Shocked (Electric Series)

by Harvell, Casey

  There’s nothing other than darkness and dirt down at least four flights of stairs. No one stands guard at the bottom: only the large, heavy looking metal door and the padlock chaining it shut. I dig the keys out from my pocket and hand them to Lucas, who begins to try keys out until we hear the click of the lock opening. The chains rattle and echo loudly throughout the empty stairwell above us.

  It takes two of us to get the door to move. The light drifts inside to reveal an empty hallway. I swallow hard and hope that this isn’t a trap…a dark, underground trap.

  We move cautiously down the hallway. The light from my orb plays shadows against the walls while we go. At the end of the hall is another door. The only difference between this one and the last is that once we open it noises come from inside. Signs of life! It makes me move to run inside to help whoever may be stuck inside. All that keeps me back is Lucas’ hand on my arm.

  I hold back and wonder if anyone notices the surge of brightness in the sphere that flares in reaction to my emotions. If so nobody says anything. Two members of our team move first and we trail behind them. It takes only a moment before we lower all weapons and stand frozen.

  People huddle in masses on the floor around us. They wear so much dirt that they’re almost unrecognizable. When we look at them they cower in fear and clutch their children tightly—as though we may rip them away. First an overall sadness engulfs me for the atrocities these poor people have been put through. Next, the anger sets in, the rage. It’s one more reason for me to take Carch down.

  These poor people are scared to death of us. I motion to the others to stay put and take a few tentative steps forward.

  “Hi, my name’s Kat.” I try to sound reassuring and not speak too loudly. “We’re here to take you someplace safe. You’ll have plenty of food and water, your own room and the freedom to move about the camp.”

  Most of them avoid eye contact with me. One of them steps forward and sneers through the dirt smear on his face. “Right, because we’re supposed to believe you? We know what happens once you walk out of here.”

  Something tells me that this area might be the tip of the iceberg. “We’re not affiliated with anyone at this camp. We’re from the south—here to rescue all of you.”

  A female with wide eyes and a small voice steps forward. “You stopped them? Was that all the noise?”

  I nod. “Yes, but I don’t know if they’ll send more. We need to hurry. We have helicopters ready to transport you.”

  Everyone around me springs into action. They speak in excitement with soft words. They line up. Man, woman and child and await orders from our team.

  All but one. The sneering man approaches me. “This’s for real, right? These people can’t survive another letdown.”

  “It’s real, I promise.”

  He nods. “It’ll go faster if you have someone that knows their way around. There’re others.”

  “That’d be great.” I offer him my hand. “I’m Kat.”

  “Nice to see you, Kat,” he grins. His teeth are a sharp white contrast against the dirt on his skin. He shakes my hand quickly. “I’m Ryan. I take it one of you has those keys, otherwise you’d never have made it this far.”

  “Yeah,” I signal Lucas to come over and explain what’s going on. We divide the members of our team that came down here so that three of them assist the others to safety while three of them assist Lucas, Ryan and me in finding the other survivors.

  We venture further into the bowels of the basement and a chill creeps over me that won’t go away. Something about the change of smell in the air disturbs me. With the chill every hair on my body stands on end. We follow as Ryan moves quickly through the hallways.

  “You really know your way around.” I think aloud.

  “That’s because I used to be one of them.” Ryan says. Lucas grabs my free hand and I feel him stiffen.

  “What do you mean?” Lucas demands.

  Ryan stops. “Back when this place first started I was a soldier.” He tells us. “It’s not like any of us had much of a choice. The politics of what was happening never reached us, not until it was too late. Some of us tried to run, but only one in four would make it out alive. Carch showed no mercy to deserters. Eventually most of us that were left became the monster she wanted. Only a few of us held out.

  “I was down here one day doing a head count and I couldn’t ignore how hungry they were. The kids were crying because they’d only bring down one meager meal a day, just enough to keep them alive, never enough to satisfy them. So that night after my shift, I grabbed my bag and stuffed it with food and water from the mess hall. I took a lot of care not to get caught. I’d thought I was so slick.

