Ill-Fated (Ill-Fated Series Book 1)

by S. C. McMurray

  Rillian lifted his head back up.

  Farez acted as if he genuinely cared about him. He patted him on the knee and said softly, “Tell me John, why is it that I have access to files on every citizen of this country, accept that young girl. What are they hiding?”

  Rillian was silent.

  “Tell me something, John.” He glanced over at the woman in the lab coat. “I wouldn’t want you to have another nightmare.”

  “Is that what that was?” Rillian mumbled. “When did a scantily clad beautiful woman and a solitary beach become a nightmare?”

  Farez shook his head slowly. “Always so defiant.” He stood up. “Sweet dreams, John.” He nodded to the woman, who went to work preparing another vial.

  Rillian didn’t wait for the drug to knock him out before he closed his eyes. “It’s not real,” he whispered to himself, “It’s not real.”

  The burning sensation began again and then he faded away.

  He came to in a diner, much like the one where he and Evelyn had met her mother. He was sitting up, but once again he couldn’t move. Though it was dreary outside, it was morning and he could smell eggs and bacon and grease. There was a steaming cup of coffee in front of him and an open menu. A plump waitress smiled at him as she walked by. His head moved, but he didn’t move it and he followed her with his eyes as she filled another customer’s mug with coffee. He couldn’t be sure, but he was anxious and he had the distinct feeling that he was waiting to meet someone. His eyes darted back to the doors whenever they opened. He was nervous; he felt his stomach rolling over itself.

  What am I waiting for? What is about to happen?

  He grabbed the cup of coffee, took a sip then reached over and touched something in his inside pocket.

  What’s in my pocket?

  A moment later, the doors to the Diner opened and a tall beautiful woman walked in. She was wearing a gray pants suit and she had near perfect posture. It was an older version of Evelyn, but her natural red hair was dyed black and she wore it in a tight bun. He waved and she flashed a smile as she marched over to his booth and took a seat across from him. He was definitely nervous, he began bouncing his knee like he was a caffeine addict.

  The waitress appeared at the table right away and Evelyn politely told her she wasn’t ordering anything.

  When the waitress departed, Evelyn crossed her arms and said, “So, what’s this about, I only have a few minutes before I need to report.”

  He took another sip of coffee and spoke, though it wasn’t Rillian speaking. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what we talked about the other night.”

  She lifted a hand and glanced away. “No, you were right. It is too early. You just started your new job with the Secret Service and I—”

  “—I know what I said, but I think I was wrong.”

  She pepped up. “What do you mean?”

  “I love you and I want you to be happy.”

  She reached her hands across the table and took his. It felt good to feel her touch again. “I am happy just to be with you.”

  “You deserve more than that.”

  “What are you saying?”

  His stomach lurched with anticipation. “I’m saying that,” as he spoke his hand drifted over to his pocket and he pulled out a small cloth covered box, “I’ve been thinking that I want to make our relationship official.”

  He pulled out the box and revealed the shiny silver ring tucked away inside and Evelyn’s face lit up. “Evelyn Renee Smoak, will you marry me?”

  “Yes! Yes! Yes!” She hurried out of her side of the booth and slid into Rillian’s. She threw arms around him, squeezed him tightly and then kissed him passionately.

  He whispered into her ear, “I’m sorry this isn’t the most romantic of settings but I just couldn’t wait.”

  She pulled back a bit and said, “That doesn’t matter. I knew I loved you the first time I ever saw you. I would have said yes back then if you would have asked me.” She gave him another kiss and then departed, saying that she couldn’t wait to show her ring to her new friends.

  He drank the rest of the coffee as he watched his beautiful fiancé depart the diner. It wasn’t just the attire or the hair that was different about Evelyn. She was happy, happier than he’d ever seen her. She was glowing.

  He placed the cup of coffee on the table and swiped his chip to pay the bill. He felt as if he was walking on air as he crossed the tiled floor to the door. Rillian didn’t know where he was going, but he didn’t care, he actually felt happy. He walked down the sidewalk to a sleek silver car. He approached it, said something and it unlocked. He grabbed the handle to open the door but froze when he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the driver side window. The face smiling back was not his but the young Captain’s, the man from her sketch. The happy life with her wasn’t his at all. Another nightmare.

  Rillian awoke once again in the interrogation room, but this time he was alone. He was shaking again as if his nightmare had drained all warmth from his body. Though he was extremely tired, he just stared at the floor for a very long time, too afraid to let himself fall asleep again. Eventually the door opened and Farez stepped inside. He stood over Rillian with his arms crossed behind his back.

  “John Doe…” he said just above a whisper. “If you do not tell me what I want to know, you will never have a peaceful rest again.”

  Rillian didn’t look up or acknowledge him in anyway, and he continued, “We will administer the serum once every hour and you will live your worst fears played out in so many ways that you will never see the same thing twice. It will grind you into dust and you will never be able to feel anything but fear again. You will never feel love, nor compassion or friendship. You will be a cowardly scourge to everyone you know.”

  Rillian lifted his head slowly and whispered, “No more please, I will tell you, just no more.”

