Amoeba (The Experiments)

by Jacqueline Druga

  Cal rolled, opened her eyes, saw another careening boot, and as she grabbed hold of that to stop the blow, she felt the painful sear of a foot into her rib cage. All air escaped her, and Cal’s neck arched. Before she could catch her breath, get herself together, she was out numbered. On the ground, trying to get up while shielding herself, Cal became like a forest fire, something they just wanted to stomp out.

  No matter how many times she tried to get up, she was kicked back down. Her hands searched out the ground, trying to get leverage, and a heel came down hard, digging into her fingers, spinning with a crushing vengeance. And Cal, not loud, screamed.

  ^^^^

  Moseying along in a walk across the unity circle, Rickie froze. The smile dropped from his face and his head jolted around. “Cal?” Though the painful scream he heard didn’t sound like it came from her bungalow, Rickie raced there to be sure. He barged in. “Cal-babe!” She wasn’t there. Pulling the door closed as he flew out, he ran as fast as he could to Billy’s.

  No knocking, Rickie raced in. “Billy where’s Cal and . . .” He saw Jake stand up. “Sarge. Cal. I heard her scream.”

  Jake flew to the door and out. “She’s at the bungalow.”

  “No, Sarge, I checked.” Rickie, with Billy behind, him ran out.

  Jake stopped in his walk out. “She’s supposed to be . . .”

  “There.” Rickie’s head jolted up. “There it is again.”

  Jake looked around. “I didn’t hear it. Can you tell where it was coming from? Try Rickie.”

  Rickie closed his eyes, listening, really listening. “I hear her grunting . . . up there.” He pointed to behind Judge’s bungalow.

  “Let’s go.” Jake grabbed hold of Rickie’s arm, and in the same stride, pointed to Billy. “Go to my room and grab two M-16's. Hurry.” Jake, letting Rickie lead the way, took off running while Billy ran to Jake’s bungalow.

  ^^^^

  Amongst the laughter, pain filled legs, burning scrapes, arms aching, and hands cramping, Cal drew everything she had inside of her, and tried once more to get up. Her lifting body from the ground was an open invitation, and a foot came up, slamming her in the center of her chest. A long wheeze shot from Cal, and she flipped onto her back. Everything around her began to go blurry. Her spine arched high as only a rasping sound escaped her. She couldn’t breathe. The crushing pain that filled her chest made Cal fear she had gone into cardiac arrest. Her hands went numb, and shook. And with rolling eyes, one more reach out, Cal’s body went limp, flopping back to the ground and slightly to her side.

  The four men laughed tauntingly as they closed in on Cal, each of them taking turns to nudge her with their foot, seeming to derive a sick pleasure at how she failed to respond, grunt, or moan. And then the four of them, tips of their boots nearly touching Cal’s body in the circle around her, summed up an eerie deranged silence, a silence that was only broken by the simple sound of zippers. Towering over Cal’s motionless body, in some sort of psychopathic necrophilia sexual arousal, the four of them each undid the fronts of their pants and began to perform a tribal ritual they had done so many times before.

  ^^^^

  Rickie looked panicked and out of breath when he stopped cold about three yards from Judge’s garden. “I don’t hear anything, Sarge. I don’t hear anything.” He sounded so desperate.

  Jake’s eyes shifted to a distraught looking Billy who handed him an M-16. He saw Lou there, too. “What?”

  “I’m here to help.”

  Jake nodded and stepped to Rickie. “Okay, get it together. Calm down, you hear me? Calm down.” Jake, adjusting his M-16, laid his hand on Rickie’s shoulder. “Find her scent. Can you find her scent, Rickie?” He saw Rickie shake his head. “Rickie, I need you to try. Try.”

  Rickie stepped back and turned, facing the woods. His face crinkled almost like a sniffing dog, shifting his head from left to right, taking a step, then stopping. He bent down to the ground and pulled a handful of grass bringing it to his nose. He dropped it and moved more to his right, bent down again and ripped up grass. After smelling it and standing up, Rickie pointed and began to run in the direction he aimed. “This way.”

  Jake spun to Billy and Lou in his backwards run. “Let’s go.” He turned back around and ran to catch up to a fast moving Rickie.

