by Candice Lim
“All set.”
“No, please, Derrick. Don’t leave me alone!” I screamed, breaking out of my stupor. As though only now I understood what Derrick was up to. I still couldn’t get over the fact my childhood idol had lied to me and had lost touch with the present. I tugged at the sleeve of his coat, feeling like a failure.
“Pull yourself together, Roxy. You know I can’t leave them behind!” Derrick’s voice was full of urgency. Right on cue, the engine roared to life.
“Then, I am not leaving. I am staying with you all!”
Derrick let go of me. The skin on my wrist had been rubbed raw by his fingers. A brief silence stretched between us before Derrick lurched forward, grabbing me by my shoulders. He pushed me into the boat as though I was freight. “Leave now!”
I clambered out but only for him to shove me back into the boat. I picked myself up.
Looking back at the empty pier once, Derrick said, “Go straight to the quay, then take Genom and go.” He tossed the keys into the boat. “And don’t ever think of coming back to save the rest of us. You are only throwing yourself into the slaughterhouse. We can handle it here.”
“And what if you can’t?” I spat.
“And what makes you think you can change anything?” he snarled, then as though he regretted it, dropping his voice. “Remember my words, Roxy.”
Every inch of me was protesting. My mind went back to Graybridge and recalled that Derrick could be implacable when angry. All I could do was shake my head as more tears poured from my eyes.
His voice softened as he took me by my shoulders and squeezed hard. “Look at me.”
I couldn’t bring myself to look him in the eye anymore. I shook my head again when his palms cupped my tear-streaked cheeks.
“Look, you don’t deserve this. None of it. This was never your war, to begin with―” Interrupted in mid-sentence, Derrick gasped. A large spot of blood was forming right in the center of his back, blossoming like a sickening crimson rose. Two uniformed figures at the end of the walkway were closing in on me. The rifles in their hands glinted in the sun.
Derrick pulled out his two Zappers, bringing the two men down at once. He lost his balance and slumped against the side of the boat. His head was propped against the hull as his chest rose and fell in a quick succession of heavy breaths.
“No, Derrick. Stay with me!” As I cried, more rumbling footsteps neared the pier. Cold sweat dripped off my face and fear kickstarted me into action. I bent down and putting my hands under his arms, tried to haul him up. “Argh! Derrick, we have to go now!”
He didn’t budge, only shaking his head. He labored for breath. “Leave me, Roxy.”
“No, I won’t!”
The backdoor of the facility burst open again and out poured more guards in black. Behind their helmet visors, I could picture grim faces and eyes radiating murder. I didn’t want to make it easy for them. A surge of anger shot through my veins. I grabbed Derrick’s Zappers.
“Launch now!” Derrick commanded Wifey.
The ground shook beneath my boots as the boat juddered to life. I bowed my head and met with Derrick’s waning smile. “Goodbye, Roxy.”
Wifey roared and shot away from the dock, jerking me off balance and I fell to the deck with a thump. Despite the pain bursting through my back, I scrambled to my feet. When I looked out from the side of the boat, I wished I hadn’t.
Derrick was on the pier, his hands scrabbling at the edges. Another open wound gaping at his throat, his blood dripping into the sea. His eyes were open and vacant as life had left the body.
Four armored men crouched over him. The rest were shadows looming behind. Only one of them, the one standing nearest to the mooring, turned to me.
“NO!!!”
29
VAXINE
The sound of grinding metal rang out in the hollow room. The flickering bulb overhead offered some dim light. Axon struggled to untie himself. He jerked and twisted as though the bold thick chains would give in and undo themselves if he tried hard enough. After ten minutes, his efforts bore no fruit and only wasting his already fading strength.
Vaxine slumped against the dull gray walls with her eyes closed. She refused to move a single muscle, as though conserving her strength. “You know these restraints are made of maximum-security grade steel. You are not getting off them just like that.” Her eyes were still shut, not wanting to watch Axon struggle over and over again.
“At least, I’m trying something.”
“Then, do something that helps.”
“What? Sleeping like you?”
“No, more like shutting up.”
The door creaked open. Vaxine’s eyes popped open, momentarily blinded by the bright light. She squinted and lifted her arms, only to be wrenched back her restraints. “Blot my gel,” she muttered.
A woman stood at the door looking like an angel that had descended from the sky and come to their rescue. But they knew better. She was no angel and worse than a demon.
Cash emerged, peeling away from the light and revealing a fresh bruise on the left side of her face. She strode towards them, her shadow looming like a portent of doom. Her fists were at her waist as she shot them a patronizing look.
Vaxine hardened her glare at the woman. That was all she could do to express her rage. She had seen her way too many times, every edge of her face burned deep into her mind. But this was Vaxine’s first time being so close to Cash and she didn’t find it very pleasant.
Cash glanced at Vaxine and then at Axon. “Why, hello there, Axon. We haven’t seen each other for some time.”
Axon nodded. If there was fear in him, he showed no sign of it. “That’s ancient history.”
