Nine-Tenths

by Meira Pentermann

  He could barely bring himself to look at Natalia when they were pulled from the van, disembarking in front of a gray building with no windows. Natalia glanced at him briefly, her eyes lifeless. Guards raced toward them and handcuffed each prisoner, wrenching their arms behind their backs. Quick retina scans followed and the handheld scanning device was passed along to a stern woman who observed the procedure. Once shoved through the door, Leonard and Natalia were taken down separate hallways.

  “Nat,” Leonard cried as a husky female guard dragged her away. His own escort struck him on the back of the head.

  As they turned a corner, Leonard allowed himself to surrender to a hovering depression. He wished the guard would knock him over the head again, so that the pain would remind him he was still alive. What’s the point? He hung his head and stumbled down the hall, periodically shoved by the silent man he could not see.

  The guard pushed Leonard into a small room, unlocked the handcuffs, and told him to strip.

  “Strip?”

  “Yeah, as in take off your clothes.”

  “Why?”

  “So I can feel you up,” he said flippantly. When Leonard flinched, the man added, “Don’t be such a dumbass. You need to be searched and, mercifully, that’s not in my job description any longer.”

  The guard closed and locked the door. Leonard slowly removed his clothing, trying not to picture Natalia somewhere in the facility being forced to do the same.

  Once naked, Leonard shielded his genitals with his hands in a feeble attempt to maintain a scrap of dignity. He examined his surroundings. With nothing but a wooden slat-back chair standing in the corner, the room had less charm than a broom closet. A cement floor and off-white walls, covered with grimy splatter marks, provided as bleak an atmosphere as Leonard could imagine. Estimating the size, Leonard drew in a sharp breath.

  Ten-by-ten. Not unlike the room in which he wasted his other life. Now he stood, officially, in a prison. How fitting.

  Out of the blue, Leonard burst into a fit of laughter, deranged giggles echoing around the empty cell.

  At that moment a large-built man with shortly cropped hair and an amused expression waltzed into the room carrying a clipboard and a book. A timid young man followed him, wheeling a leather office chair.

  “What’s so funny, Cook?” the large man bellowed. “Delighted with our lovely facilities?”

  Leonard’s laughter abruptly ceased.

  “Spacious compared to where you will be going shortly.” The large man settled in the leather chair, while the young man remained standing.

  Leonard’s eyes caught those of the burly man’s assistant. Anticipating that the youth would approach him any minute and probe his anus, he turned his head and suppressed an urge to vomit.

  “Uncover yourself, Cook,” the large man demanded.

  Leonard closed his eyes but refused to move his hands.

  “I said uncover yourself!”

  Surprised by the depth of his embarrassment, Leonard shook his head and refused to look at his captors. He heard the leather chair spin violently into the wall a fraction of a second before a deafening smack connected with the side of his head. He scrunched his body against the pain but still did not move his hands.

  “Damn it, Mahler, cuff him. To the chair.”

  “Yes, sir, Lieutenant Stearns.”

  The edgy young man grabbed the small wooden chair and moved it to the middle of the room. He looped the cuffs around one slat of the chair, wrenched Leonard’s hands away from his genitals, and secured him to his seat. Leonard succumbed to shame. He no longer thought about Natalia, only his own disgraceful predicament. A headache gradually overwhelmed his senses and he wished he could press his temples.

  “You may go now, Mahler.”

  “Yes, sir.” With that, the young man exited the room.

  Three quarters of an hour passed in silence. Stearns read his book, glancing up every once and a while to stare at Leonard, occasionally adding a malignant sneer or a soft chuckle. Leonard squirmed disquietly, his genitals chilled against the bare wood. Eventually, he became numb. All bodily discomforts drifted away as he detached from his emotions and cleared his mind. Evidently no body cavity search was forthcoming. The entire escapade was merely an exercise in humiliation, and Leonard had given them everything they wished for.

  Stearns stood up and began walking in circles around Leonard’s chair. “You’re a clever man, Cook. Can I call you Cook?”

  Leonard maintained a blank expression.

