Chapter 213: Chapter 213 - Bad Plan
Malcolm’s hand hit the table hard. "Try it," his eyes locked on Arnulf.
Arnulf didn’t step back this time. He held his ground and looked straight at him. "It’s a plan," he put his hands down. "And it works."
Marybeth moved in. "It’s a bad plan," she said, throwing her hands up. "Using her as bait won’t pull enough guards. You said it yourself, they’re posted on the borders, and they won’t all leave just to chase one person."
Iyisha drew a slow breath. She had almost agreed. Marybeth’s words settled in.
Arnulf’s gaze shifted to Marybeth. "I don’t need all of them to move," he said. "I need a gap."
Malcolm let out a short laugh. "You’re an idiot. There’ll be bloodshed whether you want it or not."
Arnulf’s jaw tightened. "I know that," he said, quieter now. "But I’m not throwing people away if I don’t have to."
A pause settled between them.
Then he exhaled and straightened slightly. "If you don’t want to use her, then we adjust," he said. "But don’t pretend that’s not a good plan."
"For you." Lance muttered.
"Wait," Aljun said, stepping forward. "You’re leaving Manhattan for good?"
Arnulf met his eyes. "Yes. There’s no coming back from this."
"Leave Manhattan?" Aljun repeated, his voice dropping.
Lance smacked the back of his head. "Not the time."
Iyisha leaned over the table and pointed at the map. "If we take this place and use it to get out, will it work?"
Arnulf looked down at the map. "We don’t know," he said. "We sent scouts. None came back."
He traced a line with his finger. "The Bronx wasn’t cleared, same as Brooklyn. We don’t know if they were taken by the infected or the ERF."
"So you’re guessing," Iyisha muttered.
"We’re working with what we have," Arnulf replied. "We tracked the subway this far before we lost them."
Iyisha followed the route with her finger. "If they’re using the 6 line, then it could lead to..." She paused, thinking. "Pelham Bay Park."
Arnulf nodded.
"If we go on foot across the Bronx, we won’t last," Arnulf said, letting out a short breath. "Most of us haven’t even left Manhattan. We’d be dead before we get halfway."
Marybeth gave a dry look. "You sure you’d survive long enough to get your family back?"
Arnulf smiled at that. "I like your optimism," he said, then glanced down at the map. "If I find them..." He paused and pressed his lips together. "We’re heading to my private island."
Aljun looked up. "Private Island. Can I join you?"
Arnulf grinned. "Sure. It’s a long trip, but the island has everything we need."
Aljun nodded, already sold.
The door opened and the young man who drove them in leaned inside. "Hey," he said, then looked at Arnulf. "We need you in the armory."
Arnulf nodded. "Alright. Thanks."
The door closed again.
Arnulf looked at them. "So, if you’re not taking the bait plan, what are you going to do?"
Malcolm looked at Iyisha.
She hesitated, then nodded once.
He exhaled and turned back. "We’ll join your group."
Arnulf let out a quiet breath. "Good," he said. "I could use the extra hands." He glanced around at them. "We have the same goal, so I guess this makes us allies."
Iyisha stepped forward slightly. "We want to be part of the planning."
Arnulf nodded. "We’re meeting tonight for final prep." He looked at them more closely, grinning. "For now, you need rest."
Iyisha shook her head. "No, I—"
"I insist," Arnulf cut in. "You’re all exhausted."
Marybeth crossed her arms. "How sure are we you won’t report us to the ERF?"
Arnulf let out a short laugh. "If I did that, I’d be putting myself in chains too," he said. "You’ve already seen this place, and it wouldn’t benefit us at all."
Iyisha nodded slowly.
"Come on," Arnulf said as he stepped out into the observation room. "Phillip."
The old man who had saved them earlier looked up and smiled, his teeth yellow under the bright lights.
"Can you take them upstairs after a meal?" Arnulf asked.
Phillip gave a thumbs up. "Sure."
Iyisha glanced around before stepping out, noticing how everyone in the room carried the same grave expression as they passed. The painting slid shut behind them, sealing the space like nothing had opened at all.
"Don’t worry," Phillip said as he led them down the hallway. "We’d know if they figured out where you are, and Cedric already disabled the cameras on your way in."
He glanced back at them. "The guy in pajamas earlier, that’s Cedric. He’s good."
Iyisha nodded, remembering him sitting in the corner with three laptops open in front of him.
"How long have you been running this group?" Malcolm asked.
Phillip pushed the door open into the living room and kept walking. "More than a year. Arnulf started it when he began looking for Cecille and Camille, his wife and five-year-old daughter, then he kept reaching out to others until it grew into this."
They moved into a dining room, and Phillip gestured to the table. "Sit." He went to the intercom and pressed it. "Meal for five," he said, then paused. "Make that six. I’m eating too."
"Copy," the voice answered.
Phillip sat beside Aljun and looked at Iyisha. "So, did you agree to be bait?"
"No," Iyisha said.
Phillip nodded. "We’ve been planning for a month, but some of us still don’t want to kill the guards."
Marybeth let out a short laugh. "Then you’ll die out there."
Phillip didn’t argue and rested his arms on the table. "Maybe," he said, "but these are our people, and I know some of those guards." He shook his head. "Killing them... it’s not that simple."
Marybeth leaned back. "You’re not ready for outside."
Phillip gave a small smile. "Maybe not, but I still need to go." He looked at the table for a second, then back at them. "I’m looking for my brother."
Iyisha studied him. "You’re sure he’s your brother?"
Phillip’s expression tightened. "He is, blood or not."
Iyisha nodded once. "Sorry," she said, then glanced at Malcolm before looking back at Phillip. "It just means something else is happening if you’re blood related."
She glanced at Malcolm, and he leaned slightly toward her. "They’re taking specific people," he said under his breath.
Iyisha nodded. "It connects. The lab. The cure."
Her chest tightened as the thought settled. Cena was part of it.
"Experimented on," she said quietly.
Phillip leaned forward. "Experimented?"
"We found evidence of—"
"Wait," Phillip cut in, raising a hand as he sat back. "Let’s talk about that tonight. I can’t..." He rubbed his mouth and shook his head slightly. "Janet was right..."
The door opened and food was brought in.
"Eat," Phillip said, nodding toward the table. "You’ll need it for tonight."
