by S. E. Meyer
Anna's thoughts wandered to the trial. Why her mother would agree to such an unproven risk. It wasn't like her. She was always trying to do what was best for her and Sara.
So why take the risk?
Knowing her mother, the juice must have been worth the squeeze.
Anna continued to walk, oblivious to her surroundings. Building after building passed by, flashing banners and billboards in Anna's peripheral. It had been hours before Anna broke free from her thoughts and took in her surroundings. She had wandered into a warehouse district with deserted sidewalks and...
Anna jolted.
The wall.
There it was, looming on the horizon. Anna swallowed hard, wondering how she could have wandered so close to the place she most despised on any kind of conscious, or subconscious level. She continued to move closer, regardless of her hatred for the partition, and the confinement it embodied.
Within minutes Anna was standing before the slab of concrete, anxiety creeping into her chest. She placed a hand over her breast before leaning sideways against a light pole. Looking up along the pole's length a thought crept into her mind. A thought she could not brush aside. It soon enveloped her senses and took hold of her extremities.
Freedom.
Anna shimmied up the pole, pushing with her legs to ease the strain on her rib. She reached the light pole arm and grasped the cold metal with bare hands. Ignoring the pain that ripped through her side Anna pulled herself up. Once she was standing on the light pole arm she jumped, landing on the top of the wall. Anna glanced up and down the empty street, glowing orange from the sun as it neared its destination behind the hills west of Easton.
With her back to the city, Anna stared out at the rolling hills on the other side of the wall. She spread her arms wide, feeling the late afternoon breezes play with her brown ringlets. Wincing through the pain, she went into a full spread eagle before stepping closer to the ledge. Anna recalled the story her mother used to read to her every night.
One thing I must never do at all.
Anna edged closer, the arches of her feet caressing the outside lip of the wall as her toes extended beyond it.
I must never, ever, climb over the wall.
Anna teetered, swaying forward, the wind alone holding her from going over. She closed her eyes.
Freedom.
A foreign thought.
Sure, she could pay the ransom they required for a plane ticket. She could visit other walled cities, but that wasn't freedom. For Anna, that was not the essence of being free. Anna’s idea of freedom was absent partitions, able to go wherever one desires. She longed to run through the meadows or picnic in the clover beneath a grove of maples. Anna’s heart begged to fall asleep to the sound of a brook, laughing over stones until it found its way to the ocean. Yes, she wanted to be as free as the water. An ocean, unconstrained, roaming in and out with the tide. An ocean that mirrored the color of Anna's eyes. It was something she could only imagine, and in her mind, was freedom's definition.
There also was Billy to consider. Anna wondered if he was still out there, somewhere, feeling the same rays of light on his cheeks as she. At this moment, still alive and thinking of her. A connection through a tendril of thought flowing out through the wind, free to sway.
If Atticus was right, it was possible he was still alive, waiting for her.
Anna inched closer, only her heels now keeping her from going over the edge. Her arms did not tire from casting their cross-like shadow on the warehouse behind her. Like an effigy of suffering hanging on the cold metal siding, an unseen force awaiting the hills to overtake the sun and finish its crucifixion in darkness.
Anna recalled Damarion's words. 'It's time you tell Anna who she really is.'
Her thoughts strayed to Atticus. That must be what Damarion meant. Time to tell me I was his daughter, but he understood I would never let him leave if I knew.
He was out there too, somewhere in the wilds. Another casualty of a loved-one lost, never to be seen again, Anna supposed.
I could do it. I could just let myself go. I could be free.
Ripped from her meditative trance, an unknown force pulled Anna backward. She opened her eyes to find Richard behind her with a fistful of scarf in his hand.
Anna sucked in a breath.
“What the hell are you doing here? Leave me alone Richard.”
“I just saved your life. That's twice now. Another second and you were going over the wall. What are you thinking Anna?”
“I'm thinking I don't want to be here anymore, a part of this world.”
“So suicide is the answer?”
“That's not what I meant,” Anna replied wrenching her scarf free from his grasp. “I don't want to kill myself, I just want to be free.”
Richard arched an eyebrow. “That won’t happen. I've been watching you, following you. I've been waiting for the right moment. This silliness has to end. Once and for all you need to agree to marry me.”
“My God, Richard. You're like a dog with a bone. You can do whatever you like I will never agree to marry you. I would rather die.”
“Your death isn't what should worry you.”
Catching her off guard, Richard struck out his fist and connected with Anna's rib.
Spots spun across Anna's field of vision as she bent over in pain. She filled her lungs and let the air creep out her nose. “What the fuck are you doing Richard?”
“Trying to get your attention. I've had enough of these games and playing nice. It's time you accept your future.”
Still bent over and clutching her rib Anna replied. “My future?”
“Yes, as my wife. I told you, Cromwells always get what they want.”
“I'd shoot you right now, Richard, if my captain hadn't specifically asked me to show restraint.”
Anna closed her eyes, breathing through the pain. Richard took advantage of the moment and kicked, driving the toe of his shoe between Anna's fingers and deep into her wound, tearing the stitches.
