“Blake? Are you okay?” Martha pulls back the curtain and her eyes narrow at me.
“Pain.” It’s all I can gasp out as another wave hits me.
“Sawyer, get doc now!” Martha calls out. “It’s okay. You’re in a hospital healing from three gunshot wounds. You’re expected to make a full recovery.” She tries to sound soothing.
“Sophie? Nicole?” I gasp out, realizing every word I utter feels like hot knives stabbing my chest.
“Shh, just calm down.” Martha pats my hand gently as the doors burst open, and in a blink of an eye a large man is by my side.
“What’s going on? He shouldn’t be awake yet. His body—”
“He said he’s in pain,” Martha cuts him off.
“Right.” I watch the doctor grab a needle and I close my eyes, focusing on breathing. It feels like hours before numbness drowns me and the feeling is so welcome I sigh in relief. I sink into oblivion and let myself disappear into nothingness.
Chapter 19 – The Gift
Portland, Oregon
December 25th (Blake aged 16)
Christmas morning I wake up in unfamiliar surroundings. I’m in a room, and for the first time in years I’m sharing a room with Nicole. She snores like a freight train and I glance at the time to see it’s only five in the morning. Way too early to be waking up.
We’re at my aunt’s house in Oregon and I haven’t been here since I was twelve. Mom insisted we come here for Christmas this year. No matter how much Nicole and I protested, she wouldn’t listen to us. Usually Dad works through Christmas, but this year he’s here and no matter what, I couldn’t have missed this. I hardly ever get to see him these days.
I glance at my cell that I shoved under my pillow last night while I was texting Sophie and I see one unread message. I open it up.
Goodnight, sweet dreams and let me know the second you open your present up. Love you. xoxo
My heart races reading her text and I wish more than anything she was here with me. I only left two days ago and I miss her already. That is the main reason I didn’t want to come here, I didn’t want to leave her.
I hide my cell back under my pillow and glance back over at Nicole when she suddenly stops snoring. Moments later, she starts up again and I sigh in relief. I don’t want to start fighting with her yet. I have to keep my cell hidden because if Nicole finds it, she’ll steal it. Mom bought us both cellphones for emergencies and Nicole’s first bill was six hundred dollars. It was taken away after that. The fact that I’m still allowed one is merely another sore subject between us.
I open the drawer next to my bed and glance at the packet of cigarettes. I found them last night after Nicole was insistent that I avoid looking in a certain part of her packed bag. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with them. Obviously I’m not giving them back to her, but I don’t want to ruin Christmas for Mom and especially not with Dad finally here. It means I’ll have to deal with it on my own and Nicole can be such a bitch when she wants to be.
I look back down at my cell and reread my message. I was going to wait until later in the day before I opened up her present, however now I’m too excited to go back to sleep.
I pull back the covers and stretch my arms and legs as I get up. The mattress is lumpy and small, making it impossible to have a very restful sleep.
I sneak over to my bag and open it up, seeing Sophie’s gift to me sitting on top. She gave it to me right before we left and I’ve been dying to open it all day on our drive down here. I promised her I would wait and I kept my promise.
I pick it up and weigh it again in my hands, trying to imagine what it’ll be. It’s bulky, and by the way it moves, I think it’s a few things packed into one gift.
I sit back down on my bed and turn my back to Nicole so I feel like I’m alone, even though her constant snoring proves to me that I am very much not on my own.
I quietly and slowly rip through the paper and the first thing I see are two bags of M&M’s, my favorite treat. I then pull out a packet of popcorn. Under that is a DVD of the Transformers movie and a post-it note is on top of that.
‘I know we never got around to seeing this movie, so if you would do me the honor, I would love to take you out on a date to see it. My place?’
Under that is another DVD of Love Actually with another post-it note attached.
‘If you’re up to another date with me, I would love to make out through this movie, too.’
My heart races reading that note and I grin until my mouth hurts. I grab my cell and click reply to her last text.
Two dates? A perfect gift. Thank you so much. I love it. Can we have our make-out date first?
I press send and wrap my gift back up, hiding it in my bag so Nicole won’t see it. My cell vibrates on the bed and I glance back over at it, surprised to get a reply so quickly given the hour.
You’re so welcome, babe. Why are you awake so early?
I couldn’t wait to open my present. It definitely lives up to my high expectations. I miss you. P.S. Merry Christmas.
I miss you, too. Promise me next year you won’t leave me. P.S. Merry Christmas, too. P.P.S. I’m going to get my gift from you right now, I can’t wait, either.
My heart races even faster reading her message. I always feel this way when she mentions our future, like she doesn’t think there’s a chance we won’t have one together. I’ve never felt this way about someone before and I can’t imagine leaving her. I’m even going to apply to the same colleges, so we can stay together. I won’t admit it to any of my friends for fear of being ridiculed, but I think Sophie is The One. She’s perfect.
My cell vibrates and this time it’s a phone call from her. I answer immediately, turning my eyes on Nicole to make sure she’s still asleep.
“Blake you’re so sweet. I love them!” Sophie sounds excited and I close my eyes briefly imagining her face.
