The Phoenix Project

by M. R. Pritchard

  “It’s ok, Andie,” He whispers in my ear.

  I decide I can’t take it any longer, worrying about Ian, feeling guilty. I throw my arms around Adam and bury my face in his neck. His arms wrap around my back sliding gently over my stitches. We stay like this for a long time. I try not to think about everything. I tell myself that he has been through so much too. We were thrown into this situation together and that must mean something. It has to mean something.

  We stay together on the couch until the early morning light colors the sky. Then Adam is leaving to get ready for work and I head upstairs to wake Lina and get ready for the day.

  --

  The next few days pass by in a blur. I spend a day re-packing everything we brought to the townhouse. Ms. Black shows up each morning to work with Lina on her schooling. One day she shows up with two paper coffee cups in her hand, each with a familiar logo imprinted on them. She hands me one.

  “I heard a rumor that this is your favorite.”

  I smell the cup. It is unmistakable, Starbucks coffee. None of these people know me very well, so I wonder who she has been speaking to.

  “Sweet Jesus, how did you get this past the gates?”

  “I know some secrets.” She smiles at me. “And it’s my favorite too.”

  Ms. Black helps me carry a few things downstairs for the move. I work up enough courage to ask what her first name is. She laughs and responds “Blithe. Now you know why I don’t mind people calling me Ms. Black.”

  “Blithe Black,” I repeat her name slowly, “I like it. That was my great grandmother’s name, Blithe. It means happy you know?”

  “Yes well, look where I am now. A happy person would not volunteer to be part of this.”

  “Wait, you volunteered?” I ask her.

  “Yes. I was in Japan teaching at a private school for the children of U.S. Embassy personnel. Crane came to me, he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse, and here I am now.”

  Lina interrupts us, asking for a snack. I want to ask her more questions but now is not the time. “Well, Blithe, you work very well with Lina, and I just want to thank you for all you’ve taught her.” I leave her with that and head to the kitchen to make Lina a snack.

  Adam sends University Volker to help move everything to our new living quarters in the Chemistry Hall. One of the guards delivers a message that Adam couldn’t help since he was busy organizing Volker assignments for the entire District. Now that Baillie is gone, Adam has taken over most of his responsibilities, at the suggestion of Crane. It’s the first time a Volker has spoken to me. Usually they just stand nearby, watching. I look over the guard while he speaks. He’s young, almost too young in my mind. Freckles stretch across the bridge of his nose. He bows slightly when he addresses me and when he is done. Then he returns to his post outside the townhouse.

  On the last trip to move our things, Lina, Stevie and I ride with the guard who has been parked outside of the house the past few days. He escorts us to the fourth floor of the building. I notice security cameras outside the building, pointing into the laboratory area, and the elevator. I have the uneasy feeling that this building has been enhanced only to more easily monitor us, under the guise of protection.

  When the elevator doors open I am in awe. Beyond a set of large glass doors, the fourth level of the building has been transformed to a large open loft with hardwood floors, freshly painted white walls, granite countertops and top of the line appliances. There are floor to ceiling windows everywhere, giving a view of most of the campus and the lake. And there is so much natural light it could be mistaken for being outdoors. Lina runs excitedly in the open space opening all the doors. Some lead to closets, a pantry, a bathroom and bedrooms on each side of the living room. There are even glass doors leading to an open courtyard on the roof of the third floor.

  “Mom I found my room,” Lina tells me excitedly. “And it’s my favorite color, pink.” She pulls my hand, leading me into the bedroom on the right, which is filled with shelves of books and toys. There is a large canopy bed and fuzzy plush carpet on the floor. The room is tastefully decorated with various shades of pink and white. Stevie runs into the room behind us and jumps onto Lina’s new bed, barking a few times as though she’s telling us she approves of the room too.

  I leave Lina to play and unpack her things while I wander to the other bedroom. I am equally pleased with my bedroom. There is a large king size bed, a desk, the room is decorated with neutral earth tones and, again, large windows overlooking the forest to the west of the campus.

  I turn around as I hear someone enter the room behind me.

  “I take it you are pleased with the accommodations?” To my surprise Crane is standing in the bedroom behind me. Again in a black suit, this time a bright orange tie to match his hair.

  “It’s very nice. But it’s too much. We don’t need all this we were perfectly fine at the townhouse.” I walk towards the door trying to escape the room. I don’t want to be alone in this bedroom with Crane. He steps in front of me, blocking my path.

  “Ah, but you were not so safe there. Look what happened. You will find it much different here, there will be guards, alarms, cameras. Everything you need to feel out of harm's way.” He smiles with a smug, satisfied look.

  “Like I’ve said before, Burton, it feels like you are trying to keep me prisoner.” I have never called him by his first name before, but I try and spit it out arrogantly, with a hint of a soft tone, just like he does when he calls me Andromeda.

