Swipe

to bug.”
    “Too big,” Logan agreed. “Your powder can’t fill a stadium, and there probably isn’t enough tape in all of DOME. No security cameras either, I bet. All that’s left are the stands . . . and the diamond.”
    “Smart little misers,” Erin said.
    “I wish you wouldn’t call them that.”
    “Fine. Stingy skinflints.” Erin smiled. “You like that better?”
    “They’re people, Erin. They’re kids, actually. Like us.”
    Erin looked at him like his brain had dropped out and hung from his nose. “Are you kidding? They blindsided us with a rock an hour ago—”
    “We were following them—”
    “They had us surrounded!”
    “They attacked in defense. And so did we.”
    “They’re out to kidnap you, Logan. They’re killers. And they’re Markless. They’re lower than dirt.”
    “No—they’re not. They’re people just like us.”
    “That girl must’ve clocked you pretty hard in the head,” Erin said. “You’re talking nonsense.”
    Logan sighed. He knew he wasn’t going to win this one, so he changed the subject. “We need a new plan.”
    “You think Peck’s in there?”
    “I doubt it. It’s a good hideout for the rest, but Peck wouldn’t risk it. He’s got to be somewhere . . . deeper.”
    Erin cursed. “They didn’t lead us to him after all, did they?”
    “Not yet. That’s my guess, anyway.”
    “They will, though.”
    “They could. At the very least, we’ve bought ourselves some time. No way they make a move on me in the next few days. Not in this scenario.”
    Erin shrugged. “Let’s go home. We know where they’ll be. We can figure out a plan tomorrow.”
    “At school,” Logan said. “Never thought I’d look forward to it so much.”
    “Our last safe haven,” Erin agreed.
    The two of them made their way back to Erin’s rollerstick.
    Logan was grateful for the ride home that night.
    9
    Hailey had just returned from one of her late walks through Spokie, and she wasn’t surprised to find her mother asleep. But she needed someone to talk to. So Hailey knocked gently on the door of her mother’s room, waiting for the rustle of covers, already sorry for waking her up, but not knowing what else to do.
    “That you, Hailey?” Mrs. Phoenix said, before breaking into a spasm of coughs.
    “It’s me, Mom,” Hailey whispered, her cheek to the door. “I’m sorry to bother you.”
    “Come in,” her mother said kindly.
    Hailey opened the door a crack and poked her head around it. “Pretty bad tonight, huh?”
    “Just need a new pair of lungs is all.” Mrs. Phoenix smiled and sat up under the covers.
    “I just wanted to show you . . . I guess I couldn’t wait ’til morning. You remember those bottles you brought me?” Hailey pushed the door open with her foot and carried something into the room proudly. “I finished.”
    Mrs. Phoenix rubbed her eyes and squinted through the dark room. What she saw delighted her, and immediately she waved Hailey in as she covered her mouth and worked her way through another coughing spell. “Hailey,” she managed to say. “It’s beautiful!”
    What Hailey brought into the room was an intricate sculpture about twelve inches tall. She set it on the table by her mother’s bed for them both to admire.
    “It’s a plant!” Mrs. Phoenix said, and Hailey smiled.
    “They freshen the air.”
    “How perfect!” Her mother laughed, and she coughed a little as she did. “I feel better already.”
    “Careful with the petals, though,” Hailey warned. “I sanded them down as much as I could, but a few are still pretty sharp.” Out of a twisting tangle of springs and fabric, shards of bottle glass glistened on the ends of metal twigs.
    “We’ll put it in the kitchen. It’ll get the most sunlight there,” Mrs. Phoenix joked. They laughed, and then both were still for a moment. “But that’s not why you came in here, is it?”
    Hailey frowned. “What do you mean?”
    “You’re upset. I can tell.”
    “I am not!” Hailey protested.
    “Suit yourself,” her mother said, leaning back. “It’s a great sculpture. And you’re right—I’m sure it couldn’t have waited until morning.” Mrs. Phoenix winked at her daughter.
    Hailey sighed. “All right,” she said, finally. “You win. That’s not why I came in here . . . I am upset.”
    Mrs. Phoenix smiled patiently. Hailey rolled her eyes.
    “It’s Logan and this new girl, Erin. She’s messing everything up.”
    “What about Dane?” Mrs. Phoenix