“What are you doing to me?!” The desperation in his plea did nothing to deter his captor so Ethan took a different approach. “Godrik, why are you doing this?” He knew Godrik was still on the screen but the only response he received was silence. “Godrik please! Don’t do this! Please! Let me go!” Ethan’s cheeks were wet with tears but Preston continued his work, ignoring the pained cries that filled the room.
The silver cuffs clamped down on his arms, piercing his skin in various places. He let out a strangled scream that shook the very walls of the room. Even Preston appeared concerned. “Keep going,” Godrik ordered. Preston did as he was told and positioned the head piece, snapping it into place. Another high-pitched wail left Ethan’s lips. His body was shaking violently but it wasn’t because of the cold, it was because of the stress it was enduring. The torture device was extracting Ethan’s blood, filling a web of tubing that flowed into another machine.
“Your blood is the key Ethan. Unfortunately, the last thing the Commissioner wants is uncontrollable humans running around with MalJari powers. It’s best that we keep it safe, so that no one can get to it. At first, the thought of making humans stronger appealed to him for military purposes but he soon realized you’re more useful as slaves. He feels that humans are too hard to control, what with the Awakened running around, secretly meeting about developing serums to fight the MalJari. It can make a guy paranoid, you know?” Preston stared at Ethan’s slowly deteriorating body. “No, I don’t suppose you do.”
Ethan’s eyes were drooping as he took shallow breaths. He couldn’t feel anything anymore. “Please,” he whispered. “Please.” He let his head fall forward, too weak to hold it up any longer. As the room closed in on him, he gave up and welcomed the darkness. “It’s better this way Ethan. At least you won’t have to live to watch all your friends die.” The words echoed in his mind as he drifted into the black. A monitor hooked up to the machine signaled Ethan’s heartbeat as he flatlined. Ethan Drake was dead.
CHAPTER 20
E than Drake was dead. The sentence rolled around Godrik’s brain over and over. Ethan Drake was dead. A wave of nausea hit him bringing up the bile in his throat but he pushed it back down. It was necessary, he told himself. The boy had to die, the Commissioner would expect no less, but that didn’t make the decision any easier. As much as Godrik hated to admit it, he had grown fond of the witty albeit annoying teenager. He was a good kid and he did nothing to deserve the hurt and betrayal that Godrik put him through. He glanced at his reflection in the window and growled, disgusted with himself.
He didn’t know what he was expecting but as soon as he saw Ethan, tied to that chair, slumped over, lifeless, he lost it. The tears poured through him unconsolably, racking his body as he sobbed away the pain. “I’m sorry Ethan,” he whispered wetly. “I never wanted to hurt you.” He may not have wanted to, but he did hurt him, repeatedly. And each time, Ethan forgave him. Each time, Ethan forged through the pain and made the best of his situation. Ethan was a better person than Godrik ever hoped to be.
As soon as he had flatlined, Preston left the room to confirm his death to the Commissioner who was all too happy to hear of it. He had asked for the body to be disposed of, but the blood collected would need to be delivered to him within the week. Godrik had asked for the extra time to run tests on the blood and see if they could do anything else useful with it. In actuality, Godrik had no intentions on handing Ethan’s blood over to the Commissioner, or anyone for that matter. He knew exactly where Ethan’s blood belonged.
Preston had been out of the room for a few minutes, going over specific details with the Commissioner. Godrik knew he didn’t have much time. He dumped the contents of the backpack he brought with him onto the floor and rummaged through them quickly. He wasn’t allowed in the room during the procedure because the Commissioner feared he would intervene. Apparently, his fondness for the boy had reached the highest offices and he was not to be trusted until Ethan was dead. He had to stand in the room adjacent and watch through the computer screen as Ethan took his last breaths. It was the most difficult thing he had ever endured.
He attached five glass containers with red biohazard labels onto the machine that housed Ethan’s blood. Filling each one, he worked fast until every last drop was accounted for. He placed them carefully into the bag and took one last look at Ethan. “I’m going to make this right Ethan, I promise.”
