Shockwave Read online

  ‘I don’t know.’ Jack coughed and winced at the pain in his chest. ‘Guess my thoughts were focused on trying not to die.’

  Wet clothes, coupled with his aching muscles, the pain in his chest and his throbbing legs, made Jack wish he could curl up in a tight ball and sleep.

  ‘You didn’t relax, did you?’ Slink pressed.

  ‘Relax?’ Jack wheezed, incredulous. ‘How can I relax knowing we have a fatal virus, when London is being evacuated, Noble –’

  ‘We’ll talk about it later,’ Charlie interrupted. ‘Come on.’

  As they hurried off, Jack looked up at the top of the embankment and saw that the two army officers were shadowing them from the path above.

  Great.

  Why couldn’t they just leave them alone?

  Jack, Charlie, Slink and Wren reached a bridge. Underneath was a steel door recessed into the wall.

  Charlie opened it and they hurried through.

  On the other side, she flicked on her torch then bolted the door from the inside.

  They stood there for a few seconds and then heard footfalls running past.

  When all was silent again, Charlie turned back.

  Jack was hugging himself and his teeth were chattering.

  She frowned at him. ‘We need to go somewhere warm and dry.’

  ‘Probably best, yeah.’

  ‘That means there’s only one place we can go,’ Slink said. ‘It’s the last place we have left to hide.’

  ‘The cavern?’ Wren asked.

  ‘The cavern,’ he said.

  Charlie handed her torch to Slink.

  ‘Cheers.’ Slink marched down a narrow concrete corridor, with Wren hard on his heels.

  Charlie half-smiled at Jack. ‘It’s dry tunnels all the way there.’

  Jack, his limbs aching, his chest hurting, followed them.

  As they walked, Charlie talked to him, obviously trying to keep him alive or something.

  ‘So,’ she said, ‘what’s the plan once we eventually find out where Hector’s hiding out?’

  ‘Do what we always do,’ Jack said through juddering breaths. ‘Beat Hector, only to have him trick us again.’

  Charlie glanced back at him and Jack caught her frown in the faint, reflected torchlight.

  ‘Why don’t we just make this the last time Hector sets us up?’ she said.

  Jack nodded. ‘Deal.’ The truth was, if this virus killed them before they could find Hector, he’d never need to trick them again.

  Jack’s body was telling him that time was rapidly running out, and all the hurrying around wasn’t exactly helping matters.

  They turned right, ducked through an archway and strode along a narrow path next to an underground river.

  The concrete was green with algae and slippery underfoot. Jack stayed as close to the wall as possible and focused on his every step.

  As another stab of pain shot through Jack’s chest, he tried to remember how far the cavern was because he was becoming less and less sure he could make it.

  Just when Jack was about to give up, they reached the underground entrance to the refuge.

  The door itself was three metres high, over two wide, and made of heavy oak. Slink grabbed the cast-iron handle and swung it open.

  Beyond was a vast cave with stalactites hanging from the ceiling, like the teeth of a demon, at least ten metres above their heads. The cavern’s natural plateaux and crevices stored rations and cooking supplies.

  In the middle of the cave was a pool of blue water and around it were several tents and beds.

  ‘Wow, I’ve never seen this place so quiet,’ Wren said.

  Jack nodded. Usually the cavern was filled with kids.

  To the right was a row of lockers. Charlie walked over to a locker, removed several towels and chucked one at Jack.

  ‘Thanks,’ he said, slipping off his hoodie and wrapping the towel around himself.

  ‘You need to get out of those wet things.’ Charlie took a pair of jeans from the locker, followed by a T-shirt and a coat. ‘Wear these for now.’

  Grateful, Jack did as he was told.

  Wren handed him a pair of thick woollen socks. ‘Here.’

  Jack slipped them on and gave an audible sigh of relief.

  Charlie then scooped up his wet clothes and strode over to a firepit near the pool.

  She hung the clothes on a rack, as Slink knelt by the pit and lit a fire using a lighter and paper. Once it was going, he threw on a few logs and beckoned Jack over.

  ‘Sit here and get warm with us, mate. We’ll soon dry off.’

  The flames grew, lighting up the cavern and sending shadows dancing around the walls.

  Jack sat next to the fire and felt the heat penetrate his skin and work its way to his core.

