‘“You bastard!” Furious, Dale unexpectedly let his anger get the best of him, shocking everyone as he lunged at Maynard, throwing him to the ground. Cummings stepped back quickly to stay clear.
“Dale!” Professor Bierce yelled as Simon pulled his gun and two others ran in after hearing the commotion to pull Dale off of Maynard.
“That’s not going to help Ronda.” Professor Bierce said sternly.
Dale calmed himself. “Get your hands off me.” he said.
“Leave him be.” Maynard ordered, now agitated at Dales display of anger. Releasing him, the men stepped back.
“Now then,” Maynard said, straightening his collar and coat.“Shall we continue?” But first, let me warn you. If need be, I’ll have my men tie you up and toss you in another room. So I urge you to think twice before you subject us to another display of your uncontrollable antics.”
“If any harm comes to her your a dead man Maynard, you can count on that.” Jake said, in a calm yet serious tone.
16
Truths
“You dare to threaten me Holloway.” Maynard said. “Perhaps and extra dose of sedative will do this time around. As you should know by now, I don’t take threats on my life lightly. Any more threats and I might have to shoot you and call it self defense. Try me if your willing to take the chance at ending up with a bullet in you. Now if you’ll oblige me gentlemen, sit down and lets get on with it shall we. There’s a few minor details to touch on before I show you to the lab. And I haven’t the time to waste.” he said sternly.
As Maynard went over minute details of the procedure and again insisted that no harm would come to Ronda, Professor Bierce caught sight of an envelope opener with a narrow pointed tip and wooden handle on the desk. Knowing they were totally defenseless without weapons, and knowing how Maynard’s sick mind works, he knew regardless what he said about letting them go, it wasn’t going to happen. Without weapons they stood no chance of escaping Maynard and his men. Knowing it was the only thing that came close to using as a weapon, he waited for the right moment. When Maynard stood up and walked towards the door with Cummings following close behind, Professor Bierce reached over and grabbed the envelope opener, placing it in his coat pocket with caution, in an attempt not to draw Maynard’s attention to any sudden moves.
“Follow me gentlemen.” They stood up and followed him out as Maynard gestured to Simon who was now stationed outside the door, to follow. They found themselves being guided through a lab as Professor Bierce mused at the equipment and machinery.
“How soon do you expect me to perform the procedure?”
“What better time than now. The sooner we get this out of the way, your just as soon off my hands.” Maynard said, knowing full well once the chip was in his possession, he couldn’t let them go. Not without him having to live with the threat of someone coming after him or turning him in.
Dales eyes narrowed, with his hands clenched at his side, “She’s here!”
“How else could we conduct the procedure” Maynard replied. “Seriously Mr. Bierce, the whole time we’ve been discussing the young woman and the data chip, and you didn’t catch on. If you thought I needed you to take me to her, do you think I would have wasted all this time.”
“How — how could you have known where to find her?”
“You could thank Holloway for that. Due to his lack of thinking things through before he made an attempt on my life. After my men searched him for more weapons, that is, other than the gun he intended to kill me with, I had them stake out the address on his drivers license. How foolish to come after a person to stop them from getting to someone, with the means for that person to find the one your trying to protect. I guess you could say he led me straight to her. Inadvertently of course. And by chance I suppose, but never the less. Quite foolish, don’t you agree? It made things quite easy for me, far easier than I could have expected. All I had to do was tell my men to sit back and wait for you to come looking for Holloway as I suspected you would. Till then they surveyed your every move to make sure you didn’t leave town or take a flight out before you became aware of Holloway’s disappearance. I have to say, I was quite surprised to learn you had left her alone. Naturally when you left my men made there move.”
“So it all worked out to your advantage.” Professor Bierce said. Suddenly bringing his hand to his head, loosing his balance.
“Father are you okay?” Dale asked, noticing a change in his disposition,
“I’m fine — I’m fine. Just a little dizzy, that’s all, it’ll pass.”
