Elimination (The Mind Breaker Book 1)

by Marina Epley

  Holtzmann’s mind seems to wander while he’s speaking. I listen patiently. Nothing I could say would change his mind. Holtzmann is completely obsessed with the idea of a coming apocalypse.

  “We have to stop this,” he says. “If we don’t learn how to peacefully coexist or at least tolerate each other, we’re all doomed.”

  I remain unconvinced but feel some sympathy for the professor.

  “Okay, okay, I believe you,” I assure him. “We’re at the edge of the war of wars. What now?”

  “We have to work together to prevent this catastrophe,” he states. “You have to agree to offer your full cooperation and work with me.”

  “Why me?” I ask. “You have an entire prison filled with breakers.”

  “I believe you’re the strongest. I’ve never met a breaker with your level of abilities. You’re quite unique.”

  I’m surprised at hearing there’s anything special about me, but don’t disagree.

  “Additionally, the majority of breakers here are truly guilty, not falsely accused as you have been,” Holtzmann adds. “We have thieves, rapists and murderers. I’m not willing to work with them.”

  “I appreciate your high opinion of me professor, but I won’t work for Elimination,” I answer.

  Holtzmann stares at me for a long time. Probably waiting for me to say something more, but I keep silent. Finally, he sighs, saying that I may take more time to think. Then he calls for guards.

  “By the way, was it true what you said to Browning?” I wonder before leaving. “I mean… all this talking about killing yourself?”

  “No, I don’t think so,” Holtzmann answers. “My role is too important for the cause. I just wanted to make certain that Carrel won’t be bothering you again.”

  Chase and two other guards lead me away. After passing a maze of corridors and stairs, we walk into a spacious three story cell block. That’s where they must keep most of the population. Looks like my solitary confinement is over.

  My cell is only slightly different from the last one. It does have bed though. I lie down, trying to concentrate. How can I escape? There are plenty of cameras on the walls. The doors must be remotely controlled. Watchful officers walk along the rows of cages, armed with nightsticks and handguns. Won’t be an easy place to escape, but I can’t afford to lose hope.

  The following morning after a meager breakfast, I’m allowed to join other inmates in the yard. It’s a small area, surrounded on all sides by a tall fence topped with coils of razor wire. I feel odd, being around so many breakers, everyone wearing a collar. Most of them seem resigned, walking or sitting on the ground alone as if in some kind of trance. I notice several spot dark bruises on their faces and arms. Some have electrodes attached to their heads. A shiver runs down my spine seeing this image of my possible fate.

  I notice Jimmy sitting alone on the ground. As I approach, the boy gets up, seemingly frightened. Looks like he can’t decide if he needs to flee or stay. Being much taller and older, I must appear intimidating to him.

  “Are you all right?” I ask.

  Realizing that I’m not going to hurt him, Jimmy smiles.

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” he answers. “That wasn’t the first time I had to go through a memory swipe. Victor read my memory when they first brought me here. It was much worse. I totally forgot myself for two days!”

  “I’m really sorry,” I say. “I wish I didn’t have to do that.”

  “You’ll have to do it again.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, they use breakers like you to scan memories of other inmates all the time. Didn’t you know? It makes things easy for Elimination. Sometimes they even bring ordinary people for scanning.”

  “I didn’t know,” I say.

  No way am I reading somebody’s memories again. Too painful. Too disgusting. I’m revolted even thinking about my last experience.

  “There’s nothing you can do about it,” Jimmy says. “They use pain or some weakness you may have to force you to do it. Just one problem. If you read memories too often, you can lose your mind. Why do you think Victor got hooked on drugs in here? To get some relief from the pain. Carrel makes him read minds all the time.”

  “I thought Victor does that of his own free will,” I say. “Looks like they don’t even keep him in a cell.”

  “Some of the more useful breakers get privileges,” Jimmy explains. “Too bad I’m not one of them. I’m only a level one breaker.” He sighs sadly and then glances at me with curiosity. “Did you see the dogs?”

