Waterproof

by Garr, Amber

  “How do we do this?” I asked.

  “Maybe we can search—”

  “Barto and Hollings.” A voice I recognized carried through the mess hall with authority. “Report!”

  I recognized Captain Doucenné’s nasally voice the moment he stepped between the rows of mercenaries lined up for roll call or something. My heart beat furiously in my chest but I cleared my throat and walked forward with Jackson right behind. We’d been summoned.

  “Here, sir.”

  He looked us over then flicked his head toward the side door. “Time to face the music, gentlemen. You’re expected at Control. Now.”

  Not knowing where Control was, we didn’t move right away.

  “Weller, please escort these two and don’t let them out of your sight.”

  Weller stepped forward, my nose barely reaching the cobra-like muscles on his neck. With a grunt, he moved forward and expected us to follow him. He didn’t speak, in fact, no one did. I caught a glimpse of Todd standing at attention with a look of pity consuming his face.

  “See you soon,” I said and Weller the Giant gave me a look that shut me up instantly.

  We made our way back through the barracks and out of the fence. As we turned down the paved road, I noticed we were on the outskirts of the city. A city we’d been told didn’t exist. And apparently that city was full of people segregated into classes and forced to work according to their status.

  Nothing had really changed since the war.

  I watched the factory grow the closer we got to it, like a relic representing all that we had lost. Groups of soldiers marched by us, stomping to a cadence and twirling their rifles around like a color guard. None of them glanced our way and none of them stood out.

  We rounded a corner, turning us down a narrower street that led diagonally toward the factory. The sunlight fought against the tall buildings for a chance to illuminate the depths below. It felt moist and dark and eerily like we were walking to our demise.

  A sudden burst of laughter caught me off guard and I tripped over my own feet. A line of children ran across the alley and down a road we hadn’t reached yet. Dressed in similar tan uniforms, they represented a range of ages from elementary school on up.

  “Where are they going?” Jackson asked, dread filling his voice.

  Weller stopped and looked back long enough to know he was annoyed. “To school.”

  “They have school here?” I asked. A boy brought up the rear of the group and I stopped breathing. Hunter bounced along with the rest of the kids.

  “For the juveniles.”

  I looked at Jackson, whose eyes focused on Hunter too. The relief sweeping through me felt as welcomed as the shower we had last night. Hunter was alive and he looked like he was doing okay. Suddenly, he glanced down the alley and we both dropped our heads.

  He couldn’t see us yet.

  Thankfully, Weller’s sheer size helped hide us as we stepped behind him. I risked a glance ahead only to see the last of the children disappear between the buildings. Breathing a sigh of relief, I rushed forward again to catch up with Weller before he got suspicious.

  Three alleys and two streets later, Weller opened a metal door in the side of a building and ordered us inside. We immediately descended three flights of steps, causing an echo in the stairwell loud enough to be uncomfortable. At the bottom, Weller punched in a code on the keypad next to the only door. A high-pitched beep followed the green light above the door, and we were permitted inside.

  Artificial lights flooded our sight, a sharp contrast to the dark alley we lurked in a moment ago. We followed Weller through a maze of cubicles and tiny hallways. I shook my head thinking about how we lived on the outside, where in here, life progressed like nothing had changed. Men and women in uniforms pushed papers, answered phone calls, and went about their business like my parents had when they worked.

  I caught a glimpse of Jackson and the look on his face told me similar thoughts crossed his mind. Everything seemed so normal in here.

  Until we thought about the blood harvesting. I wondered if these workers knew what was happening next door.

  “In here,” Weller demanded. He held open a door that led to a small waiting area with three black plastic chairs and yellowing walls that could have used a fresh coat of paint. Once inside, he shut the door and left us alone.

  “Not what I expected,” Jackson said, and I nodded.

  A moment later, a small older lady looking more like a librarian than a soldier walked out from a door hidden behind the counter.