As he exited the room, he could hear Preston arguing with Halen. “You endangered my son!” Halen yelled. Halson was standing behind him, glaring at Preston. “We were following orders. Not to mention that he’s fine! MalKari didn’t hurt him. She simply put him to sleep for a while!” Halen towered over Preston, causing him to shrink back. “Where is Ethan?” Preston swallowed audibly. “Ethan Drake is no longer your concern.”
“Where is he? What happened to him?!” Halson pleaded. Preston smirked but didn’t answer. “He’s dead,” Godrik said softly. Halson’s eyes widened as he shook his head. “No!” Halen was holding his son back while he screamed and pleaded. “You’re pretty terrible at keeping your lovers alive,” MalKari mocked. Halson gritted his teeth but didn’t engage her.
Preston walked over to Godrik, regarding him accusingly. “I don’t think I’m quite ready to trust you yet. How about you hand over the blood vials to me for safe keeping?” Godrik couldn’t believe this was happening. If he was going to save Ethan, he needed his blood. Two Commissioner guards flanked Preston but it was the sight of MalKari that caused Godrik to give in. He knew he was no match for the ruthless girl. He reached into his bag and handed Preston five containers. Preston smirked at Godrik’s reluctance, knowing he had stopped whatever bright idea the doctor may have had.
“I’ll see you tomorrow in Daventry. The Commissioner will want you to start work on processing the DNA as soon as possible.” Godrik gave him a sharp nod but remained silent. He feared his emotions would get the better of him. Halson watched the exchange and realized what had happened. He rushed over to Godrik and pushed him hard. “Was that Ethan’s blood? Where is he? Godrik!” The doctor remained motionless, unwilling to stop the assault launched at him by the emotional boy. Halson’s face was covered in tears as he slammed his fists against Godrik’s chest. MalKari appeared to enjoy the show.
“Tell me it’s not true.” Halson’s voice was rough with sorrow. “It’s true,” Godrik whispered. He glanced up as Preston and the others walked away, a playful smirk dancing on the man’s lips. He wanted nothing more than to kill Preston Andrews but he knew that would have to wait. There were more pressing matters at hand. He looked at Halen who nodded his head. It was time.
“Do you have them?” Halen asked, stepping closer to the doctor and his son. Halson was confused by the exchange. “Yes, but we have to hurry.” They barged into the room where Ethan was still chained to the chair. “It’s freezing in here,” Halen noticed. “It was necessary to keep his body from deteriorating.” Halson was beyond perplexed. What were they talking about? Why were they acting like nothing had happened, like Ethan hadn’t just died? For his part, Halson wept at the sight of his love. Ethan’s skin was turning blue, his lips were almost purple, his fingertips were rigid and stiff.
“It’s okay. Godrik knows what he’s doing,” Halen said. He could tell his son was getting agitated. “Godrik is the one that killed him!” Halson bellowed. He pointed to the doctor who was busy attaching canisters to some sort of device. “I did,” Godrik stated. “And now I’m going to bring him back.” Halen gently shuffled his son to the side, in order for Godrik to work. “But his blood… you gave it to Preston.” Halson stated. Godrik stopped what he was doing to address the boy. “I gave him someone’s blood, but it wasn’t Ethan’s. I switched them out.” He went back to activating the machines when he glanced at Halen. “Are we good?” Halen turned his head, as if listening for something. “You’re good.”
The machine came to life and soon dark red liquid pumped through tubes that were now connected to E
than’s body. For a while, they waited, staring at Ethan anxiously. Godrik informed them that the process could take several minutes, maybe even longer. Halson paced around the room, willing his nerves to remain calm but nothing worked. He was staring at Ethan’s lifeless body, hoping that whatever Godrik was doing would work. It felt like an eternity when Godrik finally said, “It’s done.”
