Compound 26: Book #1 in The Makanza Series

by Krista Street

  He nodded or tried to, but the Chair’s restraints halted the movement.

  “Yes,” I replied.

  He smiled this time, a real smile. It transformed his face. My heart rate increased as his straight white teeth flashed. His eyes lit up as his proud expression softened and warmed. The hard, intimidating edge left.

  My mouth went dry. I averted my gaze. I needed to not notice things like that.

  “She loves that tea set,” Davin said. “She only uses it for guests.” A faraway look entered his eyes.

  I wondered if he was remembering happier times. I tried to look at him objectively, to stop these ridiculous feelings I was having. In doing that, I noticed something else: how bizarre this situation was. Here Davin sat in front of me, metal bands holding all of his limbs and head in place, yet he looked comfortable. Serene almost. And here I was, in a suit that made me look like a marshmallow.

  What an odd way for two people to truly meet for the first time.

  “Has she lost weight?”

  I snapped myself out of my reverie, but Davin immediately shook his head. “No, of course, you couldn’t know that. You’ve never met her before.”

  I cleared my throat and tried to force my feelings under control. “Are you worried about her? Worried that she’s lost weight?”

  He stiffened. It was like he suddenly realized who he was talking to and what he was saying. “A little,” he said tentatively.

  “I could visit her again, check up on her to make sure she’s okay, or relay a message to her if you’d like.” The sentence popped out of me before I knew what I was saying. Then my brain kicked in. Go back to Rapid City? Meet with Sharon again? There was no way I could keep that kind of deception from the Compound forever.

  “You would really do that?” Surprise was evident in Davin’s tone.

  I bit my lip. “Yes.”

  He frowned again, studying me. “Why are you helping me?”

  I paused. “I don’t really know. I just… I think it’s wrong, what we’ve done to you. I know I can’t fix it, not yet at least, but maybe I can make it better, for the time being.”

  He gazed at me intently. “Won’t you lose your job for visiting my mom? Dr. Roberts forbid any contact with our families a few months ago. He personally delivered that message to me.”

  Why isn’t that surprising? “I would lose more than my job.”

  He frowned. Once more, he studied me, as if trying to see into me. “How old are you?”

  “Twenty-three.”

  He frowned further. “Isn’t that pretty young to be working here?”

  “Yes.”

  I could tell he wanted to ask more, a flash of curiosity flittered across his face, but he didn’t say anything else.

  “Is there something you’d like me to tell your mom?” I asked.

  He cocked an eyebrow. “Tell her I love her and tell her… the thunderbird sings in Sweden.”

  The thunderbird sings in Sweden? “Okay, I will.”

  SERGEANT ROSE INTERRUPTED. I heard the click in my earbud as my speaker turned back on. “Dr. Roberts and Dr. Sadowsky will be in soon. Just wanted to give you a heads up.” The speaker clicked off again.

  My stomach dropped. The Director and my boss are coming here? That could only mean one thing.

  They heard me. They heard everything we said.

  Panic kicked in as my heart began to pound. I was a fool to think the Compound would ever let me speak privately to a Kazzie. There must be another sound system in here, a secret one, maybe wired to the Director’s office?

  My eyes darted around the room, searching for it. I didn’t see anything. Of course, you don’t see anything! Would they really hide a secret communication system in plain sight?

  I wondered if Sergeant Rose heard us too, but I was sure I heard his speaker system switch off.

  “What is it?” Davin asked.

  I met his gaze, my eyes large with panic. From the surprised expression on Davin’s face, I guessed Sergeant Rose hadn’t turned on Davin’s speakers when he relayed the message. Only I knew who was coming.

  “Dr. Roberts and the Compound’s Director will be here any minute.”

  An icy chill settled over his features. “Why?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Did they hear what I told you?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe.”

  “Is this some kind of game you’re playing?” His voice turned glacial.

  I couldn’t help my irritated glare. “No, Davin. This isn’t a game. If they really heard us talking, I’ll get fired for bringing you that photo. Does that seem like a game I would play?”