“I’m glad.” I had Mom help me pick out some earrings.
“I’m going to wear them right now and I’ll never take them off. You are the best boyfriend in the world!”
“Well, it’s a good thing that I have the best girlfriend in the world, isn’t it?” I tease, missing her even more.
“Please hurry back, I want to hug you so badly right now.”
“I will. I can’t wait to have you in my arms, too. Two more days.”
“It feels like forever away.”
“I know.” Suddenly I feel sad and I hate this Christmas. Why couldn’t we have spent it at home?
“I better go. My parents are up already and they want me to help them prepare breakfast.” Sophie has such a big family that every meal, breakfast included, is an event.
“Okay, have a great day. I love you.”
“I love you, babe. You have fun, too.”
We both hang on the phone for a while longer, but eventually hang up. I lie back down on my bed and quietly groan to myself. Two days is going to feel like forever. I definitely will be spending next year at home, and hopefully this will be my one and only Christmas away from Sophie.
Chapter 20 – The Proposition
The Windmill, North Dakota
May 25th
I’ve been awake for three days with no one here that can give me any answers. My stomach is still sore, but I can breathe easily and move slowly now. I have searched this place for a phone, but there is nothing here. Don’t all hospitals have phones, or at least a TV that I can watch? This place has nothing and it’s incredibly dull here. For three days I’ve been driven mad by my thoughts. Sophie and Nicole, are they okay? Were they hurt? What do they think happened to me? Which leads me to, what the hell did happen to me? Where am I? Why was I taken and what do they want with me?
I remember vaguely the talk I witnessed, but it’s all such a blur now. I remember a man in cuffs being called a traitor. I remember a woman, Martha I think her name was, and she seemed angry. I think I can remember a girl around my age, but she doesn’t seem familiar. No one does here. Who are these
people?
The doctor I’ve been seeing constantly for the past three days has only given me as much as his name being Harold. He won’t give me any answers and when I try to read his thoughts I don’t get any further than what food he likes. It’s almost like he knows what I’m trying to do and is purposely not thinking about anything worthwhile. That’s not really possible, though, no one knows what I can do.
I hear footsteps at the doorway and I carefully sit up further in my bed, hoping for anyone other than Harold.
The door unlocks and the familiar scuff of shoes shoots down any hope of someone new.
“Hello, Mr. Dwells, how are you feeling this morning?” Harold pulls back at the curtains and I want to roll my eyes at him.
“Fine, when can I leave here?”
“That is why I’m here actually. If you feel up to it, we plan on moving you in the next couple days to a new facility.”
“Really? Is it near home?” I hope I can see Mom and Dad soon. I have no idea what they’ve been told about my whereabouts.
“I can’t disclose where it is. Agent Goodings will be in shortly to speak with you. He’ll have answers for you.” ‘Hamburger, fries, milkshake, no pickles…’
I glare at the onslaught of food that enters my mind. It’s always the same food that he thinks about and it’s so frustrating.
“Who is Agent Goodings?”
“My boss.” Harold observes my monitors and presses several buttons to get different screens up. “You’re improving; your vitals are looking much stronger now. Good.”
“Can I call home? Let them know I’m okay?” I ask for probably the twentieth time in three days. I don’t expect a different answer now than what I got all the other times. If I could stand up without falling down in agony, I’d have left this place three days ago. I feel trapped, angry and confused.
“No. Behave for Agent Goodings; he’s your ticket out of here.” Harold eyes me carefully and I wonder what that means.
“Hey, doc, how’s the patient doing?” An older man slaps his hand over Harold’s back and I jump, not expecting to see him. I didn’t hear him enter. The way Harold jumps I assume he’s as surprised as I am.
“Morning, sir. Mr. Dwells is doing quite well. Better than expected. I believe he is fit enough for a change of location.”
“Good. Would you give us a moment alone?” he asks, but I can tell the tone doesn’t leave you the option to disagree. Harold scurries away quickly, his feet scuffing the ground loudly as he closes the door. I feel trapped with this man. He’s solid and strong looking. His hair is so short it’s almost bald and his nose is slightly crooked. His jaw is tight, and while his lips are curved upwards like he’s trying to smile, his eyes make me believe he’s annoyed.
“Hello, Reader, how are you feeling?”
“Reader?” I frown, trying to understand what is going on.
“Blake James Dwells, age seventeen, codename Reader after your ability to read minds.”
My mouth drops open in shock.
“I know you’ve been through a great deal. You nearly died several times on us. Doc is a miracle worker and you’re a fighter. I like that. It makes me think you’ll make a great soldier.”
“Soldier?”
“Reader, we need your help. America needs it. We’re fighting enemies, domestic and foreign. We’re fighting a losing battle and sooner than you could ever imagine this country will be crippled beyond imagination. Forget the who and why and ask me how you can help.”
“I…” I never imagined the conversation going this way. What am I supposed to say?
“I oversee an organization that is privy to special missions; ones that are vital to our survival. You have the ability to read minds and I believe that is crucial to us winning this war.”
“War?” Am I hallucinating this conversation?
“We’re fighting a war right now. We’ve been fighting it for many years. It’s the one done behind closed doors because civilians don’t want to hear about it; don’t want to know. They just want to feel safe.”
