Section 12: Book #3 in The Makanza Series

by Krista Street

  No, it was smarter to do as they said and wait for the repercussions. I knew I’d be arrested. Now, it was just a matter of what punishment I was dealt.

  I swallowed tightly at that thought. I wouldn’t be of any help to the Kazzies if I was rotting in a jail cell.

  Turning, I put my hands behind my back. He slid cool, metal cuffs around my wrists. With his help, I climbed inside the back of the truck.

  The guard who’d been standing at the front of the truck hopped into the driver’s seat. The other guard who had been on my right climbed into the second truck. He took the dogs with him. An outline of a fourth guard appeared in that truck’s cab.

  Hot air blew through the dash when the soldier put the truck into gear. He flipped on the windshield wipers. Snow already covered it. While waiting for it to clear, he fiddled with something else on the dashboard.

  Crackling from a radio reached my ears. A voice came next, “We’re searching the perimeter on the north side. No sign of him–”

  The voice cut off when the guard killed the radio. He put the truck into drive and stomped on the gas pedal.

  My heart leaped. Ian hasn’t been caught yet!

  But then my grin faded. There were a hundred reasons that would explain why they hadn’t found Ian. Images of him falling, twisting an ankle, or being lost in the large vacant prairie kept filling my mind. No, don’t think that. He’ll either find a way out of he’ll get caught. Either way, he’ll make it.

  As the guards drove ahead, I settled back against the seat. Blood whooshed through my ears as my heart beat erratically. It was slowly sinking in what had happened.

  I’d been caught.

  I was about to be arrested.

  Ian was lost on the prairie. I still had no idea where Davin was or if he was being hurt.

  And I was about to meet Dr. Roberts.

  The only solace I took from any of it was that I was once again in communication with Sara. Regardless of what they did to me, that connection made the punishment worth it.

  Or so I hoped.

  THE BUILDING THE guards drove me to was on the outskirts of town. I tried to pay attention to where we’d driven, but the visibility was so poor I couldn’t. Everything out my window was darkness intermixed with falling snow.

  It was eerie.

  Sara tentatively knocked as we drove. I opened the mental door for a minute since nothing was happening. Hi.

  Oh, Meghan, are you okay? What happened?

  I sighed. I’m not sure where to start, and I don’t have much time. But tell me, are you okay? Is Sophie okay?

  Yes, we’re both fine, but–

  And Davin? How is he? I held my breath as I waited.

  He’s being kept somewhere.

  My stomach flipped. But he’s fine?

  He’s not being drugged anymore, so he and I can talk, but they won’t let him out of the room he’s confined to.

  I let out the breath I’d been holding. He wasn’t being drugged. Maybe my deal with Dr. Roberts hadn’t been completely in vain. Did he say–

  “Get her out. Roberts is inside waiting,” the driver barked.

  My question evaporated when the guard pulled the truck into a small parking lot. I gotta go, Sara. I’ve arrived at wherever they’re taking me.

  The guard shifted the truck into park and turned.

  Where is it? she asked frantically.

  I tried to see out the front windshield but between the two guards and blowing snow, I couldn’t see much. I don’t know. I’ll be in touch soon.

  I closed our connection before she could ask anything further.

  The guards opened their doors, and it was only then I heard his earlier words. Roberts is waiting.

  I shivered. Dr. Roberts had the power to make my life miserable. He was also doing who-knew-what to my friends. My stomach twisted into knots at the thought of him taking my punishment out on them. Nausea made my stomach roll.

  The driving guard issued more orders to Private Xanders. I had a feeling Xanders was new to the MRRA. The driver, however, carried an air of authority and had a brisk tone. I imagined he held a higher rank.

  I stumbled out of the vehicle when Xanders opened the door. With my hands behind my back, the clunky winter boots, and my hair flying everywhere now that I didn’t have a hat to tame it, meant I was a mess.

  “Whoa, there.” Private Xanders steadied me. If he hadn’t, I would have slipped on the snowy pavement.

