by Nikki Lewen
Sadie collects a few random objects lying around and under the moon’s light, she uses rocks and sticks to recreate the locations of the Splitters and what remains of the camp. Each item she places is accompanied by an explanation of what it represents, and when the model is complete, Sadie straightens up from a kneeling position and speaks to the men.
“It boils down to two options. Hang back, wait for back-up, and hope in the morning these bastards don’t leave, searchin’ for their two companions chasing the cart…or…” using a stick as she speaks, Sadie starts outlining a plan of attack.
Her instructions are precise, well thought out, and organized in a manner to maintain the element of surprise—that is—if all goes as planned. It’s agreed that catching the Splitters off-guard is the colony’s best scenario for defending itself. Even so, the plan calls for actions that aren’t easily forgotten and could be difficult to live with. Sadie looks each man in the eye and makes sure to address exactly what it will entail.
“Doing this...means each of us…will have blood on our hands. It’ll be up close and personal, making it…even harder to handle.” Sadie pauses. “If anyone feels strongly against it, or…not sure…if…when the time comes, you can go through with it…then none of us will judge. But, you’ve gotta speak now…because any hesitation on your part could kill us all.”
A silence settles over the group, but one-by-one the men look at Sadie and nod. When everyone’s in, Sadie goes over the plan for a second and then a third time. If things go accordingly, they’ll regroup and then discuss how to best approach the boats, but first, they head out to reconnect with their missing teammate—who is still on watch—to learn if he’s observed anything new. When they reunite with the lone Delta, it’s not in his original location. He’s captured one of the Splitters and has him bound and gagged. Upon closer inspection, they learn it’s a young kid, probably just out of his teens, who’s semi-unconscious. Sadie checks his eyes, waves a few fingers in front of them, and quizzically looks at the embarrassed Delta.
“I didn’t realize he was only a kid. He wandered over to pee and…I struck before I saw his face. When he didn’t get up, well…you can see,” the Delta says.
Sadie returns to checking and asking the captive if he understands her words. The young Splitter nods once, closes his eyes, and feels a wave of nausea hit him. Sadie, recognizing the signs, loosens his gag as he leans over, vomiting.
When he stops, she straightens him up and talks slowly, “You’ve…got…a…con-cussion and…it’s…severe.”
His eyes close again and his head begins to slump.
Sadie commands him to focus, then gives him a reason why. “If…you fall asleep, you could slip…into a coma…and…you may…never wake. Do you…under-stand?”
He faintly nods yes.
“Good. We’ll help keep you awake…and…make sure…you’re able to respond...okay?” He confirms with another barely detectable nod, as Sadie asks, “What’s your name? Can you…speak?”
His eyes focus in and out as the hurt behind them grows. He nods yes, then, licks his lips, attempting to form a response, which takes a huge amount of effort. He manages two syllables, “Aaaaaa-dom.”
“Adam?” Sadie repeats.
He nods yes, barely moving his head. Sadie, taking advantage of his feeble state of mind, slowly asks more questions, all simple, easy to answer, and gradually leading him into revealing things he may not have normally shared. They learn tidbits about the boats’ crews, and by the end of her questions, she has a better idea of exactly how many Splitters to expect. As the night grows later, Sadie knows it’s time to move and instructs the same Delta member to remain with his captive. He’s to continue asking questions in order to keep him awake and to probe for whatever else he can get.
As the team sneaks into position, Sadie signals, and she and Caleb go first, followed closely by two of the Deltas. They creep into a clearing where the four remaining Splitters lay sprawled around the embers of a dying fire. The unaware men arrogantly camp unprotected and as they step closer, the guy nearest Sadie rolls over and partially opens his eyes. Sadie reacts, initiating the attack, making sure the man will never get up again. She steps away from her target, making sure the others have also been eliminated. All four Splitters, now unable to sound any alarm, and bleeding profusely from ear to ear, die quickly.