  “Cal-babe!” Rickie called out. “Cal!” Rickie bent down catching his breath. His eyes looked to the small hill before him. “She’s close, Sarge, She’s really close.”

  Jake took short breaths, trying to stay calm, trying to stay in control, trying to think. He peered like a hawk around the wooded area that surrounded him. “Over that hill, Rickie?”

  “Maybe. But she’s really . . .” Rickie stopped talking when a crunching sound was heard.

  The sound grew louder, picking up intensity and drawing closer to them. All of them were shocked in horror when they saw the reason for the noise. Cal’s body rolled with speed down the hillside at them.

  Billy’s emotions escaped him verbally as he ran directly behind Jake to Cal. “Oh my God.”

  Jake dove forward onto the hill stopping Cal from falling any further. He dropped on his knees, and Cal literally rolled over into the palm of his hands. It was Jake’s sound of pain, a moan that flowed from his throat as he stared down at his wife. Her face and body beaten, hair and clothes dirty, bloody, and surely showing remnants of other things she had endured. A gnawing ache twisted in Jake’s gut, and he bit his bottom lip, trying to stay in control though his eyes shifted about Cal in a sense of loss. His huge hand gripped around her neck and he closed his eyes in gratefulness when he felt a pulse. “Cal,” her name seemed to whimper out from him. So in shock, sick, and more so heartbroken.

  Billy’s shoulders bounced as his hand reached down to her leg. “God Jake. What did they do to her?” He lifted his head. “What did they . . .” Billy’s eyes widened. “Jake.”

  Jake heard the change in Billy’s voice. He opened his eyes, raised his head, and saw him. A man, Axe, long hair, half way up the hill, thinking he could hide in the brush. Standing watching, as if seeing Cal laying there was some sort of sick after pleasure. A look like no other took over Jake, and he released Cal, reaching for his M-16. Bringing himself up as he swung his weapon around, Jake only pumped the chamber but never got to shoot. It all happened so fast.

  From the corner of Jake’s eye, he saw what made him stop. A blur, fast moving, flashed by Jake hitting him with the breeze of its force. And a flutter hit Jake’s eyes when he saw Rickie - moving as fast as any bullet Jake could fire - literally shoot himself toward the man in the trees. A beastly growl, deep and gurgling, reverberated from Rickie the second he leaped up, sailing his thin body in an animalistic attack lunge at Axe. Rickie landed on him rolling to the ground with a man twice his size. Yet Axe stood not a single chance. From the spot where they landed, mid hillside, there were only painful screams mixed with the sounds of snarling. And all that could be seen was the spraying of blood and flesh that shot up and rained out from the ground like a volcano of death had erupted there.

  Lou couldn’t move, his eyes transfixed up on that hillside to Rickie. “Talk about a temper. Oh my God.”

  Jake, running his hand over Cal’s head, stood straight up. “Billy, you and Lou get her back. The rest of them are around here.”

  “Jake, don’t leave her,” Billy told him watching Jake walk up the hill. “Jake, I don’t know what to do for her.”

  Jake kept walking.

  There was nothing left of Axe when Jake made it to Rickie. Nothing together, that was. Pieces of his mutilated body were scattered in a close circle. Rickie, eyes a different shade of green, was in the center of the mess, catching his breath. Rickie’s hands, his weapons, were covered with Axes blood.

  “Grab his scent,” Jake told Rickie. “It’ll linger with the others. They’re still here. I feel it. I . . .”

  “Jake!” Billy called, holding Cal whom he had lifted into his arms. “Hurry! Please!”

/>   Jake turned around and looked down the hill. He saw the look on Billy’s face, and he raced down to Billy. “What is it?”

  Billy’s answer wasn’t verbal. It was the mere shifting of his eyes down to his arm that braced under Cal’s legs. An arm now covered with fresh flowing blood.

  “Oh God.” Jake reached out for Cal, taking her from Billy’s arms. His eyes closed as he pulled her close to his chest, pressing his face to hers.

  Lou took the M-16 off of Billy. “Jake, take care of her. I’ll go search with Rickie.”

  There wasn’t any question about what Jake had to do. Even though his gut wanted to tear the others apart like Rickie had done to Axe, Jake’s place was with Cal. And holding her in his big arms, Jake carried Cal back home.

