The Sabbath

by Nsenga, Arthur

  Bienaimé led them to a dirt trail in the middle of the wilderness. The road was long and narrow with nothing but trees, reminiscent of Doug’s home. It was quiet, and it didn’t seem anyone would dare venture out there. Bienaimé made a sudden left turn off the road and into the woods. Cory followed and was surprised to find they had merged with another road, which had been hidden in plain sight.

  Bienaimé decreased his speed. The terrain was a lot more rugged and narrower than the previous road. They drove up to what appeared to be a castle. It was the most beautiful work of architecture that Cory and Lana had ever seen. They stared in awe at the three-story, red brick home. It had more windows than they could count, and the entrance had two gigantic wooden doors with golden doorknobs, complimented by an arching roof. A triple garage was attached to the side of the house. Cory followed the old man inside the middle garage door.

  Wow! This garage is bigger than my whole house! Cory thought, stepping out of his car.

  “Leave your luggage inside, we will unload them later,” the old man yelled from his vehicle.

  “All right, but I have a box full of those devices in the car,” Cory hollered back.

  “Oh, you have more? Yeah, yeah, leave them too, we’ll handle all that later,” Bienaimé said, stepping out of his car.

  “Is all of this yours?” Cory asked.

  Bienaimé chuckled, “I hope this isn’t too much for you, son.”

  “Why are you out on the streets every day dressed like a bum if you have all of this?” Cory continued with his questioning.

  “Well, son, I dress like that so the people that want me killed will overlook me. To them, I’m just another old bum out on the streets, and I am of little threat to them. The irony is that those I’m seeking overlook me as well. I bet if I had on what I’m wearing right now out on those streets, more people would take me seriously.”

  Cory and Lana nodded.

  “And your name—Bienaimé…is it French?” Lana asked.

  “Well, aren’t you the clever one. Yes, it is. It means beloved, given to me by my late grandfather,” Bienaimé said, leading them through the garage door and into his home.

  The mansion’s breath-taking beauty again dazzled Cory and Lana. It was as though no walls existed. The open floor plan gave them a full view of the living room, kitchen, and dining area. A giant crystal chandelier hung above the dining table, attached to a vaulted ceiling that dwarfed even the tallest of men.

  The kitchen had state-of-the-art stainless steel appliances and a full-length overhead ventilation hood that was worthy of the finest restaurants.

  They moved to the living room area, and Bienaimé motioned to two crisp, white leather couches on a gorgeous round, creamed-colored Italian rug that softened the hardwood flooring.

  “You guys want some water?” Bienaimé asked, walking toward the kitchen sink in the middle of the long white Carrera marble countertop.

  “Yeah, if you could afford it,” Cory joked, while Lana stood mute, shocked at the thought of drinking water still coming from a tap.

  “Take a seat on the couch there.”

  “Hey, before we get too comfortable, is it possible to find out about my sister’s whereabouts first?” Cory asked.

  He didn’t want to relax when Isabel’s life was at stake.

  “Yeah, yeah, of course, son. We’ll get onto that right away,” Bienaimé replied.

  Bienaimé walked to the brown spiral staircase leading to the upper levels of the home, and called out, “Destiny! Adam! Come downstairs, we have guests!”

  Soon, they heard footsteps walking down.

  “Hello, Professor,” said a casually dressed young man, standing on the landing above.

  He was no older than Cory and of average height. He was a handsome fellow, with soft features that made his face forgettable. His physique was nothing special either. He was thin, yet had a toned, slightly muscular build. His brunette hair was the one thing memorable about him. He wore it short, and the top was slickly combed to one side.

  “I keep telling him to stop with all this formality. Now, come down here and introduce ya’ll selves,” Bienaimé said.

  The man met Cory and Lana at the bottom of the stairs. His personality at once atoned for any lack of distinct facial features. His movements were bold, walking with his head held high and shoulders straight. With grace, he shook Cory’s hand with a grip that only a man with confidence possessed.

