“Hello, I am Drew Crawford.”
Shite, a Crawford. The commander will not be happy.
“I am being held by the Texans,” the message goes on. “Texans need guaranteed aid. If you do not agree to this, your daughters will not live long past your refusal. I plead with you sir, don't let Gabby and Dawn suffer the same fate as me.” His voice grows quiet and the screen turns to black. Before I turn it off, the unmistakable sound of a gunshot rings in my ears.
“Dammit!” I scream as I slam my hands on my desk and shoot to my feet. The messenger jumps back to stay out of range of my fury. “You can go and tell your ‘prophet’ that they are on their own. You cannot threaten me and get what you want. Go!” I yell. He scurries from the room.
I immediately try to come up with a plan. I need to get Dawn and Gabby out of the republic. They are not safe there.
Allison... one of the rebel spies in Texas.
She must still be there. I haven't received any notices to the contrary. I step into the hall and inform one of the guards to find me Locke. He is one of the few people I can trust with this. He knows of my connection with the rebels because he is a part of the movement as well.
He arrives twenty minutes later and I press the letter into his hand. I tell him who it is for and he nods. He'll be able to find a way to get it to her. He sets off to prepare for his journey. I sink onto my couch and close my eyes in prayer. Please God, let them be okay.
Chapter 14: Gabby
I can’t get rid of the feeling that something isn’t right here. Yesterday was really strange at the wall. That woman. Being followed. Adrian was not acting like himself. Of course, Dawn won’t hear it. She is desperate to have a place to call home. I wish I had Jeremy here to talk to about it. The truth is that I miss him like crazy. I don’t even know for sure if he’s alive but I feel like he is. I can’t talk to Dawn about it because that would just feel selfish since she’s still mourning Drew. Jeremy and Lee had to have made it out of the forest. Their bodies weren’t found.
I needed some space to clear my head so I left Dawn back at the flat and decided to go for a walk. I am nearing the center of town when a kid bumps into me.
“I’m sorry lady,” she says sweetly. To my surprise, she shoves something into my hand before running off. It’s a crumpled ball of paper. Confused, I unroll it to see the message.
Be at the chapel in 10 minutes...23rd pew
I don’t know who could be sending me a note. It's probably a daft move but I turn around and head in the chapel’s direction. I’ve been here long enough now that I can find my way around pretty easily. It only takes me about five minutes to reach the beautiful building and climb the front steps. I step inside and immediately feel that I don’t belong here. There are only a few people milling about; some lighting candles near the front and others kneeling. I count the pews until I find the 23rd and take a seat. Whoever sent me the note is not here yet. It is so quiet that I almost can't take it. I have decided to leave when a woman slips into the pew beside me.
I look at her and am stunned.
“Shite! You’re Adrian’s mother,” I state.
“I told you that I prefer Elle. We don’t have time for this. Act like you are praying,” she commands.
“How do I do that?” I ask. She sighs and gets to her knees on the bar in front of our seats. I imitate her. She lowers her head. I lower mine.
“I’m here to help you,” she whispers.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“You are not safe here. This society is a cult. It is dangerous and you need to get out and follow the river north.”
“Why?” I ask. “How do I get out?”
“I can’t explain right now but just know you need to go there,” she says hurriedly.
“Why isn’t Texas safe?” I ask.
“Go to the labs. They’re on the northern edge of the city. Here, this will get you in.” She hands me a plastic key card.
“Why are you helping me?” I ask.
“Because there are limits to what a person should do for their country. Many Texans are way past those limits. After you see the labs, we’ll meet again.”
“How can I contact you?” I ask.
“You can’t.” And just like that, she is gone.
Chapter 15: Gabby
I leave the chapel and immediately start moving north. It’s not just curiosity; I have a need inside of me. I need to see the labs, whatever they are. I need to know what is going on in this city. At first, I considered that this might be a trick; some kind of loyalty test. That thought didn’t last for long. I’ve always been someone that listened to her gut more than anything. My gut is telling me that whatever is in the labs, it isn’t good.
It takes me the better part of an hour to reach the edge of the city. I’m not sure which of these identical buildings holds the labs so I choose the only one that has a key card entry. I could just walk into any of the other buildings so they probably wouldn’t hold top secret labs. I examine the card that Elle gave me. There is an arrow on one end to show me how to put it in. She has also written a four digit code on the back; 1142. Underneath that, in smaller writing, is the code 1167. I decide to try the first code.
I push the card into the slot and enter the code on the keypad above it, hoping I am doing it right. There is a series of clicks and a green light appears on the lock as it gives me back the card. I push open the door, preparing myself for what lies on the other side. To my relief, there is not a single person in sight. I walk through the doorway into a long hallway lined with doors. Each of them has a plaque to its right, telling me where it leads.
I am halfway down the hall when I hear footsteps. I duck through the nearest door to my right; the one that says cell block. It also says authorized personnel only but I choose to ignore that. There’s no going back now.
The room I enter is dim, lit only by a single florescent overhead. I don’t take the time to look at my surroundings as I sprint across the open space. I am confronted with another locked door and another keypad. I take Elle’s card from my back pocket and flip it over. I don’t know what will happen if I punch in the wrong code but I don’t give it a second thought. Pushing the card in, I type 1167 and, once again, the light turns green and the door clicks open.