  “It was my supposed friend that did it. He was on duty—was supposed to let me in and out with none the wiser. Maybe he wanted the recognition or maybe he was just always a two-faced asshole and I never knew it, but he set me up. He let me in and a few minutes later, as I was handing out food, the door opened and there stood General Carch. She told me that since I’m so fond of our guests I can stay with them.”

  Lucas relaxes. “You did the right thing.” He tells Ryan.

  Ryan nods. “I know.” Then he looks at me. “You’re not squeamish are you?”

  I shake my head no but butterflies start in my belly. Exactly how not squeamish are we talking?

  “What’s down here that it’s separate from the others?” Lucas asks.

  Ryan’s face grows dark, angry. “This is where they did the tests.” He opens the door.

  “Tests—“ The words die on my lips when I step through the door. The world tilts for a moment and I reach to Lucas for support. One of the other team members steps right back out into the hall. At least it’s not just me.

  Different human body parts lie on the table in front of us. It’s a macabre scene straight out of a horror movie. I remove my gaze from the sickening sight before us and look to Ryan. There’s no one left alive in here.

  Ryan moves to the back of the lab and into another hallway where he stops. “Some survivors here may be past the point of saving. It wouldn’t be right not to check, you know?”

  The five of us murmur our agreement and begin the painstaking process of checking one room at a time. The first room holds a small bed and the sheet is over the head of its occupant. We are too late. The next two rooms are similar. The third room’s victim has also been lost, only this time the sheet is not yet covering the man’s misshapen face. It’s Ryan who moves further into the room to cover him—a last sign of respect for a lost soul whose body will now become entombed in this vile place. If ever given the chance maybe we can come back to give these bodies a proper burial.

  When we reach the last room none of us expect to find anyone alive. So far there’ve been no survivors. Ryan opens the door and we all look in.

  A boy looks back at us from the bed with eyes that appear too large for his face. He seems to be on the cusp of being a teenager. He clutches the blanket to his chest, fearful from our sudden appearance.

  “Hi,” I step forward as the least intimidating of the group. “I’m Kat. We’re here to bring you to our new home; to rescue you.”

  “You, you stopped them all?” He asks with a dry voice.

  “Yep, they’re all gone. We have to hurry before more come.”

  He jumps out of bed like a rocket and rips out an I.V. tube out of his arm. He’s barefoot with holey pants and a rag-like T-shirt with brown stains. The seven of us move down the hall.

  “What’s your name?” Ryan asks the boy, staying close.

  “Robbie.” He answers. “Are there others, or am I it?” He looks at Lucas nervously.

  “There’re others. You’ll see them once we get back to our camp.” Lucas tells him.

  Robbie nods as we reach the main room. It’s empty and quiet now. When we reach the top of the stairway the doors are open and I’m finally able to drop the energy sphere. I toss it down the center of the stairs over the railing. We all watch it
hit the ground below and explode into a mini-firework of sparks.

  “Um, that’s not, like, normal for people now, is it?” Ryan asks, still looking down.

  “Nope,” I answer. Both Ryan and Robbie looked relieved. “It’s a long story. I’ll tell you both sometime.”

  They just stare at me as I walk through the door onto the main floor. Some of the enemy men wake back up. Others (from that last room) never lost consciousness at all. One of our other team members stops me and Lucas.

  “There’s no way we can transport everyone and these prisoners.” He tells us.

  “Is it really a good idea to bring them back?” I ask.

  Lucas and the other guys stare at the prisoners for a minute until finally Lucas grins. “Maybe we should show them the same hospitality that they showed their guests.”

  We all smile together.

