Marie (Teumessian Trilogy Book 1)

by Ana Elise Meyer

  “The wicked deserve to die. It is that simple. Everyone else should fend for themselves. You enjoyed stopping the wicked, so just shut up.”

  Tyler was speechless. She was right, he did enjoy burning Bruce’s body, he even wanted to pull the trigger to end Bruce’s life in the first place. He didn’t know what he would have done if he had discovered the man in the house, doing what he was doing to those women. He could now see himself having done the same, well, not the same method, but defiantly ending the man’s life in a painful and terrible way.

  Marie could tell by Tyler’s lost expression that it was time to find a new topic. “Ok, we hit up Dr. Jones next.” Marie walked over to the kitchen table and spreading the files out. “I’m sure you have questions for him, am I correct?” Marie said, looking back at Tyler as he still stood in that same spot, just frozen in place.

  Tyler nodded, “Yes the formula. If it worked once, it could work again.” He walked over to the table. Tyler was back on track. This was what he was after from the beginning, the formula. He knew that if he got his hands on the formula it would all be worth it.

  Marie laughed, “I love how you all say ‘it worked’ because I am such a shining example of perfection.” She pulled Dr. Jones’s file from the pile. “He is still with the company.” Marie said, pointing to the file.

  “Yes, that is why access will be difficult.” Tyler replied

  “I grew up there. Don’t you think I would have some ideas and tricks to getting around undetected?” Marie said with a smile. “He’s in charge now. Looks like he hasn’t been too successful since they killed Stanley.”

  Tyler knew it was better at this point to keep her on track and not let her mind wander to the loved ones she had lost. “So, plan?” he said

  “Jones used to work really long odd hours. Does your intelligence say the same is still true?”

  “Yes never gone before three am and not back till late in the afternoon,” Tyler answered.

  “Where does he go?” Marie asked, looking at Tyler.

  “He has a small place in town. We could hit him there. It may be easier.”

  “No, we get him at the facility. You are after the formula and that is where it would be.” Marie replied, stepping away from the table.

  “Are you really ok with me getting my hands on the formula?” Tyler sat down at the table.

  “It doesn’t affect me if you have it. Just remember when you get it, what it is capable of.” She said, pulling her shirt off, her scar riddled body directly in front of Tyler. “Death is not always a bad thing.” Marie laid down on the bed.

  Tyler sat there for a moment racking in his head what she had just said. Health potential was incredible but what was the cost of immortality. Was her instability a product of her trauma or was it the chemicals that made her who she was? A chill ran down Tyler’s spine, but he knew he had to at least try. He stood up, “I know what it could mean but I won’t give up on trying to help people. Even though I know not all deserve it.”

  Marie looked over to him, “No matter what you see, you always see the good out there, even among all the bad. Must be nice to still see good in people.”

  “I don’t believe you don’t. You put yourself through hell to protect me. You showed me how to disarm that bomb. You saved all those future girls that monster would have killed. You do care. It is still there.” Tyler replied, walking towards the bed.

  “How do you know it ever was?” Marie was staring at the ceiling.

  Tyler sat down on the bed, “Because you loved people, you are not the monster you want people to think you are. There is more to you than that.” Tyler took her hand.

  Marie looked away from the ceiling and at Tyler, “They never wanted that for me or for any of us. They wanted monsters and that is what I am giving them. It doesn’t matter outside of that. You’re a sweet boy. This is a world you will never truly understand and I’m glad you don’t” Marie said, reaching up and touching his cheek. “I’m going to take a nap. We will leave for the facility after midnight.” Marie rolled away from Tyler in the bed.

  Tyler reached out to touch her arm but he stopped himself. He felt a tear come to his eye. She had good in her heart. He knew it, he just wished she could see it herself. He stood up. He wanted a shower and he needed to decompress. Tyler took a long hot shower, trying to wash away the smell. Tyler emerged from the shower to find Marie fast asleep. She looked so peaceful just lying there. She melted his heart when she was like that. He put a pair of shorts on and climbed into the bed with her. He just wanted to be near her. He curled up next to her and drank in the smell of her dark hair. Tyler resisted the urge to try to hold her. He just looked up at the ceiling and drifted off to sleep.

