Isaac was running completely on hunches, now. On guesses. But a lot of small things over the last hour had built up inside him. Each one, left alone, would mean absolutely nothing. But put together, he had an overwhelming feeling that something special was about to happen. Maybe scary, maybe terrifying, maybe deadly. But something that was good. That was for them.

Trish and Sadina had sulked their way into the room and sat on their beds, resigned to the shackles. Isaac hurried to sit next to them. Feigning a hug, he pulled them close enough to whisper into their ears.

“We need to be locked up. Buckled in. It’ll be for our own good.”

“What’re you talking about?” Trish asked.

“Yeah,” added Sadina. “You’re acting weird, Isaac.”

“Trust me for once, guys. Listen to me. I think that Minho and a couple of his friends have a plan to get us out of these stupid Bergs. I was told to hold on really tight when it happened, and to . . . be ready.”

He probably deserved their looks of doubt, but he didn’t know what else to say.

“Let’s just see what happens,” he muttered. “Hope for the best. Just humor me and hold on tight to the restraints, okay? Promise me?”

That earned him smiles this time, and then Trish and Sadina leaned in from both sides and gave him a good wet kiss on each cheek. Because of course they did.

Orange had the duty of locking up the shackles and it all went smoothly. Clinks and clanks, rattles of metal links, the click of engaged locks. Soon the three of them were as comfortable on the small beds as you can be while strapped down with chains.

Orange held her hand out as if she wanted to shake Isaac’s hand. He obliged, although a little embarrassed at the awkward way he had to do it, the chain pinching his arm as he pulled to loosen some of the kinks. They finally grasped hands in a firm grip, and Isaac felt the cold press of metal against his palm. Orange let go, giving the object one last push with her index finger to make sure Isaac got it and knew he was supposed to get it.

“Try to steal a nap, guys,” she said as she walked toward the exit. “Life’s gonna be crazy pretty soon. Until then, don’t move.” She left and closed the door behind her.

Isaac looked down at what lay in his hand.

A very large key.