  “You here for the General?” Her deep voice didn’t match her petite frame.

  “Um…yes?” I said, and the lady smiled.

  “Don’t be nervous. He’s a big softy at heart.”

  I had doubts about that and so did Jackson if his loud gulp meant anything.

  “Come on, guys,” she said. “Everyone makes mistakes. You’re handsome enough to get away with a warning.”

  It gave me chills as her statement reminded me about Todd’s declaration. He claimed he got off easy because of his looks. Aside from the blood harvesting, this place had plenty to creep me out. I suddenly missed the forest.

  Making our way around the old counter and away from the peculiar librarian, we found ourselves in a large, nicely decorated office. Mahogany furniture, a brightly colored oriental rug, and an immaculate tropical fish tank made it feel like we just walked into a parallel universe. Where did he get fish from?

  “No, I told you to increase production.” The general spoke on the phone, completely ignoring us. “No. Now.” After a pause, he continued. “I don’t care what he said, do it.” He slammed the phone down and I jumped.

  “Sit,” he said without looking at us.

  We complied. I sat down on the largest leather chair I’d ever seen. My body sank into the folds like it belonged. The general kept his back to us.

  “I hear you got ambushed.” His voice carried the authority of someone who’s been in power a long time.

  “Yes, sir,” I said.

  “And you lost a truck?”

  “Yes, sir.” All of a sudden, I was military proper.

  He turned and bore his dark eyes into both of us. I wanted to crawl under the big leather chair. “Hmmm,” he said, gaze flickering from one and then the other.

  “First time out?”

  We nodded.

  “That’s what I thought. You look like scrubs.” He ran his hand over his chin and tapped his finger. “I told them not to send the untrained,” he mumbled to himself. Then, pressing a button on the phone, he yelled into the receiver. “Get Doucenné down here, now.”

  He waved his hand at us and walked to his fish tank. “Babysitting for a month.”

  “Sir?” I asked.

  “That’s your punishment. I’m not blaming you completely for your lack of training. But don’t think you’re getting off easy.” He sprinkled some food into the tank. “The duds don’t supply as much excitement as the deserters.”

  Could it really be this easy? Less than five minutes with general and we get what we came for? Our lives have never worked out that way.

  “Where are you from?” The general asked without facing us.

  Here we go.

  “Region 5, sir,” I say and Jackson added, “Region 2.”

  “Really?” He lifts his head to stare at me.

  I swallow hard and nod. “Yes, sir.” Why I picked Region 5, I didn’t know.

  “That’s my home. Or, well, where I used to live. You related to the Barto’s from the west quarter?”

  “No, sir.” I couldn’t breathe, and I hoped I didn’t just out myself.

  “That’s good,” he said, but didn’t elaborate. Instead, he refocused on his fish tank, tapping the glass like a child. “You’re dismissed. I’ll see you in a month for your follow-up.”

  Jackson and I looked at each other with matched expressions. We needed to get out of here while we had a chance.

  “Thank you, sir,�
�� we said in unison and hustled to the door.

  The librarian lady waved at us as we walked past, her hungry eyes paying close attention to Jackson. Maybe he could work his way up to the Plaza elite, whatever that was.

  As we trekked up the stairs, we passed Captain Doucenné who looked scared to death. I wanted to say something along the lines of “Screw you”, but thought better of it. Instead Weller waited for us in the alley and when we told him our punishment he let out an uncharacteristic laugh.

  “That figures.”

  I didn’t care what he meant, so I didn’t ask. We got babysitting duty like we wanted and I had a feeling that everything from this point forward would change the way we saw this place.

  EIGHTEEN

  Vivienne

  With only two hours left in my shift, and no sign of Riley, I began to panic. I needed to see him and I needed to find out where they’d take the injured deserters. For a moment, I couldn’t believe I was actively seeking out a mercenary. I hated them. All of them. But I needed Riley and for some reason, that particular mercenary treated me well.