Cash did not display any displeasure. Perhaps, she too knew Axon’s sense of humor too well. “And I know you would always come back home to mama.”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” he shot back.
Cash snorted, “I never said I am your mama. You would be a grand disappointment to me if I were.”
Axon glared at her.
Cash stepped closer. “And nice to meet you, Vaxine. Or shall I call you, the Vixen? You have quite an interesting past.”
Raw fury pulsed through Vaxine, like waves on a stormy ocean, crashing and colliding with her emotions. She still had her wits about her. Cash was playing mind games and she wasn’t giving her the satisfaction of a victory.
Axon stole another glance at her as though checking if she was okay.
“Vaxine will do,” she replied calmly. If Axon could keep his feelings in check, so could she. “Only my friends call me the Vixen. And you are not one of them.”
Cash gave them a vicious smile. “Very interesting. It’s a pleasure to meet the Dynamic Duo under Hershey. It would be fun if we could get Roxy and Derrick here too. Alas, Roxy is such a coward and your friend, Derrick…” Cash let his name hang in the air, building up the anticipation and tension. “Is dead.”
The news hit Vaxine in the heart like a sledgehammer, shattering it to minute shards. Axon had the same shocked look on his face. Still, something inside her told her to be careful. That Cash could be toying with her feelings again.
Cash simpered, clearly enjoying their pain. “You kids probably don’t believe it. Ah, of course, we always demand evidence. So here it is.” Cash flicked her hand and projected an image from her HoloWatch.
It was footage from the CCTVs that apparently had been brought back online, covering the dock where they had moored Wifey. Derrick was talking to Roxy when two armored men appeared behind him. One of them fired, blowing a hole of the size of an egg at his back. Blood spewed like a fountain. He turned around and managed to return their attack with his Zappers.
The two men fell but Derrick was the last. Roxy’s scream filled the room, piercing their ears. The angst in her voice reflected their own. Vaxine wished she could scream like her, unleashing the squall of feelings whirling inside. But that would only g
ive Cash the pleasure.
Vaxine looked at Cash when Derrick was shot the second time. She couldn’t bring herself to witness the death of her childhood friend. Roxy’s agonized cry chased her. Her eyes weren’t seeing. But her mind was creating pictures, forcing her to face the reality of his death. Vaxine clenched her teeth, fighting. “You are a monster, Cash!”
Axon didn’t say anything, his head bowed. Perhaps he regretted all the times he had fought with Derrick, who was once his friend too. He didn’t even get to say goodbye for the last time. Life was so fragile.
When the dock was cleared, the footage dissolved into grainy pixels.
“How heroic! Oh, I hate it when it makes me sad.” Cash faked weeping, wiping both her hands over her face. “Rather risk his life than his friends. His kind risks extinction.”
“Many people would do the same, except you, who was born with no heart!” spat Vaxine, her emotions on display.
Instead of being offended, Cash nodded as though it was a compliment. “Maybe I was born with no heart. But I have a damn great brain.” She shrugged. “Well, that’s quite a setback. You kids broke into here without any basic knowledge of this place, trying to rescue your mentor, and ended up losing your best friend. That’s a pretty sad ending. But you have my condolences. And to lessen your pain, I will grant you a small wish.”
Vaxine cringed. She couldn’t bring herself to guess what this lunatic was up to next.
“Edmund!” Cash shouted at the open door.
A man appeared from the shadows, apparently he had been listening to them all this while. But Vaxine would have guessed Cash always had backup.
“Would you please invite Dr. Hershey to our tiny party here? I am sure she’s looking forward to being reunited with her kids.” A wry smile curled her lips. When the man went away, she turned to them again.
Axon spoke up. “What are you going to do with her? What else do you want from her? From us? You already got all you want. Asia Nova is at your mercy.”
“And Hershey’s favorite boy has spoken,” laughed Cash. “I am pretty sure you have been keeping up with the news. Cranax has mutated beyond Cranatol. There’s a need for improvements, an upgrade, a change.”
“Cranax will mutate, no matter how fast you can adapt. I bet Hershey has told you that.”
“Yeah, now you can tell her that yourself.” Cash waved in the direction of the door.
Two silhouettes stopped at the door and advanced into the light. One of them was the man Vaxine had seen earlier in the Underlab. Another was a familiar face she wished she could have seen under different circumstances.
“Hi, Dr. Hershey,” greeted Vaxine and Axon in unison.
Hershey regarded them with sadness. For the first time, she looked her age. Life must have been hard on her. She still wore the same clothes, her once classy suit was now soiled and frayed. A fleeting look of surprise crossed her face when she saw Axon.
Hershey had no chains on her wrists and no shackles on her ankles. At least to Vaxine’s relief, Hershey was practically free. Cash knew she didn’t need them; Vaxine and Axon’s captivity were the best restraints.
Edmund glanced at Hershey, a hint of guilt flickered in his eyes. He stepped back, sinking into the shadows as though he couldn’t bear to face them.