“I don’t understand. What do you expect me to do?”
“I want you to join us, fight with us and protect this country.”
“I’m only seventeen, I’m still at school.” His words confuse me.
“You were attacked at school. It’s no longer safe to go back. Here, we can train you to protect yourself, we can give you the tools and the knowledge to never be hurt again.”
“Why was I attacked?” I feel an opening where I might be able to finally get some answers.
“We believe there was a mole among our ranks. We have neutralized who we believe had been the threat, but there is no way to know how far this has spread. It’s no longer safe for you to go home.”
“What about my girlfriend and my sister, were they hurt?”
“I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, but they were killed. Your parents were also attacked. We tried to save them, but we were unsuccessful.” His eyes stare carefully at me.
“What?” I lose my ability to breathe and beeping noises harass me as my world crashes down around me.
“Calm down; you are alive and you are safe. Think of this as a reason to fight, a reason to make sure no one else will go through this also.”
“Dead? That can’t be right…” I cry and shake as my body goes into shock. How can I have just lost every person I care about in my life? How is that possible? Surely this is some sick joke! He has to tell me this isn’t real. He has to be lying.
‘I should have told him after we’d finished talking. He’s useless now.’
“Why were they killed?” I cry out, trying to understand.
“To get to you,” he answers calmly, almost sounding like his answer is obvious.
“That’s not fair. They didn’t do anything wrong.” I didn’t do anything wrong either, did I?
“Life is not fair. I don’t have time to console you.” Agent Goodings steps away from me. “I will expect you ready to report to me tomorrow at oh-eight-hundred hours. You will be transferred to a new facility that is better equipped for your recovery. You’ll begin training as soon as possible and I expect you to behave. I’ve had enough arguments and disobedience to last a lifetime. As soon as you are cleared for duty, your missions will begin.”
“Missions?” My head is swimming from all this information.
“Yes, I think you’ll quite like the first mission I have in mind for you.”
“Why?” I blink away at the tears surrounding my eyes again. I can’t even begin to comprehend what he’s told me.
“It will be finding those responsible for your family being killed. That is, if we don’t already have them in custody by that time.”
“What? You know who did this?” I see the image of the woman who shot me. She looked so familiar, but right as I try to see her face, I get nothing. My mind goes blank. I know I saw her face, I just can’t remember what she looked like.
“I know who helped this happen. For the next few months I want you solely focused on one thing. Catching those people.”
“Who are they?”
“Right now they are traitors. They need to be captured and made to realize the error of their mistakes.” Agent Goodings’s voice is menacing.
“What are their names?” I demand, wanting to burn these names into my brain. I won’t stop until I catch whoever killed my family and I won’t ever give up.
“Zoe Holloway, Rose Montgomery, Charlie Nichols and Will Parker.”
I repeat their names over and over in my mind. I’ll never forget them. Anger burns in my veins, and for the first time in my life, I feel hatred. I will get justice for my family. I will avenge them.
ZOE HOLLOWAY
Chapter 21 – The Cop
Charlotte, North Carolina
December 20th
I’m finally let go and unceremoniously dropped to the floor where my brain feels like it’s roughly slapped against the inside of my skull. I look up dizzily, try
ing to fight going to sleep like Dana has asked, and watch as the man who took me fights someone else. It’s still misty outside this room and I look slowly around at my surroundings. I’m in Rose’s room. I know I’m in serious trouble, and I worry for Rose. Was she already captured? Is she okay?
My head pounds and I know I have to get out of here. I crawl on the ground, but I freeze when I hear gunshots. I close my eyes and am bombarded by Dana’s horror stricken face as she falls with me to the ground, blood pooling out of her tiny body.
I’m pulled out of my nightmare when a hand grabs my leg. I’m turned around and dragged backwards. Before I can even scream or think to fight it, I’m let go. The same man who got me out of the kitchen closes the bedroom door and quickly shoves the dresser in front of it, causing it to fall onto its side at the same time everything that has been sitting on top crashes to the floor. One of those things had been a mirror and it smashes upon impact with the ground, and I can’t help thinking he’ll have seven years of bad luck now. How much of that bad luck will rub off on me in this situation we’re stuck in, I wonder.
He glances at me briefly and I get my first clear look of the man who has now trapped us in Rose’s bedroom. It’s the same man from the photos. Rose’s boyfriend. He rushes over to the fire escape. I know it’s our only escape, too. I try to stand, but a bout of dizziness knocks me down and I fall back to the floor, only making it as far up as my knees. That might be a problem when we’re running down narrow stairs, three stories up.
He doesn’t even glance out the window after he’s forced it open. He rushes over to me and takes ahold of my arm again, dragging me in the opposite direction of the open window and leaving me on the ground in the walk-in-closet. He closes the door just as I hear banging from the main door that is still blocked by the dresser and more gunshots go off, causing me to duck and wince.
We’re surrounded in darkness and I listen to Rose’s boyfriend moving about, but I can’t see what he’s doing. I try to point out that this isn’t a good hiding spot, but my voice stays stuck in my throat.
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