Beginnings

by Sandra R Neeley

  “The duplexes. Then we’re putting three apartment buildings in on the other side behind the supply store and barracks on that side.”

  “That’s amazing. Thank you so much for taking my idea seriously,” Acker said.

  “Not at all, son. I should have thought of it myself.”

  “Mind if I ask what the details are?” Acker said.

  “To start we’re putting in 24 duplexes. Each will have its own little private backyard, fenced in of course for privacy. We’re putting them in like a suburban neighborhood, but a little further apart. That’s what we’re discussing. How far out exactly do we want to go with it. Three rows of eight, or two rows of twelve. Three rows of eight is a little wider, a little further than we’re willing to go out right now… think plumbing nightmares. But two rows of twelve would put two of the homes out beyond the first building as you enter the community, and I didn’t want to do that. Oh, and come to think of it, that first building has been allocated for Lethal and his squad. They asked for it, and I really believe they’re better off separated from the rest.”

  “I agree,” Acker said.

  “So, anyway, I think we’re going to have the first row of ten, then the second row of fourteen will be behind that first row. We’ll have that second row extend toward the rear of the community and around the curve and behind the clinic there. That’ll mean the homes that extend beyond the first row as they move toward the clinic will have larger front yards since there will be no duplex in front of them since the first row will end before that point. And, the home in the center of the curve, as the homes turn to be situated behind the clinic, will have a larger backyard as well since its lot size will be slightly wider in the back to allow for being built in the turn of the curve as it follows the shape of the main oval here. But I’m sure whoever ends up with it won’t mind,” the General explained.

  Acker glanced down at Nina, who was already looking up at him with a smile. “We’ll take that one if it’s all the same to you,” Acker said.

  “Really? The two of you? That’s great news. I’ll put you down for it soon as I get back to the office,” General Ferriday said. “Left side or right side?” he asked.

  “Left side if you’re facing it,” Acker answered, then looked to Nina to see if she agreed.

  “Thank you very much, sir,” Nina said.

  “Thank you very much, young lady. I’m very pleased you’ll be in the office helping out. I know Roscoe made it clear that you’re his assistant, but I have a feeling you’ll have us all in tip-top shape before we know it.”

  “I’ll be in the offices, too. Is that a problem? I can be sure to make myself scarce if need be,” Law offered.

  Nina risked looking up at Law. She took a deep breath as her eyes drew to his. He was a big male, like all that had been subjected to the injections that they’d been forced to endure. And he was familiar. But she didn’t want to think about why he was familiar. She spent a lot of time forcing memories from her consciousness. She knew intellectually that the males were as much victims as she was, but it didn’t stop the fear that overtook her from time to time. There could only be one reason he was familiar, and she decided to shove it away with all the other things she had begun to refuse to allow to affect her. Especially since he’d just basically apologized to her and that was more than she ever expected to get. Shakily she offered him a tenuous smile. “That won’t be necessary. This is a different place. A different time. And like I said, it wasn’t your fault.”

  “Thank you, Nina. I appreciate that more than you know,” Law said. “There are six other members of the governing board, and they’ll from time to time be in my office as well. I’ve ordered a large conference table to be placed in there along with my own desk. If at any time any of them need use of the office space, it’s theirs to use as well.”

  “It won’t be a problem,” she assured him.

  “I heard you’re going to put in a pool?” Acker asked, trying to take the focus off Nina as her grip on his hand had grown exponentially while they stood there talking to Law.

  “Yes! We’ve decided to put it in between the apartment buildings. One on each side, and one behind it. We’ll make it Olympic size so it can accommodate everyone,” the General said.

  “That will be appreciated I’m sure,” Acker said.

  “I think so, too,” General Ferriday said.

  “Thank you for allowing us to choose our home,” Acker said, squeezing Nina’s hand to let her know he was still there and still beside her since she’d gone silent.

