Everything’s changed.
With shaking fingers, I pulled out my phone and tapped in Sharon’s number. She answered on the first ring. “Meghan, sweetie?”
“Yeah, it’s me. Are you here? Are you seeing this?”
A groan escaped her. “Not yet, but I’ve heard. I’m still at the house in Mobridge. We needed to use the generator to charge Mitch’s vehicle before they left, so mine’s still charging. I’ll head there soon.” Her voice broke. “I’ll see my son today.”
My stomach flipped at the thought of Davin. It had been so long since I’d seen him. “Do you want me to come get you? I can pick you up now.”
“No, just get in the reservation and find him. Please, find him and make sure he’s safe.” She paused. “I know that something’s happened between the two of you, and I’m not asking you to tell me what, but please whatever it is, put it behind you and find him.”
My grip tightened. “I will. Call me when you get here.”
We hung up, and I stuffed my phone into my pocket, my hand shaking. Someone pushed past me on the road. He carried a sign and strode toward the reservation. A few friends followed him.
I trailed behind them, hurrying to the gates. Distant yells and chants reached my ears. The closer I got, the more I had to push through the masses of people standing on the road.
Strong wind blew around us. Everywhere I looked it was white.
The protestors all wore sturdy winter gear. More than a few were yelling their anger at the guards. Some carried banners. Most of those banners said to free the Kazzies. In the distance, someone was speaking through a megaphone, their voice blaringly loud, while proclaiming that the Kazzies had done their part and should be released and that abusing them was unconstitutional.
Hearing support versus fear and anger slowed my pounding heart. However, I didn’t know if this would amount to anything. Law dictated that the Kazzies remain on the reservation. Until that law changed, they would still be prisoners.
As the gates grew closer, a few reporters recognized me. Several rushed over. Microphones were shoved in my face and bodies pressed in on me.
A camera blocked my path, as a reporter asked, “Dr. Forester, is it true that you played a part in the removal of Dr. Roberts?”
Another reporter stepped forward when I elbowed past. She shoved a microphone under my chin. “Can you give us a statement as to what happened? Who posted those videos online? How long has this been going on? Have you known the entire time?”
With shallow breaths, I pushed through the crowd and mumbled no comment to all of the reporters that followed.
When I reached the gates, the guards stared down at me from the watch towers. I knew they recognized me.
“Let me in!” I pleaded.
They glanced to their superior for direction. I could only imagine how many people had asked to be admitted into the reservation today.
Their superior gave a stiff nod. With shaking hands, two guards opened the gate and let me slip inside.
The reporters tried to follow, but they shut the gates before they could advance. Their shouts didn’t stop. Questions for me and accusations at what the guards had done continued. I hastily walked forward on shaky legs.
“Who’s in charge here?” I pushed hair out of my eyes as the wind picked up. I’d left my hat and mittens in the car. It was a stupid move on my part. Unless they gave me a ride to town, I’d have to return to collect my things.
An older looking gentleman stepped forward. He was short and stocky. A bushy mustache hid his upper lip. From the way the younger guards gave him a wide berth, I knew I’d found the Sergeant Major.
He put his hands on his hips. “What can we do for you, Dr. Forester?”
It was a very different response to what I’d received last time. I had no idea if it was the same Sergeant Major that had denied my admittance before, but I didn’t ask. I needed to find Davin, and I needed to find my friends.
“Is Dr. Roberts gone?”
“Yes.” His word was clipped.
When I realized he wasn’t going to elaborate, I asked, “Will you take me to town?”
I glanced over my shoulder at the reporters and crowds outside of the perimeter. The chain-link fence in no way hid our interaction. I felt like a goldfish in a fishbowl. All eyes were on me.
The Sergeant Major made a stiff motion at a guard. “Get her a ride!”
I couldn’t tell from his hard expression what he thought of this sudden change of events. I wasn’t sure I cared.
