by K M Lovold
“Whaaat?” Nikolina leaned back in her chair. “Me? A keeper? I don’t think any of the other keepers will go for that. Klaus won’t go for that.”
Klaus was the head keeper, in charge of all keepers and prisoners. Klaus could even take control of the keepers if he wanted to. He was generally nice, but he had very strict rules. The no-cussing rule was one of them. Also, no lying, no bad talking the keepers. He spoke of God, too. But he was harsh if he suspected you of anything. If David ever suspected Nikolina, he could take control and question her, but if Klaus suspected her, he’d straight out have her killed and disposed of. It took a lot for Klaus to suspect someone though, and it didn’t happen very often, but he could be scary, just as much as he could be likeable.
“Nope.” David set his elbows on the table, gripping his hands in front of him, his leather wristband staring up at her. “Already spoke to them. The other keepers anyway. Haven’t spoken to Klaus yet.”
“You did?” Nikolina’s small bit of appetite evaporated. “What did they say?”
“They were all for it. Said they’d love to have a female keeper. We all think it’s about time. Been too long actually. So, whaddaya say? Would you be interested? If not, I won’t say another word, but if you are, let me know, and I’ll see what I can do.”
Nikolina glimpsed Ian again, a lighthearted feeling in her chest. If both she and Jack were keepers, what could that mean for Ian? What could they accomplish together? She fixed her gaze back on David’s dark gray eyes. “Absolutely, I’d love to be keeper. If you really think it could happen. I don’t think it will.” She shrugged. “But if you think there’s a chance, sure. I’ll try for it.”
“Great.” David grinned and returned to his meal. “I’ll let you know how things pan out. For now, eat your meal.” He nodded toward her tray full of food, his tone of voice making clear it wasn’t a suggestion. They needed to eat their meal once a day, and if she didn’t, he’d force her.
She picked up her fork and kept her eyes on David, squaring her shoulders. She detested he could take control of her, even to make her put food in her mouth.
But what if she could be a keeper, too? She wanted to help Ian, do whatever she could so they could escape this place. She chuckled inside at that thought. Escape? Impossible. But maybe they could accomplish something… anything to bring change.
****
“Can’t believe how fast ya’ve figured out all this computer know-how.” Jack stood near Ian while he sat on the stool in the cave-room at the train site. “Ya must’ve done something like this back on Earth.” Jack was dressed in the thick rubber attire they had to wear when they went down to the train, which was where they were headed next. The most dangerous pieces of memroth piled high in the train below; they needed the rubber attire for protection.
“Mmmm.” Ian shook his head, typing into the computer quickly, logging quadrants, location and weight of the cars carrying the cargo and so forth for the next run to the disposal site. The train ran solely on memroth and the computer. No one rode the train because of the dangerous cargo and the risk of exposure on the train, but especially at the disposal site. They were stronger and tougher because of the chemical in their veins, but apparently the level of radioactivity at the disposal site could affect even them. “I don’t think so. This computer stuff comes easy to me, true, but I can tell—I didn’t work with computers on Earth.”
“Well, I been here thirty-seven years, and you’ve been helping me out here for going on a year now, and you’re already faster than me. Practically taking over my job!” He barked out a laugh. “I’m heading down to the train. You coming?”
“Yeah, be right there.” Ian stared at the computer, filling in the numbers required to make the train run to the disposal site at the perfect speed, which depended on the weight of the cargo. Finally, after the last screen, he input the last numbers, and the computer paused momentarily. Ian stared out the thick window to the train, and the lights blinked on. Everything was up and running.
He grabbed his rubber suit off the wall, which he’d done many times since he’d been coming here with Jack for the past many months, and ever since that first time, the keepers seemed to be OK with it. At first, they questioned it, but as fast as Ian learned things, he got the feeling they kind of liked he was working here. He’d troubleshooted several ongoing problems, so Klaus encouraged Jack to keep bringing Ian and training him. And like Jack said, he learned fast.
