Xeke relaxed on the back seat of the humvee. Granted, it wasn’t comfortable being handcuffed to the door handle, but it was a whole lot better than riding next to Clem—and they didn’t have to worry about sneaking onto the base.

  I just convinced a bunch of soldiers I’m a white supremacist. I’m not sure how I feel about that.

  Ruddy studied him. Yeah. That was some pretty smooth acting. So … uh, Earl called you Tonto. Are you Indian … I mean … uh … Native American?

  Xeke raised an eyebrow. You can’t tell?

  I always figured you were Hispanic.

  My mom was born on the Southern Ute reservation in Colorado. Her mom died when she was five and the white side of her family got custody.

  Oh. Well, how the hell does Earl know so much about you?

  I don’t know. Maybe he watched the Bethel Massacre documentary.

  Hmm. Guess I missed that one.

  You didn’t miss much. Just some nicely-packaged propaganda.

  Ruddy chuckled out loud. One of the soldiers looked at him like he was crazy.

  They rode past a sign that said “Fort Bravo—Military Personnel Only,” then through a heavily-guarded gate and past several checkpoints. They pulled up to a three-story building in the middle of the complex. Concrete barricades and sandbags surrounded it. There were vehicles, machine guns, and troops everywhere.

  The guards escorted them into the building and down a set of stairs into a small holding room, where they were handcuffed to an interrogation table. After a few minutes, an officer entered the room.

  He’s a mentalist, Amelia said. Her voice startled Xeke. I can keep him from seeing anything we don’t want him to see, but the rest is up to you, so don’t say anything stupid.

  “I’m Captain Collins,” the officer said. “I understand you two claim to have information on the separatists.”

  Xeke felt the man’s will touch his mind. Getting crowded in here, he thought.

  “Oh, it’s not just a claim,” Xeke said. “We have the information. But it’s for General Hines.”

  Collins frowned. “The General has more important things to do. This is as close as you’re getting to him, so you may as well start talking. If you have anything worthwhile to say, I’ll pass it along.”

  “Sorry,” Xeke said. “We’re not talking to anyone but Hines.”

  “This is not a negotiation,” Collins said. “You’re in serious trouble here. You’ve taken up arms against the United States. This area is under martial law. We’d be well within our rights to shoot you as traitors.”

  “You’ve got no proof we’ve done anything wrong,” Xeke said. “And if you shoot us, you’ll never get the information we have.”

  “Personally, I don’t think you know anything,” Collins said. “I think this is all a big waste of time. In fact, I’m inclined to …”

  “For starters, Amelia Franklin,” Xeke said. “We know exactly where you can find her.”

  Collins’ presence in Xeke’s mind intensified. “And why do you think we’d be interested in this ... Amelia Franklin?”

  “Oh, please,” Xeke said. “Don’t treat me like a dumb hick. You know who I’m talking about. Amelia Franklin, the leader of the New Frontier. Your government assassinated her dad last week. Now we’re stuck with her. And let’s be clear, she’s a fucking lunatic. Not to mention afflicted.”

  Collins narrowed his eyes. “Well, why don’t you tell me where she is, and I’ll pass it along to the General.”

  “Because Amelia’s got spies here on your base. For all we know, you might be one of them. I can feel you in my head. You’re the same kind of freak she is—probably in cahoots with her.” He looked at Ruddy. “What do you think, Joe?”

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  Ruddy grunted.

  Collins’ face was red. “I’ve had about enough of your mouth,” he said.

  “Yeah, well, I’m still not telling you anything. I know how you afflicted work. I tell you and you erase my mind, and then General Hines never gets the information. I’ve seen Amelia do it to my friends a hundred times. Nope. I’m not talking to anyone but the general.”

  “And I suppose you want money for this information?” Collins said.

  “Money is always nice, but all we want is to be clear of this mess. No more white pride, no more fighting—just take us out of here and put us somewhere far, far away. Preferably a city where you can buy your food at a store, you don’t get cowshit on your shoes every day, and you don’t have to deal with crazy afflicted bitches digging around in your skull.” Xeke pounded his fist against the arm of his chair. “I didn’t sign up for a civil war, dammit. I was an English Lit major before all this shit went down. I just want the world to go back to the way it was.”

  Collins shook his head. “Well, I don’t know what I can do for you. You’re not giving me anything to work with.”

  Xeke leaned forward. “What’s wrong? Can’t get into my head? You won’t. I’ve had plenty of practice with that bitch Amelia—and no offense, but she’s way scarier than you are. And don’t look at Joe, he can barely tie his shoes on a good day, thanks to Amelia screwing with his brain. Only one way you’re getting this information, and that’s if I tell you.”