“What’s this about?” Maynard asked, wondering at the Professor’s sudden onset, leaving him suspicious of an ulterior motive, feigning illness to avoid the procedure. “Well, I can’t have you passing out during the procedure now can I Professor? Seeing how you’re in no condition to perform the task, it looks as though I’ll have to do it myself.”
“No! Just give me a minute, I can do it.”
“Take him to the other room, tell Sam to stay with him.” Maynard ordered. Professor Bierce found himself being led at gunpoint to a small office in the lab. He realised he’d have to make a move, and quickly before Maynard proceeded with removing the data chip.
“Well then, it looks like it’s just us, gentlemen.” Maynard said, walking towards a long oval shaped body scanning machine. “As you can see here, we have the body scanner that will within a matter of seconds detect the data chip and it’s exact location. And after I’ve injected her with a local anesthetic, within a few minutes I can remove the chip. Easy peasy. As you can see, it’s nothing to worry about.”
Dale looked at the scanner pensively.
“What does she know?” Dale asked, concern in his voice.
“If you think I’ve told her anything, not to worry. She knows nothing. Yet.”
“Don’t tell her. Not here — not like this.”
Maynard paused for a moment. He looked at Dale curiously.
“As I said Mr. Bierce, I haven’t time to waste. And now is just as good as any for her to learn the truth.”
He walked over and exchanged words with Simon who walked out of the lab, and returned with Ronda blindfolded, and gripping her arm tightly.
Dale instinctively made a step towards her then stopped himself in his tracks. He was livid. But he knew if he was going to stay close to her he had to remain calm for her sake.
When Maynard removed the blindfold she saw Dale. And when she tried to run to him Simon tightened his grip, holding her back.
She looked at Jake and suddenly felt a tinge of sorrow mixed with anger. Her eyes scanned the lab.
“What’s happening here?” she asked.
“The data chip Miss Rimes, that’s what’s happening here.” Maynard said.
“I’ve told you,” she said angrily, “I know nothing. Before that day your men barged “Raai labs” I had never even heard of the data chip. I wasn’t involved in the research and I have nothing to do with it.”
“Yes I know Miss Rimes, and it’s just as you say.” Maynard replied, “Sad really, it’ll only make it all the more difficult for you.”
“But, if you believe I’m telling you the truth, why am I here?” she asked curiously. “What is it you want from me then?”
“Well Miss Rimes, there really is quite a simple explanation for all this.” he answered. “You see, although you may know nothing about it, you do however, have everything to do with it. Because the data chip Miss Rimes is in your possession.”
“What? Ronda asked, with confusion.“Your not making any sense. If it were in my possession I’m sure I’d be the first to know wouldn’t I? And you yourself just said I know nothing about it.”
“Well to put it bluntly, since there really is no other way around it, the chip, is planted on you. Or rather— in you.”
She stared at him now, caught off guard and stunned by what she had just heard.
“You’re insane! she said, surprise in her voice. “What — what do you mean,
in me?”
“The chip, Miss Rimes, is embedded at the base of your neck, placed there by professor Bierce himself. Just ask Holloway, he can confirm that what I say is true.”
“What— How?” she asked, in disbelief.
“Oh yes my dear it’s quite true.” Maynard said, as a matter of fact.
She stood silent in disbelief, horrified at the thought.
“How could what you say be true? Without my knowledge. It’s absurd. This is a sick joke, isn’t it? And you, your a sick man!” she said, trying to shake herself loose from Simon’s grip.
“Release her.” Maynard ordered calmly. Simon released his grip and stepped back as Maynard watched for her reaction. She thought hard, thinking back to before everything started. Cummings stalking her, Maynard’s men searching the studio.” Dale’s words rang in her head now. “It wasn’t me they were searching for, it was you.” And everyone’s concern with keeping her safe. “As long as I was safe and hidden, the data chip was safe.” she thought to herself. Her hand instinctively reached up and touched the base of her neck with her fingers. She could feel her face grow hot as her anger piqued. She looked at Dale.
