Read Online Split Infinity by Thalia Kalkipsakis - Free Book Online Page B

can’t be right. My brain doesn’t accept them.
    Alistair squeezes even tighter and covers my hand with his other one. He’s trying to comfort me but I pull away and immediately wish I hadn’t. ‘But her chip was already blocked, before the fire …’
    His forehead creases. ‘Later, I went back. After it had happened.’ His tone is soft.
    Of course. He went back and changed the section on the grid that gave the truth away. Rewriting history. It’s obvious now that I know, but I don’t think I knew how to face that possibility. Not even sure I can now.
    ‘I’m … so sorry.’
    All I can do is nod, biting hard on my bottom lip as my throat constricts.
    ‘Listen,’ Alistair whispers, reaching for me again. I rest one hand in his and he squeezes my fingers so tight that I wince and lean closer. ‘A bank account … in my name. For you. Transfer the credits … before I die. Understand? Or the state will seize control.’
    ‘No.’ Head shaking. ‘You’re not going to die.’
    Alistair closes his eyes. Like I’m a kid who gave the wrong answer. ‘Scout.’ His eyes open and narrow on me. ‘Find somewhere safe to deal with this. You need to accept what’s happened. The truth is all you have. Understand? Sugar-coating will get you nowhere.’
    ‘It’s just …’
    ‘You have to go,’ Alistair says and releases his grip on my fingers. ‘Remember how strong you are, Agent X. Stay safe.’
    Biting my lip to hold back the tears, I back towards the bathroom, holding onto the sight of him. I pause. Alistair’s shape seems to disappear beneath the blankets. How can I leave him like this?
    How do I keep going?
    ‘Alistair, I just want you to know … how much …’ I’m fumbling for words. But before I find them, the dull patter of boots filters through from the main hall.
    ‘Go!’ breathes Alistair.
    It works as a release, my body responding even before my brain. I’m through the bathroom and the neighbouring room, madly scanning the main hall. Three security guards scramble towards Alistair’s room, leaving the hall empty.
    I dash for the stairwell, sure they’ll be right behind me but not sure what else to do. Somehow I make it without anyone trying to follow and I ease the door closed. Made it.
    It should be easy racing downstairs, but I’m clumsy as I leap down, taking two steps at a time. Each leap jolts hard in my chest, a lump rising in my throat. Blood pounds in my neck at the idea of being trapped, so I try a longer jump, three stairs at once, but I stumble and have to grab onto the rail, panting.
    My breath breaks into sobs. What was it like for Mum during the firestorm? Did she run, did she hide?
    Did she think of me?
    My eyes close. Shutting it all out. But that only makes it worse. I can’t crumble yet, even though my chest aches.
    Somehow I make it down the rest of the stairwell and disengage the door to the basement. In the dim light I track a zigzag course, ducking behind rubbish containers all the way out to a lane at the back of the building.
    Keeping out of sight behind a pillar, I check out a bunch of maintenance workers and staff on breaks. No police uniforms that I can see. They still might be watching for me though, so I hang back in the shadows, trying to decide whether it’s better to hide, or run.
    Out of the corner of my eye I catch the smallest of movements: one of the workers pushing the side of his ear as he speaks into thin air. He breaks off and glances my way.
    Just briefly, but it’s enough. I have to run for it.
    Arms pumping, I dash across the alleyway and past a row of parked ambulances, aware that there’s no turning back: the guy with the earpiece is behind me.
    As I clear the front ambulance, two police round the corner of the hospital to my left and keep coming.
    They’re not running straight for me, but at an angle. They must be planning to cut me off at the end of the alley.
    Not if I get there first.
    My whole focus is speed: legs and arms, harder,