On the Line: Final Book of the Escape Series (The Adventure Ends Here)

By Lindsay Luterman

Wendy Austin has discovered that things don't always go as planned. She is unable to cross the border line back to Canada without being electrocuted to death. If any guard's catch her after the damage she has caused, she can guarantee that they'll kill her in a heartbeat. She now has to keep her friends safe, take down the government, and try to get back home to her family. But how can she keep everyone else alive when she's barely alive herself. Not only has she been hurt mentally, but her physical wounds are about to get the best of her. This is the most dangerous challenge she has yet to face. Everything just keeps getting more and more complicated. Will they make it out alive?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 27, 2012
• ISBN: 9781468568592

Lindsay Luterman

Lindsay Luterman, author of The Escape series, grew up in Baltimore Maryland. She has a passion for writing poetry and novels and is an avid reader. She is fascinated with stories and the voices of characters. Her other hobbies include singing and acting and she has participated in many performances.

Book preview

ON THE LINE

Final book of The Escape series

(The adventure ends here)

LINDSAY LUTERMAN

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AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: [phone]

© 2012 by Lindsay Luterman. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 03/19/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4685-6860-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-6859-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012905174

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

EPILOGUE

PROLOGUE

Let’s get out of here quick! They’re coming!

. . .

Do you think we’re far enough away?

We better be. I can’t run any further.

"Yeah, we’ve been running for almost an hour.

Alright. We’ll camp here.

. . .

Is she still breathing?

Yeah she’s holding on, but I don’t know for how long.

Wendy, a voice whispered, from somewhere close. Stay with me.

. . .

I would have expected to see a lot of things. I thought maybe my life would flash before my eyes. Or maybe I would have an out of body experience. Any moment the darkness would vanish and I’d be standing next to Mike, watching him cry over me, begging me to live, trying to save me. And I’d have to attempt to comfort him even though he wouldn’t be able to see me. And Jenna and Kyle would be right there next to him. Or maybe I’d see all the people I cared about.

Or even a vision of the future. Yes, maybe I’d see myself in thirty years. Or I’d get the answers to how to beat the government and get the hell out of America without being electrocuted to death. That would be cool. No scratch that! That would be freaking awesome! And then I’d wake up and be perfectly fine. That would be nice.

Or maybe simply have some dream about Mike and me walking hand in hand down the beach. There’d be a sunset in the background. The sand would be warm under our feet. Waves from the ocean would be crashing down as high-tide hit. Even that would have been preferred.

But no. None of that happened.

Instead I found myself panicking when I stood in the middle of a room that was completely white. The white walls were so overpowering. Especially after the darkness had literally just been invading my eyes. It had been so dark that I could barely see a thing. And now it was so bright that I was nearly blinded. There was nothing; absolutely nothing . . . except for a chair that sat on the other the side of the room; the room that seemed to go on forever.

There was somebody sitting in that chair. But all I could make out was their washed out brown hair and the way that they continuously tapped their bare foot against the ground. I was unmoving, stuck in place with fear. I wasn’t quite sure what to say or do. So I simply cleared my throat and took a tentative step forwards. The sound of my shoe hitting the floor echoed through the entire room. It bounced back off of the walls that weren’t there and invaded my ears. Excuse me, I squeaked, trying to get some sort of reaction. Hello?

The tapping got faster as her entire body began to shake with it. Her washed out hair bounced up and down with each movement. I had to say something to get her attention. But the only thing that came out was a single sentence that had to be one of the most ridiculous things to say in this circumstance. Um . . . are you okay? I questioned, walking a bit closer to her.

She began to mutter things to herself. The tapping got faster. Her voice was so quiet that I couldn’t hear what she was saying. For a moment I wondered if maybe this was Gina. Maybe she came back to visit me now that she was dead. But then the washed out hair reminded me that it wasn’t her.

Who are you? I said a bit louder, nearing the chair and stopping, afraid to go any further.