  His tense expression relaxed. For a mere second, he actually looked contrite. “Sorry.”

  I offered a small smile. “It’s okay.”

  “You better get out of here. You shouldn’t be in here when they arrive.”

  I stood and almost turned before I realized I hadn’t given him the photo. Stepping closer, I discreetly pushed the small picture into his palm, keeping my back to Sergeant Rose. Davin’s fingers closed over mine.

  My breath stopped.

  I could feel his heat through the glove. More than that, I felt his power. I’d seen firsthand what he was capable of. If he wanted to right now, he could rip my fingers off.

  I stood frozen, waiting to see what he would do. At the moment, I was helpless.

  All Davin did was squeeze me gently. “Thank you,” he whispered.

  I let out a sigh of relief. “Just hide the photo. Don’t let them find it.”

  I knew that wouldn’t be possible, not if the Compound did a search, but still, I could hope.

  Davin nodded and released my fingers. I looked at his hand before leaving. His palm was large, strong. Just like the rest of him.

  THE DECONTAMINATION PROCESS seemed to take forever. Sergeant Rose smiled when I returned to the watch room. “Did it go okay? It seemed to. You two spoke for a while.”

  He looked happy, completely guileless. I knew he’d told the truth when he said the speaker system was off. Sergeant Rose didn’t eavesdrop on us, but did my boss and the Director?

  “You said Dr. Roberts and Dr. Sadowsky are coming here?”

  “Yeah, they called about fifteen minutes ago. They’re doing rounds right now to see how the new procedure’s going. They should be here any minute.”

  Rounds?

  The access door to Davin’s hall opened. Dr. Roberts wore his usual military attire, his stomps loud and marching. Dr. Sadowsky, however, wore a crisp business suit and silk tie. He was an older gentleman, with gray hair and a sharp gaze. I’d never met the Director before, and it now seemed I would, as I possibly got arrested.

  “Dr. Forester.” My boss stepped into the watch room. He glanced over my shoulder. Davin was still in the Chair. I didn’t dare look at our Kazzie, for fear my face would give away the unease I felt.

  “Hello, Dr. Roberts,” I said, as evenly as I could.

  “Have you met the Director?”

  I shook my head.

  “Dr. Forester, this is the Compound’s Director. Dr. Ethan Sadowsky.”

  The Director held out his hand, smiling warmly. “I’ve heard a lot of promising things about you.”

  I shook his hand, my heart rate increasing as my ever-present anxiety cranked up. “Thank you.”

  “How is everything going with Davin? You must have just been in his cell?”

  “Yes.”

  “Any progress?” The Director’s eyes flickered to the Kazzie.

  Sergeant Rose grinned. “Davin spoke to her for over fifteen minutes.”

  Dr. Sadowsky’s eyebrows rose. “Is that right? The Kazzie who never speaks to anyone, spoke to you for fifteen minutes?”

  I nodded hesitantly.

  “What did you two speak about?” he asked.

  I swallowed and glanced at Dr. Roberts. He was watching me, his face unreadable. Are they toying with me? Trying to get me comfortable? Or did they not hear me?
>
  Sergeant Rose said they were doing rounds. Perhaps the timing was all a coincidence.

  “Not much,” I finally replied. “We’re just getting to know each other.”

  Dr. Sadowsky nodded. “I’m pleased to hear it. From what Timothy’s told me, Davin can be difficult to work with.” He glanced through the watch room window again. “I see he’s in the Chair,” he said grimly.

  Dr. Roberts’ gaze hardened. “That’s necessary for most of what we do with him.”

  “Is it?” the Director responded.

  Before I had time to process that response, Dr. Sadowsky turned to leave. “Keep up the good work, Meghan. I’ll be interested to hear what Davin’s samples reveal after you collect them.”

  “Um… right… of course,” I stammered.

  When both men exited the watch room, I slumped against the wall. So they didn’t hear me?

  Surely if they had, I’d be walking out of here in handcuffs right now. I bit my lip, my mind racing over the short conversation. And what about the Director’s comments on the Chair? Does he oppose using it?