  Almost finished with the last rack of bottles, I realized time was running out and the situation called for some improvisation. If Riley wouldn’t come to me, I’d get to him. Looking around the room, I saw the deserters completing the same boring tasks. Heads down, thoughts elsewhere, no one cared what each other was doing. If they were like me, their mind drifted to a better place the moment they stepped off the elevator.

  Gritting my teeth together, I prepared to make my move. Right hand or left hand? Left…the right one was my sword hand. I had a brief moment of nostalgia remembering the feel of a steel blade in my grip. There was just something about that power that was so intoxicating to me. Perhaps someday soon I’d feel that way again.

  I pulled one of the smaller glass bottles off the rack and sucked in a breath. I’d have one shot at this. In one quick motion, I tossed the bottle as hard as I could into the sink and sighed in relief when it shattered. I heard the guard jump to attention, but I didn’t dare look. Instead, I focused on a large glass shard lying in the bottom of the sink.

  Grabbing my new weapon, I hastily sliced the sharpest edge along the inside of my left palm. I felt my skin slice open a few seconds before the pain settled in. The burning sensation continued as I cut across my entire hand. I didn’t need to fake the tears.

  “What did you do?” the guard asked.

  Panicked, I turned to face him, liquid seeping through the fingers on my other hand as I tried to control the bleeding. Did he see me cut myself?

  “I…I dropped the bottle.” I lowered my gaze and feigned disgust at the sight of blood. “It’s bleeding,” I whined.

  “Here,” he said and grabbed my hand. Quickly wrapping it with a towel, he called into his radio for assistance. “Just hang on, I’ll get someone to take you to medical.”

  I stumbled like I was about to faint and watched the guard become human. “Why don’t you sit down over here?” He directed me to his perch, a stool on a raised floor against the far wall. Where he had a full view of all the workers.

  “Thank you,” I whispered, trying to ignore the pain while flexing my hand to make sure I didn’t cut too deep. All of my fingers still moved, so that was a good sign.

  “Sure. No problem,” the guard stammered.

  I looked up at him, a young guy around my age, and smiled. He blushed and I had a second to be satisfied with my effect on him. If it got me what I needed in this situation, then I would use every advantage I had. This one just so happened to like my chest area.

  The door crashed open and Riley barreled through. My guard jumped up and stood at attention. Riley ignored him and kneeled down in front of me.

  “Are you okay?” He only had eyes for my hand and the red stained towel wrapped around it like a distorted boxing glove.

  “Yeah, but I think I need stitches,” I cooed. Couldn’t let him know my plan just yet.

  “I’ll take her,” Riley said to the guard.

  “But sir-”

  “I said I’m taking her. Thank you for your assistance.”

  The guard nodded and walked away, yelling at the others to get back to work. I tried to stand on my own, but Riley quickly slid his arm around my waist. My muscles tensed reflexively, but he didn’t seem to notice.

  “Come on. Let’s go get that looked at.”

  Mission accomplished. Now I just needed some time out of earshot. Instead of going to the elevator, we walked in the opposite direction, down a hallway I’d never noticed before. Then again, my tours had been limited.

  “Does it hurt?” Riley asked. Either he was uncomfortable with the silence or really bad with the small talk.

  I huffed. “Of course it hurts. I almost sliced my hand off.” A bit of an exaggeration, but I was entitled to that every once and a while.

  He smiled at me and squeezed tighter. He hadn’t removed his arm from my waist yet. “Sorry. Dumb question.”

  I refused to make eye contact with him. No reason to encourage him too much. “Are we going to medical?” I asked.

  “Yeah. It’s the next building over, but they’re all connected by these underground passageways.

  Good to know.

  After taking two more left turns through a maze of fluorescent lamps and grey walls, we came to another elevator. Just one floor up and we stepped out into a whole new world. Bright white walls, tall ceilings, and windows letting in natural sunlight made up the receiving area of the medical center.

