Aegis Incursion by S S Segran Page B

motel. “I wouldn’t suggest staying there. Weird stuff goes down inside—not particularly family-friendly. There’s a hotel a few blocks away where I’m staying. I’d recommend that one. Not too expensive either.”
    Jag nodded. “Thanks for the heads-up.”
    “Anytime. I could lead you guys there. Just follow my car.” The young man turned and started toward his vehicle.
    “Sure,” Jag called out after him, then shepherded the others into the Jeep.
    Inside, Mariah picked up the small glass container that had been tossed in and was about to chuck it out of the window when Aari intercepted her.
    “I’d like to have a look at it later,” he explained when she looked at him questioningly.
    Jag pulled out of the parking lot and followed the SUV down the road. They turned into a small but clean hotel a few minutes later and got out. As they stood in front of the building, sizing it up, Tony joined them. “Not too shabby, right?” he asked.
    Jag gave a half-smile. “Nope. Just hope there are a couple of rooms available . . . And thank you, by the way. We really appreciate your help.”
    “Hey, don’t even mention it. Come on, let’s get you checked in.”
    “Hold on, someone’s gotta make the call,” Mariah reminded her friends.
    They stared at her blankly. She raised an eyebrow. “We call one of our parents every night we check into a hotel, remember?”
    “Oh! Right, right. I’ll do it.” Kody took out his cell phone. “You guys go ahead, I’ll join you in a bit.”
    Once checked in, the five gathered their bags and headed up the elevator to the fifth floor where they found their rooms, which were right across from Tony’s.
    “Alright, I’ll be on my way now. I’m exhausted. Have a good night, guys.” Tony waved at the friends before entering his room.
    The friends smiled slightly and waved back, then Aari turned to Kody. “What exactly did you tell your parents when you called?”
    Kody wore a sheepish look. “That we’d arrived safely in Utah and just checked into a hotel. I opted out of telling them about the, ah, incident. I mean, just imagine how they’d react. On the first day of our road trip, we get attacked by some lunatic with a smoke grenade. Oh yeah, that’s just perfect. We’ll never be allowed to leave our rooms until we’re forty. And even then they’ll probably have us on a short leash.”
    The others exchanged uncertain looks, then Jag grunted. “Kody’s got a point. I’d hate to have our trip cut short within the first fourteen hours because of some nutcase. And you guys know that we need this.”
    “And Tony did deal with him,” Kody added. “We’re safe. No need to worry anyone.”
    “Yeah . . . alright.” Tegan heaved a sigh and opened the door to the room she and Mariah were sharing. “I’m really tired. Bedtime for me.”
    Mariah yawned. “And me. Good night, guys.”
    Jag smiled as the guys headed into their room as well. “Sleep tight, you two.”
    * * *
    It was half past three in the morning when Jag woke with an outcry. He threw the blanket off himself and stumbled into the bathroom. He slapped the wall, trying to find the light switch. The light came on, nearly blinding him, but he didn’t care and quickly turned on the tap to splash ice-cold water on his face. His undershirt became soaked but he didn’t notice as he stared himself in the mirror, eyes stretched wide.
    Aari and Kody poked their heads into the bathroom. “Hey, what’s the matter?” Aari slurred, looking confused and sleepy.
    “I—nothing. Nothing at all.”
    Kody snorted. “I’m not even going to tell you how lame that sounds. Come on, dude. Nightmare?”
    Jag continued to stare at himself for a while longer, then picked up a towel and dried his face and neck. He remained silent, which annoyed the other two.
    “Jag, we’ve been best friends all our lives,” Aari said. “If you can’t talk to us, then something is really wrong.”
    Jag glanced at them. “It was a