As soon as I step through, the sounds of pain reach my ears. From every direction I am confronted with groans and screams. The room is white, sterile. It’s almost like the hospital, except for the cells stretching as far as I can see. Of course, the door said cell block, like in a prison. The only thing that separates these prisoners from me is a wall of Plexiglas. Every cell has a sign that says Warning: Contagious. I can see each and every one of them as I slowly creep down the hall; their gaunt faces and hollow stares; their ragged clothing and matted down hair.
I recognize the look in their eyes. It is a look that I saw constantly when I was being held prisoner by the British. I feel their eyes on me as I pass by. Goosebumps prickle their way down my arms causing the hair to stand on end.
I don’t know who these people are or what they’ve done to deserve this fate. I lose count of how many there are when I am only part of the way down the hall. My head is spinning as I see children and adults alike being kept like animals. This must be what Elle wanted me to see.
“Gabby?” The sound is barely audible but I whip around, trying to find where it was coming from. It’s hard to hear anything over the coughs and moans.
“Gab?” It’s louder this time.
I see a wretched man lying on the ground in one of the cells. I crouch down to get a better look but it’s hard to make out any recognizable features through the cuts and bruises that disfigure his face. The man shifts a little more and pushes the mop of dark hair out of his face. Drew.
“Drew, is that really you?” I ask urgently, choking back the sob that’s threatening to push past my lips. He tries to sit up but fails and falls onto his back. It is him. His hair is longer and red with blood and a beard covers his bruised
face. He looks like he hasn’t eaten in days and he can barely move without a flash of pain crossing his face. What have they done to him? I put my hands to the glass. I thought he died in the woods. Looking at him now, he probably wishes he had.
“Dawn?” Once again, Drew’s voice is no more than a whisper but I know what he’s asking.
“She’s fine Drew. She’s going to be so happy to see you.” This time I can’t stop the sob that hiccups out of my chest. Before I can say anything else, however, an alarm sounds overhead. I cover my ears to drown out the deafening sound but I see Drew mouth the word Go.
“I’m coming back for you. I promise,” I yell as I scramble to my feet and sprint towards the end of the hall. Prisoners bang on their walls as I go past but I don’t stop. I keep my feet moving until I reach another door and barrel my way through. I crash into a railing and realize I have no where left to run. I am standing on a balcony overlooking a massive room. Like the one before, it is white and sterile. People move around in large medical suits that cover every inch of skin. They even wear helmets. There are metal tables spread throughout the room. A few of them have people strapped to them.
I look around frantically trying to find an escape. To my left there are lifts that would take me to the lab floor. I push the button and try to drown out the alarm that is still screeching. There is now a mechanical sounding voice saying, “Intruder,” over and over again. Many of the men and women in the lab are looking towards the balcony and pointing.
I have started to panic as the door I came through is shoved open and men in uniform start piling through. I kick and scream as they grab my arms and drag me back into the cell block. They take me all the way down the hall and into a separate area. “Let go of me you stupid gits!” I am then shoved into a chair and my hands are cuffed behind my back. The alarm has finally stopped but the sound is still ringing in my ears.
Chapter 16: Gabby
My pulse has calmed and the sweat across my brow has dried, leaving behind a greasy shine by the time Tia Cole walks into the room. I think I’ve been sitting here for hours but I have no way to be sure. She sits across from me and rests her hands on the table as the men in the room mutter “your Reverence” and back out through the door.
“I was wondering when I would have to see you again,” Tia begins.
“What? Were you waiting for me to screw up or something?” I ask in a voice that suddenly doesn’t sound like my own. It sounds harsher, angrier.
“We were hoping you wouldn’t be a problem but I see that isn’t going to be the case, is it?” She looks towards the door. She’s waiting for something. I just don’t know what. I don’t answer her question because I don’t see the point. Instead, I ask her a few of my own,
“What are you doing to those people? Who are they? What did you do to Drew?”
She checks her watch and sighs before responding. “Too many questions. You do what you have to do to survive.”
“That’s not an answer,” I growl.
“You Brits always think the worse don't you? Those people have been diagnosed with deadly diseases. They are kept away from the rest of the population while we find cures and vaccines.”
“By holding them against their will and using them as lab rats? What would the rest of your people think if they knew?”
“I wouldn't expect a silly girl like you to understand. I am the prophet to these people. I am the law. I am the only truth that exists here. They follow me because it is the only way to salvation. There is a reason Texas has survived this long. We were chosen. I was chosen.” I don't have a chance to process what she says because as she checks her watch again, the door opens. I look up as Adrian enters followed by a contingent of guards. I narrow my eyes as our gazes connect.
“Adrian, finally,” Tia says as she stands. “We have a little test for you nephew. It seems that your mother is causing trouble again and I need to know that you can do what is necessary.” Adrian breaks his eyes from mine to look at his aunt.
“Of course. My mother is a traitor. She has gone against you, our prophet and, in doing so, against God himself,” he says without flinching.
