Experiment Zero

37. And The Plot Developes

"This is our current location." Peter states, earning a snort from Lager at how obvious what he just said was. He traces the pencil in a slightly curved path to the left, through a landscape of forest, before stopping at a circled part.

"And this is the Core." He says, and I lean in closer. "If I remember correctly, the cave should be about.......here!" He says, stabbing the pencil at a part in the jungle close to the core.

Not that far from Highclere, but even closer to the Core.

"How do you know he's there?" I ask, suddenly suspicious. What If he's working for Mrs. Clark and this is all a ploy to get Zero and I back? Then again, Peter has never been the best actor or liar, based on the amount of times I've played two truths and one lie with him because of boredom.

"I told you that when we were all attacked it was all a little blurred, and I couldn't remember much besides the fact that I was about to die, but that's not true. I was in the shower a few minutes ago-".

"Little too much information!" I cut in, and Lager jerks his head in a nod of agreement, pretending to wretch.

"Well anyway, I remembered that in all the chaos, I had run into Dr. Cartwright, who was close to being trampled. I know what cave he's in, because I was the one who led him there myself. I knew you would never forgive me if I let him fend for himself, so I got him to safety first, before running."

I breathe out a sigh of relief, never feeling more grateful in my life to have Peter around.

"Peter! You're the best!" I exclaim, jumping towards him with my arms outstretched going in for a hug, only to slam into a brick wall. I stumble backwards, cursing as I rub my throbbing nose.

I look pointedly at Lager, who's giving me an innocent look.

"My power slipped." He says casually.

"Sure it did." I say sarcastically, watching as the brick wall dissapears. I don't make another move to hug Peter though, who looks semi-dissapointed.

Suddenly, the door opens, and Becky storms in, Max trailing her with a love-sick puppy expression. 

"I've had enough!" Becky, exclaims stopping in the middle of the room and throwing her arms out wide. "I'm sick of staying around here when Ashley 's dad is in trouble!"

My eyes widen, and I take a step towards her, my hand slowly going to rest over my heart.

"Aww, really? I didn't know you cared that much." I say, feeling extremely happy and pleasantly surprised.

"I don't really." She says flatly. "It's just this idiot over here won't leave me alone." She says, jabbing a thumb over her back at Max and ruining the semi-heartfelt moment.

"You don't have to be rude about it." Max pouts. "And besides, it's not my fault I can't resist your irresistible charm."

"Ugh," Becky groans, squeezing her eyes shut and throwing her head back. "He's been saying lines like that this whole time."

Despite the circumstances, this whole scene between Max and Becky compels me to laugh. They are so perfect for each other, too bad Becky is as stubborn as a mule.

"So are we going or what?" Becky says, putting her hands on her tips.

"Going." I say.

"Staying." Lager says.

"I'm hungry." Max cherps. We ignore him.

I turn on Lager, confusion across my features.

"Staying? Why would we stay? Now that we know where my father is, we can go get him."