The Neptune Project Read Online Free PDF Page B

beloved boats.
    â€œOh, Cam,” I say, my voice breaking, “I’m so sorry.” There will be no escaping on the Sandpiper for him now. Even as we watch, another fishing boat bursts into flames. The smoke from the burning vessels twines like a massive black snake into the sky.
    â€œThey tell us people are starving inland, and then they do this,” Cam says, his hands clenched into fists.
    My eyes flood with tears. I can’t believe Cam’s going to lose his boat and I’m about to lose my dolphins. What if Cam and I don’t get sent inland to the same community? I couldn’t bear to lose him, too.
    I reach out for Mariah.
    :Are you all safe?:
    :yes. the big boat with motors came, and we swam beneath it. we hunt now down the coast. you are safe?:
    :I am.:
I don’t want to explain to her now about our having to leave. Surely there will be time for that later tonight.
    :your mother told us to stay near. be careful.:
    Gillian again.
:I’ll do my best.:
    Cam takes my arm. He’s staring down at the soldiers guarding the pier. “Come on, we’ve got to get you home,” he says, and almost drags me toward my cottage.
    â€œBut what about the Sandpiper ?” I protest even as I dash away my tears.
    â€œI don’t want to watch them burn her,” he says, his voice rough.
    No one stops us from reaching the cottage. My mother meets us at the door.
    â€œRobry, Nere, thank heavens you’re here.” She starts dragging back the table the instant I close the door behind us. Is she really going to let Robry and Cam find out about the lab?
    â€œWe don’t have much time,” she continues as she tugs the rug back. “You both need to head down to the lab right now. Cam, cover up this trapdoor with the rug and the table once we’re down the ladder. Keep an eye out for Lena and her family. Show them the way down to the lab if she comes, and tell her parents to hide the door. The soldiers will find the lab eventually, but I need to buy us all the time I can.”
    â€œI want to say good-bye to Nere before she goes,” Cam says. “You owe me that.”
    My mother pauses and meets Cam’s gaze before she starts down the ladder. “Very well,” she says after a long moment. “It’s going to be dangerous for everyone, but you can meet us at Tyler’s Cove an hour before sunrise tomorrow. Make sure no one else comes with you.”
    â€œAll right.” Cam nods slowly.
    â€œWhat is going on?” I’m almost screaming in frustration.
    â€œCome to the lab, and I’ll explain everything,” my mother says curtly, and then she disappears through the trapdoor.
    Robry, his expression anxious, follows her. I pause at the top of the ladder, feeling somehow that this is the start of a separation I’m not sure I can survive.
    â€œCam?” I can’t keep the fear from my voice.
    â€œI promise I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says, his face grim.
    â€œI’m so sorry about the Sandpiper .”
    â€œI know, but your staying alive is a hundred times more important to me than any boat. Now go.”
    I climb down the ladder. My gaze clings to his. As the heavy trapdoor swings downward, it cuts off my view of Cam and drops closed with an ominous thud.

“I WANT THE TRUTH , and I want it now. I’m sick of your secrets!” I shout at my mother the second I reach the bottom of the ladder.
    â€œYou’ll get the truth, but we don’t have time for dramatics. Roll up your sleeve. I need to give you a shot. Robry, you’re about to get one, too.”
    â€œWhy do I need a shot?” I ask.
    â€œTo keep you alive where you’re both going.” She grabs my sleeve and rolls it up to my elbow.
    â€œAren’t there better hospitals inland?”
    â€œYou’re not going inland. You’re going to meet your father.”
    â€œWhat? Are you crazy?” I snatch my arm away,