H.A.L.F.: The Makers by Natalie Wright Page B

he’d let the guy’s future actions determine his final thought on the matter. “It’s okay, Mr. Sewell. I don’t hold the order to have us killed against you. Now Sturgis, on the other hand …”
    “Yes, well, I suggest you not bring this up with Anna.”
    “You don’t want me to burst the bubble of the person you’re counting on to break Sturgis free?” It left a bad taste in Jack’s mouth to say out loud that he had to help Sturgis.
    Sewell kept his eyes on the road.
    “You said for me not to tell Anna about her aunt’s plan to kill me. Does Anna know that her aunt is an evil mad scientist with a lab of freakish creations?”
    “Anna knows more than she should. But I think it would be difficult for her to accept that her aunt ordered three teenagers to be killed. I need Anna’s help – and yours. I’m hamstrung right now. The keystrokes on my computer are being logged, my phone tapped. If Croft knows I’m helping Commander Sturgis …”
    As much as Jack longed to see Sturgis pay for the hell she had brought down on Jack, Erika and Ian, he had to admit that Sewell could be right. From what he’d seen of the Croft guy and what Sewell had told him, it could be that Sturgis was the only one thinking about saving others rather than her own ass. I can’t forgive her for what she did. But if she was right about the greys … Erika, what did you step into?
    “Mr. Sewell, tell me this. How long am I supposed to stay with Anna? I’m guessing she’s not going to want a roommate indefinitely. And I’ve got to get home eventually. My mom … I’m sure she’s worried sick about me.”
    After a few minutes he said, “I’m very sorry for that inconvenience and worry to your family. You know you can’t go home just yet. I’m sorry.”
    “So I’m to lie low and be at your beck and call?”
    “I did get you out of A.H.D.N.A. And I told you that you wouldn’t be able to go home.”
    Sewell had gotten him out of the underground hell. But what was to keep him from walking out of Anna’s house later and never coming back?
    It was as though Sewell could read Jack’s mind. “And in case you’re thinking that you’ll go back home without holding up your end of the bargain, Ann will notify me if you run.”
    “And?”
    Sewell didn’t immediately answer, perhaps thinking of what he wanted to say. When he did speak, Sewell’s voice was quiet but firm. “I suggest you not press me on this and comply with our agreement.”
    Jack did not doubt the resolve in that statement. “Okay, I’m scratching your back. I’ll help this Anna retrieve the spawn of Satan from prison where she belongs. Will you do me a favor in return?”
    “I’m amenable to doing a favor, but before I can agree, I must know what it is.”
    “My mom. She’s got to be … Sewell, you gotta let her know that I’m alive.”
    “I can’t do that, Mr. Wilson.”
    “You’ve got to. Look, I can’t … it’s just my mom and me, you see. And if she thinks … Well, I can’t continue breathing oxygen while she thinks I’m dead. Or worse. You’ve gotta do this for me, Sewell.”
    Mr. Sewell kept his eyes on the road. He finally glanced over at Jack. “I’ll – I’ll see what I can do.”
    “Thanks. That’s all I’m asking. See what you can do.” Since Sewell was amenable to his first request, Jack pushed for more. “And one more thing. Erika and Ian. Any chance you have a way I can communicate with them?”
    “It’s not like we have a cosmic telephone to ring up the greys whenever we feel like it.”
    Sewell made it sound ridiculous. But if the greys could fly a spaceship through interstellar space, it seemed likely to Jack that they had a way of receiving messages. Jack decided not to argue with Sewell. “I know it’s not like a telephone, but –”
    “I’d love to help you talk to your friends. But even the Makers have their limits. I’m sorry.”
    It was worth a try. Jack would have to find some other way to reach