by Marina Epley
I now realize what’s happening. Before setting the hospital on fire, the terrorists must have put the patients under. They probably directed their victims to do whatever it takes to remain inside the burning building. Under hypnosis, the patients would feel neither fear nor pain. They could break a bone and continue fighting. They won’t stop until completing the task placed in their minds.
Vogel with a squad of officers are already inside the building evacuating victims from sections of the hospital not ablaze. I look around anxiously, realizing that nobody is here to fight the fire. Chase explains that the firefighters haven’t received a salary since the beginning of the war, so they are all currently on strike.
Great timing, I think grimly. That means there’s nobody else coming to help rescue the victims. And we don’t have any special protective gear or equipment to deal with the fire. Elimination does possess respirators for protection from sleeping gas, but those masks wouldn’t adequately protect us from this suffocating smoke.
Time is of the essence, so our team along with a few of Oliver’s breakers quickly proceed inside the hospital. Our primary objective is to snap the patients out of their hypnosis and fighting mode. It’s not an easy assignment because it’s incredibly hard to manipulate subjects whose wills are already under somebody’s control.
We walk from room to room, searching for any hiding children. Upon seeing us, they begin to growl and come out fighting like wild animals, resisting any attempts to help them. They bite and claw as the officers try to grab hold of them. They scream and kick furiously, their minds filled with some pointless rage. Our hypnosis often fails, so we’re unable to snap many out of their aggressive trances.
I’m becoming desperate. The fire is spreading terrifyingly fast, and we have only minutes left to complete this evacuation. My head feels ready to explode from pain, and I’m constantly choking. It’s impossible to concentrate and use my hypnosis as effectively as the situation requires. I almost begin to hate these stubborn kids who fight so hard against us as we’re trying to rescue them.
I notice a little girl lying under a gurney inside one of the rooms. Her face seems relaxed and her eyes are glazed. As I approach, she hisses like a stray cat, lunging at me. I pin her to the floor, while she’s shouting and clawing at my eyes. Concentrating as best I can, I project my thoughts into her perplexed mind. Stop fighting, I direct, let me help you. My hypnosis slows her aggressiveness down enough for the officers to carry her outside.
A teenaged boy attacks me inside another room. He comes through the smoke before I can see him. He grabs my throat, trying to choke me. I don’t have time to use hypnosis, so I punch him hard into his temple, knocking him out cold. I only hope I haven’t injured him too badly. I drag him toward the doorway where Chase and another officer carry the unconscious boy outside.
The evacuation seems to last forever. But I know that in reality it can’t be longer than fifteen minutes, because of the rate in which the fire is spreading. We simply don’t have time to get all the patients outside. The children still inside are being burnt alive, unable or unwilling to get to safety. The thought makes me sick, and I have to force myself to remain calm. I can’t allow myself even a moment of weakness now. I have to concentrate on the task at hand.
Kitty and others are also helping assist officers in evacuating patients. Together, we manage to lead at least half of the kids outside. The smoke is becoming thicker with each passing second. It’s time for us to leave, but we stubbornly remain inside. There are still too many kids trapped inside this building. We have to try and save as many of them as we can.
I continue hypnotizing the afflicted children as long as is possible. I soon find myself stuck inside one of the rooms. Kitty is crouching beside me, rubbing at her eyes and muttering something incoherent. My eyes are tearing. I’m becoming disoriented, and have trouble understanding what we need to do. I finally grab her arm and begin crawling toward an exit. Kitty suddenly collapses in a doorway, quiet and motionless. Grabbing her by the arms, I stagger down the passageway, dragging an unconscious Kitty toward the main doors. My lungs seem to burn. I sway and feel myself starting to pass out, no longer knowing where exactly I’m going. It’s getting really difficult to understand anything.
“Rex!” I hear somebody’s shrill voice. “Where the hell are you?”
“Here!” I yell.
Jessie approaches, saying something, but I can’t comprehend her words.
“Take her!” I plead, pushing Kitty into Jessie’s arms.
She doesn’t protest, tightly gripping Kitty by her wrists and dragging her away. I realize I should follow them, but instead plop down on the floor. I have no strength left to follow anybody. Kitty is safe and that’s what matters most.
Some part of my consciousness realizes that I have to get out of this building. I begin crawling on my hands and knees along the corridor. I can’t see anything, with my good eye watering profusely. I’m becoming weaker. I bump into a wall and freeze.
I understand I won’t be getting out of here on my own.
I spend a couple of moments, trying to find an air pocket to relieve my burning lungs. Suddenly, two strong arms grab my jacket, pulling me forward.
“Get up!” Vogel commands. “Walk!”
She throws my arm over her shoulders, supporting my weight. I still can’t see a damn thing, and I’ve lost coordination for walking. Vogel tries to lead me out, but I’m too weak.
“Rex!” she barks. “Stay with me! Come on, move!”
Despite of my best efforts, I fall back down onto the floor. The major angrily curses me, pulling me up again. I realize there’s no chance she can carry me outside. I’m too heavy for her.
“Go on,” I mutter. “Get out.”
