“Early riser,” I say, remembering our conversation last night and how much I laid into her about Peterson. There’s a tension between us now.
“Did you get enough sleep?”
“Yeah. I got plenty of sleep. Don’t worry. Cassie, how long has Kenmore been in prison?”
She spills water on the counter. “Oh, shit.”
I get up to help.
“I got it, I got it,” she mutters as she wipes up her mess. “Sorry, what was your question? I’m so damn clumsy this morning.”
“How long has Kenmore been in prison?”
“Oh, let’s see…about six months.”
I whisper to Ogre, “Maybe Joanie just didn’t have the latest news.”
The android says nothing.
Something is off. Why would the serum continue to be required if Kenmore was imprisoned? Wouldn’t they find a way to get Joanie and her gang off the poison? Unless she’s still wanted for her crimes…
“Cassie, when is your next delivery to Joanie and her people?”
She scratches her head. She really is out of it this morning. Maybe she tossed and turned, too. “On Wednesday. Two days from now.”
“If Kenmore’s behind bars, why does Joanie still need the serum?”
“Oh…” She flushes. “There’s a group working on a cure but they haven’t found it yet.”
I glance at Ogre, and Cassie changes the subject. “Did you make up your mind? Do you want to see Kenmore this morning? The appointment is at ten.”
My throat is dry and my head aches. I racked my brain all night, agonizing over this decision.
I have to face him.
No matter what.
Cassie and I travel through a long stone tunnel that leads to a less populated section of Terranus. The east side is where the prison is situated, along with sectors where mechanics and sewage are housed. The tunnel separates these less desirable places from the living quarters.
It’s a half hour walk, but I don’t mind.
On the way, I ask about her power. “Invisibility? What’s it like?”
“It’s not like I chose it.” She dons a mischievous smile. “But it is pretty cool.”
“Do you really disappear completely?”
She doesn’t respond, and I wonder whether I’ve upset her. But then I realize she’s not beside me. I halt, spinning around, but she’s nowhere to be found. “Cassie?”
“Yes, Ida.” Her voice carries, floating on its own in the dimly lit tunnel.
“Stop messing with me.”
Then she appears before me like an apparition. “Ta-da!”
“Wow, that’s seriously cool.” I’ve never seen anything like it. She could get into places and nobody would have a clue. “You would make the perfect spy, you know that?”
“Ha. I don’t know what I want to do yet,” she says. “I really like animals, and I’d love to be a veterinarian.”
“The invisible veterinarian. I think you’d be great.”
She giggles. The laughter relieves my heavy burden, but my thoughts travel back to weightier matters. “What’s the prison like? Is it heavily guarded?” I ask.
“Why?” she says quickly. “You’re not planning to do anything stupid, are you?”
“No, it’ll be a fast visit. In an out. I’ll say what I have to say, and then we’ll be on our way. Then Ogre, Peterson, and I can leave.”
“Why do you want to leave Terranus? What’s out there for you? It’s safe here. Why don’t you stay?”
“Because Spark City is my home.” The words sound odd as they leave my mouth. Home. I never had one before.
“But why not stay here where everyone’s like you?”
Terranus is the first place I’ve ever been where I wouldn’t have to hide my abilities. “It doesn’t feel right here. Not after the arena fight, and how Peterson’s been treated.” I glance at her.
Her face is long. “I wish you’d change your mind and stay here,” she says quietly.
We approach a four-story building. The walls are made of a charcoal stone with thin vertical slots for windows. Armed guards patrol the front.
We climb a set of stairs toward the entrance. One of the guards greets us and checks Cassie’s ID. Then she presses her thumb onto a biometric scanner. I had expected the guards to question the reason for our visit. But instead, they seem to recognize Cassie right away, though their expressions are guarded. I can’t put my finger on why, but my uneasiness grows.
It’s too easy to see Kenmore, and the guards don’t even search us. Shouldn’t security be tighter for such a dangerous criminal?
