“Hard to sneak out with everybody in tow,” says Alpha.
“There’s no sneaking with that boat,” I say. “Unless you plan to swim with the sharks to get out of here. The more people, the better chance that some of us will make it. ”
“If everyone’s running,” says Alpha, “it’s guaranteed a lot of us won’t make it. ”
“If we leave people behind, it’s guaranteed that none of them will make it,” I say.
“Girl’s got a point,” says Tattoo.
Alpha takes a big breath and lets it out slowly.
“Cell keys are in the guard room,” says Doc. “Convince the human guards that you’ll free everyone, including them. They’ll get the keys, spread the word, and unlock the cells for you. ”
“You’re lying,” says Tattoo.
“I’m not. You think there’s a single person here who wants to be here? You think we wouldn’t all bust out if we could? You just need to convince them their chances of survival are greater with you than against you. That’s the part that’s going to be tougher than you think. ”
“Why aren’t you all leaving tonight if the guards are gone?” asks Alpha. “Why wait for us to break everyone out?”
“Because there’s only one boat. And when they leave, it’ll be docked in San Francisco, not here. This is Alcatraz, gentlemen. They don’t need guards. They have the water. ”
“Can we swim it?” asks Tattoo.
“Maybe. For the right athlete who has trained for it and isn’t afraid of sharks. Someone in a wet suit and swimming during the day, with a backup team on a boat. Know anyone like that?”
“There’s a way out,” says Tattoo. “Think, little man. Or I’ll make sure you’re the first one to get thrown into the water tonight. ”
Doc watches me. I can almost see the gears in his head cranking into overdrive. “I’ve heard the boat driver is locked up on the pier when the boat docks there. I might be able to get this girl onboard. ” He nods toward me. “Maybe she can free the driver and talk him into bringing the boat back. ”
“I’ll go,” says Tattoo. “I’ll take one for the team. ”
“I’m sure you will but it needs to be her,” says Doc.
“Why?”
“There’s a team here recruiting females for the aerie. When they leave, I might be able to make sure she’s included. So unless you’re a young female, you can’t have a ride out. ”
Tattoo assesses me. He’s trying to decide if I’ll bolt the second I get to the mainland.
“My mom is here and so is my friend,” I say. “I’ll do everything I can to help with the escape. ”
The guys look at each other again as if having a silent conversation.
“How do we know the ferry driver is going to risk his life coming back for us?” asks Alpha. “Is his mom here too?”
“She’ll just have to be persuasive,” says Doc.
“And if she isn’t?” asks Tattoo.
“Then we’ll find someone else to drive the ferry,” says Doc confidently.
“If you’re so sure, why haven’t you done this already?” asks Alpha.
“This is the first time all the creatures and angels have been scheduled to leave. What makes you think we wouldn’t have done it without you?”
The guys nod. “You up for this?” Alpha asks me.
“Yeah. I’ll drive the boat back myself if I have to. ”
“It’d be great if the boat doesn’t sink on its way here,” says Alpha.
“Right,” I say. “I’ll talk someone into it who knows what they’re doing. ” I sound more confident than I feel.
The alarm shrieks again, echoing off the walls and assaulting our ears.
“Maybe you can get that woman to help you,” says Doc. “She can show you all the exits. ”
“Go,” I say. “Get the cell doors open when the time comes. I’ll free the boat captain on the mainland. ”
Tattoo and Alpha eye each other, both looking unconvinced. The alarm shuts off again.
“Unless you have a better plan?” says Doc.
The men nod to each other. “You better be telling the truth, Doc,” says Tattoo. “Or you’ll be shark bait by morning. You get me?”
Alpha looks like he’s about to ask if I’ll be all right, but then, maybe remembering where we are, he turns to leave.
“If you see that emergency-exit woman,” I call after him, “tell her Penryn sent you. Take care of her, okay? I think that’s my mom. ”
Tattoo gives Doc one last glare and leaves.
Chpater 40
“WERE YOU really telling them the truth?” I ask.
“Mostly,” says Doc as he inserts the video into the rectangular machine below the TV. They both look ancient. Even though the screen is small, the rest of the TV is fat and heavy looking, like something out of one of my dad’s old photos. “It was the fastest way to get them out of here so we can talk about what really matters. ”