Compound 26: Book #1 in The Makanza Series

by Krista Street

  “They are.” Mitch crossed his arms. “His guard probably got it for him.”

  “Let’s keep moving!” Dr. Roberts turned and marched to the next door. Amy and Charlie followed. I hurried to catch up, Mitch right behind me.

  Every now and then I got a whiff of Mitch’s cologne as we moved through the halls. It smelled expensive, and I wondered where he got it. Since the Second Wave, it was harder and harder to come by luxury goods. Those had been the first things to go. Perfume, high-quality coffee, exotic spices, and other products I was too young to really remember, were things of the past. Mitch, however, seemed to know how to get around that. Between the t-shirts and cologne, he obviously knew where to buy things.

  We approached the next access door, and my heart rate increased with each step. Any minute now, I’d see Davin again. I wondered if he was okay and what had been done to him. Neither Amy nor I knew what happened to him after we’d left the Sanctum ten days ago. Only Dr. Roberts knew.

  “You okay, Forester?” Mitch stood at my side, holding his palm up to the scanner.

  I’m not sure if I answered him. My anxiety had returned full throttle.

  When we walked into the hall, the rest of the group already stood lined up outside Davin’s cell, facing him. My legs shook so badly.

  When I finally stepped in front of the window, my breath stopped. Davin stood motionless in his room. He looks okay! Unharmed, healthy. I sighed audibly, smiling as my knees sagged in relief.

  As if sensing my reaction, Davin’s gaze snapped toward mine. Cold, blue eyes blazed through the glass. He had the bluest eyes I’d ever seen. They were as bright as sapphires.

  I took a step back and wished I hadn’t. I didn’t know if it was something on the floor or just my shaky limbs. Whatever the case, my toe caught and I stumbled. Groping wildly, I tried to stop myself, but it was no use. My left foot caught on my leg and before I knew it...

  I fell over.

  8 – THE CHAIR

  I couldn’t believe I’d been worried about Davin noticing my suit. Compared to face planting, wearing the same clothes was trivial. I tried to stand and winced when my leg hurt.

  “Jesus, Meghan, you okay?” Mitch knelt down.

  “Um… yeah.” My face had to be as red as Victor’s.

  I lay sprawled across the cold, concrete floor. The folder with my notes had flown from my grasp. Papers were everywhere, and my left knee stung. I hoped it wasn’t bleeding. Regardless, that was the least of my worries as everyone rushed to my side.

  Mitch cupped his hands under my armpits and practically hauled me to my feet, while Amy and Charlie collected all the papers. I brushed off my clothes. My cheeks blazed as I straightened my suit. The first time I’d seen Davin, I’d crouched to the floor, terrified I was going to die. Now, I’d fallen over. He must think me the world’s biggest idiot or klutz. Or most likely, both.

  After I’d brushed my skirt off for what felt like the hundredth time, I tried to subtly sneak a glance at him. That didn’t go so well.

  A smirk covered his face.

  The heat bloomed hotter in my cheeks.

  “Are you okay, Meghan?” Amy handed me my folder.

  “That was quite the spill.” Charlie seemed trying to suppress a grin.

  I glared at him as I stuffed the folder under my arm.

  “Do you want to clean that up?” Mitch asked, looking at my knee.

  I shook my head tightly. “It’s fine. Really, I’m fine.”

  “Dr. Forester, watch where you’re going next time.” Dr. Roberts’ cold voice interrupted.

  Our boss stood just off to the side, a few feet behind everyone. The blood drained from my cheeks. “I will. Sorry.”

  Dr. Roberts wheeled around and marched toward the watch room. I didn’t dare look at Davin again. He was probably still smirking or maybe even laughing. I pushed through the group. Ignoring the sting in my knee, I tightened the folder under my arm.

  The same guard from my first day was in the watch room. He looked similar to the rest in his military attire, although I guessed him to be middle-aged. His name badge read Sergeant Rose.

  “I want to collect another sample today,” Dr. Roberts told the guard. “An intramuscular one. The last few have changed too rapidly for us to analyze.”

  “Of course, sir.” The guard swirled on his stool to the control panel. “Should I sedate him?”