  News

  It’s hard to feel bad when we lock our new prisoners in the basement. We leave them with far more food and water to last them than they had their own prisoners. It can’t hurt to give them a taste of their own medicine until they get rescued by Carch. It’s more likely if the area remains clear that we’ll send another team to retrieve them once an alternate location is ready. No way are we going to bring them home.

  The helicopter is just a little faster as we return. When we land the relief on everyone’s face is visible. We do the un-doable. The ground is welcome under my feet.

  My mood deteriorates when Mason approaches in the crowd and waves at me. After staring at him blankly for a few seconds I pointedly turn away and take off in the opposite direction. The camp’s congested with the intake of all of our new members. All of which require attention: shelter, food, clothing…and maybe a good scrubbing…just saying. It’s easy to lose myself in the throng and escape.

  Halfway to the building I recall that my room isn’t my room anymore. All of my stuff’s up in Lucas’ room. I stop short and it takes me by surprise to find Lucas right behind me.

  “Oh, um, good,” I stumble over the words. Exhaustion takes over now that the adrenaline is leaving. “I need to grab my stuff and talk to the Captain about some new digs…if there’s even any left now.” I frown.

  “If that happens you can have my room. I can find somewhere to bunk more easily than you can.” Lucas offers.

  “Maybe,” Not even! No way am I stealing his room.

  We grab my things and head to the Captain’s office…even though it’s late the door is open and lights are on. Just like I suspect, he’s there.

  I rap softly on the door and the Captain lifts his head.

  “Kat, Lucas, come in. Good job out there today.” He stands and motions for us to sit.

  “Thanks, Captain.” Lucas says before he sits down.

  “Thanks,” I take the other chair. “I’m not sure how much space’s available here, but I kind of need a room if one’s available.”

  The Captain nods in understanding. “I figured as much. Don’t worry, we have plenty of space.” He hands me a key and a small piece of paper with a new room number assignment on it.

  Another knock on the door makes me look over. Brie’s there and B’s already on the floor beside me, nudging at my arm. I plop down onto the floor next to him and throw my arms around him. I hold him close for a few moments before releasing him and move up to Brie.

  “Go ahead, Kat. We’ll talk tomorrow.” Captain Jennings says warmly.

  “Thanks, Captain. Goodnight.” I say.

  “Night, Captain.” Lucas says and follows Brie, B and I down the hall.

  “Sorry to interrupt,” Brie says as she huffs along. “I just had to see with my own two eyes that you got home okay.”

  “You didn’t interrupt anything,” I assure her. “I just had to get a new room assignment, see.” I hold up the key and piece of paper. “Want to help me find it?”

  She grabs the piece of paper and studies it before making a face. “I would, but its two floors up and there’s no way that this belly’s going that far.”

  Lucas and I laugh. “Do you want us to walk you to your room?” Lucas offers.

  “No!” Brie says quickly (Mason’s room is next door to her and Jared’s) and quickly rushes on. “It’s not far. I’ll be fine, but thanks. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” She gives me a hug and says goodnight to Lucas, then hurries off. B stays glued to my leg which makes me smile.

  It’s nice not to have to lug my backpack and duffle bag up the two flights of stairs alone. It’s even nicer that my new digs leave absolute minimal chances for encountering Mason. The doors here have spyholes, doorbells and knockers. They’re painted different colors, like exterior doors on houses. The spaces between them begin to grow further and further apart. We reach the last door on the left and find the number that matches the one written on the paper in my hand. I shrug and shove the key into the lock. It clicks open without resistance so it must be the right place.

  It’s dark and unfamiliar: a dangerous combination for someone with balance-impairment such as mine. I step cautiously into the semi-lit entryway. It’s Lucas who finds the switch on the wall and illuminates the space before us.

  My last room with Mason is functional. The bed might’ve been full-size, but that’s about the only thing. It makes me blush when thinking about how close we almost—well at least I don’t. That’s what counts, right? I force myself to focus on my surroundings instead of dwelling on it.

