Marie (Teumessian Trilogy Book 1)

by Ana Elise Meyer

  “Are you suggesting we kill them?” Stanley exclaimed.

  “Yes, if they are dragging down the others.” Frederick looked at Bruce and Kenneth. “How are the performances of their peers?” Frederick asked.

  “They are all meeting our expectations, mastering of multiple weapons each of them. Michael has actually exceeded our expectations. He is their leader. They follow Michael. Physically, they are far more advanced than the three that are failing,” Bruce replied.

  “We have the potential to see a major breakthrough with the abnormality between just the twins. They are developing completely differently and at different rates; they barely look identical anymore. This could be huge. Also, we were only judging physical abilities, we were not taking into account intellectual abilities. The formula could be improving the three that remain in a different way.” Stanley pleaded.

  “We are not here to play the twin game. We are here to make soldiers. I don’t care what they look like as long as they perform and those three are not performing in the arena we need them to,” Bruce replied.

  “And what about the girl?” Frederick asked.

  “Her name is Marie,” Stanley interjected.

  Bruce ignored Stanley. “She is progressing and holding her own; she shows a softness towards the boys, tends to almost mother them a bit especially our three under performers. The rest try to bully her for protecting the weaker boys, but Michael protects her,” Bruce replied.

  “Well, isn’t that fucking cute.” Henry said sarcastically. “So all in favor of dumping our dead weight?” Henry asked. Everyone raised their hands with the exception of Stanley and Ivan. Everyone looked to Ivan for the final say so.

  Ivan nodded his head looking to Frederick, “Dispose of them,” he said calmly.

  Frederick smiled. “Gladly,” he said with a salute. “Go get them. I will get the truck ready,” Frederick ordered to Stanley.

  Stanley just hung his head. “Yes, sir” he replied quietly. Stanley slowly got up out of his chair and walked to the nursery. His heart was heavy but it had to be done. He couldn’t have unsuccessful subjects if he wanted to keep the program going.

  As Stanley entered the nursery, Marie instantly caught his eye. She had grown into such a beautiful little girl. With her blonde hair pulled back into a pony tail, bright blue eyes glowing with the warmest smile, she lit up the room. They were all playing, just being children, so innocent of what their lives were about. They knew no different. They had no idea that all those training exercises weren’t normal, those injections weren’t normal, having no parents wasn’t normal.

  He sighed, pointing his finger, “1, 2, 3 come with me please.” He couldn’t even bring himself to say their names, he knew they wouldn’t have them much longer so it made little difference if their names crossed his lips. The three boys got up and followed Stanley down the hallway, where Frederick was waiting at the exit.

  Frederick opened the door. “Into the truck,” he ordered to Tommy, Chris, and Scott.

  Suddenly Marie came running down the hall, “Wait for me,” she yelled.

  Stanley stepped in to stop her from boarding the truck with the others. “You can’t go with them,” Stanley told her.

  “Oh, come now, I will take her along,” Frederick said with a smile.

  “Fuck you!” Stanley yelled at him. Frederick just laughed as he climbed in to the truck.

  “Where are they going?” Marie asked.

  Stanley sighed. “Marie they aren’t coming back. They are going to a place where people don’t come back from.”

  Marie’s eyes began to water up, “But why not? Why can’t they come back? They are my friends, they can’t go!” she cried.

  Stanley felt her pain as he clung to her, “Marie, listen to me. Only the strong survive here, and they were not strong enough. You have to be the best, the strongest. It’s the only chance you have.” Stanley could feel tears start to roll down his cheek. As the truck pulled away Marie couldn’t hold back. She tried to run to the truck screaming for Tommy but the truck didn’t stop. Stanley grabbed her “You have to go back inside,” he ordered.

  She wept, “I hate you! Why didn’t you stop them?” Marie ran back in, but Stanley couldn’t bring himself to follow her. He was too broken, he knew it, because he couldn’t protect any of them not even her.

  Marie ran straight to the nursery where the other boys remained in silence. They all sat on the floor. The nursery had become a hang out area for them. They played there, it was their only fun place but not today as they all were stunned into silence. They all knew the other boys weren’t coming back.