  Dr. Roberts cocked his head. “No, I want him awake.”

  I glanced at Amy. “Why aren’t we sedating him?” I whispered.

  She frowned. “An IM sample is only slightly invasive. Maybe he wants to use a local anesthetic.”

  Dr. Roberts hit a button on the control panel and leaned over the microphone. “Davin, we want an intramuscular sample today. Are you going to comply?”

  I bit my lip and looked toward the window. My eyes widened.

  Davin stood only feet away. He must have materialized in one of his lightning-fast moves. He was directly on the other side of the glass, staring at all of us with such contempt, I could practically taste it.

  Our gazes connected again, but his amused smirk was gone. Even though hatred etched his face, I was still struck by his attractiveness. His hair was raven black and curled slightly above his ears. Deep set, sapphire blue eyes shot condemnation. Despite that, they were the most beautiful eyes I’d ever seen.

  As hard as I tried, I couldn’t look away. There was something compelling about Davin that made me stare, similar to a beautiful piece of art that was intriguing and fascinating.

  Mitch brushed against me. “You okay?”

  My gaze fell to the floor, my cheeks heating again.

  Dr. Roberts tapped his foot. “Well, Davin? What will it be? Are you going to comply?”

  Davin shook his head. The movement made his dark hair fall across his forehead.

  Dr. Roberts hissed. He snapped his finger off the mike. “Get out the Chair!”

  The Chair?

  Amy, Mitch, and Charlie tensed, and as if Davin had heard, he took off. He turned into a blur within the cell. It was only then I noticed he had a new bed, desk, and mattress. Everything that he’d destroyed the previous week had all been replaced, like his outburst never happened.

  The guard’s voice shook. “Sir, are you sure?”

  “Of course, I’m sure!” Dr. Roberts yelled.

  “Yes, sir.” The guard’s fingers flew across the controls while Davin dashed manically around his cell.

  I nudged Amy, hoping she’d explain, but she shook her head. Pulling my folder tightly across my chest, my fingers dug into it.

  Davin’s movements were still too quick for me to see him clearly, but something in the middle of the floor caught my attention.

  The floor cracked opened.

  Something began to emerge, rising from beneath. It was obviously housed in secret chambers below. My eyes widened with every passing second. It felt like I was caught in a bad horror movie, just at the climax when the dumb blonde was chain-sawed.

  A brief thought flittered through my mind. My dad works for the Compounds. He helped build them. Does he know about these cells? Did he help design them?

  I shook those thoughts off as the metal chair rose to its full height. It looked like something out of a deranged psychopath’s lab. Metal cuffs stood open on their hinges, draped across the metal slats that would hold down someone’s limbs. A metal bar waited to clasp someone around the head… and neck.

  Once it had risen to floor height, the floorboards sealed around it. Davin still flew around the room, barely stopping anywhere long enough for me to see him. Part of me waited for furniture to fly again.

  It didn’t.

  I glanced at Dr. Roberts. He watched everything with a satisfied smile.

  “What are you going to do?” I asked.

  Dr. Roberts’ smile vanished. “What do you think, Dr. Forester? What do you suggest is the best way to collect an intramuscular sample from an unwilling Kazzie?”

  I stoo
d dumbstruck. Davin doesn’t have a choice? Dr. Roberts was really going to make him get in that… thing?

  Dr. Roberts pushed the button on the microphone again. “Davin, we can do this the hard way or the easy way, but you will get in that Chair.”

  Suddenly, Davin stopped. He stood just off to the right, almost out of view. Even though he’d been tearing around the room at breathtaking speeds, he didn’t appear winded.

  He balled his hands into tight fists. Sinewy muscle rippled in his forearms. “Make me.”

  It was the first time I’d heard him speak, or truly acknowledge us. The deep challenge echoed in the small room. My eyes darted to the ceiling where speakers hung in the corners.

  Dr. Roberts smirked. “If you insist.”

  A compendious, silent exchange took place between the two men. It was as if each was inviting the other to a duel, even though we all knew who the victor would be. Davin didn’t stand a chance against the Compound.