Cash stood behind Hershey. Her mouth was few inches from her neck as though trying to sink her teeth into it. “Why, Hershey. Aren’t you happy to see your Dynamic Duo again? They failed to rescue you. Aren’t they such disappointments?”
“Cash,” said Hershey in a no-nonsense voice. She didn’t look at her, her gaze fixed on Vaxine and Axon. “I told you not to drag them into our business.”
“Oh, Hershey.” Cash shook her head. “You know you always have my word, like when I said I would make Cranatol famous. I never fail. Your kids came to me first.”
Hershey asked Vaxine, “Where’s Roxy?”
Vaxine noticed Cash’s smirk, as though she was thought it was a silly question to ask. “She’s fine, Dr. Hershey. Don’t worry.”
“Not for long, I can assure you,” said Cash. “It’s going to be a difficult world out there for her, being pursued by our government. They take no prisoners.”
“You will pay for this, Cash.” Hershey couldn’t conceal her anger anymore.
Vaxine could totally relate to that. Her every word was full of mockery. If she wasn’t chained up, she would have sent her flying into the wall with a kick. And Vaxine hated feeling so powerless.
“Oh, you know how I loathe the idea of paying.” Cash turned to Hershey, looking straight into her eyes. “Well, now let’s give Hershey some motivation.” She reached under her skirt and produced a gun with a long and thin silver barrel.
Vaxine’s stomach dropped. It was the Paralyzer, a lighter version of Zapper.
“Do I have any volunteers?” Cash’s voice was full of menace.
Tension seized Vaxine’s body. Axon’s hands had shot up to his chest in surrender, sweat beaded his pale face.
“Why don’t we start with Hershey’s favorite?” Cash fired at Axon.
He let out a distressing cry that sounded like a harpooned seal and toppled over. His teeth clenched, his face grimaced in pain as he clenched onto the thigh where he was shot, with his two hands. “I can’t feel my damn leg! Blot my gel!” Tears glistened in his eyes.
“You okay, Axon?” Vaxine shouted.
“And now it’s the turn of the notorious Vixen.” When Cash aimed the Paralyzer in Vaxine’s direction, Hershey stepped forward.
“I am already doing what you want, Cash. Your end of the bargain is that you do not threaten my students.” Fury seethed in her eyes.
Cash nodded and she lowered the Paralyzer. “Fair enough.” She turned around, a victorious smile blossomed like a spring rose on her face. “Then, let’s get down to business.”
30
ROXY
My eyes were swollen and tears blurred my vision. When the elevator door of Hershey Research Facility slid open, I felt totally drained of energy, like my soul had escaped my body. Losing my balance, I fell on all fours, into the cold embrace of the hard floor. The pain of scraped palms and knees was no match for my sadness.
I didn’t want to pick myself up. Sorrow froze my limbs, turning my body into a chunk of ice. I wanted to scream but found no voice. Gasping slowly, I lowered myself on the floor until my whole body lay flat. Cold seeped through my clothes and into my body, consuming me inch by inch like cancer.
My breathing slowed and the tears stopped. I rested my head on the floor, feeling the prickly cold ceramic against my cheeks. I closed my eyes and surrendered to the darkness, pretending I was dead. Since I wished I was dead it was all the same to me.
A cold gust blasted my face and crept under my clothes. First, it was ticklish, pricking my skin like needles of ice. As though offended by my indifference, the wind grew fiercer. My eyes opened. I was the same old white room, save for the mold that had set in.
Night had fallen, dots of light in the distance peppered the vast darkness it had become. A crack of lightning lit up the sky followed by a distant rumble of thunder. Rain fell from gray clouds, as the splashing of water filled the air. Fat droplets of rain hit the windows, blurring my view of the stormy sea.
Unwanted memories came back in a flood. Once Axon’s speedboat reached the pier at the beach, it went dead. I pushed every button on the speedboat and slammed my hands on the control panel, but nothing worked. I left it at the beach and went to pick up Genom that Vaxine had parked near the bushes that lined the beach. With a light foot on the pedal, it sped into the road. It took every ounce of my focus to control the car and follow the built-in GPS back to Hershey Research Facility.
I pulled myself up from the floor, feeling as though my body had turned to rock. My joints creaked and throbbed in protest, as though they had calcified while I was asleep.
At sight of the empty chairs and sofa, I let out an angui
shed scream. I sounded like a tortured soul seeking salvation from the chains of Hell. A cry so horrific I couldn’t believe it had come from me. It reverberated around the empty room. All of us had been here together last night and today it was only me. I sat up straight and put my fists on the small of my back and bent backward, trying to loosen up my muscles. I heard cracks as I regained kinesthesia.
I couldn’t believe it had been Derrick’s first and last time setting foot in this place. My heart ached. The place was empty without its residents; a wasteland void of hope and future.
Something on the wall of the pantry caught my eye. I squinted, taking a few steps forward. A collection of photos of Hershey and the renowned scientists from both the new and old worlds. Why hadn’t I noticed these before?