  “What dogs?”

  “Well, my parents had five dogs,” Jimmy explains. “I thought you would see them while reading my memories,” he smiles. “I used to hate those tiny mean spirited dogs. Barked at me all the time! But now,” his smile fades, “now I can’t stop thinking what may have happened to those stupid dogs. There’s nobody left to care for them. I’m stuck in here and my parents are dead.”

  Jimmy wipes his eyes with a sleeve. I did see Elimination kill his parents.

  “I’m so sorry,” I say quietly.

  “They died because of me. Because I’m a breaker. My mom always told me to keep it secret. But some neighbor kids stole my bicycle. I just wanted it back. I didn’t hurt anybody really. Somebody saw me hypnotizing those guys. When Elimination came, my parents tried to protect me. My dad even threatened them with a gun. They shot him down. And then they shot my mom too.”

  I don’t know what to say. I just stand beside silently.

  “Do you have any relatives?” Jimmy asks.

  “No,” I lie. I can’t tell anyone about Kitty.

  “So, you’re in the same boat as me?” he asks. “I have no family at all.”

  “Sounds like,” I say.

  Unfortunately, it might be true now. I’ve no idea what happened to my Kitty.

  A new group of inmates enters the yard, tall muscular guys in their early twenties. Most have tattoos. None of them wear blocking collars. I see other inmates moving out of their way. The biggest guy gives me a long hard stare. I don’t want any trouble, so I pretend not to notice. Not getting any reaction, he turns away.

  “Who the heck was that?” I ask.

  “Oh, the big guy is Bulldog,” Jimmy whispers. “Nobody knows his real name. They say he’s a hardened criminal.”

  “Why no collars?” I wonder.

  “Bulldog and his gang work for Browning,” Jimmy answers. “You’d best not mess with those guys. They could kill us, and nobody would do so much as punish them. Oh, they beat me really bad when I first came here.”

  “For what?” I ask.

  “Just for fun,” Jimmy says curtly.

  I glance at Bulldog. What a jerk! Somehow I’m sure that sooner or later our paths will cross. Especially if he bothers Jimmy again. I won’t be able to stand aside. I’ll have to stop him somehow, although Bulldog appears stronger and more seasoned than me.

  The rest of that day I spend locked away inside the chamber. The metal door is solid. No way to communicate with other inmates. I lie in bed, pondering my dream from the night before about Kitty. When I see her, I always get the sensation that my sister is in harm’s way, playing with death. It all seems so real. What if I actually have some sort of telepathic link with her? It wouldn’t be surprising. We’re so close. And I miss Kitty so much. Holtzmann says I’m level four. Can I connect with her telepathically? Well, a few weeks ago this idea would seem crazy. Now I think it’s quite possible.

  Worrying for Kitty, I try to fall asleep so I can find her again. This time I must remember to get a good glimpse at her surroundings.

  Sleep doesn’t come. I stay fully awake, being too worried. I’m not sure how to induce telepathic connections. It’s only happened spontaneously so far, never by my own will.

  Holtzmann might know how to manipulate my abilities this way, but unfortunately I can’t ask him. Nobody can know about Kitty.

  Being restless, I toss and turn in bed all night long. I close my eyes
and try to relax my mind. I imagine Kitty standing in front of me. Come on, I think, tell me something. Give me a clue. Where are you?

  Nothing. I can’t contact her.

  The sound of the door opening wakes me. I sit up, alert and ready for anything. Chase and two other officers enter the cell.

  “Relax, breaker,” Chase says. “We aren’t gonna kill you this time. Browning wants to see you.”

  What the heck? What does Browning need from me? I expect nothing good coming from this visit.

  I follow the guards. They haven’t handcuffed me this time, probably thinking that I’ve given up any plot to escape. Should I attempt anything? The odds are against me, three against one. And my wounded arm is still hurting.

  The guards lead me into Browning’s office. He pays no attention to me, continuing to read some documents at his enormous desk. Guards push me toward an empty chair, gesturing to sit down. I sit, waiting for Browning to speak. The guards stand behind, holding their weapons on me.

