X5 by Diana Stager
Blurb:
Being a socially
awkward geek with anger management issues has made Travis Armstrong an outcast,
but on top of that, he has visions of the future. Not that he can tell anyone,
except in an anonymous online forum. When he takes a chance and meets with
another group member, he winds up at The Bunker, where everyone is like him,
and where, finally, he feels like he belongs.
Tara Gage has been at The Bunker since she was thirteen
years old. Even among the residents there, she’s unique, and her special
talents lead her to discover that The Bunker is not the safe haven it seems to
be. She’s determined to escape and get back to her family.
When they each have visions of the other’s death, Travis and
Tara know they have to run. With their captors desperate to get them back, they
must rely on each other to get away before their visions become reality.
My foot jiggled in
time to the song running through my head as I waited for my turn at the
polygraphs. Travis was nowhere to be seen, and I was glad of that. Or that's
what I told myself whenever I became aware of my disappointment at not seeing
him. He drove me crazy, and really didn't seem at all exceptional, but a
growing part of me didn't care about that, and just longed to be near him.
Disgusted with myself, I tried to think of something else.
My thoughts were
cut short when Travis and Mike entered the hallway, both looking upset about
something. Their friendship puzzled me. I know Mike was trying to prod Travis
into being more of a leader than a loner, but as far as I was concerned, it
wasn't working. He was too introverted, too willing to follow along with what
the rest of us were doing, or else go off by himself. Both of them sent anxious
glances my way, setting me on edge, and just as I stood to go talk to them, the
attendant called my name. Casting a last look their way, I turned and entered
the polygraph room.
I tried to get
through it as quickly as I could so I could find out why Mike had looked so
worried. Of course, because I was in a hurry, things took twice as long as
normal, and every second wasted irritated the crap out of me. By the time I
returned to the hall, Mike was nowhere to be seen, and Travis was pacing back
and forth. It seemed I had no choice but to talk to him.
Taking huge
strides, I made it to Travis's side quickly and tapped him on the shoulder.
When he turned, I hesitated for just a moment when my eyes locked with his, my
stomach fluttering. Pull it together,
Tara! I took a breath and then said, "What's up with Mike?"
Travis's eyes
darted around and he turned to look over each shoulder before giving me a weird
look. "Not much," he said finally, though he seemed to be trying to
communicate something with his eyes. I frowned, and watched as his eyes
widened, then darted to the side, his eyebrows lifting and then drawing
together. What the hell? I shrugged
and shook my head. Whatever he was trying to tell me wasn't coming across at
all. He sighed and opened his mouth to say something else when something behind
me caught his attention.
Turning, I saw a
couple of armed security guards rushing into the polygraph room Mike had gone
in. Remembering Cam, a band tightened around my stomach as my heart began to
pound. Security only came to the polygraph rooms for one reason, and my fears
were confirmed a moment later when they exited, holding Mike in between them.
"Mike!"
I screamed, leaping forward to try to get to him. They couldn't be taking him
away! What had he seen? My efforts to reach his side were blocked when Travis
grabbed me from behind and wrapped his long arms around me. "Travis, let
me go! Let me go!" I struggled against his grip, but it was like iron and
I was getting nowhere. Lifting one foot, I kicked backward and connected with
his shin. I heard him swear, but he didn't loosen his hold on me.
"Tara,
stop," he whispered in my ear. "He knew this was going to
happen."
I ignored him and
screamed after Mike again. The security team nearly had him to the entrance to
the administrative section of The Bunker. "No!" I yelled. "No,
you can't take him! Mike!"
His eyes were full
of pain when he turned to look at me one last time. I saw his mouth form the
words, "I love you." And then the door slammed closed behind him. Hot
tears streamed down my cheeks, my heart ached, and though my throat was raw and
sore, I couldn't stop screaming. Travis wouldn't let me go no matter how hard I
pulled against him. My squirming and wiggling wasn't doing any good, but I
couldn't stop. The rational part of my brain knew that Mike was gone and
nothing I did would help, but at the same time if I didn't try, I'd be giving
up.
Suddenly I felt a sharp pain in my arm and
when I turned my head, I saw one of the infirmary staff standing with a syringe
in her hand. I tried to say something to her, but the edges of my vision were
going fuzzy, and then everything went dark.
Author Bio
Diana Stager never met a book she didn’t like. An avid
reader from a very early age, she discovered she loved writing her own stories
down. She dreamed of being able to write a book, but more sensible ambitions
shoved that dream onto the back burner. Over the years, she dabbled with the
written word, but always had difficulty finding the right story. Then, one day
the light bulb went on, an idea was born, and the rest is history (so cliché
but so true).
Diana lives in Cambridge, Ontario in a house full of books.
In the space that’s left, are her husband of 13 years, two children, and a cat,
all of whom are adorable. She used to have a creepy fish, but sadly, he now
swims in the big tank in the sky. She’s an elementary school teacher, who loves
music and art.
My family is what keeps my heart beating, and my world a
happy place to be.