They relocate the bodies, making sure to stay hidden from the yacht’s view while confiscating what goods the invaders had. Besides the enemy’s weapons, Sadie takes clothing off the bodies and gathers what’s been tossed aside. Regrouping, their mood is remorseful, and yet, oddly celebratory. With their success comes consequences that will accompany them for life, but Sadie can only think about what’s next. No new information has been extracted from the kid, who barely remains conscious. After checking him over one last time, she keeps the same Delta on watch and moves the rest of the team, ready to explain part two.
“NO! NO WAY!” Caleb says, struggling to keep his voice low, but this time, he refuses to remain silent.
During this whole journey and plan, he’s felt like a tag-along nearly forgotten. But this is too much.
“Sadie, we’re not using you as bait! I don’t care how good a plan the rest of you think this is. I’m not okay with it…and I never will be!” As his emotions begin to overwhelm him, Caleb walks away.
He takes a deep breath, tries thinking it through, and soon, is joined by Sadie, who’s been watching him. When he makes eye contact with her, she knows, even in the darkness, how much he cares about her.
“Caleb…we don’t have much time. The strategy’s sound…you got a better idea?” she asks.
He wishes he did, and desperately, he keeps trying to think of one.
Sadie moves closer, lowering her voice, “We have to get on that boat. I wish there was another way, but…it’ll work.” She pauses, and then adds, “You have to go with…please.”
He wants to object, but he can’t refuse Sadie. Still not happy, he rejoins the others, and under protest, Caleb agrees to what Sadie asks. Caleb and one of the Deltas change into the confiscated clothes and make changes to their appearances by copying the looks of the two Splitters who brought the last victim out to the yacht. Fearing if they walk any farther they could be seen, Sadie stops, takes a deep breath, and says a silent prayer, while unbuttoning her top layer. Undoing her braid, Sadie shakes loose her long hair and strips down to a skimpy tank top and a very short pair of dry-fit compression shorts that accentuate her figure perfectly. The men, trying not to get distracted, instantly realize how correct Sadie was with devising this part of the plan.
“I’m ready,” Sadie says, stepping in front of Caleb with her hands held together.
“You sure ’bout this?” he asks, still not happy.
She nods and he loosely binds her hands before carefully placing a gag in her mouth. They take a few more strides and then begin acting. In sight of the vessels, Caleb roughly grabs Sadie forcing her forward. She revolts and tries running, only to be tackled and then carried off. Sadie yells through the gag and puts on a believable show. They manage maneuvering Sadie onto the zodiac and sit her up front in immediate view. Caleb sits behind her with a gun pressed to her temple, an arm around her waist, and his face partially hidden by her hair.
The Delta sitting behind them and operating the boat, wears a hat pulled low. They circle the smaller vessel twice and when the two crew members, they’d seen before finally emerge—it’s with frustrations of being woken up so early. But, when they see Sadie, who’s all they focus on, sly smiles of enjoyment appear.
“Eewwww-eeee…” one of the crew excitedly yells as the zodiac slowly approaches the aft deck, “Da Cap is gonna like dis little mornin’ surprise…’specially since da last one still ain’t woke.”
The zodiac eases forward as the sun appears for the first time. The men aboard the yacht squint as Sadie’s heart flutters. As the two boats touch, the first man leans to grab Sadie, and when he does, t
he Delta acts. He grabs Sadie’s crossbow prepped at his feet, and shooting over his crew’s heads, hits the second man on deck in the chest. Simultaneously, Sadie skillfully uses the knife hidden between her wrists and forearms to strike. Her target falls forward as she moves aside letting the body drop into the small dinghy. Hurriedly, they cover it with a tarp, secure the zodiac, and verify the Splitter on deck is also dead. Sadie hastily redresses and reclaims her bow as the men conceal the body.
Using hand signals to direct movement, they cautiously begin searching the yacht. Caleb and Sadie move together, leaving the lone Delta behind on watch. As they get deeper into the vessel, their hearts race in anticipation of what they may find. Nearing what looks like the main stateroom, Sadie hears a muffled voice from inside and they remain motionless, straining to detect any other sounds. Someone, moving about loudly, isn’t aware of their presence and once again speaks. This time they can distinguish words and know it’s a man.