  ^^^^

  A pile of Cal’s hair lay on the bathroom floor. It was so bloodied, tangled, and knotted that Jake had had no choice but to cut it, even though Cal would never say anything to him about it. He took great care to cut it carefully, bringing up the long length to just below her shoulder.

  Jake sat on the bathroom floor, arms submerged in the tub he had just filled with fresh water. He wrung out a wash cloth and lifted it. “Cal.”

  Cal had passed out again, her cheek resting on her bent up knees.

  “Sweetie.” Jake lifted her chin. “Let me finish you up.” Softly and gently he ran the cloth across her lips to clear the blood that had dried around her top lip where he had done what he would consider his best and tiniest stitches.

  “I’m sorry.” Cal spoke groggily.

  “Don’t be. Almost done and we’ll get you into bed.”

  “My face feels huge.”

  “Your face is beautiful.” Jake leaned into her and kissed her softly.

  Cal closed her eyes. She could barely keep them open and her head fell forward into Jake. “All this for a radish.”

  Jake smiled, dropped the washcloth, and wrapped his arms around her. And as he held her, even though Jake was so glad she was all right, every part of him burned in anger and in hurt for what Cal had gone through.

  Caldwell Research Center - Los Angeles, CA

  May 3rd - 2:45 p.m.

  Greg’s eyes stayed on Cal’s monitor, the bathroom door closed, Billy pulling down the bed. Over an hour and a half Jake had been in the bathroom with Cal. Rickie and Lou, having just returned, waited in the room for Cal and Jake’s emergence with as much anticipation as Greg did.

  “Nothing?” Dr. Jefferson’s voice interrupted Greg’s stare.

  “Nothing.” Greg shook his head.

  “Aldo’s on his way.”

  “I figured as much.” Greg returned to watching.

  “So what do we do now? We lost the tracking.”

  “Mark my words.” Greg watched the bathroom door open and Jake carry Cal out. “We’re not going to have to do anything. Jake will do it all.”

  I-S.E. - Thirteen - The Island

  May 3rd - 2:47 p.m.

  The air in the room was a somber one. Cal, wearing only one of Jake’s tee shirts, lay propped up on pillows in bed as Billy sadly adjusted the covers over her. Lou and Rickie stood by the fireplace as Jake, back turned to everyone, leaned toward the wall, one arm above his head, in a frightening silence.

  Billy’s eyes lifted from the covers to look at Jake, as did Rickie and Lou, When Jake let out one long breath and ran his hand over the back of his head. He slowly turned around. “Can I . . . can I be alone with my wife please? I need a minute.” Jake looked in pain as he made his request.

  Lou opened the door, and walked out. Rickie looked back at Cal wanting to say something, but didn’t. And Billy, after giving a reassuring squeeze to Cal’s hand, abided by Jake’s request and he left as well.

  In the empty room, Jake went into the closet. He came back out with a bottle of Jack, grabbing a glass in his stride to the bed. He sat down next to Cal, opened the bottle, poured about two shots worth, and handed her the glass as he set the bottle down. “Drink it.”

  The moment Cal’s shaking hands brought the glass to her lips and she smelled the alcohol, Cal began to cry.

  Jake saw her losing the glass and he took it from her. “Cal.” He set the glass down and pulled her into him.

  From his chest, muffled and tear filled, Cal spoke as she shook her head. “I know it wasn’t supposed to happen, but I still didn’t want to lose this baby. I didn’t want that, Jake.”

  Jake’s eyes closed, and he pressed his lips to her and held her tighter. “Neither did I, Cal. Know that. Please know that.”

  Cal only nodded.

  “Can you please drink the Jack?” Jake requested softly. “Please?”

  Cal pulled back and took the glass Jake handed to her. She took a drink, gave it back, and laid down. A painful wince took over her face as she rolled into a ball bringing her legs close to her.

  “Cal.” Jake laid his hand on her hip bringing his lips close to her ear. He whispered in emotional words. “Listen to me, okay? I know you’re in pain. I know this. I feel it. God do I feel it. I love you very much. But . . . I’m torn here, sweetie. I’m torn. I want to go out there, find them and tear them apart for what they did to you and our baby. But I don’t want to leave you like this.” Jake’s eyes shifted down to his hand when Cal laid hers on top of his, locking her fingers into his hand. “I don’t want to walk away when you need me. For the first time in my entire life I don’t know what to do.” There was an abundance of sadness and confusion in Jake’s words. “Tell me, Cal. Please. You tell me what to do.”