  I thought again of the conversation Amy and I had in Sean’s Pub. About going to the Director with our concerns. I hadn’t yet, only because I didn’t know how he’d react. I couldn’t risk that right now, but maybe he would listen. Maybe I wouldn’t be demoted for voicing my concerns.

  I chewed my lip as I considered that possibility but eventually concluded that I needed to learn more about the Director first. I couldn’t risk losing my position right now.

  “Are you okay?” Sergeant Rose asked.

  I straightened, wondering how long I’d been lost in thought. “Yeah, of course.”

  Davin was still in the Chair. His fingers were still curled around the picture. I hoped he’d find a place to hide it.

  “You can release him now,” I said. “I’m not going back in today.”

  I waved goodbye to Davin. He acknowledged me with the barest hint of a nod. I let out a breath and walked out of the watch room.

  There were two more things I had to do today. One, figure out how the heck I’d get Davin’s coded message to his mother. And two, devise a plan to carry out what I’d started with Davin without getting caught by the Compound.

  If that was even possible.

  20 – GERRY

  As I headed out of the Sanctum, I passed all of the Kazzies’ cells.

  My eyes widened more and more. All of the Kazzies had researchers in their cells. It was the first time I’d seen so many of my colleagues actively engaged in working toward our common goal.

  Both Sage and Victor were talking with scientists. Even Dorothy was. My mouth dropped when I passed her. I’d never seen her awake. She sat on the edge of the hospital bed, still hooked up to the monitoring equipment. A researcher kneeled awkwardly in her suit beside her.

  Dorothy wore a confused expression and cradled her head in her hands. I wondered how long she’d been awake. From her constant squinting and temple rubbing, I guessed she had a pounding headache. She’d lost weight too, no doubt from being starved, but she wasn’t thin.

  Amy was probably right – the way Makanza affected her would never allow her to achieve a normal weight.

  As I stepped into the Sisters’ watch room, any earlier fears of being discovered evaporated. All of the researchers were with their Kazzies right now. Dr. Roberts and the Director really had been doing rounds.

  I let out a sigh of relief and peered into the twins’ cell.

  Gerry sat in a chair beside Sara and Sophie. Her large biohazard suit looked awkward and formidable. Is that how I appear to Davin? I almost snorted. I was fairly certain Davin would never find me formidable.

  The Sisters sat curled up on one twin bed. Neither of them seemed very engaged in the conversation. From the words flowing into the watch room through the speakers, Gerry was asking the twins about their parents, but when she asked a question, the twins would look away, clearly uncomfortable with the subject.

  The guard glanced over his shoulder. He did a double take. “Good afternoon, Dr. Forester.”

  I managed a smile. “Sorry to sneak up on you. How long has Gerry been in there?”

  “Over two hours.”

  Crossing my arms, I watched as Gerry tried to engage the twins.

  Neither seemed interested.

  Instead, Sara stood and strode to the watch room’s window. It was only then I realized that none of the Kazzies were in their Chairs. All of them were freely wandering around their cells with their researchers.

  I stepped back when Sara raised her hand to the glass, her eyes on me. She smiled.

  I sheepishly smiled back, feeling guilty for interrupting whatever Gerry was in the midst of doing.

  Gerry frowned when she saw me.

  “I better be on my way,” I told the guard. “Can you tell Gerry I said hello?”

  I nodded goodbye to Sara before leaving.

  I DECIDED TO double back to the breakroom to grab a cup of coffee before leaving the Sanctum. Considering it could be a long night, I needed all the caffeine I could get.

  I was in the midst of pouring a cup when Gerry strode into the room. From her heavy frown, she didn’t look happy. I just hoped I wasn’t the reason.

  “Meghan, how are you?” Before I could reply, she moved to the counter and poured a cup of coffee.

  “I’m fine. How are you?” It was hard to meet her gaze. I tried not to be intimidated by Gerry, but she carried such a boldness about her. The woman commanded attention as if by genetic right. Her height, level stare, and confident aura projected throughout the small room.

