Advance: (Advance Industries) (Book 1)

by K A Duggsy

  We’re walking back to the girl’s room using the drawing as our guide. Who better to let decide his fate than the girls whose lives he’s ruled over. My knife is still pressed against Johnson’s neck and he’s been showing no resistance.

  “How did you see this playing out?” I need to know. What did he think was going to happen? What was his plan for us?

  “Differently I’ll admit but there’s still time,” He answers.

  “Really? You think you’re going to be able to get out of this? The bad guy always loses!”

  I stop walking as he replies, “But does he really? Sure in films and stories the ‘bad guy’ loses but in life... Real life, bad guys win the majority of the time.”

  “Do you really believe that?”

  “Wholeheartedly! I’m curious though, how do you differentiate? Which is which? I believe in my cause and you in yours. So tell me, who decides who the bad guy is?”

  I prod him to start walking again and reply, “Right now I do and you’re it!”

  “Humour me though Buz. For arguments sake let’s switch point of view. Let’s place me in the role of the ‘good’ guy. What I endorse and encourage here is experimentation for future good. We try to find the answers that are needed to go forth. To better the lives of our residents and even those further afield. To withstand the test of time. Now in this instance you would be the ‘bad’ guy for trying to stop a company that’s only flaw is trying to help. Our methods may not be universally accepted but that in no way suggests we are bad.”

  “You have it all wrong.”

  “Do I? You are only focusing on the here and now, you must look past that. I’m trying to safeguard the future. A mighty responsibility wouldn’t you agree?”

  “You and people like you are what has fucked up...” Shit! I nearly slipped and let him know where I’m from. Rein it in Kye!

  “Please continue I’m rather enjoying conversing with the other side of the scale. It’s intriguing to dissect our opinions. If I truly am in the wrong, then enlighten me but first you need all the facts.”

  “And they are?”

  “Let me show you. You must realise these labs are larger than they appear. Have you even seen the Advance tubes?” I don’t answer. I’ve seen them but not here, I’ve seen them in my time and they can’t be much different. He must know that’s not the way to get through to me so he tries another tact.

  “Don’t you want to see our detainees? Witness how they are treated? Wouldn’t you like to see our work? I don’t know who you are or why you’re here but you seem to have a misguided opinion of my facility. Let me enlighten you.”

  I don’t need or want enlightenment. But I do want to save as many people as possible from their clutches. Where are the prisoners kept? None of us have heard any yelling or shouts for help from other rooms. We have no plans or records in my time about Advance Industries. In fact, we have very little information about the past. My cogs are turning. If they’re hidden and hidden well, I may never find them. Johnson is giving me the opportunity to get to them and as much as I want to return to Faith I know I can’t pass this up. He may be stalling but I’m in no rush either.

  “Okay. Lead the way!”

  I pray to God I’m not putting my men in danger again. Wherever these subjects are being held, they must be being monitored or closely watched in some way. That means either more AIG or scientists... Or both!

  Chapter 21

  Faith

  We’ve left the girls after much coercion on my part and wandered around aimlessly. I’m leading them to the cafeteria, none of us have eaten in a long while and as desperate as we are to rescue the others, we know we need sustenance, we need energy. Jonah is still MIA and that’s both worrying and disconcerting. He should be here leading us in Kye’s absence, his disappearance is freaking us all out. Our team is tight and not knowing where half of them are is raising all of our stress levels.

  We push through to the cafeteria; it’s empty not surprisingly. I’m guessing that whatever that alarm was for was some kind of lock down and those that work here and weren’t captured fled before they could be. Discarded drinks and food is littered amongst the tables. We waste no time in grabbing food to go, protein bars and fruit. Packets that the men put in their rucksacks for the others, when, not if, they’re found.

  We do this all in silence, not speaking to each other at all. All seemingly lost in our thoughts and running through what needs to be done in our own heads. They’re following me not because they see me as a leader but because they know I know this place best. I know where all the secret rooms are and... I know where the Advance study takes place. I feel it in my whole being that if we’re to find Kye and the others, that’s where they’ll be.

