Compound 26: Book #1 in The Makanza Series

by Krista Street

  She wiped her eyes.

  “When the Second Wave hit… it was on one of the weekends they were all there. I knew as soon as I heard the news that they’d all get it. It was so contagious. So deadly. But still, I prayed and prayed and prayed. Just prayed to let them be safe. Maybe they’d be off on an outing for the day and were far away from the rez. Or maybe they’d decided to go camping and Chayton had been on a bender, locked away in his house, not having contact with anyone while he drank for the few weeks prior. Would you believe that was the one and only time I ever prayed that he’d been so drunk he wouldn’t have left his house?” She gripped my hand, her fingers surprisingly strong.

  I clasped her tightly.

  Tears poured down her cheeks. “But of course, Chayton had done everything he could to sober up for their visit. He hadn’t drunk for two days. He’d gone to all the stores to get the things they liked, rented movies, bought Elliot a wood-working tool he’d been asking for. It was probably on one of those outings that he came in contact with someone infected. And then all my babies arrived, and they all became infected too. I’m sure Chayton hadn’t known he was sick. He would have never knowingly given them anything.”

  Sharon grew silent, her eyes going blank. Memories of that time would no doubt haunt her for the rest of her life. Everything she described brought back painful memories of my own, only my pain was different from hers.

  “I’m not sure if any of this helps. Perhaps talking to Davin about Aurora would at least get his attention.” She closed the album. “They were so close, and he loved her so much.”

  “I’ll try that.”

  “Well.” She stood. “I could really use another cup of tea. You?”

  Before I could respond, she left the room. I heard a few rustles of movement from the kitchen and Sharon softly blowing her nose. A few minutes later, she returned, carrying something. She held it out to me. “Here. I want you to take this to Davin. Give it to him if you can.”

  I took what she held in her outstretched hand. It was cool, metal, circular in shape, and small. It easily fit in the palm of my hand. I turned it over. It was a miniature picture frame holding a photo of Davin when he was younger with his sister, Aurora, beside him.

  “I’ve wanted to give that to him for years. I think her death was the hardest for him, but I also know he never wants to forget her.”

  I fingered the photo. I knew exactly what it was like, to love a sibling more than yourself. “I’ll find a way to get it to him.” I put the photo in my pocket. “I promise.”

  WE SAID OUR goodbyes an hour later. Sharon insisted on making me lunch before I left, but she didn’t seem to have the energy to talk about Davin or any of her kids anymore. I didn’t press her. She looked exhausted.

  When I stood at the door to leave, she abruptly pulled me into a hug. “Thank you,” she whispered. “You have no idea how much it means to me that someone else cares for him too.”

  I stood stiffly as her soft form embraced me. She didn’t seem to notice. Surprisingly, as the seconds passed, I felt myself relaxing against her before I tentatively hugged her in return. “I’ll do everything I can.”

  She pulled back and smiled, her blue eyes so bright and so familiar, I felt like I was looking right at Davin. “I know you will. I can tell you’re the type who doesn’t give up easily.”

  I smiled and pulled my hat on as I left.

  When I slid into my car, I fastened the seatbelt but didn’t move. Meeting Sharon and seeing all of those photos made me feel even more strongly about not failing Davin. I had to get through to him. I had to. Now, it was just a matter of figuring out how.

  18 – PICTURE

  I brought the photo with me when I drove into work the next morning. It was so small it easily fit into my jean pocket, but it was still against the rules to bring anything from the outside in. With every step, it seemed to burn a hole in my leg.

  There would be so many questions if I got caught. Where did you get this? Why did you visit his mother? What else have you done? The interrogation would be the first step. After that, it would be arrest and prosecution. The state took public health very seriously, and this could be seen as a violation of the Public Health Protection Act.

  I took a deep breath when I pulled into my parking spot. I hadn’t bothered waking at four, mostly because I knew it was useless. Davin was definitely not impressed with my morning wake-up greetings. Besides, my lab group knew I was meeting Davin, so I didn’t need to hide it anymore.

