Annihilation: A YA dystopian adventure (The Mind Breaker Series Book 3)

by Marina Epley

  Our group works in the hospital for three more hours, then Holtzmann sends us to the refugee center to check on patients recently arrived. Entering the building, we meet Rebecca and Marian in the hall. Kitty quickly cheers up, hugging my sister. She’s so fascinated by Marian that she even forgets to express any jealousy toward Rebecca this time. Chuckling and whispering, my sister and Kitty walk to the opposite side of the hall and settle down into chairs.

  I ask Rebecca whether they need our help with any injured.

  “Not really,” Rebecca answers. “The majority of these new arrivals only have cuts and bruises along with some stress related issues. Most lost family members and homes during the bombing.”

  We become quiet for a spell. I notice the dark circles under Rebecca’s eyes. Her cheeks seem hollow.

  “Are you doing all right?” I ask.

  “I’m fine,” she answers, smiling weakly. “We’re working very long shifts, but it’s nothing. I’m glad I can do something to help these victims.” She pauses, giving me a strange look. “I sometimes wonder whether there’s something wrong with me.”

  “What are you talking about?” I wonder.

  “I’m not really sure,” Rebecca sighs. “Seeing all these people suffering should make one upset. But I don’t feel unhappy. I’m sorry for them, but at the same time being here makes me feel good. Caring about all these people feels like…” She breaks off, struggling to express herself.

  “Like having family,” I finish her phrase.

  “That’s exactly what I meant,” Rebecca says in surprise. “How did you know?”

  I shrug, unwilling to offer further explanation. Creating an illusion of having a family is a personal field of expertise.

  “Has my sister caused any trouble?” I ask, changing the subject.

  “No trouble whatsoever,” Rebecca answers. “Marian has helped out a lot, taking care of injured and calming people down. She’s very compassionate. She never complains or refuses to do the dirty work.”

  I find this surprising.

  “Do you have any counseling in this center?” I wonder.

  Rebecca confirms that they have a department of psychology for victims dealing with post traumatic complications.

  “Do they have any literature I could borrow?” I ask.

  “What kind of literature?”

  “Something about survivors of child abuse. Maybe something about domestic violence also.”

  Rebecca looks at me in astonishment, then seems to understand.

  “Is this for Marian?” she asks. I nod. “I think we may have something. I’d also recommend some therapy, but unfortunately our psychologists specialize in different areas and they’re really busy.”

  “That’s all right.”

  I don’t think Marian would agree to work with any doctors anyway, although nothing can ever be certain with her. She’s absolutely unpredictable.

  “Good evening,” somebody says from behind.

  I turn to see a tall girl in her late twenties, with long brown hair and dark expressive eyes. She’s wearing an old baggy sweater and poorly fitting jeans obviously provided by the shelter. I notice a large fading bruise on her neck.

  “Rebecca, could you please introduce me to your friend?” the girl asks. She doesn’t look directly at me, keeping her eyes downcast.

  “Of course,” Rebecca says. “Rex, this is my friend Cynthia. She lost her home recently.”

  “Nice to meet you, Cynthia,” I say, extending my hand.

  She blushes. Her handshake is very weak, and she still doesn’t dare to make eye contact with me.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir,” she mutters.

  “How do you like living in the center?” I ask.

  “I’m very thankful to have found shelter here,” Cynthia answers. “Everybody has been very kind to me, especially Rebecca. I’d almost forgotten how genuinely kind and nice people can still be.” Her large eyes suddenly fill with tears. “Guardian’s soldiers destroyed my entire town. They burned homes and tortured innocent people. I still don’t understand how I’ve managed to survive.”

  Her voice breaks, and Rebecca hugs her supportively.

  “I’m very sorry,” I say.

  “I’m fine now,” Cynthia answers. “We’ve all had to go through hard times during this war.”

  I become quiet. I suddenly feel ashamed for what Guardian’s breakers have done to this girl and her family.