He zipped up the dark blue rubber suit, and an image dropped into his mind. A picture of another rubber suit. He clutched the wall and closed his eyes, willing himself to let the memory come. It was a yellow suit he’d worn, not quite as thick and heavy as this one, and he remembered hanging it up on a wall—a pure white wall in a pristine room.
He squeezed his eyes tighter, attempting to relax the rest of his thoughts. Yes, an immaculate room with countertops and equipment. It was a, it was a… lab. A lab! And then the word came to him in on the spot—chemistry lab. That’s it! Ian opened his eyes, breathing deeply, slowly. He was a chemist. He was a chemist on Earth! He remembered!
He slapped his hands together, then pulled on his thick gloves, stepped into the clunky boots, and stuck the mask on his face.
He threw the door open and clomped down the long staircase, sluggish and heavy in the suit, to the train below where Jack was already striding around the train, checking this and rechecking that, making sure it was ready for the next drop off.
“Jack, Jack!” Ian attempted to yell, but the mask muffled his voice.
Jack spotted him and nodded, waving him forward. “I’ve got the outer specs covered, and we’re good to go. You’re free to check all the interior, and then we’re done here.”
Ian grabbed Jack’s arm. “Jack, I remembered.” He spoke somewhat out of breath. “I remembered what I did back on Earth. I was a chemist. A chemist!”
Jack grinned behind his mask. “That’s great.” His smile faded. “What’s a chemist?”
“It’s someone who works with different types of chemicals, how they react when this one is added to that one, or this and that. I–I don’t know how to describe it, but it’s– it’s someone who creates stuff like what they put in our blood—all different kinds.”
Jack patted Ian’s shoulder. “Sounds like you were an awfully smart man. No surprise. You’ve been a great help to me here with that brain of yours.” He poked his temple. “Now, I’m startin’ to depend on ya, so get inside and do your thing.”
Ian jumped up the steps to the train. Everything was on, just as he’d programmed it. He double-checked the weights of each cargo car. He turned on this switch and that switch, everything humming and in perfect order. This drop should take about five hours. Two hours there, another hour for the cargo to be emptied, then a two-hour return trip. After another couple days, the train would be filled up again, and they’d return.
But Ian loved this job, as much as he was able to love anything about this place. He could use his brain in a way he felt certain now it was familiar with—thinking through things, working with numbers, figuring calculations, and making things work together in perfect order.
“All right, all set to go.” Ian jumped off the train, giving Jack a thumbs up.
They tromped back up the staircase where they stripped off their rubber garb and hung it with their masks on the hooks near the door. Ian darted to the computer and clicked the final numbers to set the train in motion.
Jack stared out the window. “There she goes. Man, you’re fast at this. I’ve never been able to get the train programmed and inspected so fast before. Just like that, she’s gone.”
Ian turned the computer off and peered out the window to see the last cars filled with the hazardous cargo disappear out of the tunnel. “Wonder what that disposal site is like.”
Jack chortled. “You’d never wanna go there to find out. Neither would I. That’s a dangerous place. So’s I’ve been told.”
“Has anyone ever gone there?” Ian turned towa
rd Jack.
“Don’t know the answer to that. Can’t imagine so, but I don’t know. Now, before we leave this cave, just so you know, I’ve been told my job as keeper is gaining momentum. They love how I’ve done such a superb job of training ya.” He slapped his leg. “If only they knew it was you who’s made it so superb. You’re innocent, your memories all filtering back into that smart brain of yours, and you were a clever chemist person back on Earth to boot.”
“Once you’re keeper, what are we gonna do?” Ian asked. “What will you and I be able to do together to make a difference here?”
“I know what I want ya to do, and I’ve told ya this already.” Jack looked left and right, as if someone were listening. “I want you to get to one of them spacecraft”—he pointed the direction that led outside the cave—“and get the hell outta here. Get back to Earth. I’ve no doubt that mind of yours can figure out how to do it. People, important people, need to know what’s going on up here.”
“Yeah.” Ian thought for a moment. “I don’t know about that.”
“Let’s get outta here.” Jack pulled Ian’s arm.
