by J. Andersen
I answer her unasked question. “He’s not here. It wasn’t him.”
“You mean there was someone?”
I nod as she puts my arm around her shoulder and helps me back to my crutch. Steadying it, I hop until I gain my balance. “Saul.”
“Who’s Saul?”
Right. She wouldn’t know him. Only Micah would. Heck, even I forgot about him until today. It’s not like I thought he’d be anyone significant in my life after that first horrible date, much less the father of my child. Maybe he’s lying about that. One can hope.
“Saul’s someone I hung out with for a second. Turned out to have a lot of power in The Institute. Like, Tier Two military power.” I cringe. “I kinda blew him off after our first meeting.”
“You dumped a Tier Two military man? Are you insane?”
“I couldn’t help it. I was falling in love with your brother.”
That softens her, and she sighs and shakes her head. “All right. I get it. So what did he want?”
“Said he’s got a message from Micah.”
“What kind of message?”
“I don’t know,” I say. “He supposedly has a video and needs a special device to play it. That’s why he couldn’t show me now.” I wonder why he didn’t have it on his phone. It must be part of that twisted mind of his. He wants to make a spectacle of it. Of me.
Ally helps me back up the hill to our vehicle. “Look, I know it’s crazy and dangerous,” I continue, “and stupid. But if we have the slightest chance to free Micah, we have to take it.” By this time, we’ve made it to the top, and I pull myself upright, bracing against the rough bark of a tree.
“Kate, it’s too reckless. Messing with Institute military is like pulling the pin on a hand grenade and putting the bomb in your pocket.”
“Ally, it’s Micah. Your own broth—”
“Don’t play the brother card with me,” she snaps. “You have no idea what I’ve gone through because of him! I’ve known him a lot longer than you have, and I’ve loved him a lot longer, too.”
The shock of Ally actually yelling at something must show on my face because she immediately apologizes.
“You’re right, Ally. I’m sorry. But I can’t just stand around doing nothing while Micah’s stuck there. I won’t rest until he’s out or dead. And the longer we wait to act, the more likely we’ll be bringing home a corpse.” My heartbeat pounds in my ears as I state my case. “So do what you want. Stay here and wait for someone else to save him, but I can’t. I’m bringing him home.”
I attempt to stomp away to emphasize my point, but when I hoist myself up on one crutch, I lose my balance and topple over.
Ally steadies me with one hand and smirks. “Yeah, you’ll be really effective in carrying him out of The Institute.” For a split second, her face distorts with indecision, but her cheeks quickly relax when she makes up her mind. “Okay. I agree,” she says. “It’s a long shot. Maybe a fatal one, but we have to try. For Micah.”
“For Micah,” I agree.
“Come on. Hop in the car. We need to get back and let the Committee know about this.”
****
That evening, I stand in a room at city hall. The walls are a faded green, but the paintings hanging on the far wall add a splash of color. They’re amazing. One shows a desert scene with clocks that seem to be melting, another has harsh lines and angles, but you can sort of see a face hidden in the sharp corners. Yet another boasts the most gorgeous orange flower I’ve ever seen. There’s nothing like these where I come from, and I find myself slack-jawed at the beauty and talent of the human race. I can’t understand why The Institute wants to stifle creativity such as this. Everything there is cut from the same pattern, the same palette of colors, but here, they celebrate the differences. I don’t know if these paintings are real or copies, but it doesn’t matter. They’re spectacular.
Seated around a huge wooden table in the center of the room are a dozen people. The Committee. My palms are sweating, but at least I see a familiar face a few people down from where I stand. Silas. The old man from the bookshop. He never mentioned being one of the Committee. But then again, he had no reason to tell me. The other faces I don’t recognize, but it’s not the lack of familiarity that surprises me. It’s the vast variety.
From skin tones of pink to the deepest brown to eye colors just as varied. And the hair of one woman looks like a burning fire with the red waves curling around her face. She’s stunning. We don’t have this in The Institute, at least not to this extent. These colors have been traded in for a more muted palette. Suddenly, I feel ordinary.
