by Paul Bellow
“How did you guys find this place?” I asked.
The beefiest of the four looked up and said, “None of your damn business.”
“You’re just a grunt and probably don’t know, I get it,” I said to bait him.
He snatched it up like a hungry bass on a hot summer’s day.
“I’m the one…”
“Shut-up!” another guy said, hitting him in the ribs with an elbow.
“You’re afraid to tell me, I get it,” I continued, nodding.
I turned to Harrison on the table. The robo-doctor poked and prodded him before injecting an army of nanites into his body. We’d had a similar technology back in the real world. I sometimes wondered if I was mistaken and this was the real world. Maybe I’d hit my head or something after the Great Freeze and that’s why everyone else remembered?
Harrison groaned and sat up.
“What’s going on?” he asked, placing a hand on his head.
I stepped over and clasped his strong, beefy arm.
“You’re okay,” I said. “These grunts who know nothing shot you.”
He glared at them as they lifted their weapons.
“This is bullshit,” he said. “I know you guys. Orlando’s a punk bitch. Together we can take him out. Don’t you want a better world?”
I let go of his arm and stepped back, not wanting to interrupt him when he was on a roll.
“You’re pathetic,” he continued, hopping off the table.
He cracked his neck to the left and right before flexing his muscles.
“Take it easy,” the biggest soldier said. “We don’t want any more trouble.”
“You’ll get some,” Harrison said, feigning moving forward.
They all raised their rifles, damn near firing.
“Knock it off,” I said. “All of you. We’ve got work to do. I’m sure Orlando wants to move into my old quarters as soon as possible.”
“We’ll finally have our own bunks,” a soldier said.
As we walked back to talk with Orlando, I once again thought about Missy. I needed to give her the benefit of the doubt, but it was hard to do. Everything pointed to her ratting us out. Had Orlando offered her something?
“There you are,” Orlando said as we approached. “I’ll be taking all your belongings too. No need to get anything. You can set-up in one of the barracks with my men... unless you’re planning on rebelling. If you are, tell me now, and I’ll lock you both up. We don’t need rabble rousers when we’re about to go to war.”
“You mentioned the war before,” I said. “What are you talking about?”
He scowled, his right eye twitching. “Our neighbors to the north, Humpty and Dumpty, are both about to fall and break into a thousand pieces. I’m tired of not being taken seriously around here. I’m a god!”
As he ranted, I tuned him out, once again trying to contact Merlin. He didn’t answer again. Was he being safe? Had I made a mistake trying to contact him? I deleted my attempts at contact as Orlando gave a speech about how cool he was as a man-god. Later that night, I’d tell Harrison about Merlin, and we’d come up with a plan.
Until then, I had to play the part of an obedient servant.
Chapter 15
Later that evening, as I huddled next to Harrison in a bunk, I listened to make sure none of the soldiers talking on the other side of the room would hear me. They’d been gossiping and bullshitting most of the evening, not giving me a chance to talk to Harrison privately. Orlando had already turned on the shelter’s evil security measures, including cameras everywhere. We needed to be damn careful if we didn’t want to get caught.
“Are you up?” I whispered in his ear.
He grunted.
“Don’t talk. Listen. Merlin went to the other shelter and erased any signs of him being here. We still have a chance.”
He rolled over on his side, staring into my eyes. I could see him fighting to not show any of his obvious excitement at the prospect.
“Merlin hasn’t contacted me since I gave him his last orders, but I’m sure we can find him.”
“You said he cleared his tracks?” he asked in a soft voice. “Does that mean the tunnel connecting the two is gone?”
“I doubt he filled the whole thing in,” I said. “With his nanites, he could’ve rebuilt the wall easily and concealed the tunnel behind it. I have no idea how we’ll get into it or how long it would take to get to the other shelter, but it’s our only hope.”
“There might be mutants in it by then, too,” he said. “Some nastier ones love to dig and burrow into the ground.”
“You’re right, but we have to risk it.”
He nodded then leaned forward and kissed me. I felt his hand slip between my legs under our blanket. The other men were far enough away I didn’t care. He made me feel good on so many levels. I snuggled against him after I came, more content and at peace. We had a lot of work to do, but together we’d get it done.
“Everyone up!” Orlando shouted from the near the door.
Harrison and I sat up, glancing over at him as he stormed in.
“You’ve all had enough sleep,” he said. “There’s boring equipment missing from this shelter. I want to know what it was, who has it, and where it is now.”
“Most equipment is boring,” a soldier said. “Can you be more specific?”
I stifled a laugh as Orlando blew up.
“A boring machine!” he yelled. “A damn boring machine is missing!”
“I know it’s probably boring, sir, but what is it we’re looking for?”
Harrison chuckled next to me. I poked him in the ribs with my elbow to shut him up as Orlando stormed down the aisle toward us.
“You two!” he shouted. “Get up!”
We got out of bed, standing next to each other in the aisle as he stopped a few feet away.
“Tell me where the boring machine is,” he demanded.
