Watcher (The Watcher Series Book 1)

by A. J. Eversley

  He nodded.

  He shoved his hands in his pocket, leaning against the wall. “Not long after the war started, Coleman began to train me. Physically and mentally although I didn’t realize what for at the time. My arm does more than what you have experienced, but it also comes with a price. Coleman couldn’t use me to make one of his Carbons because my arm wouldn’t transfer properly, but he is still able to control me when he’s near. I’m learning to fight it, but I’m not strong enough yet to fully escape his grip.”

  I tensed up.

  “Oh no, he can’t reach us here,” Kenzie said. “I’ve secured the place to block any signal going in or out. This whole building is a complete fortress that can’t be penetrated by Coleman or any of his Carbons.”

  I let out a breath. “So the day we rescued you guys, that was Coleman, right?”

  “Yes. Once I was ready, Coleman would send me out to collect any remaining humans. We knew where most were hiding out, but so many have resorted to taking their own lives before being captured. They sent me in instead.” He shook his head, the ghosts of what he they made him do flashed in his eyes. “I’d bring them back to the warehouse where Bots would erase their memories of the last six weeks. Then we made sure Smith knew where we were, and we waited.”

  I nodded, recalling this part of the story well. I remembered finding them there, and the old lady who Kenzie wouldn’t leave behind.

  “Edith?” I asked.

  “She was my grandmother although she didn’t know that. Her husband, John, was my grandfather. I didn’t know what they planned to do with him before I turned him in,” he said with anger.

  “Once you were on base—” I said.

  “Once I was in, Coleman lost his hold on me. The depth and concrete kept him from reaching me, much like what happened to Smith I assume. Things started coming back to me, and I realized the gravity of what I was being made to do, and what Coleman was doing. But I knew I couldn’t escape that easily. And I knew his plans. So I continued communication with them as I was instructed, but I left trails for Sam and Smith to decipher in hopes of saving the rest of you.”

  “And us?” My voice cracked, and I wasn’t sure why.

  He walked toward me, and his hand touched my cheek as he turned my face to his. “That was 100% real. The only real thing I have felt in thirteen years or more.” I dared to look into his eyes.

  My heart was beating so fast, and I begged it to stop. I begged this feeling to go away. I was smarter than this. He was dangerous.

  “How were you able to break me out at Sub 9?” I asked softly. “Didn’t Coleman have a hold on you then?” Kenzie dropped his hand and sat back down across from me.

  “He left the city. He’s been going on small trips out of the city a lot lately. I know he has bigger plans, but I’m not sure what exactly. I started to feel when he left, even when I didn’t know he was gone, and I didn’t know when my next chance would be. I had to get you out of there before—”

  He held my gaze, and I couldn’t look away. “Ever since I met you I have felt this pull to you,” Kenzie said. “I know you don’t need to be taken care of, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed you.”

  I stared into his deep blue eyes and found myself leaning into him. I had felt that pull too. There was an electric pulse between us, pulling us together even when my mind screamed, this is wrong! He leaned in closer, placing his hand on the back of my neck. He pulled me the rest of the way and kissed me softly. I wanted more, but my brain reminded me that he wasn’t safe. I pushed him back gently.

  “I’m sorry, it’s just a lot to process.”

  He nodded and let his hand fall back down. “I hope, someday, you will trust me again,” he said, as if reading my mind.

  I hoped so too.

  Chapter 31

  Perched on the windowsill looking down on the dark city, I took a deep breath in. Chevy was curled up by my dangling feet. The day had passed painfully slow, and neither Kenzie nor I knew what to do.

  There were still people trapped in Sub 9. Watchers, friends—I couldn’t just leave them there. But trying to get into Sub 9 was a suicide mission. There was only one way in, through the front door which was guarded by Carbons and Bots.

  No matter how much I wanted to turn and leave, I couldn’t. I wouldn’t. I was a Watcher.