  He wondered how close to death he’d been – how much time he’d shaved off his life by getting so cold.

  Slink sat next to him and rubbed his hands together. ‘I feel horrible. I’ve never even had the flu before.’

  ‘I’m really sorry,’ Jack muttered.

  Slink shrugged. ‘It’s all right.’

  Jack sighed. Even if Slink did forgive him, it made little difference. Unless they could find Hector, they were all dead.

  Jack looked at the tents by the pool. ‘What do you think the chances are that someone left a laptop in any of those?’

  ‘Slim to none,’ Charlie said, joining them.

  ‘I’ll have a look anyway,’ Wren said.

  She walked over to the first tent, unzipped it and stuck her head inside.

  A second later, Wren cried out and scrambled backwards, almost tripping over her own feet.

  A head emerged from the tent and blinked at her. ‘Wren?’

  Jack couldn’t believe his eyes. It was Wilf.

  Wilf squinted at Jack. ‘All right?’

  ‘What are you doing here?’ Charlie said.

  Wilf yawned. ‘Where else would we go?’

  ‘We?’ Jack said.

  More faces appeared from a couple of the other tents around the pool.

  ‘What’s going on?’ Domino said. ‘I’m trying to sleep here!’

  ‘Hey, guys,’ Ryan said, climbing out of the tent next to Wilf’s and stretching.

  Ryan was tall for a ten-year-old, and had short, blond hair and blue eyes. His speciality was pretty much anything to do with sport or involving water. The Outlaws hadn’t seen him since the O2 Arena mission when he wakeboarded up the Thames.

  He waved at them all and smiled.

  Wren backed away. ‘Are you lot crazy? You’ll get the virus.’

  Jack got to his feet. ‘Come on,’ he said to the other Outlaws, ‘let’s go.’

  ‘There’s no need,’ Domino said, climbing out of her tent and straightening up. ‘We’re not gonna get it.’

  Wren circled them and joined Jack, Charlie and Slink.

  ‘How do you figure that out?’ Slink said.

  ‘Because,’ Wilf said, clambering out of his tent and joining the other two, ‘you lot came to see us after the Facility mission, right?’

  Jack nodded, thinking back to when they’d returned to the guard’s flat, let the guy go and thanked the others for their hard work on the mission. ‘We remember,’ he said. ‘So what?’

  ‘So what?’ Wilf folded down the flaps of his ears. ‘No rash. See?’

  ‘No rash?’ Jack repeated, incredulous.

  ‘The news said the first sign of the virus is a rash behind the ears,’ Ryan said.

  ‘We ain’t got one,’ Domino said. ‘Never had one neither.’

  Jack groaned and sat back down. ‘If you haven’t got the virus, it means you were lucky and didn’t catch it off us the first time around.’

  ‘Yeah,’ Slink said. ‘Have you seen Raze?’

  ‘What about me?’

  All eyes moved to the door as Raze walked in with a bag slung over his shoulder.

  ‘What are you doin’ here?’ Slink said.

  Raze smi
led. ‘I feel better.’

  The Outlaws stared at him.

  ‘Say that again,’ Charlie said.

  ‘I said I feel better. Not perfect, but definitely a lot better than I did.’

  Jack shook his head. ‘That’s not possible.’

  ‘Yeah, it is.’ Raze dropped his backpack next to the fire. ‘You see, I never got that virus. Like I told ya before – I had the flu or something.’ He looked directly at Jack. ‘Says on the news that the virus starts with a rash behind the ears. Well, you never asked me about no rash. Never had one, did I?’

  Jack stared at him. ‘You didn’t?’

  ‘Nope. Neither did my mum or dad. They got caught up in all that stupid panic and left London. I gave them the slip as we left. No way I’m leaving. Why would I? I figure it’ll all blow over and everyone will come back.’ He sighed. ‘I’d offer for you guys to stay at my place, but the cops are all over it after they spotted me. Probably nicking my stuff.’

  Jack winced. ‘I lost your laptop. I’m sorry. I’ll get you a new one.’

  Raze shrugged. ‘I know you’re good for it.’

  ‘Wait,’ Charlie said. ‘Back up a minute.’ She looked at Raze. ‘How’s that possible? How have you not got the virus?’

  ‘They ain’t got it either,’ Raze said, waving a finger at Domino, Wilf and Ryan.

