She was moving into a position with decent cover so that she could find the next street sign and ensure they were moving along the correct path when she caught sight of more undead coming towards them. Her first thought was that she and Rochelle needed to cross the street to avoid them, so she simply stepped out onto the road and made her way to the other side. Moving swiftly away from them, Melissa began to maudlinly wonder what point there was in surviving in this broken world. Too many would be dead before order was restored, regardless of whether it was the order which had once ruled the world or the order of the Reborn with their insane vision. There would be suffering, violence and death for many years to come - a desperate, daily struggle to survive which would only yield another forsaken day. Melissa wasn’t suicidal, and because of personal convictions knew she couldn’t simply give up and eat a bullet unless the end had already found her, but her morbid line of thought led her to question what she would actually do if she escaped Brownwater? She really didn’t want to live out her life on her own. She had believed she could stay with Roy and his wife, having imagined they would welcome her addition....now, with Roy’s moodiness and his suggestion that he might never see Tamara again, she wasn’t sure what was going to happen. Setting that problem aside for the moment, knowing nothing could be resolved until she spoke to Roy, she considered the choices open to her. It seemed like the smart choice would be to flee the mainland, the obvious problem being that Melissa could neither fly a plane, drive or steer or helm a boat... or whatever the correct terminology was when one handled the controls. She suspected she could learn the latter much quicker than the former. Roy could drive, but could he handle a plane or a boat? Could Rochelle? What about Kevin? And were they all going to stick together or would they instead all go their separate ways? So, assuming they stayed together, picked up Roy’s wife and she could get a handle on operating a boat - and a boat - where should they go? The most obvious choice was some tropical island the Reborn hadn’t attacked - some place so small and insignificant it was beneath them to occupy it. They’d be able to survive there for some time, perhaps the rest of their lives if they were lucky and the supplies were ample - fish mainly, she supposed - but while they lived out their days in peace, the rest of the world would die, and there was no certainty that the Reborn wouldn’t turn up looking for them one day.
As they rounded the corner, turning west to move closer to the police station, Melissa wondered what would happen if the Teacher was killed. She assumed from what the Ancillary said he was the leader of the organization, but did he have a second in command who would assume control in the event of his death? If so, then his assassination wouldn’t be the end of the Reborn threat - but perhaps it would throw them into enough disarray for the rest of the world could gain the upper hand? Essentially, Melissa considered, the only thing that mattered was killing the Reborn hierarchy, leaving the ground soldiers with no leadership so that the only remaining threat was the infected. Assuming enough people were left alive, controlling the infected would be possible. The problem was getting to the Teacher; nobody knew where he was, who he was, or even had a suspicion as to where, as a whole, the Reborn might be based. For the shortest of moments Melissa considered she could get close enough to him to do the deed; all she needed to do was tell the Ancillary she would join them, jump through whatever hoops were asked of her and then... what? Melissa wasn’t an assassin or an action movie hero, she reminded herself. To have survived as long as she had, regardless of the training she’d received from Conrad, she had been exceptionally, unimaginably lucky. Eventually, no matter who you were, your luck ran out.
As Melissa moved stealthily up the street, blotting out the ravenous cacophony of infected pursuing them, she found herself stuck in a fierce debate with two halves of herself. One half - the part of her driven by pure survival instincts - told her it was more rational to meet up with Roy, find Kevin and Roy’s wife then get as far away as possible; stopping only to help others when there was no one else who could. The other half thought, even if she didn’t survive, if there was a chance she could kill the Teacher and bring an end to the Reborn, then perhaps her death was a price she should be willing to pay. There was a difference between living and just surviving, Melissa mused, and as long as there were infected and Reborn in the world, she would never truly live again.
Melissa and Rochelle rounded the corner into the street where the police station was located. The journey had been long, arduous and, behind them, the infected were still in pursuit. Melissa couldn’t be certain, but if the majority of the infected who had followed them were still there, then it was possible there could be hundreds on their trail. With that thought in mind she fervently hoped that finding Kevin and helping him get back to the police station wouldn’t take long. With the police station now in sight, she decided to quicken their pace, so she and Rochelle sprinted full pelt towards it, crossing the lot and reaching the double doors in a short space of time.