  “’Cause we both know your name isn’t Cook.”

  No response.

  Stearns grinned. “You so don’t have a leg to stand on doctor.”

  Leonard met his gaze.

  “Doctor,” Stearns spat with disdain. “Arrogant. Selfish. Moneygrubbers. Looking down on the rest of us as if a college education makes them superior.” Laughing, he continued, “My cousin was a cook’s assistant before the cowardly traitors fled our community. Now, thanks to the Department of Fair Compensation and Redistribution, she works in the surgical wing at Century Hospital. Doing just fine. Turns out you don’t need a degree to work in medicine.” He strode back to his chair nonchalantly and took a seat. “I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt, Cook, and assume you’re not really a doctor. Then I won’t hate you quite as much.”

  Leonard cleared his throat.

  “You’re going to talk to me,” Stearns said. “I will get some answers. Starting with your real name.”

  Silence.

  Stearns pulled a cell phone out of his pocket and speed-dialed a number. “Mahler,” he shouted. “Get your ass back in here.”

  Within a minute, the nervous young man returned.

  “Hit him,” Stearns said coolly, gesturing at Leonard.

  “Wha—?”

  “Hit him, you idiot.”

  Mahler approached Leonard tentatively and gave him a listless slap.

  “Oh for God’s sake,” Stearns screamed as he leapt to his feet. He smacked the side of Leonard’s head, landing the punch on his ear. “Like that…you good-for-nothing Inbreed.” He returned to his chair.

  Mahler cowered nearby, visibly shaking. Leonard’s left ear was ringing and a debilitating headache consumed his senses.

  “So, anyway,” Stearns resumed in a pleasant tone, “what I’d really like to know, Cook, is how you deactivated your tracking chip.”

  Leonard’s heart rate accelerated. He felt dizzy. Something leaked out of his nose and trickled down his face. It tasted like blood.

  “And your daughter’s.”

  Trying not to flinch, Leonard was taken aback.

  “Yes, I’m sure she’s your daughter. Don’t think I’m a fool. Not that she looks anything like you, which is lucky for her, but it seems unlikely to me that a man would go to that much trouble for a niece.”

  Leonard neither confirmed nor denied.

  “Anyway, although no current target of the Watcher Listening Network has been reported missing, it is only a matter of time. And if nothing shows up on an APB, we have our own doctors eager to experiment with tracking chip removal. It ought to be a good time for all.”

  The young assistant crossed the room and whispered in the Lieutenant’s ear. Leonard strained to make out their words.

  “…hasn’t got one.”

  “What do you mean he hasn’t got one?” Stearns whispered harshly.

  “It’s a possibility, sir. If he really is a high clearance official, then there was no transmitter in the first place.”

  A calm feeling washed over Leonard. He really had them stumped. Tramer was not yet assigned an APB, which means that Carlyle was true to his word. Furthermore, Max’s guy had done such a good job cleaning the database and creating a new identity, they couldn’t even trace his retina scan.

  “Why the tracking number in Cook’s file?”

  “A cover?” Mahler suggested.

  “And the girl?”

  “Probably his daughter. The offsprin
g of a high-ranking Fed would be exempt. Even from CAPERS.”

  Stearns snorted. “Figures…just another reason to despise the bastard.” Then he smiled and addressed Leonard directly. “But if you won’t tell us who you are, we have every right to do an exploratory surgery.” Narrowing his eyes, he added, “And we’ll start with the girl. Lord knows our surgeon needs to warm up on someone. He doesn’t have nearly as much experience as my cousin.”

  “Wait,” Leonard said.

  A sly, triumphant grin spread across Stearns’ face. “So he has a voice. You’ve got something to tell me?”

  Leonard hesitated. What could he tell the Lieutenant? Was there anything that would save Natalia? Wouldn’t more information make it worse? Perhaps he could trade his freedom for hers. But they already had both of them in custody. What motivation would they have to bargain?

  Stearns glared. “Oh, fuck this. Uncuff him, Mahler.”

  Once Mahler released him, Leonard stood up and shook out his arms, his hands no longer instinctively rushing to cover his genitals.