  My gaze drifted to the building. Now that I was out of the vehicle, I could see it better. It was a large oblong barrack with double doors and no windows. It had military written all over it.

  “Are all of the Kazzies in their homes right now? Or are some kept somewhere else?”

  He cocked his head at my question.

  “Some of the homes were completely dark, as if nobody lived in them. Where are those Kazzies?” What I really wanted to ask was, where’s Davin?

  “Xanders!” The other guard yelled at us before he could respond.

  “This way, ma’am.” He nodded toward the door and gently latched onto my arm.

  The building we strode toward wasn’t the only one out here. It seemed half a dozen similar looking buildings lined this road.

  “What is this place?”

  “Officers’ quarters and barracks.”

  Xanders opened the door. Cold air blew into the small entry between the building’s outer doors and inner double doors.

  The other guard stayed behind, talking to someone on the radio.

  “Do you know Davin Kinder?”

  Xanders opened the next set of doors. “Can’t say I recognize that name.”

  Bright light from inside poured into the entryway. We stepped into a desolate reception area. It was simple. A desk, computer, table light, and a filing cabinet. Bare hallways were visible around the corner.

  “He’s from Compound 26. He’s half-Native American and has strain 11. Tall, lean yet muscular build, black hair, and bright blue eyes. Does that ring a bell?”

  Xander’s mouth downturned. “Oh… him.”

  “So you know him?” I slowed my steps forcing Private Xanders to match my stride.

  “I don’t know him, but I’ve heard of him. He’s been causing a lot of problems.”

  “Why? What’s he done?”

  “Not following the rules, talking back to soldiers, that kind of thing.”

  “Where is he?” Another door loomed in front of us. I had no idea where Dr. Roberts waited, but I knew once I was in the same room with him, any questions I had would no longer be answered.

  “In one of the locked barracks.”

  “And is…” I took a deep breath. “Is he okay?”

  Xanders shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t work in that area.” He reached for the door handle. It opened to another hallway. Doors lined this one.

  I slowed my steps more. “What about the flu and the downed phone lines. Did that really happen or was it made up?”

  “Made up?” Private Xanders raised eyebrows told me he didn’t understand why I’d ever think something would be fabricated. “No, there were a few guards that came down with the flu, but it passed quickly. And there aren’t downed lines. What are you talking about?”

  I stopped in the hall. Harsh fluorescents hummed above us. “What do you mean, what am I talking about? Haven’t you heard that the reservation’s closed to the Kazzies’ family and friends?”

  His brow furrowed. “It is?”

  I groaned in frustration. “How can you not know that?”

  He shrugged. “I work in town. I have no idea what goes on at the perimeter. But now that you mention it, I haven’t seen anyone from the outside in here in a while.”

  While his words surprised me, at the same time, they didn’t. Dr. Roberts loved keeping divisions within Compound 26 separate from one another. We’d been forbidden to communicate with researchers in other departments. Under his rule, so many researchers within the MRI in Sioux Falls hadn’t known one
another. It appeared he ran Reservation 1 in a similar fashion.

  I never found out why Dr. Roberts created those rules. The only explanation I’d ever come up with was control. He wanted absolute control over everyone and everything within his departments.

  Perhaps it was the same here on Reservation 1.

  “Here we are.” Private Xanders twisted a door handle and swung a door open. Inside was a simple table and chairs. “Please have a seat.”

  He removed the handcuffs.

  I rubbed my wrists and then slipped out of my ruined coat. I still wore snow pants and the heavy boots. Slushy snow had dripped off my boots initially when we stepped into this building. Bits of melting snow still clung to the laces.

  I glanced around the room, taking in the details. The room was small, only a table with two chairs. Other than that, the walls were concrete, although one wall was lined with a mirror. A small camera hung in the corner.

  It didn’t take a genius to know where they’d taken me. An interrogation room.

  My feet rooted to the spot, and I was sure I looked like a complete mess. I pushed hair out of my eyes and whirled around to Private Xanders just as a door opened in the corner of the room.

