“I’m never going to leave you,” Rein breathed against her as he moved his hand under her shirt. She gasped, and her stomach twitched in anticipation.
Ellyssa wrapped her fingers in his hair. “I never want you to.”
38
After breakfast, Dr. Loki met Ellyssa and the others at the tunnel entrance. They all wore their snowsuits in preparation for the weather. The doctor disappeared inside a room, then popped back out in a thick parka.
“You ready?” the doctor asked, slipping on black leather gloves. “I don’t think you will be pleased.”
“Let’s just go and see it,” Woody said.
Dr. Loki entered the code, and the door popped open. He stepped through and went into the side room, where the quads were kept. “Take your pick.” He turned the engine, the roar shattering the quiet, and rolled out into the long passageway.
Pulling out in the same arrangement as last time, Ellyssa with Rein, Trista with Dyllon, and Woody by himself, the five followed behind Dr. Loki. Cool air swept by, and as they closed in on the entrance, the temperature dropped. Ellyssa ducked her face behind Rein’s back to ward off freezing air.
Before they reached the opening, Dr. Loki glided to a stop and climbed off the four-wheeler. Quiet returned as the roar of engines died down one by one.
“Follow me,” the doctor said.
He went to the entrance and pulled the camouflage curtain back. Glaring white bounced into the tunnel, as if the sun itself rose within the rocky walls. Wind blew in with the white and brushed its icy fingers against Ellyssa’s exposed flesh.
Blinking back the light and cold, Ellyssa followed behind Rein to the drape and joined the crowd. A thick blanket of snow covered everything. The scrub brush and trees had disappeared under the white. Big, fluffy flakes fell and blew across the canyon.
“There has to be at least a meter of snow on the ground,” Woody uttered in disbelief from over Trista’s shoulder.
“And it hasn’t stopped yet,” the doctor confirmed. “The worst of the blizzard is over, though.” Dr. Loki stepped away from the wintery scene. “Until it stops, you are more than welcome to stay with us.”
“Thank you,” said Trista. “I’m definitely not in any hurry to go out in that.”
Disheartened, Ellyssa stepped away. Each day passing was a day that their family couldn’t afford…if any of them had survived thus far at all.
Dr. Loki must have read the look on her face. “From what we gathered, the snow should taper off by tonight. You should be able to continue within a day or two. Plus, you won’t be leaving from here. It’s a two-tothree day hike, depending on the weather. You can leave from the original entrance.”
“Oh,” Ellyssa said, after taking a peek inside the doctor’s head. The elevator, she gleaned, was large, with huge hydraulics that lifted and lowered a floor. On top of the roof of the machine was basically groundcover used to keep it well-hidden. Which apparently had worked.
“What?” Dyllon asked.
“An elevator,” Ellyssa said, a little dumbstruck over the ingenuity of the people in an effort to stay alive. She’d thought it before, how her father really had underestimated the Resistance.
With a look that said he knew she had taken the information, Dr. Loki smiled. “We don’t use it often. As a matter of fact, it probably hasn’t been used for over a year, maybe closer to two. We keep it well-maintained, though. Always prepared. We have other tunnels that pop out all over that had been built over the years, but none as close to your destination as the elevator.”
“That will be perfect. Thank you,” Ellyssa said.
“The only thing is, when you leave, you will have to wait for a windy day. We can’t chance your trail being traced back through the snow.”
“I understand.”
Mathew glanced up when the Commandant entered the barracks in his regular attire. Giving him a wary glance, Mathew went back to sweeping the floor. “Do you think it’s a good idea for you to be in here?”
“It’s my camp.”
“Not anymore,” Mathew retorted, knowing that had to sting. He didn’t care; it wasn’t like they were friends. Actually, Mathew would have liked to beat the hell of the commander with his own crop.
The Commandant didn’t say anything for a moment. “I’m performing routine checks, accounting for inmates. Nothing out of the ordinary.”
“Even with your sergeant-at-arms watching you. Surely you have noticed.”
“I have. He isn’t on the grounds right now.”