  “My congratulations, Rex,” Browning finally says, putting the documents away. “Today you’ll get an excellent opportunity to prove your loyalty to Elimination.”

  My loyalty to Elimination?

  “Professor Holtzmann has reported about your willingness to work for us,” Browning continues. “I appreciate this and am glad to see such rapid improvements in your behavior. After all, that’s exactly what this project has been made for. To rehabilitate criminal breakers into safe, productive members of our society.”

  “Why am I here?” I ask.

  “You’ve been chosen for a special project,” Browning answers. “We’ve been looking for somebody like you, trustworthy and strong. Only a level four breaker would be acceptable for this role.”

  “What project?” I ask. Holtzmann must have told him something completely false about me.

  “I guess you’re aware of the recent terrorist attacks,” Browning says. “Elimination has to stop them. So, I’ve made a decision to create a special team of breakers, who will help Elimination catch those terrorists. You’ve been chosen to be the leader of this highly specialized team.”

  “Really?” I grin. “And you think I want this? I’m a breaker. Why would I help you capture other breakers?”

  “They kill innocent people,” Browning says.

  “So do you,” I answer honestly.

  The news about burnt kids and teachers chilled me to the bone. It was the most stupid and disgusting thing I’ve ever seen. Nevertheless, I’m not willing to help Elimination.

  “Think about it, Rex,” Browning says. “Elimination can be very forgiving when breakers are willing to change their ways and cooperate.”

  “Forgive me for what, warden?” I ask. “We both know I haven’t committed those crimes that I’ve been accused of. I shouldn’t be here. Elimination has ruined my life. You’ve even killed me at one point. Why should I trust you after everything you’ve done? No way in God’s green earth am I working for you.”

  “Is this your final decision?” Browning asks calmly.

  “Final as it gets.”

  “Well, I’m extremely disappointed, Rex.”

  Guards lead me away.

  “You’re a total idiot,” Chase says, walking beside me. “Holtzmann is gonna freak out and probably throw another tizzy!”

  When we enter Holtzmann’s lab, he meets us at the door. His eye is twitching.

  “Sorry, professor,” I say. “I’ve turned Browning’s offer down.”

  Holtzmann closes his eyes, groaning, “Oh, no!”

  “Why did you tell him that I’m willing to work for Elimination?” I ask. “What’s that all about?”

  “I was trying to save your life,” Holtzmann answers. “You have to agree to become a contributing member of that project to be considered useful. You can’t imagine how important this project really is. It’s not only about your life. It’s about the lives of thousands. This may be the only way to prevent war!”

  “How’s that?” I wonder.

  “This particular project was my idea,” Holtzmann says. “Browning and Wheeler have come up with a completely different plan. They want to implement a total scanning process of the entire human population, imprisoning all breakers. Of course, you wouldn’t know about that. Dr. Carrel is currently developing a special scanner that can instantly identify breakers. Once online, Elimination intends to subject everyone to this special test. It will further divide the population and bring chaos. The breakers will fight back. And payback won’t be coming as a single act of terror. Breakers will organize their efforts and join forces to survive. They’ll fight back together as an army with nothing to lose.” He pauses, catching his breath.

  His face becomes red and I’m worried he might have another panic attack.

  “My project may represent the only methodology to stop all this madness,” he says passionately. “If successful, it will demonstrate how ordinary people and breakers can work together and coexist peacefully. This project will disprove Carrel’s theory that all breakers are inherently evil. This is our only option for growing mutual tolerance and trust. Can’t you understand? The future of humanity is in our hands. We have to stop this war.”

  I frown, thinking on his words. I still don’t believe him, but the possibility of Carrel’s scanning machine is terrifying. If Elimination develops such a thing, breakers will have nowhere to hide.

  “You sure that scanning machine can really be produced?” I ask.

