Samantha Sharp Chronicles 2

by C C Roth

  “Oh. What kind of trauma?”

  “I shouldn’t say, that would be a violation of her trust. She was in an abusive home and it’s something she’ll carry forever. I think this is how her mind makes sense of the trauma she suffered. It’s a way of forcing her to face it when she’s trying to push it aside.”

  “Oh, right.” I didn’t do empathy, so this wasn’t my time to shine but a part of me did feel bad for her.

  “We all process things differently in order to survive, Samantha. Don’t think for a moment that your defenses aren’t what’s keeping you alive too.”

  “What defenses?”

  He smiled and patted my arm. “I think you know. Now excuse me, it’s late. Back to bed for this old man.”

  I nodded and turned away, feeling exposed as if Mitchell could see my cold friend in a way no one else could. But I wasn’t suffering from any trauma, I wasn’t in pain, not like that girl Alexis was. That was real pain. A pain that tears you apart in the middle of the night until you wake up screaming. I didn’t know pain like that. Did I?

  Where do you think I came from?

  I shook my head, ignoring the internal taunt and went back to my room. Quickly, I brushed Navin’s arm with a delicate stroke of my finger as I passed, earning me a twinge of excitement at the thought of Mike freaking out. Navin did not share this excitement. His eyes widened as if to say “seriously?” and he turned to face the wall in his bed, intently ignoring my existence.

  Unable to sleep, my mind lingered on Mitchell’s words. I had always lived in fast forward. Mom was constantly pushing me to think before I did things, consider the outcome before I leapt. Just as Mike was pushing me now. I wasn’t built that way, or so I’d assumed, and anytime I tried to stop and process my life or my actions something would push me ahead as if it didn’t matter after all. Don’t pay any attention to those pesky feelings, Sam. Look, something shiny! I had no trauma in my childhood, I had no deep pain. I’d had a basic home and loving parents who did their best with their train wreck of a daughter. But no pain. And no sooner had I thought it when, as if on cue, I heard a gentle melody humming from within. It was the same soft, lullaby I’d heard as a child, then again at the cabin months ago when I was freaking out after the D.C. bombing. I felt immediately calm and terrified at the same time. I had always assumed it was my father who had sung to me as a child, to comfort me when I was scared. But I knew in that moment the source of comfort was as clear as the song itself. My cold friend was humming, soft and sweet and slow as one might sing to a baby.

  I told you. You’re never alone. I’m always here.

  The realization crept over me leaving goosebumps along my arms. It had always been with me. Even when I was little, I had this thing inside me. I wanted to be afraid, to run. But how do you run away from yourself? I suddenly wanted to shake Mike awake and tell him everything I’d been feeling, everything about my cold friend taking over. I wanted him to make it right. But the problem was I didn’t feel afraid, not like I should have. And I didn’t feel like abandoning that part of me. Not yet. I wanted to snuggle deeper into It’s grip and feel nothing. It had always been there for me after all, like some demented pseudo-mom keeping me together.

  Go to sleep, It cooed. And like a good little girl, I did.

  ────♦────

  Mitchell called us into his office where we’d first spoken only three days before. His jaw was clenched ever so slightly as he gestured for us to sit around his desk. Taking a stance of authority, he leaned on the desktop with his fingers spread. Karina slipped in behind us and closed the door, giving Mike a gross smile as she leaned on the wall trying to look sultry.

  “My brave combatants, it is time. Our man on the inside of Quantum has called and given us the date and time. We move in only two days, so it is imperative that we are prepared. We will work as a cohesive unit until you are on the other side of that fence upon which time Samantha, it will be your show.”

  I nodded. “So, who is this guy in Quantum? How is he someone you trust?”

  “Let’s just say he is someone else whose interests run parallel to my own for the moment. We can trust him, but he doesn’t want to be named any more than I want to be associated with this task.”

  “Fair enough. But what is she doing here?” I pointed to Karina.

  She rolled her eyes and huffed.

