33 The Suspicions of Rockwell Riley

33 The Suspicions of Rockwell Riley The storeroom was empty. Rockwell figured that Peanut, Little-Bit and Doodle were long gone, due to the time difference between Chroma and the real world. In fact, he'd worked out that it must be the next morning in the Illustrated City, considering he had been in his bedroom for about twenty minutes. He assumed that his friends would be making their way down to the Rainbow Lake any minute now, along with the rest of the Resistance. The festivities were due to begin. Gingerly, he stepped into the corridor. Rockwell had decided that he would try his best to stay out of sight. After

all, if he was going to prove that 67 wasn't who they said they were, he would need to gather the evidence in secret to make his case. As he tiptoed past the control room, Rockwell heard voices up ahead. He froze. 'So, are we all ready to head down to the lake? The citizens are already starting to gather and it's all getting rather jolly. Millicent is holding the lift for us. It was Mr Markmaker. ' Oh, I think we can do better than the lift,' said another familiar voice. It was Peanut's. A pang of sadness hit Rockwell as he heard how cheerful Peanut sounded. She's obviously not at all upset about me leaving, he thought. After all,' she continued, 'a special ceremony like this deserves a special entrance. Then came the sound of footsteps getting louder. Rockwell realised that everybody was walking straight towards him. Quickly, he ran back and dived through the control-room door, closing it behind him. A few seconds later, he heard the excited crowd walk past. Peanut was saying something about paragliding, and, it seemed, was trying to talk her mother into jumping out of a window and floating down to the Rainbow Lake. Little-Bit and Leo were discussing a cake that evidently tasted of liver

and onions, and Gary and Mrs Markmaker, who the group had picked up at the lift, were talking about Mr White and Alan. 'I think 67 is right,' said Mrs M. 'If White and Alan are brought down to witness the refilling of the lake, they will see with their own eyes that they have failed, that the Resistance has prevailed, and that Chroma will continue to be a hub of creativity for the entire world. Personally, I think it's a great idea.' 'Well, if you're sure,' said Gary. 'I suppose it does make sense. Hmmm, that sounds a bit risky to me, thought Rockwell. Why would you take someone like Mr White

out of his cell when everybody has worked so hard to get him in it? As Gary and Mrs M's voices faded, they were replaced by a new one. Rockwell recognised its tinniness immediately. 'So, you understand what's going to happen?' said 67, quietly. 'You need to wait for the red signal. Until you see that, you need to keep playing along. 'Got it,' replied a deep voice, one that Rockwell recognised but couldn't quite place. 'The red signal. Nobody will suspect a thing, least of all Stone here. Look at him. It's pathetic really. 'Just make sure you're ready,' said 67. 'I can't wait,' said the man. 'Mainly cos these shackles are really hurting my wrists.' It's Alan, thought Rockwell. And right there, at that very moment, he knew that every single suspicion he'd had about 67 was justified. More importantly, he knew that Peanut, the entire Resistance and every citizen of Chroma was in serious danger.