Vogel continues barking commands at me, gripping my arms so tightly that it hurts. She’s choking on the thick smoke as well, but refuses to leave me. I realize we’re both about to suffocate and then be burned alive. But I don’t become overly worried by the fact, because I’m only half-conscious now. I weakly attempt to rise to my feet one more time, before everything fades.
***
When I come to, somebody is splashing water over my face.
“Wake up! Please wake up!” Kitty sobs.
I open my eyes, but can’t see anything. I begin to panic.
“Where are you?” I blurt out. Becoming permanently blind is one of my worst fears.
“I’m right here,” she says. “Calm down. You’re safe.”
I attempt to sit up, but somebody pushes me back down. I continue mumbling about my lost vision, as an oxygen mask is placed over my nose and mouth.
“It’s unacceptable!” I hear Holtzmann’s hysterical voice. “Help him immediately!”
Another voice assures him that his subject will be fine.
I inhale several deep breaths, almost getting high on the pure oxygen. My eyes are still burning, but my vision slowly normalizes. I find myself sprawled across the pavement outside of the hospital. I must have been out for several minutes, because the entire building is now in flames and beginning to collapse. I notice row after row of small bodies laid out across the concrete. I’ve no idea whether these patients are still alive or not.
Kitty is beside me, holding my hand and sobbing. Two paramedics check my eyes and pulse. They pull me up, leading me away toward an ambulance.
“Vogel,” I say. “Where is she?”
“She’s already been taken to the hospital,” Chase answers flatly, walking alongside.
“Will she be all right?” I ask. He remains silent. “Will she be all right?” I repeat.
He ignores me, returning to the other officers to help carry more unconscious patients. Paramedics shove Kitty and me inside the ambulance and we leave. They deliver us to another hospital for examination. Holtzmann arrives a few minutes later to check on us. He looks distressed.
I can’t stop worrying about Vogel. Kitty informs me that the major passed out a moment after dragging me ou
t of the burning building. I’m amazed by the fact that Vogel somehow managed to get me all the way to an exit. I’ve no idea where she found the strength to do so.
After the medics are done with me, I go look for Vogel. Holtzmann informs me that the major is in intensive care. Medics are doing their best to revive her.
“Wait a minute, professor,” I say. “Vogel and I spent the same amount of time in there, breathing that smoke. Why does she require intensive care, when I’m perfectly fine?”
Avoiding my stare, Holtzmann explains how my breathing was much slower since I was already unconscious, therefore I inhaled less smoke than Vogel. Another complication is that she suffers from heart disease. The medics informed Holtzmann that the major had a difficult surgery several months ago, and it didn’t go quite as well as it was supposed to.
I suddenly feel ill. I recall what Marcus told me about Vogel. I asked him why the major didn’t get killed by Guardian’s breakers during the initial massacre. She wasn’t on the duty, he had explained, she was on sick leave.
I spend the next hour in front of the intensive care unit, waiting for any news on Vogel. Kitty sits beside me, clutching my hand. We don’t exchange a single word while waiting. There’s simply nothing to be said.
The surgeons finally come out, and by the looks on their faces I can already tell what kind of news they’re bringing.
Vogel didn’t make it. She sacrificed her life, rescuing me from the fire.
Kitty sobs quietly, covering her face. I listen to the doctors, hearing only some of their words. Vogel wasn’t supposed to be put under any stress or excessive physical exertion after her surgery. She needed complete rest, and almost any sort of complication could cause her heart to stop.
I gain control of myself and proceed into the intensive care unit, leaving Kitty in the corridor. I stand beside the gurney, looking down at Vogel’s lifeless body. She’s covered with a white sheet. I cautiously grip the sheet and pull it down a little, revealing her head and chest. I see a rough, fresh scar spread across the right side of her rib cage.
“Gosh, Erica!” I breathe out. “I’m so sorry.”
I want to say something else, but my throat clenches, and I can’t utter another word. I pull the sheet back over her and sit down on the floor, gazing off into space.
I can easily envision Vogel learning the news about Guardian’s breakers taking over the country several months ago. She was still in the hospital and not fully recovered from her recent surgery. She pulled on her black uniform, even while her scar was still bleeding. She holstered her gun and left the hospital, knowing full well that she could die at any moment.
Vogel could have easily stayed away, letting Guardian destroy the world. But she didn’t. She fought as long as her health allowed, trying to save the rest of us.
I mentally add her name to the growing list of people who have died because of me. Although I gave up on any senseless plans to assassinate Vogel, I indeed became the one who caused her death.
It takes a few minutes for me to fully comprehend that Vogel is gone forever. I won’t ever get a chance to speak to her again. I’ll never again experience her support and kindness. And I suddenly feel as if I’ve just lost a great friend.
There was always something about Vogel that made her special. She always acted as if she had all the answers. She possessed an exceptional inner strength and calmness, which made everybody want to follow her. She was a true Elimination officer, a brave fighter, and at the same time a genuinely good person. And although I never really expected her to replace Emily, I always felt she could teach me some things I naturally lack.