  We go deeper into the facility and I head for a door that looks like it would house nothing more than a cleaning cupboard. It doesn’t, it’s an eleview except it isn’t. The door slides sideways and we step in to an old style elevator, enclosed on all sides. We barely fit in, we have to turn sideways and press against each other to do so. It’s quite funny that even at a time like this they don’t want to cross some imaginary line with me. They know Kye is possessive and jealous and if he saw me pressed up between two of his men, murders would take place. I can feel them sucking in their stomachs and hardly breathing just so there is at least an inch between us. It doesn’t work but I’m glad for the amusement.

  It starts to rise and it’s not as comfortable as eleviews are, they rise smoothly whereas this is jerky and slow. Anticipation prickles, remembering the last time I went to this room. The images I have of the others who were put forward and failed plays heavily on me. They didn’t deserve to die like that. I know what will be there when the door slides open and we step out. I don’t want to see the tubes again but at least I’m prepared.

  Or so I thought!

  The door opens and I can’t will my legs to walk out.

  Oh, this is bad. So, so bad!

  Kye

  I’m standing in the centre of the room. Johnson lied and brought us here. Advance tubes fill the outer walls, four to the left, four to the right and one straight ahead, intermingled with doors, one to each wall. They own the room from floor to ceiling. They’re large enough for one person to stand in and hold out their arms. Tubes don’t seem to be the right word for them. The fact that they’re transparent must only heighten the fear for whoever is inside, being able to see how their discomfort is being observed. Next to each tube is a monitor that I guess activates it.

  The room is decorated in different shades of blue from the floor and the walls to the ceiling, the tubes are gleaming and it makes me shiver. This is the coldest, most eerie space I’ve ever encountered. It has an ominous feel to it, like presences are lurking. I feel like I’m being watched, there’s an overbearing heaviness weighing on my shoulders.

  I stand in the centre and turn slowly, taking it all in. The adjoining rooms that we haven’t yet cleared are beckoning to me but I’m just floored. I’ve released Johnson and he’s been walking around describing what they do, how clever these machines are. He’s in his element as if he’s giving a demonstration to a loyal following. I truly believe he wants to impress us, that he thinks this will sway my opinion.

  A side door opens and we all raise our phasers. I aim mine at Johnson as my men point in the direction of the door. A man walks through, palms raised in the air in the surrender position. He nods to Johnson and a smile crooks his lips. He’s younger than me; blonde hair cut closely, clean shaven and dressed casually. He doesn’t look like he works here or is a guard and now I’m even more interested in what is behind those doors. He’s cocky by the looks of it.

  I want to phaser him for that alone.

  “Have you come for the tour?” He asks.

  “Do we look like we’ve come for a fucking tour?” I roar.

  “My mistake. Can I help you?”

  Who the fuck is this guy? He has four phasers pointed at him, he’s either a dumbshit or he�
��s taking the piss. Neither one is endearing him to me. Can he help me? Is this guy for real?

  Just as I’m about to ask who he is, I hear the strange eleview slide open. We all pivot to see who has arrived and I sag with relief when I see its Faith and my other men. But then I see her, really see her. She’s pale like all the colour was sucked from her. She looks ready to hit the deck and she’s not moving. Except her eyes, they’re darting between me and the mystery guy. She knows him. He’s caused this reaction in her; the recognition on both their faces niggles at me.

  The mystery man steps forward, hands still raised in the air but his eyes completely focused on my girl. “Faith? Are you okay?” His concern pisses me off, more so because it’s genuine. He’s worried about her and that’s my job. Where does he get off?

  “Don’t move!” I tell him as I step forward.

  He still doesn’t look at me and I want to snap his neck, anything to get his greedy eyes off my woman.

  “Faith?” He says again and I think fuck it. I charge towards him while he’s engrossed in eye- fucking Faith and smack him with the phaser, then for good measure when he’s down I hold it against him and zap the fucker, feeling ten times better when he starts pulsing and squirming on the floor.

