone. Before I can, though, Lisa speaks, arms locked over her ribs. “I know what you want, and the answer is no.”

“What? How could you possibly know?”

“You are forgetting I grew up with your mother.” Lisa sighs. “You’ve got her fire in you, Mel. I know what Reyna would want to do now, and I can see it, there in your eyes. What kind of a friend would I be if I let you run off and get yourself killed for nothing? Reyna would never forgive me.”

Pride swells in my chest. To be compared to my mother, the bravest woman I’ve ever known, means the world. “Thank you.”

Lisa gives me a tiny, sad smile. “It’s no more than the truth. But you must listen to me now. We’ve done what we can. The answer is no.”

“Lisa…”

She sizes me up. “This isn’t up for discussion, so you might as well save your breath.”

When I open my mouth to respond, Lisa rolls her eyes, and an unexpected pang of grief stabs through my chest. Though their features aren’t remotely similar, she looks just like Mom right now.

Pressing my lips together, I force the ache down. “I’m sorry you’re in this position, but we must do everything in our power to save those people. We’re the only ones who can stop the Organization. You know it’s the right thing to do.”

“I certainly do not know that,” Lisa snaps, her gaze suddenly crackling. “How many of our own have I sent to their deaths? To worse—torment and ruin? We are innocent too. I will not be responsible for the death of another friend.”

My stomach drops, my heart twisting as I consider how Lisa must feel right now. I never thought about the weight of responsibility she bears. Jack and Zara just died. My parents and Tommy’s suffered a terrible fate. Lisa blames herself. I can see it in the depth of pain flickering behind her bright eyes.

How many others have there been? How many ghosts does she carry with her?

Her severe expression softens a little as I stare, lost for words. “I appreciate why you feel the way you do, but it is far too dangerous to attempt another mission. Although it’s sad we have failed to protect the public, our first responsibility is always to each other, to our family here in the Resistance. They trust me to take care of them. I will not gamble their lives again. Not even if they volunteer.”

I snap my mouth shut, Lisa having answered the question I’d been about to ask. The woman knows me, and this will be a hindrance should I?—

I stop that thought in its tracks. I must not think about my options right now, or I’ll risk Lisa catching on.

Numbing my mind, I slump my shoulders. “I don’t agree with you, but I can see arguing won’t get me anywhere. You win.”

Lisa arches a brow. “That’s it? You’re giving up?”

I shrug. “You won’t be convinced, and I don’t have access to weapons or a vehicle. There’s nothing more I can do. What choice do I have? Listen, I’m tired and upset. I want to go to bed.”

Lisa tilts her head, eyes narrowed. “I’m watching you. I’m going to post a guard outside your room.”

“Do what you want, but I don’t appreciate being treated like a prisoner again after everything I’ve done.”

Pinching her nose, Lisa murmurs something under her breath. “Fine, Melanie. But if you so much as look in the wrong direction?—”

I roll my eyes. “I know, I know, you’ll chuck me in the cells and throw away the key, or something equally harsh. Now please, leave me alone. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

With a grimace, Lisa watches me turn and stride out. Sam’s worried gaze tracks me as I cross her office, but I give him a tiny shake of my head, trying to communicate without words.

I need to be alone.

Something about my expression must get the message across. His mouth tightens, but he nods in acknowledgment.

I head straight for the seldom-used corridor which leads to the locked mystery door Cait busted me at a few weeks ago. Only when I reach the solitude of the shadowy hall do I allow myself to think freely.

I can expect no help from the Resistance. If I do this—if I run this mission solo—it will mean my end, plain and simple. I will not make it back.

Cold and shivery, I sink to the floor against the door I’ve since learned guards not only the Resistance’s classified information, but their staggering assortment of deadly arms.

This feels so different from the other time I chose to give my life, back at Levett Tech with my team. There hadn’t been time to doubt my actions, and there hadn’t been any possibility of safety, no matter what I did. I was already in the thick of it, for better or worse. It was easy to be brave, then.

Now, though … I imagine slipping out into the chilly night alone, leaving the safety of the caves and the warmth of friends behind. There won’t be any goodbyes. Sam would try to come with me, and even if Tommy didn’t stop me, I could never put him through such a thing.

I’ve already seen the people I’ve come to love for the last time. Because, petrified as I am, I’m going to stop the Organization. I will not let innocent people die, not when I have it in my power to save them. I will not run away. Until my last breath, I will stand and fight.

I reach into the pocket of my fatigues, fingering the keys I lifted off Lisa when I leaned over to whisper in her ear. I have to be quick, and stealthier than I’ve ever been in my life, but I can do this.

Terror floods my stomach, freezes my blood; warring with a grief so sharp, so potent, it’s physical pain. I allow them both to consume me for one minute, and one minute only, while I agonize over the goodbyes I won’t get to give, the words I’ll never say.

Tommy and Sam’s anguished faces float behind my lids.

I love you both. I love you, and I’m sorry.

With everything I have, I imagine somehow they will hear me. Tears coat my cheeks as my heart ices over. I cannot carry the warmth of friendship, of love, with me tonight.

There’s no time for this. If I’m not gone by the time Lisa notices her keys are missing, she will stop me.

Climbing to my feet, I crush my quivering lips together and scrub the wet from my eyes. I bury the pain and fear deep within me, build an impenetrable iron box around them, and lock it up tight.

Cold purpose floods my aching soul and breathes strength into my wobbly limbs. Using Lisa’s keys, I slip quietly through the mystery door and into the weapons storage room.

I am Reyna Snow’s daughter. I will do what must be done.