I’m still sitting on the floor, when Chase, Marcus and Dave enter the room. They all stare at their dead commander, no one speaking for a long time.
“We’re all screwed now,” Chase finally utters. “There’s no point in continuing to fight. There’s zero chance we can win this war without her.”
“Are you so ready to give up now?” I ask, looking up tiredly.
“What else can we do?” he asks, letting out an inappropriate laugh. “Elimination no longer has its leader.”
“It’s gotta be you,” I say.
Chase frowns, not understanding what I’m getting at.
“You have to lead Elimination now, Chase,” I inform him. “You’ll fill in for Vogel.”
“You must be kidding,” he answers. “I don’t have the qualifications for such a job. I didn’t even go to college.”
“Think about it, Chase,” I say. “Try to figure out why Vogel was always asking your opinion. Why did she make you deal with all the documents and take you along with her everywhere? Vogel was obviously coaching you for something big.”
“You’re insane,” he states. “I’m just a regular officer.”
“Vogel believed in you,” I protest. “She knew she could die at any moment, so she groomed you to become her replacement.”
“I can’t lead anybody,” Chase answers stubbornly.
“You led other officers during the prison riot. You’re a natural leader. Vogel must have seen it in you and chose you for this special role. She also realized that you’re tolerant to breakers. No matter what you think, you’ll make a perfect commander, Chase.”
He doesn’t answer.
“Rex is right,” Marcus says. “It really does seem like she was developing you all along.”
Chase shakes his head.
“We’ll follow you,” Dave quietly adds.
“Cut the nonsense!” Chase says, wincing. “Just look at us. We’re standing before Vogel’s still warm body, discussing who’ll take her place. It’s sick. Show a little respect for God’s sake!”
“You know this is something that Vogel would approve of,” I say calmly.
“I’m not Vogel!” Chase suddenly shouts. “Now get the hell out of here, now! Leave us alone!”
Marcus, Dave and I head toward the exit. Passing by Chase, I quietly repeat, “She always believed in you.”
He turns away, ignoring my proclamation. I know Vogel’s death has completely demoralized Chase along with all the other officers. Unfortunately, we don’t have the luxury of time to properly mourn.
Back outside the hospital, we meet Holtzmann, Jessie and Kitty. Everybody is already aware of the bad news. Upon seeing my expression, Jessie lights two cigarettes and hands one to me. I snatch it from Jessie’s fingers and smoke nervously. I don’t know what we’re going to do.
An Elimination truck stops a few feet away from us. Oliver and a couple of officers jump out, seemingly troubled.
“We just received a phone call from one of the refugee centers,” Oliver informs us. “Somebody claims that the Army of Justice has taken over the building. It looks like a hostage situation.”
I swallow hard and ask, “Which refugee center?”
“The city’s northeast location.”
I get a sensation as if the ground is shifting beneath my feet.
That is the refugee center where Rebecca and my sister work, and now they’ve become hostages. This fire was possibly only a distraction, while Guardian’s breakers were preparing for another vicious terrorist act.
Chapter 21
Twenty minutes later my team and a squad of Elimination officers arrive at the square in front of the refugee center. A few dozen bystanders have already gathered outside, and the crowd is growing. I also notice a group of overly excited journalists present.
“So what’s the plan?” Chase asks, gazing at the building. Everything looks absolutely ordinary, as if nothing unusual is happening inside.
“I don’t have one,” I answer. “You’re the commander.”
Chase sighs, obviously disliking the idea of leadership. We watch him expectantly.
“All right then,” he finally says in an assertive voice. “Set up a perimeter. Don’t let anybody approach the building.”
The officers hurriedly execute his command.
Chase requests Oliver to repeat what the terrorists sai
d during the phone call to Elimination headquarters.
“A male’s voice proclaimed that the Army of Justice has taken over the north-eastern refugee center,” Oliver answers. “He said nobody should try to go inside the building or even so much as contact their group. They’ll begin shooting hostages, should we disobey.”
So there must be about six hundred hostages inside the center, including my sister and Rebecca, I think grimly. And there’s no telling whether or not they’re still alive.
“This place looks weird,” Chase notes, staring at the building again. “What was here before it became a refugee center?
“My sister said it was a theatre,” I answer.
“The terrorists must be keeping the hostages inside the auditorium,” Kitty guesses. “Marian told me it’s the biggest room in the building.”
“I wonder whether we should go ahead and break in,” Chase offers.
“The terrorists said the building is set with explosives,” Oliver reminds us. “They promised to blow the entire center should we try anything.”
“How can we be sure they have explosives in there?” Jessie asks. “Maybe they’re just bluffing.”
“Maybe,” Chase says. “But we don’t want to find out the hard way. So we just have to assume that all their threats are genuine.”
He sends Marcus to examine the main entrance of the center, without actually going in. We watch anxiously as he approaches the large glass doors and takes a careful look inside. We all realize he could be shot at any moment.
“There are several large bags left out in the hall,” he reports, after safely rejoining our group. “Could be explosives. I also noticed video cameras on the walls.”
An hour later the phone rings in a nearby office building, and a male’s voice informs us that five journalists may safely enter the center.