‘Why’s that then?’ said Zak. He gave his voice some aggression of his own, but inside he was churning up.
‘You caused Security to get everyone’s PSI. That made it easy for the hijackers to take over.’
Zak was amazed to hear Ragboy believing his own lie.
‘Actually, if it hadn’t been for me,’ he said, ‘they would have taken over much more easily, and not lost any men.’
‘Yeah. How’s that?’ said Ragboy.
‘Because I alerted Security before the hijackers were ready.’
‘Strange that,’ said Ragboy. ‘You told me Herbet wouldn’t listen to you.’
Zak wondered where this was leading. He didn’t want to inadvertently reveal anything, so didn’t reply.
‘What’s under the bench Zakko?’ said Ragboy. ‘A fan?’
Zak gulped. The last thing he wanted was Ragboy interfering with his escape route.
‘No. I already checked, it’s just a bench,’ he said. But he feared that the nerves in his voice betrayed he was lying.
‘Can I have a look then?’ said Ragboy, staring Zak intensely in the eyes.
‘No. Get lost,’ said Zak.
The boys moved forward aggressively. Zak was struck by a fear greater than at any point so far on the journey. Not a fear of being attacked, but that in whatever melee ensued, his escape route would be discovered.
It was Dad who came to the rescue.
‘Now you boys leave my son alone,’ he said firmly, getting to his feet. ‘There’s nothing under there. If you come round here again I’ll call one of the guards. They won’t look kindly on any troublemakers.’
This intervention seemed to deter the boys. Zak noticed Romero staring at them, and that Ragboy had spotted this as well. The boys started to withdraw.
‘We’ll be watching you, to see if you disappear,’ muttered Ragboy. ‘Anyway, looks like your girlfriend’s back.’