  “I hope you’ll be very happy there. Should be no more than a couple of weeks. I’ll have them start down on this end and work their way to the front of the community,” the General answered.

  “I appreciate that. We’ll be excited to move in the moment it’s ready.”

  “Any other ideas in that head of yours?” General Ferriday asked.

  “A small pond at the end there, near the clinic, with ducks or geese on it,” Acker said.

  General Ferriday looked at him. “A pond?”

  “Yep. You asked if I had any more ideas. Doesn’t mean you have to do it,” Acker said chuckling. “We’re going to look around some more. Ya’ll have a good day,” Acker said.

  “You, too. And I’ll see you at some point tomorrow, Nina,” General Ferriday called out.

  “Bye,” she said, waving over her shoulder.

  They got far enough away that Acker was sure no one could hear him. “Are you okay?” he asked, looking down at her walking practically plastered to his side.

  Nina nodded. “Yeah,” she answered.

  “You don’t look okay,” he said.

  “I’m fine. Honestly, I am. Better than I’ve ever been, I think,” Nina said, looking up at Acker and meeting his direct gaze.

  “I’m glad, Nina. All I ever want to do is make sure you know you’re safe.”

  Nina nodded. For the first time in her adult life, she really did feel safe. She lifted his hand to her mouth and kissed his knuckles just as he’d done hers.

  As they walked back into the park in the center of the oval drive that extended the length of the Alliance community and back, Nina gradually relaxed. Acker took her inside the recreation building, then the supply building. He showed her the barracks, though she didn’t care to go inside. Finally, after seeing all there was first hand, they turned for one of the benches and sat there together enjoying the breeze.

  It was easy being together. If silence descended on them, they were both content to just be in the moment and not have to fill the quiet time with words.

  “You know you’ve got me, don’t you?” Acker said after they’d sat there for quite some time together just watching people go by, listening to the breeze in the trees.

  Nina turned her head to gaze up at him. “What do you mean?” she asked, not wanting to understand because it might be something she wasn’t ready to give.

  “I’m not sure if you know what exactly it means to me to be planning to share a home with you. To have been at your side since I brought you to Alliance. It’s not just to watch over you, to protect you. It’s so much more. I don’t know what happened, don’t care really, but from the moment you looked into my eyes, I was a goner. I’m yours, Nina. I’ll spend the rest of my life keeping you safe and making you happy, if you’ll let me.”

  Nina listened to Acker’s words. She couldn’t help but notice that he’d stopped short of proclaiming his love for her, and she was okay with that, because as much as she needed Acker beside her, her emotions were in turmoil after all she’d endured. She was just emerging and beginning to find herself. Her eyes wandered out over the expanse of green grasses and few trees dotting the landscape blowing in the wind again. “I don’t know what I can offer you. I barely know who I am at this point,” she said truthfully.

  “Nina, honey, I don’t need anything other than you. I love you. That’s not going to change. I’m not demanding that you return the feeling. All I’m asking is
to be near you.”

  “I don’t even like myself sometimes right now, much less love myself or anyone else. But I’m trying to be better every day,” she admitted. “I do know that I don’t want to wake up and not have you beside me. I need you beside me, and I want you there, too. I’m not excited about moving into one of the duplexes because it’ll be mine. I’m excited because it will be ours. I don’t want anyone else. I don’t trust anyone else. You’re teaching me to smile again, and I never thought I would. And I haven’t felt safe since I left my mother’s house. But you’ve given me the gift of safety. I know I can close my eyes at night and not worry because you’re right beside me.” She turned her gaze on him once more to find him sitting beside her with a silly grin on his hard, masculine face.

  “Those three words don’t mean anything to me, Nina. They’re just a way to tell someone you’ve reached that point. It’s the feelings, the actions, your regard for the other person — that’s what matters. And the things you just said are all I wanted to hear.” He placed his finger beneath her chin, and leaned over very, very slowly, giving her time to pull away from him. When she didn’t stop him, he very gently pressed his lips to hers, once, twice, then let go of her chin and took her in his arms. “I cannot ever remember being this at peace with the world around me. Leave it to me to find my touchstone in the middle of the hell we’re trying to save people from,” Acker said.

