Hope: Book 8 in The Trapped in the Hollow Earth Novelette Series Page 6

  “Drop it and get on the ground now!”

  No way! I’m not going out like this. “I’ll shoot.”

  “Maybe, but so will my buddy behind you,” said the soldier in a cocky voice.

  Casey gasped as an arm wrapped around her neck. “Let go of me!” she shouted, squirming to break free of the soldier’s hold. She felt the gun being ripped out of her hand by the rebel in front of her. Hands grabbed her wrists and twisted her arms behind her back. She struggled against the iron grip, chanting over and over again, “This isn’t happening…this isn’t happening…” They’d come so far and saved life on Earth, only to lose their own. She felt the tragedy of that weighing on her, screaming at the back of her head that she should save herself, even though she knew there was no safety, only doom.

  Just then, Casey caught a glimpse of black, shiny boots and a long, flowing cloak. The sound of Commander Tio’s footsteps made her skin crawl. Slowly, he pulled down his silver hood and glared at her.

  Casey could feel his dark, icy gaze upon her. She met his cold stare with one of her own.

  He gripped her jaw tightly. “Where are Thorn and the other humans?”

  Casey said nothing and shot him a glare. He could stand there as long as he wanted, but she wasn’t going to answer.

  The soldier tightened his grip, causing pain to shoot down her arms. “Answer the question, human,” he demanded.

  With a smirk, Tio pressed his palm against her forehead and closed his eyes. “Words aren’t necessary since she can simply show me.” Of course he was talking about invading her thoughts, forcing her to give away the secret she’d rather take to her grave. Commander Tio laughed. “If you hold on to it like that, you might be heading to your grave.”

  She struggled against the soldier’s grip, trying to break free from hands, but they were too strong and used to enforcing violence on others. She tossed all thoughts out of her head, trying to block Tio’s probing mind.

  He repeated the same question: “Where are they?” For a moment, there was nothing but blackness behind her eyes, but then her heart started to hammer harder and her pulse quickened, bringing with it pictures of what she shouldn’t think.

  “Thorn, Jack, Mike, and…” He gasped. “One of the scientists is alive! The red-haired one named Kira. How’s this possible? They’re heading toward the docking bay to retrieve their ship.” He glanced at a soldier. “Get a team together and make sure that doesn’t happen.”

  “Yes, sir,” said the soldier, rushing off.

  The grip around her throat tightened, making Casey gasp for air. Crap! I just ruined their escape plan, and now Tio has no further need for me. Why couldn’t I keep Commander Tio from reading my mind? Oh, I hope Mike, Jack, and Thorn can retrieve the ship before the rebels get to them. Her stomach lurched.

  Tio pulled back his hand and smiled. “You’ve served your purpose. It’s time for you to say goodbye now.”

  To be continued…