  I run my hands through my hair before turning and striding over to Faith. I yank her out of the eleview and press her against me. Last time I saw her she could barely move. I hold her so tightly I worry I might smother her. She loosely holds me in return but something’s wrong. She’s wary and then I feel like a dick. Of course she is, this is probably the last place she wants to be, surrounded by these tubes.

  I move her back holding her face in my hands and bend my head to peer into her eyes. “It’s okay, Sweetheart. I’m here. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  She breaks down. It’s so completely out of character for her that I’m stunned into silence. My girl doesn’t cry, she puts on her mask and pretends that all is fine in her world. It’s like she hates for anyone to see her as weak and I guess that’s as a product of this place. The strange thing about it is she might let me in and show me her tears, but she would never do it in front of my men and especially not in front of Johnson.

  “What’s wrong, Faith?” My voice has a slight edge to it. She’s worrying me and I want to shake her to tell me.

  “Faith! What is it?” I demand looking to my men for help or reassurance. They shrug and turn away not used to my girl acting like this either.

  What the fuck is the problem?

  Faith

  Oh crap! I hate myself and what’s worse is that Kye will soon as well. Donovan is out for the count courtesy of Kye getting aggravated and phasering him. But the thing is if Kye knew who Donovan was he’d do so much more than that. I didn’t even factor in my relationship with Donovan.

  It doesn’t matter that I had no memories of Kye, the fact is I had a relationship no matter how fleeting, it happened. It happened when Kye was heartbroken, planning how to come here for me and I was with another man. My insides are twisting, I feel sick and more than anything I feel guilty. I’m judge and jury for myself. I just can’t face seeing the hurt in Kye’s eyes when I tell him. When I tell him while he was busy still loving me, I was busy moving on.

  He’s waiting for an explanation and I know I need to give him one. I also know that he’ll walk away; the betrayal will be too much for him to take. My heart is breaking and travelling up my windpipe piece by piece to choke me. Why is my life so unfair?

  I manage to whisper, “I’m sorry Kye. I’m so sorry.” Before flinging myself at his chest for one last hold, one last inhale of his scent, the scent that is so inherently Kye. I breathe him in deeply and kiss his neck before stepping back and meeting his eyes. “I love you, Kye. More than I could ever explain. I want you to know that and remember it. I remember us. I don’t know how I ever could have forgotten you... but I did.”

  I swallow and look down at my feet as I continue, “That guy on the floor is called Donovan. He... he... was my boyfriend.”

  He takes a step back, retreating from me as I knew he would. His face falls. The pain he’s conveying is too much for me to take. I’ve just torn out his heart. I can see it. He looks like he’s been physically attacked. But it’s the mental and emotional attack he’s hurting from.

  I hate myself. I hate Johnson. I hate Advance.

  I run past Kye and as I do I snatch his phaser from him and throw myself at Johnson, tears blurring my vision.

  A piercing scream slips from my lips as I face him, “This is your fault. All of this is on you. I thought you’d ruined my life before but you hadn’t even started. Because of you I forgot all about the only man I could ever love. Because of you I lived a fake life. Because of you... I’ve lost everything!”

  A burning hatred takes root in the pit of my stomach and spreads throughout my entire being. I welcome it and I let it take hold, the burning courses through me and I can think of nothing but torturing him, of making him feel some semblance of the gut-wrenching pain I’m experiencing.

  I hit him with the phaser and I’m surprised, I’d forgotten how powerful they are. I have to adjust my grip to keep hold of it, sheer determination and the fire running through my veins aid me and I manage to make it work. I can’t stop. I hold it to him for a long time, sadistically lapping up the contorted look of pain on his fat face. Someone starts pulling me away and even then I struggle. I dig my feet in; I’m not finished with him. I fight against whoever is holding me until I’m lifted from the floor. While I’m in the air I throw the phaser at Johnson. It hits his shoulder before bouncing off to the side. I kick my legs and wave my arms. I’m furious. If I was let go, I’d torch this place right now. The fury in my heart is ferocious and I need to release it or let it engulf me.

