Haven

by Justin Kemppainen

  “Yes, you’ll notice it’s impenetrable. Well, mostly.” He gave another grin. “That’s why I prefer the anonymity, even from some of my own people. You can never be too careful.” He sat down at the workbench again; he turned another dusty swivel chair around, offering it to her. Warily, Kaylee pulled it a couple feet away, and sat down, keeping watch on both Elijah and his immense bodyguard positioned near the doorway.

  “You would like to ask some questions, perhaps?” asked Elijah, blinking at her.

  “Like what?” She asked.

  He gave a loud laugh, “Like what? Like anything you want! Perhaps why you were sent on a pointless errand? Perhaps what occurred in Old Haven last night? Or perhaps you’d be interested to know how and why I intend to bring everyone in the down below area to the surface?”

  Kaylee drew in a sharp breath. “Really?”

  “Oh yes. We’ve already started.” He gestured at her. “Even you are a part of it.”

  “Me? How?” She frowned.

  Elijah paused, looking suddenly awkward, as though he had somehow said too much. “Ah… we need you to do,” he cleared his throat, “something.” He gave a warm grin, displaying his off-white but very straight teeth. “But let’s not get into that just yet.”

  He took a drink from a mug on the table. “Are you sure you don’t want anything?” Before she could respond, he spoke again, “I do apologize for what must have seemed like a rather pointless errand.”

  Kaylee grimaced, absentmindedly rubbing the tender bumps and bruises she had incurred. Elijah spoke again, “I assure you, it had great importance towards many things,” he looked sheepish, “though none of them are specifically related to peaches.”

  Kaylee frowned, staring at the old man. Before she could summon a biting retort, he continued. “The truth is that we fed distressing information to the Citizenship then caught their forces in a crossfire. We never intended for you to come across any of them fleeing.”

  Kaylee cocked her head, curiosity overriding her irritation. “How exactly did you manage to feed them information?”

  Elijah cast his gaze to the side. He cleared his throat. “What Jeffrey divulged in his interrogation was vital to the success of the ambush.” He leaned back in his chair. “And it worked.” He said with a sad smile. “Far better than we could have hoped.”

  Kaylee did not like this. “What about Jeffrey? You just sacrificed him?”

  Elijah gave her a shocked look. “I assure you it was entirely necessary-”

  “Screw necessary, you just used him!” Kaylee balled her fists.

  “No, that isn’t it at all-” Elijah objected.

  “I can’t believe I ever trusted you.” Kaylee leapt to her feet. “You’re nothing but-”

  Before Kaylee realized that her gesture could have been considered threatening, Victor had already jumped up and pulled his weapon.

  “Stop!” Elijah yelled at Victor, who didn’t fire but kept the pistol trained on Kaylee. She glared back and forth at both of them and slowly seated herself again. Victor instantly sat down, holstering the handgun.

  “How could you?” she asked.

  Elijah gave a grim smile and said sternly. “No one regrets Jeffrey’s loss more than I do, but he volunteered for the job.”

  Kaylee swallowed hard, not wanting to forget her anger. “What did they do to him?”

  Elijah grimaced. “He was beaten. Tortured. Subjected to an attempt at strong mental conditioning that I believe may have failed and given drugs that would eliminate his ability to reproduce.”

  Kaylee gasped and covered her mouth.

  Elijah nodded. “Horrific, I know. This is the typical treatment of anyone they pick up. After they’re done, they send them for rudimentary societal and task training. They end up doing servant work for the Citizenship. They don’t want to cook, clean, or,” he frowned, “speak to their children, unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

  Kaylee’s mind whirled. “This is what they do to the people they take? H-how do you know these things?”

  Elijah cracked a half-smile and ignored the questions, continuing the story, “Jeffrey was preconditioned to respond in precise fashion to questioning with very specific answers, as well as prepared to withstand the brainwashing process.” He coughed. “That’s what we were hoping would happen, anyway. That is why I sent you to the bunker last night.”

  “Wait, what for?” Kaylee was confused.

