The Collection

by Shannon Stoker

  Zack’s breathing slowed down and he closed his mouth.

  “Keep this between us,” Zack said. “I need to bring it up to ET before we alert everyone.”

  Sarah nodded.

  “Try to look calm,” Zack said.

  Mia took a few breaths before starting the car again. She didn’t know what would be worse, keeping the militia’s presence hidden from Andrew and Carter or what would happen once the two of them found out about it. Mia had a feeling this wasn’t the last time she’d have a run-in with this group.

  Chapter 59

  The American government wants its people free and happy. That is why there is as little involvement as possible in a citizen’s everyday life.

  —American Gazette

  The sun shone down on Andrew. Even in the morning its rays were powerful in the tropical heat. He was glad they were starting orientation today. He’d had enough of wandering aimlessly around Affinity, following Sarah or Zack to the next work spot, none of which offered much of interest to Andrew. He glanced over at Mia. She wore the same worried expression he had seen on her face over the past twenty-four hours. Carter was walking several feet in front of them, his head held high. The three of them hadn’t been talking much at all. When they were alone it was like everyone just wanted to sleep. Andrew didn’t want any questions about the state of his emotions, but he wondered what Carter and Mia were hiding.

  “What’s wrong?” Andrew asked.

  Mia turned her head toward him and put a smile on her face.

  “Nothing,” Mia said.

  Andrew frowned.

  “I’m a little nervous about orientation,” Mia said. “Choosing a division.”

  It seemed decided that they were staying here, though none of them had discussed the topic. Andrew wasn’t sure where else they would go anyway. He still believed Mia was hiding something, but she wasn’t questioning his disappearances to speak with Katie and he didn’t want her to ask, so he dropped the subject.

  He hated to admit it, but after two nights of speaking with the doctor he was already feeling a little better. The headaches still came when he thought back to his time in the militia, but he was getting better at controlling his memories.

  They walked down the hill and made it to the entrance of Affinity. Rex was standing outside waiting for them. He didn’t smile. Instead he wore the same blank face as Carter.

  “Don’t let him get to you,” Andrew said.

  “I think Affinity has the right to know what type of person he really is,” Mia said.

  Andrew and Carter had convinced her he deserved a second chance, but she wasn’t on board yet. Andrew didn’t think Mia would ever understand Rex the same way he and Carter did. Andrew saw the man as a possible future version of himself and part of him needed to believe Rex was capable of redemption.

  Mia took the lead and pushed past Rex, opening the door to the room. Carter paused to talk with the man; Andrew decided it was best to follow Mia.

  “Give him a chance,” Andrew said.

  She frowned, but before they could continue the conversation Zack popped his head into the room.

  “Right on time,” he said. “Have a seat.”

  There was a large table. Andrew and Mia both pulled out chairs and sat down. Rex and Carter were in the room now and they did the same.

  “Welcome to Affinity,” Zack said. “Today we’re going to fill you in on some details of our society, our goals, and what will be required of you if you choose to stay.”

  Zack was energetic. Andrew could tell he enjoyed his occupation.

  “We are a free society,” he said. “Everyone here is your equal. There are no divisions on the basis of gender. You must treat everyone accordingly.”

  Andrew wondered how hard that was for Rex. Zack opened his mouth to continue, but before he could speak the door swung open and Zack stopped. Andrew turned around to see a woman at the back of the room. She was older, her hair pulled up in a tight bun.

  “Good morning, Zack,” she said.

  “Eleanor,” he said.

  “It’s come to my attention that two of our newest recruits require a private orientation,” she said. “I’d like to take them to my office, if that’s all right with you.”

  “Why . . . er . . . of course,” Zack said.

  The woman moved to the front with Zack. He bowed his head. The speech Zack had just delivered didn’t apply to this woman; she was obviously Zack’s superior.

  “Amelia,” she said. “And Millard. Please follow me.”

  Rex and Mia started to stand up.

  “No,” Andrew said.

  Mia looked down at him. Her eyes told Andrew she didn’t mind leaving. She wore a small smile of reassurance.

  “I’m not leaving you,” Andrew said. His voice was firm.

  She bent down and whispered in his ear, “We’re always together.”

  Andrew didn’t respond. He looked at her; she wore a soft expression. Her lack of argument told him she wanted to follow this woman, even if it meant being alone with Rex.

  “I promise you she will return to the group by the end of the day’s activities,” Eleanor said. “Zack, please continue.”

  She walked toward the door and didn’t turn around to make sure Rex and Mia were following. Andrew felt like she had brought iciness to the room. The doors closed and they were gone.

  “Can you believe Rex’s real name is Millard?” Zack asked.

  Carter let out a little laugh. Andrew turned his attention toward Zack. He wanted some answers.

  “Who was that?”

  “Let’s get back to orientation,” Zack said. “By the end of the session all your questions should be answered, including her role in Affinity.”

  With few other options, Andrew gave Zack his full attention. Whoever that woman was, Mia didn’t mind following her; Andrew needed to focus on that. Mia was turning into a capable person, and she deserved some deference.