  Farez smiled. “I thought you would say that.” He leaned in close. “Why is she so important?”

  “Because…” Rillian paused, gathered his strength. Farez leaned in and Rillian spat right in his face.

  Farez straightened up and calmly wiped his face with a handkerchief, then unleashed a violent backhand across Rillian’s face.

  Rillian spat out a glob of blood onto the floor. “I will never tell you anything about her.”

  Farez seized Rillian by the sides of the head with both hands and squeezed until Rillian’s jaw couldn’t move. “Boy, you have a weakness and I will find it. A friend, a lover, a family member. I will press every button until I press the right one and when I do, you will sing and I will know everything you know.”

  Farez shoved away from him, then nodded at the two-way mirror. “Sweet dreams, little birdie.”

  Farez left the room and the woman in the lab coat entered. As she prepared another syringe, Rillan swallowed hard.

  This is for you Evelyn, wherever you are.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Puffs of cumulus clouds hung like cotton balls in the sky above them. Adam was driving, and he and Evelyn were heading west on Rural Route 13 in a 45 Chevy Camaro. It was a classic, sleek, aero dynamic and as silent as a humming bird. Because it was by far the nicest car that Evelyn had ever ridden in, and she was bored, she found herself admiring the leather interior with her fingertips.

  Finally, after hours of silence, Evelyn leaned forward and turned on the radio. A robotic female voice came on over the speakers.

  “Hello, you have no preferences set, would you like to me to set them for you?”

  “Yes.” Evelyn replied.

  “I will do that. What is your favorite style of music?”

  “Classical.” Adam interjected.

  Evelyn looked at him strangely. “Classical?”

  “Classical confirmed,” stated the radio and within seconds the orchestra began to perform.

  Evelyn sighed, “Really?”

  Adam shrugged, “The woman asked for my favorite style of music.”

  “She aske
d for my favorite style of music.”

  “But, I’m the one driving.”

  “So, you are my prisoner. I should get to choose the music.”

  “Fine,” Adam relented, “what is your favorite style of music?”

  “Anything but classical.”

  Adam spoke to the robotic voice as if she was riding in the car with them. “Radio, change preferences to Gangsta Rap.”

  “Gangsta Rap, confirmed.”

  Within seconds, the bass on the car was thumping and a rapper was waxing poetic about his guns, gangs and girls. Evelyn leered at Adam.

  He smiled, placed one hand on the top of the wheel and slouched as he bobbed his head to the music. “You said anything.”

  “Radio,” Evelyn said above the thumping bass, “change preferences to ‘Pop’.”

  “Pop, confirmed.”

  The rap came to an abrupt end and was quickly replaced by a vixen pelting out her angst while imploring young girls to just “go with it.”

  “You don’t really listen to this do you?” Adam asked.

  “I may be a science project but I’m still a teenager,” Evelyn answered matter-of-factly, “and classical isn’t your favorite.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “Your favorite is digital rock.”

  Adam’s face grew serious, lines formed above his eyes. “How’d you know that?”

  Evelyn looked confused herself. “I don’t know.”

  “Seriously, how’d you know?” Adam asked again. “No one our age listens to digital rock.”

  “I really don’t know.”

  Adam’s eyes narrowed on her for a moment before he asked, “What is my favorite color?”

  The answer came right to her. “Scarlett.”

  “Why not red or crimson?”

  “I don’t know, it’s your favorite color not mine.”

  Adam looked dumbfounded for a moment before admitting, “Scarlett is a character from one of my favorite books. I know it’s a stupid reason but it’s my reason.”

  There was a pause. Adam turned down the music. “Evelyn, who are you?”

  “You tracked me down. You know who I am.”

  “When I arrested you, I found a sketch of me, did you draw that?”

  Evelyn’s stomach knotted up. “Yes.”

  “When?”

  Evelyn spoke slowly, “Long before I ever saw you.”

  Adam stared straight ahead and soaked it all in. “Why do I feel like I have déjà vu whenever I’m around you?”

  “I don’t know.” Evelyn took a deep breath. “What do they want with me?”

  Adam shook his head. “I don’t know.”

  Evelyn didn’t believe him. “How do you not know?”

  “They don’t tell me everything. General Thatcher gave me the orders but there was no mention as to why.”

  “Thatcher gave you the orders,” Evelyn leaned in closer to him, “as in First General Thatcher?”

  “Yes.”

  “And you didn’t ask why?”

  “I never ask why. I just do my job.”

  “Wow,” Evelyn said sarcastically, “you are quite the pet monkey.”

  It was obvious that Adam didn’t appreciate the comment. “It’s not like that,” he said defensively. “You can’t just question your Commanding Officer, especially when he’s the First General,” he paused, “and your godfather.”

  “Thatcher is your Godfather?” Evelyn shook her head in disbelief. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Not only are you the son of a high ranking senator but also the godson of the most powerful man in the world?”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t intend for this to happen.”

  Evelyn turned to the window. “I know, you intended for me to be in a prison by now while you celebrated with your father and godfather another job well done and another life ruined.”