“Roy!” Melissa called out as she shoved on the doors only to find they were held firmly in place. There was no immediate answer and Melissa grew concerned, so she grabbed the radio and spoke into it, attempting to summon her friend. Several long, quiet moments went by, punctuated only by the moans of the encroaching undead. As she prepared to shove on the door again, she heard the radio crackle into life.
“Come around the side, Melissa.” Roy told her calmly, and Melissa didn’t waste time in responding, hurrying instead towards side entrance on the right. The gate was unlocked and Melissa slid it open, passed through and then shut it after Rochelle had joined her on the other side. She considered using the chain to secure the gate more thoroughly, but then thought of Kevin and decided against it. If Kevin came back now he’d need a way to get in, just as she had, so Melissa simply slammed the gate shut and then turned to look at the side area of the police station. She let her assault rifle hang at her side as she approached the door leading in to the antechamber and interrogation rooms followed closely by Rochelle. Melissa pounded on the door, waited a few moments, and then heard it unlocking. Roy pulled it open and Melissa felt a great sense of relief on seeing his face. He stepped aside and allowed them to enter.
“Roy, I’m glad to see you! It’s been crazy out there, and you sounding so weird on the radio didn’t help.” Melissa scolded, stepping into the room and looking around to make sure everything was as it had been when she left.
“I’m sorry, Melissa.” Roy said as he shut the door.
“That’s okay, but I’m hoping you’ll give me an explanation.” She responded, turning to face him. When she did, she found herself staring down the barrel an assault rifle. Melissa froze, confused at first, she even considered smiling for a moment, as though Roy were playing some terrible joke on her, but her instincts told her this was no joke.
“What are you doing, Roy?”
“What needs to be done.” Roy replied somberly. “Drop your weapons.”
Melissa slowly slipped the strap of the assault rifle over her head and then set the weapon down on the floor. She followed this up with an equally cautious movement to set the pistol on the ground from her leg holster. Finally, the knife was removed from the sheath on her assault vest and was dropped with a clatter. The entire time she disarmed, Melissa never took her eyes from Roy; he was holding the weapon steadily, but in his eyes, she could see pain, guilt and remorse.
“They’ve got her, haven’t they?” Melissa asked.
“Yes.” Roy responded simply.
Melissa sighed, raising her hands in surrender.
“Did you get proof of life?” Melissa wanted to know. “I’m assuming the Ancillary is the one who told you this.”
“I spoke to her.”
“And what did she say?”
Roy tensed, but didn’t reply.
“I see. So, what’s the plan? Hand me over to the Reborn and in their infinite kindness they’ll take you to your wife?”
“I was told she’d know what to do next.”
/>
“Well, where is the Ancillary?”
“Not her.” Roy responded, and then gestured with his gun towards Rochelle. “Her.”
Confused, Melissa started to turn towards Rochelle, belatedly remembering as she did her decision not to allow her to walk behind her, only for a sudden, violent blow to strike her on the side of her head. For the second time in little more than an hour Melissa collapsed to the ground, the world growing dark around her as she looked up into Roy’s guilt ridden face, while feeling the intense pain of a double betrayal.
Chapter Ten
Melissa awoke suddenly; something was drawing her back into the waking world from whatever black, dreamless pit she’d been sent to after being struck. She looked around wildly as her brain struggled to process the information she could see. Rochelle was retreating, discarding smelling salts on the floor as she backed off. Once she was on the other side of the cell door, she slammed it shut, locking it with the keys Melissa had used only a short while ago to imprison the Ancillary. Without a word, Rochelle turned and moved away. A few moments later, Melissa heard the door to the area shut and tried to take in her surroundings. She had been laid on the bed of one of the cells. She still had her combat vest on, but her radio was gone. Melissa slipped into a sitting position, groaning in pain and feeling a little woozy as she became semi-vertical.