Mathew looked up from his assignment. “Where has he gone?”
Frowning, the Commandant stood in front of Mathew. “I don’t know. He doesn’t report to me anymore.” Pausing, he turned away and looked at the door, as if expecting someone to come through it at any moment. “I haven’t seen much of him the last couple of days. It seems he has other orders besides his regular duties.”
Moving the broom back and forth, Mathew waited for the Commandant to continue.
After a few seconds of staring at the door, the Commandant turned back around. “Do you think your friend Ellyssa will attempt a rescue?”
Mathew didn’t hesitate to answer. “If she is alive…yes.”
“I think Aalexis intends to carry on Dr. Hirch’s work.”
“That’s the way I see things.”
Silence followed again, except for the swishing noise of the bristles against the linoleum floor.
Finally, the Commandant said, “That’s how I see things, too.”
The former commander positioned his feet to execute a right-angle turn, but suddenly faced Mathew and backhanded him, hard. Just as Mathew stumbled back and tripped, and his backside met the floor with a thud that resounded in his teeth, Corporal Kraus stepped through the door.
“Don’t ever speak to me that way again, you inbred scum.”
The corporal glanced down at Mathew, a glint of sadistic humor in his eye. “Fräulein Aalexis requests your presence, sir.”
“Please inform the new Commandant I am en route.”
After the door closed behind the corporal, the former commander looked down at Mathew without a bit of remorse. “We have to prevent Aalexis’ plans from happening.”
Rubbing his cheek, Mathew didn’t know what to think. The surprise of such a statement rendered him speechless, especially coming from a member of the military. Mathew had thought perfection was their highest goal. Wasn’t that why they executed the people they saw as inferior?
Without another word, the Commandant exited the barracks, leaving Mathew with a red cheek and confused thoughts.
Commandant Baer’s eyes locked on Aalexis sitting behind his desk with Xaver at her side. Irritation twitched the muscles in his face.
“Have a seat, Commandant,” Aalexis said, pointing to the visitor’s chair.
Although she didn’t show any change of facial expression, Hans knew the little girl was rubbing in the switch in their positions and enjoying it. Locking his jaw to stop the tic, he proceeded to the offered seat, where he tried to appear relaxed by crossing his legs and resting his hands on the arms of the chair. The two faux angels didn’t buy it any more than he did.
“You requested my presence?” Hans tried to keep the sarcasm out of his tone, but failed miserably.
Aalexis looked at the commander with a blank face, but Hans could see behind the façade. He could see the demented anticipation swirling like a cyclone behind the placid demeanor.
“Yes,” Alexis said to Hans. Then to Xaver, “If you please.”
The man-sized teen walked around the desk and stood behind Hans’ chair. Hans couldn’t see him, but he could definitely sense him as if Xaver was breathing down his neck.
Keeping his gaze steady, a remarkable feat, the former commander addressed the new commander. “How may I be of assistance?”
Cocking her head slightly to the side, Aalexis said, “It seems you have not been completely truthful with us.”
Confused, Hans blink
ed. “I beg your pardon. I have answered all your questions.”
“With half-truths,” Xaver said. He placed his hand on Hans’ shoulder.
Hans couldn’t help it; he flinched as soon as the boy touched him. In the back of his mind, a little voice screamed a warning, and he understood why—he could feel the tension roil off Xaver’s palm. Anxiety grabbed the reins and thundered through Hans’ blood-stream, and the telltale signs of perspiration started to bead along his forehead. “I’m not sure I understand,” he said, moving his eyes back to Aalexis.
“Tell me,” she said, “why have you been meeting with the prisoner named Doc?”
That’s it? “Oh.” Breathing out pent-up air he didn’t realize he’d been holding, Hans relaxed. He knew the sergeant-at-arms had been a busy little bee. “I was hoping to persuade him with extra promises of further livable conditions for the prisoners,” he said, executing the well-rehearsed words without any glitch to show the lie in his voice. “Since he was already getting preferential treatment as per your orders, I thought he might be more open to…communicate.”