  Nina smiled against his chest. “And leave it to me to be someone’s touchstone in the middle of all this hell.”

  “You’ll never have to be afraid again,” he promised, leaning back and looking into her eyes.

  “I believe you. I trust you,” she said, before settling into his arms again and looking out toward the clinic.

  A few minutes later he chuckled, then lifted his arm and waved out toward the grass in front of him. “You’re right! There should be something other than grass to look at! It needs a duck pond!”

  “I know, right?” Nina answered. “I can’t believe you told General Ferriday we needed a duck pond,” she said, giggling.

  Chapter 27

  Feral walked into the barracks he’d been assigned to and allowed his eyes to rove over each bed, some with shoes beneath them, all with metal storage cabinets beside them, as he walked down the center of the building toward the one that was his. The barracks was empty this time of day. Most everyone was out enjoying being free. They were working if they’d chosen a job, or helping out the construction workers, or goofing off in the recreation center or playing football, or just simply enjoying hanging out and being outside.

  He approached his bed and dropped his empty duffle bag on it. Then he opened the metal storage cabinet beside his bed and scooped out the clothes and toiletries in it. He stepped closer to his bed and dropped them all into his waiting duffle bag, before moving back to the cabinet and repeating the scooping and dropping action with the remaining two shelves. Then he grabbed his running shoes and his flip flops and shoved them in the two outside pockets of his duffle. He zipped it all up nice and tight and snatched his pillow from the bed, tucking it under his left arm, before slinging the duffle over his left shoulder and heading for the door.

  “Where you headed?” a male voice asked.

  Feral turned around to find a tall, tanned male with piercing, dark eyes, and long, black hair pulled back loosely into a knot at the back of his neck watching him leave. The male had entered through the door on the opposite end of the barracks.

  “Hey, Brutal. I’m moving to the house at the front to be near my new squad,” Feral explained.

  “How’s that working for you?” Brutal asked.

  “It’s working. I’m finding my place among them. You know me. I’m too antsy to stay in one place. Being with Lethal’s squad gives me the chance to be on the move and always be in the middle of something. If I sit too long, I think too long,” Feral said.

  Brutal nodded. “I just agreed to head security here at Alliance. If you decide you’re tired of the constant moving around, you’ve always got a place here.”

  “I appreciate it, Brutal. But, for now this is what’s best for me. I need that feeling of always being on the edge, you know?” Feral explained.

  “I know. I remember. I’ll miss you being at my side, but I understand. Don’t be a stranger, when you’re here, come find me,” Brutal said.

  “I will. This isn’t goodbye, just a change of venue for me,” Feral said, smiling.

  “You need me, you call,” Brutal said, striding forward and extending his hand.

  “Same,” Feral said, slapping his hand into Brutal’s and sharing a strong, hard, handshake.

  “You stay safe, Feral. I don’t want to have to come save your ass,” Brutal said with a smirk.

  “Please! It’ll be me coming to save your ass,” Feral answered. Then he leaned forward just enough to give Brutal a slight hug, then turned leaving Brutal standing there watching him go.

  Feral walked out of the barracks and didn’t look back. He returned the nod of a person or two as he made his way to the house his new squad had claimed up front. He wasted no time getting there as he was anxious to complete the move to Lethal’s squad. No sooner had he reached the house and stepped inside the front door than he was chuckling to himself.

  Scorn and Steel were at it again.

  “There are three bedrooms in here. Three! There is no reason I should have to sleep with your ass in my room!” Scorn snapped.

  “You know? I thought the same thing, but now, I’m kinda wanting to sleep in the same room you do — just to piss you off!” Steel said emphatically.

