Elimination (The Mind Breaker Book 1)

by Marina Epley

  We step into the space between two cars and I try the door. No matter how hard I push, it remains closed. They must have closed down all exits on the train. Kitty glances at me worriedly, her face pale as snow. She knows we can’t hypnotize Elimination. Our mind breaker abilities are useless against the resistant.

  I hear noises coming from the car we’ve just left. Taking a quick glance back, I see several officers in black uniforms walking down the aisle, searching for me.

  “This is Elimination. Remain in your seats,” a loud command follows.

  The officers check each passenger, shining a flashlight. Obviously, they won’t stop till they find us.

  “What do we do?” Kitty whispers. A finger to my lips signals her to keep quiet. I’ve no idea how we can escape from this train. It’s impossible to break down the thick metal doors. No place to hide. The Elimination officers are methodically moving closer.

  I take Kitty’s hand and we head in the opposite direction, walking through numerous cars. It probably won’t save us, but at least should buy a few moments to think. My mind races, searching for a solution. I see no easy answer. Surprisingly, I feel very calm and determined. My hand finds the gun tucked under my shirt. I’m not giving up without a fight.

  As we approach the doors of the last car, they suddenly open and several Elimination officers pour through. A blinding light shines in my eyes. I step back, but don’t run. Running would be pointless now. Other officers are coming up from behind, searching for us. We’re completely surrounded and trapped.

  “That’s the one! Take him!” someone commands. “Everybody on the floor!”

  Everything happens so quickly. The passengers scream out in surprise and drop to the floor. I brandish my gun firing in the direction of the officer shining the flashlight. The bullet strikes the officer in the chest, knocking him off his feet. A huge Elimination cop jumps over his fallen fellow officer, charging at me. I shoot again, but my vision blurs and I miss. The bullet only lightly grazes the sleeve of the big guy’s jacket and hits the wall. The officer body slams me to the floor. My gun flies free. I punch and elbow the guy, but he doesn’t lessen his grip. Within a moment several other officers dogpile on, grasping my arms and pressing my head down. I hear Kitty screaming my name. Instinctively, I concentrate, trying some hypnosis. Let me go, I project, back off! Someone pins my arms behind my back and presses a knee down hard on the back of my neck. My hypnosis doesn’t work.

  When the officers are about to place me in handcuffs, a sudden thought strikes my mind. The passengers aren’t resistant, perhaps I can still manipulate them.

  “Fire!” I yell. “Get out! The train is burning.”

  I imagine hot flames, burning walls and seats. I concentrate hard to transmit the acrid smell of suffocating smoke.

  “Knock that off!” one officer yells, punching me in the back of my head.

  “Fire!” Kitty screams. She’s caught on and helps panic the passengers.

  People jump from their seats and rush for the exits, pushing and climbing over each other. Desperate to find an open door, they crash into and over the officers, stomping me in the process. I feel a jolt of pain and hope I haven’t broken anything.

  “Rex!” Kitty yells, grabbing my shoulder. “Get up, hurry!”

  Her desperate voice helps me regain my senses. I scramble up, noticing the dazed officers are getting back on their feet as well. In seconds they’ll attack again. We have to get out of here!

  I pick up the gun and shoot several rounds into a large window. A spider web of cracks grows across its surface. I grab Kitty’s wrist, running toward the damaged window. The glass shatters as I slam into it full speed. We both hit the ground hard, Kitty falling beside me.

  I hear a few shots and then an angry voice, “Hold your fire! We need them alive!”

  That’s something, at least they don’t want to kill us. Grimacing from pain, I get up quickly. Kitty is already back on her feet, ready to run.

  We sprint toward the ruins, sinking in ankle deep ash and leaping over train tracks along the way. I spot the beam from a search light slicing through the darkness. A large helicopter rises up from the ground, raising swirling clouds of ashes. We change direction several times, zigzagging to avoid its spotlight. My lungs burn and legs become heavy. Needing distance foremost, we must continue running as long as we can. Kitty is gasping, but following closely behind.

  At last we reach the ruins. There are only a few walls left from the building. It’s a bad place to hide, but we need a break. I can’t run anymore. Kitty seems exhausted as well. We collapse on the ground behind one of the walls.