An ominous feeling washed over Ian as it did every time they departed the safety of the cave. Now, he had to think twice before uttering a single word. He wished he knew where that blasted listening device was inside him so he could physically rip it out.
“Jack.” A low voice sounded behind them.
They twisted around. Klaus strode towards them. His short, dark hair was neat, not a strand out of place, with long sideburns. He stood at about six feet four inches.
“Klaus, what brings you over here?” Jack’s eyes blinked rapidly.
“I’ve been told I have reason to suspect you of wrong doing.” Klaus spoke bluntly and took a few more steps towards Jack, while Ian instinctively took a few steps back.
“Wh-what? Why would you ever think that?” Jack’s voice trembled.
“No, sir.” Ian spoke up. “There’s nothing to suspect Jack of. He’s been the best trainer a new prisoner could ever ask for.” His pressed his clammy hands to the sides of his legs.
“You say nothing, 4158.” Klaus peered at Ian with his dark eyes and put his fingers to his wrist, turning up the “magic” magnetic buttons.
Jack squinted at Ian, his lips pressed together, and barely shook his head at him. Ian read Jack’s thoughts—do not reveal he was innocent. He must play along.
Or else.
Ian straightened and came to attention like he’d seen the rest of the prisoners do every time a keeper took control of them, and he stared straight at Klaus, even though everything in him wanted to run to Jack, help him escape the head keeper.
“Now, you be quiet,” Klaus spoke firmly to Ian. “And keep out of this.”
It took everything in Ian to not scream out, to not attack the head keeper, to not jump at him and lash out, to not pull the gun out of his hand or yank his arm back as he held the gun up and pointed it at Jack. Ian’s hands clenched into fists so tight, his fingernails cut into his skin while he watched Klaus pull the trigger at his friend…his only friend on Reathran, his best friend… and drop him.
Dead.
****
Ian’s pulse raced, his heart pounding so hard it was liable to explode out of his chest. The darkening sky spun around him, and he fought the burning in his throat and eyes, his gut threatening to scream at Klaus. But he had to make the head keeper believe he was controlling Ian. He couldn’t be found out. Not now. Ian had to be stronger than ever, do what Jack wanted of him—
“Get back to your bunk and keep your mouth shut about this. Got it?” Klaus leaned in so close to Ian, he could smell his putrid breath. Klaus stared at him, still assuming he was in control. Then he put his fingers on his leather band again. “Get out of here. I’ll pass the word along that we’ve lost your cell-mate, and word’ll spread fast, so you just keep your lips sealed.”
“Yes, sir.” Ian spoke with shaky words.
“You’re free, now leave.” Klaus turned and strode away from Ian, holding his hand-held radio up to his mouth, speaking to someone. No doubt passing the word along about Jack.
Ian stole one last look at Jack lying in a heap on the ground, then took off towards his cell. He had to follow the orders of the keeper, but his heart raced so fast he came to a halt after he was out of view of Klaus. He bent over, his hands on his knees, breathing in and out at such a pace he thought he might hyperventilate.
“Get a grip on yourself, Ian. Get a grip,” he whispered, but then remembered he’d better not speak out loud. He was being listened to, probably this very moment, especially after what he’d just witnessed.
He caught his breath, then darted off again. How could Klaus have done this? Why was he suspicious of Jack? Did that mean Klaus knew who Ian was, too? Was he suspicious of him now? Questions ricocheted through his mind, and as he dashed across the rocky terrain, other memories poured into his head. Of a man. A friend. A good friend. He was there one minute and gone the next. Murdered. He’d been murdered for doing nothing wrong. Just like Jack.
Ian had been through this before on Earth. Who had died? Who was he? Elijah. The name fell into his head as his building came into view up ahead.
Elijah? Who was Elijah?
Ian slowed and took a deep breath before entering the building. He rounded the corner and spotted a keeper stepping out of Ian and Levi’s cell. He glared at Ian for a moment and then stormed away.
Ian stepped inside. Levi lay on his bed, his arm behind his head, staring at the ceiling. He didn’t move when Ian walked in.