  Chapter 60

  The world is excited for the imminent announcement about Grant Marsden’s future. Will he be our next grand commander?

  —American Gazette

  The boy was still in denial. Grant could tell after yesterday’s phone call. He didn’t want to discuss the terms of his surrender yet. Grant had anticipated that, but Roderick’s clock was already ticking. He had a few hours to kill until the boy’s next phone call, but Grant wasn’t in the mood to work. It was the lack of a phone call from Rex that was bothering him.

  Rex was as loyal as they come, and it was unlike him to wait this long to check in. Grant would miss him if he were dead—at least Grant thought he would. It would be an annoyance replacing him, one Grant didn’t want to deal with at the moment. He didn’t want to call Rex. Even though he had technology masking the source of his calls, if there were any way to trace a phone call to Mexico from Grant he would have to face some questions. But not knowing was getting to Grant. He decided if there was a safe place to make the phone call it was from his systems. He picked up the phone, took a breath, and dialed out. The phone rang.

  “Hello,” a voice said.

  Grant didn’t recognize whoever was on the other end.

  “Hello,” Grant said.

  The two were silent. They were at a standoff; Grant didn’t want to show weakness.

  “Your friend has caused me a lot of trouble,” the person said.

  Grant didn’t respond.

  “I know he’s your friend since this is the only phone number stored in his phone,” the voice said. “Do you care about him?”

  “He’s a good employee,” Grant said.

  “So you sent him down here?”

  “To track something,” Grant said. “That was stolen from me.”

  “Well, now he has stolen from me,” the voice said. “Who am I speaking with?”

  “That’s not a concern of yours,” Grant said. “Is my employee dead?”

  “Not yet,” he said. “Soon. We know where he is.”

  “How
do you have his phone?” Grant asked.

  “He and those three clever imbeciles think they’re safe,” he said. “But I am coming for them. Unless you are willing to pay for your employee’s transgressions?”

  “Tell me something,” Grant said. “How is someone a clever imbecile? It’s a contradiction.”

  “They’re clever because the four of them managed to screw me over, but imbeciles because they think they can get away with it.”

  “What makes you think the four of them are a team?”

  “He saved the life of one of the men,” the man said. “Andrew Simpson may think he has cheated death, but it is still coming his way if I do not receive my goods.”

  This was news to Grant. Rex was working with Amelia and the boys. Grant felt a bit of rage bubble but swallowed it back down. He did instruct Rex to keep their unit intact. The man on the phone was of no concern to Grant, and Rex was more than capable of taking care of himself.

  “Consider him fired,” Grant said. “Feel free to kill him.”

  The man on the other end started to talk, but Grant had had enough. He had heard all the information this man had. Grant hung up and dropped his phone on the table.

  I hope you slept well?” the host asked.

  Grant nodded. The food on the enormous dining room table smelled wonderful. The table looked different in the light of day, especially without the dead body slumped over.

  “I have a team of groomers coming over this morning,” he said. “If you’re going to work for me you have to present yourself better.”

  Grant took a seat. He started to reach for some food.

  “Uh-uh,” the host said. “Learn some manners. Sit straight up, put the napkin in your lap, keep your elbows down. Don’t they teach you any of this in those schools?”

  Grant looked at the man with confusion.

  “It is polite to answer all questions asked of you,” he said.

  “No,” Grant said.

  “Maybe this was a mistake and I should just kill you,” he said.

  Grant didn’t respond to the man’s threat. He wasn’t about to live his life in constant fear that it could be ended in a moment. The host smiled at Grant’s lack of reaction.

  “You have something that none of the others had,” he said. “I like to have an apprentice. Normally I choose someone right out of service; my last young man didn’t fare too well and I am looking for a replacement. It’s you.”

  Grant stayed silent.

  “Aren’t you going to accept?”

  “You didn’t make an offer,” Grant said. “You gave an order.”

  The host smiled.

  “My name is Victor Marsden,” he said. “I’ve decided you can call me Victor.”

  Grant nodded. The door to the dining room opened up and a young woman came in. She was in her twenties, with beautiful long blond hair and bright blue eyes. Grant felt his back straighten as soon as she walked in. Her eyes were glued to the floor. She pulled out the chair next to Victor and took a seat.

  “Grant, please let me introduce you to my wife,” Victor said. “She was good last night, so I’m allowing her to eat at the table with us this morning. Her name is Daphne.”

  She still didn’t look up from the table. Grant watched her cast-down eyes; they were filled with fear. Grant tried to cock his head to get a better look.

  “Pay her no attention,” he said. “Please, Daphne, serve us now.”

  She rose from her seat and picked up one of the dishes from the table. Then she started spooning out three portions.

  “You seem fascinated with Daphne,” he said.

  “I’m not used to being in the presence of women,” Grant said.

  “It’s easy to adjust to them,” Victor said. “Just forget they exist.”

  He smiled at his wife. She nodded her head, but Grant could see she was holding in her emotions. Daphne’s face was still, but her eyes gave her away. She looked like a bomb, ready to explode. Grant thought Victor should keep her away from knives.

  “Let’s discuss your new position,” Victor said. “For the first few weeks you will tail me. Everything I do, you do. Everywhere I go, you will accompany me. Then I can see your weaknesses and strengths.”