  “Fuck you!” Scorn shouted.

  “No, fuck you!” Steel yelled back as they walked together into one of the three bedrooms.

  Feral glanced over to Lethal and watched the male shaking his head.

  “And yet they go into the same bedroom together,” Feral said.

  “If they couldn’t fuck with each other on a regular basis, they’d be bored to tears,” Lethal said.

  “Their constant bickering is truly masking their intense love for each other,” Valor said with a smirk, from his seat at the kitchen table where General Ferriday and Roscoe had already had a computer set up for them. His fingers continued typing even as he kidded around with his squad-mates.

  “Hey, fuck you, Valor!” both Scorn and Steel yelled from their bedroom amidst the sounds of them putting their things away.

  “I already put my stuff in that room,” Valor said to Feral, as he paused to point to another bedroom. “You’re welcome to bunk with me.”

  “Thanks. Appreciate it,” Feral said, walking that way.

  “Two, you’re in with me,” Lethal said.

  Two nodded and walked into the bedroom he’d share with Lethal. Once inside it, he realized it had its own private bathroom. “Nice,” he said, nodding his head in appreciation.

  “I thought so, too,” Lethal said, dropping his own duffle bag to the floor beside his bed.

  Two reached into the pockets up and down the legs of his BDUs and started pulling out crumpled papers. “I got every paper I saw,” he said, laying them on his bed.

  Lethal walked over and picked up a couple of the papers, some of them literally only scraps. “Thank you, Two. Thank you, very much.”

  “Welcome. Hope we can find her. Then hope we can find Waller and kill him. Slowly,” Two said, finishing emptying his pockets. Once he was done and made doubly sure he had no more papers in his pockets, he turned to his duffle and started methodically unpacking the few clothes there. Two unfolded, then meticulously refolded each shirt, each pair of pants, even his briefs were perfectly folded and placed neatly on his bed. Then he walked over to the small dresser on his side of the room and opened each drawer, pulled them out and turned them upside down to shake any dust or debris from them before arranging his clothes the way he wanted them.

  Satisfied with that, Two went to the bathroom and took one of the hand towels that had come with the house and
dampened it with cool water from the faucet, before returning to his side of the room and patiently wiping down every inch of his shoes before placing them against the wall beside his dresser.

  Then, he folded up his duffle and placed it in the bottom drawer. He turned around and realized that Lethal was already finished putting his own things away and was sitting on his own bed, waiting for him.

  Two offered him a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I’m going to rinse out this towel, then I’m going to take the papers to Valor.”

  Lethal nodded. “You’re a good man, Two,” he said, watching the big man.

  “Male,” Two corrected.

  “No,” Lethal said. “You’ve never crossed that line. You’re still a man. You’ve managed to hang onto your humanity. How you’ve done it is a mystery to me. Do you remember who you are? Where you actually came from. And I’m not talking about the facility. I mean before,” Lethal clarified.

  Two shrugged as he walked into the bathroom.

  Lethal heard the water running, then Two came back into the bedroom.

  “Do you remember before?” Two asked.

  Lethal thought about it and pursed his lips, his eyes squinting, before shaking his head. “I’m not sure. Occasionally I’ll get a flash of something — a face, a place — but it’s gone before I can really even see it clearly.”

  Two sat on his bed, facing Lethal across the room. “Valor remembers some. He has dreams about a girl with shiny brown hair. He can see her on a horse riding ahead of him and she’s turned around and smiling at him. Then he sees her crying as she waves at him as he drives away.”

  “He told you that?” Lethal asked, surprised.

  “Yeah. He sees her face in other dreams, too. But he doesn’t know her name, or where she is, or even who she is. Just that he used to know her.”

  “And you?” Lethal asked.

  Two looked down at his feet shuffling back and forth in his nervousness. He’d never told anyone what he remembered. “I remember pretty much everything,” he said, raising his gaze to see what Lethal’s response would be.