  My stomach twisted as I watched Davin ready himself for whatever was to come, yet something deep inside me clenched in admiration. Despite everything that had been taken from him – his freedom, his dignity, any semblance of a normal human life – he still fought. That sudden realization dawned on me like being doused with a thousand gallons of water. Davin still fought. Fought for the only thing he had left.

  His own free will.

  “Can’t we do this some other way?” I blurted.

  My boss eyed me coolly. “Dr. Forester, I suggest you keep your mouth shut and learn a thing or two today.”

  I pressed my lips together, but my fingers curled tightly around my papers.

  “Cuff him,” Dr. Roberts said to the guard. “Now.”

  Sergeant Rose tensed and seemed reluctant to do his job. Regardless, he complied.

  Panels opened from within the ceiling of Davin’s cell, and long, snakelike protrusions emerged. They looked like metal cords, but they moved and twisted as easily as organic rubber bands. Open cuffs waited at their ends.

  I could only guess their intent.

  Davin’s chest rose heavily before he took off, his movements once again a blur as the snakelike cuffs sprang into action. They followed his blurred movements but couldn’t catch him.

  “Damn, Kazzie!” Dr. Roberts hissed.

  I internally cheered Davin on. Minutes passed as he whizzed around the room. No matter how quickly the cuffs moved and grabbed, they couldn’t snare him.

  “Electrify the room!” Dr. Roberts barked.

  “Sir?” the guard replied.

  “No!” Amy whispered.

  Her barely audible exclamation dashed any hope I had for Davin’s escape. Amy hung her head, closed her eyes, and crossed her arms tightly over her chest. Alarm bells warned within me. If Amy reacted that way, it must be bad.

  I glanced at Mitch and Charlie. Charlie stood silently, staring into nothingness. I got the feeling he was in a world of his own, not really seeing what was going on around him. As for Mitch, he frowned and shook his head.

  The guard lifted a plastic cover over another button. There were several buttons covered in plastic. I guessed that meant they were the worst ones.

  “Are you sure, sir?” The guard’s tone was pleading. He obviously didn’t want to do what Dr. Roberts asked.

  “Just do it!”

  The guard’s finger shook as it hovered over the button. He hesitated another moment before pushing it down.

  What followed next happened too quickly for me to fully comprehend. Metal rods emerged from each side of the room. A millisecond of light flashed. A second after that, Davin stopped. The grim picture it revealed was not something I wanted to remember.

  The electricity contorted his limbs into unnatural angles as he barely maintained a standing position. His head was thrown back, his mouth open in a silent cry. My brain registered all of that in the split second before the cuffs descended. Each snakelike, twisting metal contraption wrapped around Davin’s wrists and ankles.

  He didn’t fight. He couldn’t.

  Forcing his limbs to bend, the cuffs lifted him off the ground. It must have been excruciatingly painful. Davin’s entire body was stiff and contorted from the electricity, but the cords bent him onto the Chair. Tears pricked my eyes. I imagined the muscle fibers in his body breaking and snapping at the cruel angles the cuffs demanded.

  Once Davin was in the Chair, the hinges closed over his legs, arms, head, and neck. I could barely watch as recognition filtered back into his face while the last clamp settled tightly against his throat. As soon as he was contained, the snakelike cuffs released him and pulled back into the ceiling. The panels in the corners closed over them, once again smooth.

  Fully restrained by the cuffs, Davin couldn’t move. A blank expression replaced the ferocious snarl that had been there only moments before.

  Dr. Roberts put his hands on his hips and nodded curtly. “That’s better. Now, about getting that sample…”

  I didn’t watch.

  I couldn’t.

  Closing my eyes, I ducked my chin just the way Amy had. I understood her reaction now. Once again, a deep growing shock settled inside me over the horrors that happened within these walls. Nothing had changed from my first day. Nothing. This wasn’t any better than what I’d seen before. It was worse. Much worse.

  A part of me felt betrayed. I’d believed Amy when she’d told me I’d see what a normal day was like, but from what I’d seen, there were no normal days. Not back here. Only days full of torture and cruelty.