They stared at Ethan whose body was still unmoving. “Father, what are you doing?” Halen walked toward Ethan as Godrik pushed up the boy’s shirt, exposing his chest. “Father?” Halson tried again. “Do you trust me?” Halen asked his son. Halson nodded apprehensively. He watched as his father placed his hand across Ethan’s left side. “Here?” he asked Godrik. The doctor nodded. Halen took a deep breath and focused his energy into his hand. Suddenly, there was a flash of electricity pulsing through Halen’s body, out of his hand and into Ethan’s chest. The body arched at the jolt but remained otherwise immobile. “Try it again,” Godrik said. Another, more powerful bolt of energy hit Ethan and this time they waited.
Halson was biting his lip so hard, he drew blood, as he watched the heart monitor. “Come on Ethan,” he whispered. Godrik and Halen shared a look of despair. Perhaps they were simply too late. Godrik was about to say as much when he jerked his head toward the monitor. It was faint and slow but the beat was there. “Ethan?” Halson asked, stepping closer. “He won’t wake up for a while, but he’s alive.” Halson gripped Ethan’s hand, smiling when he felt a slight warmth returning. “We need to move him somewhere safe,” Godrik stated.
Halen agreed and called for his second in command. “Doryn will make sure he’s safe.” But Halson began to argue, “I’m not leaving him! He needs me!”
“He needs to get better. Godrik will take care of him. You are needed elsewhere,” Halen retorted. “Where would that be?” he asked crudely. Halen took his son aside as Godrik removed the restraints from Ethan’s body. “Listen to me Halson. I know you care for him but you’re both in the middle of something much bigger.” He looked him right in the eye as he spoke. “We all have a part to play. As far as anyone is concerned, Ethan is dead. The Commissioner must think that for our plan to work.” In that moment, Halson realized his father and Godrik had been working together all along.
“You never sent me there to keep an eye on Godrik did you?” Halson asked. Halen sighed deeply and shook his head. “So, you’ve been planning this all along? To kill him?”
“It’s more complicated than that Halson. I know right now this doesn’t make sense-” His son cut him off. “You’re right! It doesn’t make sense! I trusted you! You told me you would protect him and this whole time you were going to kill him anyway!” Halen huffed in frustration. “You don’t understand the big picture Halson!”
Halson looked at his father in disgust. He then glared at Godrik and shook his head. “No, you don’t understand. That-” he said pointing at Ethan, “is a person. A beautiful person, with feelings and insecurities and hopes and dreams. And all you’ve done is treat him like a thing, like a pawn in a game he didn’t even know he was playing because you’re all playing it for him. He never got a choice. He never got to say no. He never wanted any of this. I can’t ever forgive either of you for what you have put him through.”
“Halson,” his father tried to grab him but Halson snatched his arm away. “It was all necessary.” Halson bit his lip. “Would you have let Godrik do the same to me? Alter me without my knowledge, turn me into some weapon in a pathetic effort to win some game?” Halen swallowed but didn’t answer. Halson already knew what his answer would be anyway. “Ethan didn’t have a father to care for him. He didn’t have anyone to look out for him and you took advantage of that. But he has me now and I refuse to let him be part of your sick plan.”
Doryn arrived just in time to watch the awkward encounter between Halson and Halen. He went over to Ethan and hoisted the boy’s body with little effort. “Take him to my room,” Halson ordered, leveling a menacing glare at his father. Doryn looked to his leader for confirmation which Halen reluctantly gave. He tried to speak to his son, to reason with him but Halson simply pushed him back. “Don’t. Right now, there’s nothing you can say to make this okay.” He followed Doryn outside, leaving Halen and Godrik alone. “He’s right you know?” Godrik stated after a short silence. “Yes, I know.” Halen agreed.
CHAPTER 21
E nder’s hands were tied behind his back with electric rope, cutting off his the access to his powers. His feet were free but he was kneeling and it was difficult to maintain his balance. The floor was shaking beneath him indicating that they were on some sort of moving transportation. “I’m over here Ender.”
He relaxed slightly upon hearing Halson’s voice but he was still cautious. He didn’t know where they were going, only that they were taken by force. “What do you think they want with us?” Halson asked. Ender shook his head. “I don’t know. But we’re going to be alright, you hear me?” He noticed the same rope was used on Halson giving him reason to be afraid. Only the MalJari military used the special rope.