  “We have to stop them!” Marie cried as she ran into the room with tears streaming down her face, her blonde hair becoming wet from her tears.

  “There’s nothing we can do,” Austin replied holding his head.

  Samuel sat in complete silence, small tears falling from his brown eyes, but he wiped them away so nobody would see him cry. Marie continued to cry, since she didn’t care if they saw her. She fell into the corner of the room holding her knees to her chest and sobbing.

  “It’s not fair, it’s not fair,” she sobbed to herself. Michael moved to her side. He didn’t say a word but sat down next to her and placed his arm around her and held her close as she cried on his chest.

  Bruce entered the room and looked around, “It’s past lights out. Time to go to your rooms,” Bruce ordered. They all slowly started to get up except Marie and Michael. “That’s an order, get up.” Bruce said looking directly at Marie and Michael. Marie didn’t even hear him she was crying so hard. “Quit crying brat, you will live,” Bruce said moving towards Marie to pull her up.

  Michael instantly stood up and stood between Bruce and Marie, “Leave her alone!” Michael yelled at Bruce.

  “Standing up for your little crush? Not a good idea.” Bruce said leaning in to make eye contact with Michael. But Michael stood his ground.

  “The nursery is my territory,” Stanley interjected walking into the room. “Bruce, I make the rules and control what happens in the nursery, not you. I will deal with this.”

  Bruce stood up straight again, “Fair is fair; it is your territory,” Bruce replied to Stanley. “Expect your punishment tomorrow boy,” Bruce said looking straight at Michael.

  Michael didn’t flinch. Bruce turned and walked from the room. Stanley looked around at the devastated faces in front of him. They were all heartbroken but they refused to show it. “To bed for all of you, tomorrow will be a new day.” Stanley said as reassuringly as he could. They all barely acknowledged him as they started to move to the door. “Michael, I will take care of Marie. Go to bed.” Stanley said placing a hand on Michael’s shoulder and guiding him out of the room. Marie still sat in the corner of the room, but she had run out of tears as she sat silently staring at the floor. Stanley sat down next to her, but she inched away from him.

  “How could you let them?” she blurted out as the tears began again.

  “I couldn’t do anything,” Stanley said reaching out and pulling Marie to him, holding her in his arms as he once did when she would have nightmares. “We still have each other,” he whispered to her as she clung to him and him to her. Stanley stood up, carrying her with him. “It’s time for bed, sweetie, I will read you a story,” Stanley said to her as he carried her out of the nursery to her bedroom. Michael was still up sitting in his bedroom doorway and watched Stanley as he carried Marie into her room, “Michael, it will be ok. Go lay down.” Michael nodded but didn’t move. He just sat there, his green eyes fixated on the floor in front of him. Stanley continued on into Marie’s room and placed her down gently in her steel framed bed. Stanley just gazed at her. She was already asleep. He tucked her in, pushing her blonde hair from her face. Stanley made his way out the door shutting it behind him. Stanley took a deep breath and pushed his own brown hair back. It had been a longer night then Stanley wanted. There was too much pain in that hallway. He looked to his right and saw that Michael wa
s still in his doorway. Stanley couldn’t handle any more, “Goodnight Michael,” Stanley said to him trying to keep his composure. Michael nodded, but continued to look at the floor. Stanley made his way down the hallway and up the stairs back to his lab. He needed a drink to wash away what had just happened.

