“Stop her,” Nate said to Chris. “We’ll need her help to get everyone out.”
“I’m on it,” Chris said, setting Ted down. Extending a fist, Chris shot ahead.
Lindy put Celia down as well.
“Come on,” Nate urged. “You can run. The ground is smoother from here on out. This way.”
Nate led the way at a pace that allowed the others to keep up. In the next room, Nate noticed the Protector back on the pedestal. He suspected that Jeanine and Cleon had probably tried to seal them in. Fortunately, without Uweya functioning, the Protector was no longer operational.
They hurried through the gate and into the next room. Glancing back, Nate saw Katie trip on her way through the gate. She didn’t get up.
The quaking worsened. Nate kept his eyes up to avoid falling blocks and stones. Here and there, boulder-sized chunks of stonework crashed down to the floor.
“Lindy,” Nate shouted, flying back toward Katie.
Lindy grabbed one arm, and Nate seized what remained of the other. Katie was a fairly large woman. Carrying her between them, they soon found they could make better time if they let her legs drag.
Stone thundered down around them. The floor began to fracture dramatically. Gritty dust filled the air. Nate narrowly avoided a falling chunk of masonry the size of a microwave oven.
When they reached the enormous shaft, Chris awaited them with Jeanine and Cleon. Jeanine looked disgruntled. Cleon looked pale and exhausted.
“Get us out of here,” Nate shouted over the seismic commotion.
“Too many people,” Jeanine replied loudly. “I can’t raise so many. I’m almost out of juice.”
“We’ll help,” Nate said. “Just make them lighter.”
Jeanine shrugged. “I’ll try.”
“Try now!” Chris yelled angrily.
Chris grabbed Ted, Lindy took Cleon, Risa claimed Celia, and Nate kept hold of Katie. Jeanine began to rise, and Katie became much lighter. Nate found that he could fly with her, although it wasn’t easy.
“Stay near me!” Jeanine shouted. “That will help!”
Crowding close, they rose together. They passed the two bends. The rumbling began to recede. The shaft trembled, but not so violently as down below.
The higher they went, the heavier Katie seemed. With the top in sight, Nate could no longer make progress. He barely managed to hover. He exerted himself with everything he had, but instead of rising, he started to sink. He had draped Katie over his shoulder, so he wasn’t losing hold of her, but he lacked the power to fly her any higher.
“A little help?” Nate asked.
“I’m giving it all I’ve got,” Jeanine growled through clenched teeth.
Chris came down. Ted was riding him piggyback. Chris grabbed Nate’s hand, and together they managed to haul Katie beyond the top of the shaft. As soon as they touched down, Jeanine slumped to the ground, and Nate felt Katie’s full weight. He set her down as gently as he could. Which wasn’t very gently.
The rumbling was now distant. This part of the cave seemed to be in no danger of collapse.
“Let’s get outside,” Nate said. “You know, just in case.”
Jeanine got to her feet, Chris carried Katie, and the group made their way out through the cave mouth. Nate felt relieved to see the blue sky and to breathe air that didn’t smell of dust and minerals.
“I thought I was a goner,” Cleon said. “You kids are all right.”
“You did it, Nate,” Lindy said. “I can hardly believe it.”
“We’re not finished yet,” Nate said. “We have to make sure Trevor, Pigeon, and the others at Arcadeland are all right. Jonas can’t use his simulacra anymore, but I’m sure he has other powers. And he has henchmen. I don’t care if people see me flying, I’m going straight there.”
“We’re with you,” Chris said.
“Lead the way,” Risa seconded.
“Go on,” Ted said. “We can’t fly.”
Nate looked at Cleon and Jeanine. “You guys will play nice?”
“I’m spent,” Jeanine said wearily.
Cleon scrunched his face. “Jonas blew it, man. This is over.”
Nate glanced at the other Jets. “Over or not, we can’t trust them. Any volunteers to stay and keep an eye on things?”
Lindy looked worried by the prospect.
“Chris?” Nate asked. “Would you mind?”
“Go on,” Chris said, waving Nate away. “I’ve got this.”
“Great.” Nate turned to Risa and Lindy. “Follow me.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Mopping Up
Pigeon sat with his back to the wall, gently tapping his head against the concrete. He tried not to envision the hot buttered popcorn that had been available whenever he wanted during his stay in Mozag’s cell. He tried not to dwell on his failure to knock the urn off the shelf. If only he had been a little faster!
His stomach grumbled. It had been a long while since they had fed him. Had they forgotten about him? What if Jonas White had already gotten Uweya? What if the evil mage and his underlings had simply abandoned Arcadeland? Pigeon stroked his stomach. What if he and his friends were doomed to slowly starve in their cells?
The lock jiggled. Pigeon sat up straight. Was it mealtime? At least that would help take the edge off his misery.
The door opened. Mozag entered, wearing his Cubs hat.
“Mozag!” Pigeon exclaimed, standing up.
One of the Battiatos loomed behind him, looking beefy as a bull. A glance at the neck told Pigeon that it was Ziggy.
“Pigeon, good to see you!” Mozag said. “Your friends came through. Jonas White has been neutralized. I paid him a visit to be sure. Some of his people haven’t gotten the memo yet, but this affair is basically over. Want to help us get out of here? Ziggy brought some treats.”
“What do you have?” Pigeon asked.
“Let’s see,” Ziggy said. “I have a biscuit that would make you a shark. Or Shock Bits. Or Moon Rocks. Or Peak—”
“I’ll do Shock Bits,” Pigeon said. “They’re good in close quarters. Do you have lots?”
“Plenty,” Ziggy said, handing over the candy.
Pigeon followed them out into the hall. Trevor came up to Pigeon. He was the same color and texture as the concrete floors and walls—his face, his hair, even his clothes.
“What happened to you?” Pigeon exclaimed.
“Tallah gave me a couple of sweets she cooked up,” Trevor explained. “Camouflage Caramels and Spider Bites.”