by Marina Epley
“Don’t you know what’s really going on? They’re terrorists, Kitty. They trap innocent people in schools and hospitals and burn them alive.”
Her smile fades. “Don’t say that. We’re helping breakers escape from Elimination. We don’t kill anybody needlessly.”
“What about those Elimination officers and cops?” I remind. “You’ve killed many of them along the way.”
“They’re our enemies!” Kitty exclaims. “They were trying to kill us. Elimination officers don’t deserve to live. I wish I could kill them all.”
“They’re not all the same, Kitty,” I say, remembering Chase and Frank.
Kitty falls silent for a minute. Then she sighs, saying, “They really have done a great job of brainwashing you, Rex.”
“We need to escape from here,” I say. “You know a way to get out?”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Kitty answers quietly. “I’m staying right here because this is my home.”
I realize that I’ll probably have to drag Kitty away from here against her will. Her belief in this place being home may be a real problem.
“Listen Rex, I truly don’t wanna argue,” Kitty says. “You should meet Drake and then decide what you want to do.”
She turns away, seemingly upset. I finish eating and get on my feet. Kitty looks me over carefully, then says with surprise, “You’ve changed a lot, Rex. You’ve become thinner. And what the hell happened to your hair?”
“A psycho doctor had ideas to implant electrodes into my brain,” I explain as Kitty covers her mouth.
“Goodness gracious,” she mutters. “What have you gone through?! Oh my, all these scars on your head!” She gives me a sympathetic hug. “We’ll make them pay for everything they did. I promise.”
Then Kitty steps away, saying that Drake is ready to see me if I’m finished eating. We leave the room. Two breakers are waiting out in the corridor, armed with pistols.
“You don’t need to hold weapons on him,” Kitty says with anger. “This is Rex! He’s one of us.”
The escorts fall in behind us, weapons ready. I get the sensation that I’m back in Elimination prison. Aside from Kitty being here there’s no real difference.
I recognize Drake from the first moment I see him. This is one of the men from my visions. He’s tall, wears camouflage clothing and his face is stone cold, lacking any emotion.
“Welcome to our operations center,” he says as we enter a large room with soft carpets and antique styled furniture. “I’m pleased to meet you in person, Rex. You were our martyr, a symbol of injustice toward breakers, and gave us purpose for seeking revenge against Elimination.”
Not sure how to react I simply say, “Thank you.”
Kitty smiles and takes my hand, saying, “Rex is…”
“You’ve already told me enough, Kitty,” Drake cuts her off. “Now, I want to hear what our brother Rex has to say. Please, leave us.”
Kitty hesitates for a moment, then leaves. Drake gestures for the two guards to join Kitty. I’m left alone with Drake. I’m curious why he’s not afraid of me. How can he be so confident I won’t attack him?
“Kitty is an exceptionally gifted girl,” Drake says, smiling. “She’s one of my strongest breakers. I understand very well why you came for her. I realize how badly you must want her back.”
“How can you know what I want?” I ask.
“You’re not the only telepath, Rex,” Drake answers. “Nor are you the best telepath. I’ve been inside your head, my friend. I know everything about you.”
I feel a sudden jolt of panic and force myself to remain calm. He must be bluffing, I think. If Drake or anyone else tried to read my thoughts, I’d become aware and block them.
“Are you a level four?” I ask.
“My God, son, you even speak like them,” he laughs. “No wonder why Elimination didn’t kill you and let you join them instead.”
“I was forced to join Elimination,” I answer. “I was saving my own life as well as the lives of several other innocents being held in that same facility.”
“Rule number one, Rex, don’t lie to a telepath. I know you joined them simply because you wanted to. Don’t feign innocence. You’ve come here to destroy everything I’ve created. Additionally, you’ve come to steal Kitty from us.”
Looks like Drake is really reading my thoughts. I don’t have to pretend then.
“I don’t care what you and your breakers are doing here,” I say. “It’s none of my business. Just let me and Kitty leave. I swear you won’t see me again.”
