“You’re a bunch of children, taking a dangerous dog-man into the wilderness," Nadine said. "There’s no place for a small child. This baby is the light of the world. He is our hope. You will not take him. When you have found your father you may return and live near him.”
Lizzie's heart pounded. “Nadine, please.” The guards had guns out now, too.
“Lizzie,” Nadine’s voice lowered to that fake, kindly tone adults used to tell you how stupid you were. “He is not your child. You don’t even think you can have children. You found him and almost immediately endangered his life by exposing him to drunkenness and debauchery.”
“That wasn’t how it happened.” Lizzie fought for control. She glanced around for support. Her friends stood shocked. Don’t go Crazy Lizzie here. If her limbs disobeyed her, she would give Nadine more ammunition. “I raised my little brother. We saved Saj.”
“And we’re saving him now. Do not let the sin of pride get in the way of choosing what is right for the child.”
The door open and Bill came in. His eyes were wide and looking to Nadine for an explanation.
Nadine turned away from him. “Rachael. Take the baby to the nursery. You may stay with him.”
Rachael stood frozen with indecision between Lizzie and Nadine.
Nadine gestured with her head. “Rachael,” she said more forcefully. “Now.”
“Wait,” Lizzie pleaded. Saj was crying. Lizzie felt helpless. She did the only thing she could think of and threw her arms around Saj and Rachael. She hugged them both together, and slipped her cell phone into Rachael’s pocket.
The guards took a step forward but Bill waved them off, letting Lizzie say goodbye.
Rachael’s eyes leaked tears. “I’m sorry, Lizzie.”
“Not your fault, Rachael.” Lizzie hugged them both. “Take care of him like he’s your own.”
“Okay. Enough. Rachael, go. Bill, escort her out.” Nadine barked orders, more comfortable being the cold commander, than BFFs. “Guards, take them out front.”
The guards, Nadine close behind, marched them back the way they came. Lizzie’s mind raced. Zach glowered. Nev was crying, and Charley clung to Spike like someone would take him away again. The Tank pulled up as they came out.
Nadine spoke. “Leave. If you wish to return after you find your father, and be a part of our community and our Plan, you will be welcomed and reunited with Saj. But if you attempt to steal him, we will shoot you on sight. Do not force our hand. The human race is counting on you children for its continuation. You are the light of the life. Make your decisions wisely."
“Fuck you. And your plan.” Lizzie turned to the others. “Let’s go.”
“Follow the man on the motorcycle,” Nadine said to Zach, ignoring Lizzie. “Your escort will make certain you do not get lost.
No one spoke as Zach drove, following the motorcycle. A Jeep filled with armed men drove behind them. They were guided back to I-84 South and then their escort stopped, waiting for them to disappear in the distance.
As soon as the Jeep disappeared, Lizzie barked, “Find a place to turn off.”
Zach pulled off at a truck stop called Sage Travel Plaza. He turned the Tank off and sat staring straight ahead.
“Now what the fuck do we do?” Lizzie asked. She felt tears coming on. Dammit. Be strong. She blinked them back. “Saj is not going to be raised by any born-again birthers!”
“Lizz,” Zach said.
His voice grated on Lizzie’s nerves. “What?” she asked. “You don’t fucking care?”
Zach blew up. “Fuck you, Lizzie. You think I don’t care? Saj is part of my family, too. But we can’t go waltzing into a machine gun nest and rescue him. We’re three teen-agers, a kid and a dog-man.”
“I gave Rachael my phone. She’s gonna call or text. When she does…”
“If she does.” Zach slammed his hands on the dashboard and this time it cracked. “But she won’t. Saj’s gone. She’s not going to call.”
“You don’t know.”
Zach opened the door and stepped down. “We’re going to find a place to crash.” His voice was measured, logical. “In the morning, when it’s light, we head south. We find your dad. He’s a vet, right? Maybe we bring him back and he helps us break Saj out. Okay?”
Lizzie refused to answer.
“We try to break him out now, somebody’s gonna die. Maybe everybody. Okay?”
“Fuck you,” Lizzie spit the words at him.
He slammed the door and strode toward a motel across the parking lot.
“Lizzie?”
She longed for Nev’s calm comfort. “Boys?” She turned to them and flipped the seat up. “Follow Zach.”
They hopped out and raced across the parking lot after him. Lizzie turned to Nev.
She looked tired and sad. “Zach’s right this time, Lizzie.”
“Whatever,” Lizzie turned away hugging herself. “Go away.”
Nev did. Then the tears came.