Chapter 14 - Not One of the Numbers
June cut the line attached to Elena's wrist and helped her sit. Jonah pushed a wheelchair through the door.
"The array can't activate without the host," he said. "If we get her to the tower, Victoria loses control."
"Unless she has someone with the same genetic markers," 0C said.
All three of us looked at her.
She pulled the termination contract from her pocket. "That's why she made me. I wasn't only meant to replace Clara in public. I was the spare key."
Jonah's face fell. "I didn't know."
"You know now," she answered.
On a monitor, Cora fought her way up the surface stairs, one hand pressed to her neck. Her lips moved without sound. Then she turned toward the camera and walked down the wrong hallway.
"Victoria is steering her," June said. "The receiver is feeding her instructions."
0C stared at the screen. "They gave me a receiver, too. Behind my ear."
A soft clicking began in the ceiling speakers. Her body stiffened.
"Get away from me," she whispered.
"No," I said.
"I don't want to hurt you."
I took her hand. "Then don't listen to their voice. Listen to mine."
She squeezed so hard my fingers ached, but she stayed where she was.
June opened the silver case and snapped the transmitter in half. The clicking stopped. 0C sagged against me.
"What now?" she asked.
"Now we give you a name," I said. "One you pick."
She considered it as if the world had finally given her something valuable.
"Mira," she said. "I heard someone say it means look. I want to look at things for myself."
A distant lock slammed open. Cora appeared in the doorway, pale and shaking, holding a bloodstained access card.
May you like
"Mira," she repeated. "Good name."
Then she fell forward, and the mark on her neck began blinking blue.