“Like the grunt said, all machines are boring to me,” I taunted.
He inhaled a great big breath, the veins in his neck about to pop.
“Stop messing around! Tell me where it is, or Missy dies!”
I put on my poker face, determined not to show any emotions.
“Not sure what you’re talking about,” I said. “Sorry I can’t help, boss.”
“I’m your god,” he snarled. “Call me your god.”
“You’re my boring god,” I said.
Some of his soldiers at the other end of the room broke into laughter.
He whirled around. “That’s not funny!”
“It’s funny to me,” Harrison said.
“Everyone up and look for this boring machine.” Orlando turned. “You know where it is, don’t you?”
I shook my head, not breaking eye contact. He could go screw himself.
“Fine,” he relented. “Start searching. I imagine it’s big. Can’t be too hard to find.”
“On it,” I said, saluting with sarcasm — not an easy feat to pull off.
He turned and stormed off. I walked over to the other soldier, Harrison behind me.
“You heard ‘em boys, we’re off to find boring machines!
They launched into another round of laughter. Getting on their good side would be helpful. I laughed along with them as we filed out of the barracks and into the hallway. As they went off in one direction, I grabbed Harrison’s hand and led him the other way, toward the main elevators.
“What are you doing?” he asked. “We’re being watched.”
I stopped. He was right. What else could we do?
“He better not hurt Missy,” I said.
“She’ll be okay,” he said, slipping an arm around my waist. “This will work out. You’ll see.”
He could be such an optimist. Was that one of the reasons I found myself attracted to him? He was the opposite of me, thinking everything would go wrong all the time and worrying about things I couldn’t change? It would make sense. Well, that and I loved the way he made love to me.
I smiled, grabbing his hand again.
“Come on, follow me,” I said, dragging him to a nearby storage room.
“The cameras will pick it up,” he halfheartedly protested.
“I don’t care. We haven’t had any time for us in far too long.”
He didn’t resist as I pulled us into the room. I shut the door behind me then turned, wrapping my arms around him and squeezing tight. He bent down and kissed me. Our tongues danced together. Things got crazy while the rest of the world melted away around us. As we both raced toward the finish, getting closer with each passionate thrust, the door burst open.
“Stop! Now!” a soldier yelled.
When we didn’t obey, he shot us with stun rounds.
I blacked out, only part of me hoping I woke up again.
* * * * *
I opened my eyes, a dull ache throughout my body. Harrison stood nearby, staring down at me.
“What happened?” I asked, gently placing a hand on my head.
“They shot us,” he said.
I rolled over on the hard metal table.
“Come on,” Harrison said, offering a hand. “I’ll walk you to the barracks.”
“Not so fast,” Orlando said from behind him.
I sat up and saw the psychopath standing in the doorway.
“Why were you two literally screwing around instead of looking for the boring machine?” he demanded. “You’re both getting on my last nerve.”
I laughed despite the pain.
“You need to tell your men to stop shooting us,” Harrison said.
Orlando snorted. “You won’t need to worry about it. I’ve got plans for you two.”
What now? Banishment again?
“I want you two to take control of Shelter 12,” he continued. “I won’t need it anymore. While I could banish you again, it’s smarter to keep my enemies close. You’ll run operations and keep supplies headed to this shelter.”
“Fine,” Harrison said without even consulting me. “We’ll do it, but we want autonomy.”
Orlando chuckled and shook his head. “No, you’ll be my vassals. I want to test the arrangement before I take control of the other shelters.”
“No,” I said, hopping off the table.
I winced as a fresh wave of pain shot through my body.
“You two are pathetic, but you’ve proven yourselves by finding this place,” Orlando said. “Don’t you want to run Shelter 12, Scout?”
“Fine,” I relented, not seeing a better option.
I turned and looked up at Harrison. He kept staring straight ahead.
“Good,” Orlando said. “You both can leave tonight. I’ll send a small squad to protect you and make sure things go smooth at the other shelter.”
I bit my tongue and kept quiet as Orlando turned to leave.
“Oh, one more thing,” he said over his shoulder. “If I find out you were hiding the boring machine, there will be hell to pay.”
He walked away, leaving Harrison and I alone in the medical center.
“Why did you agree to work with him?” I asked.
“It’s better than being killed,” he said.
“Yeah, but…”
“We need to face the facts. Missy ratted us out for whatever reason. We need to make the best of our current situation.”
“She would never do that to me,” I protested. “She loves me.”
“You didn’t see her getting jealous of us?” he asked.
He’d seen it too? Why hadn’t I taken her feelings more seriously?
“We should ask to see her,” I said. “Clear the air, at least.”
“I already asked,” Harrison said. “Orlando claims she doesn’t want to see either of us.”
“Something about all this isn’t right,” I said.
“The world’s messed up,” he said. “Come on, I’ll help you to the barracks. You need rest before we travel to the other shelter.”
“What about Merlin?” I asked under my breath.
“Later,” he said, not elaborating.