  “On the contrary, as I know I’ve told you before, this is all for your safety.” He pauses for a moment, staring at me. “I think one full day is enough for you to get settled. Prepare to get started in the laboratory and Catalina will start formal classes in the atrium.” He drops the tone of his voice, “Must I remind you that the Volker have been assigned for our protection. You may want to reassess your relationships. After all you are a District Sovereign, not some feeble minded Resident from one of our factions.” He gives me a stern look, as though I am a child who has done something wrong. Then Stevie is behind him, growling. “I will contact you shortly.” And with that Crane turns on his heel and walks briskly out of the living quarters.

  His warning about the Volker is unsettling. There is only one person he could be hinting at, Adam.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  The next morning Lina and I wake early. I barely slept, due to a barrage of strange noises and bad dreams. Each time I closed my eyes Ian was there, accusing me. More than once I woke with tears fresh on my face and heaviness in my chest, from the guilt of leaving Ian behind.

  We get ready for the day and walk down to the atrium. Ms. Black is waiting for us.

  “Catalina, welcome to your new classroom.” She greets us both. “Congratulations on your first day in the lab.” She turns around and takes a cup off the table behind her, placing it in my hand. “Enjoy.”

  I bring the cup to my nose and smell it. Starbucks.

  “I don’t know how you keep getting this, but you’re going to have to stop, before I come to expect it.” I take a sip of the fragrant, hot coffee.

  I look around and inspect the makeshift classroom. A chalkboard has been attached to the wall, the syllabus for the day is already written neatly on it. I kiss and hug Lina and point to the lab, showing her where I will be for the day.

  I walk to the glass doors, standing in front of them, watching the lab staff inside. They’re already busy running samples from all the residents. There is barely a noise when I open the door to enter, the rubber soles of my sandals quieting my footsteps. A short woman greets me as I enter. She is just a bit shorter than I am, barely reaching five feet, with almond eyes. Her hair is long and dark. She’s dressed professionally with a white lab coat.

  “Hello. My name is Kira, you must be Andromeda?” She holds her hand out.

  “Please, call me Andie, when I hear Andromeda it feels like I am about to get in trouble.” I give her a smile and shake her hand.

  “
Ok, Andie, as you can see your lab is already analyzing samples. We have begun separating the resident’s genetic data from the samples that were taken, elongating the DNA sequences with PCR and running them on gels. It’s all quite straightforward. As you know. I’ve read all of your papers. I have everyone repeating the methods you published. Soon we will have data for you to analyze. If you’d like, I can introduce you to the staff.”

  “That sounds good, Kira.”

  She walks me through the lab, which I find more impressive when I get a closer look at all the supplies lining the countertops. Expensive reagents, top of the line micropipettes and PCR tubes. Crane spent a lot of money, but it will be worth it. The best materials will help us turn out the best results. As long as I can remember what I have to do.

  There are three other people working in the lab, two men and a woman, Kira introduces me. They have strong Japanese accents and it’s hard for me to make out what they’re saying. I do a lot of smiling and nodding, trying to make it look like I am involved in the small conversations. Eventually I give up and tell Kira I want to get the computer on my desk organized for the data.

  I sit down and adjust the office chair so I can reach the desktop comfortably. I search the desktop computer for the power button so I can turn it on. After a few minutes of searching I notice the computer screen in the middle is thicker that the other two. There are multiple USB ports lining the side of the monitor which must mean all of the computers innards are housed on the back of the middle monitor. I push the power button and wait for everything to turn on.

  I pretend to organize the computer, mostly I move the icons around on the screens and try to get used to having three monitors.

  I take a break to have lunch with Lina and Ms. Black. Then I return to my desk. I’m anxious knowing that my work will ensure our safety with Crane. The human genome contains at least thirty thousand genes. Thankfully the government has identified many of those genes. But Crane wants me to dig deeper into the genome, to look for biological pathways which haven’t been highly researched. Since I haven’t been in a lab in over four years, I decide to review my old journal articles and prepare myself for the deluge of data I am about to receive. I search the computer for electronic copies and find an icon on the monitor screen in the shape of a book. When I click on it I see that Crane has made all the latest published research available. Of the few things I know about computers this also means that he has secured an internet access communications line to the outside world.

  We can communicate to the outside world. I just have to figure out how.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  After four nights of nightmares, of seeing Ian in my sleep, throwing his wedding band through the front window of our house I decide I can’t take it anymore. I have to see Ian with my own eyes. I have to see if I made the right decision, by choosing Lina over him.

  “I need you to watch Lina,” I whisper to Ms. Black after lunch.

  “Why?” She asks looking at me skeptically.

  “I need to do something. It’s important. I’ll be quick. I know you’ll keep her safe. Please.” I mouth to her.

  “You had better hurry. School is over in less than two hours.” She gives me a warning look. Then I am off.

  Most people don’t know that there is a tunnel in the basement of this building. I remember it from when I went to college here. It was reserved for those blustery cold days when walking across the icy wind blown campus was unbearable. I use the elevator to get to the basement level and walk down the main hallway. There are no security cameras here. I see the familiar old wooden door with a desk pushed in front of it. I push the desk out of the way and pull open the heavy door. I flick the light switch on the wall. Bright fluorescent lights illuminate a long windowless hallway that leads to the biology building. I run down the hall and yank the door open at the other end, thankfully it’s unlocked. There are two doors, one leading into the lower level of the biology building and one leading outside. Since I know they have been using the biology building for testing the residents and classes for the younger residents, I push hard on the door leading to the outdoors. The fresh air and sunlight wrap around me as I leave the cold underground tunnel, for the first time in a long time I have some tiny sense of freedom. But I know it won’t last long, because I have to come back here, for my daughter.