“Oooohhh…look who’s finally waking up. Come on sleepy…open your eyes. That’s it…look…look what da Captain’s got for ya,” the voice from inside says.
The woman’s eyes take a moment to focus and when they do, she’s terrified.
The sounds of her struggling excite him further as he draws nearer. “It was hard waitin’ all night, but…I’m soooo glad…I did.”
Sadie turns the door handle and finding it locked, looks at Caleb. She sets her bow to the side, loosens her buttons, and unties the gag she wrapped in her hair. Placing it in her mouth, Caleb shakes his head vigorously no, which goes ignored as she retreats several steps. Following in protest, he falls right into her trap.
Sadie pulls him around, grabbing his knife hand while raising it to her neck. At the same moment, she loudly kicks the wall and makes struggling noises. Before he can fully recover, she pushes against Caleb, forcing them towards the closed door. As it opens, Sadie spins them around so she’s facing a now present naked man. Standing with her hands hidden behind her back, Sadie forces Caleb into a role he doesn’t want.
“Wha’da…oohhh…I see you’ve found me another playmate,” the naked man leers, stroking himself.
Caleb, being evasive, keeps his face hidden while shoving Sadie forward. She pretends to stumble, and with his eyes on her, the Captain doesn’t realize what’s happening. Caleb strikes with his rifle butt and as the man falls, moaning in pain, Sadie permanently quiets him with her blade. Entering the room, Sadie reaches the bound woman first and talks while cutting her restraints. Sadie stays by her side while Caleb finishes checking the remaining cabin berths and verifying there’s no one else aboard. When he returns, unsure of what’s next, he finds Sadie searching the Captain’s room.
“Now what?” he asks, pausing as she gut-wrenchingly searches among implements of cruelty and sexual deviance that surrounds them.
The room isn’t just the Captain’s quarters, but where he keeps his victims. One drawer holds nothing but women’s underwear; another holds jewelry, trinkets, and personal belongings, all obviously female. Sadie halts, realizing they’re trophies, and closes the drawer, while looking at the newly freed woman who’s steadily becoming more cognizant and disturbed. Seeing panic and shock on the woman’s face, Sadie returns to her side, then responds to Caleb.
“First…we get her out of here and back to the colony.” Sadie leans over the lady, speaking clearly. “We’re gettin’ you outta here…and back to shore…okay?”
The woman nods, fighting back fear as Sadie directs Caleb. He gets assistance from the Delta, keeping watch, and they carefully go about their tasks. Their absence gives Sadie time to talk the woman calm and prep her on the rest of the rescue. When Caleb returns, he hands over the gathered items and waits outside the door as instructed. When he’s finally called back in, the women’s appearances have been altered. They wear the dirty Splitter uniforms he delivered, their faces are smudged darker, and both have their long hair tucked under hats.
Sadie makes small alterations, cuffing sleeves and pants so the clothes look better fitting. Up close, it’s a dead give-away, but—from a distance—it’ll work. If there are any Splitters aboard the second yacht, and if they happen to be watching, then the disguises will suffice. Turning to Caleb, Sadie checks for any other needed changes. He nods, but not with approval.
“Caleb, it’ll be alright,” she begins, seeing his obvious uneasiness, “we’ve secured the shore, and reinforcements are en route…I’ll be back by first light.”
He still doesn’t like it, but that’s never seemed to matter. Standing silently, he looks over Sadie, and using her hair as an excuse, touches her. He lightly tucks in a couple of loose strands and adjusts the angle of her hat. When she looks up, he’s staring into her eyes, and Sadie forces herself to break from their hold.
“While I’m gone,” Sadie says, turning away, “make sure the radio’s monitored and keep eyes on that other boat.”
Just by mentioning the other vessel, Sadie’s gut responds. An eerie energy hangs about that vessel and she needs to know more before proceeding.