  “Get dressed,” Stearns grumbled turning away. “I can’t look at your ugly balls any longer. I’m going to lose my dinner.”

  Mahler handed over the clothing, but he kept Leonard’s watch and wallet.

  Leonard slowly dressed, still debating whether or not to reveal his true identity. As he buttoned his pants, he became aware of the smell of body odor and smoke. The Lieutenant was breathing in his face.

  “I’m going to let you spend a little time in the closet, Cook. While you’re there, think about untrained hands fondling with…” He grunted. “…of course I mean operating on your daughter’s body.”

  Mahler grabbed Leonard and cuffed his hands behind his back.

  “Closet three,” Stearns said. “You can free closet one. He’s been in there all day. Stick him in solitary.”

  As Mahler hustled him down the hallway, Leonard could not help but wonder. If solitary is something else, what the hell is a closet?

  Ten minutes and several flights of stairs later, the answer to that question revealed itself. Mahler dragged Leonard into a hallway lined with a series of six-foot high doors labeled one through five. Tightening his grip on Leonard’s wrist and fussing with a key ring, Mahler tried a couple of keys in door number three before he found one that fit. He grinned for the first time and swung the door open.

  Leonard peered into the closet. It was no more than fourteen-by-fourteen inches.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Leonard did not think it was possible for his body to be squeezed into such a small space, but Mahler the Meek had no trouble shoving him into the compartment. Claustrophobia set in almost immediately, even before his body registered the pain in his shoulders and back. In addition, the side of his head throbbed where Stearns had hit him. He stood there for hours, feeling as if any minute he might suffocate. Maybe one hour, maybe six. He had no idea. Closing his eyes, he attempted to transport himself into a Zen-like half sleep. For the most part, it kept him sane.

  In-between short naps, Leonard brooded. He eventually decided that he must tell them everything on the stipulation that they allow Natalia to leave and return to Denver. There were no guarantees, but it was the only chance he had of saving her. His knowledge and skills might be traded or withheld depending upon Natalia’s status.

  Yes, he concluded, it’s the only way.

  When the door finally opened, he tumbled out and strong arms broke his fall. Leonard recognized the man. He was the guard, Sanders, who chastised the fat pervert that touched Natalia. In spite of the man’s hostile expression, Leonard could not help but feel some respect and gratitude toward Sanders.

  “Sir?” Leonard began, his voice hoarse.

  Sanders responded by jerking a black hood over Leonard’s head, grabbing him by the cuffed wrists, and pushing him down the hallway. They climbed several sets of stairs and passed through many doors, the last of which clearly led them outdoors — Leonard felt the chilly September air on his skin. Although his hood blocked all light, he guessed it was nighttime since he heard no voices or other daylight activities.

  Sanders shoved him into the back of a car. The soldier remained speechless and Leonard decided it was best for him to do the same. The engine rumbled to life, and the driver made a large half-circle before bringing the car up to a reasonable speed.

  After a few minutes, Leonard became aware of another person in the back seat of the vehicle. He heard soft, short breaths, and assumed it was another prisoner. He prayed it might be his daughter but dared not ask. The perverts back in the infirmary probably wanted to keep Natalia safe and warm under their watch. Trying to push those revolting thoughts away, Leonard’s nose ran and liquid trickled down his esophagus. He cleared his throat quietly.

  “Dad?” a soft voice whispered.

  Tears flowed freely. Leonard leaned to his left, hoping to make physical contact with his traveling companion. “Nat, it’s you. Thank God, it’s you.”

  She wiggled on her seat and worked her way to his side.

  “I’d hug you if I could,” he said. “What did they do to you?”

  “Put me in a cell,” she whispered. “With a cot and a bucket to pee in.”

  “They didn’t touch you?”

  “They didn’t even talk to me.”

  Leonard heaved a sigh of relief.

  “Did they do something to you?” she asked, concerned.

  “Nah,” he lied. “Same as you. I was just worried.”

  “You two better shut your traps,” Sanders snapped.

  They continued on in silence.

