by bret Wellman
I listened to Adrian and Lillie planning their approach as was drove to the far side of town. I didn’t like what I was hearing; they weren’t planning on being friendly at all. They were going to force the others to move in, I had to bite my tongue.
The park consisted of a large soccer field next to a playground made of wood and old tires. The place was mostly barren other than a few kids running through the playground. The leaves had been picked up off the ground letting the grass stand free as if it were still midsummer. There wasn’t much other than the field and tires accept for a long set of swings. Lillie seemed to enjoy herself as she led us straight to the swing sets, which were old and rusty.
From the swing sets we had a perfect view of the dirt parking lot. We would be able to clearly see anybody coming or going.
The others were late, I wasn’t quite sure what that meant. Both Lillie and Adrian swiveled around in their swings when I told them we shouldn’t be doing this.
“Why are you so against this?” Lillie asked as she pumped her legs to start swinging.
I hated when they ask “Why?” because ninety nine percent of the time, they already knew the answer and were just trying to make you feel comfortable.
“What if they try to fight us?” I said not wanting to reveal the true nature of my feelings. Brianna would never forgive me after this, in fact she would probably kill me in my sleep.
“Brianna will forgive you.” Lillie said as she brought her swing to a stop. I was beginning to hate the fact that they knew everything.
Adrian let out a sarcastic laugh that he tried to choke off at the end. “Of course she will.” He said in a serious tone. “It just might take some time that’s all.”
“You’re sure they will come with us?” I asked in desperation to change the subject.
Adrian kicked the dirt and took a deep breath. “I know it might not seem right.” He glanced around the park as if searching for the words. I knew it was just for show. He had the words, he was Adrian. He probably knew we were going to have this conversation before he even woke up this morning. “But I don’t plan on giving them any other choice.” He continued.
I didn’t respond. Of course he wouldn’t give them any other choice. That’s what Adrian did; he made you do it his way. I guess I couldn’t blame him. When lives are at risk, sometimes you can’t afford to give them a choice.
“If it will make you feel better, I will talk some sense into Brianna. She will do anything you ask by the time I’m done with her.” He added.
I tightened my grip on the swing. “Don’t, If Brianna is mad at me then that’s something I have to live with. I don’t want your help.”
“I can’t see why not.” Adrian said. “It’s not my fault you can’t live with a lie.”
“Just stay out of it, ok?”
Adrian’s expression hardened as he turned to gaze at the parking lot. I turned to look, knowing what I would see.
Four figures marched shoulder to shoulder across the green grass of the open field. They carried themselves with an air of authority that could force the average man to bow down before them.
They stopped close to the swing set. Their gazes locked onto us as they waited for us to announce why we had called them.
I recognized them all. On the far left Spencer crossed his arms and glared with the same look of betrayal as the others. To his right standing with her chin held high was a tall girl with bleach blond hair that was short and spiky. Rachel was the name everybody called her by, back at the government building. Next was Josh, his sandy blond hair was buzzed shorter than I remembered. Everyone in the group had the fit muscular bodies of people raised under the harsh whip of the Kingdom, but Josh’s was something more. His muscles were packed on thicker than any of us put together. They were older, besides Spencer, they were both about twenty two. They looked furious, but my attention wasn’t on them.
On the far right side of the group Brianna’s piercing blue eyes were locked on mine. My heart raced as I stared back. She wore a ponytail. Her dimples showed through the concern on her face. It made me feel helpless, which is not good for an assassin to feel.
“Rachel, you look sexy as always.” Adrian broke the silence first.
Rachel took a step forward but Josh placed a hand on her shoulder and pulled her back.
“We’re all here Adrian.” He said in a deep scruffy voice. “What do you want?”
The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife.
“The Kingdom is sending physical users to flush us out.” Lillie said in a concerned tone. “One is being sent here to Newberry.”
Brianna’s group glanced at each other. They were visibly shaken.
“And how do they know where we are?” Josh asked after the focus was back on us.
“They don’t.” Lillie said. “They sent out every physical user, not a single one was left at the government buildings. They are being spread so thin that there is one at every armory in the entire Kingdom.”
“Who is being sent here?” Rachel asked. From the way they held themselves it was obvious that Rachel and Josh where in charge.
“They are being sent out at random.” Adrian said. “But we were able to pull some numbers and figured the best bet would be Haley, serial code nine one nine, fire user.”
“I know her.” Rachel blurted out. “She was on my squad in a simulation mission a few years back. I don’t think she would turn us in.”
Josh stared directly at Adrian, never blinking. “Thank you for the information.” He said then urged the others to turn and start walking away. “We will heed your warning.”
“You’re going to do a little more than that.” Adrian said, stopping them all in their tracks. I wanted to bury my head in the sand. Soon Brianna would be back to hating me. Her eyes were still on me, uncertain whether to be friendly or threatening.
“And what are we going to do?” Josh asked over his shoulder.
