by Marina Epley
Jessie fires her rifle at our pursuers. Chelsey sits beside me, holding my hand and sobbing. A tall young guy in camo assists Jessie and Kitty, reloading rifles and lining up grenades. I’ve never seen him before.
Kitty and Jessie finally lower their weapons.
“We’ve lost them!” Kitty exclaims.
“The helicopter,” Jessie says. “We can’t bring it down.” She glances at the young recruit. “Your turn,” she adds.
The guy nods, his expression becoming determined. He stares at me and salutes, saying, “It’s an honor to meet you, sir!”
He takes my rifle and moves closer to the door. The van slows abruptly. Only now I realize that the recruit is wearing a uniform almost identical to mine. He has an eye patch over his right eye. His hair is dark and he’s about my size. I suddenly understand.
“No! Don’t!” I yell.
It’s too late. The van stops for a moment and the guy jumps out, running off. The vehicle moves forward.
“They’ll kill him!” I shout. “Stop the van!”
I hurl myself toward the door, but Jessie grabs my shirt. I push her away.
“They’ll capture him,” I say. “As soon as they realize it’s not me, they’ll put him down.”
“Shut up and keep down, idiot,” Jessie growls. “He volunteered for this mission. He agreed to divert their attention so we could rescue you.”
“Why?!” I exclaim. “How can my life be more important than his?”
“You’re needed for a special project,” Jessie answers curtly.
“What project?” I ask.
She ignores my question.
“Those suckers bought it,” Kitty reports. “We’ve lost the helicopter. It’s following him.”
“Good,” Jessie sighs.
They shut the door.
Exhausted, I sit on the floor, staring off into space. My mind is blank. I close my eyes, overwhelmed by exhaustion and frustration. I’m sick of causing the deaths of innocent people. I don’t want any human sacrifices on my behalf. But people continue dying no matter what I do or where I go. It’s always the same and there’s no escaping it.
I shake off the disturbing thoughts, open my eyes and see Kitty sitting in front of me, smiling slightly. I can’t worry about the deceased any longer. I don’t care about anything else because here she is, only a few feet away, alive and unharmed. We’re together again and I couldn’t possibly wish for more.
“Rex,” Kitty mutters.
I stretch my arms for her. Kitty gasps and throws herself toward me, falling into my arms. I hold her tightly, enjoying her warmth. I was missing her so badly. Kitty kisses my face and lips, crying. She’s no longer the tough ruthless fighter, but my sweet needy girl once again. And I couldn’t be happier.
“Rex, my love,” Kitty utters. “I was going crazy without you. I thought I’d never see you again. Are you all right? Did they hurt you?” She doesn’t give me a chance to answer. “Who the heck is this?” Kitty asks, looking suspiciously at Chelsey.
Chelsey’s expression becomes fearful.
“Kitty, this is Chelsey,” I answer as if it will explain everything.
“I don’t believe it!” Kitty exclaims. “You’re only away from me 4 months and there’s already some kind of Chelsey.” She trains the barrel of her rifle on the girl. “Get away from him!”
Chelsey hurriedly crawls away to the opposite side of the van. Jessie approaches her, wrapping her arms around Chelsey.
“It’s all right,” Jessie says in a soft voice. “You’re safe now.”
“Kitty, Chelsey is my friend and…” I begin.
“Oh, just be quiet,” Kitty groans, holding me tighter. “You’re mine. I own you. Nobody else can have you.” She suddenly starts crying again. “I really thought I’d lost you forever.”
“I was trying to reach you in my mind,” I say. “I was sending messages.”
“I know,” she utters. “I saw you in my visions and that’s how we found you today. I tried to tell you about our rescue plan. Couldn’t you see me?”
“I wasn’t sure what I saw,” I answer.
“This new scar on your face,” Kitty says. “Is that where the bullet hit you? How did it happen?”
“Guards shot me,” I lie. I’m not ready to admit the truth of what really happened. It’s too painful and ugly. She doesn’t need to know about that.
“You… you have only one eye now?” she asks carefully.