  “To keep you out of the line of fire. The ambush and fighting could have spilled into any location.” Elijah shrugged. “Even here, if things had gone quite awry.”

  Kaylee narrowed her eyes. “But why some dumb errand?”

  Elijah cocked his head. “You don’t seem to consciously avoid danger, so removing you by far from its source seemed appropriate. Bunker errands are something you’ve done before, and there seemed little chance that you’d return before all Citizen soldiers were dispatched.” He grimaced. “Of course, I didn’t anticipate you having such terrible luck. I’m very glad you’re okay.”

  “Okay…” She ignored his relief for her well-being, a wary feeling rising in her, “Why did you need me out of the line of fire?”

  Elijah stood and strolled a few paces away. “Are you familiar with the man named Miguel?”

  “It sounds familiar, who is he?” Kaylee felt her apprehension rising.

  “He calls himself the Silver Fox.”

  Kaylee made a disgusted face. “That filthy pig? Everyone knows who he is and what he does to women…” She trailed off, noting that Elijah was fidgeting and trying not to look at her. “No. No, no, no. I am not getting close to that son of a bitch. It’s not going to happen. I don’t care what you need. No way!” She glared him, still turned away from her. “Do you understand me? There is no goddamn way I’m going near that man! Do you hear me Elijah?”

  Elijah turned back towards her, looking sad and frustrated. He paced back towards her. “There is no one else for the job, do you hear me? We can’t send one of our men because they won’t be able to get close enough. None of the other women…” he trailed off, wincing. “Look, we feel as though none of the other women in this compound have nearly as good a chance as you at surviving the encounter, much less completing the task.”

  “Why?”

  Elijah gave a sad smile, “Various reasons, but mostly it’s your blind determination to survive no matter the odds.”

  Kaylee frowned, “Yeah, but-”

  “Listen,” he searched her eyes, “do you want to see the sun again?”

  “Of course, but-“

  “Then you must do this for me.” He grabbed her shoulders.

  Kaylee’s emotions flailed around her. Everyone, especially women, stay away from the northwest corner of the city. Always. No exceptions, she thought. Everyone knew it. Miguel was a horrible man who used women and threw them away to be used more by his greedy and hungry crew. She wanted nothing to do with that man. What if it’s really that important? A tiny voice sounded in her head. It can’t hurt to hear him out.

  She almost felt herself caving in, as though a small question would seal her fate. “What is it you need?” she whispered, closing her eyes and almost wishing she hadn’t spoken.

  Elijah breathed a sigh of relief. “Infiltration. I need you on the inside when we move.”

  “Move how?” Kaylee asked, feeling detached.

  Elijah sat down in the chair across from her. “All right. In order to strike against the Citizenship, we will need more forces. We need to recruit everyone we can in Old Haven. Miguel’s people, as barbaric as many of them are, are greatest in number.” He rubbed his face. “Miguel himself is a hostile, untrusting, power-hungry, chauvinistic, and selfish man. As he leads, they will never consider any alliance of equality.”

  “What am I supposed to do?” She got an uneasy feeling. “Do you… do you want me to kill him?” Kaylee was unsure of how she felt about this.

  Elijah looked away. “Maybe. It’s possible that you wo
n’t need to. The attack, if it happens, should bring about sufficient chaos that someone might make a grab for power.” He leveled his gaze back upon her. “Just understand that he does need to be eliminated at any cost, but be careful. He’s had some experience in dealing with attempts on his life, particularly,” he gave a small cough, “from the women.”

  Kaylee clenched her jaw at this, balling her fists. “Why me?” She asked. “I mean, aside from my blind determination.”

  Elijah hesitated. He finally said, “He prefers them to be of a more… volatile temperament.” He cleared his throat. “You were the obvious choice.”

  Kaylee shot him a look. “So I need to get captured, is that it?”

  “Well, yes…” Elijah gave her a consoling look. “Once you’re brought to him, you should be, ah, mostly safe.”

  She bit her lip. “What else do I need to know?”