  Adam raised his voice and for the first time, Evelyn saw some real emotion from him. “Damn it, Evelyn, you have no idea what it’s like to live in their shadow.”

  “I’m sure your posh mansion gave you plenty of places to hide.”

  Adam shook his head and exhaled. “You don’t have a clue.”

  “Enlighten me.”

  Adam just stared at her.

  Evelyn went on, “I’m serious. Enlighten me. I want to know what it was like for the elite of our fine nation.”

  “Fine, I’ll tell you.” He said with contempt. “I don’t remember having a single toy growing up. Not a teddy bear or video game. I’ve done nothing but train since I can remember.”

  Evelyn eased her tone, “Train for what?”

  “My life,” He said simply.

  For the first time, Evelyn felt like she was seeing the real person behind the uniform and the rank and she actually felt a bit of empathy for him. “Is this the life that you wanted?” she asked.

  “That’s the problem. I can’t envision anything else.” He paused. “I want to make my father proud. I want to do what is best for my country.”

  “For the Party or the country?”

  “What’s best for my Party is also what’s best for my country.”

  Evelyn sighed. “For a moment, I thought there was a soul in there.”

  Adam rolled his eyes. “You separatist all think the same. There are real threats out there, beyond our borders and we do what we have to protect our stability.”

  “I’m not a separatist and I’m not a threat. I’m just trying to save my family.”

  Adam was silent in brooding.

  Evelyn continued, “My whole world has been turned upside down. A couple of weeks ago, I was a normal girl, just trying to fit in and now, I’m enemy number one and I have no idea why. So, I apologize if I’ve lost some faith in my government.”

  Adam was quiet for a moment, he breathed deep then asked, “Do you want to know the truth?”

  Evelyn nodded.

  “I’m curious about you, about my mission. When my godfather gave me the file and I saw your picture, I thought there was possibly some mistake. You were younger than what I’m used to hunting down. There were no red flags in your file. No connection to the SPC, yet this mission was given priority status.”

  “Yet you didn’t ask any questions?”

  “There wasn’t much to question when we tracked you to that cabin on Lake Michigan and arrested four members of the SPC, or found you with your SPC friend in Lexington.”

  “They’re people not criminals.”

  Adam lowered his voice and spoke calmly. “Did you ever consider that perhaps you trusted the wrong people?”

  Evelyn glanced out the window and thought about what he was saying. Adam slowed to a stop at a four way crossing.

  “You called yourself a science project and I’ve seen what you can do. Did you think that perhaps they had plans for you? Maybe they wanted to use you for their cause?”

  Evelyn felt uneasy. “They were helping me.”

  “Were they? Or were you helping them and you didn’t know it?”

  “What are you saying?”

  “You know what I’m saying.”

  She did know, though she didn’t want to admit it. Perhaps Adam was right. Maybe she was nothing more than a tool of their rebellion. Maybe their plan was to unleash Dr. Larkin’s monster on the Unionist Party. She didn’t like the fact that people would want to use her like that.

  “What do you want with me then?” She asked. “What does the Party have planned for me? What does your godfather have planned for me?”

  “I don’t know.” He glanced away in thought. “Maybe they wanted to keep you safe.”

  “Yeah, right. Like they wanted to keep Rosina’s son safe.”

  “We aren’t evil you know.”

  “Really?” She dropped her head. “My mother is dead and my father and my only friends are in a federal prison, so forgive me for being skeptical of your benevolence.”

  Adam shook his head and mumbled, “You don’t understand. We do what we have to to protect o
rder and stability.” He paused. “Do you want another civil war? You want anarchy?”

  Evelyn raised her voice. “No! I just want my family back.”

  Adam leaned forward and turned up the radio. No words were shared between them for quite some time. Evelyn tapped her thigh with her fingers as she stared vacantly out the window. Adam kept his eyes on the road ahead.

  After an hour of nothing but cornfields and pop music, Adam leaned forward and turned off the radio. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

  “I’m sorry about your family and your friends.” He said regretfully. “I know that in my profession people get hurt, people get killed but I’ll never get used to it. To be honest with you, I hate it. I do what I have to, but I hate killing. I hate what happened to your mother and it will haunt me to the day I die.”

  He wasn’t looking at her, as if he couldn’t look at her. His eyes were glistening. She felt like she should reach out and touch him on the hand. But, she reminded herself that she shouldn’t feel pity for him, that he was responsible for what had happened to her mother and father and Lana and Rillian.

  “Everything has been clear my whole life, like I always knew which direction to go, which road to take. Now, everything is so clouded. I don’t believe you are a criminal or a terrorist and every time I look at you, I can’t help but feel something.” He changed his grip on the steering wheel and finally looked at Evelyn. “I know that you will never trust me and I understand that, but I’m going to help you save your family and friends.”

  Evelyn felt muddled herself. She squeezed her locket with her palm. “Why?”

  “Because I feel like it is the right thing to do and I was taught to do the right thing even when it’s hard.”

  “What will happen to you then?”

  Evelyn thought she saw a glimmer of fear in his eyes. “I don’t know.” He admitted. “Probably just make me go away.”

  “Let’s not get caught then.”