  Tyler woke to a sudden shake. It was Marie,

  “It’s 1:30am, time to get ready.” She said calmly. She was already ready to go. She had her black leather pants, boots, and a new red leather top on.

  “That’s a new top, why the change?” Tyler asked, taking off his glasses and rubbing his eyes.

  “The other top was shredded, don’t you remember?”

  “Oh, you’re right.” Tyler replied, sitting up.

  Marie had readied her backpack, but wasn’t wearing it. She only had her knives harnessed to her back and a small caliber hand gun strapped to her thigh. “I would recommend a gun at the least with a few clips of ammunition.” Marie said, throwing a black shirt at Tyler.

  “Ok,” Tyler said, going to his satchel. He got dressed, then he found Marie had placed a gun and hip holster next to his bag. He strapped it on and turned to Marie, “I’m ready. Can I drive this time?”

  “What is it with men and having to drive? Fine, but you follow my directions.” She replied, walking towards the stairs.

  Chapter 30

  They took the motorcycle and drove it to within a mile of the facility, Marie told Tyler to pull it off the road.

  “Ok, we need to go by foot, and find the correct entrance.” Marie climbed off the bike.

  “The correct entrance? I thought you knew how to get in and out?” Tyler asked, confused.

  “The guards and employees aren’t allowed to smoke in there, or at least they weren’t, and I find it hard to believe that rule has changed. As a result, they keep one of the smaller gates unlocked so they can go out for a smoke outside the walls.” Marie began moving into the wooded area.

  “Hang on, this company has a no smoking policy because, what, it is bad for your health, but they build weapons that kill millions. Find that a bit ironic don’t you agree?” Tyler said with a laugh as he followed Marie.

  “Or they don’t want a stray spark to blow up their facility.” Marie said not looking back.

  “Valid point.”

  Marie circled the exterior of the facility with Tyler in tow. Suddenly she stopped as they reached the fourth small gate on the perimeter.

  “Seriously, the same one. They never learn” Marie said quietly, “That gate is unlocked. It is the same one they used to use.”

  “Are you sure?” Tyler asked nervously

  “Yes, I am sure.” Marie continued moving towards it. Tyler followed. She reached out and lifted the metal hinge and the gate slowly opened. She turned and smiled at Tyler. He returned a half smile. Marie entered the facility. It was as if she had never left. She knew exactly where she was going. She made her way to the research and development building. Tyler was trying to keep an eye out, but it looked like the facility was pretty deserted at night. There was a light on in the lab, in the building.

  “Let’s see if he is locking his door.” Marie said, reaching out to open the door to the building. It opened. She stepped in and Tyler followed as they entered. Marie grabbed Tyler and pulled him against the wall. “No matter what happens in there you follow my lead.” She ordered. Tyler nodded, pulling his gun from its holster and steading it in his hands. Marie pulled one of her knives out of it holster and readied it. They approached the lab door and slowly Marie pushed it open. The la
b had remained the same. Dr. Jones was sitting at one of the tables with paperwork covering it. Jones heard the door open and looked up. He nearly fell off his chair as he jumped up.

  Jones threw up his hands, “Whoa, whoa, hey, take it easy.” Jones said stuttering, backing away from the table.

  Tyler raised his gun to point it at Jones, “Don’t move,” he ordered

  Jones froze in place. “I I never wanted to participate in any of this I swear”

  “Well, you did and now here we are.” Marie said, walking up to Jones, he knife in hand.

  “What do you want with me? I never did anything to you. I fought to keep you alive, I worked with Stanley for you.” Jones pleaded.

  “You also did nothing to protect him,” Marie said raising her knife to his throat. “It is very simple. You are going to give this man the formula. You are going to tell him exactly what you and Stanley were injecting us with.” Marie pushed the knife to his throat.

  Jones was shaking, “What he gave the boys or what he gave you?”

