by Marina Epley
“Are you all right?” somebody asks from behind.
I turn to see Rebecca standing a few feet away.
“I’m fine,” I lie. “Just resting.”
She sits down beside me and suddenly gives me a tight hug. I’m quite surprised because Rebecca is a very shy girl.
“I’m so happy you’ve returned,” she utters. “I was worried for you.”
I’m not sure how to respond to her unexpected affection.
“Thank you,” I reply.
Rebecca moves away a little and gazes at me, smiling kindly.
“Rex, I don’t want us to have any misunderstanding,” she begins. “I like you, and our relationship is very important to me.” She pauses, blushing. I become really uneasy. “I’m not sure how to tell you this,” Rebecca continues. “So I’ll just say it. I just want you to know that you don’t need to feel guilty. Everything is fine, and I’m very happy for you and Kitty. You two have always belonged together. I knew it from the moment I saw her, and I never wanted to come between you.” Rebecca pauses, averting her eyes. “You’ll always be a really good friend for me,” she adds, seemingly embarrassed.
“Thank you, Rebecca,” I repeat. “You’re a great friend, too.”
“And as your friend, I’d like to ask you for a favor,” she says. “Egbert told me about his idea to contact Elimination. It seems very dangerous to me and I worry for him. I’d really like for Egbert to remain inside the camp this time.”
I instantly understand Rebecca is concerned about Holtzmann’s safety just as I’m worried for Kitty.
“I’m no longer the leader of the team,” I say. “I don’t make the decisions.”
“You still have some influence on Jessie and Egbert,” Rebecca protests. “I’m sure they’ll listen to you.”
“We actually do need your cousin on this mission,” I answer. “He may help to persuade the Elimination commanders on not killing us.”
Rebecca gives me a worried look, her expression being close to utter despair.
“I’m so afraid he’ll get hurt,” she mutters. “Egbert needs his medicine and he can’t defend himself. Even the stress during this mission may seriously damage his health.”
“Rebecca, I’ll make sure Holtzmann is all right,” I say.
“You don’t understand,” she utters sadly. “Egbert is very sick. I don’t want him to risk his life.”
I understand Rebecca better than she knows, but Holtzmann’s participation is really necessary in this project.
“Holtzmann is a grown man and can choose what’s best for himself,” I answer. “You should stop treating him like an invalid, Rebecca. He seems to be doing much better than when I saw him last.”
“He hasn’t suffered any fits for a while,” she agrees. “Egbert thinks that the fresh air and interaction with people have helped improve his condition.” She becomes quiet for a few moments, then adds with pain in her voice, “Egbert believes himself a burden, and is growing resentful of my care. But whom else can I take care of? He’s the only relative I have left. Everybody else in our family is now gone. I won’t survive should anything happen to Egbert. I’ve already lost too many loved ones.”
Rebecca’s voice breaks. She turns away, hiding her tears. I feel deeply sorry for her.
“It’s gonna be all right,” I say softly.
She doesn’t answer. We share a few moments of silence. I suddenly become worried.
“How are you doing here, Rebecca?” I ask carefully. “Do you like being in Oliver’s camp?”
Rebecca shrugs, smiling slightly.
“Everybody is very nice to me,” she answers. “But I don’t feel I belong here. I’m not a breaker and can’t really be too useful.”
“We don’t care around here who’s a breaker or who’s not,” I protest. “And I’ve heard that you’ve been very helpful.”
“I’m not a good fighter,” she says. “Should Guardian attack the camp, I’d be useless.” Her cheeks blush again and she adds, “I’ve never even killed anybody. I’ve learned how to shoot, but I don’t believe I’d be able to kill.”
Rebecca seems embarrassed.
“Anyone can kill when it comes right down to it,” I say. “But it’s good that you haven’t had to do so. You should be proud of that.”
Rebecca shrugs.
“Good luck on your mission,” she says. “And please, do look after Egbert.”