A man with dark skin speaks first as he extends his hand. “Welcome, Kate. I’m Carlton Suthers. Please, sit down. Ally’s given us a heads up on what you told her today. But we’d like to hear it from you.”
I shake his hand and pull out a chair, sliding into it. I’m thankful to hide my trembling hands under the table as I launch into what happened by the creek bed, and when I explain how Brody is Saul’s son, heads turn.
“Your baby is the man’s son?” one woman asks.
“Yes. The Institute creates children. Brody wasn’t applied for or approved, but he’s here, and he’s mine. Right now, the only way to keep him safe is to get Micah back.”
That explanation pacifies them for the moment, and I’m able to finish explaining Saul’s proposal.
“He wants me to meet him in three days … here.” I draw the map out of my pocket, unfold its creased edges, and slide it to the woman with the fire hair who sits next to me. She examines it before passing it down the table.
When it gets to Silas, he speaks up. “It’s the old MacMillian hunting cabin. Nothing around for miles.”
“Then he’s chosen the perfect spot,” says the woman next to me. “No one will be able to hear anything.”
“What are you implying, Virginia?” another man, about my father’s age asks. He is serious looking with spectacles sitting halfway down the bridge of his nose, but I can tell he’s unnerved by her implications.
“That if it’s a trap, there’ll be no way out.” She shakes her head and glances at me. “She shouldn’t go.”
The thought of doing nothing when we have an opportunity tears at my insides. “But I have to go! I have to save Micah,” I yell as I jump out of my seat, keeping one hand on the back of the chair to steady myself.
Mr. Suthers cuts me off with a wave of his hand. “Calm down, Miss Dennard. Virginia is right. It’s too dangerous for you to go alone. We can arrange a scouting party to accompany you. Provide weapons and a fleet of men.”
I place my hands on the tabletop and lean toward him. “No. Saul will consider that an offensive attack. There’s no telling what he might do. I understand you don’t want me to go alone, but I can’t bring half the city either.”
“What are you proposing?” Suthers asks.
“Just a few. Enough to make sure we all come back alive.”
He looks at Silas. “Think you can convince Jaxon Salinger to accompany her?”
Silas smiles. “Does it ever take any effort to convince Jaxon to do anything dangerous and stupid?”
“That settles it. Jaxon will go with you.”
Ally, who’s been silent this entire time, speaks up. “I’m going, too.” She leans against the wall, arms crossed like her statement is no big deal.
“No, you’re not. Benjamin needs you,” I say. “I’m not letting you put yourself in harm’s way for my sake.” I motion toward the council. “Somebody tell her she’s being crazy.”
“And Brody doesn’t need you?” She flicks her blonde hair over her shoulder with one hand, steps forward and leans both hands on the table across from me, mimicking my posture. “I’m going. Micah is my brother, and I won’t stand around while you determine what to do about him. Hunter will come with me, and I’ll get someone to watch Ben.” The resolute look in her eye and the slight pout of her lip tells everyone she won’t take no for an answer.
“All
right,” Silas says. “As long as Hunter goes with you. Maybe it’ll be better this way.”
****
The next two excruciatingly long days are spent planning and packing small supplies. A stop at the doctor to remove the walking cast and get an okay to resume normal activities within reason. A potentially dangerous rescue mission is entirely within reason in my opinion. We hide weapons under pant legs and shirts and grab flashlights, food, rope, and a few extra video players, unsure of the device Saul will use. I’m still wondering if he’ll choose to use more modern technology.
Just like every other day, I look to my son to distract me from reality, so every spare moment is spent with him, holding him and memorizing every line of his face, every crease of his skin.
Then, on the morning of the third day, I wake with a jolt of adrenaline. Didn’t sleep well all night knowing that this morning we’d have a chance to discover what happened to Micah. The room is as dark as night, so the only reason I can tell it’s nearly dawn is by the clock on my dresser. Being underground has the benefit of hiding, but I often miss the rise of the sun and the fresh air on my face in the early morning hours. With my hair pulled into a ponytail and an extra knife strapped to my leg, I’m ready to go … until I notice the folded frog on my dresser next to my brush. I discovered it in the diaper bag when I escaped from The Institute with Brody. Ally told me it means safe journey. Somehow it seems appropriate with us traveling to meet Saul today, so I shove the paper creature into my back pocket for luck.