  Marie stepped back, “What do you mean, what he gave the boys and what he gave me?”

  “You got something different then the boys.” Jones answered relaxing a bit.

  “Wait, wait, are you telling me he gave her something different then all the boys?” Tyler questioned.

  “Not exactly, no.” Jones replied.

  Marie was getting frustrated, “Explain yourself I’m getting annoyed.” She raised the knife again.

  “There were three formulas; the one you got , the one most of the boys got, and the placebo.” Jones replied, backing into the wall.

  “I told you not to move.” Tyler said, approaching Jones but Marie waved him back.

  “Most of the boys?” Marie questioned.

  “Three failed, remember.” Jones said nervously.

  Marie felt rage coming over her, “Tommy,” she whispered.

  Jones could only nod.

  “Wait a minute. You’re saying that those three boys got nothing. They were doomed to fail from the beginning!” Tyler yelled storming towards Jones, Marie couldn’t wave him off this time. Tyler pistol whipped Jones in the face. “You intentionally caused three little boys deaths, for what?” Tyler yelled pointing the gun between Jones’s eyes.

  Marie was still in shock with what she was hearing, “What did you give me!” She yelled

  “I…I don’t know what Stanley was giving you. He didn’t share it with me. He gave me the shots to give the boys, but he gave you, yours on his own. I have tried and tried to find out what it was, but I can’t find any record of it. I have searched his home for the green box he used to bring it in but I can’t find that either.”

  “You gave three boys placebos and the rest, what did you give the rest!” Tyler yelled. He was furious.

  “It was just steroids, they were just steroids.” Jones said weeping.

  “Who made the call of who was to succeed and who wasn’t?” Tyler questioned, clenching his teeth as he spoke.

  “None of them were going to succeed. She was the only one getting the right thing.” Jones said, still weeping. “Stanley designed the whole thing to achieve immortality and he was on track with the plan until he found her. Then everything changed. He was obsessed with her, saving her, making it so he would never lose her the way he had lost his daughter.” Jones said as he made eye contact with Marie. “He wanted immortality for you.”

  The rage was back for Marie, “Does this look like immortality is a good thing?” she said pulling open her top to show Jones her scar riddled body. “What makes you think it even worked? What, because I don’t bleed out in a matter of minutes? He achieved nothing for me!”

  Tyler cocked his gun.

  “Please, please, I was just following orders.” Jones pleaded.

  “Following orders? You are a scientist and you used children as lab rats! You have the nerve to act like you aren’t responsible at all for what happened. You could have told someone what Stanley was up to, causing the whole program to be scrapped, but instead you take over his work and try to steal it,” Tyler’s eyes were dark with rage. He looked to Marie, he could tell she was ready to end Jones. Tyler decided Jones was his, “What are my orders?” he said slyly to Marie.

  She gave him a half smile. “End him.”

  Tyler turned back, “Sorry, I am just following orders.” Tyler pulled the trigger. The bullet knocked Jones back into the wall. His body slumped to the floor as blood ran down his face. Tyler noticed his hand wasn’t shaking. He had pulled the trigger and felt nothing. He had no fear. Tyler holstered the gun, “Who next?”

  Marie smiled, “How about we check out the big boys’ office. I hear they arrive early.”

  Tyler smiled, “Lead the way, boss”

  Marie walked out of the lab, Tyler following behind. He didn’t take a second look at Jones. It didn’t bother him in the least. Marie and Tyler moved quietly though the facility to the administration building.

  “Follow me,” She said as she moved to the back of the building. Marie quietly pulled down the fire escape and started to climb the ladder. Tyler followed behind. Marie made her way to the second floor windows. She pulled out her knife and gently cut the lock on the window and slid it open. Tyler followed behind, closing the window. He looked around in the darkness for Marie. She found the light switch and turned the lights on at their lowest setting.

  Tyler looked around at the office. “This is a drab place,” he said, touching the glass desk.

  “They aren’t known for their decorating here.”

  Tyler moved to the file cabinets and started going through the files. “What are you looking for?” Marie asked, sitting down in Ivan’s chair

  “Anything I don’t know, anything that I can use.”

