I Am the Mission by Allen Zadoff

Author:Allen Zadoff [ZADOFF, ALLEN]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: urn|ean|9780316199698
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 2014-05-31T16:00:00+00:00

“YOU GOT THE BIG INVITE,” FRANCISCO SAYS.

“It’s not like I’m the first,” I say.

We’re walking away from the main house together, heading toward an area where vehicles are parked.

“No,” he says, “but Moore sealed the compound last month. The fact that he let you in is a miracle.”

“Why did he close it down?”

“Safety precaution,” Francisco says simply.

I think about the dead soldier. Father said he got into the compound. Assuming he was discovered, could that have been the trigger for Moore sealing the compound from the real world? If so, why would he open it now to let me in?

We turn the corner, and I glance back toward the main house.

“You know, I’ve never been inside the main house. Not past the front hallway at least.”

“You’ll get there eventually,” he says. “It took me a while. Now I live there.”

“Is it nice?”

“Not nice,” he says. “But I’m close to Moore. That’s what’s important.”

At that moment I see Lee walking around the corner, heading for the main house.

“Lee!” I shout.

“I’ll grab the truck and meet you over there,” Francisco says, pointing to a paved area to the side of the building.

I nod, and he hurries away.

I look back at Lee. It’s obvious he’s seen me, but he keeps walking.

“Hold up a second,” I shout, jogging over to him.

He hesitates, then stops to wait for me.

“How are you doing?” I say.

He shrugs.

“Your dad asked me to stay for a while. I’m going home to get my stuff.”

“That’s great news.”

“He said he talked to you about last night. Whatever you said, it worked. I just wanted to tell you thanks.”

“No need,” Lee says. “I told him the truth. That’s all.”

“Right, but there are a lot of ways to tell the truth.”

“Not with my father. There’s only one.”

He looks at me, his face serious.

“Always tell him the truth, Daniel. He’s going to find out anyway. If you lie, it’s just going to be worse for you later.”

A horn beeps. A truck pulls up to the side of the building, Francisco in the driver’s seat.

“That’s my ride,” I say. “Maybe we’ll get to spend some time together when I get back.”

He nods, noncommittal. I want to leave him with a positive impression of me.

“Thanks for helping me get in here,” I say. “It means a lot to me. Really. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

He smiles, warming to me.

“Okay, okay,” he says. “I can’t take any more ass kissing.”

“Just one more thing,” I say. “Will you take me to the shooting range when I get back? That combat rifle scared the shit out of me.”

He laughs.

“See you when you get back,” he says.

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