a gasp. My throat went desert dry. Before my eyes, thin bands of light appeared, like yellow-and-blue LED streamers. The disturbing part was that the lines led from Grassi’s console . . . straight to the back of each student’s neck.
Images flew into my head. The memory of me as Sarah, rubbing the nape of my neck and feeling an indentation there.
And then, back in Mr. Grassi’s classroom. I’d felt a zap in that same exact spot, and for a split second, my security system had recognized something intrusive. Was someone trying to monitor my data just then? And, if so, who?
The horror spread from my throat through my entire body, until every fabricated muscle felt incapable of movement.
And then horror turned to fear when an alert notified Grassi of an unauthorized user. I mouthed one word to Abby and Hunter.
“Go.”
But I couldn’t leave until I knew for sure. While Grassi frowned down at his monitor and started switching off programs, releasing the kids from their electronic prisons one by one, I kept my focus on the spot where the network had connected to Hannah.
Zoom.
Her skin came into focus; with my enhanced vision, I could see the tiny hairs at the nape of her neck.
I could see an oversized freckle just below the base of her skull. I zoomed in on Ben, who was still sitting. He had an identical mark, in an identical spot. My stomach plummeted as my suspicions were confirmed.
They’d been implanted with chips. That’s how the virtual-reality platform was able to remain wireless. These kids—all of them—had undergone experimental surgery. And if they had, I guessed, so had Sarah.
A loud beep emitted from Grassi’s system. He half rose, lips parted in surprise. “Looks like someone’s trying to steal our juice. We need to shut down for the evening.”
They’d be leaving any second. Heading directly for me.
I backed away, hoping he was too engrossed in his system to notice. Once I got to the corner, I could race for the trapdoor.
I was almost there when my heel hit something. The object kicked up and smacked against the concrete.
Crack.
Grassi’s head whipped up. “Who’s there?”
With a stealthy exit now impossible, there was only one option left.
I turned and fled.
I ran the way we’d come, up the slight incline, after Hunter and Abby.
“Who has the flashlight? Hand it over!” Grassi’s voice followed me down the passageway, along with the smack-smack-smack of his footsteps. Luckily, I had no problem maneuvering in the dark.
Human threat detected: 30 ft.
I ran for the trapdoor, not daring to look over my shoulder. I couldn’t waste even a fraction of a second. Once they rounded that corner, and his flashlight caught me . . .
As I ran, my sensors analyzed Grassi’s position in relation to mine.
Based on current speed, escape without detection unlikely.
I yanked the hood of my sweatshirt up to hide my hair and sprinted.
The stairs leading up were empty, and the door at the top flung wide open. Hunter and Abby must have already made it up into the main room. I started up after them. The metal steps rocked and swayed as my sneakers slammed the metal rungs.
Just as my hand reached the top, I caught a flash of light bouncing off the wall in front of me.
“This building is off-limits. If you don’t stop now, you’ll be expelled!”
My body jolted at the sound of Grassi’s voice, but I didn’t hesitate. I bolted through the opening, slamming the door shut the moment I was on firm ground.
Not that there was any way to lock it.
The others were congregated by the outside door, staring at me in horror.
“Run!” I urged.
Samuel yanked it open and we darted outside.
“Now what? There’s no way we can get back to the dorm before they spot us,” Samuel said.
“Go,” I whispered, waving them on. “I have an idea.”
I turned to the security camera, knowing I had only moments to spare. I wasted several of those moments signing in and waiting for the retinal scan. I heard the clatter of the trapdoor being thrown open.
We were almost out of time.
With one last breath, I communicated with the system, running data until I found what I needed. A thing that I hadn’t been sure existed, until this very moment.
Initiate emergency lockdown.
Processing request . . .
I backed away, urging the system to hurry. The footsteps inside were almost to the door.
I took two more steps back. I hadn’t been quick enough.