And then it hits me.

“They need three people,” I say, more to myself than to anyone else.

“What?” Kina asks.

“They need three; that’s why they didn’t kill all of us. When I got Malachai out of the Arc, and Woods killed himself, we took away two of their test subjects. Tyco has volunteered himself, but they need two more.”

“Are you saying they’re not here to kill us?” Pod asks. “They’re here to capture us?”

“Maybe just two of us,” I say, “but maybe we could make a deal? They take two of us and let the rest go?”

“I volunteer,” Pander says.

“Me too,” Kina replies.

“And me,” Pod adds.

“I volunteer,” says Igby.

“You’re all amazing,” I say, genuinely proud of the bravery of my friends, “but let me get out there first, okay? Let me make a deal with Happy to make sure they take only two of us and let the rest go.”

I look to Igby, who walks over to the spin handle. “Go quickly,” he says. “Once the door opens, a lot of water is going to get in.”

I nod, and get ready to run as he opens the circular door.

It opens. Water immediately spills in so fast that I can’t even push against the current, but finally the flow slows, and I dive through into the corridor, feeling the ripple of the door slamming shut in the water. There’s only a yard or so left between the water and the ceiling.

I swim to the wooden staircase and climb up. I push hard against the trapdoor, having to fight against the weight of the pouring water to throw it over, but finally I climb into the library.

The drones still hover at the dome window, seeming to watch me as I cross the library. The soldiers wait by the bathroom door, their guns trained on me. I walk to Tyco, who still stands at the doorway, unbothered by the rain.

“Luka, Luka, Luka,” he says, grinning, “didn’t I tell you I’d be the death of you?”

“You did,” I agree, “many times, but I think you and I both know it will be Happy that gets the last laugh.”

“As long as I get to see you die, I don’t care.”

I decide to move the conversation on, not wanting to waste time. “Happy needs two of us, right?”

“Wrong. Happy wants you, and you alone. The rest don’t matter.”

“I thought they needed three for their experiments?”

“They do,” Tyco tells me, “but they already have two, and you will make three.”

“Who’s the other?” I ask.

“That’s not your concern.”

“Fine,” I say, “then I’ll come with you. I won’t fight, I won’t try to escape, I won’t try to trick you. I’ll come quietly, but you have to let the rest of them go.”