Several minutes later, the sound of a truck approaching filled the air. It skidded to a stop in the snow as one of the young soldiers opened the door for me. I jumped inside and slammed the door.
Two soldiers sat in the front. “Where to, ma’am?”
“Um,” I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. They were treating me very differently to how they had only two days ago. “Take me to town.”
As we drove forward, I tapped on the mental door that linked me to Sara. She opened readily. Hi, Meghan. Where are you?
I’m in the reservation. I just got here. I can’t believe what’s going on outside. Reporters are everywhere. And there are people camping in the snow, shouting obscenities at the guards, and demanding that you all be released.
Yeah, I know. I can’t believe it either. It’s been a little crazy here. They’ve locked all of us in our houses until they can better control the perimeter.
That comment made me pause. Are they worried for your safety?
I’m not sure, but I think they’re more worried they couldn’t control us and control the crowds outside at the same time. So where are you right now?
I’m on my way to see Davin. I hope.
Will you let me know how he’s doing after you talk to him? I never know if he’s telling me the truth about his situation. You know how he is. He never wants people to worry.
Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. I’ll touch base with you in a little bit, okay?
Yes, please do.
The woman soldier in the passenger seat eyed me curiously as we sped along. “So you’re Dr. Forester? I’ve heard a lot about you. Rumor has it that you broke into the reservation the other day. Is that true?” Her sharp green eyes followed my every move as she gazed over her shoulder.
I forced myself to not fidget. “Yes, that’s true.”
“They also said you’re the reason that Dr. Roberts was fired.”
I sat up straighter. “The reason Dr. Roberts was fired is because of what he did. He, and he alone, is to blame.” The words bristled out of me.
She tucked her chin. “Um, yeah, sure. Okay.”
We arrived in town ten minutes later. “Do you want out here? Or should I take you somewhere?” the soldier driving asked.
Since I had no idea how the normal policies and procedures worked on the reservation, I wasn’t sure what my options were. I didn’t know if they would take me straight to Davin if I asked, or if I’d need to fill out some kind of paperwork.
Since I had nothing to lose, I asked, “Do you know where Davin Kinder is?”
The two guards shared a look. The driver met my gaze in the rearview mirror. “Yeah, we know where he is.”
“Will you take me to him?”
The soldiers again shared a look. The woman muttered under her breath, “They said to do whatever she wanted.”
I wasn’t sure what to make of that comment, but I wasn’t going to ask. If they wanted to bequeath me with unquestioned power, I’d take it.
The soldiers drove to a building very similar to the one I’d been kept in. It was large with double doors and a domed roof over the oblong shape. Several buildings that looked identical to it lined the street.
“What are these buildings used for?” Hair flew around my face in the cold wind when I stepped out of the truck. I once again wished I’d brought my winter hat.
“A variety of things. Some are used as officers’ barracks and quarters, some are used as exercise rooms
, others have little shops in them, some have offices. When this town was built, simplicity and functionality where the driving factors. As you probably remember, we were on a tight schedule. We had to construct buildings quickly. These are easy to put together and serve their purpose.”
“So Davin is kept in one of them?”
She led me to the door and called over her shoulder, “Yes, Dr. Roberts had the contained Kazzies kept here.”
The female soldier marched down the hallway. Similar to the building I’d been in, it was lined with doors. She stopped at the third one and inserted a key.
The sound of the key sliding into the lock echoed in the hallway.
I held my breath.
When the door swung open, my eyes searched frantically within. It was a room exactly like the one I had been in. A bed, dresser, and a small window that was too narrow to crawl through.
My eyes alighted on the figure sitting on the bed. His shoulders were hunched over, his head in his hands. Tawny, strong forearms rested on his knees. Unruly, black hair sprang through his fingers as he held his head.
My heart rate sped up. I took a step forward. My voice barely worked, but I managed to get out one word, “Davin?”
Davin lifted his head. His bright blue eyes, the eyes that I loved so much, widened. “Meghan!” He shot to standing.