  Dr. Roberts marched in. His loud stomps were all too familiar.

  My breath caught in my throat.

  My former boss looked exactly as he always did. Short cut hair, gray eyes, a tall frame that hadn’t grown soft with age, and a hard unforgiving face. He wore military cargo gear. He’d worn that at Compound 26 too. The only difference was that here, he didn’t look out of place.

  “Thank you, Private. You’re excused.”

  Private Xanders stood ramrod straight and saluted before striding out the door. It closed briskly behind him. The sound of a lock clicking into place followed.

  “Meghan Forester. We meet again.”

  Dr. Roberts’ cold words sent fear cascading down my spine. I kept telling myself I had nothing to fear, that he wouldn’t hurt me. Yet, the reality was – he could.

  Nobody knew what was happening to me. The only ones who would ever report me missing were Amy, Mitch, Charlie, and Sharon.

  A horrible thought struck me.

  What if nobody believes them?

  I shook that thought off. Of course, people would believe them.

  Dr. Roberts pulled out a chair for me. “Sit.”

  I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow. A year ago, I never would have had the guts to do that, but I’d come a long ways since then. Of course, my heart still pounded and my breath felt like it would catch in my throat. Hopefully, Dr. Roberts wouldn’t sense that.

  He strode to the opposite side of the table. He waved again at my chair. “We’ll be here for a while. Now, sit!”

  As much as I wanted to defy him, the more intelligent side of me won. Angering him wouldn’t help free me, and it wouldn’t help free the Kazzies. I still had no idea where Davin was being kept or what was being done to him.

  I pulled out the chair and settled on it. The hard surface pressed into the soft snow pants, and my heavy boots clanked awkwardly against the legs when I pulled it under the table.

  “Where’s Davin?”

  Dr. Roberts’ eyebrows rose. My direct question had obviously taken him by surprise.

  “I know he’s not in his house, so where is he?” I held my breath as I waited for his answer.

  “He’s been contained.”

  His words chilled me. Images of the Experimental Room at Compound 26 flashed through my mind. Dr. Roberts had done inconceivable things to Davin in there.

  “Contained where?”

  “That’s none of your business.”

  My heart beat so fast, I thought for sure it would beat out of my chest. “His mother’s looking for him.”

  Dr. Roberts leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “So I hear.”

  Despite my quaking heart, I persevered. “And that doesn’t bother you? That a mother is worried sick over her son?”

  Something flashed across Dr. Roberts’ face, but it passed too quickly for me to decipher. Regardless, it was an emotion I’d never seen him wear.

  With his cold expression back in place, he said, “Many mothers worry about their children. But when a Kazzie is disrupting the peace on this reservation, certain actions are taken.”

  “Why have you closed the reservation?”

  Dr. Roberts leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table. “I believe I’m the one who should be asking the questions. Do you realize you’ve broken federal law by breaking into Reservation 1? That you’ll be arrested?”

  Swallowing audibly, I did my best to not let that reality consume me. Faking bravado, I also leaned forward. “And do you realize that I have proof of what’s been happening here? That I know what you’ve been doing to the Kazzies?”

  His gaze narrowed. “What are you talking about?”

  “How you’ve been abusing them, ordering soldiers to shoot them if necessary.” My voice squeaked, giving away some of my terror. I pinched my arm under the table. Don’t stop now! “The public may not want them free, but that doesn’t mean they want them hurt. What do you think will be the public’s reaction when they find out what’s been done here?”

  Silence followed. Dr. Roberts’ gaze stayed on me.

  I met his level stare, doing my best not to flinch.

  He was the first to break eye contact. I could tell that rattled him.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He pushed to standing, the chair squeaking against the concrete floor.

  I waited for him to sit again. Instead, he stood with his hands on his hips, his gaze contemplative.

  With my heart hammering a mile a minute, I pinched my arm again to stay grounded. So far, I’d managed to maintain my composure during our conversation. I knew my newly found courage didn’t sit well with my former boss.