  I leaned back and closed my eyes, letting the cool night air fill up my lungs. From across the room, I heard a constant click of fingers hitting keys as Kenzie typed frantically on his tablet. I opened my eyes and turned to him. We’d sat mostly in silence all day. I was unsure my voice would even work.

  “What exactly are you doing on there?” I asked.

  He barely looked up as he typed away. “If I can override the system from here, we’ll have a better view.”

  “Override what system?”

  “The underground rail system. There are cameras throughout the tunnels.” His head bobbed up and down as he typed.

  “How exactly will that help us?” I asked as I slipped down off the window ledge and took a seat next to him on the couch.

  He turned to me sharply. “Sawyer, I know you better than you think I do, and I know that come hell or high water you’re going back to Sub 9 to rescue those people. So I’m trying to find us another way in.”

  I was taken aback and unsure how to respond. It’d been so long since I’d let someone get that close to me, someone who could see my moves even before I could. I shuddered.

  Kenzie went back to work before I found the right words.

  “What do you mean ‘us’?” I asked.

  Kenzie slammed his tablet down and turned on me in the blink of an eye. I was ready just as fast, poised to attack at a moment’s notice, but all he did was glare.

  “I will tie you up and keep you here myself if you think I’m letting you go in alone!” he yelled, nostrils flaring.

  “This isn’t your mission. These aren’t your friends.”

  “You think I care about them, Sawyer? I care about you.”

  That shut me up.

  Kenzie stood and stalked out the room. “I need some air,” he mumbled before slamming the door behind him.

  I couldn’t move, my gaze still trained at the door Kenzie left through. Why me?

  I didn’t fully understand the depths of Kenzie’s feelings for me, nor did I trust them. Emotions could be dangerous; I’d seen it too many times. He may think he’s protecting me, but his presence would be a hindrance.

  He couldn’t come.

  I wouldn’t risk his life for mine. He deserved better. He deserved to live.

  ~

  Two hours later when Kenzie returned, he wouldn’t look me in the eyes.

  “So am I coming with you?” he asked.

  “Yes,” I lied.

  ~

  I was awoken suddenly, and I instinctively grabbed for the knife I placed under my pillow. It was at his throat before I realized who it was.

  “I’ve done it.” Kenzie smiled, pushing my hand and the knife away from his neck.

  “Sorry,” I mumbled sleepily, “done what?”

  I placed the knife back under my pillow and stretched my arms over my head. I threw on my black sweater as the cool morning air hit my bare skin.

  “Overridden the rail system’s camera operation,” he said. He turned his back to give me a little privacy as I pulled up my jeans.

  “So what now?” I stifled a yawn as I followed him down the stairs, scooping up Chevy who was still having trouble going up and down the stairs on his own. I placed him gently at the bottom and grabbed a cup of freshly brewed coffee.

  “Now I can see into the tunnel system. There was an emergency hatch at the base of Sub 9. If the tunnels are clear, then that’s our way in.” Kenzie excitedly typed in coordinates on his tablet, and he brought up different views of the tunnel.

  “How do you know about this?” I sipped my coffee.

  Kenzie’s body stiffened, and I regretted asking the question.
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  “I found it after my dad and brother were buried alive. I had to find some way to get to them, but I was too late,” he explained. “This is our way in.”

  I looked over his shoulder to see a small hatch in the low hanging roof on the tablet screen.

  “How many guards? Won’t Coleman be waiting for us?”

  “The basement level will be unguarded. From there, I can disable the security system, but we’ll only have ten minutes. The prisoners will be held in sub levels 6, 7 and 8 with a few guards on duty there. Once the timer is set, we only have ten minutes before they will know we’re there. When the guards don’t check in, they’ll send in reinforcements.”

  I nodded, understanding that we’d have to be quick and precise. If a guard alerted them too soon, we wouldn’t be able to get everyone out in time.

  “We’ll take them to the tunnels,” I said. “Then clear the tunnel and blow the place down,” I smiled grimly.

  “Ten minutes, Sawyer. That’s it,” Kenzie cautioned.