I ran to him.
It didn’t matter that I hadn’t seen him in months. It didn’t matter that he never thought a future for us was possible. I flew into his arms as if it was the last time I’d see him.
He caught me and crushed me to his chest.
His face buried in my neck. I heard him inhale. “Meghan! What? How…”
He held me tightly, his heart pounding against mine. Minutes passed before he pulled back and cradled my face between his hands. Emotion blazed across his face.
“How is it that you’re here?”
Tears filled my eyes. I loved feeling him against me. His hard chest, his lean build. It all felt so right. It felt like I had come home.
“Dr. Roberts isn’t in charge anymore.”
His eyes widened even more. “So it’s true then? Sara told me he’d be removed, but I didn’t believe it.”
I nodded vigorously. “He was removed last night. Word has spread around the country about what’s been done to you and the other Kazzies. It’s going to stop, Davin. This time, I promise. It’s going to stop!”
He pulled me back into a hug. I felt his heart galloping within his chest. It beat as quickly as my own.
“So what happens now?” His words were muffled in my hair.
I kept my arms wrapped tightly around him, cherishing his unique scent. It hadn’t changed. Soap, aftershave, and the tang that was all him.
“I have no idea. But it’s time that you’re all set free. It’s time that the country understands that you’re not a risk to them. And I’m going to make sure that happens.”
18 – DAVIN
The soldiers escorted us out of the room. Davin walked by my side. The feel of his hand brushing against mine, and the weight of his presence made my steps feel lighter than they had in months.
He kept glancing my way. His expression oscillating between disbelief and wonder, as if he couldn’t believe he was out, that he stood beside me, that he was no longer contained.
As we passed the remaining doors in the hallway, I eyed them curiously. “Are there other Kazzies kept in these rooms?”
“Some of them.” The female guard pointed at one. “Another one of yours is in there.”
I stiffened. “Another one of mine?” I could only assume she meant another Kazzie from Compound 26. “Who?”
“The one who throws electric bolts.”
“Sage?” My voice rose. “Why in the world was he contained? I thought you restrained his hands with mitts?”
The surprise on her face made it apparent the soldiers thought nobody knew about the mittens.
“I saw the videos.” I made sure to keep my tone in check. It wasn’t her fault the Kazzies had been mistreated. “Can you let him out?”
The soldiers shared a look. The male inched closer to his companion and said under his breath, “I’m not sure if we can. We need authorization. None of them are to be removed until tonight.”
She nodded. “I’m sorry, but right now we have to leave him. Our orders were to accommodate you, but I don’t believe we can release him too. It was assumed you’d want Davin out, so that was approved.”
I stepped closer to them. “If your orders were to accommodate me, then let him out. There’s no reason he needs to be restrained. He’s not a danger to you, me, or anyone else.”
The authority that rang in my tone was so unlike me. But the anger and injustice that had been committed against my friends sparked a fierce life inside me. I was not afraid of the soldiers, and I would not remain quiet anymore. I pushed my remaining anxiety down as far as it would go. Right now, my friends needed me.
The male soldier radioed his superior. After a brief discussion, they agreed to release Sage.
When they opened the door and the large Canadian saw me, his eyes turned to saucers.
“Meghan? What the hell are you doing here?” Sage wasn’t wearing rubber mitts. Sparks flew from his fingertips. His gaze turned to Davin. “They let you out too?”
Davin stepped forward. “Dr. Roberts doesn’t work here anymore. They removed him.”
The sparks from Sage grew as his brown eyes widened. Sage’s dark hair was longer than when I’d last seen him, but everything else about him looked the same. He had dark hair, brown eyes, and angular features. At six-three with broad shoulders and muscular legs, he was more physically intimating than Davin.
Sage shook his head. “So Sara was right.”
With Sage out, the soldiers resumed walking.
“Wait!” I called. “What about the other Kazzies. When will they be released?”