  Michael just sat in his doorway. He was struggling to process what had happened. They all looked to him to be the strong one but so did Tommy, Chris, and Scott and he could do nothing for them. Being the strong one was hard on him, he understood better than any of them what was going on, he had figured out their importance and he was determined to become the best. He wanted to help the others to understand, he knew he would have to lead them but that was a lot of his little ten year old mind. He felt a tear come to his eye and he quickly wiped it away. Feelings were weakness and he would show none of it even knowing he was the only one awake. Michael suddenly heard footsteps coming down the stairs. He was afraid of being seen out of bed so he quickly moved out of the doorway and against the wall to his right. Michael had his back against the wall as the feet came past his door. Michael peered around the corner to see who it was. It was Bruce. ‘What is he doing down here this late?’ Michael questioned to himself. Michael watched as Bruce approached Marie’s bedroom and looked around to see if anyone else was around before he entered her bedroom. “What is he doing?” Michael whispered to himself. Michael slowly moved out of his bedroom and down to Marie’s bedroom door. Bruce had not shut the door all the way when he went in and when Michael peeked in the cracked door, he saw Bruce approaching Marie’s bed. Michael held his breath. He was terrified. ‘Was Sir going to kill her?’ He thought to himself. Bruce reached out and touched Marie on the head, she stirred and opened her eyes and looked directly at Bruce.

  “No, no, please not tonight.” She began to weep as she curled up in a ball.

  “You don’t say no to me.” Bruce ordered and grabbed her by the arm and began to pull at her shirt.

  Michael knew instantly what was happening and he couldn’t let it. Michael barged into the room. He wasn’t sure what he was going to do but he had to do something. Bruce heard him and let go of Marie, she fell back into her bed sobbing, grabbing her blanket for cover. Bruce looked almost nervous, something Michael had never seen before.

  “What are you doing out of bed?” Bruce questioned walking towards Michael.

  Michael stood tall, mustered his courage and spoke, “I saw what you were going to do and I will tell on you.” Michael said staring directly at Bruce.

  “Oh really you will tell, tell who and tell them what?” Bruce questioned walking towards Michael.

  “Anyone and everyone who will listen,” Michael replied. Bruce got close to Michael, “If you leave her alone from now on I will not tell anyone,” Michael said shifting his weight.

  “Oh, so you’re setting up a bargain. Your silence for your girlfriend. You are getting good at getting what you want, aren’t you boy?” Bruce said with a laugh.

  “Take it or leave it, your call Sir.” Michael heard the words come out of his mouth but couldn’t believe he was saying it.

  Bruce smiled, “Ok, deal, boy, I like this take charge attitude of yours.” Bruce said, walking from the room, attempting to pat Michael on the back but Michael moved to avoid his touch.

  Bruce repulsed him. He would never forget what he saw. Michael turned back to Marie who was curled up in her blanket crying. Michael rushed to her bed. “It’s ok I won’t let him hurt you anymore, I promise.” Michael let out trying to hide the tears running from his face. “If he ever touches you again I will kill him, I swear.” Michael said, the anger growing in his voice. Marie reached up and grabbed Michael and clung to him. “Stay by me you will be safe,” Michael whispered to her.

  Bruce kept his word. He knew if it came out that he had a taste for little girls he would lose his status in the company or worse. Michael kept his mouth shut and Bruce stayed away from Marie. A silent peace developed between the two of them. To Bruce it was a mutual respect for strength, to Michael it was survival. It was a skill that he stressed with the rest of his peers, especially Marie. She became attached to Michael almost at the hip. He always stood between her and Bruce if only to remind Bruce he could ruin him, all while the time fearing that Bruce would give up caring and kill him.

  Chapter 5

  By the age of sixteen, the seven had grown into imposing figures. Michael, Justin, Austin, Samuel, Ethan, David, and Marie; they were the pictures of physical perfection. Seven had remained and seven had thrived. Michael, the strongest, his six foot four frame an imposing figure for any to behold, with green eyes and light blonde hair any girl would swoon over. They had all bonded, they were a family or at least what they saw as a family. They trained day in and day out. Bruce and Kenneth were proud of what they had accomplished so far. Bruce and Kenneth tended to watch the group from the overlook, a very elaborate set up. Bruce had planned it out himself. The open floor was where they trained the most, a padded floor for martial arts and weapon training. To the back of it was a range for gun practice and for Michael to practice with his bow and arrow. Michael was the only one who enjoyed the bow and arrow, but he could talk Marie into practicing with him. The range wasn’t elaborate just five lanes with marks for fifty, one hundred, and two hundred yards. If they wanted to shoot further they would go outside to the long range, but that was only for sniper practicing and only Austin spent a lot of time out there. The obstacle course was very simple but was to the point, three climbing ropes, a tire set for running through, inverted monkey bars, a salmon ladder, and various tunnels and mats for practicing various maneuvers for agility.

