Free Escape from Eden (Original Series book 2) by Rachel McClellan

side,” I say. “Near the front gates. That doesn’t sound too hard.”
    “But it will be. You have to have a special card to get into security. The guards that have them now live inside Enfield so it’s not like you can steal theirs without first getting inside, and then you would be going in blind because I know nothing about the guard's barracks.”
    “How special is this card?”
    She pauses briefly. “The most secure buildings in Enfield require one made with Ebony's DNA. You're going to need a hair or blood sample of hers.”
    Tank stops pacing and huffs. "That's about impossible, but let's say we actually do it. It still won't be enough to create a security badge. We're going to need an actual card to duplicate."
    "That's something I can't help with," Stella says.
    "With the amount of technology you have access to," Jerry tells Tank, "I'm sure you can figure it out."
    Tank nods his head as if thinking. "We need to get off this island. Tonight."
    “That’s not a good idea,” Jerry says. “Because of the weather, we haven’t had a chance to inspect the tunnel leading to the sub. Parts of it could be collapsed, and you do not want to be out there at night.”
    “Then at least let me use your communication system,” Tank insists. "Colt and the others don’t even know I’ve made it to the island. They probably think I’m still being held and tortured at the Institute.” He flinches at this last statement, making me wonder what exactly the Institute did to him.
    Jerry moans, blowing air between his thick lips. “You know I can’t do that. It would put the lives of everyone here at risk.”
    Max squeezes my hand, and I look at him reassuringly. Jerry would never do anything that might harm Originals.
    “Then I’m leaving tonight,” Tank says, his voice growing loud. “HOPE is finally in a position where we can hurt the Institute, and the more time I spend here could mean an Original’s life. I don’t know about you, Jerry, but that’s why I signed on to this rebellion, to save the human race. Not hole up on some remote island.”
    Jerry’s silence makes the room feel heavy. I’m holding my breath, waiting for his answer. We can’t do it without his help, just Tank and I.
    “There’s only a handful of us that can pilot the sub, and I won’t ask anyone else to risk their lives.” Jerry nods to himself as if he’s confirming his choice. “I’ll do it. I’ll ask for a few others to come, volunteers of course, and we’ll take you as soon as we’re ready.”
    And just like that the two begin making plans. Stella is standing closer to the fire as if she’s more interested in its heat than the men’s plans, but her head is tilted like she’s listening to every word. She stands still, so still that I can’t see the rise and fall of her chest as she breathes. I don’t think Jerry and Tank even realize she’s still here.
    Max turns to me, his expression hopeful and his mouth open as if he’s about to ask me something big. I’m already shaking my head, thinking he’s going to insist that he comes with us, but this isn’t what he says.
    “You have to save Mom,” he pleads. “And bring her back with Dad. I want to be a family again. Promise me.”
    I wrap my arms around him, but don’t say anything. How can I? I don’t even know if our mom’s still alive, and my father… his work takes precedent over us. He’s already proven that. Instead I say, “I’ll come back as soon as I can. I swear it.”
    He leans away from me. "I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to call you selfish."
    I take his hands in mine. "It's me that's sorry. It's been hard for me to get used to the new you. I miss the boy that needed me for everything, and I guess it's taking me a while to figure out my new role as just a regular big sister." I smile and squeeze his hands. "I'm so glad you're happy and thriving here, and I never would do anything to hurt you. I think that sometimes I get so focused on an idea