  Jack stared, trying to clear his head.

  The Outlaws had had a rash behind their ears, which meant they definitely had the virus – there was no doubt about it. But why didn’t the others? They’d been in contact just . . .

  Jack gasped.

  ‘What?’ Charlie said.

  ‘No way.’

  ‘What?’ she repeated.

  ‘No. Flippin’. Way,’ Jack shouted. He ground his teeth as he realised what was happening. Now it all made sense. ‘That complete and utter . . .’

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Jaclk paced the cavern, anger tearing through him as he thought about what Hector had done.

  More tricks.

  More lies.

  It has to stop.

  Jack turned back and looked at Ryan. ‘I gather you’ve watched the news recently?’

  Ryan nodded. ‘Bits. Kinda hard not to, y’know?’

  ‘Did you ever see a report of more people being infected? Like, anyone at all?’

  Ryan shook his head.

  Jack spun around and roared.

  ‘What’s going on?’ Ryan asked.

  Jack faced the group again. ‘Hector’s tricked all of us. Again. That’s what’s going on.’

  ‘We don’t have the virus?’ Wren asked.

  ‘We do.’ Jack pointed between the Outlaws. ‘The four of us, and Obi.’ He paused as anger and relief warred inside him. ‘But,’ he continued, ‘no one else has it and no one else will get it. Hector has used us.’ Jack dropped next to the fire and stared at the flames.

  Hector had done it yet again.

  After several seconds of silence, Ryan said, ‘Are you lot hungry?’

  Charlie gave him a nod, but kept her eyes on Jack.

  Ryan strode off to the other side of the cavern and returned a minute later, his arms laden with sandwiches, crisps and biscuits. He handed them out, along with a bottle of water each to Jack, Charlie, Slink and Wren. Grateful, they drank.

  Jack took small sips and winced with the pain – his throat felt raw. He looked at the sandwich in his lap and decided to give it a miss. He set it to one side and took another small sip of water.

  Slink coughed. ‘So,’ he said to Jack, ‘we’ve got the virus, but no one else has. Why? How’s that possible exactly?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ Jack said. ‘But we can assume that we’re not contagious.’

  ‘How did we get it in the first place then?’ Wren asked.

  Jack shrugged. ‘No idea. Maybe it was only contagious for a short while.’

  ‘If this is true,’ Ryan said, sitting down, ‘why has everyone evacuated London?’

  ‘Because they don’t know that it’s not contagious,’ Jack said. ‘Because Hector lied – he manipulated everyone else too. He did everything he and his father are best at.’

  ‘Well, let’s tell everyone then,’ Raze said. ‘We’ll let them know they’ve been tricked.’

  ‘Oh, yeah,’ Slink said. ‘Great plan, mate. I’m sure they’ll believe us.’

  Charlie nodded. ‘He’s right – they won’t. Hector made sure that people think we’re the enemy now.’ She looked at Jack. ‘We need proof Hector’s lying.’

  ‘So, now we need an antidote for us five, and, on top of that, proof that Hector’s been lying to everyone.’ Slink rolled his eyes. ‘Well, that should be easy.’

  ‘When is it ever easy?’ Jack got to his feet, determined to put things right once and for all. This was their last chance, and he had to do it before the virus killed them.

  ‘Where are you going?’ Domino asked.

  ‘We have a mission to finish.’ Jack balled his fists. ‘And it’s time I go and see Talya.’

  The other Outlaws moved to stand up, but Jack gestured for them to stay put. ‘I need to do this one on my own.’

  ‘No way,’ Charlie said, getting to her feet. ‘At least let me come.’

  ‘No. Look, Charlie, I –’

  ‘Shut up,’ Charlie snapped. ‘You always say we’re a team. I’m coming with you whether you like it or not.’ She put her hands on her hips. ‘No arguments.’

  ‘I’m coming too,’ Wren said.

  Slink stood. ‘Me three.’

  Jack held up his hands. ‘No. Listen to me, guys – this is far from over and I need you two to stay here. Please? Trust me. It’s only going to get harder from here on in and I need you to keep your strength if we’re going to live through all of this.’

  Slink hesitated then nodded. ‘Fine. Whatever.’ He sat down again. ‘Just make sure you get Noble back, OK?’