  “Karina is my most trusted ally. She is my family and you can be in no better hands. She and a few others of her choosing will escort you to a drop point and retrieve you as well. She is careful and thorough. Trust me, you want her there.”

  Mike silenced me with a glare, so I let it go.

  “Karina’s team will take you here,” he pointed to the large map on his desk and we all leaned over, “this is an access road behind the facility separated by a thick tree line. It is rarely used and will provide cover. You will wait here until our inside man signals the all-clear. When you see the signal, you’ll know the entry point through the fence will be unlocked. Once you are through the fence you will climb one flight of stairs on the exterior of the building. When you reach the second floor, you go in.”

  I looked at the guys quizzically, “That’s it? We just go in?”

  “The door will be unlocked,” he confirmed.

  “Hmm, okay,” I scowled.

  “What is it?”

  “Nothing, it just doesn’t sound all that difficult.”

  “Well don’t forget, young warrior, you also have to get back out. As well as go undetected.”

  I nodded and tried to focus on the layout of the building we were looking at.

  “There are four floors and the building is patrolled by armed guards. There are posts at the entrances to each sector of the building. Military housing is in the basement, the other three floors have been converted into the labs and offices. Our man will be waiting for you at this door here on the second floor. This is where our people are being held. The third and fourth floor shouldn’t be of any concern, so you have no reason to go there. Just get through the fence, get in and out. You’ll leave the same way you go in unless things become unsafe at which time, you will be on your own. Our man is willing to help only if it does not jeopardize his safety within his unit. He was very clear, he cannot be found out. Once you are outside, take everyone back to the vehicles where Karina and her people will be waiting, then head straight to the safe house.”

  “Why the safe house?” Luis asked.

  “Just a precaution. In case you’re followed.”

  “Or in case we step in a pile of Avian-X right?”

  “We do have a protocol to follow and you are walking into a building which we know houses the virus. I would be remiss to ignore that. I don’t want to risk the safety of everyone here by rushing things. Within 48 hours you’ll know if you’ve contracted the virus or not. But that won’t happen because you will be careful and not take foolish risks.” He said it as an order looking directly at me, like how Mom used to politely tell me that I was going to clean my room so I wouldn’t lose privileges.

  “Fine. The safe house it is. Anything else?”

  “We will be running a simulated op to ensure we are prepared.”

  “You keep saying we,” Mike said dryly, “but you’re not coming.”

  Mitchell didn’t flinch. “No, that would completely defeat the purpose. But we are a team, are we not? I wouldn’t want us moving forward if this group wasn’t a ‘we.’”

  Mike crossed his arms and widened his stance. “So we need to get past the security fence patrolled by armed guards, into the building patrolled by more armed guards, meet your man who is a stranger to us, and hope we don’t get caught before somehow miraculously getting back out. Sure, sounds simple.”

  Mitchell cleared his throat. “Perhaps I have been overly confident in your group, Samantha. I don’t think I’m hearing much loyalty within the ranks.”

  “No. We’re fine. We’re ready.” I shot Mike daggers. “If anyone wants to drop ou
t now is the time.”

  Mike was still annoyed, but he shook his head slightly. We were going to have it out soon, this couldn’t go on.

  “Good then. If we are on the same page we better load up and do a dry run before the day is over. You should make it there and back in a couple hours so I will expect you back soon. Karina, please show everyone to the supply room. Remember, Karina is in charge. Follow her lead. Good luck to you all.”

  Luis grabbed the map from Mitchell’s desk, and we followed Karina down to the basement. I hadn’t seen the mysterious supply room yet, so I was anxious to learn what treasures it held. We stopped in front of a wall covered with a giant tie-dye peace sign and exchanged confused looks. Then Karina pulled back the large tapestry to reveal a door.

  “Crap,” whispered Wyatt, “this must be where they keep their human livestock.”

  Navin and I laughed and shared a look at Wyatt’s expense.

  Karina stepped into the dark room then pulled a cord from the ceiling, illuminating the small space.

  “This is our stash for just in case. Mitchell likes to be prepared.”

