The Complete Makanza Series: Books 0-4

by Krista Street

  Two small scars marred the skin on my outer thigh. More battle wounds from my time within Compound 26, when samples had been taken from me to ensure I wasn’t infected with Makanza. That was after my exposure, when I’d been confined within the Inner Sanctum.

  “I hate what they did to you.” His finger trailed along my scars before he kissed each tenderly.

  “What about what they did to you?”

  Scars littered his abdomen like a cross-stitch. Some of the scars were thin and fine. Others were ragged and wide. It was like they’d butchered him.

  My hand shook when I reached for him. I traced my finger along a prominent rigid scar.

  His breath sucked in. “I’m not pretty anymore.” His joke fell flat when I saw the pain on his face.

  I quickly shifted so I was looking squarely in his eyes. I brushed a lock of hair from his forehead and cupped his cheek. “You’ll always be beautiful to me. Even with the scars that the damned Compound inflicted on you, you’re still the most breathtaking human I’ve ever met.”

  “I’d have more scars now if it weren’t for you. I’d still be locked up in a cell under Dr. Roberts’ rule—a lab rat he could do with as he pleased. It’s because of you that I’m out here. Free.”

  A tear spilled onto my cheek at his heartfelt admission.

  He brushed it away. “Don’t cry. I never dreamed I’d be as happy as I am right now.”

  He pulled me closer as our arms wrapped around one another. For the first time since he was free, I dared to dream of a future together. A future that spanned decades. A future in which our love only grew.

  A future in which he was free forever.

  20 – PRODUCTION BEGINS

  The weekend came to an end faster than either of us wanted it to. However, I couldn’t revel in Davin’s freedom quite yet. We still didn’t know if the cure was 100% effective, but each day, it was looking more and more like it was. Because of that, drug production had been ramped up.

  Dorothy would receive her last six injections in the coming week. The others Kazzies would soon follow. Most would be done with their treatments within the month. And if this drug was as effective as we hoped it was, the end of Makanza ruling the world was on the horizon.

  On Monday morning, Amy and I drove to work. The dawn sun lit the wintry desert aglow. We were both quiet. Amy’s thoughts seemed to be on Ben and South Dakota as a content, faraway look filled her gaze.

  My thoughts shifted between the magical weekend with Davin and Bethany’s impending arrival. I couldn’t wait to see Bethany’s face when she received her final injection. If this drug truly was as effective as we hoped, her wings would disappear on their own as her body reverted back to human form. I imagined it would be an extremely painful reversal for her, but I knew Bethany would still willingly suffer through it.

  Luckily, one of the Kazzies had agreed to share her cell with Bethany so Bethany could stay at Compound 3. The list of Kazzies waiting to partake in the trials had doubled. Ian was busy readying California’s other Compounds for them. And there were plans to open Nevada’s Inner Sanctum too.

  A smile spread across my face at what the future held.

  “So what time is Bethany arriving?” Amy asked as we pulled into a parking spot outside Compound 3.

  “Her flight’s due at nine into San Diego. An MRI car is picking her up, so she should arrive no later than noon.”

  “It’s hard to believe that things are going so well. I thought for sure it would be months or years before we found a cure.” Amy cocked her head thoughtfully. “But I suppose that means we’ll be returning to South Dakota soon.” Her eyes shone with excitement.

  My heart filled at the thought of returning home. “Did you have a good weekend with Ben?”

  Amy clicked off her seatbelt as we stepped out of the car. Cool winter wind washed across my cheeks as our footsteps clicked on the pavement. Neither of us had bothered putting jackets on since it was already in the fifties. As we’d come to learn, the temperature would rise steadily during the day.

  “We had a great weekend. We watched a few movies and caught up with his friends. I had no idea I’d miss him so much.”

  “Maybe he should come to visit.” I winked.

  “That’s a great idea!”

  As we approached the guards, our conversation stilted. It was only when we strode into our wing that Amy said under her breath, “I wonder what Monica will be like today.”

  I rolled my eyes. “With any luck, she’s lost interest in tormenting me.” Just last week, she’d made a snide comment about me wanting special treatment for my injury. All because I wore a V-neck shirt that revealed the edge of my jagged scar. As if I’d worn it simply to show off my old wound.

  “She really has it out for you.”

  I bit my lip as our feet tapped in the hallway. Most likely, my time at Compound 3 would be drawing to an end in the next few weeks. Things were progressing so nicely with the drug trials, that I didn’t think we’d be needed much longer. And then I’d never have to see Monica Brown again or worry about what she knew of Davin and me. Her words from the other week still haunted me. “I know who your roommate is.”

  When we reached our lab, my eyes darted around as I looked for her. Thankfully I didn’t spot any short dark hair. With any luck, I won’t see her today.

  Amy and I worked side-by-side for most of the morning. Monica never showed up. When noon approached, I snapped off my gloves and shrugged out of my lab coat.

  “Are you going to greet Bethany?” Amy asked.

  “Yes. I want to be at the front doors when she arrives.”

  Amy continued working as I slipped out of the lab. My footsteps echoed in the long halls as I hurried to the front of the Compound. When I reached a fork in the hall that offered two alternative routes to reach the main entrance, I debated which way was quicker.