“For starters you’re going to move in with us.” Adrian talked as if he were doing Josh a favor. In reality he was giving orders “Then we’re going to monitor the three kiddies to make sure they don’t cross paths with the physical user at school.”
“And what makes you think we will move in with you?” Josh asked skeptically. He had to know Adrian had something up his sleeve.
“Well.” Adrian stretched with a cocky smile. “You could go home. Of course the soldiers would come looking for you on some trumped up charges I would place in the system. Once they capture you and you’re in jail, they would discover your true identity. Thus getting you sent back to President Mead. He would then send you to a concentration camp for your crimes against the Kingdom. Leaving you dead or…” pause for effect “dead.” He looked them over. All but one looked back. Brianna was too busy staring at me. “One way or another, I’m not going to let you sabotage my freedom.”
“We don’t want any trouble.” Lillie added. “We’re just trying to protect you.”
“Save it.” Josh snapped. “How long do we have to decide?”
Adrian sighed. “You have twenty minutes.”
With a jerk of his head, Josh directed the others out of ear shot, into the open field. I was surprised that no one had yelled or even raised their voice. I guess they realized that it wouldn’t help with Adrian tying their hands like this. It didn’t feel right letting Brianna stand there looking so alone.
Not wanting to hear Adrian and Lillie argue back and forth about how good it was going, I got up off the swings and headed for the jungle gym. I had to go past Brianna’s group and didn’t want to be caught with them alone, so I decided it best to go the long way and circle the edge of the field.
I realized as I glanced toward the group in the field, Brianna held her hands in fists at her sides. It looked like the others were yelling at her. If that was true, it didn’t look like she was backing down.
Four kids were running around on the jungle gym when I got there. I half wondered if Adrian and Lillie had p
icked this location simply because the others would be less likely to start a fight knowing little children could be involved. They were quiet enough to let me sit on a nearby bench and not be bothered. I settled back on the bench and took a deep breath to calm my nerves.
“Do you want to come play with us?” One of them asked. They had all climbed off of the jungle gym to stand before me. Three boys and one little girl, the one talking was a brown haired boy standing a few feet closer than the others.
“I’m ok.” I put on my best smile. “You guys have fun.”
“You look sad.” The little girl said as the others turned to go play.
“I’m fine.” I couldn’t believe I was explaining myself to a little girl.
With an off handed shrug, she turned to go join her friends on the jungle gym.
The sky was clear and blue except for one cloud that was shaped peculiarly like a whale. Now that I was by the playground I could see that the ground was covered in wood-chips. I watched the kids having fun, it made me wonder what it would be like to be a kid without any worries. For the first time since I can remember I felt sad that the Kingdom had robbed me of this part of my life. There was no time for fun and games growing up under the Kingdom, only hard work and combat training. I never got to find out what it was like to be a kid.
No, they hadn’t stolen anything from me. I was free now and I had everything I ever needed to make sure it stayed that way. Never again will I sit on the sidelines and let the Kingdom run my life. Death will take me before I let that happen.
A soft wind picked up, sending a cool chill through my body. I should have brought my coat.
I laid my head back against the bench and closed my eyes letting the sun dull the cold breeze. It shouldn’t take much longer for Josh to give in to Adrian’s demands.
“Are you going to sleep?” I heard one of the little boys ask. It almost made me smile...almost.
I idly wondered where their parents were. I remember passing a few houses a little ways down the road, they must have walked.
“He can’t sleep.” I heard the little girl say. “It’s still the day time.”
I felt one of their fingers poke my knee to see if I was awake.
“I’m not going to sleep. I’m just resting my eyes.” I said without looking up.
“But why are you doing that, mister?" The little boy asked.
This time their innocent charm did bring a smile to my face. I couldn’t figure out what would compel these kids to walk up and start trying to get a stranger to join them on the jungle gym. It was mildly funny.
I could hear another kid stepping on wood chips as he walked up to join his friends. He stopped next to the others.
“Do you think I could have a minute with this boy alone?” Brianna’s soft sweet voice asked.
My eyes flashed open as I straightened in the bench. Brianna was kneeling so that she was eye to eye with the children. The boys all blushed and ran away to go hide in the jungle gym. The little girl stood with her hands on her hips and a questioning scowl on her face.
“Is he your boyfriend?” She asked in her innocent voice.
Brianna glanced in my direction before turning back to the girl. “Go play, ok?”
It was comical watching the girl glance back and forth between us before running away to the jungle gym. I would have laughed if I didn’t think Brianna was about to let me have it.
She walked up and sat on the bench to my right. I was very aware of every place our bodies touched as we both stared straight forward.
“This is crazy.” I said, surprised at how quiet the words came out.
“I know.” She said in the same quiet voice.
I sat there, trying to think of the words that wouldn’t come and watching the kids playing on the jungle gym.
“Is this why you missed school?” She asked. “Because of this threat?”
“Yes”
“And you agree that you have to force us to move in with you?” She still looked straight forward.
