Page 112 of A Million Suns (Across the Universe 2)

“Are you okay?” Amy says.

Why wouldn’t I be?

Doc. Holding something that looks like an orange cut in half. Mustard yellow.

“I’ll blow us all up,” Doc says. “If that’s what it takes. We have to protect the ship. Or I could just have Victria shoot you. Yes. We’ll do that. It would leave less of a mess. ”

“I . . . I don’t know how,” she says softly.

“It’s very easy, dear,” Doc says. “Just point and squeeze the trigger. At this distance, you won’t miss her. ”

His words mean something. I’m sure of it.

But . . . what?

Amy’s crying. Just one tear, on the edge of her right eye, but I notice it.

Can’t do anything.

Words float around me. Loud. Angry. Pleading.

“If he’s that much of a distraction,” Doc says, “maybe we should kill him now. ”

“Not Elder!” Amy shouts, pushing me behind her.

I feel gray.

Fuzzy.

“Elder!” Doc commands loudly. “Show me what’s in your pocket!”

I do.

Wires.

Pretty wires.

Red.

Yellow.

Black.

Wires.

“Put them back in the Phydus machine,” Doc

orders. “You know you want to. ”

I do.

I do want to.

I shuffle toward the Phydus machine.

Something stops me.

Something pulls me back.