  Probably left past the Production Room.

  A few minutes later, I was sailing down the hall when the large windows appeared that overlooked the factory-like monolith within Compound 3. Within the Production Room, drugs were manufactured that the MRI created.

  I smiled while gazing into the industrial-like area.

  The Production Room was like a giant, mechanical assembly line intermixed with advanced robotic technology. The machines within shifted and moved at impossible and precise speeds. The vaccine that Compound 3 had produced had been manufactured here.

  Now, it was producing the cure.

  This room held every chemical compound known to man, which the robots handled expertly. Those chemicals and the hydraulic machines made this room fascinating but also incredibly dangerous.

  My smile grew as I watched. The robots whizzed and moved like metal dancers in a perfectly coordinated waltz. If production continued as it was, we’d have doses for a thousand Kazzies within the month. And if production began at every other Compound nationwide, we’d have doses within a few months for the entire world’s Kazzie population.

  The implications of that were mind-blowing.

  If Makanza was wiped off the globe, the world would truly become as we’d once known it. Of course, it would never be the same, but world trade would begin again, borders would reopen, and we’d reunite as a global community.

  I grinned.

  I was so lost in my own daydream, that I almost missed the figure that darted by the corner inside of the room. My gaze snapped in that direction.

  Frowning, I stepped closer to the window and peered in. I swear I just saw somebody who wasn’t suited-up dash by.

  I checked my watch. Bethany was due to arrive in fifteen minutes.

  But if someone’s inside the Production Room without the required gear, he or she could potentially be contaminating the entire chemical process.

  That wasn’t something I could ignore.

  Instead of continuing down the hall, I hurried to the entry doors and scanned my badge. The doors hissed open.

  Inside, the loud machinery was deafen
ing even though another set of sealed doors stood in front of me. I quickly donned the full-body suit, goggles, mask, and ear protection.

  Not wasting any time, I entered the large room and searched again for the figure I’d seen. I knew there was no point in calling out. If someone was in here, they’d never hear me.

  I stood on the large metal platform overlooking the monstrous room below. Nothing appeared remiss. But I know I saw someone.

  I checked the clock on the wall. Ten minutes until Bethany arrived. Better hurry.

  Taking the steps down at a jog, I headed toward the corner where I’d seen the person. Large machinery crisscrossed my path. Once I reached the corner, I gazed around at the various walkways that intersected the area.

  I didn’t see anyone.

  “Hello?” I called out even though I knew it was unlikely anyone would answer.

  Just do a quick search. Then go greet Bethany.

  Picking up my pace, I wandered deeper into the gigantic room’s interior, but the farther I traveled the more I realized how easy it would be for someone to hide in here. There were so many crevices between the machines. But why in the world would anyone want to hide in here?

  Although, it would be hard for somebody to venture back this way. The machines sat so tightly against one another, that only a small person would be able to squeeze through them.

  A small woman could. I gazed at the opening in front of me. I’d be able to shimmy through it even though it would be tight, but a grown man certainly wouldn’t.

  I bit my lip and glanced over my shoulder. I’d been searching this room for at least ten minutes. Bethany’s probably here and wondering where I am.

  Pipes, whirring machines, spidery robotic arms, and conveyor belts filled my vision every which way I looked. In the far distance, the viewing platform was barely visible. I’d gone much farther than I’d realized, and when a moving arm shot back from a conveyor belt and almost nailed me in the face, I realized it wasn’t entirely safe.

  I better get out of here. Another area ahead came into view between the machines. Just check back there and then go.

  Stepping carefully over several large drains that crisscrossed the floor, I was about to hop over one when something shoved me in the back.

  Shrieking in surprise, my arms windmilled as images of a robot nailing me between the shoulder blades filled my mind. But try as I might to stay upright, I lost my balance.

  Falling forward, I landed hard on top of the drain. The rough movement shifted the grate that covered it. Liquid beneath splashed my face. The goggles I wore protected my eyes, but a spackle of liquid splattered my exposed cheek. Burning immediately set in.

  Alarm bells warned within my head. I’ve just been exposed to a potentially toxic substance!

  Scrambling, I tried to stand upright but winced when I straightened my knee. I’d hit it hard on my way down. Bracing my hands on the floor, I caught sight of two feet leaping over the drain to my side. The assailant disappeared as I darted my gaze up.

  With wide eyes, it sank in that it wasn’t a machine that had hit my back. Someone purposefully shoved me to the ground!

  My heart thudded as I finally managed to stand. Once upright, only machinery filled my gaze.

  Forget about that right now. You’ve just been exposed to a chemical. Find the emergency station, now!

  More than anything, I wanted to scan my surroundings to see if I’d be attacked again, but I didn’t have time.

  I ran back the way I’d come while searching for whoever had pushed me. I still didn’t see anyone. The burning in my cheek increased.

  It took several frantic turns before I saw the emergency signs.

  The station sat along the wall. I had to duck under several pipes to reach it. When I skidded to a halt in front of it, I slammed my hand against the button that triggered the emergency cleansing shower.

  A waterfall poured down on me.