“Is it true? Did you know?” She stepped towards him angrily, “Did you know?” she repeated. Dale place his hand on her shoulder.“Don’t touch me!” she said curtly as she quickly stepped back . “How? Was I caught off guard — lured and drugged. The Professors human guinea pig?” Dale wanted to console her.
“It’s not what you think Ronda, I didn’t know.”
“He’s telling the truth.” Jake, said. “He didn’t know before today.”
“I have to say, it’s quite true Miss Rimes,” Maynard said. He was just as surprised to learn of it as you are now.”
“The Professor had no right.” she said, angrily.
She looked at Maynard now.
“Take it if it’s what you want. Remove it. Please!” she told Maynard, her voice shaking as she held back tears.
“Somebody just tell me why. Why me?” Jake watched her as his heart broke, seeing the confusion in her eyes.
“Because at the time he knew it would be safe with you.” Jake said.
“At the time? As if there’s a time when it’s okay to invade a person without their permission?”
“It appears the young lady deserves further explanation as to why the Professor chose her as the recipient of the data chip. Wouldn’t you agree Holloway? Perhaps you would do the honor.” Maynard said.
“Don’t!” Dale said.
“Holloway?” Maynard said, ignoring Dale’s plea. Jake had prayed everyday that the day would never come when she would learn the truth about herself. And he wasn’t about to add to the pain and confusion she was already feeling .“Well then, it looks like I have the honor.” Maynard said.
Dale was livid, as he tried with every ounce of patience he had left in him to stop himself from lunging at Maynard again, and beating him to a pulp.
“I’ll do it.” Jake said, not only for fear of Maynard’s callousness, but he knew the truth should come from him.
“Get on with it then.” Maynard huffed. “Time is of the essence.
Ronda stared at Jake, waiting, wondering. Dale’s heart broke for her. For what she was about to learn.
“This isn’t easy for me, I want you to understand that.” Jake began, “It was never easy. And it isn’t going to be easy for you to hear, and much less accept as true. But if you want to understand whats going on you have to listen to me. Hear what I’m saying.” Ronda frowned at his words as she stood waiting patiently.
“You see, he began as he lowered his head, ashamed to face her. “Approximately three years ago, my daughter was in an accident that almost killed her. And after waking from being in a coma for almost six months she was left fighting for her life. She had contracted an infection and her body couldn’t fight it. She was dying.” Ronda listened, and wondered what connection it had to the data chip..
“As her condition became worse, my own health was failing me, mentally. It was too much for me to deal with after losing my wife to the same accident. I would have rather their lives had been spared, and mine taken. I was the one who was supposed to be in the car that day. But at the last minute I was needed at the office. So it was my wife who drove her back to school that morning after visiting from college for the weekend. And it seems no sooner that I had just said goodbye and watched them drive away that I received the call. They were run off the road by a gang of bikers. The car turned over several times rolling down the exit ramp, killing my wife, and leaving Sarah with several broken bones, and a concussion that left her in a coma for months. And when she came out of it, she was left in an amnesiac state. She didn’t know me,” he said, his voice saddened by the memory, now as clear as if it had just happened yesterday. “She would lay there day after day, and though she was capable, she refused to speak to anyone. His eyes welled up by the memory. I was desperate. She was fading away before my eyes a little more each day. Then when she contracted an infection in her kidney that spread to her blood, her body began to shut down. Everything they tried failed. Then they told me there was no hope for her. She was dying. I knew I had to do something. I couldn’t just wait for her to die. I couldn’t do it.” he said, as he lifted his head and looked at Ronda. “So I went to Professor Bierce and pleaded with him to help me. I begged him till he finally agreed. You see, Sarah was his first and only test subject. Believe me, if she had been capable of making the choice on her own, I would have honored her wishes. They released her to me, to die in the comfort of her home. And with no time to spare I took her to the Professor…”
“Why are you telling me this?” Ronda interrupted, becoming visibly nervous as she began trembling. “I don’t understand.”