She pats me on the shoulder and leaves. I remain under the tree, thinking over our conversation. I wonder what kind of world we’re living in, if Rebecca is so embarrassed about the fact of not being a killer. That’s just plain wrong.
It’s getting late. I should probably go check on Marian. I haven’t seen her for so long, but am still not ready enough for the encounter. I don’t know how she’ll react to me. Will she hug me or start clawing at my face?
I finally get up and work my way around the camp, searching for my sister. I soon come upon a group of young girls in camo, chatting around a small campfire. I stop several yards short. The prettiest girl in the group, with long bleached hair, notices me and motions the others to leave. She’s obviously the leader here as everybody promptly executes her request. Being left alone, she picks up an old book from the ground and pretends to be reading. I take a deep breath and walk toward her, stopping a few feet away.
“Hey Marian,” I say. “It’s me.”
“I can see that,” she answers coldly.
“How is it going?” I ask. “You doing all right?”
“I’m doing perfectly fine,” she mutters.
I’m not sure how to continue the conversation. Marian intently stares into her book, ignoring me.
“What are you reading?” I wonder.
Marian rolls her eyes, shutting the book.
“What do you care?” she asks. “Do I now have to report to you on what I read?”
“I’m just trying to talk to you,” I answer defensively. “I haven’t seen you for so long.”
“I don’t want to talk,” Marian counters.
I’m stunned by her aggressive attitude.
“What’s wrong, Marian?” I ask.
She throws the book to the ground and jumps to her feet.
“Don’t act like you don’t understand me!” she yells. “I know very well what you’ve got on your mind.”
I simply stare at her, still not fully believing she’s my sister. Marian is only fifteen, but looks closer to my age, very tall and fully grown. We’re almost the same height.
“I’ve no idea what you’re talking about,” I say.
“You always hated mom,” Marian answers accusingly. “You wanted to hurt her, and you finally did. I know you killed her. And now you’ve returned to kill me!”
I get the sensation of being punched straight into the gut. I take another deep breath and remind myself to stay calm.
“How can you believe such nonsense?” I ask. “Come on, Marian. I know you remember me better than that.”
“Get away from me,” she says. “Go now or I’ll start screaming.”
I can’t believe my ears. What’s going on with her? Why is she acting this way?
“Marian,” I begin saying, taking a step toward her.
My sister screams. I freeze, unsure how to react. We look at each other. Her eyes are wide open and filled with terror.
“What the hell?” I ask.
She suddenly pulls a knife.
“Don’t come any closer,” she threatens.
I stare at the long sharp blade. Marian’s hand is trembling slightly. I get a sudden flashback of Emily pointing the gun at me.
“Put the knife down, Marian,” I say carefully. “We wouldn’t want anybody to get hurt.”
“Or what? What will you do if I don’t follow your command? Will you kill me like you killed mom?”
I’m really getting tired of this nonsense.
I take a quick step toward my sister, tightly grabbing her wrists. She lets out another terrified shr
iek as she tries to yank her arms away. I take the knife and toss it to the ground. Marian covers her face with her free hand, as if I’m about to hit her.
“Listen to me very carefully,” I say slowly. “I didn’t kill Emily. I’d never do anything like that, and you know it. I tried to save her and she shot me in the face for my effort. She wanted to shoot me a second time, but some Elimination guards brought her down. If you don’t believe me, go ask Kitty. She saw everything through her visions and will confirm my words.”
“Liar!” Marian screams. “You’re a stinking liar! You’re a filthy breaker! I hate you!”
Her accusations sound painfully familiar. I can’t stand it. I release her wrist and begin walking away.
“Why can’t you just leave me alone?!” Marian yells behind me. “What do you need from me?!”
I stop, facing her.
“You’re an orphan, Marian,” I answer. “I’m your legal guardian and responsible for you.”
She snarls, picks up the book and throws it at me. I duck. The book flies by a few inches above my head.
“Go to hell!” my sister shouts.