  Elijah blew out a breath. “Hopefully, right now, the Citizenship thinks that Miguel is responsible for the bloodbath we handed them last night. If they do, they will move against him, and they will send devastating forces. During that confusion, something bad is bound to happen to him,” he looked at her intently, “and that’s when we will come to the rescue of the remaining people. Without Miguel, we will be their timely saviors, and their substantial numbers will be added to our ranks. Once the alliance becomes known and we spread the word of our escape from this lightless hell, every other faction and person under Haven will flock to our banner.” Elijah beamed. “Then,” he added, “we will ascend.”

  She sat in silence, considering the proposal. Elijah watched her intently. She knew she was already convinced and suspected he knew it as well. Why drag it out, she thought, sighing. “Okay. I’ll do it.”

  He clapped his hands together. “Good! Good. Okay.” He put on a huge smile. “You don’t have to leave just yet; we’re waiting for a few other things to happen.”

  Kaylee cocked her head. “Like what?”

  “Well, if an attack on Miguel is going to be organized, we need to know about it. No sense in sending you off to be captured for no reason.” She shuddered, wondering how he would find out about an impending attack. She didn’t ask.

  “But enough of that business, for now.” He radiated relief. “Tell me, what actually happened to you after you left the bunker?”

  Kaylee rubbed her eyes, sat back, and unfolded the entire story of her staying in a room up to her encounter with the fleeing soldiers. Elijah frowned, apologizing repeatedly and wincing at every bump, bruise, or knock on the head she described. Kaylee included her mysterious savior, as well. She didn’t mention his glowing eyes or oddly-colored skin, for some reason, and she did not speak about her nightmare.

  Elijah rubbed his chin. “It’s amazing, and very fortunate, that you didn’t get killed or captured. Again, I cannot apologize enough for your trouble. It seems my plan to remove you from danger was completely futile.” He threw his hands up. “Well, whatever. If you see this Malcolm character again, send him my profound thanks.”

  Sensing that it was time to get moving, Kaylee stood up and stretched. She still didn’t trust Elijah entirely, but she felt less on edge the more time she spent with him. He didn’t look like much; thin, old, gray hair, not terribly tall, but he had a natural charisma around him that was difficult to despise or feel uncomfortable about. I guess this is why people like Rick and Jeffrey trust him so much, she thought.

  “Our time is short, but if I am correct, you should be able to spend the next day or so relaxing. The accommodations, I assure you, will be most excellent.” He smiled at her again. “Thank you for your help, Kaylee.”

  She just nodded, not saying anything as Victor scraped the bolts free once more, swinging the door open enough for her to squeeze out. Before shutting it completely, he spoke in that familiar, passive voice. It was difficult for Kaylee to shake herself from thinking that as Elijah’s. “You will be summoned when it is time.” He passed her an object: a key. “Up the stairs, to the top floor. Second room on the left.” He disappeared, and closed the door.

  The guard came back down the hallway, magazine tucked under his arm. He sat down without a word.

  Kaylee stared at the key in her hand. She shrugged, and followed the directions. Up the stairs, passing a few random people, who nodded or muttered brief greetings. Second door on the left, she slid the key into the lock and turned it, hearing the click. She twisted the knob, opening the door.

  Her jaw dropped. A king-sized bed with massive patterned quilts, a little faded but in excellent condition. A small cabinet which, upon inspection, held several cans of non-perishable foods. Floral wallpaper, an easy chair, even a television, not that there were any broadcasts. The bathroom had a wide tub, which she gave a cry of delight to discover had clean running water. “Excellent accommodations is right,” she whispered, giddy.

  Back in the main room, she flopped down on the bed, feeling pleasure of the softness of it radiate through her body. A stack of magazines and a few books lay on the table. She rolled over and let out a long sigh of contentment before giggling with excitement. Not bad, she thought…

  ******

  After sliding the heavy bolts into their proper position, Victor turned around and watched Elijah, who sat at one of his ancient computer terminals, peering at something and, on occasion, typing on the keyboard.