  ‘That’s the first thing I intend to do.’ Jack turned to the door, gritted his teeth and, as he and Charlie left the cavern, decided exactly what the next course of action needed to be.

  He was going to make Hector, Del Sarto and Talya pay for everything they’d done. For all the people they’d hurt. But it would take every ounce of strength the Outlaws had left in them.

  Jack and Charlie stood in the shadows a little way down the road from Talya’s warehouse.

  In the distance, they heard sirens and gunshots. It was like London had turned into a war zone.

  Charlie gestured towards the warehouse. ‘What’s going on? What are they up to?’

  They’d only been there a few minutes and already they’d seen around fifty kids coming and going, carrying various boxes and bags.

  ‘That can’t all be from Hector’s hotel suite,’ Charlie said. She glanced at Jack. ‘Can it?’

  ‘No,’ Jack said. ‘She’s up to something. I’m just not entirely sure what it is.’

  They watched for a couple of minutes more.

  ‘So,’ Charlie whispered to Jack, as two kids carried a wooden crate into the warehouse, ‘what’s the plan to get Noble out of there?’

  Jack kept his focus on the building and his thoughts turned to Scarlett.

  Talya was like Hector – she’d caused so much suffering and she didn’t care who she hurt or how she got money. She didn’t care that Scarlett had died, and Jack hated her for it.

  Jack let the anger fuel him, bringing a surge of determination and renewed energy with it. And, for the first time in weeks, he could think clearly again.

  He knew exactly what to do.

  Charlie noticed his expression. ‘Are you OK?’

  ‘Never better,’ Jack said. ‘If I need you, I’ll shout. I’m sorry, but I have to do this part by myself.’

  He took a breath and strode towards the warehouse.

  He was about to make another deal with the devil, but he was determined to win this time.

  Jack marched straight through the warehouse door and once he was inside he recognis
ed valuables from Hector’s hotel suite. There were two giant vases, many oil paintings stacked against the wall, sculptures and several items of furniture.

  On the desk by the door was a wooden box Jack had seen in the suite, containing three sets of diamond-encrusted cufflinks and a gold watch, all engraved with Del Sarto’s initials.

  By the looks of it, Talya had completely emptied the hotel suite and Jack was impressed that she’d managed to get everything back here.

  But that wasn’t all – kids were still coming and going with boxes and bags, slowly filling up the warehouse.

  Skin appeared from behind a stack of crates and walked over to him. ‘Well, looky, looky, it’s wacky Jacky.’

  Jack shoved past him.

  ‘Wait a minute,’ Skin said. ‘You can’t just barge in ’ere like that. You need an escort. Can’t have you wandering about the place.’

  Jack ignored him, strode up the steps to the top floor of the double-decker buses and was relieved to see that Noble looked unharmed. He was sitting in the same armchair and seemed relaxed.

  ‘Hello, Jack.’

  ‘Hi,’ Jack said. ‘How are you feeling?’

  ‘Fine. No signs of the virus.’

  There wouldn’t be, Jack thought.

  Skin ran up the steps and grabbed him. ‘What the ’ell do you think you’re doin’?’

  ‘It’s OK,’ Talya said.

  Skin let go.

  Talya was sitting in front of a writing desk with a laptop open. ‘I don’t seem to be able to get any internet,’ she said.

  ‘You won’t,’ Jack said. ‘In case you haven’t noticed, London’s been evacuated.’

  ‘Oh, I’ve noticed, Jack,’ Talya said, with an equal measure of sarcasm. ‘That’s why me and the gang are still ’ere, like.’

  Jack turned to face her. ‘Of course. There’s no one around to stop you nicking stuff.’

  Talya winked. ‘We’ve now moved on to bigger and better things than your mate’s hotel suite.’ She waved a finger at him. ‘I should thank you, really – you gave me the idea, didn’t ya?’ Talya grinned. ‘While all the kitties are away, the mice will run and play.’ She looked him up and down. ‘How’s the virus coming along? You’re looking peaky. Shame you might die ’n’ all.’

  ‘You will too,’ Jack lied. ‘You’ll get the virus sooner or later.’

  ‘Not one single member of my crew has this so-called virus. I reckon it’s a myth.’ Talya shrugged. ‘Anyway, Noble here tells me you’re gonna track down the antidote, so even if I’m wrong, we’re all saved, ain’t we?’