Annihilation: A YA dystopian adventure (The Mind Breaker Series Book 3)

by Marina Epley

  “Thank you,” I simply say.

  “Get going, breaker,” he barks at me. “Now!”

  I climb back inside the truck and we drive off, leaving the officers behind. Most likely, we’ll never see them again.

  Dave drives until we run out of gas in the middle of nowhere, with little ammo and no communication whatsoever with headquarters.

  Chapter 16

  Our group walks under the cover of darkness along a dirt road leading through the woods. We’ve been traveling for hours, trying to distance ourselves from any possible pursuit. The night is unusually warm and I can make out the low rumble of ominous sounding thunder. I realize we risk getting caught in a storm.

  “You’re not really planning to kill Vogel, are you?” Marcus asks me. “You were just bluffing back there, right?”

  His voice sounds goofy, as if he’s just joking. But I can still make out a bit of hidden unease in his words.

  “Of course I was bluffing,” I answer.

  “You sure sounded convincing,” Jessie says. “I almost bought it.”

  She gives me a meaningful glance. I realize I haven’t informed Jessie about my change in plans concerning Vogel.

  “Fortunately, so did Hammer,” I answer, grinning.

  Jessie frowns. We both understand we can’t freely discuss the matter around Marcus or Dave.

  We walk a little further, exiting the woods to cross a field. A large farmhouse soon comes into sight. We decide to check whether we can use it for a temporary shelter. Approaching the house, we pass an ancient gnarled oak growing in the front yard. I look up and freeze, staring up at three corpses hanging from a thick branch. My night vision is poor, but I can still tell these are the bodies of a young man, woman and child.

  I can’t help from shivering. I’ve seen abused corpses many times before, but never gotten used to facing them. I know exactly who killed this family. Guardian’s breakers have developed a taste for mutilating corpses and hanging them from the nearest streetlamp or tree.

  We spend a few moments in silence, gazing up at the bodies.

  “Let’s bring them down,” I finally say.

  Dave quickly climbs the tree and pulls a knife. He cuts the ropes, dropping the corpses to the ground. Marcus and I drag them to the back yard, leaving them lying there unburied. We simply don’t have strength left to be digging any graves tonight.

  “Who could do a thing like that?” Marcus mutters.

  I don’t answer. We both know who it was that likely did it.

  We enter the house. The rooms are in shambles, everything ripped apart and smashed. I can vividly envision Guardian’s soldiers trashing the rooms, then torturing and killing that family. I have to fight back a sudden strong desire to smash something as well.

  We settle down in the living room, thinking over our predicament. We have sparse ammo, no communication with headquarters and no food.

  “I’m certain Elimination will utilize their team of telepaths to locate our squad,” Holtzmann assures. “Perhaps, Kitty and Rex should attempt sending a message.”

  Kitty and I get busy following Holtzmann’s suggestion. I close my eyes, focusing my thoughts on Elimination. I don’t know whether this will work or not. We’re too exhausted to concentrate effectively. Additionally, the Elimination telepaths don’t have much experience in locating anybody. Holtzmann only recently created the team and didn’t have enough time to train them properly.

  As I reopen my eyes, I notice everybody watching us attentively.

  “I can’t tell for sure,” I say. “But it doesn’t appear we can get through right now.”

  Kitty sits on the floor with her eyes closed, wincing from the effort. I repeat my attempt to make contact, but don’t believe I succeed.

  “Is there anything you have to tell us, Victor?” Jessie asks.

  Victor looks over tiredly at her, remaining quiet.

  “I think you probably have something to say,” she insists. “We’re all aware that somebody informed Guardian about our mission. I’ve been wondering who that might be.”

  Everybody turns their attention toward Jessie and Victor. I realize nobody else knew about our mission, except Vogel, Chase and the team in this room.

  “What did Guardian promise you, Victor?” Jessie asks.

  “Are you out of your mind?” he blurts out. “Why do you think it was me who betrayed us?”

  “You’ve always been a rat,” Jessie states.