  Victor returned to his seat. He flipped open a magazine to which he paid little attention.

  “Her blood is on my hands, Victor.” Elijah spoke without looking away from the screen.

  Victor folded the magazine and leaned forward, “Not yet. She is resilient. She may come out of this intact.”

  Elijah turned towards Victor. His hands were visibly shaking. “If she doesn’t?”

  Victor set down the magazine. “Then her sacrifice, though regrettable, will have been necessary. There is no better way.”

  The trembling had spread to his arms, and Elijah could sense tingling in his feet and legs as he reached into a drawer on the table, pulling out a small kit. Out of that he extracted a needle. He gingerly inserted into his thigh, depressing the plunger. He closed his eyes and took long, deep breaths. He knew his heart, at his age, couldn’t deal with excessive strain, so he kept a sedative on hand. After a moment the shaking slowed, then ceased altogether. When he opened his eyes Victor was watching him.

  “My heart is weak.” Elijah muttered. “Weak from sending others to complete what I lack the courage to do myself.” He slowly shook his head. “What if we were wrong? What if this is all in vain? What if he is already dead?” There was no mistaking the malice in his voice.

  Victor looked away for a moment. “Do you remember your mother?”

  Elijah closed his eyes, painful memories washing over him. “How can I forget?” He whispered.

  Victor stood, crossing away towards the far wall. His voice’s timbre was almost his accustomed passive, but Elijah knew him well enough to hear the tinges of emotion in it. “I remember her very well. I remember what she- what both of you did for me.” He turned his intense gaze back towards Elijah. “It is the very reason that you remain alive.”

  Elijah’s eyes flooded with tears. “Victor…”

  Victor continued, his face lighting with anger, “My greatest regret is that I could do nothing to save her from-”

  “Stop.” Elijah commanded, rubbing his forehead. Victor obeyed, standing up straight and resuming his emotionless exterior. Elijah sighed. “You are blameless in that… situation. I understand that.”

  Silence hung in the air between the two men. Finally, Victor spoke again, firmly. “My debt remains unpaid.”

  Elijah gave him a sad smile. “So it does, since I’ll never be able to convince you otherwise.” The two men looked away, each lost in their thoughts of the past for a few moments.

  Victor returned to his chair, changing the subject back to Kaylee. “She’ll be fine. She may even prove useful beyond the next few days.” He opened his magazine, paus
ing to look back at Elijah. “Don’t forget what happened. Remember what has been done to you and do not hesitate to do what you must.”

  Sweat beaded upon Elijah’s forehead. He leaned forward, cradling his head in both hands. He slowly nodded. “Yes. Whatever it takes.” He stood up and straightened his shirt. “The cost may be my very soul, but that doesn’t matter. His empire will fall, and he will suffer.” Moisture condensed in his eyes. “I’m so sorry, Kaylee. Jeffrey.” He ran his hand through his gray hair. “Ryan. Tobias.” He gave a short laugh. “Everyone else who has sacrificed for this cause.”

  Victor didn’t respond; he thumbed through the magazine quietly. Elijah returned to his terminal, tapping a few keys on the keyboard now and again.

  Chapter 11: Ambition

  -One Day Later-

  It was late morning. Even though he’d gone through an entire workday and night since Gottfried woke him in that early morning, Citizen Michaels still felt tired. He had awoken from his fitful slumber at about 8AM, feeling bleary-eyed. An hour and a half later, showered, shaven, and caffeinated, his mind remained fuzzy from the recent upheaval of his biorhythm. Because of, Michaels assumed, decisions still pending regarding the ambush, the patrols and flow of subjects for conditioning had ceased, pending action.

  It was thus that he had little to do. He sat, hunched over the computer terminal in his office, one elbow perched on the desk, his hand propping up his face. The other lazily moved the cursor around the screen.

  It was absurd. Another of Coleman’s ridiculous software tricks. There was a video file that magically appeared on the desktop. Called ‘mlc-dscv.’ He had noticed the tip of it, doing what could only be described as cowering beyond edge of the screen.