I realize that I’m still wearing an eye patch.
“Don’t worry, my eye is all right,” I say, taking the patch off. “You see? It’s perfectly fine. It’s just blind.”
“Oh no!” Kitty exclaims, covering her mouth.
“It’s okay,” I say. “Vision in this eye was always kind of blurry anyway.”
I smile broadly, not mentioning about my right ear being deaf as well. I don’t want Kitty feeling any sadness or pity toward me.
“Are we together with Oliver’s group now?” I ask, changing the subject.
“That’s correct,” Jessie answers. She’s still holding Chelsey in her arms. The girl seems more relaxed being held. “We currently reside in the southeast, close to the shore,” Jessie continues. “Many of Oliver’s breakers left and joined Guardian’s force. Stinking traitors! Guardian hasn’t destroyed our group yet only because he still hopes that we’ll soon join him.”
I nod, thinking over her words. I doubt Oliver’s breakers can fight successfully against Guardian’s army. Most of them are not real soldiers, but civilians trying to protect themselves and their families.
I hesitate, then ask, “Is Marian still alive?”
“She’s all right,” Kitty answers.
“And Rebecca?”
“Your Rebecca is fine,” Kitty says, rolling her eyes. “She’s taking care of the kids in our camp. And she’s also Holtzmann’s assistant.”
“Holtzmann? Is he in our group too?”
“Of course. Who do you think built the bomb to level the post office and divert attention?”
My jaw drops. I remember Professor Egbert Holtzmann, a young sickly guy, eloquent speaker, and more than a little crazy. He never hurt a fly in his life. I can’t possibly imagine him creating bombs to blow things up.
“Egbert knows a lot of useful things,” Kitty continues. “He’s not only an expert in functions of the human brain, but is also proficient in chemistry and other weird sciences. He knows how to make bombs and Molotov cocktails and… What? Why are you looking at me like that?” Kitty begins laughing. “Oh come on. We didn’t kill anybody. The post office was completely empty. In case you’ve forgotten, today is Sunday. And the bomb was a fake. It just produced a lot of noise and smoke like a firecracker. You’d have to be sitting directly on top of it to get injured.”
I look at Kitty with pause.
“Yeah, Egbert is really cool,” Kitty concludes. “We’re lucky to have such a great scientist on our side.”
“Jess, what project were you talking about?” I ask. “Is it another one of Holtzmann’s experiments?”
“That’s right,” she admits. “And you’re the star attraction.”
“Oh great,” I groan. “What’s he planning to make me do this time?”
“Nothing too special, darling,” Kitty answers, looking into my eyes. “You’re only being required to help save the world.”
Chapter 4
“What are you talking about?!” I exclaim.
Kitty chuckles at my reaction.
“Holtzmann believes you’re a key for saving humanity,” she adds.
“Well, humanity is doomed in that case,” I answer. “I’ve no idea how to go about saving this messed up world.”
“Leave all the details to the professor,” Kitty assures. “He’ll let you know exactly what you need to do.”
I sigh. What else could I expect from Holtzmann? He has always been obsessed about saving mankind and stopping the war between ordinary humans and breakers. Unfortunately, I don
’t see how I fit into any of his crazy schemes.
“Could you at least describe my part in the future mission?” I ask.
“If I tried to explain, it would just come out sounding stupid,” Kitty answers.
I begin to protest, but Kitty refuses to continue the subject.
Our van begins to slow and comes to a complete stop.
“Time to switch vehicles,” Jessie announces.
We get out. A grinning Victor climbs out from behind the driver’s seat. He greets me warmly as he checks his pockets for pills. He fishes out a few and quickly swallows. I wonder whose bright idea it was to make Victor the driver. I’m surprised we all haven’t already perished in a fiery car crash.
We leave the van behind, and begin walking toward a bridge. This part of the city seems deserted. We pass a couple of burned out houses and notice old weathered posters littering the street, advertising the need to kill breakers.
