Elimination (The Mind Breaker Book 1)

by Marina Epley

  Holtzmann looks at me and Lena quizzically, but seems to understand that I won’t let them take her without a fight.

  “Your subject will be returned later,” Holtzmann promises as we leave.

  Chase walks behind, holding his rifle on me. It was likely Chase who brought Holtzmann to Carrel’s lab, which means he possibly just saved my life. I still don’t trust him although I’m somewhat grateful. He didn’t have to save me, but he did.

  My injured arm is still bleeding. No idea how much blood I’ve lost. I’m afraid of passing out. Should that happen, they’ll likely take Lena away. I grip her tighter. She wraps her arms around my neck and has quit crying. Seems like I’ve known her for a long time. Somehow we’re linked together, more so than just being in the same predicament.

  We walk into a large office. There’s a soft carpet on the floor and plants occupying the corners. A sharply dressed lady in a business suit rises from behind the desk. She seems astonished.

  “What’s this?” the lady exclaims. “What is he doing here?” She stares at me.

  Holtzmann heads toward the huge door leading to a separate office.

  “I need to see Browning,” Holtzmann states. “Immediately!”

  “That’s not possible, sorry,” the lady shakes her head. “He’s in a meeting. You’ll have to wait.”

  Unconvinced, Holtzmann yanks the door open. The lady steps aside, letting us in. We enter Warden Browning’s office.

  It’s a brightly lit and spacious room. I see Browning sitting behind a large desk. Elimination officers sit in chairs on the other side of the desk, all dressed in black uniforms. I recognize Wheeler. He looks angry, but says nothing. A young man wearing civilian clothing stands next to Browning. His face seems familiar, but I can’t place him. He looks at me with curiosity.

  “Holtzmann!” Browning exclaims. “What are you doing barging in here? I’m having an important meeting and…”

  “I don’t care!” Holtzmann cuts in. “If you want me to continue working for this project you’ll have to listen to what I have to say. Otherwise, I’m quitting.”

  Browning raises his eyebrows.

  “Go on,” he says, leaning back in his chair. “I’m listening.”

  “I can’t work efficiently with somebody continually confiscating my subjects,” Holtzmann shouts. “This breaker is assigned to me,” he adds, pointing a trembling finger. “Nobody can touch him without my say so. Today, Dr. Carrel has taken him, tested him, and managed to get him shot. This is an outrage and is completely unacceptable!”

  His voice cracks as he begins to hyperventilate.

  Browning seems bored. The man in civilian garb just smiles, watching the scene unfold.

  With no blocking collar on, I decide to test my ability to hypnotize, projecting my thoughts. Useless. Nobody even notices my attempt. Looks like only when being on the verge of death can I manipulate the minds of the resistant.

  “I haven’t the time to concern myself with your little misunderstanding with Dr. Carrel,” Browning says.

  “I understand you’re a very busy man, Mr. Browning,” Holtzmann says, “but please listen very carefully. If in the future you should authorize anybody to access my subjects without my approval, you’ll be receiving my resignation letter. I’m certain you realize I’m your top scientist here, as well as best hope for the success of this project. So please do take the necessary time to help keep my work environment productive, else you’ll be spending even more time, cleaning up the messes Carrel leaves behind.”

  “You can’t leave the project,” Browning answers. “We simply won’t allow it. You know that.”

  “Forced to work in such an environment, I regret escape would become necessary,” Holtzmann says. “The manner of escape only being limited by my own imagination. Self-termination is of course always an additional option. You’ve previously documented my instability on more than one occasion. And you know that.”

  Having spoken, Holtzmann turns and quickly leaves the office. Chase nudges me with his rifle and I follow.

  “Wait!” I hear Browning shout. Holtzmann doesn’t slow down or even look back. I wonder if he was really threatening to kill himself with all that talk about self-termination. He’s one crazy scientist for sure and I’ve no clue what’s going on in his mind.

  As we walk down a long passage, Holtzmann stops abruptly, gasping and pressing a hand to his chest.

  “Sir, are you all right?” Chase asks.

  Holtzmann gestures for us to stay away. His legs suddenly give and he sits down hard on the floor, gulping for air. His breathing is short and fast.