“How are you doing, Witness?” The Ancillary asked from the other side of the partition wall.
“Great.” Melissa said quietly; she had intended it sarcastically, but the Ancillary took her words at face value.
“That’s excellent to hear! Rochelle shouldn’t have hit you, I’m terribly sorry about that.”
“I accept your apology.” Melissa returned, gently rolling her neck. It seemed the terrified woman she’d rescued had some skills Melissa had been unaware of; in fact, she could probably have taken Charlie down after he clubbed her to the ground, but that would certainly have aroused Melissa’s suspicion. Melissa cursed. She should have been more careful - should never have dropped her guard when she saw Roy and stepped out in front of her. However, it was too late for self-recrimination, she told herself sternly, and she had to concentrate on how she was going to escape.
“Really?” The Ancillary questioned.
“What do you think?”
“Ah, I see. That wit of yours; I mistakenly thought you were coming around to our line of thinking.”
“Why would you ever presume I’d come around to your way of thinking? And come out where I can see you.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that, Witness. Mr. Snipes has made it clear that until he speaks to his wife again I’m going to remain in my cell - which I’m pretty happy to do, as I’ve explained to Mr. Snipes.”
“Yeah, it figures you’d be happy in a cell.” Melissa commented.
“Why’s that, Witness?”
“You’re a crazy bitch.”
The Ancillary laughed.
“I do so enjoy your colorful commentary, Witness.”
“So, Rochelle is a spy or something?” Melissa asked, aggravation laden in her tone.
“She’s committed to the cause, as I hope you will be when you’ve seen all you need to, Witness.”
“There’s more to see?”
“Of course. Rochelle’s task was to lead you to a couple of key places to highlight some other aspects of what we’re doing and then ensure you were returned to me. I’m going to show you even more of our great work, and when you’re ready to ask, I’ll take you to the Teacher. He’s a great man - a man who has an incredible vision and the talent and ability to see it through - and there’s still so much of his goodness for you to see.”
Melissa wasn’t overly interested in her recruitment speech, but the Ancillary had aroused her curiosity and she saw there might be an opportunity to learn more about the Teacher’s intentions.
“I saw you airlifting people out of the city. It made me wonder why you didn’t offer the same courtesy to anyone in the Seraph.”
“Unfortunately for the people of the Seraph, we needed a sacrifice to show the power we wielded. It was disappointing, as I’m sure there were people there who would have proved their worth given an opportunity. Ultimately though, it was for the greater good. Besides,” the Ancillary continued smoothly, “you saved a number of people, Mr. Snipes included, who have gone on to prove themselves.”
“I don’t think Roy has converted to your way of thinking. You’re holding his wife hostage, threatening him with God knows what unless he does what you say.” Melissa defended him.
“Mr. Snipes’ wife is perfectly safe. His strength has bought her passage to the new world.”
Melissa slammed her fist on the bed, venting her frustration over having failed to see the betrayal coming... although in retrospect, she had known something was amiss, she just hadn’t wanted to believe it. A dull, throbbing pain had flooded her hand after the abuse she had inflicted on it and she shook it gently in an attempt to alleviate it.
“Are you alright, Witness?”
Melissa didn’t answer straight away. She took a few moments to silently curse, allowing her anger to dissipate enough for her to regain a little composure.
“So, what are you going to do with me?”
“We’re going to show you the world the Teacher—”
“Just...” Melissa started, feeling exasperated. “Just talk like a normal person for once. Plain English: what’s going to happen next?”
“The Teacher wanted you to be shown the reward for those who prove themselves. He believed you’d gain more from the experience if you discovered it yourself, with a gentle nudge from Rochelle here and there. Now that you’ve seen that, he wants to show you the next stage of the campaign against the unworthy.”
“There’s more than just the infected and your goons?”
“Oh yes, Witness, much more than that.”
“And what if you hadn’t caught me? What if Rochelle had died and we’d carried on as planned?”
“Then you’d have seen what we had to show you from ground level, and that would’ve been far less pleasant and safe for you.”