“I see. And was he?”
“Of course not. If I had anything to report, I would have already told you.”
“Interesting.”
“Not really. I do apologize for the misunderstanding.”
“Explain to me again why the other prisoners have benefitted from the arrangement.”
Xaver’s finger flexed minutely as Aalexis spoke, and Hans glanced down at the stiff fingertips digging into his shoulder. He didn’t like the way the conversation was going. He had to tread carefully.
“They haven’t. As I told you, I wanted the Rec Center to be completed.”
“There was not a deal reached?”
Without warning, Hans’ insides started to warm. Ever so slightly, like when sipping on warm tea. At first, he didn’t understand what was happening. Had no clue. But as he watched Aalexis, comprehension dawned. He pulled at the collar of his shirt, trying to alleviate the heat as fear climbed up the rungs of his spine.
“I assure you, Fräulein, I have told you all that I know.”
Stupidly, Hans tried to stand, the need to escape the rising temperature inside his body nullifying logical thought. Both of Xaver’s hands latched onto his shoulders, keeping him firmly in place.
Saying nothing, Aalexis moved around the desk and stood in front of Hans. A malicious glimmer showed in her eyes as she regarded him. “That is not the information your clerk has loyally delivered. He could not catch everything, but he was able to hear about the deal you struck with the prisoner.”
Niklas? Niklas had betrayed him?
“It did not take much convincing on my or my brother’s behalf either. All I had to do was ask.”
Hans knew what was coming next, and his heart tripled its beat. Then suddenly, acceptance engulfed him as the former Commandant made a life-or-death decision, a choice of the lesser of two evils. The little bitch could do her worst; he wasn’t going to give her information about Ellyssa. To do so could help Aalexis and Xaver’s plans, then the world would pay. Besides, if the lowly inferiors of the Resistance could withstand the torture, so could he.
The last thing Hans physically felt was Xaver’s hands tightening on his shoulders a nanosecond before ice and lava entered his veins simultaneously.
39
Dr. Mike Ito, the resident sensei and weapons expert of The Pit, stood at the head of the Alpha Group while Ann and Loreley walked between the straight rows. The redhead kept glancing at Woody, and for some odd reason, Ellyssa didn’t like it. Woody did, though; he flashed a smile every time he caught Ann’s eye.
“Ichi,” the sinsei barked.
On cue, the class executed tsukis to an invisible opponent’s diaphragm. Ellyssa had to commend Dr. Loki and Dr. Mike. The students’ precision was almost as fine-tuned as hers.
“Ni.”
The same process with the opposite hand.
“San.”
“Why don’t you join them?” asked Rein.
Ellyssa wanted to. The urge twitched her muscles, but she shook her head. “Class is almost over. Those are cool-down exercises, then they will stretch.”
“They are amazing. I wonder what Dr. Loki is waiting for,” Woody said. He shot Ann another grin, and she turned away, her cheeks shading to the color of her hair.
Ellyssa shrugged. “Maybe some sort of sign.”
“But from who? He doesn’t even know if the other facilities still exist.” Woody paused. “I wonder, if they do exist, if their people are as well trained. I mean, look at them,” he said, flicking his head toward the students. “They are soldiers.”
Nodding, Rein added, “And their arsenal is amazing.”
Ellyssa watched as the class finished the series of punches and got on the ground to stretch. “But to do so, they would have to work together. Two hundred fifty people aren’t going to be able to put a scratch on anything as big as the State.”
The class had finished and started to make their way toward the door. Ellyssa, Rein and Woody stepped aside to let them pass. As Ann went by, with Loreley behind her, her gaze worked from Woody’s toes to his head, as if undressing him. Woody puffed his chest out a little, like a rooster. Out in the hall, Ann whispered something about Woody being cute and Loreley said she was insane, then they giggled. Ellyssa rolled her eyes.
“You should have joined the class,” said Dr. Ito. “I would’ve enjoyed seeing your technique. I understand you got your training from The Center.”
