Red on Blonde

4: Wake up and Scream

I screamed when I woke up. I'd dreamed that Maggie was being stabbed to death – being slapped and whipped. And I was bound to a post, unable to help her. They kicked her off the edge of the Platform, and she hurtled limply down onto the pavement. I screamed, 'Maggie, no! Please, Maggie! No! I can't lose you! I love – 'Then that was when I woke up.

I hurriedly yanked up a pair of jeans and just threw a sweater over my PJ top.

I ran down the corridor to Maggie's room. Just as I had feared – Maggie was gone. And it was three o'clock in the morning – she couldn't be off fixing her plane. Then I remembered she'd told me she was going to test drive a new feature on her jet – last night. Oh no.

I looked around. Nobody. So sent a message to Zak's gameboy – it had an instant messaging update, - knowing he'd check it first thing in the morning. What'cha expect?

I didn't bother to slip into a suit, so I climbed on into my jet. I activated the metajets function, but didn't change into my protective e suit. That would waste time. I turned off my tracking program, knowing it would wake all hell. Well, Trey and Zak and the Captain.

I had no idea where Maggie was, so I closed my eyes and tried to picture where Black Cloud would take her.

Just then, I got a beep on my alert system. Ace, do you read? It was a message from Maggie's new (untested) GPS. She'd gotten it last week – never used it yet. It was so tiny she wore it behind her ear – and it was probably undetectable by the black cloud security firewalls.

I replied, Foxtrot. I read. Where is your location?

She answered Black cloud. To the southwest of your jet.

I had a sudden inspiration. I'll go stealth mode and drive in like the kamikaze.

Ace, be careful.

I will, Foxtrot, don't worry about me.

Uh, yeah. Sure.

How am I gonna bust you out of there?

I'll activate the tracking device on that new GPS, and I'll ask to go do my business in the bathroom. I had a glimpse of it before – pretty roomy. I'll climb out a heating vent and you pick me up. No one will kno – hey!

The screechy voice of Fly-girl took over. Well, well, well, what do we have here?

I'm having hallucinations, Maggie said.

Talking to yourself? Sneered Fly-girl.

No, I'm talking to that dancer over there in the corner.

Fly-girl laughed.

Ooh, oh, Maggie groaned realistically.

Huh? That was Fly-girl.

My stomach. Uahh. I'm going to puke…All over you! Uahh…she was doing a great job.

This way, you idiot, said Fl-girl. I hoped she was being led to the bathroom. Maggie continued her gagging.

What, you preg or something? Fly-girl said in disgust. I knew Maggie was seething – but she remained silent. Well, she just gagged more.