  Grant nodded his head. He wasn’t certain what Victor’s occupation was or what Grant was about to learn. At the moment he didn’t care. Daphne held much more fascination for him.

  Chapter 61

  In order to stop the Registry, Affinity must be stronger than the enemy. If that includes sacrificing our own, so be it.

  —Internal memorandum from Affinity

  The walk was quiet. Mia didn’t want to strike up a conversation with Rex, and Eleanor seemed unapproachable. They were going up a path, higher into the mountains. Every time a building came into view Mia hoped they would stop, but instead Eleanor kept on walking. The air felt thinner up here; Mia couldn’t tell if they had been walking for thirty minutes or an hour, but either way it would be difficult to make her way back to Andrew. Finally Eleanor took a turn. They were off the main path and into the jungle. Mia was happy to have the shade. A fence came into view; there was a keypad and Eleanor pushed her palm against it. Mia heard a buzz fade away and the fence open. Eleanor walked through and Rex and Mia followed. When the gate shut the buzz returned. While Affinity felt like an open community, this place was more like a prison.

  There was a larger building in the center of a clearing and several smaller ones surrounding it. The trees weren’t completely cleared away. Eleanor made her way to the larger building; another palm scan and a door opened up. They walked inside and Mia was happy to feel the blast of air-conditioning on her face.

  They entered a large room that must have taken up the entire first floor. There was a giant conference table in the center and screens on all the walls. They walked toward the table, passing a door leading to a flight of stairs.

  “Please have a seat,” Eleanor said.

  Mia pulled out a chair and Rex sat opposite her. The table was elegant. Mia thought it belonged in a fancy office more than a room in the middle of the jungle. The chairs had wheels and were large and comfortable. None of this fit in with the rest of Affinity.

  “You are in the External Tactics division of Affinity,” Eleanor said. “Do both of you know what we are?”

  “Yes,” Rex said.

  “I assume Dr. Drum filled you in?” she said to Rex.

  “Yes,” Rex said.

  “And you learned of us from young Sarah?” Eleanor asked Mia.

  “Yes,” Mia said.

  Sarah had told her to act surprised, but Mia didn’t think it was worth trying to lie to Eleanor. The woman carried a level of intensity Mia had never seen before; she would likely be able to read any lies. She walked over to the table with a tray of water glasses. She handed them out before having a seat.

  “Let’s start with Millard,” she said.

  Mia didn’t notice a remote, but one of the screens came on. There was a picture of Rex.

  “How do you know my real name?” Rex asked.

  Eleanor smiled and ignored Rex’s question. Sarah had mentioned ET had access to impressive technology.

  “You served multiple terms in the American military,” she said. “Then you were head of security for Grant Marsden.”

  The screen switched. There was a box with a giant question mark.

  “Mia,” she said. “You have been much more difficult to find information on. Your companion Andrew CMW1408 is impossible to track, since his release from the orphanage, because America doesn’t keep records on their young men. Carter Rowe, on the other hand, was raised by his father, who recently passed away in a car accident. Miles away from the spot where Mr. Marsden’s wife lost her life.”

  The screen switched again. There was a picture of Grant on the screen.

  “There is much to be said about this man,” she said. “His recent tragedy is big news to the American people. However, it is impossible to find a picture of his wife
or confirmation of her name. At first we thought it might be a publicity stunt to gain public appeal, and there was no wife.”

  The screen changed. This time it was Mia’s Registry photo.

  “One of our members uploaded this to us,” she said. “It was circulated around the city of Saint Louis, along with a hotline to call regarding your disappearance. As far as I can tell it is the only photo of you in existence.”

  Mia hated that photo.

  “The American government is going to great lengths to make sure you don’t exist,” Eleanor said. “If you came forward as Mia Morrissey there would be no photo or person to back up your claim. Why is that?”

  Mia was uncomfortable. Eleanor waited for a response.

  “Because I made it out of the country,” Mia said. “My story might inspire other girls to run.”

  “We know you are Grant Marsden’s wife,” Eleanor said. “And I think Millard was sent down here to execute you; why he hasn’t remains a mystery.”

  Grant did say he had friends in the government, but Mia thought he was a private citizen. She didn’t know why her identity required erasing.

  “I am no longer in Grant Marsden’s employ,” Rex said. “I am looking for a new life to lead.”

  “And you care about stopping the atrocities happening in America?” Eleanor asked.

  “No,” Rex said. “I am a soldier looking for a new general. Affinity has shown me respect and I would like to serve them in return.”

  “Why should we trust you?” Eleanor asked. “I believe Mia does not.”

  “Because being in Grant’s employment for so long has taught me many personal things about him. I know his habits, his weaknesses. I can be a great asset.”

  “How do I know you’re not still working for him?”

  “If I was, I would have killed her,” Rex said.

  The room went quiet.

  “Grant Marsden is cruel,” Rex said. “He is on his way to political power. I have been growing uncomfortable living under his leadership. My plan was to make it out of the country, to help Mia, and to make a new life for myself. Somewhere else.”