13 Chapter 13

I kind of want to help, but before I can say anything, Thomas steps in. "Woah, woah, woah. You seriously think that we're going to just bend over backwards for you to destroy our own town?"

The adults in front of us exchange glances. "Yes, as a matter of fact, we do," Madison says sharply. "We would think that you two, of all people, would want to put an end to this more than anyone. You've seen what they do to innocent children."

I interrupt before Thomas can. "So what exactly would we do?"

"We need you to get back into Hawthorne, convince them that everything's normal. Go back to your homes, go to school, follow the routine. I was one of the scientists working on the experiment in the beginning, but I quit when I realized that I was aiding them in creating disasters. Before I quit, however, I left one of these in the floor of your house," Madison continues, gesturing at me and holding out a small metal marble.

"You expect an entire city to blow up because of that?" Thomas sneers. "I thought you were an actual scientist."

"Idiot," Madison shoots back. "This is the most powerful bomb in the world; made to destroy entire cities. We've been working on developing this for years. The only thing that will make it explode is arsine, a chemical that affects the lungs. Your job, Quinn, is to simply go into your kitchen and open this," she directs, handing me a tall, clear canister. "It contains arsine, which will set off the bomb and destroy the city and everyone in it. Thomas, you'll stay here. While we have a theory on why you two are immune to their testing, we need to prove it correct. You're the perfect candidate."

"You mean I have to kill hundreds of innocent people?" I ask. "Sure, the adults aren't that great, but what about all the kids? What about my friends? Can't you evacuate them here before the bomb gets set off?"

"Sacrifices must be made," Celia cuts in. "I'm so sorry, but this is for the greater good."

This is when Thomas blows up, "I am not sitting here while you let Quinn sacrifice her life! There's got to be another way; I'm not letting you do this. We're going to stay here. You're going to evacuate all the kids, and find a way to destroy Hawthorne yourselves because we aren't going to kill ourselves to help you!"