  They glare at each other with unhidden disgust. I ready myself to get between them.

  “Fess up, Victor,” Jessie continues. “We all know it’s you who ratted us out.”

  “Are you so sure?” Victor asks.

  “Who else could it be?”

  “I wouldn’t know. Perhaps it was you. Everybody knows how you hate Elimination.”

  The accusation throws Jessie off kilter. She instantly springs to her feet and rushes across the room, charging at Victor. Luckily, I manage to get between them wrapping my arms around Jessie in a tight bear hug.

  “Stop it, Jess,” I say. “Calm down.”

  “Let me kill this rat!” Jessie demands.

  She tries to push me away, but I continue holding her tightly. Our faces are now very close and I suddenly become concerned that Jessie may head-butt me.

  “Please, Jess,” I plead. “Just stand down.”

  “Do you really believe this traitor?” Jessie growls.

  “I’m tired of this crap!” Victor exclaims.

  Marcus helps me restrain Jessie. The others silently watch the unfolding scene. Dave stands aside, as if he can’t decide whom exactly he’s supposed to be helping.

  “Get your hands off me!” Jessie finally shouts. “I’m calm, alright? Let me go.”

  We release Jessie, although I’m not convinced it’s such a good idea. She looks furious. I’m quite surprised she hasn’t attacked me yet.

  “I didn’t inform Guardian,” Victor says in exasperation. “For your information I quit switching sides a while back.”

  “I know,” I answer. “I believe you.”

  “Really?” he asks.

  Victor seems astonished. Jessie rolls her eyes at me.

  “You’re crazy,” she comments.

  “Think about it, Jess,” I say. “Guardian obviously didn’t know the exact time of our mission. Otherwise, he would have been waiting for us in the Death Camp, and he’d have increased the number of soldiers securing the lab. He must have known that we were planning something, but wasn’t sure what to expect. Had Victor betrayed us, he would have provided all the details.”

  “It must be somebody who knew about our plan, but didn’t know any of the details,” Marcus says thoughtfully.

  “Nice deduction,” Victor agrees. “So instead of blaming me, you’d better think of whom all you told about this mission. There must be an outsider who knew our basic plans.”

  We all become silent, trying to figure out the source of the information leak. It sure wasn’t me. My sister wasn’t even aware of our plans. I look over at Kitty, and she shakes her head negatively.

  “Rebecca knew I’d be participating in this project,” Holtzmann mutters. “But my cousin wouldn’t betray us.”

  “Of course not,” I agree.

  The storm arrives outside and I hear the heavy rain pounding the rooftop. The wind howls like a wild animal. It looks like we’re stuck here for a while. I’m at least thankful we don’t have to be outside during such weather.

  “I’m going to smoke,” Jessie announces angrily, looking at me. “Would you care to join me, Rex?”

  Her offer doesn’t sound friendly whatsoever, which can’t be good. Jessie is most likely fixing to bring me into some sort of trouble. But I’m in no mood for more fights tonight.

  “Nah, not really,” I answer.

  “I really think you should come smoke with me,” Jessie persists.

  She leaves, motioning for me to follow. I sigh tiredly and rise to my feet. We step into another r
oom, illuminating the way with a flashlight. Jessie lights a cigarette, never taking her eyes off me.

  “Do you really trust Victor?” she finally asks.

  “I trust him enough,” I answer.

  “Appears Victor isn’t the only one who’s recently gained your trust,” she adds.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Did you really change your mind about killing Vogel?”

  “Well, I think we were wrong about her,” I admit.

  “Are you mad? She’ll order all of us shot as soon as we get rid of Guardian.”

  “Vogel wouldn’t do that,” I protest. “She’s not like Wheeler. She’s actually more like the opposite of him.”

  “So you’re out,” Jessie states coldly. “Fine then. I’ll do Vogel on my own.”

  “I can’t let you do that,” I say.

  “Do you really think you can stop me?” she asks, grinning.

  “I think I can if I have to.”

  We both become silent, glaring at each other. There’s something definitely challenging in Jessie’s eyes. I know her temper all too well and realize I’m risking her friendship.