  “I think we should test them.” Bruce said to Kenneth.

  “Test them? Like throw them out in the field?” Kenneth replied.

  “No they aren’t quite ready for that, but we need to see who the leader is.” Bruce responded.

  “Michael. Duh I can, see that I thought you were smart.” Kenneth laughed.

  “Thanks for that, yes in the gym and in the ‘nursery’ as they call it yes but in a real situation will he take lead and actually be able to hold it in a test is what I want to find out.” Bruce replied.

  “Ok so what we create a situation here for them to get out of?” Kenneth asked.

  “Yes only we can’t have them think it is training. We have to make it so they think it is real.” Bruce replied.

  “So we are going to potentially have to bury bodies afterwards?” Kenneth hated dealing with dead bodies. He didn’t mind making them, but cleaning up wasn’t his thing.

  “It’s possible we may lose a few guards thrown into the mix, but the plan is not to lose any of them. I really would hate to have to explain that.” Bruce replied.

  “Yah, that would be fun.” Kenneth laughed.

  Kenneth and Bruce were overlooking the training center below are all seven of them. Today was Bo practice and Justin was leading, since it was his specialty. Nobody could spin the staff like Justin, he was so graceful and powerful with it.

  “Now today I will be learning you some new shit.” Justin said with a laugh.

  “It’s, ‘I will teach you.’” Samuel replied, always trying to make sure everyone’s pronunciation was correct, he was always proper like that, uniform always in order black hair in place and always clean shaved.

  “Keep it up and we won’t let you lead any exercises anymore.” Michael responded.

  “Oh you would have to stop me and with this bad boy none of you stand a chance.” Justin said with a laugh. His eyes lit up when he laughed. They were the brightest of blue and just shone when he laughed which was most of the time. Justin spun his bo, “So who wants to be embarrassed first? Oh I think ladies first.” Justin said pointing his bo towards Marie.

  Marie stepped up, “Ok let’s do this.” She said as she picked up her bo.

  Marie and Justin squared up, tapped the bos and held their stances. Marie attacked first but Justin was prepared and struck back, Marie block
ed his attack but opened herself up to another. Justin capitalized on that and knocked her to the ground. She landed with a loud thud on her back.

  “And once again I have proven I am the master.” Justin announced to the group with a sense of pride in his speech.

  “My turn.” Michael said with a smile. He stepped up extending a hand to Marie who was sitting on the floor. He helped her to her feet. Michael pointed his bo at Justin, “Ok I’m up for a lesson.” Michael squared up to Justin.

  “Oh I’m going to bring the hurt.” Justin said with a laugh. Justin attacked first but Michael was patient. Michael blocked blow after blow.

  Michael held his composure, “I’m still waiting for this lesson.”

  Justin got flustered, “Come on fight back. This is no fun if you just keep blocking me. You have to attack at some point.”

  “Patience is key. You never learned that,” Michael responded.

  “Wait, what?” Justin lowered his bo. “I’m hella patient.” Michael quickly swung his bo under Justin’s legs and knocked him to the floor.

  “See I win.” Michael said with a smile.

  “That’s not fair! That’s cheating!” Justin protested.

  “No it’s called playing smarter not

  harder.” Michael replied, dropping his bo and walking away

  “Oh look who got schooled.”

  David added. David was always playing come lately adding in after everyone was done. David was the smartest, incredible with technology. David could wire anything, but he always felt the need to put in his two cents, even if he had no part in the conversation. Physically David was up to the level of the others but he was always disheveled, probably because he was thinking faster than he was doing things, getting ahead of himself. The ‘management’ kept David’s brown hair short because he wouldn’t take care of it otherwise. Style was not his specialty.

  “Shut up, David, nobody asked you,” Justin replied