I saw her hands grab onto the edges of the chair and hold it tightly. Her short, bitten nails continued to tap against it and her knuckles turned white from holding it so tightly. I forced myself to take a few more steps, walking around the chair to where I could see the front of her. Her washed out, wavy hair was covering her face. Through the strands of hair, I could see that her eyes were squeezed tightly shut under her glasses. Freckles painted her nose and cheeks. I knew her from somewhere. I knew her from . . .

I gasped in a deep breath as the realization hit me and I dropped to the ground in front of her in awe. Krista! I gasped, my voice nothing more than a whisper.

She barely budged but I noticed the stutter in her constantly tapping foot. Krista, I repeated, still in a whisper but a bit more forcefully than last time. I reached for one of her knuckle-white hands and grasped it with my own. Krista, it’s me.

Her big, bright, blue eyes snapped open at the contact and landed upon my face. Her lips mouthed the word, Wendy. She shook her head slowly, her entire body stilling. Wendy, she repeated, her voice soft but audible. You’re back.

I shook my head slowly. Back? Back where? This isn’t T.C. Where are we? I asked, feeling my heart throb in my chest.

Krista’s eyes grew a bit wider and her hand tensed in mine. You left me, she whispered.

She tore her hand away from mine and placed it against her chest, cradling it with her other hand. You left me! she repeated, her voice loud and raspy. You left me to die! How dare you come back! She jumped out of her chair, knocking it over as she did so. Her eyes raked over my body. And now you’re a guard?

I followed her gaze, looking down at my clothes. I was still wearing the guard’s outfit. And she was wearing that same T.C. uniform that I left her in. You left me and I trusted you! she screamed. How dare you!

She glared down at me. I still sat on the floor on my knees. I felt her hatred coming off of her in waves. Are you dead? I whispered, feeling my hands shake but hiding them behind my back. Did you die? Is that why you’re here? Were you killed?

Krista’s breathing came in quick short breaths. Tears started in her eyes and ran down her cheeks. She thrashed at them, wiping them from her face in one swift movement. If I’m dead, she forced out. Then you killed me Wendy.

Something started dripping down my side, something wet. My eyes widened and I opened my mouth to speak. But as I jumped to my feet, I felt the ground vanish from under me. And suddenly I was falling in slow motion. The liquid continued to drip. I touched it with my fingers and came back with blood coating them. The entire world faded to blackness. I screamed in fear, crying out for help. But my voice wasn’t my own anymore. It didn’t work. I closed my eyes, clasping my hands over the blood leaving my body. My stomach felt like it was dropping as I continued to flail through the air.

And then it stopped.

CHAPTER ONE

The first time I opened my eyes in hours, I was surrounded by darkness. At first, I suspected that it was my eyes playing tricks on me. I must have really been dying. I couldn’t see a thing. But then as I really focused through the darkness, I could see shapes, and bright white dots poking across the sky.

It wasn’t my eyes. It was nighttime.

I slowly moved, feeling that dull ache in my side, the one that, in a second, spread through my entire body like fire. I whimpered silently, turning my head to the side ever so slightly and seeing three figures lying across the ground. The one closest to me was Jenna. Her long hair fell onto her face and landed in a knotted mess around her head. To my left was Mike. He looked like he was in a troubled sleep. He looked exhausted. His face was scrunched up in a strange way. Next to him was Kyle who was out cold.

I slowly moved again, grabbing a handful of the dirt-covered ground that I was laying on and pulling myself across it. I clenched my teeth tightly, dealing with the pain head-on. It was probably a bad idea. I could pop the stitches if I wasn’t careful. At the next movement, my shirt fell open. At first, I was confused until I remembered when Kyle had ripped it open. My face turned red, but I shook it away and fell down against the ground, out of breath and energy. I pulled my shirt closed.

Mike, I attempted to say, but only mouthed the word.