“Kitty won’t be leaving,” Drake says. “You’ve lost her. She’s one of us now and you’ll just have to get over it. You and Kitty aren’t a good fit any longer. She needs somebody stronger and more mature.”
I look at Drake with disgust. I’ll kill him if he touches Kitty.
Drake smiles, saying “Don’t worry so much. For the moment, I’m interested in her only as a fighter, a powerful Retaliation breaker. She’s very mature for her age, but still a little too young. Although, when she becomes a little older…”
“Shut your mouth!” I growl.
“Why does that bother you so much, Rex? It’s a strange reaction considering your so-called brother and sister relationship.”
“That doesn’t matter now. Neither Kitty nor I have any business with your terrorist organization.”
“Why do you think we’re a terrorist group?” Drake asks. “After all you’ve been through, do you really believe all you see on the news? Don’t you know how Elimination can distort the truth? I’m disappointed you haven’t already learned from your own experiences,” he sighs. “Well, we haven’t done what you think. Our mission is to help breakers regain their freedom. We are not in the habit of killing innocent people who don’t deserve being killed.”
I don’t believe a word. I say, “That sounds like a noble enough cause, but I’m not okay with risking Kitty’s life to fulfill it.”
“She’s a top notch soldier. Not just some child you have to protect,” Drake says. “Kitty will make up her own mind. If you still want to be with Kitty, you need to join us.”
“Really?” I grin. “Why do you need a traitor like me among your crack team of breakers?”
“Listen son, I’m not blaming you for joining Elimination. And I don’t refer to you as a traitor. We all make mistakes. I’m a very forgiving person. I’d like to see a strong breaker like you join my team of warriors.”
I get the strange sensation that I’m talking to another Browning. One sends terrorists to kill ordinary people and another sends Elimination troops to kill innocent breakers. They’re very similar.
“If you can read my thoughts, you should already know I’m not interested in becoming a terrorist,” I say.
“I’ll give you some time to think, Rex,” Drake answers. “But let me give you a bit of advice. Don’t play games with somebody who can read your thoughts. Do not try to outsmart me. Join us or be killed. It really is that simple, and is the only choice you have to make.”
“Thanks, Drake,” I say. “I’ll definitely take that under consideration.”
He sighs, “I must admit though, I liked you better dead. Why couldn’t you have remained dead, Rex?”
Drake gestures with his hand, signaling me to leave. I walk out of the room, thinking. If Drake isn’t willing to let us leave here alive, I’ll have to kill him.
Kitty is waiting for me outside.
“Did he offer to let you join us?” she asks, obviously thrilled.
“He sure did.”
“And?”
“Not interested, sorry. I’ll have nothing to do with terrorism, Kitty.”
Kitty rolls her eyes, groaning, “Oh my! Why do you have to be that way?”
“What way, Kitty?”
“Stubborn and incredibly boring,” she answers.
“It’s better to be boring and alive than choose terrorism and one day find sticks of dynamite taped to my chest at the local mall,
” I answer, though it doesn’t sound convincing.
Kitty laughs, “I know, staying incognito, unnoticeable and under the radar is the best means for a breaker to survive. That’s what you always told me. Well, being incognito didn’t work out so well, did it? Everybody knows we’re breakers. And guess what? I couldn’t be happier! No more hiding in the dark, dreading the day Elimination comes knocking. No more living like cowards. I love my new life.”
“Kitty, are you serious?” I ask. “Is this what you call a new life? Attacking schools, hospitals and police stations and randomly killing people? Risk getting shot all the time? That’s not what I wish for you and…”
“C’mon, Rex,” Kitty interrupts, smiling. “Just relax. Everything is all right now. We’re both alive and safe. You don’t have to worry about me. I’ve already told you, I can take care of myself and can even protect you as well if needed. I really mean that.” She takes my hand and steps closer, looking sadly into my eyes. “I was so heartbroken after you’d left,” she says, changing the subject. “I thought I’d never see you. Please, never do that to me again.”
