“I can’t stay in here,” he said, angrily brushing his hair as if she’d messed it up.

Helga pointed at him. “I didn’t risk the true death and break every moral law in the universe by stealing someone else’s body just to have you go out there and get killed by a demon child possessed by one of Kaine’s programs. No way. End of discussion.”

Michael changed tack and gently touched her arm, flashing big, sad eyes. “Helga, please.”

It was something he’d learned to do as a young boy when he wanted something, and it worked—further proof she was really his beloved Helga. Her expression softened.

“Michael, why?” she asked quietly.

“I need to do something. I’ll go crazy if I stay here waiting. And I really don’t think they’ll hurt me. Judging from how that Janey girl acted and how others have treated me, it’s like I’m a god to them. It could give us an advantage until we know more.” He paused, giving his nanny the saddest eyes he could muster. “Please let me go.”

Helga let out a frustrated sigh. “You’ve been stubborn since the day you were born.” They exchanged a look, and then they both laughed, a welcome change of pace. “I guess they programmed you that way!”

“Guess so.” Michael shrugged.

“Do you have any idea how to use a gun?” He opened his mouth to answer, but Helga held up a hand to stop him. “Never mind. Dumbest question I could ask a boy who’s conquered every game on the planet. Walter! Michael and I are heading out, too.”

“You know you’re not leaving us in here, right?” Sarah asked.

Michael looked at Helga, who rolled her eyes.

“Fine,” she said. “Grab a weapon and let’s get out of here. And no killing any children unless you absolutely have to! For a nanny, I sure am sick of kids.”

Michael couldn’t tell if she was joking.

3

Michael held a long, heavy rifle. It was the worst thing ever for slinking around in the woods. He figured Helga thought if she’d given him the semiautomatic handgun he had wanted, he’d just blast away at the first thing he saw. He was crouched behind the very car in which he’d driven to the abandoned barracks with Sarah’s parents. It was because of them that Sarah wasn’t there at his side. She’d argued relentlessly, but her mom finally quieted her by saying, “If you’ve ever loved me, then you will not go out there and risk your life again.”

It was impossible to argue with, and Michael was glad Helga didn’t use a similar line on him.