  “Nice to meet you. My name is Adam Bell,” he introduced himself to the couple with a southern accent. His voice was as powerful as a lion’s roar.

  He stepped aside for a young lady holding her hand out. “Hi, I’m Destiny. It’s a pleasure to meet you guys,” she said, shaking Cory and Lana’s outstretched hands.

  Unlike Adam, she didn’t have to say much to make her presence felt. She had a certain glow that would light up even the darkest of rooms; her beauty would make any woman feel intimidated. Her long, golden, wavy hair was pinned up, and she had big blue eyes as deep and wide as the ocean. With full lips the color of a red rose, her smile was pure and full of joy - enough to cast away any bitterness in one’s heart.

  “Adam and Destiny here are my pride and joy. Adam was my teaching assistant. He’s a genius - the way he can speak with computers. Destiny’s father and I served in the army together, and when he passed…God rest his soul, I took her in, and I’ve been blessed ever since. Her skills with a gun are unmatched. Well, enough with the introductions, let’s get things started,” Bienaimé said.

  With their eyebrows up and curved, Adam and Destiny exchange looks. It was obvious they didn’t know what Bienaimé was referring to when he said, “let’s get things started,” and appeared curious as to why he had brought strangers into their home.

  Bienaimé looked at Adam and said, “Son, please escort our guests to the basement. I will explain everything there.”

  Adam didn’t hesitate. He led them past the marble fireplace and a black grand piano, to a closet door nestled between two of the many rich, abstract paintings that decorated the creamed colored walls, near the main entrance of the house. The closet was filled with jackets and coats. Stepping inside, he pressed a button, and the back wall slid to the left, revealing a hidden staircase. They walked down to the basement.

  Cory and Lana stood in amazement. The walls were neatly lined with Grade A military weapons and accessories. A round table that could seat twenty people, and a high-tech computer was stationed in the middle of the room, along with other equipment and machinery that Cory or Lana had never seen. Bienaimé joined them, and guided Adam to the computer, where he took a seat as they all stood back and watched.

  “Son, to cut a long story short, Cory’s sister is missing. She was wearing the bracelet, and I need you to track her location for me,” Bienaimé told Adam.

  Adam wasted no time. In an instant, he was busy typing on his keyboard as Cory and Lana watched. He pulled up a map with a flashing beacon in the corner and projected the image onto the white wall.

  “Professor, it’s the same location as the others,” Adam informed with a straight face.

  “Sorry,” Cory interjected, “what do you mean by ‘it’s the same location as the others?’”

  Bienaimé answered, “The location where your sister is being held is the same place we’ve been investigating for months now. Years ago, it used to be an old prison. But shortly before The Sabbath, the Government emptied the inmates out and converted the premises into a research facility. We have reason to believe that the Government is using the same prison to keep the missing people captive, while conducting their research. And now, your sister is there too. That means that there’s a connection between the device and The Sabbath.”

  “Oh, so they’re the ones who gave you the device,” Destiny said, pointing to Cory and Lana.

  “Yes, and now their sister is missing,” Bienaimé replied.

  “So, that’s where they’re keeping everybody that went missing? How big is the pr
ison?” Lana asked.

  “No darling, not everyone.” Bienaimé replied. “Just the people in the surrounding area. There’s got to be hundreds of these facilities, if not thousands, all over the world.”

  “How far is it?” Cory asked. The thought of holding both his sister and mother again consumed him, and he wanted to act as soon as possible.

  “About an hour’s drive, tops!” Adam replied.

  “Where is it exactly?” Cory asked.

  “It’s a—” Adam began, but was cut off by a roar from Bienaimé.

  “Don’t give it to him!” Bienaimé interjected, “Now, son, I know what you’re thinking. But we need more time, more information. We can’t just march over there and start shooting things up if we are not prepared for the consequences. You’re not the only one going through the motions; there are two other people in this room who have their loved ones in that prison.”

