The Calling
Page 38
Kenjii let out a sharp bark.
Sounds like someone found him.
He walked to the front door. When it didnt open, he put his shoulder into it and pushed.
Um, try the handle, Hayley said.
Um, there isnt one.
Corey was right. It was the kind you pushed open from the inside, in case your arms were loaded with supplies. He hit it harder. It didnt budge.
Daniel went over and they both heaved on it. The door groaned, but didnt open.
Is anyone else getting concerned? Hayley said.
My pounding heart said yes, but I struggled to stay calm. Look for another exit. I walked toward the back. Corey? See if you can get a window open.
How about a side door? Sam said. Theres one right here, behind
She swore and jumped away from the window.
Its a trap, she said, backing into the middle of the room.
What? I walked behind the counter and found the door. Beside it was another filthy, barred window. Beyond that, I could see two human-size shapes.
I cleared a spot on the glass. They might not be
I could make out Moreno and the woman Id seen at the cabin. Behind them, a third person was trying to tie Kenjii to a tree. Shed been muzzled and was stumbling a little, as if shed been tranquilized, but she still fought against the rope. Moreno went to help.
Kenjii, I whispered.
A loud buzzing sound made us all jump. I found a radio tucked under the counter.
Hello?
Maya. I should have known youd be the one to pick up.
My hand gripped the radio tighter as I recognized the voice. Who is this?
I think you know.
I moved to the front window. He was there. He lifted his free hand and smiled. I pulled back from the window.
My name is Calvin Antone, he said. But whats important isnt who I am, but what I am, to you.
Daniel moved closer. He could hear Antone. They all could. I thought of lifting the radio to my ear, but I knew that wouldnt help.
I walked back to the counter, taking shelter behind it.
What are you doing to my dog?
Were taking good care of Kenjii. We just didnt want her to get hurt trying to protect you.
I twitched when he said her name. I didnt want him knowing that. He had no business with her or with any part of my life.
Maya?
What?
He sighed. All right. Well pretend you havent already guessed. Youre my daughter.
Daniels eyes widened. I looked away quickly.
Did you hear me? Antone said.
I didnt answer.
Im your dad, Maya.
No, Rick Delaney is my dad. If youre saying youre my biological father, then fine. You can be that. But mydad is Rick Delaney.
Im sure you feel that way
No, its a fact. He raised me and
And hes done a great job. Im grateful to him and your adoptive mother. But youve reached the end of what they can do for you. Youre part of a world they know nothing about. You understand that, dont you?
Are you sure? I saw a subject list for Project Genesis. Theres a Delaney on there. Elizabeth Delaney.
A common enough surname. Shes no relation to your adoptive parents. She was a half-demon
Was?
Shes dead, Maya.
I felt a pang of grief for this girl I hadnt known, one who shared my name.
He continued, The Edison Group killed her. Thats what they do when things go wrong. In the first wave of any experiment, there are bound to be problems. But to take such extreme measures? Thats unforgivable, Maya, and I wont let that happen to you. To any of you. He paused. Serena will be the only subject they kill in Project Phoenix. You have my word on that.
The Edison Group didnt kill Serena, I said. If they wanted to, theyd have managed an accident a lot more believable than a champion swimmer drowning in a still lake. I dont know what happened in Buffalo, but its different here. You guys are the only ones killing people.
We have not
Rafe Martinez? Mayor Tillson?
Unfortunate accidents
Caused by your team setting my forest on fire and kidnapping us.
A pause. Youre upset, Maya. Nicole told us you were close to Rafe. Im very sorry, but were here to help you now.
I snorted. Right. Thats why you locked us in here.
I am here to help you. Youre my child
No, Im a teenage girl who happens to share your DNA, which you donated to an experiment.
Is that what they told you? I was supposed to be your father, Maya. Apparently, your mother didnt see it that way. She took you and your brother, and Ive been trying to get you back ever since.
I flinched at the mention of my mother and twin brother, but pushed it aside. You dont work for the St. Clouds. Theyre the ones
Who promised me I could be a parent to my children, then robbed me of that right after I found you again. Yes, I found you. Im the one who tracked you down in Oregon. Then the St. Clouds set up a phony job interview for Rick Delaney and decided you were too attached to your adoptive parents. So they moved your whole family to Salmon Creek, while keeping me on the line, promising I could be part of your life as soon as you were ready to know the truth. It took me awhile, but I eventually figured out that was a lie. So I left.