  I gasped.

  It was freezing cold.

  The gushing liquid soaked me completely and was so heavy that I struggled to breathe.

  When the gallons upon gallons finally ceased, I stood like a drowned rat as the machinery continued to whir all around. My cheek didn’t burn as much, but I still needed to assess it. Leaning forward, I rinsed my mouth a dozen times from the fountain even though the shower had filled my mouth already.

  Once certain that any chemical residue had been washed off, I hurriedly scanned my surroundings again. No one was about.

  A shiver struck me. Then another. The freezing shower had soaked me to the bone.

  Drenched, the sterile suit sucked onto me like a leech. Water sloshed in my shoes, and my teeth chattered so loudly I could hear it in my head. I need to get out of here. Whoever had pushed me could still be in here.

  “Whoa! Meghan, are you all right?” The words barely penetrated my earmuffs.

  With wild eyes, I turned to see Giselle hurrying toward me. She wore the same white suit as me along with all of the other protective gear. For a second, I flinched back. Is she the one who pushed me?

  When she reached my side, her confused expression grew. Forcing myself to relax, I reminded myself she’d only ever been kind to me.

  “What happened? Were you exposed?” She reached gently for my arm.

  I nodded numbly.

  Her eyebrows knit together in worry. “Come with me. You’ll need to be checked over.”

  She latched onto my elbow and led me toward the exit bay. It was only as we exited the room that I saw a figure standing in the corner, watching us.

  Monica.

  I almost tripped. When I righted myself, my gaze snapped to the corner again.

  She was gone.

  Swallowing tightly, I struggled to keep up with Giselle’s pace as something solidified in my mind: whoever had been in the Production Room had been up to something and hadn’t wanted to be caught.

  And it hadn’t been above them to hurt me in the process.

  IT TOOK OVER ten minutes before anybody would listen to me about what I’d seen. Giselle was so intent on ushering me to the medical bay that every time I tried to tell her that somebody had shoved me to the ground and was unattired in the Production Room, she merely nodded complacently.

  I was so frustrated I almost stomped my foot. “Giselle! We need to call security, now!”

  “Meghan, we need to get you to medical first. Your cheek isn’t looking good,” she replied soothingly, as if I were a small child speaking irrationally. “Then we can call security.”

  Despite digging in my heels, she still gently forced me along. It was only when I entered the medical bay and hurried to the receptionist that someone finally heard what I was saying.

  “Security needs to be informed that somebody unauthorized was in the Production Room.” Water dripped onto the floor around me as I gazed down at the seated receptionist.

  Her eyes grew wide. “I’m sorry?”

  This time I did stomp in frustration. Annunciating each word carefully, I said, “We. Need. To. Call. Security. Now!”

  The receptionist picked up a phone. “What should I tell them?”

  “Somebody was in the Production Room who wasn’t properly attired. They intentionally shoved me to the ground, and it’s possible that they’ve contaminated the entire process.”

  Giselle gasped. “You mean they hurt you on purpose?” Her eyes grew wider with every word that I uttered.

  The receptionist dialed security’s number as the door in the corner of the room opened. A nurse stepped through. “May I help you?”

  Giselle nodded toward me. “Dr. Forester was exposed to an unknown chemical in the Production Room. She needs to be checked over.”

  The nurse hurried forward. “Of course.”

  I spent the next hour in the small clinic. My clothes were ruined even though I’d been wearing the required protective suit. Consequently, I was given a pair of MRRA guard pants and a top to wear. It was the only clothing the Compounds readily stock
ed.

  My heart pounded with each minute that passed. Bethany was no doubt wondering where I was.

  By the time everything finished, anxiety strummed along my limbs in solid, steady waves. I had no idea if security had found anything, but that would have to wait. I needed to find Bethany.

  The physician that had attended to me handed me a salve. Despite hurrying to the cleansing shower, the chemical I’d been exposed to had burned my cheek. Luckily, it had only eaten away the top layer of skin.

  “What were you doing in there anyway?” He eyed me through his metal-rimmed glasses. A clipboard sat in his hand that contained the medical information I filled out.

  “When I was passing by, I saw somebody in there who wasn’t properly attired.” I hopped down from the examination table and searched for footwear. A pair of MRRA boots sat in the corner. I hurriedly slipped them on.

  They were at least a size too big.

  “You saw somebody in the Production Room that wasn’t supposed to be there?” He raised an eyebrow.

  I nodded emphatically. “I’m sure of it. It’s the only reason I went in.”

  “Why didn’t you call security right away?”

  I sighed. He had a point. “In hindsight, I should have called them immediately, but at the time I was more worried about getting the person out of the room so acted first.”

  He nodded, looking only partially convinced. “I suppose that makes sense.”

  I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was almost two in the afternoon. “I really need to get going. Someone was expecting me earlier.”

  “Make sure you apply that salve for the next week. If it doesn’t heal, come back to see me.”

  I thanked him for his time and hurried out of the medical bay.

  The oversized clothing and large boots made walking difficult. It didn’t help that my knee still hurt from my fall. I tripped repeatedly which got a few smothered smiles when people passed me in the halls.