  “Of course I’m sure!” Holtzmann exclaims. “Elimination already has the technology and I have the know-how. I just don’t want to use my knowledge to help them. Hopefully, it’ll take Carrel longer to produce the scanner than it’d take me.”

  “In any case, professor, I won’t work for Elimination.”

  “I’ll be the manager of the project. You and I could handpick members of our team together.”

  “You’ve picked the wrong breaker,” I answer.

  “No, I’m certain you’re the right choice,” Holtzmann says. “I need someone other than a hardened criminal with your skills to lead this project.”

  “You don’t really know me,” I answer. “How can you be so sure?”

  “I’ve met enough of the bad ones to know the difference,” he says.

  For a few moments we remain silent.

  “All right then,” Holtzmann says. “Hopefully you’ll come around. Just be careful. Browning doesn’t accept refusals easily.”

  His words sound somewhat ominous.

  Chase leads me back to my cell.

  “Some breakers would kill for such an opportunity,” he says. “Why don’t you want to cooperate with us?”

  “Would the fact that Elimination has been chasing, torturing or threatening to kill me as long as I can remember be reason enough?” I answer.

  “C’mon, breaker,” Chase sighs. “It’s not personal, you know. We’re just doing our job.”

  I don’t argue. Being completely brainwashed, Chase is sure that he’s doing good, protecting society from vicious breaker monstrosities. Nothing I could say would change his mind.

  In the chamber I try again to contact Kitty. I’m lying in bed with my eyes closed, concentrating hard. I see nothing, but the dark.

  In the evening I meet Jimmy out in the yard. Seeing me, he smiles and talks about his dogs, school and past freedoms lost. I’m not in the mood for conversation, thinking of Holtzmann’s predictions of war, and Kitty being in danger, but Jimmy doesn’t seem to care. He’s the most talkative breaker I’ve met so far.

  Bulldog and his gang look our way and begin walking toward us. I remember what Jimmy told me yesterday about these guys. They work for Browning. And Holtzmann warned me to be careful because Browning doesn’t accept refusals. I get a bad feeling in my gut.

  Jimmy stops speaking, staring at the gang.

  “What do they want from us?” he whispers.

  Bulldog points a finger my direction and makes a slicing motion across his neck.
/>
  “Get out of here,” I whisper to Jimmy.

  Chapter 13

  Jimmy flees as I watch the gang walk closer. Seven against one. I still have time to run, but am just too tired with running and hiding. Bulldog’s gang is likely under Browning’s orders to teach me a lesson. They won’t stop till they find me, so why put it off?

  It’s not the first time I’ve been outnumbered. Fights were pretty common around the area where I grew up. To combat boredom, guys from different farm sections would meet at some agreed upon spot to fight just to see who was the toughest.

  Approaching, Bulldog spits near my feet and proclaims, “Hey! You can’t stand in that spot.”

  I sigh, already knowing exactly what he intends to do.

  “That happens to be my spot,” Bulldog continues.

  “Really?” I ask, smiling. “And what spot in this yard isn’t yours?”

  “Oh, so you want to be a smart one,” Bulldog laughs. “Do you know what we do with smart boys like you?”

  Other gang members laugh as well, forming a circle around me. I watch them carefully, preparing for the coming attack.

  “Ray, teach this moron some manners,” Bulldog commands. All this time he keeps his voice low. Good self-control, I have to admit.

  A huge, tough-looking guy steps toward me. He is a full head taller than me, almost as big as Bulldog.

  “You’re gonna swallow your own teeth now, punk,” he promises.

  Other gang members step back, clearing some space for fighting and smirking in anticipation.

  I realize Ray could probably knock me out with a single blow.

  Calming myself, I wait patiently for him to make his move. Ray throws a haymaker at my head as I move to the side, slipping his punch and sending a hard kick to his kneecap in the same instant. There’s a loud snapping noise, his leg now bent in an unnatural way as Ray collapses onto the ground. As the big guy grabs his wounded knee in pain, I slam a foot straight into his face. Ray is out, but six to one is still not much better odds.