Ten minutes later, when everyone arrives, we set out: Ally, Hunter, Jaxon, and I.
We drive as far as we can without getting the cars stuck then hoof it the rest of the way. It’s slow going with my foot still tender, so we take it easy despite the anxiousness among us. It seems like hours before I see a structure erected in a small clearing between the trees.
“That’s got to be it.” I creep closer to get a better look, but Jaxon grabs my elbow to stop me.
“You can’t just walk in.”
“Micah might be in there,” I say, brushing his arm away.
He tightens his grasp on my arm, digging his thick fingers into my skin. “Kate, I won’t let you, not until I check it out first. It’s not safe.”
“You can’t stop me.” I yank my arm away and head toward the porch. This time, it’s Hunter who heads me off. “Micah’s not there. You said yourself Saul wanted to show you a video message. He’s not stupid. There’s no way he’d bring Micah. Not until he gets whatever it is he wants.”
“Hunter’s right,” Jaxon says. “Listen, you and Ally stay here while Hunter and I scope out the perimeter. Do not go in there until we’ve determined it’s safe. Quit acting so impulsively. It’s going to get some-one hurt.”
I concede, nodding as Hunter kisses Ally’s forehead and looks lovingly into her eyes for a split second. “Come on, Lover Boy,” Jaxon says, pulling a pistol from the back of his pants, and after bouncing it lightly in his palm, he hands it to me.
“Be careful and keep your eyes open,” Hunter tells Ally before he jogs off behind Jaxon, who’s already a hundred yards away and ducking behind some bushes.
Ally and I sit silently on the side of the clearing, watching for any movement that could mean trouble. I’m not sure what we’d do if we found any. Sure, we’re armed, but it’s not like I’ve been trained to use a weapon. A quick glance at Ally tells me she’s comfortable with a gun, but if Saul were to show up and I pulled a gun on him, he’d easily disarm me. The very thought is terrifying, so I make a mental note to have Jaxon teach me how to shoot as soon as possible.
Every once in a while, I think Ally might say something, but really, what is there to say? This is our chance to get Micah back. We’re both too busy hoping it’ll work to make idle chit-chat. When the guys finally return, it’s from the other direction. They must have circled the cabin.
“It’s clear. There’s nobody here,” Hunter says. He and Jaxon exchange a look like it’s not what they expected. No one says it aloud, but I agree. Something feels off about this situation. Saul wouldn’t come without planting his goons around the cabin first. Secretly, I’m wishing we would’ve brought more people, a whole team to surround the cabin like Mr. Suthers suggested, and now I wonder why I rejected his proposal. But I didn’t want to risk losing more citizens in what could be considered a suicide mission. The possibility of losing these three is already weighing on my conscience. If something happens and Arcanus loses their ingenious mechanic, or if Ally doesn’t come back and Ben is left without a mother, I’ll never forgive myself.
Either way, I’m here with three other people, waiting for who knows how many soldiers to arrive to do who knows what. I’m so stupid! Why would I risk these people’s lives? They’re my friends—my only friends—and they’re willing to go through with this insane strategy on the slight chance of saving Micah. But the odds are so slim; it may not be worth the risk.
Up on the rickety porch, we peer in the windows. It’s hard to see through the layers of dust, but I can make out a ratty couch with brown cushions that have apparently been homes for generations of mice. A tiny wooden table sits in one corner, ready to fall over from any amount of pressure.
No Saul. Nothing’s been disturbed. He hasn’t been here at all. But we already knew that.
“Maybe we should go inside and wait,” Ally suggests.