  Rebecca leaves us, going to search for the books I requested. Cynthia blushes again, asking whether she could speak with me a little longer. I assure her that it would be fine. We sit, waiting for Rebecca to return. Cynthia smiles, remaining silent. I notice Kitty watching suspiciously from across the room. I wink at her.

  “I’m really happy to meet you in person, Rex,” Cynthia begins. “Shall I call you Rex or would you prefer I call you sir?”

  “Whatever you like,” I answer.

  “I’ll call you Rex then,” Cynthia says. She moves in a little closer, stretching her full lips into a wide smile. “I used to imagine how I’d someday whisper your name into your ear.”

  It takes a moment to realize what she’s just said.

  “Pardon me?” I say.

  “You’re a hero to me, Rex,” Cynthia says, now looking straight into my eyes. “Many residents in this city don’t trust breakers, but I’m thrilled you’ve arrived. I know you’re different from the rest. You want to stop this war and protect ordinary people like me. I admire your noble intentions.”

  “Well, thank you,” I say.

  “I used to watch TV documentaries about you,” Cynthia continues. “And I collected every newspaper article I could find. The journalists wrote many bad things about you, but I never believed any of that. I could always feel in my heart how special you really are.”

  She pauses, blinking a few times and smiling. I have to admit she looks awfully cute doing so, but I’d prefer her to behave a little less enamored. I’m sure Cynthia is aware that I already have a girlfriend.

  “You’re such a fortuitous man, Rex,” Cynthia sighs. “Life has provided you with such amazing opportunities. You’re already a leader amongst breakers, and in the future you might even become leader of the entire country if you so choose. The possibilities are very exciting! I’d do anything to have what you have.” She pauses, taking in a deep breath. “And I’ve also heard other interesting stories about you.”

  “Those stories are exaggerated,” I assure her.

  “I’d love to learn which stories are true and which are not. Maybe we could meet later and continue this conversation alone? I realize most ordinary people would be scared of being alone with a breaker, because you could so easily manipulate and take advantage of a girl. But I trust you, Rex. I believe you wouldn’t use hypnosis to take advantage of me, would you?”

  She gazes into my eyes, smiling charmingly. I really don’t know how to answer. I don’t want to hurt her feelings, but at the same time don’t want to encourage her.

  “I don’t enjoy hypnotizing people,” I say, although I realize it sounds stupid.

  “I really wouldn’t mind if you hypnotized me,” Cynthia adds. “And I happen to have no resistance for hypnosis. You would be able to do whatever you pleased. So would you like to get together later, somewhere a little more private?”

  Cynthia slowly runs her tongue across her lips, staring longingly into my eyes.

  “Um, well,” I say. “I’m very sorry, but I’m really busy. I don’t think I could find the extra time.”

  She smirks, and for a split second her expression becomes angry.

  “Who’s keeping you so busy? That little girl?” she asks, motioning in Kitty’s direction.

  That’s it, I think, I’ve had enough of this.

  “I’d best be going now,” I say coldly, getting up.

  “Oh please, stay,” Cynthia begs, grabbing my sleeve. “I’m very sorry if I said anything wrong. Please, don’t be angry with me.”

&n
bsp; She quickly transforms back into an embarrassed, awkward girl. I sit down in the chair, watching her warily.

  “I’m so sorry,” Cynthia repeats, gazing away. “When life falls apart and all the people you care about start dying around you, you have to find something to hold onto. One needs to have some hope in life, otherwise you’ll lose your mind.” She turns to face me. “You’ve become my hope, Rex.”

  I don’t answer.

  “I’m sure we’ll meet again and get to know each other much better,” Cynthia adds. “Perhaps you don’t fully appreciate all the opportunities life brings your way. Let’s see whether I can help change that.”

  She quickly leans in toward me, grabbing me around my neck and placing her open mouth over mine. I push her away, being taken by surprise. I hadn’t seen that coming. I get to my feet, moving away.

  “Stop acting like that,” I say. “I’m not interested, all right?”