  “Listen, Jess,” I sigh. “I believe Vogel sincerely wants to change Elimination for the better, and she’s a great commander. Everything would fall apart without her.”

  “You’re an idiot,” Jessie interrupts. “Vogel is probably plotting your demise at this very moment, while you’re standing here defending her like a doofus.”

  “I seriously doubt that!” I snap. “She actually likes me, unlike some supposed friends.”

  Jessie remains quiet for a few moments.

  “Rex,” she says, smiling. “Answer honestly. Are you crushing on Vogel?”

  “What?! Are you serious?”

  “You’re always staring at her like she’s a juicy steak.”

  “Come on,” I groan. “She’s twice my age. She’s old enough to be my…” My voice trails off. I was about to say that she could be my mother, but something doesn’t let me articulate the thought. “I understand you hate Vogel because she’s an Elimination commander,” I say instead. “But she didn’t kill your parents, Jess. You shouldn’t hold her responsible.”

  Jessie looks away. I know she’d love to kill Guardian out of revenge for her relatives. Unfortunately, that is something she can’t pull off as she’s only a level 2 breaker.

  “Please, promise not to do anything,” I say, worried that she’ll go ahead and waste Vogel.

  “I won’t make any promises,” Jessie answers.

  “You’re making a mistake,” I warn. “You should listen to what I’m saying.”

  “Give me one good reason why I should ever listen to you,” Jessie says.

  “I’m your friend for one,” I answer.

  “You’re not my friend,” she snaps. “I don’t even like you!”

  I realize that Jessie is just angry, but her words sting anyway.

  “Sorry,” she mutters. “All right. I promise not to do anything, at least for the time being.”

  “Thank you, Jess,” I say sincerely.

  “You’re trusting her too much,” she sighs.

  I shrug, not saying anything more. Jessie was right in that I truly like Vogel, but not quite the way she thinks. I realize that the major may very well be faking her kindness. I could be completely wrong about her, but it doesn’t matter now. Because in spite of my best efforts to remain cautious, I can no longer perceive Vogel as the enemy. She could probably walk right up and put a gun to my head, and I wouldn’t be able to stop her. And everything would go down the same way it did with Emily, when she pointed a gun at my face and I could do nothing. I just didn’t want to believe my own mother could pull the trigger. I couldn’t believe she’d ever try to kill her own son.

  Jessie and I go back to the living room.

  “What were you talking about?” Kitty asks.

  “Nothing really,” I answer. “We just smoked.”

  Kitty sniffs at my hands and face, frowning.

  “You didn’t smoke,” she states.

  I don’t bother to reply. Marcus and Dave watch intently. I just grin back at them, acting like everything is all right.

  The storm continues raging outside, so we decide to get a few hours of much needed sleep. Marcus volunteers for watch duty. I close my eyes and my mind quickly slips off into the usual nightmares filled with human corpses hanging from trees.

  I awaken at dawn, unrested and worried. Kitty lies beside me on the floor, curled up in a ball and dreaming peacefully. I glance over the room. Everybody is asleep, except Marcus. He sits close by a window, holding his rifle, looking like an actual Elimination officer on duty.

  “Go back to sleep,” he advises. “The storm hasn’t passed yet.”

  “I should replace you,” I offer, rising to my feet and taking a look outside. It’s still raining, although the wind has lessened.

  “Nah, I’m all right,” Marcus says.

  He approaches a still slumbering Holtzmann and removes the bag containing the drug from his hands. The professor mumbles something incoherent but remains asleep. Marcus stares curiously at the white crystals.

  “Are you really going to inject this stuff?” he asks. “I’ve heard it’s highly toxic.”

  “So Holtzmann says,” I answer. “Yeah, Kitty and I will be injecting that garbage.”

  Marcus sighs, returning the bag to the professor’s hand.

  “Why are you doing all this?” he wonders.

  “It’s the only way to kill Guardian,” I say. “If Kitty and I don’t take him out, he’ll be coming after us.”