With a sudden jerk, the transport stopped moving. They could hear voices outside but Ender didn’t know what they were saying. Ender did his best to lean against Halson, trying to calm him down.
“It’s okay. We’re going to be fine.” He could hear Halson crying and it broke his heart. “I won’t let them hurt you.”
The doors opened and they were hit with a burst of cold air. Rough hands grabbed them and forced them to their feet, a task made difficult without the use of their hands. “Ender?”
“It’s okay Halson, I’m right here.” They were shoved forward and made to walk into a large building. They were thrown down, landing on a hard tile floor. Ender slid and hit his shoulder on a nearby wall. Halson let out a small grunt as his legs gave out and his head met someone else’s body.
He looked around and noticed there were others, all in the same predicament. Some of the people were crying while others appeared exhausted. He wondered how long they had been there.
He looked to his left and saw a small child shivering against his mother. He couldn’t believe they would take children too. He leaned closer so he could whisper to her. “How long have you been here?”
The woman whose hair was bloodied and matted hesitated with her reply. “Few hours,” she mumbled. She held her son even tighter against her body, attempting to shield him from whatever horrors were still to come.
Ender turned back to Halson. “You okay?” Halson nodded. They leaned on each other, using each other’s bodies for support.
All Ender could remember before they were taken was having dinner with Halson where he was presented with a blue pendant on a silver chain. He had no idea what was about to happen but at least he knew how much Halson loved him. He was about to tell Halson as much when the door opened and a few more people were thrown in. What on earth were they doing gathering up all these people? What did they want?
They sat in silence, only the occasional muffled cry was heard. Hours went by and Ender honestly thought they had been left for dead. That is until the door screeched open and three men entered the room. Everyone was on edge, skeptical about what the men wanted.
They huddled closer together, not wanting to be singled out. The men seemed to choose three people randomly, taking them forcefully and dragging them out of the room. All that could be heard after that was the occasional scream for mercy. That’s when Ender knew they weren’t making it out of there alive.
“Halson?” The other boy looked over to him with drooping eyes. Exhaustion was taking over making it difficult to concentrate on anything other than sleep. “Halson, we need to get out of here.”
He shook his head. “Where would we go?”
“I don’t know, but we can’t stay here. They’re going to kill us.” Halson laughed sadly. “Ender, we’re already dead.” Ender couldn’t understand why he was acting like this. Of course, Halson had always been the reasonable one, realistic and somewh
at harsh but never was he the first one to give up. Especially considering who his father was.
Before Ender could reply to the offhanded comment, the door opened once more, revealing two men this time. Ender held his breath as they walked toward him. They roughly grabbed Halson by the collar of his shirt and stood him up. “Halson!”
The second man looked at Ender and snatched him by the hair, pulling hard enough to force him to his feet. They were taken out of the room and into a long dimly lit hallway. Ender was at least happy that he would get to die with Halson but the pair was being pulled in opposite directions. “No! Ender!”
Halson struggled against his captor, trying to inch his way closer to Ender. “Halson!” Ender was also kicking and screaming, doing whatever he could to stay with his love but it was not to be. They were separated and shuffled to different rooms. Their screams to each other continued until finally, Ender was hit hard over the head causing him to blackout.
*****
Ender looked around at the faces staring back at him with fear. He could feel the cold stainless steel of the table he was currently strapped down to, tugging fruitlessly on the restraints.
He watched as they wheeled a large machine toward him. It was unlike anything he had ever seen. One of the men swiped his wrist, bringing the machine to life. “Please,” Ender pleaded softly. They turned to look at him and smiled. “Please let me go.”
The largest of the group leaned down next to Ender’s face. “Don’t worry, it will be over soon.” Ender was amazed that the man could be so calm but then frowned at his words. “What will be over soon? What are you doing to me?” The man stood up straight again and turned back to the machine.
“You’ll see soon enough Ender.” His eyes widened. “You know my name?” He turned back around to face the brunette.
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