Coded

by Kayla Bainbridge

  “Great, that is all the decoding for today,” Wendy said as Todd collected the flashcards.

  “What’s next then?” Kennedy asked.

  “We wanted to see if there was anything else that visually differentiates you from everyone else,” Todd explained.

  “Like what?”

  “Maybe color acuteness, depth perception, optical illusions, things like that.”

  “I wouldn’t get your hopes up, I was never good at those optical illusions.”

  “You can decipher codes subconsciously, don’t sell yourself short,” Jennifer commented.

  “I’ll give it a shot.”

  “Thank you, Kennedy,” Todd said as he passed her a laptop. “Take your time.”

  Kennedy had not been modest; she was terrible at those optical illusions. Taylor could see everyone getting bored, as Kennedy stared at those pictures. She kept twisting the laptop, moving her head in and out, and squinted at the screen.

  “I’m sorry,” Kennedy apologized after over an hour of the optical illusions.

  “It’s fine, let’s move on,” Todd said, almost relieved to be done watching her.

  Taylor smiled as he got up to walk the perimeter of the room.

  “What is this?” Kennedy asked.

  “This is color blindness tests, just tell us the numbers you see,” Todd explained.

  Kennedy could do these easily. Taylor appreciated them building in easier tasks to help build her confidence, before trying the difficult ones.

  The rest of the morning she completed the tasks easily. After lunch Kennedy said she could continue. Taylor acknowledged her desire for the distraction and allowed it. He hadn’t seen any of the fatigue signs she had exhibited the day before.

  The afternoon was filled with additional sight challenges. They checked her vision, her hand eye coordination, visual spatial recognition, and memory games.

  After Kennedy finished those, Todd put everything away.

  “After what happened last night,” Jennifer started. “I was surprised to see you today, let alone complete a full day of tests.”

  “It was very helpful, thank you,” Todd agreed.

  “We’ll see you in the morning,” Wendy said as the three of them left.

  “See you,” Kennedy said watching them leave.

  Wendy paused next to Taylor who was standing by the door.

  “I really had no idea about Andrew,” she whispered so Kennedy couldn’t hear.

  “Don’t blame yourself,” Taylor said quietly. “No one knew.”

  “Were either of you hurt?” she asked.

  “We would’ve come to you first,” Taylor said smiling.

  “Right,” Wendy said, returning the smile. “I’m glad you two are ok. Keep her safe.”

  “I will,” Taylor said. “See you tomorrow Wendy.”

  After they had all left, Taylor walked over to where Kennedy was sitting. He took a seat next to her. He tried to keep his distance during these sessions to help her concentrate, they hadn’t talked since lunch.

  “Hey Taylor,” Kennedy said, still lost in her thoughts.

  “Did that help distract you?”

  “Not really,” Kennedy admitted.

  “Sorry. Are you tired?”

  “Yes, but I don’t want to go to bed. You must be tired too?”

  Taylor nodded. He was tired. How had Kennedy put in a full day? She must be still processing what happened early that morning.

  “Why don’t we grab something to eat and see how you feel after that?” he suggested.

  “You always suggest food,” Kennedy said.

  “If it works, don’t break it.”

  Kennedy nodded; he could tell that she needed a little longer.

  “Whenever you’re ready.”

  Kennedy waited a few minutes. When she got up, Taylor got up with her. He walked beside her to the cafeteria.

  “Want to eat in your room? Maybe talk to your mom?” Taylor offered after they had made their selection.

  “No, not today,” she said, picking an unoccupied table.

  “Are you nervous about tonight?” Taylor asked.

  Kennedy nodded.

  “Your room has added security measures that the hospital room was lacking. That was why I stayed with you. The keypad to get into your room will only accept your fingerprint and mine. That apartment is in the center of the building, meaning you would have to pass every level of security to reach it. We can post additional security in the hallway.”

  None of these things seemed to comfort Kennedy.