I swallowed thickly, trying once more and channeling my voice. I slowly stretched my arm out, my fingers just brushing against Mike’s arm. Mike, I croaked, my voice barely a whisper, but it was there. My throat was so dry. Mike, I repeated.

I tapped my fingers against his arm a few times and he stirred in his sleep.

Mike, I said again.

His head fell to the side, facing me, and his eyes slowly peeked open. He caught one glimpse of me and his eyes fell shut, not quite comprehending what he was seeing. I waited a moment, about to repeat the process when it seemed to hit him and his eyes snapped open. Wendy! he gasped in a whisper. You’re awake!

Shush, I shushed. Don’t wake the others up. I need it to be quiet for a little while.

Mike smiled, moving over to get close to me and flinching at the movement. You’re talking again, he said.

Yeah, I guess I was just too . . . weak before, I shrugged and then decided that it was time to stop moving when it backfired and caused me to recoil.

Or you were in shock, Mike said. Which is more likely because—even though we stopped the bleeding—you didn’t get any blood back. So you couldn’t have gotten stronger.

I stared for a moment and then simply said, Oh.

Mike chuckled quietly and forced himself up to his hands and knees. He groaned in pain as he crawled over to me and then collapsed next to me. He pressed his forehead against mine and grasped onto my hand tightly, knowing that this was the closest that we could get to a hug for a while. How are you feeling? he whispered.

Like crap, I admitted. I’m in a lot of pain. I wish Kyle had taken some sort of pain medication with him.

Mike laughed a little, moving his face back to look at me. That would have been nice, he agreed. I could use some too. Hey, at least Kyle stitched you up pretty well.

How about Jenna? Did she stitch you up well? I asked.

I don’t know. You tell me, Mike said, pulling his shirt up past his stomach.

The stitches were a little sloppy looking, but at least they held his skin together. Not bad, I giggled. Looks like the way she use to sew the drapes at her house. How about mine?

I reached down for my shirt to pull it up. No Wendy . . . Mike started but trailed off as my shirt fell open.

Whoa! I gasped, grabbing my shirt and pulling it shut.

Mike covered his eyes with his hand, laughing quietly under his breath. All covered up? he chuckled.

It’s not funny, I mumbled, feeling my face heat up. And yes, I’m covered.

Mike slowly looked up and smiled at me. Didn’t see a thing, he assured, but I knew he was lying. Then his expression changed. There’s no cameras, he said. And everyone else is asleep. And we’re not dying at the moment.

He smirked, leaning closer to me. So what’s your point? I teased.

My point is that I can kiss you and nobody can stop me, Mike responded, leaning in towards me slowly.

I met him half way, crashing my lips to his without a second thought and remembering how much I missed this. My hand traveled up to the back of his head and pulled him closer. I nearly forgot the pain. But as I attempted to move to get closer to him, I drew back, grabbing my side and cringing.

Wendy, are you okay? Mike gasped, taking my hand into his.

"Yeah . . . it’s just . . . my side is killing me," I forced out.

Mike’s eyes filled with understanding. He wrapped an arm around me and carefully moved me, unbending my side. The pain dulled. Relax, Mike whispered. The more you tense up, the more you’ll make it hurt.

Getting shot sucks, I muttered, brushing my fingers over the tender skin covering the bullet wound. I feel like I’m being ripped apart at the seams . . . kind of like my shirt was.

Mike lay down next to me, grabbing my hand. Remind me to kill Kyle for that, he huffed.

It’s fine. He saved my life. Whatever, I said, moving to rest my head on his chest.

He hesitated for a moment before snaking his arms around me and pulling me closer. I brushed a piece of my hair out of my face and stared up at Mike through my disheveled hair. I thought I was going to die, I whispered. I thought we both were.

Mike sighed deeply. I did too Wen. Thank you for keeping your promise.

I squinted my eyes. Promise?

I thought back, hearing foreign voices in my head and trying to make sense of them.

