by Marina Epley
“Kitty!” I yell. “Wait!”
She stops immediately, turns around and stares at me with disbelief. The same moment somebody shoots me. A burning pain pierces my shoulder as I stagger backward and fall over an overturned chair.
“Rex!” Kitty shouts, running toward me and ignoring the bullets flying by.
“No! Take cover!” I yell. She’s not listening. She keeps on running. Kitty will be killed for sure now, I think in horror. And it’s going to be entirely my fault. I’ve killed her by calling out her name.
Miraculously, Kitty makes it to me unharmed. She falls on her knees beside me, pulling the mask off her face. Her huge green eyes are full of tears. She’s trembling.
“Rex, Rex,” she only repeats. Her voice breaks. She grabs me tightly and kisses several times. “You’re alive. How is it possible?” she asks, crying and laughing at the same time. Then Kitty notices my wound and blood dripping onto the floor. “Oh! You’re shot!”
“It’s nothing, I’m fine,” I say. “We need to get out of here. You need to come with me.”
“I can’t,” Kitty says. “I’m in a Retaliation unit. These are the very breakers Jessie was speaking about. I’ve found them. We’re freeing breakers and fighting back against Elimination. You need to come with us.”
I’m still on the floor, unable to get up. The wound hurts like hell. I’m getting dizzy and must be losing too much blood.
“No, I’m afraid they’ve fooled you, Kitty,” I say. “They hurt innocent people and they’re terrorists. You need to leave them.”
“You’re mistaken, Rex,” she answers. “We’re strictly a counter strike unit. Come with us, it’ll be all right. We have a medical team who can help you.”
Kitty presses her hand firmly against my wound to slow the bleeding.
A man with a burned scarred face approaches.
“Who’s that?” he demands. This is a guy from my vision.
I realize that the shooting has stopped and all the Elimination officers must be dead.
“Get away from him,” he orders, pointing his gun at me.
“No!” Kitty screams. “This is him!”
“Who?”
“This is Rex. He’s alive.”
“I can fix that,” the guy says, grinning.
“I’ll kill you if you hurt him,” Kitty snarls, baring her teeth. I’ve never heard her speak this way before. She’s changed, hardened. She looks older than I remember.
I hear sirens outside.
“We gotta go,” the guy says, pulling Kitty away. I grab her arm.
“Leave her,” I command.
“Let go, loser,” the guy says, kicking me in my wounded shoulder. I groan from pain. He manages to drag Kitty away.
“Leave me alone, Hammer!” Kitty screams. “I’ll kill you, you’re a dead man!”
I make a weak attempt to stand up, but fall back onto the floor. I can’t move. I briefly hear Kitty’s voice calling out to me in the distance, and then she’s gone. The outlaw breakers have taken Kitty and left. A few minutes later cops enter the room. I close my eyes, projecting my thoughts toward them. You can’t see me, I suggest. I’m not here.
Surprisingly, it works well enough. My head doesn’t even hurt much. The officers don’t notice me. They’re examining dead bodies on the floor and trying to bring the hypnotized cops back to reality.
I get on my hands and knees and crawl out the door and to the exit, projecting my will upon anybody around along the way.
Holtzmann is waiting inside the car, watching anxiously through the window.
“You’re shot!” he exclaims upon seeing me.
“Thanks for the update,” I answer.
“You need medical attention.”
“It’ll be all right.”
I continue pressing a hand against the wound. I don’t care much about it at the moment. I’ve got more important things to worry about.
Holtzmann asks about what happened and I briefly summarize the details. I don’t mention Kitty, though.
“You’re a very strong telepath,” Holtzmann says. “You’ve found the renegade group of breakers Elimination has been looking for. That is truly amazing!” Then he asks, “Have you seen her?”
I ignore the question.
“How likely is it Elimination will locate those terrorists without my help?” I ask.
“It will take longer, but it’s only a matter of time. I guarantee Elimination will catch them. Elimination is very resourceful, and they can always use Lena, another telepath.”
“And what then?”
“I would expect a death sentence for each of the terrorists.”
What a dilemma. If caught, Kitty will be convicted as a terrorist and sentenced to death. How can I save her? I see no way out. Either she is going to be shot during one of the attacks as I have foreseen in my vision or Elimination will capture and kill her.
I still can’t believe she freely chose to become a terrorist. She must have been misinformed or fooled into thinking she was doing good. Kitty is still only fifteen and somewhat naive. It would be easy enough to fool her. Those breakers couldn’t have told her all they were doing, because Kitty otherwise would have never agreed to join them. They likely presented some type of righteous facade, fighting for freedom and justice. Of course, my Kitty would wish to join them just to take vengeance for my death.
There must be a way out. I have to save her.
I realize I can’t protect Kitty from Elimination. It’s a very powerful organization and has plenty of ways to hunt down breakers. Alone, I won’t be able to liberate her from the terrorist group. There are too many strong breakers among them. My only chance to save Kitty is to join Elimination myself. If I can lead Elimination to the terrorists, maybe I can find a way to free Kitty during the ensuing battle.