  “What do we do?” Kitty asks.

  “I don’t know yet,” I whisper as I peer around the wall, taking a careful look.

  I hear a different freight train slowly approaching in the distance. If we could only crawl unnoticed inside one of its cars… Then I pick up something else, muffled voices. We won’t be catching this train. Elimination officers have cut off our way to the railroad and are walking along the tracks. They search the ruins, coming closer with each step. The helicopter flies in large swooping circles. We’re surrounded again. No escaping now. We need a distraction.

  I know what I have to do.

  I have to stop being selfish for one thing. This must be what Jessie was talking about back in her room. We can’t run from Elimination together. On her own, Kitty may have a chance. I have to let her go.

  I grab Kitty’s arm firmly, pulling her close.

  “Kitty, listen carefully,” I whisper. “I’ll draw their attention while you sneak off and catch this coming train. Stay low in the ash and when you reach the train, keep hidden inside one of the cars until you’re well away.”

  Her expression changes to near panic.

  “I’ll follow you shortly after,” I lie, knowing that she won’t agree to leave me otherwise.

  “No, you won’t,” she says, seeing through me immediately. “We belong together, please don’t ask me to do this.”

  She cries in silence. My heart aches. If I go, I may never see her again. But it’s the only way to keep Kitty free.

  “We have to separate,” I say. “You know we’re surrounded and won’t make it together. I’ll keep them distracted. Get as far south as you can. Try to find those breakers Jessie spoke about.”

  “No, please,” Kitty repeats, sobbing. “Don’t leave me. I love you. I can’t survive without you.”

  Her fingers clutch my shirt tightly. I push her away. I have to do this right now or I’ll change my mind.

  “Don’t let them catch you,” I say, taking a last long glance at my Kitty, and run out from behind the wall.

  I head away from the railroad, shooting into the air, yelling and causing as much commotion as I can to attract the officer’s attention. They must all come for me for this to work. The officers react instantly, giving chase.

  Hopefully, Kitty will take advantage of any opening to get away as it may be her only chance. I can never be sure with Kitty. She’s so stubborn.

  Please, do as I said, I repeat over and over in my head as I run. Don’t let them catch you.

  One officer steps from the darkness in front of me. Taser gun! No time to react. Two needles attached to wire slam into my chest. An excruciating pain explodes throughout my body. I fall to the ground, moaning and twitching. When the shock subsides, I’m unable to move. The officer puts a knee on my back and handcuffs me. I squirm weakly, trying to free myself.

  “Stop resisting or I’ll tase you again,” he says forcefully.

  Other officers approach. I recognize Captain Wheeler from the television show.

  “Great job, Chase,” he says.

  “Thank you, sir,” the officer answers. He jerks me up to my feet.

  Captain Wheeler stands before me, smiling. He looks exactly like he did during his interview, friendly and kind.

  “Let me introduce myself,” he says softly, slamming the butt of his rifle into my skull.

&
nbsp; Darkness.

  When I regain consciousness, I’m inside a large room with no windows. A huge flawless mirror takes up almost half of one wall. An interrogation room, I realize. Sparsely furnished with only a desk and a few chairs. A short old man with gray hair sits behind the desk, studying a thick folder overstuffed with papers. His face is wrinkled and has large brown eyes that hold a contemptuous expression. He wears an old fashioned suit and thick gold colored glasses that make his eyes look unnaturally big. A fish comes to my mind.

  I sit in the middle of the room, arms and legs chained to a metal chair. I feel a tight heavy collar around my neck. My head still aches, but the bleeding seems to have stopped. Possibly, I’m in a police station or a prison.

  Kitty, I think, what happened to her? Did she get away? Conscious or unconscious, thoughts of Kitty are constantly swirling in my head.

  The door opens and Captain Wheeler appears. I recognize him immediately because it’s hard to forget our last meeting. Officer Chase follows behind, carrying a rifle.

  I’m too sick and exhausted to feel frightened. Watching them closely, I take in a long deep breath, preparing for the worst.

  “Has he finally woken up?” Wheeler asks impatiently.