  I nodded, but my mind was already thinking about the look on Coleman’s face.

  ~

  Ten hours later as the sun was setting, we were ready to go. I said goodbye to Chevy, promising I’d be back to get him. He whined but reluctantly listened, giving me a lick on the nose goodbye.

  We had little ammo and only the two guns Kenzie had on him the night we escaped. Our speed would be our biggest weapon until we could secure a few more weapons once we took out a couple of the guards. We raced down the stairs and out of the building onto the street. The closest grate into the tunnel system wasn’t far away. Kenzie took the lead, and I was close behind him.

  Once we’d reached the entrance to Sub 9, Kenzie slowed down and passed me his pack. There was the small hatch in the roof above us that led into Sub 9. Kenzie reached up and opened it; its rusty hinges squeaked in protest. He instructed me to stay there and wait for the all clear.

  Unhappily, I crouched down and waited. He pulled himself up and into the room, and I waited for what seemed like forever.

  I heard footsteps coming, and I readied my gun, just in case. But I heard Kenzie call out, “All clear!” and I sighed in relief.

  After passing him up his pack, and he grabbed my wrist and pulled me up with ease.

  Once inside, Kenzie went to work while I covered the door. “I’ve rigged the security system to loop the last ten minutes,” Kenzie said, “but like I said before, it won’t be long before they notice something isn’t right. We’ll rig the explosives when the last of the humans are down. A small blast will remove the supports and allow us time to get clear before the real blast.” He moved to join me but stopped in his tracks as he looked up at me. “Sawyer,” he said and raised both arms.

  I didn’t join him.

  I was the one with the gun trained at him.

  “I can’t risk it, Kenzie,” I said. “I’m sorry.”

  And I pulled the trigger.

  Chapter 32

  The bullet tore through his leg, and he fell with a stifled scream. It was enough to keep him grounded but nothing fatal. And I knew he’d heal fast.

  “Coleman could use you against me, and I can’t let that happen. Get everyone to safety. There will be enough people here to help you out,” I said.

  “Sawyer, you can’t do this alone!” He grimaced between clenched teeth as he tried to stand back up but fell to his knees.

  “Don’t make me shoot the other leg,” I said. “Get everyone to safety and don’t wait for me. I have my own way out.”

  “Sawyer!” he said, but I was already through the door. “Sawyer!” I heard him yell, but I’d made my decision.

  ~

  I couldn't allow Kenzie to go any further than he had. He was necessary to override the surveillance feed, but his presence was more of a risk than an advantage. I didn't trust him or his ability to overpower Coleman, no matter what he told me, and his emotions would have him making stupid decisions. I had to do this on my own, which meant I had to hurry.

  I ran up the stairwell to the next level. As expected, I could already hear the guards. Through the small window in the door, I saw three Bots to the left and one human to the right. I rushed into the hallway, aiming first for the lone human and then diving behind the human I picked off the Bots, not wasting any bullets. I grabbed what I could off of them and raced to the end of the hall where I entered the codes Kenzie gave me to access the doors. I heard them click open and saw the tentative occupants peer outside.

  “Everybody out! I’m here to get you to safety, but we have to hurry!” I yelled. I grabbed the wrist of a young man I thought I recognized from the base. “You! Gather everyone and take them down the stairs to the next level. There is a man there who will help you all get out. Hurry!” He listened and directed everyone down the stairs. I wasted no time running up to the next level.

  This one only had two guards, but they saw me coming before I had time to hide. I smashed the door open, stunning a Bot as I kicked the other down the hall. It stumbled back, crashing into the wall. The first Bot was back up and barreled down on me. I got the shot off just in time, but its momentum carried, and it smashed me back into the door. I winced in pain as I felt a rib break, but there was no time to recover.

  The second Bot was on me quickly, tossing its buddy out of the way and picking me up by my neck. I began to see stars as I struggled to reach the knife in my boot. My fingers scraped at the metal, but I couldn’t quite reach it.