A large black SUV sits waiting under the bridge. A short teen in camo stands beside it, armed with an Elimination rifle. I recognize Dave. He may look like a harmless kid, but he’s a well-trained killer.
“Welcome back, sir!” Dave blurts out upon seeing me. I extend my hand, expecting a handshake. Instead, Dave wraps me in a hug, saying how happy he is that I’ve returned. He approaches Kitty and also hugs her, asking whether everything went according to plan during the rescue.
“Everything went great,” Kitty answers.
“High five!” Dave exclaims and Kitty slaps his palm, laughing excitedly.
I silently watch their interaction, remembering Jack.
“Hello there. Are you a breaker too?” Dave greets Chelsey. “I’m Dave. I’m from Elimination, but I’ve nothing against breakers whatsoever.”
Chelsey looks Dave over, obviously a bit suspicious with his overt friendliness.
“Let’s get moving,” Jessie says. “Guardian’s killers are still out there lest you’ve forgotten.”
Dave hurriedly opens the door of the SUV. Jessie, Kitty, Chelsey and I all cram into the backseat, barely fitting in. Kitty has to practically sit on my lap, although doing so seems to please her. Victor settles in up front as Dave gets behind the steering wheel.
We drive by a group of travelers walking solemnly along the road. They carry heavy backpacks filled with their possessions and all wear the same hopeless expressions on their faces. These must be ordinary humans fleeing from blood-lusting breakers. They had to leave their homes and lives behind in order to save themselves. Now homeless and hunted, they’re staggering through the country in a desperate search for food and shelter. The situation has changed into the polar opposite of the way things were before. Breakers hunt and kill ordinary humans with the same eagerness and ferocity that Elimination used to hunt and kill breakers. It’s depressing how we’re all the rotten same inside.
My head begins aching.
It’s getting dark as we arrive at a large old farmhouse stuck in the middle of nowhere. The SUV stops at the front porch. We get out and I see a tall scrawny guy in his late twenties, with a long nose and crazy eyes. Holtzmann. I was worried he would never recover after being tortured in the Death Camp, but the professor seems fine. He’s wearing a baggy camo uniform and even has a holstered handgun. Probably not loaded, knowing him.
Holtzmann quickly greets us, mumbling something about the importance of preventing apocalypse. I notice his left hand with two missing fingers.
“I’m sorry you had to go through that, professor,” I say.
“No worries, my friend,” Holtzmann answers. “I’ve adapted nicely.”
He turns to face Chelsey.
“I see you’ve brought an additional guest,” he says, smiling. “Good evening, young lady. I presume you to be a breaker as well. I’m Professor Egbert Holtzmann, the lead scientist at Oliver’s camp. I’d be thrilled to include you in my ongoing studies.”
“I’m only a level 1 breaker,” Chelsey mumbles, clearly embarrassed by all the attention. “I’d be worthless to study.”
“Oh contraire, my little friend!” Holtzmann exclaims. “It’s been my observation that personally exclusive features exist in each subject. I’m certain we’ll discover some unique attributes in you as well.”
Chelsey gazes at the professor with a mixed expression of fascination and fear.
“C’mon, Holtzmann,” I sigh. “Give her a break.”
He leads us inside the house. Oliver’s camp is too far away so we’ll shelter here for the night. It’s only recently abandoned and looters haven’t messed up the place yet.
Holtzmann helps unlock the blocking collar around my neck. He knows how because these things were his invention. During supper, I briefly explain the situation in the Death Camp, answering Holtzmann’s questions about Guardian.
“He can not only move but cause objects to explode by telekinesis,” I say. “And he’s obviously a very strong hypnotist. But I don’t believe he’s a good telepath. He wasn’t able to read my mind.”
“Very interesting indeed,” Holtzmann comments.
“And Guardian has a large number of breakers following him,” I continue. “Maybe a few thousand by now.”
“Guardian,” Kitty says, frowning. “The name doesn’t fit too well. We should call him something else, something nasty and evil.”
“Lucifer,” Dave offers.
“Perfect!” Kitty exclaims. “Lucy for short. What can we call his Army of Justice?”