  “Not really,” an old man in suit answers. “He fades in and out, may pass out again at any moment. You hit him too darn hard.”

  “I should’ve hit him harder,” Wheeler says calmly. “So we wouldn’t have to waste our time here any further.”

  “Let me study the report first,” the elderly man says and continues reading the documents.

  Wheeler takes a bottle of water from the table, approaches me and slaps my face.

  “Time to wake up, breaker,” he says.

  The room is spinning. I can do nothing. The shackles on my arms and legs keep me nearly motionless.

  “Are you thirsty?” Wheeler asks, showing the bottle of water. “How about a drink, breaker?”

  My mouth and throat are dry like sand. I involuntarily swallow. Noticing this, Wheeler flashes a sadistic grin and pours the water over my head.

  “How do you like that, breaker?” he asks, smacking the bottle across my face. Then he grabs my hair and yanks my head back. His grin changes into a sneer. “I see you don’t like being here,” he says. “Guess what? I hate being in this place as well. I hate every minute I spend near you, stinking breaker. You disgust me. Look at you! You’re just a freakish mistake in evolution. You’re not even human. You’re a lower life form than a miserable flea-bitten dog.”

  He speaks very slowly, relishing each word. I peer into his pale, hateful eyes and then look away as if I’m bored.

  “You’re mine now, breaker,” Wheeler sneers. “Your days are numbered. Very soon you’ll regret the day you were born. You know what Elimination can do to breakers, don’t you swine?”

  He jerks my head back and smiles, waiting for my reaction. I only gaze at him, keeping silent. I won’t give him the pleasure of seeing me intimidated. I won’t beg for mercy. Even If I have to die, I intend to keep some dignity.

  “Wheeler, if you don’t hurry, we’ll miss lunch,” the old man says with irritation. “Ask your questions and let’s be done with him.”

  “If I want your opinion, I’ll give it to you,” Wheeler replies.

  “Sir, he’s right,” Officer Chase says. “We do need to hurry. All those journalists are waiting.”

  Wheeler sighs in disappointment.

  “Darn journalists,” he says. “Well, breaker, I’ll be very brief then. I’ll ask you one simple question and you’d better answer truthfully, if you want to live.”

  He slams his fist into my head. My ears are ringing. I feel like my skull is about to crack.

  “Where’s your freaking breaker girlfriend?” Wheeler asks in an absolutely calm voice. “Come on, breaker. Where is she?”

  My heart beats faster. I now understand they haven’t found her. Kitty is free. In spite of all the pain and nausea, I feel happy.

  “Answer me, you stinking freak,” Wheeler says, striking me again. Drops of my blood splatter the floor. Wheeler rubs his fist.

  Remain silent, I tell myself. Don’t say a word. You have to save Kitty.

  “Where’s the girl?” Wheeler repeats, becoming more agitated. “I’ll break every bone in your body, if you don’t answer.”

  He punches me hard in the stomach. I lose my breath. Wheeler smiles, enjoying the process. He’ll kill me, I suddenly realize. The thought of dying doesn’t frighten me. I feel surprisingly calm as if anything that happens doesn’t matter anymore. Kitty has escaped and that matters most.

  “You’ll answer me sooner or later,” Wheeler says. “I know how to break breakers.”

  His face is only in a couple of inches from mine. He must be certain that I’ve given up and won’t resist further. I return his smile and head-butt him squarely in the face, smashing his nose as hard as I can. Wheeler backpedals, swaying. He growls in pain and covers his bleeding nose. I must have broken it. I smile wider and close my eyes, already aware of what Wheeler will do. It was well worth it, though.

  Furious, Wheeler punches my head again and again.

  “I’ll kill you, freak,” he yells, losing his temper.

  Chase comes from behind, grabbing Wheeler with both arms and pulling him off me.

  “Sir, you can’t kill him,” Chase suggests. “We may need him.”

  Wheeler pushes him away.

  “Back off, idiot,” he roars. “I can do whatever I like. And I’d like to shoot this freak.”

  He brandishes a 9 mm.

  “Sir, please,” Chase says, keeping his voice calm. “We really need to have him tested first.”

