The Rebel

Adam's ability to think slowly returned. 'Why?' he asked, his body screaming to return to hers.

'Max,' Liz said simply.

The name was like a gallon of ice water thrown over Adam.

'Right. Max,' he repeated.

***

'I used to hang out here a lot, when things got too intense at one of my homes. It's the cave where our pods were left until it was time for us to break free,' Michael told Trevor. 'There's a sleeping bag over there.' He pointed to the back of the cave. 'And there are some canteens and food stashed in that hole I carved out of the limestone.'

'Thanks,' Trevor said. He walked over and sat down on the bag. Michael sat down next to him and leaned back against the hard, cool wall.

What if Trevor is dangerous?

The thought flashed through Michael's head so fast, he didn't have time to stop it. He glanced over at Trevor. He hoped his brother hadn't seen any trace of suspicion in Michael's aura.

'Sorry about what happened back at the museum,' Michael said. They hadn't talked about it during the drive out to the cave. They'd just listened to the radio and pretended everything was normal.

'I guess I should have said something, defended myself. I was just too blown away,' Trevor said. He gave a harsh bark of laugher. 'No one's ever called me a killer before.'

'You've got to get out more,' Michael joked. Or tried to. It sounded funnier in his head. That seemed to happen a lot with Trevor, the sounded-better-in-the-head phenomenon.

'I almost could see the humans being suspicious of me, but…' Trevor let his words trail off.

'It's not a nonhuman-human thing,' Michael explained. He shifted slightly, trying to find a position where the cave wall wouldn't dig into his spine. 'If you'd asked me six months ago, I'd have told you that there was no way a human could be trusted not to murder you in your sleep.'

The word murder seemed to come out of his mouth louder than the others. What if Max is right about Trevor? Michael thought again.

Michael squeezed his hand into a fist, grinding the bits of glass deeper, hoping the pain would bring back his righteous anger, his absolute certainty that Max and Alex had no clue what Trevor was really about. It didn't.

'There have been tons of times when Alex, Liz, and Maria have put their own lives in danger to save me, Max, and Isabel,' Michael continued, suddenly feeling very tired. He stretched out onto his back. But it felt weird to be lying down with Trevor still sitting up, so Michael shoved himself upright again.

'So I know for sure that nothing that was said tonight had anything to do with who is human and who isn't. Actually, I don't even think Maria necessarily believed that Alex was right about you,' Michael rushed on. 'And Liz- Liz is totally logical. When she hears about this, I can guarantee you she won't jump to any conclusions.'

Although logic might tell Liz to err on the side of caution. Logic might tell her that they should all stay very far away from Trevor if and until they were absolutely sure he wasn't a threat.

'What about Isabel?' Trevor asked, his gray eyes glittering with intensity.

'I think Izzy was withholding judgment,' Michael answered. 'It looked like she wanted to hear everything before she made up her mind.'

'But she's willing to consider the possibility that I would have killed Alex for the Stone if I could,' Trevor said, bitterness edging his voice.

Michael thought about the cool way Isabel had asked her questions back at the museum. 'I'm not going to lie to you-I think Isabel is in guilty-until-proven-innocent mode.' He took a deep breath. 'Too much has happened to her-to all of us, I guess-to make it that easy to trust people.'

'I don't have to ask what Max thought,' Trevor said.

Michael reached into the hole in the cave wall, pulled down a battered metal canteen, and took a long swig. 'Grape soda and soy sauce. Want some?'

Trevor took the canteen, tilted back his head, and let some of the drink pour down his throat. 'Excellent,' he said.

'We're pretty much the only ones who think so-not even Max, Izzy, or Adam will drink it,' Michael answered.

Trevor and I are so much alike, Michael thought. Why can't Max see that?

'The thing with Max…' Michael paused, not sure exactly what he wanted to say. 'Max is practically like my brother. It's just that, lately…' He shook his head. 'I don't know, since he went through his akino and joined the consciousness, he's been changing. Sometimes it's like he's not even Max anymore.'

'Yeah, that happens a lot,' Trevor answered. 'A lot of the beings come to the Kindred because they refused to join the consciousness. They didn't want to lose their sense of self. You know, their identity.'

'Isn't that basically the same as committing suicide?' Michael asked.

'You mean because you'll die if you go through your akino without making the connection?' Trevor asked. He handed the canteen to Michael, and Michael shoved it back in the hole. 'That's bull,' Trevor continued, his voice rough with anger. 'That's what the consciousness wants you to think, but it's complete bull.'

'No way,' Michael said. 'I saw Max during his akino. He really almost died.' Michael still had nightmares where he was forced to attend Max's funeral again and again.

'Do I look alive to you?' Trevor asked.

'Yeah, but-' Michael stared at Trevor. 'Are you saying you've already gone through your akino? '

'You got it,' Trevor answered.

'Is there any way to break the connection?' Michael demanded. 'Can Max?'

'The consciousness is too strong for an individual being to break free,' Trevor answered. 'And I get the feeling that Max is so far along that he wouldn't want to separate himself from the consciousness even if he could.'

'Maybe you're right,' Michael reluctantly admitted. He shoved himself to his feet. 'I've got to take off. I know it sounds stupid, but I don't want to leave Adam alone too long. Can you think of anything else you might need?'

Trevor shook his head and stood up, too. 'I've slept in much worse places, that's for sure.'

'I'll come by after school tomorrow with some more supplies, but I don't think you'll have to hole up here more than a few days,' Michael said.' I'm going to talk to Max and Alex and the others. I'm sure I'll be able to convince them you're not dangerous or anything.'

I don't know how, he added to himself. But I'm going to do it. I've got to.

Trevor looked doubtful, but he didn't say anything.

'So, uh, see you,' Michael said as he backed toward the mouth of the cave.

'Want me to heal your hand before you go?' Trevor volunteered. 'Or do you want to keep walking around dripping blood?'

'I can do it myself,' Michael told him quickly.

If he and Trevor connected, Michael would be open to attack. Trevor could just grab a vein in his head and start squeezing.

But that wouldn't happen-because Trevor isn't a killer, Michael told himself. He strode forward and stretched his hand out to his brother.

'Actually, it would be easier if you did it for me.'

NINE

Liz felt fingers brushing her hair away from her face. I have to tell Adam to stop, she thought. But it felt so good. I'll pretend I'm still asleep, she decided. Just for a few minutes more.

'What are you doing here, Liz?' a voice asked. Not Adam's voice. Max's voice.