  This is way more than your average room. It’s more like an apartment: small kitchen, bathroom, living room. Further into the space my jaw drops. “A loft,” I whisper. I look for the bed (the edge of the living space being a large floor to ceiling window) and it’s over the kitchen and entryway. Against the wall steps lead to a clear glass-like divider that keeps the view clear, but keeps a clumsy fool from falling off. This will surely come in handy.

  I place my bag next to the stairs and motion for Lucas to do the same. Still in awe I wander to the kitchen and open the refrigerator to find glorious food. I’m almost able to hear Dr. Ford conspiring with Captain Jennings to fatten me up. It warms my heart.

  I move onto the freezer and spot a frozen pizza. Lucas appears over my shoulder. “Um, you know you’re making that, right?”

  I laugh and pull it out. “You might as well find something good on.”

  Like a kid with a new toy he grabs the remote and grins at the big flat-screen. It makes me laugh while I warm the oven and get the pizza ready.

  It’s just what I need. Lucas only stays an hour—just long enough for us to eat and unwind. Then he says goodnight and reminds me to lock up behind him. B sits on the floor and gnaws on some leftover pizza crust. It’s nice to have his company.

  Before I climb into my new clean bed I decide to take a shower. It’s been a long day full of the kind of filth and horrors that permeate deep into you. It makes me shudder despite the hot water. It’s too bad that you can’t scrub things out of your memories. There are images in my memory that I wish I can forget. They are better left forgotten or never seen at all.

  I shut off all but the kitchen light (which I dim) and call B to follow me upstairs. He curls up next to me and for the first time in days I fall asleep quickly.

  The sun shines bright through the window and wakes me. I stretch and notice the warm furry lump next to me. I reach over and rub B’s belly then watch him mimic my own stretch. It’d be nice to spend a few more hours cuddling in bed with B, but I want to check on the survivors we brought back with us yesterday. With an overdramatic groan I extract myself from the cocoon of blankets and stand up. B jumps down with a surprisingly dog-like shake for a bear.

  I make it down one step before I change my mind and decide to make the bed. It’s far too nice to leave a mess. After I tug the blankets and sheets back into order I retrace my step and continue down the steps in search of coffee. It doesn’t take long to set up the coffee maker (another new luxury for my personal living space.) I use the bathroom and brush my teeth before I fill my fir
st mug.

  It’s tasty. I bring it over to the big window and stare out at the camp. Before long B looks at me and whines. “Okay, give me a second.” I tell him and rush to dress.

  The first order of business is to let B do his business outside. I decide to find Brie and see if she wants to hang out in my digs and scarf some breakfast. I lead B in search. Just before her hallway Dr. Ford rushes over to me. The look on his face says it all.

  “Oh boy, what’s wrong?” I ask.

  Dr. Ford shakes his head. “There’s no time now. We have to go talk to the Captain.”

  “Okay,” B and I follow Dr. Ford’s frantic pace down the hall.

  We reach Captain Jennings’ open door just as he puts the phone down. “Good, you’re here. I just requested someone wake Lucas. Should I, er, wake Mason, too?” The captain looks embarrassed.

  I shake my head no. “Maybe Jared so he can keep Brie in the loop.”

  The Captain nods and grabs the phone again. He speaks swiftly and quietly before replacing the receiver. He looks really, really worrisome. A bad feeling forms in the pit of my stomach. Whatever it is: it’s worse than I thought.

  Within a short time first Jared and then Lucas appear. We crowd into the office and shut the door. The Captain stands and Dr. Ford joins him behind his desk. They share a look and Captain Jennings clears his throat.

  “We have a major problem that’s escalating. We’d thought it was under control, but the conditions have deteriorated. We’re concerned with the possible ramifications of what can happen if we don’t act now.” We all wait quietly for him to continue. “Right after the infection got bad we were able to weaponize the energy needed to stop it,” he pauses and shoots me a quick grin. “We continue to send teams to control this situation. It’s a possible threat to everyone.”