"You could be going into shock? Just relax, okay? Don’t you dare die on me. You better stay with me. Promise me that . . . Wendy! Look at me!"

My eyes met his. It’s going to be okay. You’re gonna be alright, Mike tried to assure me, but I could hear the waver in his voice.

I promise, I croaked, my voice not sounding at all like it should. It was so weak and shaky that it worried me almost as much as it worried Mike. I won’t die.

I promised I wouldn’t die, I said suddenly. I pressed my hands against Mike’s chest to push myself up a bit so I could see his face. And I didn’t. And you didn’t either.

Wherever you are, I am, he responded, smirking a bit.

I rolled my eyes. Cheesy, I muttered.

But it’s true, he went on. If you would have died . . . I probably would have too.

So that’s it? Damian laughed out loud. Poor little Michael couldn’t face life anymore. So he took the easy way out.

Mike was gasping for breath, his nostrils flaring. I won’t do it! he growled. You’re wrong!

Oh? Damian taunted. And what made you change your mind?

Because now I have a reason to live!

Mike we need to talk, I said softly, reaching one of my shaky hands up to grasp his.

He looked a little worried. Are you breaking up with me? he teased but I could see the nervousness in his eyes.

I rolled my eyes. Mike I’m serious. We really do need to talk, I told him, locking my gaze with his.

About? he pressed.

What you said with Damian . . . about killing yourself . . .

I listened to his heart beat change a bit and his breathing become uneven. He fell silent for a long time. I shut my eyes, feeling sleepiness taking over. Mike, I yawned. Hurry up and talk. I’m falling asleep.

He ran his fingers through my hair, brushing it behind my ears and then running his fingers back through it. You don’t play fair, I mumbled, feeling my consciousness wavering. Mike . . .

Shush, he whispered. Don’t worry about me. Just sleep.

He ran his fingers over my arms, leaving goose bumps in their path. Stop, I begged, my words slurring. Mike please talk to me.

His hand ran over my back and then lightly over my side, tracing the bullet wound and making sure that my shirt would stay shut. I fought to keep my eyes open. I’ll get you to talk sooner or later, I warned.

I yawned again, feeling that tired feeling wash through my body and I settled against his chest. Shush, Mike shushed again. Just relax. You need to relax. Shush.

I couldn’t help it. My eyes drifted shut but I continued to fight my mind to stay awake. Why won’t you just talk to me?

Sleep, he whispered. You need your rest. Don’t worry about me. I’m not going anywhere.

I was annoyed. Scratch that. I was past annoyed. I was angry. But at the moment, I mainly had one thing to say to him because in this world, life could be gone at any second. And whether I got him to speak or not, it didn’t change one very true fact.

I love you, I mumbled, snuggling closer to him.

His hand froze on my back and his arms wrapped around my shoulders instead. I love you too, he said.

I was drifting farther and farther away. Any moment, I would be in that world where sleep takes over and the dream land comes to life. And I had no doubt that Gina was prepared to try and scare me to oblivion again.

The last thing I heard Mike say before I drifted off to sleep and listened to Gina stalking in circles around me was I’m sorry.

CHAPTER TWO

You lived, Gina said and then circled around me quietly.

Why can’t I see you? I peered into the darkness, trying to find at least a shadow of some sort.

You ask too many questions, she responded, sounding annoyed.

Why won’t you just leave me alone? You’re dead! It’s not my conscience! You’re haunting me! I watched you die! How can I hear you talking? I spat.

"I’m haunting you? She laughed out loud, sounding overly hysterical. Wendy, you’re dreaming. This is all you."

Then why can’t I see you? Why won’t the light turn on?

I don’t know. You tell me.

The footsteps halted and I turned around and around, trying to find where she had gone. Gina! I called. Gina?

Something slammed into me from behind and I screamed, falling against the ground.

I awoke with a start, choking on a scream that I hadn’t let out. I swallowed it away, moaning as I twisted a