  Unlike the emergency rooms I remember, this area was clean. No one on the verge of death waited in orange plastic chairs and as soon as we walked inside, someone greeted us with a smile.

  “Oh no, did we have an accident?” A tiny, bubbly blonde girl in a pink nursing uniform rushed up to us and spoke to me like a baby. “Looks like someone’s going to need stitches.” She hadn’t even looked at my hand, but then again, there was a lot of blood.

  “Is Dr. Zohan here?” Riley asked.

  The girl, who looked ridiculous in her stupid hat and skirt uniform, glared up at Riley with a look that could only be described as disgust. “No,” she said curtly.

  “When will he be here?”

  She played with her chart for a few seconds before answering. “He’s due in at six.” Turning on her softly cushioned heels, she called back to us, “Follow me.”

  We both hustled behind her to a set of stainless steel swinging doors. Just after we pushed through, she turned to Riley. “You can wait outside.” The venom in her voice completely unexpected for this situation.

  “I’m going with her.” The nurse raised her eyebrows and something passed between them. “I’m responsible for this deserter’s safety,” Riley finally spoke.

  The nurse snorted and said “Sure you are,” before turning away and walking down the corridor in the center of the massive room.

  “Do I want to know what that was all about?” I asked before realizing how inappropriate it was.

  He shook his head. “No.”

  So I didn’t say anything else. We made our way past a series of glass-walled rooms on the right and empty cots on the left. It wasn’t until we’d reached the center of the large chamber did my nurse stop and hook the clip board to the side of the bed.

  “Sit here.” Suddenly, she didn’t have any of that bubbly personality left. I blamed Riley. “Someone will see you shortly.” She gave Riley one more death glare before retreating back to the reception area.

  Riley sighed. “Let me see who I can find.” He started to walk away, but I grabbed his arm. He looked surprised, but stopped immediately.

  “Can I ask you something?” I whispered.

  He nodded and smiled. “Of course.”

  “Is this the place they bring all of the injured deserters?”

  My question must not have been too weird because he didn’t react. “Here and other parts of the building. Why?”

  I swallowed and then turned on the charm. “I think a fri
end of mine was brought here when we were captured.” My voice quivered but Riley didn’t seem to notice. “He was unconscious.”

  “Then they probably took him to the east wing. That’s where they do the surgeries and have the ICU.”

  Surgeries. Yeah, right. Riley started to walk away again.

  “Wait!” I called out. Pushing myself off the table, I winced when my injured hand hit the side of the bed.

  Riley jumped back to me and reached out to stop a potential fall. “What are you doing?”

  I yanked my arm back away from him. “You like me, right?”

  He looked alarmed, but then his face softened and a slight dimple appeared with his smirk. “Maybe.”

  Not exactly what I meant.

  “Why did you run away?”

  The question must have caught him by surprise because he crinkled up his face and shook his head. “It doesn’t matter why.”

  “Yes, it does.” I grabbed his arm with my good hand and squeezed. “Is it because of the blood harvesting?”

  He looked around in a panic then pushed me back against the table. “What are you talking about?” he whispered, eyes still searching for anyone nearby.

  “Is it true?”

  “Is what true?”

  “The blood! Am I going to get hooked up to a machine that sucks the life out of me? Is that what’s happened to Max?”

  “Who’s Max?”

  “My friend!” I looked at his face, perfectly schooled and giving away nothing. But I could see something in his eyes. “It’s true isn’t it?” I jumped off the table again.

  “Where are you going?” This time Riley grabbed me hard by the shoulders and stopped my movement.

  I whirled around to yell at him and froze. He was laughing. “What’s so funny?” I snapped.

  “Who told you?” His grin stretched across his face. I was tempted to slap it away.

  “Who told me what?”

  “The blood tale.” He raised his eyebrows and motioned for me to get on the table again. I didn’t move. “It’s like an old horror story passed on around here. Especially with the new recruits.”