  Once again, since I knew I was doing something wrong, I thought everyone else knew it too. I expected Private Williams to pat me down when I entered the Compound, even though he’d never done that before. I waited for the glowering and suspicious glances from Carol, but she hadn’t arrived yet. Even though it felt like guilt glowed on my face like a shining beacon, apparently, it didn’t.

  Nobody looked at me twice.

  I did my usual routine when I sailed past the lobby. Stop at my office to drop off my bag. Check my email to see if anything had happened over the weekend. Glance into the lab to see if anyone was working. Leave my office and hurry to the Inner Sanctum.

  I’d become used to seeing the Kazzies over the past week since I passed them daily. They’d all been asleep last week when I’d sped down these halls at five in the morning, but today, some lights were on.

  Garrett watched me when I walked by. He looked like he’d just woken up. I tentatively waved.

  His eyes narrowed, making his egg-like orbs look less like golf balls and more like flying saucers. I wondered sometimes if he felt uncomfortable having eyes that big. Do they hurt? Ache? Bother him in any way?

  None of us knew since he wouldn’t tell his researchers.

  The Sisters were up when I entered their hall, both still in their pajamas. That was a surprise. It was barely six. They usually slept later.

  Sara grinned when she saw me and walked to the window so she could hold her hand up to the glass. Once again, her actions baffled me. Why is she so taken with me?

  I placed my hand over hers, the glass the only thing separating us from touching. Her smile bloomed, and again, that strange ache began in my head. It was something I regularly felt when I stood beside her now. It was only last week that I’d put two and two together.

  See Sara. Feel the beginnings of a headache.

  Coincidence? I think not.

  However, I had no idea what that meant. I fingered the picture with my other hand. Sara’s eyes dropped to my pocket. Stepping back, I waved goodbye.

  In the next hall, Dorothy was still in her coma, and Sage and Victor were both asleep. I hurried to Davin’s cell.

  When I stepped into Davin’s watch room, Sergeant Rose greeted me with a warm smile. Scents of coffee, as usual, filled the air. Since it was after six, Davin was up.

  “Morning,” Sergeant Rose said when I sat beside him.

  “Good morning.”

  “Have a nice weekend?”

  Was there an edge to his tone? I shook myself. You’re just being paranoid. “Um, yes. You?”

  “Yeah, we went to that community event at the park on Saturday. Did you go?”

  I shook my head.

  “That’s too bad. You missed a good time. It wasn’t too cold, and there was a local acoustic band playing. The kids liked it, my wife did too. They even served hot apple cider at no charge.”

  “Really? Who funded it?”

  “The city. The mayor said something about having enough apples this fall to do something for the community. It was great. Different for a change.”

  I knew what he meant. While most communities in South Dakota did their best to have gatherings, funds were slim. That usually equated to people meeting at a common ground and hanging out. And that was it. Normally, everyone had to bring their own beverages, food, and seating. It was really more of a glorified park outing than anything, but people enjoyed it, and it helped. Anything to distract everyone from how much we’d lost in the entertainment w
orld.

  “What’d you get up to this weekend?” Sergeant Rose sipped his coffee.

  I averted my gaze. “Ah… nothing really. Just kept trying to figure out how to get through to him.” I nodded toward Davin. He at breakfast at his desk. At least, it wasn’t a total lie.

  “Come up with anything?”

  I thought of the picture in my pocket. “Maybe.”

  “Well, I hope so. The guy deserves a break.” Sergeant Rose tipped his coffee back and drained the last drop.

  “Want another?” I pointed at his empty mug.

  “Sure, if you’re going to get yourself one?”

  Nodding, I took his cup. Sergeant Rose couldn’t have any idea what I’d done, but I hated lying. I figured it was best to get out of here instead of continually fabricating the truth.