Anna let out a cry and fell to her knees. Richard reached into Anna's jacket, pulling her gun from its holster. He tossed it over the wall and the gun landed on the street below, bouncing toward the light pole.
“Just in case,” Richard said. “You've never been one to show much restraint.”
Anna flopped down on all fours as blood dripped from her side. Richard knelt in front of her, his nose within an inch of Anna's. “I will tear everyone away you ever loved, Anna. I'll kill Sara. I will kill the rest of your family if you don't marry me!” Richard spat.
Anna cringed at the words, still trying to breathe through the pain and close to losing consciousness.
The rest of my family?
“It was you,” Anna whispered through a clenched jaw, gritting her teeth. “You killed my mother!”
Richard stepped over her and came from behind. He knelt behind Anna, forcing his groin up against her. Reaching out he grabbed a hold of the scarf still dangling around her throat. Richard twisted the linen around Anna's neck and further pushed himself against her backside. “Yes, and I'll kill Sara next. Come on Anna, this can all be over. We make up, shake hands, put this all behind us and you put on the wedding gown. It's that simple.”
Anna clutched at the scarf to loosen Richard's hold. Between the lack of blood flow to her brain and the pain in her rib, she was on the verge of collapse. Heart pounding against her breast Anna's body gave up.
Handshake, Anna thought, her will to stay conscious fading with the sunlight.
The ring.
“It was you,” Anna coughed. “The ring. You poisoned them all with a handshake.”
The strength fading from her limbs Anna wobbled on her knees, her arms unable to hold her own weight.
“Yes. I killed them all. Marry me!” Richard screamed, wrenching the scarf tighter. “Or Sara will die like the rest of them!”
“Fine!” Anna choked.
“What? I didn't hear that?” Richard loosened the scarf.
“That's what I thought,” Richard replied. He gave her ass one more shove with his hips before standing up, scarf still clenched in his fist. The scarf unwrapped from Anna's neck, catching on the chain that hung there.
“I told you so many times. I'm a Cromwell, and Cromwells always get what we want.”
Anna fell prostate as the chain that held the locket broke. She watched through bloodshot eyes as the locket took one bounce on the top of the wall and split open.
Anna gasped.
For a brief second she glimpsed her mother staring back at her before the locket dropped to the other side below.
Anna's eye color changed from dark ocean blue to an irascible pyric pewter.
She forced one arm beneath her, feeling the warm sticky ooze. Clenching her jaw, Anna tucked one knee below her hip. With fresh oxygen to her brain and adrenaline in her veins, Anna lifted herself to her feet. She took one step towards Richard and then leaned onto one leg. Knowing the excruciating pain was forthcoming, Anna bit into her lip as she stared into Richard's smug face. She bent her knee and then launched herself into the air, performing a perfect roundhouse kick to Richard's face. Smugness turned to shock as Richard flailed his arms, attempting to catch his balance. His eyes widened as he tipped over the edge of the wall and followed Anna's locket to the other side below.
Anna spat over the wall in the direction Richard disappeared and took a deep breath.
“Cromwell's don't always get what they want!” She screamed over the sound of the wailing wall alarms. “Not anymore!”
CHAPTER IX
Turning from his computer screen, Jax leaned back in his chair, rubbing the stubble on his chin. He was grateful for the distraction of the flickering lights above his head, a sign the generators powered up the lights in the subway tunnel, but his thoughts turned to Atticus. Worry gnawed at his gut.
We should have heard from him by now.
Isabelle entered the room with a tablet under one arm and sat down next to Jax. Flipping her blond hair behind her neck she set the tablet up in front of them so they could both view the screen.
“Look at this,” she said, shaking her head.
“What?” Jax asked, raising an eyebrow and leaning in close.
“Anna asked about Gentech. I found a hidden sub-folder on the smart drive under that name, but that's not what concerned me. Along with it was another folder with lab reports.” Isabelle pointed to the screen. “See here? I've seen these types of files and reports before from working on GMO products. These are genetic markers.”
“So what does it mean?” Jax asked.
“It means that-”
The sound of the entry door slamming shut cut Isabelle off in mid-sentence.
“Must be Anna,” Jax said.
“Good. I need to show her this.”
A long minute went by and no one appeared in the dining room from the hallway that led to the main exterior door. Jax and Isabelle both sat still, staring at each other with raised eyebrows.
“Help,” came a whimper from the hallway.
Jax shot out of his chair, followed by Isabelle. They bolted to the hallway to find Anna crawling towards them on all fours, a trail of blood smearing the floor behind her.
“Oh my God, what happened?” asked Isabelle.
“I'll grab the gurney,” Jax said, disappearing around the corner and returning a few seconds later. “Let's get her up on the bed,” he instructed.
Jax and Isabelle each took a hold of one of Anna's arms and lifted her up. Anna cried out from the pain of stretching her side. They each slipped an arm under Anna's legs and laid her down on her back. Isabelle pulled open her shirt as Jax rolled the gurney into the dining room where there was more light.
“The stitches ripped open,” Isabelle said, moving Anna's blood-soaked shirt to one side, exposing the wound. “She needs a hospital.”