Ellyssa glanced up at the thirty-year-old man. His dark brown hair matched his almond-shaped eyes. His skin was a yellowish bronze. He smiled at Ellyssa as he tossed a hand towel over his shoulder, his well-defined biceps twitching with the movement.
“I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“Maybe next time,” he said, flashing ultra-white teeth at her.
“I would enjoy that. Thank you.”
“Feel free to use whatever,” he said, going into the passageway.
Excitement peaked in Ellyssa. “Come on,” she said slipping her hands into Woody’s and Rein’s. She dragged them behind her over to the punching bags.
Dull thumps of fists hitting leather and grunts from exertion filled the huge room, and Ellyssa’s muscles sang with satisfaction. It’d been days since she’d been able to work out, to practice her techniques. After thirty minutes or so, Ellyssa paused to watch Woody and Rein. Perspiration glistened on their foreheads as they concentrated on the bag. Their form was not as disciplined as hers, but still effective. The bags hefted under their strikes.
Good enough, Ellyssa thought. Adrenaline flooding, she bobbed up and down on her feet. “Okay. Who’s first?”
Both Woody and Rein stopped to stare at her.
“What do you mean?” asked Rein.
“Let’s spar.”
A nervous laugh escaped Woody as Rein shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
“Why not?”
“I’m not sparring with you,” Rein said.
Woody confirmed the sentiment with a shake of his head.
Ellyssa studied Rein for a moment, confused. “Why not?”
“I know you’re well-trained, but what if I get lucky and accidently hurt you?”
Ellyssa laughed at the idea. “You’re not going to hurt me. We need to practice. It will be good for the both of us.”
“That’s true. My money’s on Ellyssa,” Woody said, pushing Rein toward her. “Go ahead.”
“Why don’t you give it a whirl?” Rein protested.
“I’m not stupid.”
“That’s a matter of opinion.”
“Please, Rein,” Ellyssa begged. She tugged on his hand. “Your worries are unwarranted.”
Hesitantly, Rein stepped into the middle of the room with Ellyssa. The look on his face was a little comical, yet glum.
Ellyssa said, “I promise, no accidents.”
“It’s not you he’s worried about,” Woody called from the si
delines.
“Shut up.”
“Talk like that, and it won’t be Ellyssa you have to worry about.”
“Any time, little man.”
Laughing, Woody said, “Listen to that trash talk. I get my turn after you, Ellyssa.”
With a smile on her face and the vibration of anticipation humming in her muscles, Ellyssa faced Rein. “Take a swing at me.”
Getting into a fighter’s stance, Rein pulled his hands up to cover his face. Then he stood there.
“Come on,” she encouraged.
“I can’t.” Rein dropped his cover.
“I can.” Ellyssa stepped forward and punched him in the shoulder.
Woody hooted as Rein stumbled back a step.
Pulling his fists back into position, Rein blocked another jab from Ellyssa, then swiped his hand down in a circular motion to stop a sidekick. They circled each other for a minute, her punching, him blocking or ducking her attacks, but he never took a jab of his own. Finally, Ellyssa swung her arms down.
“It doesn’t do any good if you don’t attack me.”
“I don’t want to hit you.”
“If you don’t let me practice, someone else is going to hit me,” Ellyssa lied. Besides her brothers or sister, no one was a match for her.
Rein tossed her a skeptical look, calling her bluff. “I don’t even buy that.”
“Please, Rein. Practice is good for both of us.” Ellyssa brought her hands back up and started to bounce on her feet.
“I’ll take a crack at her.”
Ellyssa turned her head to Ann’s voice; Loreley, in all her dark exotic beauty, stood next to her, at the exact time Rein had finally come to terms with his machismo and let his fist snap forward. He hit Ellyssa right in the sternum. The punch wasn’t hard but caught Ellyssa off guard, violating the first lesson she’d ever learned from any of her dojo instructors—never take your eyes off the enemy. Stepping back, more from astonishment than impact, Ellyssa’s head whipped around, her gaze landing on Rein. He dropped his jaw and widened his eyes.
Flawed (Perfection) Page 28