  “Use for what?” Marie asked.

  “I don’t know. Maybe they have information on Stanley that could help me find the formula.”

  “Maybe it died with him.” Marie replied

  “No, there is no way he didn’t record it somewhere. A scientist of his caliber would never have done that. A good scientist records his work to make sure he can replicate the success.” Tyler quickly scanned the files. “The only good thing I heard from Jones today was that the formula did work the one time it was used. It didn’t have a bunch of failures; the formula only had one success, which means it works.”

  “You really enjoyed killing him didn’t you?” Marie said with a laugh.

  Tyler paused for a moment. He had enjoyed it as much as he enjoyed watching Bruce burn. Tyler shook it off, “It had to happen he caused too many innocent lives to be lost and he would have caused countless other lives to be lost.”

  Marie averted eye contact and looked up at the ceiling. “New topic,” Marie said still staring at the ceiling.

  “Then new topic is: what do you plan to do with the ‘big boys’?” Tyler asked going back to the files.

  “Well, you need information it looks like, so we get information from them and then they die. This process is pretty simple. How haven’t you figured it out yet?”

  “Ok, then what? Huh? That’s the end. They are the end of the line, your last targets.”

  “I told you I would figure that out when they die,” Marie replied.

  Tyler grabbed a stack of files and placed them on Henry’s desk. He sat down in the chair and started to flip through them.

  “Find anything interesting?” Marie inquired.

  “No, it is just financials and sales stuff.” Tyler continued to read and then started to laugh.

  “What’s funny?” Marie asked

  “Looks like you nearly bankrupted them, between the cost of the failed project and the expenses to try to catch you. You’re an expensive girl.” Tyler chuckled, as he went through the files.

  “I guess it is comforting to know I’m not cheap.” Marie said with a laugh, placing her feet up on Ivan’s desk. “What time is it?” She found a clock on the wall. “Ah it’s five o’clock. They shoul
d be arriving soon. I’m going to turn the lights off. Hope you found what you were looking for.”

  “No, I haven’t found shit.” Tyler replied, tossing the file he was holding back on the desk.

  “Well, maybe they will have better answers for you.” Marie said, turning the light off. Marie returned to Ivan’s desk and sat back down, “As before, you follow my lead.”

  Tyler chuckled, “Fine but I think I have the better chair. It’s comfy.”

  Marie laughed.

  They sat in silence for the next half an hour. Tyler figured Marie was preparing herself for the showdown. He figured he should do the same. Eventually, they heard footsteps in the hall way, and heard the door knob start to turn. Tyler sat back in his chair with his gun in hand. He could hear Marie in the other chair but her knives appeared to still be in the holster. The door swung open and Henry stepped in turning on the light. Ivan saw them first. The look of shock on his face caused Henry to turn around.

  “What the fuck!” Henry exclaimed.

  Tyler pointed his gun at them.

  Marie smiled, “Come on in, boys; I have some business to discuss with you.” Henry looked to Ivan, who motioned for them to cooperate. The two stepped in to the office. “Be polite close the door behind you.” Marie leaned forward and rested her arms on the desk. Henry closed the door. Both he and Ivan were in shock to see her and in their office for that matter. “Now, boys, have a seat so we can talk business.” Marie gestured for them to take the seats in front of her. Her eyes locked on Ivan.

  “You have a lot of balls being here,” Henry said agitated. “What’s this, your puppy?” Henry said, pointing to Tyler. Tyler readjusted his gun to be pointed directly at Henry’s head.

  “This puppy has a gun pointed at your head so I suggest you keep your smart ass comments to yourself.” Tyler could feel that rage again. He took a deep breath.

  “Down, boy! Be a good boy.” Marie ordered, still staring directly at Ivan.

  “What do you want?” Ivan asked.

  “It’s very simple. I know you got screwed, like big time, Stanley took you boys for a ride and let me tell you as much as I have enjoyed you fucking up my life I think it’s time for you to pay for mine.” Marie said with a smile.