  Bienaimé placed his hand on Cory’s shoulder and continued, “Now, I told you before that I will do whatever I can to get your sister back, so let me do that. I can’t risk you ruining months of research because you weren’t prepared…my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Give me a week, and then we will act.”

  Cory wanted nothing better than to run to his car and get his family back, but he knew Bienaimé was right. If he went after them unprepared, chances are he’d be captured too. For the time being, he had no choice but to once again put his trust in the old man and hope he’d make good on his promise. One thing was certain, he was not going back home without his sister and mother.

  “Okay, so what do you suggest we do?” Cory asked.

  “Adam, can you please pull up the doctor’s picture?” Bienaimé said.

  Adam toggled through files and within seconds an old man’s mug shot appeared on the wall.

  “This man you see before you is none other than Doctor Damian Phillips, also known as Dr. Phils,” Bienaimé said, pointing at the picture. “I used to work with him, and when I found out what he and the Government were up to…well let’s just say we went our separate ways.

  “For the past month, we’ve had sightings of Dr. Phils near the same place they are keeping your sister. He is usually there to welcome the convoys, and then he disappears into the building. I believe the device you gave me was supposed to go there. Now Cory, the box that is in your car - was that all there is?”

  “No, there was a lot more in the truck, more than I could count,” Cory answered.

  “And you got this from Doug, I’m assuming,” Bienaimé said.

  “Yeah,” Cory and Lana echoed.

  “Listen up,” Bienaimé said, waving his finger between Cory and Lana. “I already told you about how dangerous it is if it falls into the wrong hands, and it’s evident they want it back…all of it. They can’t risk people knowing about this so expect them to contact you to set up a trade. But let me tell you this: they have no intention of releasing your sister. In their eyes, she knows too much and as soon as you show up with the goods, you’re done for.

  “Now, Lana, the file you gave me contained Dr. Phils’s personal files. It had nothing we hadn’t already discovered, but it had his personal notes and handwritten signatures. If Doug got it for you, then that means he has access to Dr. Phils, and that’s something we desperately need. That man might be the main reason why so many of our brothers and sisters are living outside the walls.

  “So to answer your question, son, here’s what we’ll do. First: I need you to set up a meeting with Doug. We need to know where the other devices are, and we also need his assistance to kidnap Dr. Phils at the same time we rescue your sister. Second: Adam over there will schedule a meeting with my colleagues and get more firepower. And third: I need to see how good you guys are in the field before we do anything. I can’t have you slowing us down.”

  “All of this and we will get them back in the course of a week?” Cory asked.

  “Son, I said we will start to act in a week, and that act starts tomorrow with a meeting with Doug. Have faith, son. I know what I’m doing.”’

  “Okay, I believe you. We’ll set that meeting up right away,” Cory said, nodding his head.

  “Adam, see how many men we have available, and get them to meet us two days from now!” Bienaimé barked.

  Again, Adam started typing on his keyboard and toggling through files.

  “We have about twenty men available; the rest are on assignments. I will send out notifications now for the meeting. Oh, and Jeff just got back. He says he has news for you, so I will send him an invite as well,” Adam said.

  “Thank you, that’s it for today. Adam, Destiny, if you could be so kind and help Cory and Lana with their things and show them to their room. Cory, can you leave that box with Adam? I will start dinner.”

  Cory and Lana went back to their car to grab their things before being escorted to their room.

  “Sorry to hear about your sister,” Destiny said to Cory as they climbed up the stairs. “But if anybody can get her back, it’s Bienaimé.”

  “Oh, thank you. I appreciate it, and I plan on getting her back no matter what,” Cory replied.

  “Well, here’s your room. If you guys need anything, just let us know. There’s a bathroom in your room, and a game room on the third floor if you guys get bored. We’ll let you settle in and I’ll come get you guys for dinner,” Adam explained as he opened the door.