  Laughing cheerfully, Cynthia leaves, passing by Rebecca holding an armful of books and staring at me wide-eyed.

  “Is she always like that?” I ask.

  “I’m very sorry,” Rebecca mutters, although she has no reason to apologize. “I’ve no idea what came over her. She’s usually very shy and quiet. I’ve never seen her act that way before.”

  “It’s fine,” I say. “I’ll survive.”

  “She’s really been through a lot recently,” Rebecca explains. “I understand a gang of breakers held her hostage for a few weeks. They were dangerous criminals. She still suffers anxiety and panic attacks.”

  I nod in understanding, once again feeling sympathetic toward Cynthia. She must be totally messed up.

  Rebecca hands me the books and leaves, returning to her work. Kitty and I head toward the exit.

  “It’s unbelievable!” Kitty groans. “I can’t leave you alone for ten minutes without women drooling over you.”

  “C’mon, Kitty,” I say, laughing. “It was just one confused and messed up girl.”

  “I don’t like her!” Kitty snorts. “You’d be better off continuing your little affair with Rebecca. At least she’s classy.”

  “Kitty, there’s nothing between Rebecca and me.”

  “I know,” she admits, giggling. “But I like to imagine there is. It’s just so much fun bringing you into trouble.”

  I roll my eyes. Kitty punches my arm, making a silly face.

  We return to our quarters around midnight. I crawl into bed, instantly passing out. I continue seeing red-stained bandages and smelling chlorine in my sleep. Cynthia suddenly approaches and presses her lips into mine. Tasting blood in my mouth, I understand she bit me.

  I wake at dawn, Cynthia still on my mind. I have a strong hunch that there is something deeper to her words and behavior, something I couldn’t quite understand. It bothers me a while longer until I fall asleep again.

  ***

  During the day my team, along with Marcus and Chase, meet in Vogel’s office. We discuss the details of our new mission, figuring out who will be going to the Death Camp to acquire the drug. Holtzmann volunteers, but I protest.

  “We can’t risk you, professor,” I say. “You’re our lead scientist.”

  “I’ll remind you of my participation during two previous riots,” Holtzmann argues. “I’m more than capable of taking part in a mission of this nature.”

  “This mission will be like nothing we’ve done before,” I disagree.

  We argue for a few minutes, and Holtzmann finally proclaims that he’s the only one who is capable of identifying the drug. I hesitate. He’s got a point on one hand, because determining the correct drug might be problematic without him. But on the other hand, allowing the unstable professor to take part in such a dangerous mission could be setting ourselves up for disaster. What if he has one of his fits?

  Vogel finally authorizes Holtzmann’s participation in the mission, assigning Dave as his personal bodyguard. Dave seems very proud. My participation raises more doubts in her.

  “I don’t want to stay behind while others risk their lives,” I persist stubbornly.

  “Rex, you’re the Beta subject in Holtzmann’s experiment,” Vogel reminds me.

  “I’ll be all right,” I assure her. “It’s not my first song and dance, major.”

  “Your last dance ended with a bullet in the head and a subsequent four months imprisonment,” she adds.

  “All the more reason I should go,” I say. “I spent four months in the Death Camp. I know that prison inside and out.”

  Vogel hesitates, looking me over carefully. I smile back at her. I wonder whether her unwillingness to send me on this mission isn’t actually more personal. I remember her unexpected kindness toward me after the battle. I can’t help wondering whether I remind Vogel of her deceased son, although I fully realize the utter weirdness of having such thoughts.

  “All right,” she finally gives in. “Marcus will be assigned to protect you during the mission.”

  “What?!” Kitty cries out. “I’m his protection! That’s my job!”

  Kitty and I spend the next ten minutes fighting over her participation in the mission.

  “I’m going on this mission no matter what you say!” Kitty yells. She turns to Vogel and says in a trembling voice, “I have to be there to protect him. Every time we separate, he always winds up getting shot or captured. If you let Rex enter the Death Camp without me, you’re likely to lose your Beta subject.”