  “I’ve been better.” She sighed. “Neither Sister will talk to me about anything other than frivolous things. Every time I try to get to know them better, they clam up like an oyster that’s about to be bait. And then the Director decided to do his rounds, so he witnessed the entire thing. That didn’t help.”

  Her words confirmed that they really were on rounds. I slumped in relief. “Is this the first time you’ve tried to talk to the Sisters?”

  “About serious stuff? No. Sometimes they’ll relax around me, and I’ll attempt to create a deeper relationship, but every time I’ve tried that, they close down. They don’t trust me or any of the other researchers.”

  “Do any of the Kazzies trust their researchers?”

  Gerry frowned. “No, I don’t think so. Dr. Roberts has done a good job of making us the bad guys.”

  I frowned. Sara and Sophie had been here for eight years. They’d come to Compound 26 right after it opened. As kids, their entire family died in the Manhattan Disaster which meant they’d spent the first two years following the First Wave in MRRA makeshift quarantine facilities.

  Does that mean, in all that time, they haven’t talked about how they’re doing? For a kid to lose their entire family in the First Wave, and also turn into a Kazzie, seemed doubly traumatic.

  “So, they’ve never spoken about what happened to anybody?” I set my cup down.

  Gerry shook her head. “No, they have. When they first arrived, Dr. Sadowsky had a psychologist visit with them. I don’t know how long their therapy lasted, but they’ve never spoken about their parents to anyone else, as far as I know at least.”

  A thought struck me, causing my insides to turn. The twins had been children for the first five years they’d been at the Compound. Had research been done on them during that time? When they were kids? I almost didn’t want to know, but I had to.

  “When did you guys start studying them?”

  Gerry stared at me for a minute, as if trying to figure out where I was going with this. “I’ve been here four years, and we’ve studied them the entire time I’ve been at this Compound. I believe we’ve studied them since day one, but I’d have to check.”

  Bile rose in my throat. “But they were only kids.”

  “Yeah, I know. No wonder they hate us, right? That made me mad too when I first found out, but that was until I learned nothing invasive was
ever done on them until they were older. Mostly, it was benign tests. Kyle said they always tried to make it a game. Sometimes Sara and Sophie even enjoyed it, according to him at least. He said it broke up the day to day monotony.”

  I felt a little better knowing that and reminded myself most of my co-workers were good people. We were just in a facility that sometimes did bad things.

  “So what’s up with you and Sara by the way?” Gerry’s curious eyes met mine.

  “What do you mean?”

  She leaned against the counter and sipped her coffee. “You know, how she’s always seeking you out? Holding her hand up to you? I’ve had a few people tell me she’s always happy to see you and seems to be constantly searching for you when a group of researchers shows up.”

  I swallowed uneasily and debated telling Gerry about the strange headache feeling I got off Sara. But nobody else had mentioned anything like that. I better keep that one to myself.

  “I don’t know.” I shrugged. “Mitch and Amy told me it’s really unusual behavior for her.”

  “It is.” Gerry studied me again. I tried not to fidget under her gaze. “I wonder if you should try speaking to her instead of me.”

  “Me?”

  Gerry nodded. “She seems to prefer you.”

  “Isn’t that against the rules?”

  A disgusted sound emitted from her throat. “Only since Roberts took over.”

  “Should we ask him?”

  She sighed heavily. “I already know what the answer will be, but yes, I’ll ask him.”

  We talked for a few more minutes before I left. Sara approached the window again when I passed her cell. I got the feeling she wanted something from me, that she hoped I would do something, but for the life of me, I didn’t know what.

  MY NEXT STOP was at my office. I needed somewhere private to think about how I’d get Davin’s message to his mother. The thunderbird sings in Sweden. I briefly shook my head over the absurdity of it. I’d seen enough James Bond movies to know that equated to code talk. No wonder Sergeant Rose said they hadn’t been able to understand anything Davin and his mother were saying in their letters. I sat in my chair, my forearms falling on my desk, my head collapsing onto them.