“Look at me” Jake said. Ronda stared at Jake, her face covered with fear and confusion. Staring deep into her eyes, he said softly, “Sarah?”
With eyes wide and tear filled, she cupped her mouth with her hands as complete terror fell over her entire being. Her heart raced faster as Jake’s voice faded into nothingness and the room moved around her, everything becoming dimmer and dimmer. No longer able to feel her legs beneath her they gave in, and she slowly fell to the floor.
Dale ran to her and caught her in his arms, placing her down gently as he held her head close to his chest. Maynard knelled beside her, placing his hand on her forehead. It was cold, and clammy. He held one eyelid open with his thumb and forefinger.
“Is she alright?” Jake asked, concern in his voice as he stepped closer.
“She’ll be fine. She fainted— just give her a couple of minutes, she’ll come to.”
After a few moments her eyes slowly began opening and closing.
“Ronda, can you hear me?” Dale said. Everything was a blur, and as she tried to focus she could hear a voice in the distance calling her name. Finally, she began to sit up, slowly, as Dale supported her back with his hands. Her eyes focusing more clearly now she saw Jake standing in front of her. She turned her head up to see Dale next to her. All of a sudden it came back to her. Everything Jake had said. And her eyes welled up with tears again. Still feeling light headed, she tried to take in everything he had told her. She raised her head and looked at Jake, her eyes holding back tears.
“My parents, my childhood?”
“You had no memory. New memories were encoded.” Jake said, sadly.
Tears now streamed down her face as the reality of it hit her. Her eyes expressed the pain and emptiness she was feeling as she understood clearly now the detachment, and vague memory of who she was led to believe were her parents, knowing now they were only fictitious. And she understood now the connection she felt towards Jake when they met, and even now. Overwhelmed by a feeling of total emptiness, she sobbed as Dale held her close. Cummings suddenly feeling uncomfortable and ashamed turned and walked out of the lab, guilt laying heavy on his mind now. The damage he had caused was done.
Holding her in his arms Dale trie
d to console her. Without words. For there were no words that could offer her solace.
“I see my dear you need time to digest this information. I suppose the least I could do is give you a moment.” And with that, Maynard motioned to his men to step outside the lab.
“I’ll step out for a moment. And let me warn you, don’t try anything foolish.” he said, his eyes intent on Dale. He left them, certain that nobody would try anything, with everyone being so absorbed in the moment as they were.
Ronda looked up at Dale, her eyes filled with tears.
“This morning when I woke up, I was Ronda Rimes. Ha! It was a lie. My life is a lie,” she said, “my family, memories, everything, all a lie. An entire made up life. And the biggest lie is what you see.” She said, a note of anger in her voice.
Dale’s voice was a mix of anger and desperation as he pulled her back and looked into her eyes. “Listen to me, you’re not a lie. Ronda Rimes was never a lie. And I love you. No matter what. Nothing’s going to change that. We’ll get through this — I promise.”
But in the scheme of it all, Dale himself hadn’t had time to really process it. For now, for the life of him, he couldn’t see Ronda as anything but human. Regardless everything else.
17
The way Out
Unaware of what was happening outside the office from where he was being guarded, Professor Bierce tried to distract the man sitting across from him. “Mind if I get myself a cup of water?”
Stone faced the man stood up. “don’t move.” he said lazily as he slowly walked over to the water cooler. He grabbed a paper cup and began to fill it with water. As quickly as he could Professor Bierce pulled the envelope opener from his pocket and lunged toward him from behind, jabbing it deep into his shoulder. Grabbing his shoulder in pain, water splattered on the floor as the cup fell from his hand. Professor Bierce grabbed an empty mug sitting on the water cooler, bringing it down hard over his head, knocking him to the ground unconscious.
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