How long can I risk everything to protect Kitty? The answer is easy. As long as necessary until she’s safe.
“Holtzmann, you’ll be returning to Elimination now,” I say. “And I’m coming with you to get this shoulder patched up. Afterward, I agree to become the leader of your breaker team.”
Part 3
Chapter 18
I stay inside the car while Holtzmann walks ahead the two blocks to the police station to let them know he’s safe, and smooth the way for my arrival. When Holtzmann returns to the car, he asks, “Are you completely positive with your decision?”
I’m not positive about anything, but nod anyway and say, “Only two things really bother me.”
Holtzmann waits patiently for explanation.
“First, I doubt Elimination will want me to work for them after all the things I’ve done,” I say.
“Well, under normal circumstances I’d have to agree,” Holtzmann answers. “But the situation is far from normal. Browning and Wheeler’s careers are at risk, so they’re willing enough under these circumstances. The recent terrorist attacks have the government in an uproar and Elimination hasn’t gotten a step closer to catching them. Browning and Wheeler are under pressure to get some results.”
“Why would Browning need me when he’s got Lena? She’s a stronger telepath than me. You mentioned earlier that Elimination would locate the terrorists sooner or later anyway.”
“Yes, that’s true, but later is unacceptable. Browning would definitely prefer the first option, which is only possible with your help. Anyway, Lena is a child. Although she has strong breaker abilities and some experience using them, she’s only eight and can’t work long hours. Additionally, she doesn’t have a mental connection with one of the terrorists, as you obviously do. It’s more efficient for Elimination to just make a deal with you.”
I take a minute to think. Holtzmann sounds convincing, but I have no guarantees it’ll go down the way he suggests.
“What was the other thing bothering you, Rex?” Holtzmann asks.
“How can I trust Browning to keep his word?” I ask. “He and Wheeler are the worst people I’ve ever met. How can I believe anythin
g they say?”
“Browning is trustworthy as long as he needs you. This recent attack won’t be the last. Even when Elimination terminates this group, another one would likely be created in the near future. So, it would be in Browning’s best interest to keep you around. He knows that once he breaks your agreement, you’ll refuse to work for him.”
I take another minute to weigh my options and consider the risks. “I hope you’re right,” I sigh.
Having accepted the idea of dealing with Browning, all that’s left to do is just wait for Elimination to arrive.
It takes only half an hour for a huge Elimination helicopter to appear in the sky. It makes a large circle and then descends. Once it lands, I won’t have another chance to change my mind and escape. Elimination won’t allow me to slip away twice.
I’m not going to run, though. If I want to save Kitty’s life as well as my own, I have to know my enemy and learn any weaknesses. I need to be on the inside to do that, even if that means I have to take extra risks and misrepresent my intentions.
I open the car door and walk slowly toward the helicopter. Holtzmann follows. I expect a furious Wheeler to leap out of the helicopter and charge at me, else just shoot me on sight. Instead I see Chase’s mug appear and he’s wearing a broad smile.
“You’re one crazy breaker,” he says. “Why did you suddenly change your mind? And what in the world could you have promised Browning to make him send his personal helicopter for you? ”
I ignore the question. “Where’s your captain, Chase?” I ask.
“Wheeler? He’s getting grilled for letting you escape and taking Holtzmann hostage,” Chase grins. “Also, I imagine Browning was afraid to send Wheeler to pick you up. He thought Wheeler would just kill you. That’s why he sent me. Well, climb in, breaker.”
“No handcuffs,” Holtzmann raises his voice. “Rex is my associate now. He is no longer a prisoner, but an Elimination employee.”
“Not quite yet,” Chase says, although he doesn’t handcuff me. There’s no need for handcuffs as long as I’m willing to cooperate.
When the helicopter takes off, Chase says, “I’ve never understood you breakers. What’s going on in your heads?” Then he stares at my shoulder wound. “You can’t keep away from trouble, can you?”
I don’t answer. Chase finds a first aid kit and bandages my shoulder.
I sit silently with my eyes closed during the long trip back to the Elimination facility. I wonder why it took such a short time for the helicopter to arrive to pick us up. They must have been conducting a search somewhere nearby. Then I think about Browning, and what I need to request when speaking to him.
“I’m wondering why your attitude toward Elimination has changed so abruptly,” Browning says, giving me a long look across his desk. Chase stands behind, holding his rifle as protocol dictates. I wish Holtzmann could be here to help convince Browning, but he felt sick and had to see a doctor. I’m on my own, again.
“I realize I’ve made mistakes in the past,” I answer. “I can assure you I’ve come to regret those mistakes, and I want to make amends. I hope to become a useful member of society and earn redemption, if not a full pardon, for any wrongs I’ve committed. It’s my understanding that is the main purpose of the facility here, right? To give bad breakers the opportunity to get back on track and start fresh. That’s exactly what I want. To start fresh, and become a good and useful member in a future society where breakers and normal humans live in peace.” I finish with a wide grin.
Browning watches for a long moment, keeping silent and thinking. I know he doesn’t believe me, but that’s not what I want. I only need him to make the deal with me. That’s all.
