Michael didn’t know what to think of that news. Was it good or bad?

“Then who is it?” he asked. “Who’s in charge?”

“I’d rather not say,” Janey replied, “but I believe she’s a friend of yours.”

Weber, Michael thought immediately. It had to be. What in the world was going on?

Helga had finally had enough. She grabbed Janey by the shoulders and forcefully turned her around, motioning for Walter to open the door. “Time for you to go now,” she announced.

Janey wrenched free of Helga’s grip and faced Michael.

“You’re right,” she said. “There’s been more than enough talk for one day. No more. So here’s the deal: we’ll give you one hour to make your decision. It’s your choice, Michael. Either you leave this place and join us, or you—all of you—will face the consequences. It’s like the old saying—”

Helga grabbed Janey again, was pulling her away as she struggled to get out her last few words.

“—you’re either with us or against us!” she yelled.

Helga pushed the girl outside and Walter slammed the door.

2

Michael and the others gathered again at the circle of chairs, a heavy mood hanging over them. No one had spoken much, and Michael felt as confused as he ever had. At least before this girl had shown up, they’d clearly known who they were up against: Kaine. Although Michael put Agent Weber right up there with the Tangent.

“Obviously, she could be lying,” Bryson said. “For all we know, she’s some crazy inbred chick from the backwoods.”

“Oh, come on,” Sarah countered. “How would she have known all that stuff about Kaine and the First? She knew Michael’s name!”

Bryson nodded. “I know. Okay. A crazy inbred chick taken over by a Tangent, then.”

Sarah groaned; Michael wished she wouldn’t take out her frustration on Bryson all the time.

“Look,” Bryson said, “I’m just saying there’s absolutely no reason for us to trust a word that comes out of her mouth. Maybe she’s really Kaine and he’s messing with us, trying to make us chase our own tails.”

“Or,” Michael offered, “Weber’s doing it.”

Helga spoke up. “All that matters right now is figuring out the immediate threat. We might have a bunch of gun-toting children hiding in the woods out there, ready to make us their very own VirtGame.”

“Okay, so what do we do?” Michael asked.

“We need to know exactly what we’re up against,” Walter replied. He turned to the three closest people. “Chris, Amy, Richard, grab your weapons and let’s go have a look.”

As they prepped themselves, Michael stepped closer to Helga.

“I want to go with them,” he whispered to her.

She patted him on the head. Actually patted him on the head. “Nice try, Michael. No.”