“Tonight.” The female guard said over her shoulder. “Don’t worry, Dr. Forester. They’ll all be released soon.”
The three of us followed the soldiers out of the building and climbed into the truck. I sat in the middle. Sage and Davin flanked my sides. Despite my shoulders being squished between the large men, a grin plastered across my face.
“Will you take us to their house?” My voice carried to the front of the cab.
The male soldier put the truck into drive and nodded. “Sure. But you’ll need to stay indoors. There’s no exception to that. The new Sergeant Major in charge is concerned about the crowds forming outside of the perimeter. He doesn’t feel it’s safe for anybody to be out of their homes right now.”
Considering how unruly the crowds outside were, he had a point, but I sincerely doubted those crowds wished the Kazzies any harm. The truth was, the new Sergeant Major probably couldn’t handle more than the perimeter right now – that was why the Kazzies were being locked inside.
Blowing a strand of hair from my face while I rolled my eyes, I tapped into my connection with Sara. She opened readily. Are you okay? Have you found them?
Yes, I’m with both Sage and Davin. I rearranged myself, and Sage tried to scoot over to give me more room. I gave him a brief smile before returning to Sara. We’re currently riding back to the neighborhood. They told us we have to stay indoors, so I don’t know if I’ll be able to see you tonight. But I will definitely see you tomorrow.
She breathed a sigh of relief. I’m just glad you’re all okay. Hopefully, we’ll see you tomorrow, but I’m not sure if they’ll let us out.
I suppressed another eye roll. Hopefully, we’ll find a way.
As we drove down the snowy road, I couldn’t see the perimeter from this far inside the reservation, but I thought I heard the faint sound of a megaphone. My gaze drifted to Davin’s hand. It rested on his thigh. He had large hands. Big. Strong.
He met my gaze, the wonder and disbelief still there. Reaching over, his large palm closed over mine before he squeezed.
The guards t
ook us to the third street, block two, house six. Davin and Sage’s home looked like every other house on Reservation 1.
When we pulled to a stop at the curb, Davin stepped out of the truck. He held his hand out to me as his bright blue gaze found mine.
It was such an achingly familiar gesture. As my cool palm slid into his warm one, a memory surfaced from the Compound. When we’d been in the Inner Sanctum, and I’d been in my hulking biohazard suit, Davin would always hold my hand, steadying me when I walked.
Sage followed behind us as the soldiers led the way. We all trudged through the deep snow to the front door. The male soldier unlocked the door and swung it open before reaching inside to flip the light on.
Bright light flooded the room as he stepped back out. “We’ll be back tomorrow to give everybody an update.”
The soldiers bid us a good evening before the key slid into the lock, the bolt sliding into place, effectively locking us inside. So much for seeing Sara today.
Regardless, all of us grinned when we were alone in the house. Sage kicked his shoes off. Davin and I did the same. Wet snow covered the bottom of my pants making my socks damp.
Sage grinned and spread his arms. “Welcome to our humble abode!”
I laughed at his grand statement.
Davin chuckled. “It’s not much, but it beats the Compound.”
The house was identical to the one I’d stayed in months ago. The living room was small and sparsely furnished. There was a couch, coffee table, and chair. A cold fireplace took up a third of one wall. Beside the living area was a kitchen. It held the basics: a stove, sink, oven, and a kitchen table with two chairs. A hallway in the corner of the room led to the two bedrooms and bathroom.
The houses on the reservation weren’t large, but they had the basic necessities. It was better than many homes on the outside.
I shrugged my coat off and draped it over the chair. Now that we were alone, it hit me that I was actually seeing them, and I hadn’t seen them in over three months. “It’s so good to see you both.”
Sage wrapped me into a hug before I could protest. Since he towered to six-three, he lifted me off the ground and chuckled into my hair. I was crushed in his embrace.
Section 12: Book #3 in The Makanza Series Page 19