“No,” Anna said. “They're looking for me.”
“Who?” asked Jax. “Who's looking for you, Anna.” He ran his hand over her forehead, brushing her hair aside.
“Everyone,” Anna replied.
“Why? What the hell happened?” Jax asked, pulling out a sterile gauze pad and holding it over Anna's rib.
“Because I just kicked Richard over the wall. Do you have a suture kit?”
“I think I saw something like that in the supply closet. There's a small case that says 'Surgical Instruments Kit', but I don't know how to stitch. Do you?” Jax asked turning to Isabelle.
“Hell no. If we can't get her to a hospital, then she at least needs a doctor.”
“Get me the kit, Jax. I'll do it myself.”
“What? You know how to-”
“Just get me the damn kit, Jax!” Anna demanded through clenched teeth. “And see what you have for antiseptic and lidocaine.”
Jax left the room returning with the ordered supplies. Anna turned to Isabelle. “Get me some Vodka or Whiskey or something.”
Anna turned back to Jax. “Okay, open the kit. I need some latex gloves. Did you see any lidocaine in there?”
Jax shook his head.
“Shit,” Anna whispered and took a deep breath. Her hands trembled as Jax stretched the latex gloves over them.
Isabelle returned with a bottle of high proof whiskey. “Found a bottle,” she said. “What's the booze for?”
“That's for me,” Anna said. “Open the cap and tip the bottle.”
Isabelle did as instructed and Anna took a long drink. She swallowed hard with a grimace as the alcohol slid down her throat.
“Okay, I'm ready,” Anna said, licking her lips. She clenched, popping out the muscles on each side of her jaw. “Pour the antiseptic over the wound.”
Jax opened the bottle and poured the liquid.
Anna jolted.
Shit, that hurts.
Anna winced through the pain as her entire body shook. She blinked through blurred vision before speaking again. “Okay, open the kit and hand me the four-oh.”
“Where did you learn how to do this?” Jax asked.
Through gritted teeth she pushed the needle through her own skin. “Survival training.”
Sucking in short breaths like a woman in labor, Anna continued to work across the wound. As she finished the last stitch, her head dipped forward.
“Are you okay Anna?” Jax asked. He turned to Isabelle. “I think she‘s passing out.”
Anna looked at Jax through watery, bloodshot eyes. “I'm finished. Put a gauze pad over it,” she said, resting her head on the pillow as she gave in to the darkness.
◆◆◆
Two simultaneous feelings slapped Anna's senses as she regained consciousness. The pain in her side and the anger of Richard's words still burning in her heart.
Anna opened her eyes to find Jax and Isabelle sitting next to her bed.
“She's coming around.” Jax said, turning to face Anna. “Hey there. How are you holding up?”
“Freaking fantastic,” Anna mumbled.
“Really?” Jax asked with wrinkled brow.
“No, not really.” Anna attempted a feeble smile. “Still not used to my sarcasm and sense of humor yet I see.”
Anna adjusted herself through a wince, biting her lip. “I need some water.”
Isabelle shot out of her seat and returned half a minute later with the request. After a long pull on the cup Anna let out a long breath. “Okay, talk to me. I need a distraction from the pain,” she said, attempting to rub the adrenaline headache from her temple. “Anything new on my mom's drive? Anything on Gentech?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact,” Isabelle said. “I was just about to tell Jax what I found when you got here. As you know, I worked in the GMO division at Manplanto. Do either of you know how they genetically change a plant?”
“Not exactly,” Jax replied, shaking his head.
Anna let out a quiet 'no'.
“T
here are different methods, but a common one is to use a bacteria or weakened virus. They implant the desired genetic material into the virus, then introduce the virus to plant cells. They can only make the introduction to a few cells. It can't be done to a mature plant. The weakened virus carries the genetic material into the cells where the new genes are accepted. Once the new genetic material is combined, you have a genetically modified organism. Plant cells are similar to stem cells in a lot of ways. They have an amazing ability to change their cells and grow into a whole new plant. A plant with manipulated genes that will produce seeds and pass down those changes to all offspring of that modified organism, generation after generation, forever. With me so far?”
Anna nodded. “So what does this have to do with what you found?”
“It's important you understand how genetic modification is accomplished, because what I found on your mother's drive is hard to believe. We all go to treatments every week right? Well, what if I told you we are not only being treated for Fleishman's. There is a weakened virus in that cocktail they give us, a virus that contains genetic material.”
Jax shook his head. “So they're trying to genetically modify us? But I thought you said they can only modify a few cells at a time.”
Isabelle's eyes widened. “Exactly. They're not trying to modify our genes.”
“Well then who's genes are they trying to change?” Anna asked.
“Remember when I said plant cells are similar to stem cells?”
Anna's jaw slacked. “No way, you're not saying...”
“Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. The purpose of adding the virus to our treatments was to target all pregnant women, specifically their babies, to introduce that virus to a small amount of cells, stem cells to be exact, which will take on the new DNA before it grows to full term. It's the sole reason our treatments are done weekly, so every newly conceived child will receive a treatment of its own; genetic mutation.”
Anna covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh my God.”