  “I understand that. But I was talking about your decision to cooperate with Elimination. Why did you contact us?”

  “To further the same purpose. And to gain use of Elimination resources.”

  “Will you continue working for us after the war ends?”

  I take a moment to think. Working for Elimination used to be something unimaginable for me.

  “Possibly,” I answer.

  “It’d be great,” Marcus says, smiling. “I’d like for you and the rest of the team to remain with us.”

  He becomes quiet for a few moments, watching his brother sleep.

  “I’m still not sure whether it was the right thing to do, bringing Dave into Elimination,” he adds.

  “The job seems to fit him,” I say.

  “I don’t know,” Marcus sighs. “Dave wasn’t so tough when he was little. He was just a really nice kid, one who always shied away from trouble. He didn’t even like to fight. Mom always thought Dave would be the one to go to college. She never had a chance to go herself, so she hoped that at least one of us would earn a degree.” Marcus smiles at the memory. “One time when Dave was about five or six, I took him along fishing. We caught a big catfish and he got so scared that he began crying. I must have spent a good half an hour calming him down. He sure didn’t want to go back to the lake after that.”

  We both laugh quietly. I glance at Dave and suddenly remember Jimmy, the harmless, awkward kid who once saved my life. There’s also something childish and naïve in Dave’s appearance. Then I remember his eager killing of Guardian’s soldiers during battle. He never had a second thought, brutally slicing their throats.

  “After mom died, there was nobody left to look after Dave,” Marcus continues. “I was working for Elimination, so I didn’t have time to help him with homework or make sure he attended classes. Once he began skipping lessons, I decided it was time for him to find a job. After passing the resistance test for hypnosis, he became an Elimination officer. He was barely fifteen at the time.”

  “How old is he now?” I ask.

  “Seventeen,” Marcus answers. “Last two or three years have changed him a lot. He’s a professional killer now. It’s just crazy.”

  I look at Kitty, having the same thoughts. I still can’t believe how much she has changed.

  Kitty suddenly opens her eyes and sits up. She stares around in
a near panic.

  “Rex,” she mutters. “I saw them coming!”

  “What?” I ask. “You had a vision?”

  “I don’t know for sure,” Kitty answers. “Everything was blurry. I saw a truck filled with Guardian’s soldiers heading this way.”

  I approach Kitty and wrap my arms around her, soothingly rubbing her back. Kitty lets out a sob, pressing her face to my chest. She’s on the verge of tears. Getting telepathic visions can be awfully unpleasant at times.

  Marcus hurries to wake our team. Jessie approaches a window, staring at the road. It’s getting lighter.

  “I see a military truck in the distance,” she reports. “We have to leave the house.”

  I suddenly realize it’s already too late for us to leave. We’d have to cross a hundred yards of open space between the woods and the house.

  “We’ll have to split up,” I say. “We can’t let them capture Holtzmann.”

  Jessie instantly understands.

  “You and I can draw their attention,” she says. “The professor and the others will remain inside the house, and leave as soon as it’s safe.”

  “I’m going with you guys,” Marcus offers.

  “Me too!” his brother exclaims.

  “You’re not going anywhere without me,” Kitty objects, grabbing the sleeve of my jacket. I realize I’ll have to let her join our group. We simply don’t have time for arguing.

  Victor doesn’t mind staying behind.

  “You’re Holtzmann’s bodyguard on this mission,” I say to Dave. “You’re to remain with him and make sure nothing happens to the professor.”

  Dave opens his mouth to argue, but I cut him off, “That’s a direct order, Dave!”

  “C’mon, guys,” Jessie says, glancing through the window. “They’re getting close. It’s time to leave.”

  “Wait, Jessica!” Dave exclaims.

  Jessie turns to face him. Dave takes in a deep breath, approaching her. He hugs her carefully and lightly places a kiss on her cheek.

  “I’ll be thinking of you, Jess,” he mumbles. “Please, be careful.”

  Embarrassed, he quickly backs off. Jessie stares blankly at him. I can’t believe she didn’t break Dave’s jaw.