Instead of answering, he shoves me toward the door, keeping one hand on my shoulder. “Do you have it?” he asks the pilot.
“Yes,” she says.
Jarren turns me so I’m facing him. He holds my upper arms, keeping me still. Before I can figure out what’s going on, something is pressed between my shoulder blades. It’s cold and hard and little hooks sink into my skin through the jumpsuit’s fabric.
I bite down on a cry of pain. You would think I’d be used to sharp objects piercing my skin by now, but you’d be wrong.
“Done,” the pilot says.
“Ready?” Jarren asks.
“Yes.”
Before I can sort out what’s going on, he releases one of my arms and keys in the code. The door opens. Bright light outlines the hatch as it peels away from the shuttle. Jarren steps behind me. He hooks an arm around my neck and presses his weapon to my forehead.
“Show time, Little Worm,” he says, pushing me down the short steps. A group of people stand a few meters away. He keeps me between him and them as we walk sideways to another shuttle about fifteen meters away. I assume the pilot is behind us.
No one says a word. I scan faces: Niall, Rance, Zaim, Radcliff, Morgan, and my parents. They’re all glaring at Jarren, which is good. If they were scared, I’d be sobbing by now. I meet Niall’s gaze and he gives me an encouraging nod.
When we reach the shuttle, Jarren tells the pilot to go inside and ensure it’s empty and is able to fly. While she checks it out, we wait at the base of the ladder.
The shuttle engines roar to life. After a minute the pilot pokes her head out. “We’re good to go.”
Jarren addresses the group. “I’m holding up my side of the bargain and leaving Little Worm behind. Do not try to stop the shuttle,” Jarren says. “If you do, I’ll blow her to bits.” He spins me around. “There’s an explosive device on her back.”
Twenty
2522:245
A new level of terror slices through me. Did he just say—
“Once we are safely away, I will disarm the device.”
I meet his gaze. He’s holding my shoulders. Jarren’s comments replay in my head: I can’t leave her behind or she’ll ruin everything. And the other one: I’ll make sure you stay dead before I leave.
“You picked the wrong side,” he says. “And it killed you. Twice.” He pushes me down and sprints for the shuttle.
I land on my butt, but scramble to my feet as the door raises. My family and friends start toward me, but I hold out my hand. “Stop! Don’t come any closer!”
Because Jarren is going to detonate the device as soon as he’s out of danger.
And they’ll all die, too.
And I can’t let that happen. Jarren doesn’t get to win.
So I do the only thing I can, I take a running jump and grab onto the leg of the shuttle as it lifts off. Shouts sound below me. I look down. My family is staring up at me. Their mouths are moving, but I can’t understand a word. Which is probably for the best, since I’ll never see them again and I don’t want my last memory to be of them yelling at me for being an idiot.
Then I pull the rest of my body up onto the foot so I’m not hanging by my hands. It’s a tight fit, but at least the leg doesn’t retract into the shuttle. Now, if he detonates the explosives, I’ll take him and the pilot with me. I wonder if Jarren will check before—
The shuttle banks hard to the left. I tighten my hold on the metal structure. And that would be a yes. He knows I’m here. Then it makes a wild dive to the right. Wrapping my legs around the leg as well, I cling with all my strength as the pilot does a series of maneuvers to fling me off. I actually regret not doing more push-ups. Who knew push-ups would be that important?
Eventually, the shuttle levels off. I’ve a second to catch my breath before the door opens. Oh boy. Shifting to put the leg between me and the door, I adjust my grip.
Harnessed to the shuttle, Jarren steps out. I’ve a flashback to when he shot me from a shuttle before. But then I was in the port and he was up above. Now I really am a worm dangling on a hook. Crazed laughter bubbles up my throat. He meets