“Or maybe the difference is Ella,” says Six. “Maybe Setrákus Ra has been focusing on her because he knew it would make her psychic powers go haywire.”

I look over at Five. “And you think this prism thing from your Chest can help?”

He shrugs in response. “I’m not even sure what it does exactly, only that it helped me. Going after it seems more productive than sitting around here.”

Nine claps his hands. “I’m with Five. Let’s get the hell out of here.”

Marina has been quiet since initially arguing against the Everglades. Now Six reaches over and puts a hand on her arm. “Are you all right with this?” she asks.

Marina nods slowly. “If you believe this is the best way to help them, then I’m with you.”

I head down to the parking garage to see the Garde off. Sarah won’t be budged from John’s side and my dad has gone back to check on the Mogadorian translator. I’m holding a folder full of documents that John had me prepare using Sandor’s computer—fake driver’s licenses for each of the Garde, some paperwork documenting a phony school trip, the itinerary of their direct flight from Chicago to Orlando. They should be able to travel undetected.

I fish John’s documents out of the file and stick them in my pocket. “Guess you won’t need these,” I say, handing the rest over to Six. I hold on to the file a second too long and Six ends up having to tug it loose from my hand. “Sorry. Just nervous about this.”

“It’s the right move, Sam. It’ll be okay.”

Nine pats me on the shoulder and goes off to pick out a car to drive to the airport. Five follows him, not bothering with a good-bye. To my surprise, Marina wraps me in a hug.

“Take care of them, okay?” she says.

“Of course,” I reply, trying to sound reassuring. “They’ll be fine. You guys just hurry back.”

Eight nods to me and then he and Marina follow after Nine. That leaves just Six and me. She’s making a show of thumbing through the documents I handed her, but I can tell she’s lingering because she wants to say something.

“Everything’s there,” I tell her.

“I know. Just double-checking,” she replies, looking up at me. “We should be back by tomorrow night at the latest.”

“Be careful,” I say.

“Thanks,” she says, touching me on the arm.