Identity Zero novel · Chapter 26 of 32

Chapter 26: Graduation

Gideon was awake.

He was on his feet before Jesse had turned around, the mask in his fist, standing flat to the wall beside the door.

He held up one finger.

On the other side of the steel, Ollie laughed, too loud.

"Mine, Major. Both of them. I'm a growing boy."

"You're a liar, Nineteen. You've always been a bad one."

The door handle moved.

It stopped against the latch.

"Open it."

"It sticks, sir. It's the humidity. It's a drying room."

"Open it, or I shoot the lock."

There was a short silence.

Then a tray hit something soft, and Sallow roared, and boots ran.

Ollie's voice went away across the gravel, high and fast and delighted.

"Sorry! Sorry, Major! Reflex!"

Sallow went after him, swearing, and two more sets of boots went after Sallow.

Gideon let his breath out.

"That kid," he said.

"I know."

"He threw eggs at Curt Sallow."

"I know." Jesse's throat was tight. "Go. Find Luke. Before they come back for the door."

Gideon put his hand on Jesse's face once, hard.

Then he went out the yard door into the grey morning and was gone.

At 0900 the parade ground was full.

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