  “What’s wrong with him?” I ask Chase. I’ve never seen anything like this. Holtzmann’s face becomes red. He’s suffocating.

  “I don’t know,” Chase answers. “He’s sick.”

  Holtzmann sprawls on the floor, choking. I feel like I need to help, but what can I do? I’m not even sure what’s wrong.

  “Oh my goodness! Egbert!” I hear a worried woman’s voice.

  It’s Rebecca, Holtzmann’s cousin. She runs along the passage and kneels beside Holtzmann, checking his pockets. Finally, she finds a bottle of medicine and makes him swallow a few pills.

  “Just breathe,” she says softly, rubbing his back.

  Holtzmann manages a deep breath, normal color returning to his face. He smiles.

  “I’m fine, really, Rebecca,” he says weakly. “Please, don’t be concerned.”

  “This is happening far too often,” Rebecca says. “You need to avoid stressful situations. Why must you endanger your own health over a test subject? It’s not worth it!”

  “Stop worrying over me like a mama bird. I’m not the one seriously injured here,” Holtzmann answers, getting onto his feet. Chase takes his arm, helping.

  “Just let Carrel have him,” Rebecca suggests.

  “Rebecca!” Holtzmann says. “I won’t allow Carrel and Wheeler to torture another innocent man, especially when the subject is assigned to me.”

  “He’s not innocent! He’s not even a human, he’s a breaker!” she cries. “They’re all monsters. You really need to quit protecting them.”

  “You should know by now that I’m a man of principle,” Holtzmann answers, walking away. Chase gives a push from behind, willing me to follow. Rebecca covers her face in attempt to hide her tears.

  Suddenly, I feel ashamed. Here I am, planning to use Holtzmann as my hostage. And he’s just a nice guy, although sickly and more than a little crazy. I can’t do a person like that any harm. It’s possible he’s even being forced to work with Elimination against his will.

  We finally arrive back at the small room filled with gurneys and medical equipment. I look around cautiously.

  A man in hospital scrubs glances at me through sleepy eyes.

  “He is in need of immediate medical attention,” Holtzmann says, gesturing toward me.

  Hesitantly, the doctor approaches. Chase extends his arms to take Lena from me.

  “No!” I protest, stepping away.

  “You can’t hold her during surgery,” Holtzmann says. “I’ll take Lena to my lab. Carrel won’t get to her there. You have my word.”

  I search his eyes for signs of truth. I can’t tell.

  “Please,” Holtzmann pleads.

  “No, I want to stay with you!” Lena cries, grabbing my neck.

  Chase grabs hold of Lena, pulling her away. Something pricks my shoulder. I turn my head and see the doctor injecting a needle. The room fades and all sounds become distant. I let Chase take Lena from me, too weak to resist.

  “It’s okay,” I hear his voice.

  My legs weaken. Falling, I grab something, trying to regain balance. Everything fades to darkness. I sleep.

  I awaken on a gurney, covered by a thin blanket. Groaning, I sit up. I’m still wearing my clothes, but the shirt is missing one sleeve. They must have cut it off to treat my arm. Momentarily, I remember everything and stare at the bloody bandages on my wound. I careful
ly move my fingers. It hurts, but my hand seems to work fine.

  Lena! What’s happened to her?

  Worried, I attempt to get off the gurney. A chain quickly stops my progress. It extends from the collar on my neck to a metal ring attached to the floor. I pull the chain, checking. Too strong. I can’t break it.

  “Relax,” I hear a calm voice. “You’re still too weak to be going anywhere.”

  I see Chase sitting in a chair by the door, his rifle across his lap.

  “Where’s Lena?” I ask.

  “Don’t worry, breaker,” Chase answers. “Holtzmann’s keeping her in his lab as promised. Carrel is really furious, but can do nothing about it.”

  “Holtzmann wouldn’t hurt her, would he?” I worry.

  “No, that guy is entirely too nice to breakers,” Chase assures. “No hatred in him.”

  I breathe a sigh of relief, lying back down. Somehow I’m beginning to trust Holtzmann more now. He seems just weird enough to be a friend to breakers.

