Fang started to sift through the pile. He found a large manila envelope, sealed with a clump of wax. After looking at me, catching my nod, he popped the wax with his thumbnail.
“What is that?” asked the Gasman.
“Map,” Fang said, pulling out a faded topographical drawing.
“Map of what?” Nudge leaned closer, peering over Fang’s shoulder.
“Map of a secret facility,” I said, feeling my stomach clench. I’d hoped I’d never have to see it again, never break that wax seal. “In California. The School.”
11
“Whaaat?” the Gasman squeaked.
Iggy went even paler than normal, if possible.
“That’s where they took Angel,” I said. “And that’s where we have to go to get her back.”
“Oh,” said Nudge, her brain hitting overdrive. “Yeah. We have to go get Angel back. We can’t let her stay there—with them. They’re—monsters. They’re going to do bad things to her. And put her in a cage. Hurt her. But there’s five of us. So the rest of us have to go get hmph—”
I had wrapped my hand across her mouth. She peeled my fingers apart. “Uh, how far is it?”
“Six hundred miles, more or less,” Fang said. “At least a seven-hour flight, not including breaks.”
“Can we discuss this?” Iggy asked, not turning his head. “We’re way outnumbered.”
“No.” I scanned the map, already working out routes, rest stops, backup plans.
“Can we take a vote? They had guns. And a chopper.” There was an edge in Iggy’s voice.
“Iggy. This is not a democracy,” I said, understanding his fear but unable to do anything about it. “It’s a Maxocracy. You know we have to go after Angel. You can’t be thinking that we would just let them take her. The six of us look out for one another—no matter what. None of us is ever going to live in a cage again, not while I’m alive.” I took a deep breath.
“But actually, Nudge, Fang, and I are going after Angel. You and the Gasman—I need you to stay here. Hold down the fort. On the off chance Angel escapes and makes her way home.”
There was a moment of dead silence.
“You are so full of it,” said Iggy, turning toward me. “That’s not why you want us here. Why don’t you just say it?”
Tension was making my stomach hurt. I didn’t have time for this. No—Angel didn’t have time for this.
“Okay,” I said, trying for a placating tone. “It’s true. I don’t want you to come. The fact is, you’re blind, and while you’re a great flyer around here where you know everything, I can’t be worrying about you in the middle of a firefight with the Erasers.”
Iggy’s face twisted in anger. He opened his mouth but got cut off.
“What about me?” the Gasman squealed. “I don’t care if they have guns and a chopper and Erasers. She’s my sister.”
“That’s right. And if they want her so bad, they might want you just as bad,” I pointed out. “Plus, you’re a great flyer, but you’re eight years old, and we’re going to be logging major hours.”
“Jeb would never have made us stay,” Iggy said angrily. “Never. Ever.”
I pressed my lips together. I was doing the best I could. “Maybe not,” I admitted. “We’ll never know. Jeb’s dead. Now everyone get your gear together.”
PART 2
HOTEL CALIFORNIA, SORT OF
12
“We clear on Plan B?” I asked, raising my voice so Fang and Nudge could hear me over the roar of the wind.