  I returned five minutes later with cups for both of us. Davin’s lights were on when I walked into the hall. I expected him to be in his usual state, either with his back to us or reading the paper. But when I rounded the corner and stepped into the watch room, I stopped short.

  Davin sat on the edge of his bed, except this time he faced us, and he looked directly at me.

  My breath caught in my chest.

  He was looking at me. More than just that, he was staring at me. I kept waiting for him to avert his gaze.

  He didn’t.

  His eyes held mine, his expression blank. I stared back, captivated by the beautiful shade in his irises. Why the heck is he holding eye contact?

  He had never done that before.

  “He doesn’t seem too grumpy this morning.” Sergeant Rose reached for his cup. It wasn’t until he pried it from my hands that I realized I stood rooted to the spot.

  I shook myself, breaking eye contact with Davin. “Um, yeah.”

  When I glanced back up, Davin was in his bathroom. He must have moved at his speed.

  Sitting down beside the guard, my fingers shook when I brought the coffee to my lips. The picture Sharon gave me pressed into my thigh and reminded me of what I promised to do. Not only did that give me anxiety, but Davin’s strange behavior did too.

  I tried to shrug off both worries, but all I did was spill more coffee on my pants when my hands continued to shake.

  “Are you going to try talking again today?” Sergeant Rose asked.

  I drained my cup. “Yes, after he’s done in the bathroom.” Which means I have time to sweat while I work on a plan to get Sharon’s gift to Davin.

  Thankfully, Sergeant Rose was oblivious to my inner turmoil. He filled the silent void with steady conversation. I didn’t have to contribute anything past Hmm and Oh.

  When Davin appeared in his cell again, I stood. The time had come. “I’m going in today,” I announced.

  Sergeant Rose cocked his head. “You are?”

  “Yes.” Going in was the only way I could deliver the picture, so I had to, whether Davin liked it or not.

  Sergeant Rose stood, his relaxed demeanor gone. He was suddenly completely professional and serious. That switch made me feel better. No dying today.

  “I’ll get him in the Chair after you’re ready to go in.”

  Right. The Chair. I’d forgotten about that.

  In the containment room, Sergeant Rose helped me into the suit. When I turned my back so he could hook up the respirator, I hurriedly fished the picture out of my pocket. Breathing hard, I pushed it into the suit’s belt and stuffed my arms in the jacket. Sergeant Rose didn’t seem to notice, which was good, since as much as he and I were becoming comfortable working with each other, I knew he wouldn’t compromise his position to help me. Luckily, the photo didn’t budge as we finished all the safety checks.

  Giving me the thumbs up, Sergeant Rose returned to the watch room, sealing me inside the containment room. Only a few minutes passed before the guard’s voice sounded in my earbud. “Ready?”

  I cocked my head. It only took a few minutes to get Davin in the Chair? Just to get the Chair into position took almost a minute. Does that mean…

  “Yes, he went willingly into the Chair when I told him you were coming in. No fight at all,” Sergeant Rose said, as if reading my mind.

  I breathed a sigh of relief. At least I wouldn’t have to feel guilty about Davin being in the Chair, but I wondered why Davin had willingly sat in it. He’d never been compliant about anything. Ever. I wasn’t stupid enough to think he suddenly wanted to be my friend and everything would be roses. So why did he do it?

  “Are you ready?” Sergeant Rose asked again. I still hadn’t said anything.

  “Oh. Yes.”

  The dials in front of me spun and the light above flashed red. With a hiss, the door opened. I stepped forward, my thumb going to the picture in my belt.

  19 – TEST

  Davin sat calmly in the Chair. He watched me lumber slowly into the room, his expression blank. For once, rage didn’t coat his chiseled features. That angry, ugly expression was gone.

  When I pulled his desk chair over and sat, Davin’s eyes stayed glued to mine. I faltered. Why does he keep looking at me? I had no idea what was going on. The aloof, cold Davin that ignored my every move seemed to have evaporated, and I had no idea why. It wasn’t like anything had changed between us.