“The Army of Injustice?” Dave suggests.
Kitty becomes euphoric. I watch as they chuckle and wink at each other. I haven’t quite figured out what to think about that.
“Tell me about your new project, professor,” I say. “What are you up to now?”
“You’re too exhausted at the moment to be holding such an important conversation,” he answers flatly.
“Come on,” I complain. “I’m fine. Just tell me.”
Holtzmann refuses to explain anything further till morning. I give up. It’s no use arguing with this crazy scientist. He has to be one of the most stubborn people I’ve ever met.
After supper, Kitty grabs my hand, leading me into another room. We sit on a mattress, looking each other over and holding hands. Kitty has a big smile across her face. Her eyes are somewhat playful.
“Kitty, tell me more about the project,” I demand.
“Gosh, Rex!” Kitty blurts out. “You haven’t seen me for 4 months and Holtzmann’s project is all you can think about? Stop with the questions and just hold me!”
She moves closer and I hold her tightly, burying my face in her soft hair. I still can’t completely believe she’s really here with me again.
“You’ve changed,” she states, gazing at me. “You look different, almost like a stranger.” She sighs sadly. “I’ll never let you leave me again. You and I belong together. We always have.”
She suddenly averts her gaze, blushing.
“Well,” she begins. “I feel like I have to remind you about one of our conversations. Right before Elimination captured you, you said you loved me. Is that still true?”
“Of course it’s true, Kitty,” I answer.
Her smile becomes wider.
“So you love me as a friend?” Kitty asks.
“More,” I answer.
“You love me as your sister?”
“Much more,” I repeat.
Kitty lets out a quiet sob, putting her hands on my shoulders and looking right into my eyes.
“I don’t believe you, Rex,” she states. “You’ll have to prove it. Right here. Right now. While we’re still alive.”
“All right,” I say.
Kitty shrieks happily and kisses me deeply. It feels strange at first, because I used to only see her as a close friend or even relative. But her warm kiss helps me to quickly overcome any doubts. I finally accept the fact that we belong together. And I know I won’t ever love anybody nearly as much as I love Kitty. She’s my whole world.
***
A
fterward, we lie in bed in silence, gently holding each other. Kitty lays her head on my chest, gazing at me.
“Know what?” she says. “Lucifer will definitely try to kill you. Your escape must have made him really angry.”
It takes a few seconds to comprehend what she’s just said.
“It’s not so easy to kill me,” I answer.
“We should go ahead and kill him first,” Kitty suggests.
I think on her words. Guardian is a strong enemy, easily the strongest one we’ve ever faced.
“I’m not sure how we might go about it,” I say.
“Holtzmann,” Kitty says. “He knows how to take him out. This is what his project is all about. And that’s the reason why I have to ask you for something.”
“What?”
Kitty sits up, looking at me seriously. Her expression is troubled. She grips my hand tightly.
“Promise to trust and believe in me, Rex,” she pleads.
“Of course I trust you and believe in you, Kitty,” I answer, feeling nervous now. There’s something almost desperate in her eyes.
“I mean it, Rex,” Kitty says. “You have to trust me. You have to believe that I’m capable of much more than you think. I’m a tough fighter too.”
Now I’m really worried. I can’t understand what she’s hinting at yet, but I suspect it’s not going to be something I’d approve.
“Kitty…” I begin.
“Just promise me, please,” Kitty begs.
“All right,” I say. “I promise. I trust and believe in you. But I’d truly like to know what this is all about.”
“You’ll learn soon enough.”
We share a few more moments of silence. Kitty’s expression remains uneasy. Something must be really bothering her.
“I need to talk to you about Dave,” she finally admits. “And I don’t want you to become jealous.”
“I’m listening,” I say, calmly.
“No! Don’t make such a face. Dave and I are just friends. Really good friends.”
Her admission is already getting interesting. Kitty used to hate Elimination officers.
“There’s this girl he’s secretly in love with,” Kitty adds, smiling. “Only he doesn’t know how he should approach her.”