  Eventually, Sanders stopped the vehicle abruptly and opened Natalia’s door.

  He pulled them out of the car and removed their head coverings, throwing the hoods on the ground on top of a pile of something Leonard could not quite make out in the shadows. Then Sanders flipped the car lights off and they were in total darkness. Trying to remember the phase of the moon over the past few days, he surmised that it must be a new moon. The darkness intimidated Leonard. He glanced around, squinting to no avail. After his eyes adjusted, he noticed a large mound towering over Sanders’ car. If Leonard was not mistaken, they were near the blockade at Highway 40 and Henderson Mine Road.

  Sanders un-cuffed each of them in turn.

  “I only have a few minutes, so listen well and keep quiet,” the soldier said, his voice hurried but not hostile. “I’m supposed to take you to the quarry to spend the night. I will return without you. Do you understand?” Sanders bent over, picked up the hoods, and threw them in the car. Retrieving the other objects on the ground, he handed something to Leonard and something else to Natalia.

  Caressing the item in his hand, Leonard realized that he held one of the backpacks. His heart pounded and a rush of warmth passed over his body. The man was helping them escape.

  “Thank you, Mr. Sanders,” Natalia said.

  Shocked that Natalia had addressed him by name, Sanders faltered for a moment. Then he spoke firmly. “If you are caught, I’d appreciate you not mentioning my name. You appear to be good at keeping secrets. Otherwise, I’m doomed.” He sighed. “I may already be a dead man.”

  Leonard gazed at their unlikely ally, wishing he could make out the expression on the man’s face. What could possibly motivate a person to risk his life on behalf of strangers? It didn’t make sense. He reached out and touched the soldier. “Why?” he whispered.

  Sanders took his time formulating a reply. “Rumor has it that this young lady is your daughter.”

  “She is,” Leonard admitted, a split second before realizing it might be a trap.

  “My daughter is almost fifteen. I have not seen her in over a year. She became a ward of the state and moved into CAPERS housing.” He took an uneasy breath. “I applied for this job because I could not look at my wife any longer. Could not bear to live in that house. What I’ve seen in these mountains abhors me, but it is far better than living in the empty hole that once was my home.”
With these last words his voice elevated in pitch and trailed away.

  Leonard did not know what to say. He put his arm around Natalia.

  Sanders regarded them and then laughed faintly — the pained, false laugh of a broken man. “If my daughter were to run away with me, I would be the happiest man in the world.” He cleared his throat and suddenly became professional. “Now get going.”

  Leonard glanced around. Their limited vision concerned him. “Are there any guards patrolling this area at night? We were apprehended by the reservoir. You guys seemed to come out of nowhere.”

  “One of our cadets noticed you driving through town. He reported it to his superior officer. Eventually, they sent him to follow, but you were gone without a trace when he reached the blockade. He called for backup and we found your car. Otherwise, there is no one out this far.”

  “Why? Aren’t they concerned that prisoners might escape?”

  “The prisoners who live here are weak from torture, slavery, and starvation,” Sanders replied wearily. “No one expects them to make it past a mile.”

  “Oh.”

  “I have to go now.”

  A minute later, Leonard and Natalia were alone, the sound of an engine fading swiftly.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  They quickly donned the thermal hoodies. Natalia had to roll her sleeves back several folds, but they both agreed that the hoodies were surprisingly warm. Once ready, they walked cautiously along Henderson Mine Road. It was difficult to negotiate the piles of rubble that blocked their way, but Leonard’s vision improved as his eyes adjusted. After they traversed the blockade, the walk was easier. Still, they proceeded slowly.

  “How are you doing, Nat?”

  “Okay. But I can’t see farther than a few yards here,” she complained. “The stars are gorgeous though.”

  Leonard did not feel like admiring the heavens. “Keep an eye on the left side of the road. I don’t want to miss that fork.”

  When they found the southbound dirt road Leonard’s anxiety diminished only slightly. Nerves on edge, he listened for helicopters, vehicles, and voices. But all he heard were the sounds of crickets and animals moving through the foliage.