After gaining entry, two guards escort us through a long corridor with dark-gray walls. My heart thumps in my ears, competing with the sound of our footsteps in the echoing hall.
Years have passed since I laid eyes on Kenmore. How will I react?
We reach an elevator, and my stomach does flips as we ascend to the top floor. Another guard greets us when we emerge. Wearing a dark baseball cap, he’s tall with a crooked nose that makes him look like a former boxer. He glances at me and does a double take. I try to study his face, but he turns quickly and leads us down another long hallway. Pausing before a heavy, steel door, he opens it with his thumbprint and gestures for me and Cassie to enter.
It’s finally happening.
Steeling myself, I move for the door, but Cassie grabs my shoulder. “Wait,” she whispers. “Are you sure you want to see him? You look—"
I stare into her deep gray eyes. “I’ve been waiting a long time for this.” Every inch of me is alert, on edge. I step forward, Cassie behind me.
Inside the room, a man sits at a table facing me.
My search is finally over.
Philip Kenmore, the man who kidnapped and tortured me, stares up at me.
Twenty-Eight
I’d know his face anywhere. He still has tawny brown hair, only now it’s thin and he’s balding on top. The frames of his glasses are different, but underneath, his cold charcoal eyes stare at me. I know he recognizes me right away. I remember his distant smile.
“You son of a bitch,” I say. My fists clench, and I prepare to leap across the room and tear his throat out.
But he stays calm. “Well, hello,” he says, and his nonchalance infuriates me. “It’s been a long time.”
“I’ve been waiting to see you. I have a lot to say.”
He places uncuffed hands on the table in front of him. “I imagine you do. Go ahead.” He leans back in his chair, wearing a light gray buttoned shirt, not the orange prison uniform I was expecting.
“You deserve to rot in hell,” I say, my voice rising. “You hurt me and countless other people. You made Peterson out to be a monster, caging him and forcing him to fight people. Forcing him to kill. You are the real monster.”
He stares at me with a cold smile. “I’m curious to hear about you, Ida. How are the nanobots treating you these days?”
His jab makes me hesitate. Then anger spews from my lips as I move one step closer. “I want my face to be the last one you see.”
He clasps his hands together and studies me with a steely calculation. “There’s a little rumor going around that you can no longer heal.” He narrows his eyes. “How interesting that your touch could change so drastically.”
I peel off my gloves, overcome with a hot fury. I want to kill him and put the world out of its misery. “Why don’t we shake hands?” I say. “For old time’s sake.”
“No contact with the prisoner,” says the guard sharply.
Kenmore smiles at the sight of my prosthesis. “I see you had an accident.” He leans forward and places his chin on his fists. “Have a seat.”
Every muscle in my body feels coiled as I pull out the chair opposite him. At my feet, illuminated panels light the floor. The walls are padded and devoid of decoration. A large floor-to-ceiling mirror occupies one wall, and I assume it’s a two-way mirror for observation. “How do you like living in a prison cell? A prison cell, like you kept me and ot
hers locked inside?”
He clears his throat and steals a glance at Cassie. “It’s not ideal,” he says.
I lean forward, resting my arms on the table, palms raised. “Take my hand. I’ll show you what real pain is.”
He smirks. “Your touch would kill me. And you know something? I’m not ready to die.”
The armed guard steps forward and rounds the table to stand beside Kenmore.
I glance up at his face and a shiver travels up my spine.
“Hello, Ida,” he says. “Remember me? I’m Rik.”
My mouth turns dry and my insides feel numb. “You…” It’s all I can manage.
“You will not touch the doctor.” Rik glares at me. Why is he defending Kenmore?
“Her hands are exposed,” says Kenmore. “Don’t let her touch any of you.”
I shake my head. “You’re not in charge here,” I say to Kenmore. “You’re the prisoner.”
His mouth twists up in a frosty grin. “Haven’t you figured it out yet? I’m not in prison. I run the city. I founded Terranus.”
A woozy feeling washes over me. “But that can’t be.” I shift in my seat and stare at Cassie, searching for an explanation.