I leave, disappointed and angry.
***
I wander aimlessly through the camp, trying to stop thinking about her hateful words. I can’t understand why my sister is acting in such a spiteful manner. What happened to the sweet little girl who used to be my best friend? I try to bring back her image from memory. I make myself envision the giggling five-year-old who loved listening to my bedtime stories, always wanting to run away to some magical land. The image lasts only for a few seconds before fading. All I can think about is the vicious stranger who now has only resentment toward me. I’m not too sure I’ll be able to handle her.
I find myself sitting alone under the tree, remembering my mother. I recall her throwing me against the wall. I remember her slapping me around and calling me a filthy breaker. I remember how desperately I was trying to understand what it was I’d done wrong.
I realize that my sister has become just like our mother. I also know that it’s partly my doing. If I didn’t leave Marian alone with Emily, she’d probably be a different person now. I can only wonder what all my sister had to go through.
I shake off the memories. I have a strange suspicion that Marian was putting on some sort of act. She was fishing for some kind of reaction from me. But what exactly was she trying to accomplish? Was she testing me or just being obnoxious? I think it over and decide it doesn’t really make any difference. All I realize is that my sister hates me, and I don’t have a clue what to do about it.
***
“You look so sad,” Kitty say softly, approaching me. “Is it your sister?”
Kitty’s a telepath, I remind myself. I nod.
“She doesn’t like you very much,” Kitty states.
“No, she sure doesn’t,” I admit.
“But she likes me.”
“Everybody likes you, Kitty.”
“Oh sure,” she groans, rolling her eyes. “Especially Lucy and Hammer. I imagine they’re both secretly in love with me.”
I don’t answer, still thinking about Marian.
“It’s getting late,” Kitty says. “We should get some sleep before the mission.” She pauses, stretching her lips into a sweet smile. “You’ll be going on the mission with us, won’t you?”
“Of course I will,” I sigh.
“Good!” Kitty shrieks joyfully, grabbing my hand and leading me further into the camp.
We wind up lying on a blanket inside the tent, with me gently holding Kitty.
“I saw you and Rebecca through a vision,” she suddenly states. “Goodness, she’s so freaking nice. It really makes it hard to hate her.”
“You’ve got no reason to hate Rebecca,” I say tiredly.
“I know,” Kitty answers. “I’m just being mean and selfish, because that’s how I am. I can’t even understand why you love me. I’m not exactly a good girl.”
I open my mouth to protest, but Kitty stops me.
“I know what you’re about to say,” she says. “I’m such a nice and sweet girl whom everybody adores. That’s how you always see me. But I’m afraid it’s just an illusion you’ve created in your mind and fell in love with.” Kitty sighs. “I truly wish you could know and accept the real me.”
I don’t know how to answer, so I remain quiet.
“You still don’t want me to take part in Holtzmann’s project, do you?” Kitty asks.
“No, I don’t want risk losing you,” I answer.
“Don’t raise your voice at me, Rex,” she says, frowning.
“I’m not…” I begin to protest but break off upon noticing her angry stare. “Am I?”
“Can’t you hear?” Kitty asks.
I actually can’t. Sometimes I don’t realize how loudly I speak because of my deaf ear.
“Sorry,” I whisper.
“Rex, you’re acting really strange,” Kitty states, giving me a kiss. “Let’s get some sleep. We have to leave in a few hours.”
She cuddles up close to me, falling instantly asleep. I remain awake for a long time.
***
I dream about disfigured corpses hanging from trees. I see blackened faces with empty eye sockets. These are the usual nightmares I’ve now grown accustomed to.
I wake up, feeling unrested and drowsy. Kitty is still asleep, holding me tightly. I carefully remove her arm and crawl outside. The sky is dark, and the night air cold and fresh. I see Jessie walking toward me, carrying two rifles.
“I’ve come to wake you,” she quietly says, plopping down beside me. “It’s about time to leave. You’re going with us, aren’t you?”