  “Maybe we can talk to Wendy, and just do more testing tonight?”

  “Nice try, your body needs rest. Is there anything I can do?” Taylor asked. He could see the fear in her eyes.

  She was silent for a few minutes.

  “Can I just sleep on your couch?” Kennedy asked.

  “Would you feel more comfortable if I slept on your couch?” Taylor challenged.

  She looked up at him. He could see the wheels inside her head turning. Would she admit that she wanted help, or would she suffer through the night?

  “Just for tonight?” she finally asked.

  “Of course. I’ll grab some sleeping pills, that should help you too.”

  Kennedy nodded. Taylor could almost see some of the stress release. Days earlier he had contemplated how long it would take for her to trust him. Now, she was inviting him into her room. That attack had really affected her.

  It took Kennedy over an hour to finally calm herself down enough to drift off to sleep. Taylor finally watched a steady heartbeat on his watch. She had also stopped tossing around. He had been sitting on the couch, working on his phone. Now that she had drifted off, he could finally sleep too. It had been an infinitely long day. They had been up since two in the morning, and it was well after nine.

  Taylor tossed and turned through the night. At every little noise, he was aroused. First his eyes swung to Kennedy, then he would check the door. Finally, he would check on the hallway’s security cameras with his watch. Reassured each time, he would go back to sleep. The attack had affected him too.

  At around 6 a.m. Taylor finally settled, and he slept for two hours without interruption. With a longer stretch, Taylor finally felt rested when he got up. He rolled over and saw that Kennedy was already awake and reading a book.

  “Good morning,” she said when Taylor sat up.

  “How long have you been awake?” he responded standing to stretch out his back. She seemed in better spirits this morning. The sleep had helped.

  “About an hour, I didn’t want to wake you.”

  “Thanks,” Taylor said as he sat on the end of the couch.

  “Thanks for staying here last night.”

  Taylor looked at Kennedy and noticed she was wearing a short sleeve pajama shirt. The bruises on her arms were better, but still very prevalent.

  “I’m sorry about your arms.”

  Kennedy pulled her blanket over her arms, “They are fine.”

  “Earlier this morning, I got information about Andrew’s intentions. Do you want to know?”

  “No,” Kennedy admitted.

  Taylor wasn’t surprised at this admission. Regardless, he wanted to be open to her about everything possible. An honest flow of information creates more trust, willingness, and understanding of the situation. With Kennedy’s ability, she was important to the NSA, and therefore important for Taylor to protect. He walked around the room to check the windows, the doors, and bathroom. Taylor never doubted the room's security, but it didn’t help to double check. Also, he had learned through experience, that the asset felt more at ease when they saw the room being checked.

  “Ok. I need to take a shower. Do you feel safe enough for me to leave you for half an hour?”

  Kennedy nodded, “Thanks again.”

  “I’m happy to do anything to help you feel safe.”

  “I really appreciate that.”

  Taylor looked at Kennedy for a moment, and she
watched him. Her eyes were absent of fear now. Instead there was hope. Had his presence vanquished her fears? She didn’t look away as he tried to burrow into her mind, and he respected that. Despite everything that had happened, she was still a confident woman. After a few seconds, he nodded and walked out the door, almost running into Dustin.

  “Isn’t that your room over there?” Dustin said smiling.

  “Ha, ha, ha” Taylor said, as his moment with Kennedy still lingered.

  Dustin followed him inside, “You’re a hard man to track down.”

  “Really?” Taylor said, taking off his shirt and going into the bathroom. “Don’t you have access to the GPS tracker on Kennedy? Couldn’t you just follow that? Or track my phone.”

  “I apologize, I meant, hard to find you alone,”

  “Ah,” Taylor said through the sound of the shower. “You could text or call.”

  “I’m waiting to debrief you,” Dustin yelled over the noise.

  “Right, did you want to do it during Kennedy’s testing later today?”

  “You would leave?” Dustin questioned.