  “Thanks for rescuing me,” I say. “That was you who brought Holtzmann, right?”

  “Right,” Chase answers. “But thanks isn’t necessary. I really wish I hadn’t done that. Wheeler is disappointed and angry with me now.”

  “The guard I shot,” I say, “is he all right?”

  “Critical, but still alive,” Chase answers.

  I don’t really care about that guard. I just don’t want to be a killer, if I’m not one already.

  They keep me chained up in the prison infirmary for several more days. I sleep most of the time being under sedation. Chase occasionally nods off in his chair, holding his rifle. A doctor comes every morning to check my arm and take my temperature. I’m feverish, but my wound slowly starts to heal. Luckily, the bullet missed the bone. I’ll be fine in a week or so.

  Sleeping, I often see Kitty in my dreams. She’s wearing a military uniform, holding a gun and shooting at some distant target. I can smell gunpowder.

  When I wake, my head is aching and heart pounding. God, I miss my Kitty so much. Where’s she now? I worry for my little sister. She must think I’m dead. She could have even watched my execution on TV somewhere. I sure hope Kitty doesn’t do anything stupid.

  I’m also concerned for Lena and Jessie, and wonder whether little Jimmy is okay or not. How on earth can I help everybody? Jessie was right, I can’t even help myself.

  Rebecca brings me food three times a day like clockwork. She’s always silent and looks at me through unhidden resentment.

  “Who’s the girl?” I ask Chase.

  “Holtzmann’s cousin and personal assistant,” he explains. “Still being new, Rebecca hasn’t yet received enough knowledge or training to really participate in his work. But she’s smart, and most importantly, resistant. Being resistant is the primary requirement for Elimination employment. It was Holtzmann who brought her here. Although Rebecca is given a few minor tasks, her primarily role is to take care of her crazy relative for the most part. She makes sure Holtzmann eats every day and takes his medicine.”

  “Looks like she hates me,” I say. “Must be my incurable charm.”

  “To be sure, Rebecca hates all breakers,” Chase answers. “You don’t need to be worrying about her. She’s really messed up. One of you breakers killed her entire family. She only managed to survive because he couldn’t hypnotize her.”

  “Well, at least now I understand,” I say. “I’d hate breakers too if I were in Rebecca’s shoes.”

  “That idea really conjures up a bad image, Rex. You should probably keep your big feet out of Rebecca’s shoes,” Chase comments with a laugh.

  Holtzmann returns with Lena in tow. The little girl smiles broadly and jumps up on my gurney. I give her a hug, feeling delighted. Lena looks much better. The dark circles under her eyes have faded. She has a little more color to her cheeks.

  “I still don’t have your formal agreement to participate in my studies, Rex,” Holtzmann says. “Have you made a decision?”

  “I’m not working for Elimination,” I answer.

  “Our work will save countless lives,” Holtzmann persists. “And in doing so, we’ll perform the singularly greatest achievement for mankind in our generation. Carrel and Browning intend to strictly use breakers for military purposes, behind some unknown hidden agenda. I view the future quite differently. I envision breakers utilizing hypnosis to treat all manner of bad habits, addictions and even some certain mental disorders. I foresee breakers with telepathic abilities locating missing persons, recapturing escaped convicts, and to help recover survivors of natural disasters. There are multiple possibilities to use such abilities in a peaceful and productive way. We just need to learn how to trust each other and work together. Mutual trust is the only way we can coexist in peace.”

  I shake my head in disagreement. Perhaps Carrel was partly right about Holtzmann, concerning certain things. Holtzmann is an idealist living in a dream world. He doesn’t realize that normal people will always fear and hate my kind, forever seeking new ways to exterminate us. And some breakers will always misuse their abilities to commit crimes. We can’t coexist peacefully. It’s ingrained in our nature, to hate and kill one another.

  “I need to show you something,” Holtzmann says. “Chase, please unchain my subject.”

  Chase hesitates only for a moment. Then he sighs and removes the shackles. I glance at his rifle, but don’t attempt anything. Chase is too tough and attentive to be taken by surprise.

  Holtzmann leads me to his lab and requests I watch something on his laptop. I stare into the monitor. Chase stands behind, keeping his weapon at the ready.