  ^^^^

  Wearing dark green military camouflage pants and a dark green tee shirt, Jake strapped himself with the ammunition he needed. He had a revolver in the belt around his waist. There was a hunting knife strapped to his leg. Jake looked at Rickie who was closing up a small sack. “Rickie, you went through those M.R.E.’s, right? I don’t want to be bogged down. We only need basics.”

  “Yeah, Sarge. I took out only what you told me.” Rickie handed Lou, who was dressed in dark clothing, the sack. “Thanks for offering to go with my Dad, guy.”

  “I want to.” Lou tossed the sack over his shoulder. “Besides, we know Cal’s safe with you. Little man, you weren’t kidding when you said you go monster.”

  “Guy, like, what have I been telling you?”

  Jake picked up the M-16 that was lying on the dresser. “Lou, I’ll meet you outside.” He walked to the bed where Cal was sleeping. The empty glass on the night stand sat next to the bottle of Jack. Jake bent over to Cal, running his hand down her face. “I’ll be back. Maybe a couple of days, but I’ll be back. I love you very much.” Jake kissed her, then kissed her again leaving his lips on her for a little bit. He stood up, tossed the strap of the M-16 over his head, threw the weapon around to his back, and walked to the door. “Rickie, sit with her. Bill.” Jake twitched his head to the door. “Come out with me for a second.”

  Billy, who had been sitting next to Calk’s bed, stood up and walked outside. He pulled the door closed as he stood on the porch. The second he did, Jake started giving instructions.

  “Watch the bleeding. Monitor it,” Jake told Billy. “Keep giving her Jack every hour, the alcohol will help with the cramping. Let no one in to see her. Make sure she eats. It’s vital.”

  Billy nodded. “I can do that. But Jake, these guys are dangerous. Are you sure you should take a chance like this?”

  “Bill.” Jake silenced him. “I have to do this, okay? You saw what they did to her. You saw the . . .” Jake cringed. “Sick things they did to her. I can’t let them get away with hurting her and the baby. I can’t. I don’t want to. But my gut is ripped apart. And I fully intend on hunting them down like the animals they are. I’ll find them. I will. And then they will feel every single thing they did to her.”

  “Just be careful. Losing the baby is bad enough for Cal. Losing you . . . she couldn’t handle that, Jake. I know her.”

  “Yeah, she could.” Jake winked. “Cal’s tough. But . . .” Jake
looked to the door then back to Billy. “There is still a chance, even though a really, really small one, there’s still a chance I won’t come back. If something happens to me, I need you to do something for me.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Cal . . . Cal is tough, yeah, but I worry about her. I don’t want her alone. I want someone to watch out for her. Someone that can take care of her as good as I can. Someone I know will care for her, because Cal needs that in her life. So could you . . . could you just tell my friend, Chuck, that Cal is his responsibility?”

  Billy’s eyes widened, he stuttered some, then said, “Um . . . sure. I’ll tell Chuck.”

  “Billy?”

  “Yeah?”

  “If I don’t come back, you better make sure she gets off this island okay, then . . . make sure she stays okay.” Jake stepped backwards. “If you don’t, I’ll come back and haunt you.” He stepped off the porch. “But the point is moot. I’ll be back, even if it’s just to stop you from moving in on my wife.” Jake smiled. “I’ll be back. Besides, once I find them, this shouldn’t be too difficult, because these fuckin assholes haven’t a clue what I do for a living. Watch her, Bill.” Jake turned and walked off.

  Billy stepped to the edge of the porch. “Be careful, Jake.”

  Jake only lifted his hand as he caught up to Lou. And Billy stood, arms folded, leaning against the post of the porch watching Jake, determined and strong, disappear into the woods.

  Caldwell Research Center - Los Angeles, CA

  May 3rd - 4:00 p.m.

  “Kill them,” Cal’s weakened words spoken to Jake as she lay in bed played over the speaker in the control room for Aldo.