“I’m glad you’ve finally come around and understand, son,” Browning says finally. “But what makes you think that Elimination still needs you for this particular project? We have plenty of breakers in this place to choose from.”
“For a couple of reasons,” I answer. “First, I’m the strongest breaker you have. Secondly, I’m the only breaker in here who’s telepathically connected to the breakers you seek. I’ve found them once, I can find them again.”
“That’s all well and fine,” Browning says. “But still I doubt we can work together successfully. You’ve demonstrated very negative behavioral tendencies in your stay here earlier. I don’t think we can completely ignore that.”
Continuing to smile, I say, “Look, Browning. We both know your career is on the line. If you don’t locate and stop those terrorists, you simply won’t be warden here much longer. I’m the best shot you have to locate these renegade breakers, and I sit before you offering my complete cooperation and assistance. Accept my help otherwise I walk, simple as that. Take it or leave it.”
Laughing, Browning leans back in his chair. “I don’t know about that, but what I do know is you’re a very brave young man,” he says. “So tell me, what do you really want? What’s really behind your change of heart and what exactly do you hope to gain? What’s your angle, Rex?”
“No angles, warden. Just three small conditions. First, neither my life nor the lives of those in my team should be threatened again by Elimination,” I begin. “Secondly, I must be the one who decides which breakers are on this team, and I’m to be the only one who can add or replace them as needed in the future. Third and lastly, there must be no Elimination influence harassing the team, which includes guards and blocking collars. Holtzmann and his assistant are to be the only two non-breaker Elimination representatives who will be participating in our project.”
“I can’t agree with your last request,” Browning says. “You have to have at least one Elimination officer on your team. It’s for Holtzmann’s protection. And the other deal breaker concerns the blocking collars. You’ll be allowed to work without them, but at other times you’ll have to have them on.”
“Sounds reasonable,” I agree. “But I want to pick the guard myself.” Browning slowly nods in agreement. “Chase,” I say.
“What?” Chase exclaims.
Browning commands him to keep quiet. “Anything else?” he asks.
“One more request seems appropriate,” I answer. “After we locate the outlaw group, I want the authority to mark any innocents as untouchable and not to be harmed. This is because I’ll be the one in their heads and know the good from the bad.”
“You’re still trying to save your little girlfriend, aren’t you?” Browning laughs.
When I don’t answer, he adds, “You really thought I wouldn’t realize that she’s in their group?”
I guess it wasn’t hard for him to come to this conclusion. Knowing how telepathy works, it was the small step to figure out whom I had a connection with in the outlaw group.
“Very true, Mr. Browning,” I finally say. “I’ll do anything to save her. Let me be perfectly clear, if you do anything to harm her or any member of my team, I’ll be done with working for you forever.”
“As long as you can locate the terrorists before the next attack it’s a deal,” Browning says, extending his arm for a handshake. I ignore his gesture.
“Your word is good enough. Don’t break your word, sir,” I add, leaving the office. I hear Browning laughing.
After making the agreement with Browning, I’m willing to begin working immediately. I don’t want to waste time with Kitty’s life in imminent danger.
“Negative,” Holtzmann says when I come to discuss everything. “We can’t start our project today. First, you need to receive medical help.”
We argue for a bit, but it’s impossible to change his mind. Holtzmann insists on sending me to infirmary for a couple of days.
“Okay, but Browning won’t appreciate that,” I say.
“It doesn’t matter,” Holtzmann answers. “You’re my subject, not his. Browning isn’t even a scientist.”
Holtzmann believes that a wounded mind breaker can’t perform telepathic sessions or hypnotize as well as a healthy one. Finally, I agree to wait for a couple of days. My sh
oulder is injured, my head is a mess and I’m somewhat feverish. Taking a short break may not be a bad idea after all.
The doctor readily treats me this time. He must be aware I’m working for Browning. He injects anesthetic into my vein, extracts the bullet and stitches the wound up carefully. Then he examines my head injuries, adding a few more stitches here and there.
I spend the next two days in an infirmary room, resting and recuperating. No handcuffs or chains. Chase is the only guard watching the room.
“I still can’t quite figure out why you’re doing this,” he says. “Is it all because of your girlfriend?”
I think for a long time about his question.
“Not exactly,” I answer. “Not only for her.”
“What’s your other reason then?”
“I simply want to stop them,” I explain. “It’s terrible what those breakers are doing. Even worse than terrible. Inhuman.”
“I don’t get it. You’re one of them, a breaker.”
“They’re neither breakers nor ordinary humans, Chase. Most of those people are monsters and shouldn’t live. I don’t believe anyone who kills innocent people, especially children, has the right to remain alive.”
“But you still think she’s different,” Chase wonders.
“Yes,” I answer. “She’s just a teenaged girl. They’ve fooled her.” I hope I’m right. I’m certain Kitty wouldn’t want to burn those kids and teachers from that school. Most likely, she wasn’t even aware of what was happening.
Holtzmann visits me a few times to discuss our coming project.