  It’s a news feed video. An over jubilant Lola is reporting on a story about an attack on the county jail by a group of breakers. They hypnotized police officers who in turn killed several Elimination guards and freed two captured breakers. The video cuts to a live camera feed of the crime scene. I can’t believe my eyes, when I see my photograph plastered on a wall. Printed in black and white above the photograph is some type of slogan or call to action, saying, “Freedom and Justice for Breakers.”

  “What the heck is this?” I exclaim.

  “This is the beginning of the war,” Holtzmann answers. “And it appears you’re the poster boy.”

  Chapter 12

  After the video clip finishes, Holtzmann turns off his laptop. I’m so stunned that I continue staring at the dark screen.

  “Why did they use my picture?” I ask.

  “Vengeance,” Holtzmann answers. “The first assault happened the day following your execution. You’ve been martyred now, and your death is being used as a rallying point for the renewed breaker revolt.”

  “Wait, this isn’t the only attack? There have been others?"

  Holtzmann nods. I think for a minute. I’ve got nothing to do with those breakers, but the inclusion of my picture somehow makes me a partner in crime. At least in people’s minds. I don’t like this. I’ve already been involved in too much and falsely accused too often. Besides, I’ve never asked to become anybody’s martyr.

  “Why have they chosen me?” I wonder. “Plenty of other breakers are being executed every week. What’s so freaking special about me?”

  “That’s a very intriguing question,” Holtzmann admits, “one I hoped you could help me come to a suitable conclusion about.”

  “You must be kidding, egghead,” I laugh. “How would I know? I’ve been locked up or drugged out of my mind the last few weeks. I wasn’t aware of the poster or the attacks. I know less than you.”

  Holtzmann looks at me quizzically.

  “Are you telling the truth?” he asks.

  At first I don’t understand why he doubts my words. Then I realize what Holtzmann hopes to hear. He must think that I knew those breakers somehow.

  “Yes, I’m telling the truth, and I don’t know them,” I answer. “I’ve no idea why they used my picture.”

  Holtzmann glances at me with hesitation.

  “I do believ
e you, Rex,” he says finally. “I only hoped you knew a way to stop them.”

  “Why would I want to stop them?” I ask. “I’m a breaker. I see nothing wrong with what they’re doing. I only wish somebody would have come to break me out of jail while I was still there.”

  “As I previously stated, it’s not the only attack,” Holtzmann answers. “There have been at least two others. Similar tactics were used in each instance, although there was an increased level of violence in the second attack. We were watching the video feed from the third assault. A group of breakers had burned the police station and freed a few inmates. The second attack was much more serious. They burned a school to the ground with students and teachers locked inside.”

  “What? You mean for real? This isn’t another Elimination ploy to make monsters out of breakers?”

  “I wish it were,” Holtzmann answers. “Unfortunately, it was a worst case act of terror.”

  “There’s no point in killing innocent people,” I protest. “It won’t help anybody. Why would they do that?”

  “In retaliation for Elimination’s continued atrocities against breakers,” Holtzmann says. “And to demonstrate that breakers aren’t willing to idly stand by while the government hunts down and kills their families and friends.”

  “But those students and teachers weren’t part of Elimination!” I exclaim. “Why target them for goodness sakes?”

  “Because those teachers and students weren’t breakers,” Holtzmann explains. “And they wanted to make a statement. The world has split, breakers on one side and ordinary people on the other. These attacks are the first shots in the brutal war that is beginning.”

  “Why does it have to lead to all-out war?” I ask. “This is obviously the work of only a single group of revenge crazed criminals. They don’t represent all breakers nor could they really do anything against the hundreds of trained killers from Elimination.”

  “Well, nobody knows the actual strength of the outlaw group,” Holtzmann answers. “I think there may be more than we expect. I’m also worried that additional breakers may subsequently follow their bad example. Elimination and the government will retaliate by torturing and killing every breaker caught. It will become a genocide of epic proportions, especially after the school massacre. Fighting for survival of their kind, breakers will be killing humans whether soldier or civilian, and they’ve already started. Oh, this is going to be a terrible war! The last one, I believe. Neither race will survive a war like this.”