Swipe

they killed her,” Logan said. “For a crime she didn’t yet commit.”
    “Yes and no,” Peck said. He looked into Logan now with sadness and support, preparing him, bracing him.
    “What? What is it?”
    “Logan. Your sister is alive.”
    6
    His sister was alive. It was impossible. She couldn’t be—could she? Logan was anxious now, filled with a hope he hadn’t felt in years, but he couldn’t quite allow himself to believe it.
    “How can you know that?” he said, narrowing his eyes. “How could you possibly . . . ?”
    Peck frowned. “Because I’ve spent the last five years figuring it out,” he said sadly. “Why do you think DOME is so afraid of me?”
    Slowly, Logan allowed himself to accept the possibility that this was true. “We have to save her,” he said. And somehow, stating the words aloud gave them weight, and truth. Logan exploded. “We have to do something!”
    “If only,” Peck said, unmoved. “If only we could.”
    “What is that supposed to mean? Where is she? What have they done to her?”
    Peck frowned. “We don’t know.”
    “ What ? How can you tell me all this and not know? What kind of cruel trick is that?”
    “No trick, Logan. Just the truth. Our suspicions, our investigations . . . they can take us only so far. We’re dealing with secrets so deep now, I’m not sure they belong to anyone anymore.”
    “Well, someone must know. At least enough to put us on the right track!”
    “You’ll kill yourself chasing her, Logan. There’s no way.”
    “So what, then?” Logan yelled. “You expect me just to run, like all of you? To just leave her behind and not look back?”
    “What I’m doing is giving you a choice. I’m saying that if you’d prefer not to suffer your sister’s fate . . . that we will help you.”
    “Forget about my suffering! I’m going to save Lily! And don’t tell me you don’t know how to do it!”
    Peck sighed. “It is true there might be a way. But I can’t in good conscience allow—”
    “Tell me! Tell me, you miser!” Logan was on top of him now. Peck didn’t deflect him so easily this time.
    “The Markers,” Peck said, pinned but not afraid. “I don’t believe they know much, but the Markers must at least know where flunkees are sent.”
    Logan rose. “Then I’ll get my answers from them.”
    “It isn’t that easy, Logan. Markers are anonymous. The Marking floor of the Center is impenetrable, and once a Marker leaves it, they can’t be traced. The only way even to talk to one would be to Pledge.”
    “Then that settles it.” Logan turned toward the door.
    “Oh, don’t be a fool, Logan! Whatever crime those skinflints saw in Lily, they will see it in you! I knew her too well—I’ve watched you too long—not to be sure of that.”
    “I’m going. It’s worth the risk.”
    “Logan, if you walk into that Center tomorrow, all of this— all of it —will be wasted. I am giving you your life, Logan—at great cost to all of us. Do not throw it away on some pipe-dream reunion!”
    “And what? Stay here with you? Live as a fugitive, scaring Pledges and letting parents think I’m kidnapping their kids? Wondering forever where my sister is and dreaming horrible dreams about her, just to wake up in this nightmare with all of you? How can we fight what’s happening here if we don’t even know what’s going on?”
    “We’re not fighting, Logan. We’re retreating. It’s all we have the power to do.”
    “Then I’m different from you!” Logan said.
    “Logan, come to your senses! I won’t let you walk into this trap.”
    “I’m finding my sister,” Logan said. “Kill me if you won’t allow it.”
    The Dust looked at him, horrified, desperate.
    But no one stopped him as Logan fled from the warehouse and into the night.
    7
    Logan ran on overgrown paths back to Spokie and wondered what to do next. He was reeling from all Peck had told him, but undistracted and resolute.
    It wasn’t until he made his way back into town that Logan realized he couldn’t face tomorrow alone. He had to see her. The one person he could trust, unconditionally.
    Erin.
    When he rang the bell to her apartment, it was Mr. Arbitor who answered the door. His expression was blank, bored.
    “What are you doing here, Logan?”
    “I came to see Erin.”
    “She’s studying.”
    “Please, sir. I Pledge tomorrow. I just need a friend to talk to.” Logan heard himself. He had intended to lie, but what came out was the truth.
    “Come on