Sounds like someone found him.
He walked to the front door. When it didnt open, he put his shoulder into it and pushed.
Um, try the handle, Hayley said.
Um, there isnt one.
Corey was right. It was the kind you pushed open from the inside, in case your arms were loaded with supplies. He hit it harder. It didnt budge.
Daniel went over and they both heaved on it. The door groaned, but didnt open.
Is anyone else getting concerned? Hayley said.
My pounding heart said yes, but I struggled to stay calm. Look for another exit. I walked toward the back. Corey? See if you can get a window open.
How about a side door? Sam said. Theres one right here, behind
She swore and jumped away from the window.
Its a trap, she said, backing into the middle of the room.
What? I walked behind the counter and found the door. Beside it was another filthy, barred window. Beyond that, I could see two human-size shapes.
I cleared a spot on the glass. They might not be
I could make out Moreno and the woman Id seen at the cabin. Behind them, a third person was trying to tie Kenjii to a tree. Shed been muzzled and was stumbling a little, as if shed been tranquilized, but she still fought against the rope. Moreno went to help.
Kenjii, I whispered.
A loud buzzing sound made us all jump. I found a radio tucked under the counter.
Hello?
Maya. I should have known youd be the one to pick up.
My hand gripped the radio tighter as I recognized the voice. Who is this?
I think you know.
I moved to the front window. He was there. He lifted his free hand and smiled. I pulled back from the window.
My name is Calvin Antone, he said. But whats important isnt who I am, but what I am, to you.
Daniel moved closer. He could hear Antone. They all could. I thought of lifting the radio to my ear, but I knew that wouldnt help.
I walked back to the counter, taking shelter behind it.
What are you doing to my dog?
Were taking good care of Kenjii. We just didnt want her to get hurt trying to protect you.
I twitched when he said her name. I didnt want him knowing that. He had no business with her or with any part of my life.
Maya?
What?
He sighed. All right. Well pretend you havent already guessed. Youre my daughter.
Daniels eyes widened. I looked away quickly.
Did you hear me? Antone said.
I didnt answer.
Im your dad, Maya.
No, Rick Delaney is my dad. If youre saying youre my biological father, then fine. You can be that. But mydad is Rick Delaney.
Im sure you feel that way
No, its a fact. He raised me and
And hes done a great job. Im grateful to him and your adoptive mother. But youve reached the end of what they can do for you. Youre part of a world they know nothing about. You understand that, dont you?
Are you sure? I saw a subject list for Project Genesis. Theres a Delaney on there. Elizabeth Delaney.
A common enough surname. Shes no relation to your adoptive parents. She was a half-demon
Was?
Shes dead, Maya.
I felt a pang of grief for this girl I hadnt known, one who shared my name.
He continued, The Edison Group killed her. Thats what they do when things go wrong. In the first wave of any experiment, there are bound to be problems. But to take such extreme measures? Thats unforgivable, Maya, and I wont let that happen to you. To any of you. He paused. Serena will be the only subject they kill in Project Phoenix. You have my word on that.
The Edison Group didnt kill Serena, I said. If they wanted to, theyd have managed an accident a lot more believable than a champion swimmer drowning in a still lake. I dont know what happened in Buffalo, but its different here. You guys are the only ones killing people.
We have not
Rafe Martinez? Mayor Tillson?
Unfortunate accidents
Caused by your team setting my forest on fire and kidnapping us.
A pause. Youre upset, Maya. Nicole told us you were close to Rafe. Im very sorry, but were here to help you now.
I snorted. Right. Thats why you locked us in here.
I am here to help you. Youre my child
No, Im a teenage girl who happens to share your DNA, which you donated to an experiment.
Is that what they told you? I was supposed to be your father, Maya. Apparently, your mother didnt see it that way. She took you and your brother, and Ive been trying to get you back ever since.
I flinched at the mention of my mother and twin brother, but pushed it aside. You dont work for the St. Clouds. Theyre the ones
Who promised me I could be a parent to my children, then robbed me of that right after I found you again. Yes, I found you. Im the one who tracked you down in Oregon. Then the St. Clouds set up a phony job interview for Rick Delaney and decided you were too attached to your adoptive parents. So they moved your whole family to Salmon Creek, while keeping me on the line, promising I could be part of your life as soon as you were ready to know the truth. It took me awhile, but I eventually figured out that was a lie. So I left.