  I waited for Dr. Roberts to sit, but instead of facing me again, he opened the door he’d entered from and spoke to someone standing outside it. “Private Neary. Escort Dr. Forester to her room for the night. See that she’s given clean clothes, water, and something to eat.”

  With that, Dr. Roberts turned to me and said, “What happens within this reservation is done to keep things civil and controlled. Whatever you think has been done is surely blown out of proportion. I’m in control here, and if you think that will change, you’re wrong.”

  He walked out the door before I could reply.

  I frowned. I couldn’t tell if I’d rattled him or not, but with him gone, I dropped my façade. My hands shook like a leaf, and for a moment, I felt so lightheaded I thought I’d pass out.

  The soldier outside the room beckoned me forward. On shaky legs, I stood.

  Private Neary looked like all the rest. A young male in military cargos. Apparently, Private Xanders would not be escorting me. “Follow me.”

  I numbly trailed behind him down another hall. It ended at a cafeteria. He marched across it to another set of double doors.

  “This way.”

  He led me down a maze of hallways before stopping at a door that required a key. The door squeaked when it opened, reminding me of dark doorways in horror movies that opened to creaky stairwells with who-knew-what waiting at the bottom.

  Luckily, that wasn’t what this doorway opened onto.

  Inside was a small room. It held a bed, dresser, a window that was too narrow to crawl through, and a single bathroom. Drab colors and a concrete floor summed up the décor.

  “Food will be brought in shortly.” He nudged me inside and shut the door before I could reply. A solid turn of his key had a bolt sliding into place.

  I immediately turned and tried to pry the door handle open. It wouldn’t budge.

  Biting my lip, thoughts whirled through my mind as my reality came to a crashing halt.

  I’m going to be arrested. I’m a prisoner on Reservation 1!

  Trying not to panic, I strode across the room to look out the window. Out
side, snow still fell. At least eight inches sat on the windowsill.

  Ian was out there somewhere. I had no idea if he’d been caught or hurt.

  And I still had no idea what was being done to Davin.

  14 – SARA

  Sara knocked on our mental door as I stood at the window. No doubt my surge of panic had alerted her to new events unfolding.

  I unlocked our connection just as the door to my room opened and Private Neary carried in food. He set the tray on the dresser and retreated before I could open my mouth to ask the million questions that wanted to barrel through. The sound of a bolt sliding into place followed.

  Scents of the meal drifted my way just as Sara asked, Meghan? Can you talk now?

  Despite nervous energy churning in my stomach, I grabbed the tray and dug into the food. It had to be close to ten at night, and I was ravenous from hiking in the cold. Yes. I can talk now. They’ve locked me in a room. It seems I’ll be spending the night here.

  The meal was simple but nutritious. Chicken, boiled potatoes, and carrots. I inhaled it. As soon as I finished, I kicked off the heavy boots, peeled off the snow pants, and crawled onto the bed.

  Sara’s worry and curiosity strummed into me. Where are you? And can you please tell me now what the heck is going on?

  Leaning against the wall, I tried to get as comfortable as I could with my back propped against concrete. I’m in a locked room in a barrack, and there’s so much to tell you. I’m not sure where to start.

  A locked barrack? So they took you to where the other Kazzies are kept. But how are you here?

  Cold from the concrete seeped through my shirt, so I sat forward. I broke into the reservation.

  You broke in?

  I winced at her screech. Yeah, I had to break in. It was the only way since they closed the gates to visitors.

  Why did you do that? And how did you manage it? And who was that guy you were with?

  Tucking my feet underneath me, I summed everything up as best I could. I know what’s been happening here, how they’ve been treating all of you – that’s why I broke in since they wouldn’t let us in through the gates. I felt like I had no choice. I needed to find you to re-establish our connection so I could really know how you’re all doing. And that guy you saw is Ian – long story there. We got split up when I was caught, so now I’m locked in some room. I’m not sure where he is.