  I run across the campus parking lot to the nearby street. My old house is not too far from here, maybe a thirty minute walk. I walk fast keeping my head down. No one looks at me. Not even the Volker passing by in black SUVs, or any of the residents working outside, sweeping the streets and sidewalks.

  By the time I make it to the bridge my heart is thumping hard in my chest. I’m halfway to my old house now and I know Crane will make me pay dearly for this if he finds out.

  Today it’s hot outside and a thick line of sweat trickles down the middle of my back. I walk faster, being just five or six blocks away now and the anticipation is growing, tingling in my arms and legs, it is all I can do not to break into a sprint. I keep walking, moving over to a side street where I will be less noticeable. It’s not long before I can see the house. My house, with the plants still flowering in front of the porch, the flag is gone, but it’s still my house. I pause for a moment before walking up onto the porch. The house looks empty. Even though it’s only been a few weeks, it seems like forever since I’ve been here last. I step up on the porch and reaching for the door I inhale deeply and turn the door handle. It’s unlocked.

  The house is immaculate. It still has the familiar smell of lavender, the smell of home. But it looks bare with all of Lina’s toys gone. All of our family pictures have been taken down from the walls. I head to the office, to the filing cabinet drawer where I keep all of my old files from the research lab I worked in. The drawer squeaks loudly when I pull it open. Thankfully all my old files are there along with the memory card I was looking for. I grab the small memory card that’s attached to a black lanyard and place it over my neck. This has all the data I analyzed, my old files, calculations, and spreadsheets. This is my back up plan if I get caught.

  “What are you doing in here?” asks a familiar voice.

  When I turn around Ian is standing in the doorway. He looks thinner and his blonde hair is cut shorter making it look dark. I stop myself from running at him and throwing my arms around him. I remember all too well what happened last time I did.

  “Who are you? What are you doing?” He asks, looking confused.

  “It’s me, Andie. Don’t you remember me?”

  Ian stares blankly at me. He has no idea who I am. “Am I supposed to know you?” he asks flatly.

  “It’s me, your wife. Don’t you remember me?” I plead with him.

  “I don’t have a wife.”

  He is not accusing me, holding me accountable for my actions, for abandoning him and for not saving him too. This is not the Ian from my dream.

  I hear the front door open and bang against the wall.

  “Andie!” It’s a voice I recognize immediately. Adam. I brush past the confused and slightly irritated Ian.

  “Adam. What are you doing here? How did you know-”

  “Stop,” He interrupts me sternly. He’s angry, like I’ve never seen him before. “Let’s go.”

  “What is going on here? What do you two think you are doing in my house?”

  Ian has followed me into the living room. “Who are you people,” he asks. His voice getting louder, he’s starting to get annoyed.

  Adam interrupts him holding the palm of his hand up in front of Ian’s face. “Remain calm, Ian. This was a mistake. Remain calm, Ian. Remain calm.”

  Ian stops and cocks his head to the side. His expression changes slowly and he becomes more relaxed.

  “Remain calm,” Ian repeats to himself, pondering the phrase in his head.

  Adam backs up and takes my hand, pulling me out of the house, closing the door behind him and bringing me to a waiting SUV.

  “How did you kno
w where I was, Adam?” I get the feeling Crane is keeping a closer watch on me than I originally thought.

  “Let’s just say I had a feeling.” He throws the vehicle into gear and speeds off. “Do you know what Crane would have done if he had found out you went there?” I can tell Adam is angry with me. He drives fast through the town streets, ignoring every stop sign and traffic light.

  “I don’t care.” I cross my arms over my chest. “I had to get some files.”

  Adam stares me down from the driver’s seat, he doesn’t slow the vehicle. “You’re lying. You went to see Ian.” My cheeks start to flush with embarrassment. After all Adam has done for me and I lie to him. Here I am, still afraid to trust him. “I’m sure Crane hasn’t instructed you on how to deal with the residents yet? You can’t just force yourself on them. Drop in and say hello. They have to be prepared, even the smallest glitch in their day can set them off. You have to make sure they stay calm, we can’t risk an uprising.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t know-” I start but Adam interrupts me.

  “That’s right you don’t know. Crane has you secluded in this little bubble. He doesn’t tell you things.” I start to wonder if Adam is talking about more than just dealing with the residents. “I’m not Crane, but I also don’t want to find your bloodied body on the side of the road, again.” His voice lowers and the angered look on his face softens. “We’ve played that game already. I’m sure you remember quite clearly because I do.”

  We’re back on campus now and Adam slows down. He parks behind the chemistry building, throwing the SUV into park before it has come to a complete stop. The force of the suddenly stopping vehicle throws me forward; Adam throws his arm in front of me, stopping me from hitting the dash.