FORTY-EIGHT
Aboard the zodiac, both women struggle keeping their hats in place and hair covered as the wind picks up. Sadie clutches hers with one hand while maneuvering the small craft with the other. She beaches it, and together they drag the boat further up the sand, securing it next to the other. Looking back at the anchored yachts, Sadie senses being watched, she’s just not sure whether it’s Caleb or someone else. Not wasting time, the women move out and when the Delta guard intercepts them, Sadie speaks to her patrolman while removing her hat. With his recognition, he lowers his weapon.
Elated at seeing the rescued Oceanside member and excited to share news of the Mid Valley patrollers who have just joined them, he escorts the ladies back to where the captive’s been moved. The prisoner sits bound and gagged, contemptuously eyeing the approaching group. Seeing Sadie and the trailing woman dressed in Splitter attire, gains his attention and curiosity. Adam reads the womens’ body language while attempting to overhear what they discuss, hoping he can learn more and possibly discover what’s to become of him. Not able to hear much, he simply watches as the rescued woman points in his direction while speaking to Sadie.
Struggling through a throbbing headache, sore eyes, and a weakened state, Adam does his best to follow their actions, occasionally picking up a few words and learning the groups’ dynamics center around Sadie. He watches as she debriefs the new arrivals, gives orders, and dispatches them. Sadie, hoping to gather more intel, inquires by nodding towards the prisoner. The Delta who’s been watching the captive, responds by shrugging his shoulders and frowning. The boy’s nowhere near as cooperative as before and to prove it, he turns and loudly addresses Adam. The young man leers while raising his tied hands and clearly, gives them the finger.
“See what I mean,” the Delta says, turning to Sadie.
Sadie’s confident she’ll be able to get better results, but first, she issues new commands, sending the Delta guard away. Left alone with the prisoner, Sadie slowly moves his way and looks over the kid. She raises her hands, motioning towards the gag and communicating her intentions. He remains still and Sadie unties it while speaking.
“You still look…ah bit…rough,” she says, examining him closely, “Can you follow my finger?” He does and when Sadie asks if it hurts, he nods. “What about your head? It hurt, too?”
He nods again and she examines the lump just above his hairline along his left temple. It’s rather large, but the swelling’s stopped, and the discoloration is just beginning to show. Sadie offers him a drink and rips open a food ration. Slowly, she chews on a mouthful and offers him half. They eat in silence as both of them consider their situations. As Sadie swallows the last of her food, she begins addressing him.
“You’re lucky…to still be here.” She pauses, letting the tone of her voice serve its purpose. “I’m sure you noticed the woman I returned with…and…our clothes.” Sadie looks over her attire, then h
is. “I’ve got news…that might be hard to take.”
She looks Adam straight in the eyes and communicates with a preciseness and manner that resonates on multiple levels, “We’ve eliminated your comrades…first, the crew camping on shore, then…we took control of the Captain’s boat.” Sadie gauges his reactions. “The Captain was…” she hesitates, trying to verbalize a fitting description of a man who ceaselessly used cruelty and torture as a form of personal entertainment, “he was the type of man…I hope to never…encounter…again. Those poor women…what they…endured.” Sadie lowers her eyes and voice while going on instinct, “When he finished…with ’em…were any left alive?”
She looks him straight in the eyes and holds her gaze. Adam’s body language changes immediately. Both shoulders drop, as he shakes his head no, breaking eye contact. It wasn’t just the Captain. He always got the ladies first and when he tired of one, she was turned over to the crew. Knowing it wasn’t right, he’d taken no part in what followed, but he’d never done anything about it, and even worse, he delivered plenty of women to their doom.
Sadie, reading his reaction, takes a different approach. She leans in close, inquiring about his family. It’s not what Adam expected and it catches him completely off guard. He slowly responds, and afterward, Sadie remains silent and doesn’t ask another thing. Instead, she allows what’s been shared to digest and lets Adam grow introspective. As the day lengthens, she shares more water and food before trading places with the Delta returning to guard duty.