  The room was maybe four by five feet and completely full of weapons. Long shelves ran along the walls and no space was spared. I still knew next to nothing about weaponry, even though I’d been toting Mom’s Remington around for months now, but this was impressive nevertheless.

  “Oh, shiny,” I said, running my hands over the different guns and strange looking devices I couldn’t even identify.

  “Holy crap, is that a grenade?” Wyatt asked with a pointed finger.

  There was in fact a cardboard box sitting on the floor that was full of roundish, metal balls.

  “Yes. Those are grenades,” Karina answered. “And no, you may not touch them. In fact, you may not touch anything without permission,” she glared at me.

  I rolled my eyes hard, but grinned politely in false compliance.

  “You all have your own guns so tell me what ammo you need. Each of you may also pick one extra weapon of your choosing. This is not free and nothing you take should be mistaken as a gift. Everything gets returned after the mission, except for the ammo of course. We will stock up before we leave today. This may be only a dry run but we should try to treat it like the real thing so any hang ups can be fixed before Friday. Step up and take a look. Let me know what you want.” She grabbed a clipboard off the wall and stood back so we could all browse.

  “This is bizarre,” said Navin.

  “This is nuts,” said Mike.

  “This is awesome,” I said, glowing. So many options and I had so many questions.

  Luis raised his hand, “What do we do if we don’t know what type of gun we have? I mean I know it’s a handgun, but I don’t know anything about it.”

  Karina’s face was unimpressed. “You had a Glock 9mm when I met you. You need the ammo in that blue box there. Take four clips for your pockets.”

  “I don’t have pockets,” said Wyatt. “Where do I put this stuff?”

  “You need a belt. Top shelf, second cardboard box from the right.” She made a note on her clipboard.

  My eyes focused on another small box with black cylinders in it. “What are these?” I asked as I held up one for inspection.

  “That’s a concussion grenade. We’ve never used them before.”

  “Me likey. I want two.”

  “You don’t need those. You need more ammo and a smaller, faster gun than that damn rifle you’re always lugging around.”

  “What’s wrong with my rifle?” I asked offended.

  “Oh nothing, just that it’s best for hunters and snipers. It’s not really a close-up kind of weapon.” She crossed her arms and jutted out a hip as if to say, “ha.”

  I wasn’t prone to showing off and honestly couldn’t have cared less about her opinion of me but the snideness dripping off her tongue gave me an itch. I threw my arm back and came barrel up to her nose so quickly no one even had time to jump. Her eyes grew a few inches, as she forced herself to stay cool.

  Points for not flinching.

  I grinned and did my best to sound annoying. “Nope. It works fine. I want the grenades.”

  “You’re joking.”

  “Nope. That’s what I want…and the ammo.”

  She shook her head and marked the clipboard. “Fine, whatever. But the grenades stay here for today. I don’t want you blowing us up on the way there and ruining everything.”

  “That’s valid,” I shrugged and grabbed a box of 7mm rounds.

  “Wait,” Wyatt chimed in, “If Sam is getting grenades shouldn’t we all get a grenade? I mean if the situation calls for it isn’t a grenade a much quicker solution to any circumstance we might get into? If you think about it—"

  “No one is taking grenades today. That’s final. Now grab what you’ve got and line up.” She walked in front of us, making sure we didn’t steal anything, and marked her clipboard with a final tally. “Okay, everyone out.” She locked up and we all marched upstairs to the locker hall.

  I grinned at Navin which made his serious face come out. “What did you do?” he whispered in my ear.

  “Nothing. Don’t be so suspicious.”

  “You stole a grenade, didn’t you?”

  “Maybe. But it was unrealistic of her to think I wouldn’t.”

  “You’re lucky you’re cute.” Navin froze and took a small step away from me as he noticed Mike giving us a look. “Why is he looking at me like that?”

  “Because you’re staring at him and you look guilty like you’ve been making out with his little sister. Relax.” I pinched his arm hard to distract him.

  “Ow, what the hell?”