  “We can maintain a sightline and still be out of earshot.”

  “Okay,” Dustin agreed. “Did you get my text about the syringe?”

  “Yes, were you surprised it was poison?”

  “Yes, but I don’t understand the motive. Why kill her?”

  “To take her off the table?” Taylor offered.

  “Maybe, do you think they are unaware of her ability?”

  “It’s possible,” Taylor agreed.

  “I’m off to a meeting. I’ll catch you in a few hours.”

  “Okay,” Taylor continued to yell back.

  Dustin walked himself out while Taylor finished showering.

  ∆∆∆

  After getting ready, Kennedy continued to read her book. Every few seconds her eyes would shift from the words on the page to the door. She was safe. She was safe. She repeated these words in her mind, yet she couldn’t focus any more on her book. Instead she got up and looked out the window. Her mind begged to be transfixed on the door, but she overcame her desires and looked outside. There was a forest behind the building. Wind was blowing the trees. The leaves swayed with the branches. In that moment she found peace.

  Taylor wasn’t always going to be there to save her. There would always be danger. But to live a life in fear is no life at all, she knew this. At that moment, her logic couldn’t overtake the fear inside of her. For now, only distractions helped calm the fear. Maybe tonight she would call her mom. Even though they couldn’t talk about what she was going through, a familiar voice sounded nice.

  The longer she stood by the window, the easier it was to control her thoughts. Instead of thinking about imminent threats, she thought of how all these tests were helping the NSA. She was helping her country.

  Kennedy continued to ponder her situation. Maybe she did want to know what Andrew intended to do to her. Could that ease her mind? Or would it make everything worse?

  The sound of knocking made Kennedy jump.

  “Kennedy it is me,” Taylor said. “Ready to go?”

  Zipping up her jacket, Kennedy grabbed her phone and walked out the door.

  “Doing ok?” Taylor asked.

  Kennedy saw that his hair was still wet, and he smelled nice. “Actually, I am feeling a little better. I changed my mind. I want to know what you found out.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Kennedy nodded.

  “The syringe was filled with Ricin.”

  “What is that?”

  “Poison,” Taylor answered.

  “Enough to get me sick?”

  “It is one of the deadliest poisons,” Taylor replied.

  “Oh,” Kennedy said as they continued to walk down the hallway. “Do we know who?”

  “Nothing is confirmed but it could be from that company you came from, maybe Jordan?”

  “What?” Kennedy said shocked. “I know we weren't the best of friends, but do you really think he would want to kill me? I can't believe that.”

  “Who else knows of your location?”

  “I thought you said I was safe here, how could they have found me so easily?”

  “Inside men,” Taylor answered.

  “No,” Kennedy continued to affirm. “I didn't know much about that place, but good people worked there. I can't believe they would want to kill me.”

  “Believe what you want. Did they figure out you could read codes?”

  “Yes.”

  “How do you think they took it when they found out that the NSA now had that capability?”

  Kennedy considered this, “Probably not well, but enough to kill?”

  “They might have treated you nicely, but only because they needed you.”

  Kennedy looked down to the carpet.

  “Remember when Jordan had that moment in the server room? What if that was the real Jordan?”

  “I don't want to talk about this anymore.”

  Kennedy didn’t want to talk about people trying to kill her. It was the NSA’s job to analyze, and to think of possibilities. It was her job to decipher code and that was it. Taylor didn’t push the issue any further.

  ∆∆∆

  Taylor could tell that she had made some connections there. Those people had really put her into a loop. What if Jordan came after her directly? Would she go with him? In his career, the people Taylor protected knew the enemy, but did Kennedy? Hopefully, he never faced Jordan.

  Eating a quick breakfast, the two of them walked into their usual testing room.

  “Welcome,” Wendy said. “Mind if I take a look at that shoulder, it has been a few days now?”

  “Sure, it has felt a lot better,” Kennedy said.

  “Here let’s go to this table to give you some privacy.”