I hated not being in control of the newest and most advanced shelter. Well, one of them. If I found Merlin and went to Shelter 102x, we had a chance. But when if we defeated him? What then? Did I want to live in a world where Missy hated me? I disliked being a leader, but the world I found myself in badly needed one.
Harrison led me down the hall and to the elevators. As we rode to the barracks, I thought about all the time I’d spent with Missy. Not having time for her must’ve been a shock to her. Would I do the same to Harrison, driving him away from me? I hated being open with anyone because of the world I found myself in, but I had to trust someone.
Without trust, I would become a mean old lady no better than Orlando and the other dictators spread across the virtual landscape. I wished I could find more who remembered the old world, the real world we left behind. That had been my next big goal, but, as always, the stupid game had thrown me a curve ball to keep me off track and unfocused on my goal.
The elevator door opened, and we continued toward the barracks. I leaned against him, still sore from the nanites swimming through my body. We’d grown so close it scared me in some ways. I didn’t want him to leave like Missy had done. He stopped outside the door of the barracks and glanced down the hall both ways.
“Merlin contact me,” he whispered.
I perked up, my heart beating faster. “And?”
“He’s working on sending help.”
I nodded. “How did he contact you?”
“A tiny drone that sends digital messages back and forth. Now that I know Orlando is sending us to the other shelter, I’ll send Merlin a message to meet us on the bottom floor over there instead of here.”
I leaned in and kissed him. “That’s great.”
“We still have a chance,” he said. “Don’t give up hope.”
I smiled, not wanting to share my fears about Missy. Orlando was likely lying about some things, but I wouldn’t put it past Missy to turn us in if she thought things would go back to the way they were before Harrison and I became an item. I thought back to me helping him with the black market. How far we’d come in a few short weeks.
Chapter 16
Orlando burst into the room he was holding us in. He’d colored his Mohawk red the night before, but I still hated it. As he strode over to us, Harrison took a step to block him from me.
“Missy is staying with me,” Orlando said. “That way, you won’t be tempted to screw me over. If you do what you’re told, she’ll be safe.”
“No,” I protested, stepping around Harrison.
He reached out and grabbed my shoulder as Orlando stepped back.
“Keep her under control, traitor,” he snarled in a muffled voice. “She’s the one who turned you guys in, anyway. Why would you want her?”
“You better not hurt her,” I said, staring into his eyes.
He laughed. I wanted to punch his half-nose.
“I want to talk to her, at least,” I said.
“This isn’t a negotiation. You either take my offer, or I kill you and promote someone else to run the other shelter. To be frank, I don’t care if it falls apart if I have this one under my control. I’ve already researched technologies that weren’t available at the other shelter.”
So, it is different? I filed that fact away as he continued rambling on.
“In fact, Scout stays here too. You can run Shelter 12 on your own, Harrison.”
“No,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest like he had no fear. “Besides, you’ve got better looking women than Scout. Why do you want her?”
I bit my tongue, knowing he was trying to help. Still stung.
“She intrigues me,” he said.
“I’m not leaving without her,” Harrison insisted.
“Fine, I’ll kill you both.” Orlando turned toward the guard at the door.
“No,” I said, stepping forward but stopping as the guard raised his rifle. “You need both of us to
run the other shelter successfully. What I lack in looks I make up for in brains. You can keep Missy. Screw her.”
The words hurt, but we needed to stay alive to find out what really happened. Orlando turned around. I couldn’t see his face, but the bastard still looked smug.
“You two can leave in the morning. Have fun. I’ll be watching.”
“Freak,” I muttered.
He laughed as he walked away. The guard left behind shut and locked the hatch. I turned to Harrison and frowned.
“We can’t leave her,” I said. “There has to be another way.”
“If you have a plan, tell me,” he said.
While I hated to admit it, he had a point. I leaned over to whisper in his ear.
“Merlin?”
“Quiet,” he hissed. “I don’t think he was kidding about watching or listening. Let’s get some rest.”
“Okay,” I said, walking over to the cot on the far wall.
He joined me, draping his heavy arm over me. I didn’t mind.
* * * * *
The next morning, Orlando burst into our room, high out of his mind on something.
“Wakey-wake time,” he said, his mohawk flattened.
Harrison and I both got out of bed as Orlando watched.
“Do you want to watch us shower too?” I quipped.
He grinned. “Is that an option?”
“No,” I muttered, wanting to get away from him.
“Do you accept my offer?” he asked.
“We’ll do it, but we want assurances you won’t hurt Missy,” Harrison said, surprising me.
I kept staring at Orlando, not wanting to give my emotions away.
“And if I don’t listen to you?” Orlando asked.
“I’ll make your life a living hell,” Harrison said. “You know I will.”
Orlando nervously shifted his weight from one leg to the other, brow furrowed.
“Just get the other shelter running and keep production going. I’ll send my men around every couple of weeks to collect supplies.”
I nodded as he continued.
“You can run the other place however you want as long as you produce what I want. I’ll be running my men on double and triple shifts until I find that boring machine. We found the tunnel on the twelfth floor.”