  The room was going black when I grabbed a hold of the knife and plunged it into the Bot’s neck. It twitched and then released me. It crumbled to the ground. I took a moment to catch my breath before I ran and opened the doors again, shouting the same instructions as everyone filtered down the stairwell.

  I checked my watch. By now, all of Sub 9had been made aware of my presence, and I still had one more level to go. I had to hurry.

  As I reached the next level, I could tell the guards knew I was there. There were six Bots lined up with their guns trained at the door. The element of surprise was no longer in my favor.

  I reached into my pack and pulled out the makeshift smoker Kenzie had concocted. I opened the door just a crack and tossed it in. The hallway filled with smoke, and I heard gunfire erupt in the chaos.

  One Bot blasted through the door, and I swiftly tossed it down the stairs. Another made to follow, but I kicked the door, laying it flat on its back. I crouched down and tiptoed into the hall, the smoke covering my movements. A shadow lurked nearby, and I aimed for its leg, dropping it with a single shot. The others opened fire, giving me a clear view of where they were, and I took them out easily.

  I moved along farther, knowing there was still one more left. It stood up ahead, but it wasn’t alone. It was holding a human in front of it as a shield. As the smoke settled, I realized that the human shield was Kyle.

  Or what was left of him, anyway. His body was bloody and bruised. He couldn't even open fully one eye, but when he saw me, he smiled.

  “I knew you’d come for us,” he said.

  The Bots aimed their gun at me, but this conflict was over before it even started; the hunk of metal just didn't realize it yet.

  With one swift move, my gun was up, and the trigger pulled. The bullet hit between the Bot’s eyes.

  Kyle slumped against the wall as the Bot fell behind him. I ran up to him and hugged him, too tightly as he winced.

  “Sorry!” I let go.

  “No, I’m fine, really.” He smiled weakly.

  I ran to the controls and opened the doors. “Get everyone down to the basement. Kenzie is there, and he will lead you all out,” I instructed.

  “Okay, what about you?” he asked as he realized I wasn’t coming with them.

  “I have one more thing to do,” I said. “Tell Kenzie to seal it up as soon as the last person is through, not to wait for me.”

  “How will you get out? I should come with you.” He swayed as he stood there.

  “No, this is some
thing only I can do. Help Kenzie get everyone clear. I have my own way out. Trust me,” I said, and reluctantly he obeyed.

  ~

  I made Kenzie give me the full details of Sub 9, claiming the more I knew about where we were going, the easier it’d be. I was pretty sure he saw right through that, but he told me everything anyway, wanting to prove his trustworthiness.

  This allowed me to see that there was one more way out if I could get there quick enough.

  I raced up the stairs and heard the footsteps of the hostages going down, but when I heard footsteps from above coming down, I realized I didn’t have as much time as I’d hoped.

  I was only at the third sub level, not even close to street level yet, and I could already hear the enemy coming. I dove into an abandoned hallway one level up. Kenzie told me they’d send in Carbons as reinforcements once they knew there was a breach.

  I found an unlocked room and slipped in as I heard the stairwell door click open. They were sweeping every hallway, and it wouldn’t be long before I was discovered.

  I sunk into the corner and steadied my gun, waiting for the door to open, but it didn’t.

  The world was silent. Everything stopped for one second, two seconds. I was barely at three seconds when bullets smashed through the wall and tore it to pieces.

  I dove behind a metal table and tipped it on its side, using it as a shield, but I wasn’t quick enough. I felt pain shoot through my left shoulder and saw the blood soaking down my sleeve.

  The firing stopped, but I didn’t move.

  The seconds passed as soft, cautious footsteps came closer.

  I had no way out.

  I had no moves left.

  I was caught before I was even able to reach the surface.

  I felt a weight on my chest; it was heavy. I saw my mother’s face again, and I was ashamed of myself, that I couldn’t be more like her. That I couldn’t save her.

  My hand was shaking, and I realized I wasn’t ready to die. Not this time.