  Collins pushed back his chair. “Well, if you don’t cooperate, we’ll throw you in prison. I’ll leave you to think about that.”

  So I’m a crazy bitch? Amelia said. Xeke’s head started to throb.

  Hey! Xeke said. I was acting, like you told me to. It worked, didn’t it? In fact, it was brilliant, thank you very much.

  The pain receded. Whatever. The bastard’s hooked. He thinks you know something important, but I wouldn’t let him see anything.

  See? Xeke said. It’s all part of the act.

  Yeah, well, you better watch your fucking mouth. I am not crazy.

  Okay, okay. I’m sorry.

  You just keep doing your part. Little Teri is depending on you.

  Enough with the threats, Xeke said. We’re doing the best we can, and you know it.

  He realized how tense his shoulders were and forced himself to relax. Ruddy was staring at him.

  That was … amazing, Ruddy said. I guess you really are an actor.

  Yeah, well, who knew, Xeke said.

  Are they ever going to feed us? Ruddy thought.

  It had been hours since lunch and his stomach was growling. Xeke sat snoring in the chair next to him, his head hanging at an odd angle.

  How can he sleep? Ruddy’s stomach was in knots. It was impossible to get comfortable handcuffed to a table, and his whole body ached. He shifted again and bumped Xeke.

  Xeke yawned. Did I miss anything?

  Oh man, I’m so glad you’re awake, Ruddy said. I don’t know how much longer I can last. I’m starving. I’m about ready to break out of here and find the General myself so I can ask him for a cheeseburger.

  Patience. Xeke stretched his arms and legs. They think we’re going to tell them where Amelia is and they won’t risk giving her time to get away. Something’s got to happen soon—and besides, I’m not in a hurry to kill the poor man. The longer this takes, the longer Teri has to wake up.

  Yeah, you’re right. Ruddy shifted in his chair again. It’s just that I’m going to waste away if I don’t get some food.

  He’d almost gotten settled when the door opened again. Collins entered, accompanied by four soldiers with rifles.

  “All right,” Collins said. “You’ve got five minutes with the General. But you’d better hope your information is good. Think you’re in trouble now? It can always get worse.”

  Collins led them out of the room. The four soldiers trailed behind. After several hallways and two sets of stairs, they were ushered through a thick, oak door into a large office.

  Ruddy’s eyes were drawn to the man sitting at the plain metal desk on the other side of the room. General Hines was older than he had been in the photo—probably in his late fifties.

  “So,” Hines said. “I understand you two have information for me?”

  Ruddy stared at him.

  Hines shook his head. “Well? Do you have something to say or not? We’ve wasted enough time on you two already.”

  Ruddy’s eyes darted around the room.

  Xeke cleared his throat. “First we want to make sure that we’ll be …”

  “No promises,” Hines said. “You tell me what you have, now, and I’ll see what I can do for you. Otherwise, I’ll turn you over to the civil authorities, and you’ll be somebody else’s problem. Last chance, son.”

  What the fuck are you waiting for? Amelia said. Kill him!

  Ruddy shook his head. I’m not doing this. I can’t.

  Amelia’s will tightened on his mind like a vice. What the fuck did you say?

  He doesn’t deserve this, Ruddy said. He’s a hero! If you want him dead, kill him yourself.

  You chickenshit bastard, Amelia snarled. I can’t kill him. He’s got a mind like a fucking bank vault, and I don’t have time to dance around with his pet mentalist until their reinforcements arrive.

  But …

  You’ve got five seconds before Teri dies. And you know what, shithead? She won’t just die. She’ll die slow, and bad. And I’ll play her death scene on a loop in your head until you blow your own brains out to make it stop.

  A vision appeared in Ruddy’s mind. Teri on a cot, an IV in her arm. Two men sat in chairs nearby, cradling rifles on their laps.

  Kevin, get ready to slice that bitch up, Amelia said.

  “Right, boss,” one of the men said aloud. He grinned as he set his gun to the side and drew a black pocket knife from the sheath on his belt. He opened the blade with a “snick.”

  Kevin hates women, Amelia said. Most of the time it’s a headache, but it can be useful. So, are we clear? Or shall I give Kevin the go ahead?

  Ruddy didn’t move.

  Five. Four. Three ...

  Ruddy turned silver and snapped his handcuffs.

  “Fuck this! Fuck all of you!”

  He charged.