“Do I really have a choice?” I ask.
Jessie smirks. She lights a cigarette, takes a few deep drags, and then passes it to me. I smoke, becoming somewhat dizzy. I’m not really used to nicotine.
“I was a little surprised you agreed to join Elimination,” I say.
“I want to see Guardian dead, whatever the cost,” Jessie answers, getting to her feet. “Well, it’s go time, hero. Let’s wake Kitty.”
I don’t like Jessie calling me a hero. It brings unpleasant associations. I wake Kitty, and we walk cautiously toward the area with parked vehicles. Holtzmann, Victor and Dave are already waiting there. The professor has a haunted look on his face.
We pick out a large SUV with a full tank of gas. Dave gets behind the wheel, and Victor helps him start the engine without the need for a key. We drive along a narrow road toward the edge of the camp.
A squad of the young recruits block our way, holding their rifles ready. Dave slows down to a complete stop, looking at Jessie with hesitation.
“Rex, go talk to those kids,” Jessie commands.
I get outside.
“Let’s not do this, guys,” I say to the recruits. “We’re leaving and you won’t be able to stop us.”
The recruits exchange glances. I doubt they’d be willing to gun down their hero, although I really don’t want to find out the hard way.
“We’re under Oliver’s orders to stop you, sir,” the leader says unconvincingly.
“I’m tired with these suckers,” Jessie groans. “Let’s just drive away.”
I get back inside the SUV.
“Go,” Jessie commands.
“Yes, ma’am,” Dave answers readily and begins driving slowly toward the recruits. They fire a few rounds into the air, hurriedly moving out of our way. We leave the camp, driving toward the city far away held by Elimination.
I’m not sure where this adventure may lead.
Chapter 7
We travel late into the night, passing through devastated sections of the country.
“Are you with us, Rex?” Kitty asks, snapping me out of my unhappy thoughts. “Come back to me.”
“I’m right here,” I answer. “What were you saying?”
“I was telling you how I helped to provide for Oliver’s group,” Kitty answers. “The recruits
and I would go on missions to rob stores in the nearest towns for food and ammo. We also did some breaker style hunting. We hypnotized any deer and rabbits we came across in the woods.”
Holtzmann also shares his thoughts concerning life in the camp.
“It’s been a unique experience,” he says. “As a scientist I’m infinitely grateful for such an exclusive opportunity to study breakers in their natural environment. As the lead scientist in camp, I’ve received Oliver’s permission to observe and test any breaker in his group.”
“And the only scientist,” Jessie comments.
“That doesn’t diminish the importance of my role,” Holtzmann counters, “but rather increases it.”
“It’s an honor to work with you, professor,” Dave says with respect. “If we had a hundred scientists in the camp, you’d still be our top scientist anyway.”
“Thank you,” Holtzmann answers. “I happen to concur fully with your insightful opinion.”
I can’t stop from grinning, although I totally agree with them both.
A moment later, I hear a loud bursting sound as our SUV goes into a crazy spin. Kitty cries out, grabbing hold of my jacket for balance. I realize our tires must have gone flat. I doubt it’s accidental. The SUV swerves off the road, but Dave manages to safely steer us between the ruins. We stop only a few inches away from the wall of a half-destroyed building. I hear voices outside and take a cautious glimpse out the window. It’s too dark to see a damn thing.
“It’s an ambush,” Jessie warns. “Get out. Hurry!”
We all grab our weapons and exit the vehicle, stumbling in ankle-deep ash. Jessie leads, heading toward the ruins. I aim my rifle into the pitch black darkness, ready to shoot anything coming in sight.
“Where did they go?” I hear voices coming from the SUV we’ve just left.
I take a look back and make out a few dozen dark figures surrounding our vehicle. I don’t think they are Elimination. They must be Guardian’s soldiers sent to recapture me.
“How did they learn of our location?” Dave whispers.
I shush him to be quiet. Staying obscured is our only chance to remain free.