Eric looked at him. "What?"
"Look around us. Nothing is happening. No attacks, no tricks, no infected." Aaron glanced toward the empty passage behind them. "Nothing is guarding this place."
Eric's eyes moved across the quiet mine.
"If the hive mind is smart enough to make us attack each other," Aaron continued, "wouldn't the place where it's supposed to be hiding have more guards? More of those tricks meant to kill us?"
Eric's expression changed as the thought settled in.
"You're right," he murmured. "Team B is also nowhere to be found. You said Gideon is strong. He should have reached this place before us."
Aaron turned back toward the hole.
He did not know whether the white mass below was real or another illusion. The hive mind had already manipulated his memories, his senses, and his judgment. There was no reason to believe it would stop now.
Yet every instinct he had was telling him to leave.
The walkie-talkie at his waist suddenly crackled.