  They left the couple in the bedroom and headed back downstairs. Cory and Lana didn’t bother to unpack; it made little sense to them, seeing as they weren’t planning on staying long. They tossed their suitcase in the closet and jumped onto the bed.

  “She’s cute, isn’t she?” Lana asked as she admired the room.

  “Huh, what?” Cory pretended not to hear.

  “Destiny, do you think she’s cute?”

  “Meh, she’s all right,” Cory said as he yawned.

  “Just all right?” Lana continued.

  “Yes, just all right. Don’t tell me you’re jealous now,” Cory said and began to playfully grapple with Lana.

  Lana giggled, “No, I’m just asking a question.”

  “Oh, well I couldn’t care less how good she looks. I need to be focused,” Cory said, pulling out his mother’s picture.

  Lana could tell just how anxious Cory was. He was confident he would at long last get his family back, and that made it easier for Lana to believe too. They laid there, optimistically talking about how their lives would soon change, until they were called for dinner.

  That night, as they sat and ate, they exchanged stories and laughter, and were reminded of how things had been before The Sabbath. The nostalgic feeling was soothing, and Cory wished he could hang on to it forever. After dinner, they marched back up to their room. It had been a very long day, and they both needed rest – not to mention that after today…who knew when they would find sleep again.

  16

  Cory woke up the next morning to the sound of running water. He laid there staring at the ceiling, a bit apprehensive about what the day might bring. They were supposed to meet with Doug in a few hours, and he needed to know what had happened that night between Doug and Lana.

  I wonder what Doug meant by Lana and her games? Man, all we do is argue, he thought.

  “Wow, I haven’t had a shower like that in like forever!” Lana rejoiced, stepping into the room and disrupting Cory’s thoughts.

  “Huh?” Cory said.

  “Running water - it’s like how it was before; you turn on the faucet and just relax,” Lana smiled.

  “Oh.”

  “What’s wrong?” she asked, not liking his one worded response.

  Cory paused for a moment, unsure of how he should frame his question. He shifted his stance upright with his back against the headboard.

  “We need to talk, and no arguing - don’t snap when I ask you this, just tell me the truth,” Cory replied with caution. He watched as Lana stiffened her composure. The joy she had been experiencing from her sh
ower faded.

  “Okay, what is it?” she asked.

  “What happened between you and Doug?”

  “I don’t…” Lana interrupted.

  “Wait, let me finish,” Cory said, raising his hand. “We’re meeting him today. The last two times we met, it wasn’t pleasant. Tell me what happened, so I don’t go into this blind. We’re supposed to be in this together. If there’s something that will jeopardize me getting my family back, now is the time to say it.”

  Lana sat at the edge of the bed, with a huge cotton towel wrapped around her body. It was time to confess. She took the edge of the towel close to her knees and twirled it between her fingers.

  “Well,” Lana began, “It was like…I don’t know how it happened. It just did. He was nice at first and funny. We were fighting. It seemed like you hated me. But after it happened, I felt so terrible. I started to hate myself; I always make stupid mistakes…”

  “Lana, you’re babbling. I’m barely following what you’re saying.” Cory said with his fists clenched, not liking the way she was talking.

  Lana took a deep breath. Without looking in Cory’s direction, she said it aloud, “Doug and I kissed. It was a mistake, and I stopped him. But I should have known better.”

  She bit her lips, waiting for Cory to snap and break the bed in two or throw something at the wall. But he just sat there, still, rested against the headboard.

  Lana’s betrayal sickened Cory deeply, causing the pit of his stomach to drop. He didn’t know which was worse, the fact that she kissed Doug or the fact that she had sex with him right after. Whatever it was, he couldn’t stand the sight of her.

  I trusted this bitch, he thought.

  No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t bring himself to hate Lana, but his hatred for Doug burned with a new passion. He’d always wanted to whip the smug smile off the man’s face, and now he had a legitimate reason to do so. However, for his sister’s sake, his anger must wait. Contemplating what to do next, Cory remained still.

  Taking a deep breath, he responded, “Okay.”