  “Now you don’t look guilty. You look annoyed. You’re welcome.”

  Karina was used to giving orders and it showed. Working with Mitchell for so long had groomed her into a natural leader. “We leave in ten minutes. Do whatever you need to do and be back here ready to go. There is no stopping while we’re out there and you all better follow orders or else I’ll be the one who decides what to do with you, not Mitchell. I’m going to get the rest of the team.” She ran a hand along Mike’s chest as she walked past, obviously trying to gross me out. It worked.

  Ick.

  The rest of the team included two burly teenage dudes and the same warrior-esk girl who had robbed us at the supply truck several days ago. The tattoos trailing her skin were fascinating and it was hard not to stare. They started at her hairline, covered half her face and neck, then continued for what I assumed was the full length of her body. I wanted to pick up her arm so I could read them all, but she looked like someone who slept with a knife and one eye open, so I swallowed my impulse. My assumption proved to be not too far off. The nine of us sized each other up and made introductions. Their names were Sutton, Mark and the girl was Vie. They were friendly enough except for Vie who didn’t smile at all or bother to look directly at any of us.

  “Okay, we take two cars,” Karina said as she stood in front of the door. “The van and the truck. We drive, you ride and do what you’re told so we don’t die. Any problem with that?”

  We shook our heads in submission and headed outside to face the day. In the distance, we could hear a low rumble of thunder and the air was sweet and damp with the spring rains threatening to return at any moment.

  “I want Vie driving the truck and Mark takes the van.” They took their posts without hesitation like good little soldiers. “You, Wyatt, and Mike are with me in the van,” she said pointing to Luis. “Navin, Sam, and Sutton go in the truck. If anything goes wrong, we meet at the safe house, not here. If you get separated you go to the safe house, not here. If you can’t find the safe house, good luck. Keep your walkie on you and respond. Don’t make a scene and we’ll be fine. Let’s go.”

  “Hold up,” I started. “Why can’t Mike ride with us in the truck? We usually stick together.”

  Karina smirked and shrugged a shoulder lazily, “That’s his call, cupcake. Relax, we’re goin
g to the same place.”

  I stared at Mike who was trying not to look at me. “It’s fine. I’ll see you there, Sam.”

  I should have tried to fix things right then but since when did I ever do the right thing? I shrugged and got into the truck with Navin, pretending his rejection didn’t hurt. If Mike wanted to act like big baby, that was his problem. I had a job to do. We would be driving 30 minutes out to get to the lab but another 10 to get around to the rarely used access road in back. If it were up to me, we’d skip the dry run and just dive in, but I wasn’t calling the shots and Karina wanted to make sure I knew it. That’s really what the whole exercise was about, making sure I would fall in line. Oh well, a little preparation never hurt anyone…probably.

  “This is killing you, isn’t it?” Navin asked knowingly.

  “I’m soooo bored, when will this be over?”

  “Well Vie just started the truck so probably not for two hours.”

  “Ugh, that’s forever.”

  He laughed, ever amused by my intolerance for sitting still. Sutton was up in the front seat with Ink-Face so Navin and I had the back to ourselves. I took advantage and scooted inappropriately close to him.

  “Sam,” he whispered, “don’t be weird. I feel like your brother has eyes everywhere.”

  “Ha, if you don’t like weird, I think we should talk.”

  He ignored me and instead opted to talk to Karina’s minions up front. “So, how long have you both been living at The Home?”

  Vie responded with a grunt but Sutton answered. “Since before the outbreak. I was in a bad situation, but Mitchell gave me a place there. I just sort of didn’t leave. That was five years ago, I think. I would have graduated this year if everything hadn’t happened.”

  “Oh yeah? Me too,” Navin said. “Did you apply to any colleges?”

  “Yeah, all of them. Mitchell helped me write an essay and I got early acceptance to Cornell.”

  “Wow, you’re too smart for me to talk to. I’ll shut up now.” They both laughed. Navin was so easy going, he could talk to anyone. “And what about you, Vie? You been at the Home long?”