“Yes.” I said, trying to sound as resolute as I could.
“I don’t believe you.” She said.
“You don’t? Why not?”
She glanced at me for the first time.
“Because, Adrian is a mental user, he can make you think anything he wants.” She said.
“You think that?” It felt too good to be true. “But I really do think it’s the right thing.”
“Why?”
“Because the physical user is going to be dangerous and if anything ever happened to you I could never forgive myself.” I blurted out.
“You thought I was going to be mad at you, didn’t you?” She asked with a smile.
“Yea.” I said in surprise. “I’m still waiting for you to punch me.”
Brianna made a fist and hit me in the shoulder.
“Hey!”
“Happy now?”
I held my shoulder in mock pain. “Ah I think you broke it.”
Her response was to hit me again. This time I pulled away laughing.
“Ok, ok, I give up.”
She watched me for a moment, the smile on her face fading. “I told the others that moving in sounded like a good idea.”
I was taken off guard. “You did, what did they say?”
“They weren’t happy. Just before I came over here they were refusing to talk to me.” She looked troubled. “I don’t trust Lillie or Adrian but if what they say is true… It would be foolish to pass up protection under a mental user.”
“What do you think the others are going to do?” I asked.
“Let’s go see.” Brianna said as she grabbed my hand and started to pull me towards the field.
We approached slowly, not sure on the mood of the crowd as we got near. Nobody seemed happy but nobody seemed to want to fight, so we figured it was safe to walk up.
“We’re moving in today.” Josh said to Brianna. “These people have left us with no other choice. We’re leaving to go get our things.”
“I understand.” Brianna said. The entire group stood silently with ashen faces. Adrian seemed to be the only one enjoying himself.
“Let’s go.” Josh said and started walking toward the parking lot.
Brianna stayed by my side. “I’m going to go with them.” She said surprising us all.
“Brianna.” Rachel, the girl with white, spiky hair, said.
“It’s fine Rachel. I can take care of myself.” Brianna said.
“And you’re just going to leave your things?” Josh asked.
“William will take me to get my stuff when we get back to his house.” She looked up at me for confirmation. “Is that ok?” she asked.
“That’s fine.”
I could see from everyone’s confused expressions that this was something they hadn’t expected, everyone except Lillie and Adrian.
“Then you are not welcome to come with us anyways. Come on guys.” Josh finally said and turned back to the parking lot.
Adrian started to laugh and Brianna scowled as the others all squeezed into the old station wagon before driving away.
“Oh Brianna.” Out of nowhere Lillie came up and wrapped me and Brianna in a hug.
“What are you doing?” I asked as we both ducked out. I could tell by the look on her face that Brianna wasn’t comfortable with Lillie or Adrian. Lillie must have realized the same thing because she backed up and smoothed out her black dress.
“Well” She said “We’d better get going then.”
Adrian stood up and led the way across the field to the parking lot. I held the back door of the black suburban open for Brianna. Once everybody was inside Lillie started the engine and drove out of the parking lot.
“Did you hear Josh? I should have gone with them.” Brianna whispered in my ear. Her warm breath so close felt exhilarating.
“My whole weekend has been like this.” I said, trying to gain back my composure. Lillie and Adrian pretended to focus on the road but I could tell they w
ere listening.
“Do they always act like a mom and dad?” I could tell by the smile on Brianna’s lips that she thought she was being sneaky. And from the way that Lillie tilted her head that she wasn’t.
I wanted to make sure only she could hear me so I leaned in so close my lips were skimming her ear. “Lillie is great, but you have to watch out for Adrian. You saw what he did.” When I pulled back to see her reaction, she was holding her breath.
“Yea, that was a little bit out of hand.” She said.
“What about the others?” I asked. “I remember them in the government buildings but what are they like as free people?”
She sat there for a moment, considering my question. “Well, you have already seen Spencer a little bit at school, he gets a little hyper sometimes. Rachel, she follows Josh everywhere, I swear I have never seen them apart one time. She likes getting into mischief I have noticed. And Josh, well he is just stubborn. He appointed himself leader when we first broke out and laid down the ground rules of what we could and couldn’t do. He started fixing things up around the neighborhood in exchange for hand outs, it kept food on the table and the bills were always paid.” She glanced toward the front of the car.
Lillie instantly flipped on the radio so she and Adrian couldn’t eavesdrop anymore. I would have to thank her for that later.
“I guess you are going to find out soon enough.”
I nodded “Might be a little rocky for a while.”
She turned back with a look of concern. “I’m afraid they might try and revolt.”
And then Adrian turned in his seat to look back. He eyed us for a moment, his gaze locking on Brianna “They wouldn’t dare, I will make sure of it.”
Brianna looked like she wanted to retort but bit her tongue. Her face grew red and yet she still didn’t respond.
“We are not going to be like that Adrian.” I said before she threw a bolt of ice through the seat or something.