“I won’t,” I promise without doubts. Kitty and I belong together no matter what. Even being very brave and tough, she’s still a child and doesn’t fully realize the consequences of what she’s doing. She still needs guidance.
She pulls me forward, “Come with me, Rex. Time for a little excursion.”
I quickly agree, as learning this place better may come in handy. I follow Kitty. We walk inside an enormous mansion with multiple staircases and corridors. It’s old and poorly kept, but still very livable. It was likely built right after the Eruption. Some wealthy people probably resided here many years ago and had to leave it due to the economic collapse. Now, it’s used for the terrorist’s headquarters. Many strangers dressed in camo pass by, carrying guns and rifles. I’m tense, but nobody pays much attention to us. A few tough looking guys nod to Kitty and she gives a friendly wave of her hand.
“Fellow soldiers,” she comments. “We went on missions together.”
Some young women with kids dressed in civilian clothing mull about. They all have the same fearful expressions.
“We’ve rescued most of them,” Kitty explains. “We’re the last resort for many breakers. They have nowhere else to go. They’ve all been hunted and captured, some even sentenced to death. Most guys and even a few of the girls joined our missions. Those who can’t or don’t want to fight just take care about the house, cook food and do other odd jobs around the place.”
“Who pays for all this?” I ask, mentally calculating how much money you’d need to feed, clothe and arm this number of people.
“I don’t know,” Kitty answers. “I’ve never thought about it.”
They couldn’t steal so much money, could they? I don’t remember any recent reports about bank robberies. They must have a sponsor then. I wonder who might be behind everything.
We walk outside and bright sunlight makes me squint. I see palm trees, white sand and hear the sound of the ocean. It’s warm and humid.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” Kitty asks. “It’s like heaven here for breakers. We don’t have to hide or live in fear in this place. Here, we all have freedom to be who we were meant to be. And the weather is really great all year round here!”
Of course she would think this is paradise. Kitty has always dreamt about palm trees and white sand beaches.
“Where are we?” I ask.
“Not sure. Drake never told us. It’s an island. But don’t worry, Elimination will never find us here.”
That’s not what I’m worried about. I’m afraid Elimination won’t be able to locate us. My last hope is Lena using her telepathic abilities. If she can’t locate me, I’m stuck here. I see no way to escape from this island at the moment. I’d have to steal a boat or a helicopter. How can I fight through so many breakers alone?
“How did you find them?” I ask.
“I saw them in my dreams.”
“Are you a telepath?”
Kitty shrugs her shoulders, “I don’t know. Sometimes I see things, sometimes I don’t. I didn’t know you were alive. But I kept seeing dreams about you. How Elimination tortured and beat you. I thought they were just dreams.”
I believed telepaths were a rare breed. Was Holtzmann correct in saying that breakers are quickly evolving and soon even stronger breakers will develop?
We walk along the shoreline, watching the ocean. It’s still and peaceful. Kitty holds my hand, talking about the time when she thought I was dead.
“I was crying for hours and didn’t want to go on living,” she says. “But then I decided I needed to live for you, because you wanted me to live. I promised myself to make them all regret that they had killed you. Vengeance was the only thing that kept me going.”
Great. My faked execution pushed Kitty into the terrorist hands and activities. I’m the reason she’s among these criminals.
I see a few meager houses along the shore in the distance.
“They’ve built them recently for newcomers,” Kitty says. “The old mansion doesn’t have enough room for all that come. We have to continually build new homes.”
Even more money, I think. These terrorists must have a really strong financial support system.
“How many breakers are here?” I ask.
“Don’t know the exact number,” Kitty says. “More than a hundred, I’d guess.”
I suddenly think of all those women and kids I saw back in the mansion. They can’t be criminals. They were probably falsely accused just because they are breakers, as I have been. If I direct Elimination here, they’ll all be targeted. How can I stop acts of terrorism without putting innocent breakers in harm’s way?
