Maelstrom

Telepaths, torture, mindwipes ... the Institute has it all, and uses each of their brainwashed children as weapons. Kidnapped and imprisoned, these telepathic children are stripped of their memoriesâof both their families and government-sponsored crimesâand forced to gather military intelligence. All but one. Epsilon 17 has learned to hide from the mindwipes, and keeps her memories, waiting for a chance at freedom. The Institute believes she's just another telepathic tool, empty of thought. They're wrong. She remembers, and she longs for escape. Above ground, Tobyâa privileged boy from the inner cityâfinds himself in danger, cornered in an alley by a gang. When they attack, he manages to access powers he never dreamt of. He is, to his surprise, telekinetic. A Psionic. But his defense signals the soldiers of the Institute, and Psionics who go into the Institute don't get out. Injured and panicked, Toby flees with a girl he's never seen before. A girl who promises safety. Unbeknownst to Toby and his savior, however, E17âthe Institute's finest Psionic hunterâhas been sent after him, and she's never lost a trail. Now, she is forced to track Toby, and those harboring him. They are ARC, a group of rebel Psionics fighting to bring down the government. They could be E17's only hope at freedom. But if she's caught helping them, she'll be killed. Or worseâpermanently erased. And without her protection, Toby will be lost to the Institute, never to be seen again. Will he escape? Will E17? Or will they both be discovered, taking ARCâand freedomâwith them?