  Regardless of his one-eighty shift, a part of me wanted to stare. He was so strikingly handsome. There was a steely beauty to him that reminded me of the proud Sioux warriors he’d descended from.

  As we sat there, I discreetly gripped the suit’s belt, to make sure the picture hadn’t fallen. His eyes followed the movement.

  “How are you today?” I asked.

  His brow furrowed slightly. “Fine.”

  My eyes widened. Did he just speak to me? He’s never willingly spoken to me. My heart rate sped up as my confusion grew. What the hell is going on?

  I knew if I dwelled on it I’d lose all train of thought. And right now, I needed to stay focused.

  Taking a deep breath, I stammered, “Ah… that’s good. I… ah…” I glanced awkwardly over my shoulder. Sergeant Rose watched us while sipping his coffee. “Um, Sergeant Rose?”

  “Yes?” His voice sounded through the hood and cell’s speakers. I knew Davin could hear him too.

  “Would you mind turning off the speaker system in the watch room? I’d like to speak to Davin privately.”

  The guard frowned.

  “You’ll still see everything that goes on. I’m not asking you to step out. You’re still following policy.” I pleaded with my eyes. I knew Sergeant Rose was a good man. He knew I wanted to help Davin. Now it was just a matter of how much he was willing to help too.

  He sighed audibly. “All right. I suppose I could. Switching off.” A click sounded in my earbud.

  I turned back to Davin, but before I could say anything, his gaze narrowed. “What’s in your belt?”

  My eyes bulged. He noticed? But how did he see it? I glanced at my belt. Only a tiny corner of the picture poked out. He must have really good eyesight. I couldn’t think of any other reason for him knowing about the photo.

  “Um, it’s…” Meghan, pull it together!

  Taking a deep breath, I made a motion, trying to make it look like I was adjusting something on the suit for Sergeant Rose’s benefit, but instead, I carefully extracted the photo. Luckily, my gloves were made of thick rubber that offered protection without sacrificing dexterity.

  I showed him the picture, making sure to keep it out of Sergeant Rose’s sight. “I brought this for you.”

  Davin’s face tightened. “Where did you get that?”

  I took a deep breath. I’d had a gut feeling since meeting Davin that I needed to be one hundred percent honest with him about everything. That meant being completely honest now.

  “Your mother.”

  His nostrils flared. A stretch of silence fell between us, yet I could practically feel its weight.

  Keep it together, Meghan. He’s actually talking to you.

  “When…” He cleared his throat
. “When did you get it from her?”

  “This weekend.”

  “Did she find you? Track you down somehow?”

  “No. I went to her.”

  “In Rapid City?”

  “Yes.”

  The silenced stretched again. “Why?” he finally said, his voice hoarse.

  “I needed to get through to you. I was hoping she’d have an idea. And she did, she gave me this.” I indicated the photo discreetly.

  Pain flashed through his eyes. “Did she tell you who that is?”

  I nodded.

  “And did she tell you she’s dead?”

  “I already knew that,” I replied quietly.

  “She was only ten-years-old when she died.”

  “I know.”

  “What else did my mom say?”

  “About Aurora?”

  He flinched when I said her name. “About anything.”

  I shrugged. “She told me about your childhood, your brothers and sisters. We went through some family photo albums. When I showed up at her doorstep, she thought I’d come to announce your death. She fainted.”

  Davin’s eyebrows rose. They were dark, midnight lines, perfectly shaped. “She’s never fainted before.”

  “She thought she’d lost you. She loves you very much.”

  The silence stretched again. My heart beat frantically. I’d never dreamed we’d talk as candidly as we were now.

  “How is she?” There was a catch in his voice.

  “Good. I think. She served me tea and lunch. I was there for half the day.”

  A small smile tugged his lips up. “Did she use her good china?”

  I thought of the pristine tea set. “The ones with the pink roses and cherry buds?”