“Tell me about Drake,” I request. “Where did he come from?”
“Nobody knows,” Kitty answers. “I only heard that Elimination was torturing him with bad intentions. He wants to save other breakers from going through all that. When I first arrived here, I told Drake about you and how Elimination had you killed. I don’t know much more about Drake, but I could try and ask Hammer if you like. They’ve been friends for a long time. I doubt Hammer will tell us much though. He despises me.”
“Why?”
“He’s envious. Before I came, Hammer had been the best soldier here. Now, I’m the best and Hammer hates second place. Actually, I suspect he is envious of Drake as well. Hammer wants to be the leader.”
“What’s the exact nature of your relationship with Drake, Kitty?” I ask carefully.
Her eyes widen and she giggles. “Are we jealous? I don’t believe it!”
“Kitty, just answer my question,” I say, raising my voice.
“Whoa! Calm down, Rex. There’s nothing between me and Drake. I’m his soldier and he’s my commander. That’s all.”
I look at her suspiciously.
“I can’t believe you’re so obviously jealous,” Kitty repeats, laughing cheerfully.
We walk further along the beach and then Kitty stops, staring out at the horizon. The sky is turning yellow and purple as the sun goes down.
“It’s wonderful here,” Kitty smiles, taking a deep breath. “And I’m here with you. I still can’t believe you’re alive. It’s like a miracle, isn’t it?”
She turns to me, studying my face with a hint of sadness in her expressive big eyes.
“Are you happy to be here with me, Rex?” Kitty asks quietly. “Did you miss me being apart? Did you ever think of me?”
I don’t understand why Kitty has doubts. How can she even ask such questions? I want to tell Kitty that I thought of her every single day and night. I was going crazy not knowing if she was alive or dead. I spent hours trying to reach her in my mind. And of course, I missed her terribly. How could it be different?
I remain silent. Something’s not letting me express myself. I’ve always had difficulties finding the right words.
Kitty continues waiting, piercing me with a pleading look. I have to a
nswer.
“Of course I missed you and I worried about you constantly,” I say. It seems more than enough to satisfy Kitty. She lets out a sob of relief and wraps her arms around my neck.
“I love you so much,” she whispers.
The next moment Kitty presses her lips to mine. I expect an innocent kiss, nothing serious, but her mouth opens. I suddenly realize that Kitty expects something more. She has caught me by surprise. I haven’t seen it coming. I push her away and step back.
“What are you doing Kitty?!” I exclaim.
Kitty blinks a couple of times, momentarily confused, then smiles confidently. Her cheeks flush.
“Don’t pretend like you don’t know,” Kitty says quietly, as she reaches for me again. I stop her short.
“What am I supposed to know?” I ask.
She doesn’t have to answer. I’ve known everything for a long time. I just didn’t want to admit it to myself. I only wanted Kitty to remain my little sister. I’m not ready for her to grow up.
“I love you, Rex,” Kitty answers. “You’re the only one I want and need in my life. I fell in love with you from the first moment we met.”
“The first time we met you tried to rob me, Kitty.”
“Why are you being so mean, Rex?” her voice trembles. “We belong together, always have. Why are you rejecting me now?”
Kitty’s eyes sparkle. I realize she’s about to cry. I keep silent for a few moments, sorting out my thoughts. I don’t know how to behave. Just stay calm, I tell myself.
“Kitty, we’ve gone through a lot recently,” I say. “You’re just a little overemotional right now. It’s okay. I’m not angry with you. Let’s just forget about all this. Like nothing happened.”
My words seem wrong and somehow fake even to me. It’s unlikely we can forget what’s just happened.
“What?” Kitty exclaims. “How can I forget? I’ve been dreaming about today. I’ve wanted to kiss you for months, but was scared of being rejected and changing our relationship…”
“Stop it, Kitty.”
“No! I won’t stop,” she cries. “Am I not beautiful enough? Am I too skinny or short for you? I can get fatter if you want.”