  There’s sense in her words. Any time I leave Kitty behind, I get myself into trouble. Still, I’m not willing to allow her to participate in what may turn out to be a suicide mission.

  Unfortunately, Vogel doesn’t care much what I think. She authorizes Kitty’s participation. I try to protest, but I’m not the commander.

  Chase remains silent during the entire discussion. Vogel finally requires him to provide us with his opinion about the plan.

  “Nothing’s wrong with the plan,” Chase answers. “But I don’t care for the idea itself.”

  “Please elaborate,” Vogel requests.

  “It’s just not doable,” Chase says. “It’s like playing around with a hornet’s nest. If anything goes wrong, there will be hundreds of guards coming after them. It’s just plain crazy.”

  “Yeah, but we’re the psycho team!” Kitty exclaims. “That’s our one advantage. Nobody will expect us to do something this crazy.”

  “I think you’re committing suicide,” Chase sighs.

  “Can you offer any better ideas how to obtain the drug from the Death Camp?” Vogel asks. Chase remains quiet. “Then we have no choice but to accept some risk,” she adds.

  The major is about to say something more, but an officer bursts into the room, wearing an alarmed expression. I realize something unusual must have happened because nobody would interrupt Vogel’s meeting otherwise.

  “Ma’am, one of our patrols have reported suspicious activity in an abandoned factory,” he informs. “We believe this location to be where the terrorists are holed up.”

  My heart begins beating faster. I hope his information is correct. I think about the scorched hospital and all those innocent victims who died in the fire. I’d like to personally kill as many of those terrorists as I possibly can.

  Chapter 14

  I don’t get the chance to kill any terrorists. Vogel refuses to let my team participate in the bust. According to her, we’re to continue preparing for the Death Camp mission. So we remain stuck inside headquarters, waiting anxiously for Vogel to return.

  I pace around the dining room, while the others chat nervously over tea and coffee. I approach the window and watch a growing crowd of protestors walk carrying posters outside the prison fence. I drink a cup of coffee, angrily staring at the clock. Time seems to freeze, as the clock’s hands appear glued on the same spot.

  Dave and Kitty pass time amusing themselves with choosing a new name for Elimination.

  “Elimination sounds too aggressive,” Dave says. “Things have changed around here,
so we need a new name. I think Defense sounds much better.”

  “It doesn’t really fit,” Kitty disagrees. “Just listen. Elimination, Retaliation and now Defense. No, it wouldn’t do.”

  “How about Protection?” Dave offers. “Or Salvation.”

  “We need something cooler,” Kitty says. “Something like Elimination, but only more positive.”

  “Illumination,” Dave suggests. “It’s like we’re bringing light to the world, fighting the dark forces of evil.”

  “And perhaps even changing light bulbs for free on our days off,” Marcus comments. “Do we really need a new name? I don’t think Vogel would approve anyway.”

  “A new name is essential,” Kitty insists. “How can we win this war without a cool name? Rex, what do you think?”

  I can’t concentrate on their naming troubles at the moment. All my thoughts swirl around the terrorists, mixed with flashbacks of burned corpses. I decide to go check on Marian to distract myself, although it may not be the best idea right now. My current state of nervousness combined with Marian’s spitefulness may prove an explosive mixture.

  I walk through the long prison passageway, knock on the door and enter. My sister is sitting on the bed, wrapped in a blanket and reading a thick book. She looks sleepy, so I guess she’s just woken up.

  “Hey Marian,” I say. “How are you doing?”

  She gives me a blank stare.

  “Rebecca was telling me how you helped her out at the center,” I add, smiling. “So you like working there?”

  My sister scowls, throwing the book at me. I duck and the book hits the wall, dropping to the floor.

  “What do you want from me?!” Marian shouts. “Why are you always sneaking around?”

  Surprisingly, her outburst raises no emotion in me.

  “Marian, I know exactly what you’re doing,” I say softly. “But it won’t work. No matter what you say or do, you can’t make me hurt you.”