  My fingers dug so tightly into my papers they crinkled and ripped. This wasn’t what I’d signed up for. This was not what I’d spent the last six years working toward. I hadn’t known what the Compounds did. If I had, I never would have dedicated my life to this.

  9 – SEAN’S PUB

  Just like he ordered the guard to remove intramuscular samples from Davin without anesthetic, Dr. Roberts ordered us to spend the rest of the day in the Inner Sanctum. Saying it was awful wouldn’t do it justice. Watching the drip-drip of Davin’s blood pool on the floor made my stomach roll. Davin, however, tightened his jaw and stared straight ahead. He didn’t flinch when the machines cut into him.

  Watching someone abused and subjected to blatantly barbaric practices ranked as one of the most disturbing and twisted things I’d ever witnessed. I could tell Amy, Charlie, and Mitch felt the same. They kept their eyes averted and stayed quiet. The guard seemed to feel similar. Sergeant Rose did as he was told, but the sideways, angered glances he gave my boss, portrayed feelings that went much deeper than one day’s work.

  When we finally, thankfully left the Sanctum, we bumped into a few researchers working with the Sisters on our way out. Normally, the introductions would have made me sweat like a glass of ice water on a hot summer day, but since I was still so sickened by what I’d seen, my usual response faded. I barely felt anything, much less nervousness, as I met a dozen others.

  Only one researcher penetrated the fog blanketing my mind. She was a woman close to Amy’s age. Her access badge stated her name was Geraldine Krause, but she introduced herself as Gerry. Her olive skin glowed in the bright hallway, accenting her dark hair and slanted eyes.

  Gerry stood with us outside of the Sisters’ cell, explaining the research currently being done on the twins. I stood by the windows, peering inside, wondering if Sara would approach me again.

  She didn’t.

  Instead, she acted very differently to how she’d been only a few hours before. She didn’t look at me or stand up. Instead, she sat on the bed with Sophie as each gripped the other’s hand tightly. They looked like they’d been crying. My stomach sank. Were they hurt too?

  It was late afternoon when we returned to our wing. My stomach grumbled, reminding me I hadn’t eaten anything when we’d taken a short lunch break. But I couldn’t eat, not then and not now. For the past few hours, only one thought had steadily crossed my mind.

  I need to quit my job.

  As agonizing a
s that was, I did not want to be a part of the Compound. Not at this cost. It was a sobering, heartbreaking realization. I’d dedicated the last six years of my life to obtaining a job with the MRI, and now, it was about to end.

  When we reached our lab, Mitch and Charlie shuffled to their benches. I paused beside mine and let my long, brown hair cover the side of my face. It helped shield me as I bit my lip. I needed to send in my resignation. Now, it was just a matter of how.

  “I need a drink,” Amy exclaimed.

  My head snapped up. “What?”

  Amy twisted her hair into a ponytail. Her hands shook, and her skin looked paler than usual. “A drink, as in an alcoholic beverage.”

  “Oh, um…” I shook myself back to the present. “Won’t that be hard to find?” Since the Second Wave, alcohol was almost nonexistent in the South Dakota Food Distribution Centers, and most of Sioux Falls’ bars had closed. Those that stayed open weren’t always reliably open.

  “I know a place. It’s kind of a well-kept secret. Want to join me?”

  An image of Davin in the Chair flashed through my mind. His blood. His pain. Drip-drip. “Ah… sure,” I replied shakily. I had no intention of working anymore today anyway.

  “Great, let me grab my purse.”

  I glanced at the clock as Amy gathered her things. Dr. Roberts was still in the Sanctum, but I’d need to tell him my decision. I supposed I could always return after Amy and I finished our drinks. Or I could email tomorrow. It was the coward’s way out, but at the moment, I didn’t really care. I was about to dump six years of schooling and hard work down the drain. Does it really matter how I quit?

  Amy appeared at my side again. “Let’s go.”

  We didn’t say anything to Charlie or Mitch. It was easy to sneak out without them noticing. Heavy rock music blasted from Mitch’s CD player and muffled any sounds as we escaped out the door. Once we cleared security and exited the building, we both went to our individual cars.

  “Do you know about Sean’s Pub?” Amy called.

  “No.”

  “Didn’t think so. You better follow me.”