Jaxon looks uneasy but finally nods in agreement. He steps toward the door and jiggles the handle. “It’s jammed.” Stepping back to gain footing, he throws his shoulder into the wood. It groans in protest, but on his second attempt, the door bursts open into the small cabin, sending a cloud of dust billowing into the air. I sneeze and cough.
Other than what I could see through the window, there are a few more chairs along one wall, an old cot in the corner, and a few shelves lined with what looks like expired canned goods. Everything is covered with a thick layer of dust.
Ally and I take the couch, which despite its puffy look, is devoid of stuffing and practically disintegrates when we sit on it. We struggle not to fall through the rickety frame. After retrieving his pistol from me, Jaxon leans against the wall, fingering his weapon while Hunter drags a rusty metal chair to the side of the door and sits. Then we wait. No one says anything. I think we’re all too nervous to voice the possibilities of what could happen to Micah or to us, so we sit with only occasional eye contact as communication.
It isn’t long before the sun sets, leaving us in pitch darkness. Hunter’s the first one to flick on his flashlight. It casts a ghostly beam across the floor, but once our eyes adjust, the entire room is visible again.
“We should go,” Jaxon says, flicking on his own beam. “He’s not showing.”
Ally and I turn on our flashlights, and with the added luminescence, I see Ally giving me an understanding nod. “He’s right, Kate. Saul’s playing us. Probably waiting in the distance to see if we’d do what he wanted.”
Hunter stands. “Or got us here while he scopes out somewhere else.” I can’t believe it. This is a chance to find out what’s going on with Micah, and they’re ready to give it all up. It’s not like I can meet up with Saul any time I want. I don’t have the resources to contact him. I can’t just phone him. As much as I hate to admit it, he has the upper hand. However, it seems like I have no other choice but to head back with them. It’s obvious Saul isn’t coming.
Jaxon is the first out the door. I follow. But when he stops abruptly, I run into his back.
“Hello, Kate. I see you brought company.”
A chill curls down my spine at the sound of Saul’s voice. The beam of my flashlight reveals he’s brought a few friends. None that I recognize except one. Taryn’s date from the night I first met Saul. I can’t remember his name, probably because he barely spoke to me that night, being so caught up in making out with Taryn. Memories of my former best friend flash through my mind but are quickly dismissed at the thought of her betrayal.
“I thought I’d let yo
u get here first, get comfortable. That way, we could surround the premises. You know, to make sure no one gets hurt.” He flashes a wicked smile, and the way he’s holding his light makes his face look even more grotesque.
Now I’m kicking myself for not bringing more people or at the very least, more weapons.
There are five men standing next to him, probably more in the forest. He takes a step closer, and we back toward the cabin door. The gun he holds doesn’t help my nerves. “You have a choice,” he says. “This can go down nice and easy. I show you Micah’s message. We talk. We leave. Bing, bang, done. Or, you can make things difficult. You can put up a fight, try to use the guns hidden beneath your shirts and in your boot.” He points at my leg with his gun. “But then I’d be forced to detain you or bring you back to The Institute. Messy, messy.” He shakes his head.
“What do you want from me, Saul?” I have to talk around Jaxon, who’s still in front of me with his arms out in a protective stance.
“My dear, you’re getting ahead of yourself. Let’s get to the entertainment first. We can talk logistics after.” He holds up a disk and wiggles it back and forth. “Who brought popcorn?”
My arms hang limply at my sides, and my chin trembles, but I’m trying not to show my terror. “Fine,” I step out from behind Jaxon with my shoulders back and my head up. “Let’s see what you have for us.”
I’m the first to enter the cabin again, but I refuse to sit. I want to be on my feet, ready for a possible escape. We’re all wary. Ally clings to Hunter’s arm, and Jaxon puffs out his chest, trying to appear menacing. Everyone is on high alert. The grimace on Jaxon’s lips isn’t something I’m used to seeing amongst his normal jovial expressions. It’s frightening to me, but I doubt Saul even notices.
Saul glides through the door, followed by a few of his men. He looks older with his chiseled jaw and sharp features, but I remind myself, even with the power he wields, he’s still young. Maybe a few years older than Micah. But not much.
