I ran for a few miles until I had a cramp in my side and my lungs were burning. I slowed to a stop and put my hands on my knees while I panted for breath.

As much as I felt guilty for hurting Gabe, I had to remind myself that he tried to kill me. Well, he didn't want to, but he was going to.

I stood again and walked a few paces. The air around me was the classic crisp freshness of Maine, so I knew I couldn't be more then two hundred miles from the Institute. Unfortunately, if I tried to go there, they'd kill me, period.

Which meant Peter and Melanie were on their own. And I was the only one with a tracker disguised as a tooth.

"I'm sorry," I whispered to the trees around me. I had two options: forget all this and leave...or get back to Damien.

I glanced longingly toward the thicker part of the woods. With all my training, I could probably live off the land for years, maybe even the rest of my life. Just vanish from everyone, be completely alone with nothing but what I could scavenge and the clothes on my back.

With a sigh I put a hand into my mouth and felt for the fake tooth. I yanked it out and glared at it. Then I turned it over and flicked a switch.

Only thing to do now was wait.