She casts her gaze downward, shakes her head, and mutters, “I’m sorry.”
“You lied to me!” My stomach twists in knots. I swivel in my seat to face Kenmore, and struggle to say, “This whole time?” My heart sinks as I realize I fell for their trap. Even though Joanie had warned me. Despite all I’ve been through. I should’ve known better, but I trusted Cassie blindly, and now I’m trapped.
My palms remain firmly on the table, gloves off. I’m a foot and a half away from Kenmore, separated by only a table top. But Rik has his hands poised on his rifle.
I wish I’d brought Ogre for back up. Do I fight them? I’m outnumbered.
The only thing I can think of to do is to stall. “Why did you do this, Kenmore? Ready to torture me some more?”
He relaxes, leans back, and crosses his legs. “I’ll admit, I was surprised when you showed up outside our gate. I didn’t see that coming. Cassie told me Joanie caught you at the warehouse in Tucson. Since you two had a history, I figured you’d join forces with her. But you continue to surprise me.”
As he talks, I withdraw my hands and place them on my lap. Slowly, I trace my fingers along the familiar grooves of my biocuff, hoping they don’t notice, tapping an alert to Ogre. “So glad I could entertain you,” I say, glaring.
“How is Joanie these days?” he asks.
“She said to tell you what an asshole you are.”
Rik flinches, and I call him out. “Something wrong with you?”
“Do not talk to him that way,” Rik answers. “Show the doctor respect.”
I laugh. “You’ve got to be kidding me, Rik. This is the same guy who kidnapped you, tossed you into a prison cell, experimented on you, and forced you to kill people. Why does he deserve our respect?”
Rik starts to move his mouth, but then clamps it shut, swallowing audibly.
“That will be enough, Ida,” says Kenmore, his face reddening. “You had your chance to vent.”
“So, what now?” I ask. “Kill me? Lock me up?”
Kenmore sits forward and places his hands together on the table. I glance away from them because I can’t give away what I’m thinking. His naked skin taunts me. I’m so close. If I simply lean forward…
“You get to decide,” he says mockingly. “Are you going to play nice and cooperate?” Then he frowns. “Or are you going to make this difficult?”
I dig my titanium fingers into my palm to steel myself. “I’m not sure what you mean.” If I strike and manage to grab his wrists, he’ll try to pull away. Rik will shoot me. But maybe it’s worth it if I can latch onto Kenmore’s hands for long enough.
“You know what I mean,” he says. “Your gift has changed, and I’m anxious to analyze what happened.”
“I thought you already had my sample. I thought Will Hunter sent it just before he nearly killed me and half of Spark City.”
Kenmore’s eyes dart rapidly up to the left. He meets my gaze with an icy stare.
“You never got the sample, did you?” I should launch myself across the table and grab his throat. It’s closer to his heart, and I can hold onto him longer before they yank me away.
A buzz at the door interrupts, startling me. “Open it,” Kenmore orders Cassie.
Max enters. Ogre follows just behind him. A glimmer of hope rises inside me. “Ogre, get us out of here,” I say frantically.
Ogre says nothing, and its pulse dims. I’ve only seen its visor that way during standby mode.
I narrow my eyes at Max. “What did you do?”
Max shrugs. “I didn’t do anything.” He glances at Rik. “He did.”
“What do you mean? How?” I wave at the android from my seat. “Ogre? Are you okay?”
“The machine will be fine,” says Rik. “I’ve temporarily disabled it.”
I shift in my seat, glowering at him. “How is that possible?”
“I control machines and computers,” he says.
Kenmore has thought of every possibility. He’s created an army of invincible people at his disposal. An army. Is he building a secret military down here? Is that why the highest levels of government are protecting him?
“What is this place?” I ask Kenmore.
He arches his eyebrows. “I hear you’ve been enjoying yourself in my lovely city.”
His smarminess disgusts me. I edge closer to the table. If only I could distract Rik, but he’s glued to Kenmore‘s side.
Now may be my only chance.