“I’m glad you see it that way.” Tia motions to the guards to leave the room. They return a few minutes later dragging a semi-conscious Elle between them. They drop her to the ground and her eyes open completely as she lands with a thud.
“Adrian,” She whispers.
“What have you done mom?” Adrian’s voice is cold. It is not the voice of a son speaking to his mother. Instead of responding to him, she looks at me.
“Be brave Gabby,” she croaks. One of the guards kicks her in the ribs and grabs her by the hair, pulling her head up to look at Tia.
“Elle, my dear sister in-law. Don’t worry, you won’t be sent to the labs that you so detest.” Tia reaches towards one of the guards and he places a gun in the palm of her hand. She doesn’t close her fist around it. I watch in horror as she spins and offers the gun to Adrian. His eyes go wide as he catches her meaning.
“I told you Adrian, you have to be willing to do whatever it takes. Now is your chance to distinguish yourself from your traitorous side of the family.” She places her hand over her mouth. “Oh I forgot, I promised your mother I would never tell you the truth about your father’s death. Although, his fate was worse than this one. A clean death is more than we do for most traitors. Your mother is lucky that we need you to do this.” Her arm is still outstretched towards Adrian. He grabs the gun, holding it as if it is a ticking bomb, ready to go off.
“Adrian,” I plead, “this is your mother. There is no coming back from this.” As he looks at me, there are tears in his eyes. He looks down at the gun.
“Nephew, it’s the only way. If you don’t do it, she will suffer something much worse. Prove you are one of us. Prove that you are a Cole. Prove that you are a pure Texan.” Tia places a hand on Adrian’s shoulder. She makes it seem like a sign of support but she uses it to turn him towards Elle.
Elle looks surprisingly serene. A small smile plays on her lips as she looks at her son. She loves him very much; I can see it in her eyes.
Adrian points the gun at his mother, the woman who raised him. He holds it out from his chest, closes his eyes, and pulls the trigger. I scream as she falls sideways, blood pouring from the hole in her chest, near the heart. I look frantically from Adrian to Tia, thinking I am next. This is the end.
Adrian drops the gun to the floor and stalks out of the room. Tia grins and nods to the guards. They move forward and grab me underneath my arms, lifting me from the chair. I don’t even bother to kick as they carry me down the hall. It wouldn’t do any good. Instead, I hurl obscenities at them until they dump me in a cell and shut the door. I lean my head back against the wall and tears begin to flow.
Chapter 17: Gabby
I immediately flash back to the hotbox in Floridaland that nearly killed me. Adrian’s eyes find mine as he closes the door and looks at me through the glass. I could be wrong, but I think he even mouths the words “I’m sorry”. His eyes are full of pain. I must be imagining things. He just killed his mother in cold blood and then locked me up. I stand and spit on the glass. He just shakes his head and walks away, leaving me to the awful sounds of this place.
Occasional shrieks come from the direction of the labs. Tia Cole told me they are experimenting on people down there. They are using the sick to create vaccines. She was trying to terrify me. All Texan medications come out of these labs. Most of the people they use never make it back out. By the time the meds are ready for use, the test subjects are already too far gone.
I watch men and women in lab coats hurry along the corridor without so much as a sideways glance at the people in cages. We are their lab rats. Nothing more.
After a while, the lights go out. Why waste precious energy on people you are going to kill? I lay on the cold floor, hoping that sleep can be my escape. As soon as I begin to doze off, I am startled awake by someone tapping on the glass door to
my prison. She doesn’t say anything as she points at the biometric scanner that opens my cell.
“What’s going on?” I ask suspiciously. “Who are you?”
“There’s no time for explanations,” she says. “You are Gabby Nolan, right?” I nod. “Good.” She looks nervously down the hall. I follow her gaze and a man comes into view, dragging an unconscious guard behind him. Up and down the hall prisoners are cheering as they see the fallen guard. They bang on the glass and plead to be released.
The man and woman lift the guard together and place his palm on the scanner. After a few seconds, my door swings open.
“We have to hurry,” the man says as he drops the guard to the floor. They move towards the exit but I stop.
“Come on,” the woman urges me.
“We need to get Drew,” I whisper to myself as I run towards his cell.
“We were only sent here for you,” the woman protests. Her companion, however, has already started dragging the guard after me.
“Come on Jess,” he strains. “We won’t get her out of here without him.”
“Is he sick?” she hesitates.
“Of course not,” I interject.
“Fine.” Jess moves to help him.
Drew’s door swings open and I rush in towards him. He tries to sit up but he falls backwards. I catch him and he looks at me, defeated. I recognize that look. Jess helps me get him to his feet and we leave the labs behind us.
“Jack, have your gun ready,” Jess says. “The police would have been notified as soon as the power was cut.”
“That was you guys?” I ask as we move through the building. The doors in our path stand open and the keypads have been pried off.
“It was the only way to get past the cameras, alarms, and keypads. We had to disable the backup power as well. The only equipment that was still working was the biometric locks. They’re on batteries so that the cells stay closed during an energy crisis.”
Day of Reckoning (Dawn of Rebellion Series Book 2) Page 5