  I’m carried from the room, still struggling furiously. I hear the door being kicked closed behind me but I’m concentrating on fighting my way out of the grip. “PUT ME DOWN!” I’m acting like an unhinged wild beast but I can’t calm down. I don’t want to. The desperation I’m feeling now is nothing to when I’ve previously felt it. I’ve hurt Kye and even if somehow, someway he could forgive me.

  I could never forgive myself.

  He doesn’t deserve to take a blow like that. It’s not right that I made his face change into a wounded grimace. It’s not right that right now he is playing out sickening images of me being with another guy in his head. Torturing himself and hating me. I know that’s what he’s doing because if roles were reversed I’d be doing the same.

  It’s not true that it’s better to have loved and lost. That’s crap! How can that be better? I’d prefer never to have felt the exquisiteness of being in love than to feel it and then lose it. Memories of it can’t console you; all they will do is taunt you. That you had something so good and so pure but stupidly let it slip away. The saying is that we don’t appreciate what we have until it’s gone, but Kye did appreciate me. He showed me every day how much I meant to him and I’ve just made him feel like he never mattered. That what we shared didn’t mean as much to me as it did him.

  I’ve never been great at expressing my feelings but with Kye, after he brought me back to life all my cautiousness evaporated. I could tell him anything without fear of being judged, laughed at or doubted. The way I feel for him is a physical, mental and emotional need. I breathe easier when he’s near and I feel contentment for the first time in my life. I was happy.

  I’m placed down and start pacing. I don’t care who’s here with me. I’m alone really. I always have been. I’m done. I can’t do this anymore. I don’t want to be strong. I don’t want to keep fighting for my very existence. I have nothing to fight for now anyway and like hell am I going to stay here. I start nodding to myself. I’ve never thought of myself as being selfish, not really, I’m a good person that was dealt a shit hand. I had good influences here, our caregivers were affectionate and I’d like to believe I learnt about morals from them. I hate injustice and they seemed to a
s well. They hated that we were being used and the only way they could help was to work here and shower us in goodness.

  Kindness wasn’t too readily available here. They taught us to have each other’s backs because they knew one day they would no longer be needed and we’d have to fend for ourselves. They made life bearable and once they were gone my sisters made life worth living. Worth continuing to struggle through for. Then Kye, he made me want to live forever with him, enveloped in his love. If I ever had a reason to banish my dark thoughts, he was it.

  But now?

  Now those thoughts are back with a vengeance clawing their way all over my body, I’m being eaten, ravaged from the inside out. I can’t switch them off. Given time, Kye might realise if I had my memories I never would have looked at Donovan. But time is something we can’t control. We may think we have plenty of it but it ticks past so fast, before we know it, its run out.

  Kye

  It hurts. No... It fucking kills. I’ve never felt pain like it. I thought when she left me I would die from the grief but this is something else. I can literally feel my heart constricting.

  My girl had a boyfriend? A fucking boyfriend!

  Did she love him?

  The fact that she had a boyfriend doesn’t factor in. He may be an ex but my insides are churning knowing that she kissed someone else, found comfort with someone else, laughed with him? She had strong enough feelings, a strong enough attraction to have a relationship with someone other than me.

  What the hell do I do with that information? The rational part of me knows that she didn’t remember, her memories were wiped and that’s not her fault. If they were intact I know she wouldn’t have even looked at another guy. But the rational part of me doesn’t get listened to, not where she’s concerned. I just keep picturing his hands on her, them writhing together. Her calling out his name as he brings her to ecstasy.

  An anger surges in me and I don’t know who to aim it at. I want to hate her but technically she did nothing wrong. Then again I can’t let it go because of a technicality. I didn’t entertain the idea of another woman when she left and I could have. Opportunity was rife; I was in need of consoling and losing myself in someone else. I never did because no-one could compare to her.