  Taylor lingered behind with Jennifer and Brett.

  “Did you get the info?” Jennifer asked knowingly.

  “Yes,” Taylor responded.

  “Did you tell Kennedy?” Brett asked.

  “Yes.”

  “How is she doing?” Jennifer asked.

  “Scared, and unsure of who the enemy is,” Taylor said frustrated.

  “Oh no,” Jennifer said.

  “Yes,” Taylor confirmed. “I told her Andrew could have been from the company she was with before. She refused to consider it. There might be some lingering loyalty there.”

  “Do you think we are pushing her too hard?” Brett asked.

  “Those first two days were rough. Yesterday was a good distraction.”

  “Well what do you suggest Taylor? You have dealt with people in stressful environments. Is there anything that can help?” Jennifer prompted.

  “How about helping on an actual mission? Or giving her codes that they haven’t been deciphered. Help her feel needed. Everyone needs that sometimes.”

  “Her methods haven’t been completely proven,” Brett said.

  “Really?” Taylor questioned. “Have you ever seen some decipher like that? Have you ever seen anyone decipher without a computer?”

  “I see your point, but I can’t put her in the field yet,” Jennifer said, agreeing with Brett. “It is still too early.”

  “Ok, how about some time off campus?”

  “If you're confident you can keep her safe, I'll agree. You will need to clear it with Dustin first though,” Jennifer agreed.

  “Taylor,” Brett said cautiously. “I don't doubt your ability, but after the other night I would feel more comfortable if a team followed you two.”

  “I wouldn't expect anything else. I think she really needs this,” Taylor said. Jennifer and Brett nodded in agreement.

  “Kennedy’s heart rate is rising; I’m going to check on her.”

  “Probably nervous,” Brett suggested.

  “All the more reason to get back,” Taylor said as he cleared the distance between Kennedy and himself.

  “Everything alright Wendy?” Taylor asked as Kenned
y pulled her shirt back over her shoulder.

  “Her wound is looking great; her blood pressure is a little high.”

  “Well considering everything she has been through,” Taylor offered.

  “Still enough to be concerned about.”

  Taylor turned to Kennedy, “You feeling ok? Do you want a break today?”

  “No, I can do it. Can’t we just keep an eye on it?” Kennedy asked.

  Wendy looked to Taylor.

  “If that is what she wants,” Taylor said. “Kennedy, why don’t I grab you a water?”

  “I’m not thirsty,” Kennedy said confused.

  “Water can help with the stress,” Wendy explained.

  “Ok,” Kennedy agreed.

  The morning tests focused more on her memory. They did matching games, facial recognition, videos followed with questions, and speed memory. It looked exhausting to Taylor, but Kennedy acted normal. She didn’t complain when they asked her to repeat things, or when she had to start over. Instead she appeared to be challenging herself and continued to improve.

  Throughout the day they presented her with a variety of ciphered messages to continue to test their theory. Sometimes they would tell her what she was doing, and other times they hid the ciphered messages within the current test they were performing. Without fail, she never hesitated and was easily able to decipher the codes.

  After lunch Dustin showed up and Taylor’s focus turned to him.

  “Finally made it here,” Dustin said as Taylor approached.

  Taylor took a position where he could talk to Dustin privately, but could keep an eye on Kennedy. They were currently testing her reflex timing.

  “I’m still here,” Taylor replied.

  He then followed up by retelling what had happened the previous morning in the hospital room. Already, it felt like that had happened days ago.

  “That matches everything the security camera showed,” Dustin confirmed.

  “How is Andrew?” Taylor asked.

  “In some prison hospital,” Dustin replied. “We have our interrogator in there now. Andrew claims to have worked alone. He thought that the government shouldn’t have that kind of power.”

  “That’s odd,” Taylor said, not buying it.

  “Who knows when the courts will even get to him. He won’t be getting out anytime soon, or at all if our lawyers have their way.”