Ian marched to his own bed and fell into it, burying his face in his hands, trying to make sense of what had happened. But how could he? It made no sense!
Jack… gone. Dead.
What was he going to do now? He’d had the best cellmate and the best friend. Someone who was rooting for him, training him, willing to talk to him and show him the ropes, and then work with him once he’d moved up and become keeper. Now Ian was back to square one. He couldn’t speak freely to Levi.
Would he ever get the chance to go to the train again? How could he keep all this bottled up inside?
He pounded his fisted hands on the mattress on each side of him and rolled over on his side, the dirt-stained cement wall staring him in the face. He bit his bottom lip to keep from screaming out. He wanted to tell Levi everything. Everything. But doing so would destroy any kind of hope Ian had. It would destroy Ian himself.
“You all right?” Levi finally spoke up.
“No.” Ian curled up in the fetal position and gripped the top of his head, his eyes squeezed shut, forcing himself not to blurt all that had just happened. “I’m not all right. Not. All. Right.”
“OK, fine.” Levi spoke quietly.
Something touched the top of Ian’s head. He twisted his neck to see. A piece of paper. Ian grabbed hold of it and read:
I know about Jack.
Ian sat up. Levi returned to his bed, his arm behind his head again, his eyes glued to the ceiling, muscles and veins straining against the dark skin in his neck.
Levi and Ian were on the same page, their pain under constraint, the silence hovering around them palpable, despite the fact they were screaming on the inside.
****
“What?” Nikolina’s fingers touched her parted lips, a sudden coldness slamming in her core. She held her hands out to the side as if to hold steady, like she’d been pummeled. “That can’t be true. I-I just saw him, I just saw him.” She twisted around, her eyes squinting in the sunlight. “Jack!”
But Jack wasn’t around. A few other prisoners stared at her, but then the keepers urged them to get back to work.
She faced David. “Are you serious?”
David didn’t sound angry with her for her reaction, and he didn’t take control over her either. He stood there, hands behind his back. “Yes. I’m serious. And I’m, I’m sorry.”
Nikolina took a couple steps back. Never, ever had a keeper felt
sorry for a prisoner. Never. At least not that she knew of. “You’re sorry? You mean, you actually care? You’re not getting together with the other keepers and jumping up and down, giddy with excitement because… um, another one bites the dust?”
“No.” David took two steps towards her. “Not all keepers are like that, all right?”
“You expect me—”
“Hold it.” He pointed his finger at her. “Most keepers are. I’ll give you that. But not all of us. You name any keeper here on Reathran.” David scanned the area around them. “Name one, and I’ll tell you at least one prisoner that keeper likes above the rest, that he’ll have more patience with, that he’ll be kinder to.”
“So?” Nikolina squeezed her eyes shut, Jack’s death sinking into her bones.
“So.” David again stepped closer to her, and she opened her eyes. “So, you’re that one for me. To tell the truth, I didn’t much care for Jack, but I know he was a friend of yours, so I mean it when I say I’m sorry. I’m sorry for your loss.”
“But why?” Nikolina’s throat burned. “What happened to him? How did he die?”
David moved backwards. “Can’t talk about it now. Maybe at mealtime.”
With that, Nikolina knew Jack had been killed. She felt it. It wasn’t like an accident had happened. No. A keeper had killed him. Probably Klaus. Nikolina clenched her jaw, and her eyes stung. She looked away from David, not wanting him to see a single tear spill.
She grabbed her pick ax and dug her feet into the ground. She beat the dirt as if it were a keeper, the keeper who took Jack. And what about Ian? Jack was going to be a keeper; he was going to help Ian… but now what? She gritted her teeth and struck the mountain harder, harder—
David clutched her arm, bringing her hammering to an abrupt halt. “Wait a minute.”
“What?” She twisted around, narrowing her eyes at him in a death glare. “You want me to get back to work, so let me.”
“Hold on.” He kept his grip on her arm. “Pull yourself together first. I’m afraid you’re gonna kill yourself the way you’re going at it.”