  “Actually, we don’t,” the old man interjects, closing his folder. “I’ve studied the reports and see no need for additional testing. He’s an absolutely useless level one breaker.”

  “Level one?” Chase asks in surprise. “He hypnotized everyone on the train!”

  “That doesn’t impress me much,” the old man answers with a grin. “We have plenty of breakers who could do that. His skillset is not what we’re looking for,” he glances toward Wheeler and adds, “You may waste him.”

  “That’s the best news I’ve heard all day,” Wheeler says, smiling.

  The cold steel of the gun barrel presses onto my temple. This is it, I think. I’m about to die.

  Chapter 6

  As I wait for Wheeler to blow my brains out, the door opens and a tall young man walks into the room. He’s so scrawny that all his clothes seem oversized and baggy. He wears a ridiculously bright shirt with a palm trees print and dark slacks. His long thin nose and neck resemble a bird. He glances at Wheeler holding the gun to my head, and his expression changes to astonishment.

  “This is wholly unacceptable!” he exclaims. “Stop this madness at once!”

  Wheeler instantly lowers his gun, sighing in disappointment.

  “Oh, great,” he growls. “Psycho has arrived.”

  The old man rolls his eyes. He doesn’t seem pleased to see the new guy either.

  “Mr. Wheeler, how dare you interact with the subject in this way prior to my arrival?” the bird guy admonishes.

  “I’m in control here!” Wheeler shouts. “I don’t answer to you, psycho.”

  “You will, Mr. Wheeler, otherwise everything that’s occurred here will be reported to Mr. Browning,” the bird guy says, stepping closer toward Wheeler. “Is that what you wish?”

  For a moment they stare one another down. Disliking the obvious threat, Wheeler squeezes his fists tightly closed and bares his teeth in a vicious snarl. I expect him to punch the bird man, who looks like a nerd not at all accustomed to fighting. A single punch would surely knock him out. Nevertheless, he doesn’t seem intimidated by Wheeler.

  “You know I can ruin your career,” the young man says in an official tone of voice.

  Cussing quietly, Wheeler holsters his gun and backs off. I can’t believe it.

  “Why are
you here, Holtzmann?” the irritated old man asks. “What do you want?”

  “I’ve arrived to test the subject and make sure everything goes according to protocol,” the bird man, apparently named Holtzmann, answers.

  “We don’t need additional tests,” Wheeler growls. “Dr. Carrel has examined the reports. He’s just a level one breaker.”

  “That’s right,” Dr. Carrel adds, nodding his gray head in agreement. “We have plenty of level one breakers. There’s diminishing utility in keeping another one around.”

  Holtzmann raises his eyebrows and opens his mouth in deep indignation. Looks like he can’t find the right words to express himself. I notice his left eye twitching and both hands starting to shake.

  “Excuse me!” Holtzmann exclaims, voice cracking. “I’m the lead scientist on this project and the only one authorized to make that decision. Merely studying the reports is not sufficient to determine the level of his abilities.”

  “Quit wasting our time,” Carrel says with exhaustion. “I was testing breakers since before you were born. There’s no value in this one.”

  “Exactly,” Wheeler agrees. “Let’s just shoot this stinking rat and go to lunch. I’m starving.”

  “Mr. Wheeler,” Holtzmann says quietly. “If you shoot this breaker without my authorization, your career will be finished. And I do mean what I say.”

  It’s a very strange feeling to watch them arguing over my fate. They act as if I’m nonexistent and can’t hear a word they’re saying. I close my eyes for a few moments, resting. Too much has happened over the last three days. Too many times balancing between life and death. I’m numb and can’t feel overly worried or startled anymore. My head throbs, sending shock waves of pain with each movement. I need this process to be finished. Unfortunately, I don’t believe they will let me out of this room anytime soon.

  “Fine,” Wheeler concedes. “Do whatever you want with him.”

  “Good afternoon, Mr. Hunter,” Holtzmann begins. “My name is Egbert Holtzmann. You can just call me Professor Holtzmann. I’m the lead scientist for Elimination, charged with studying breakers. I will need to perform several simple tests to determine the level of your abilities. Please, choose to be as cooperative as is possible. It’s a requirement in making an accurate determination and would be in your best interest.