I rise from my seat, pushing my chair away from the table. “I was enjoying myself until the disgusting show you put on in the arena.” Side-stepping, I shift so I’m standing behind the plastic and metal chair. “Tell me Kenmore, do you enjoy torturing people? Does it get you off? You’re the most disgusting piece of shit I’ve ever seen in my life.”
That gets a rise out of Rik. His body tenses, and he starts to say something. I kick the chair as hard as I can, sending it flying into him. He staggers sideways, and I leap onto the table headfirst and tackle Kenmore.
But he manages to turn away, and the two of us topple over as he falls backward in his chair. I’m almost on top of him, but the impact of the fall flips me over. Kenmore is faster than I expect and he starts to crawl away. I hurry behind him and grab his leg, but he kicks me, forcing me to let go.
Then a steel wall crashes down, blocking me from Kenmore. I pound against it. “No!” I scream. I peer sideways as Max stares at the floor, his fists clenched in concentration.
The wall was a trick—one of his simulations, and now Kenmore is getting away. I climb to my feet and launch myself into Max, shoving him against the wall.
But Rik grabs me from behind and throws me onto my back. The air escapes from my chest, and I struggle to breathe.
My lungs feel squashed. My vision fades.
Then Rik pins me down, pressing the rifle barrel against my throat.
Ogre stands by, unable to help.
I manage to turn my head enough to see Cassie and Max protecting Kenmore, shocked looks on their faces.
Now that I’m restrained, Kenmore steps over and looms over me. “Take her to the Medi lab. Prep her. Do not let her touch your skin.”
Then he storms out; Cassie and Max follow leaving me with Rik and Ogre.
My one chance to kill Kenmore, and I blew it.
Twenty-Nine
Rik controls Ogre, forcing the android to drag me through the prison corridors to a sterile room with polished white walls. A lingering, strong odor of antiseptic makes me gag. It’s cold, and I’m shaking. After shoving me in a chair, Ogre locks metal cuffs over my wrists, arms, and ankles.
“Rik,” I manage in a strained voice, “How can you help Kenmore?”
His face is grim, his stare glacial. “Shut up.”
“He abducted you, impriso
ned you, tortured you. The same that he’s doing to me—again. Don’t you see this is wrong?”
Ogre stands guard next to me, and I glance at its visor, searching for any sign of recognition or help. It’s no use. The android’s pulse is nothing but a faint, dim line.
Ignoring me, Rik rifles through a cabinet, retrieving needles, tubes, and vials, and placing them on the counter.
My only hope is winning Rik over. “What happened to you after that night in the desert?”
His back to me, he straightens. “I barely remember that night.”
“Kenmore has brainwashed you and the others. What he’s been telling you about the outside world is wrong.”
“I’m not listening to you.”
“I remember how scared you were out in the desert. We all were. We were just kids trying to survive. But I knew then, and I know now, that you’re a good person. You’re not the killer that Kenmore wants you to be.”
Rik slowly turns to face me and picks up his rifle.
“Rik, please. Help me.”
He aims it at me, but we hear the clattering of footsteps in the corridor outside. He suddenly releases his grip, glaring at me.
Kenmore and Cassie round the corner, entering the room.
“How’s my newest patient?” asks Kenmore, a smirk creeping across his face.
“Screw you,” I say, spitting at him.
“Jesus. Calm down,” he says, dodging in time. “Or would you like a sedative?”
I bite back the string of curses I want to shout. “Why are you doing this? Why even meet me at all? I was about to leave this city until Cassie said I could visit you in prison. Why bother with me?”
Rik hands him a white lab coat and Kenmore puts it on. “You have interesting characteristics. You’ve changed from what I originally designed. So, I’m anxious to study you now. When Colonel Hunter sent your original sample, there was an error, and it never rendered. Imagine my delight when you walked through my front door.”
My stomach churns. I played into his hands, and now I’m trapped like a caged animal.
I glare at Cassie but she avoids eye contact. “You’re a liar,” I tell her. “How could you treat someone this way?”
Salvage Page 16