“Less pleasant? You’ve seen what’s going on out there, right?” Melissa asked incredulously.
“Believe me when I say, Witness, that if you stand against the Reborn then things will get much worse very soon.”
“Tell me how?”
“You’ll see, Witness. You’ll see.”
“Does this mean you’ll be taking me to see the Teacher soon?”
“Not yet. You won’t get to see him until you’re fully ready and you make a free choice to see him. But have no fear, Witness; I’ll be with you until you’re ready.”
“That makes me feel a whole lot safer.” Melissa commented sarcastically. The Ancillary didn’t say anything for a minute, and then she chuckled.
“I do enjoy your wit. I think we’re going to enjoy the time we’ll be spending together.”
Melissa fell silent and, pushing through the pain from the head blows she’d received, stood and advanced towards the door to her cell. She wrapped her hands around the bars and jostled them, but they didn’t even give a satisfying rattle. She was imprisoned in the cell without anything that might allow her to force an escape. Melissa felt a fearful sensation running up and down her spine; she felt cornered, trapped and unsure there was anything she could do to bring about her release. Concern flooded her and she spun around and examined the cell, taking stock of what she had: a toilet, a washbasin and a bed rack. Melissa ground her teeth in anger and irritation, almost wanting to stomp her foot to vent some of her inner rage, but she wouldn’t give the Ancillary the satisfaction of hearing it. Melissa started to pace the short distance back and forth from the bed to the door, her hands on her hips as she tried to figure out some kind of plan. For all she knew, when the door opened again there’d be an army of Reborn waiting to move her to whatever ‘safe’ place the Ancillary intended her to be taken to. Melissa huffed and increased her
pacing. The door to the cells opened and Melissa’s heart sank, wondering if this was it. She stopped, turned and faced her cell door. A few moments later, she saw a familiar face.
“Well, I guess this explains why you sounded so sketchy on the radio, Roy.” Melissa declared. She tried to look him in the eyes, but he was unable to meet her gaze.
“They have her and if I cooperate they’ll take me to her.” Roy told her with an ashamed expression on his face. They had taken his collar off as well as relieving him of his weapon, but his hands weren’t bound - meaning he had kept his freedom.
“I figured that much. I just...” Melissa trailed off. She was angry with him, of course she was, but she couldn’t entirely blame him. If Melissa had someone she loved she’d do whatever it took to get back to them too. “Damn it, Roy.”
“I know.”
“You know I won’t let them take me easily.”
“I guessed as much.”
“So where does that leave us? Would you put a bullet in me to save your wife?”
“Of course not!”
“Up to now I thought you’d never help them. I thought you were a better man than that. I guess we’ll find out if your convictions hold true, won’t we? Or if you would kill a friend to save a loved one.” Melissa stated, glaring intensely at the man who was once her friend. He seemed especially stung by what she had said and could no longer even look in her direction.
“Witness... ” The Ancillary started.
“And you can shut the hell up!” Melissa barked.
“I’ll... I’ll leave you be.” Roy mumbled, guilt evident in the tone of his voice as he turned to slink away. Melissa didn’t say anything to stop him. She slumped angrily on the bed and began to grind her teeth so hard they hurt. She didn’t know how she was going to escape, but hoped the opportunity would present itself soon.
A half hour passed and Melissa had become so tense she felt as if she was going to burst. Having set her mind to tolerate the pain in her head and relieved the dull ache in her neck with some gentle exercises, she’d spent her time concocting a number of scenarios regarding what action she could take when the cell door finally opened. The one she fervently wanted to believe would be successful involved taking the weapon from whichever Reborn agent tried to enter the cell, kill him, kill any of his friends accompanying him, and then kill that traitorous bitch Rochelle. However, encroaching on her fantasy of escape was the far more likely possibility that she’d be struck down for a third time, incapacitated and then be taken kicking and screaming to whatever place the Reborn had in mind for her. Then she heard the door to the cells opening once more and prepared herself; taking several deep breaths, she stood and took on a fighting stance.
A World Reborn (Book 2): Global Outbreak Page 18