“I think that’s our best option,” says Kristina.
“What are we waiting for, let’s go to his house and start surveillance,” says Stan.
“You sure you are up for it?” asks Kyle to Stan.
“I’ll do anything to get Ashlyn back,” answers Stan.
“What about Kaden?” asks Kristina as she looks at Kyle.
“What about me?” asks Kaden.
“What do we do with him?” asks Kristina to Kyle.
Kyle looks at Kaden and he knows that Kaden wants to help find Ashlyn.
“He can come with me. You two go together and Kaden and me can work together,” says Stan.
Kaden gets excited about being involved with the plan.
“Go get changed K,” says Kristina to Kaden.
“Okay,” replies Kaden and then Kaden walks up the stairs.
“I’m not sure bringing Kaden is the best thing here,” says Kristina.
Kyle looks at Kristina, but he doesn’t say anything.
“Just be lucky he’s with you right now. Who knows what they will do next. They could come in the middle of the night and take him,” says Stan as he stands up from his kitchen table chair.
“I know you want to protect him and want him safe, but I think he could help us get Ashlyn back,” says Stan and then Stan exits the kitchen.
Kristina looks at Kyle with a concerned look and Kyle doesn’t know what to say.
“Are you okay with your son being put in danger?” asks Kristina to Kyle.
Kyle thinks about Kristina’s question and the hesitation of Kyle bothers Kristina.
“I think Kaden should stay here while we go out,” says Kristina and then she steps away from Kyle.
“What if they come for him when we are out?” asks Kyle to Kristina.
“What if they take him while we are out?” asks Kristina to Kyle.
“I’d rather have him with us than have him sitting in here all alone and wondering what is happening with us and Ashlyn,” answers Kyle.
“What if he gets hurt?” asks Kristina.
“We can’t keep him locked in this house in a protective bubble,” answers Kyle.
“If something happens to him, that’s on you,” says Kristina to Kyle.
“Okay, I’ll accept that,” replies Kyle.
Kristina exits the kitchen and Kyle thinks to himself about Ashlyn, Kaden, and what is going on around the base.
Kyle starts to worry about Kaden’s safety, but the worry is short lived as Kyle believes that the best option is to have Kaden come along with Stan as he feels it’s safer for Kaden to be with them rather than staying in their house all alone.
Kyle exits the kitchen, walks up the stairs, and gets ready to try to find Sheila and Elias.
CHAPTER 9
DAY 51
“Any movement?” asks Kyle into his radio as he sits in his SUV with Kristina early in the morning.
“Nothing outside, but someone is up inside his house,” answers Stan over the radio to Kyle.
Kyle looks at Kristina as she is asleep in the passenger seat of Kyle’s SUV.
“Wait a second, he just exited his house and he’s getting into his jeep,” says Stan over the radio.
“He has to be coming this way to meet with them,” replies Kyle into his radio.
“We’re on the move,” says Stan over the radio.
Kyle taps Kristina and wakes her up. “What? What happened?” asks Kristina to Kyle.
“Stan just said Paxton is in his jeep and he just left his house,” answers Kyle to Kristina.
“Finally some action. He better come into this neighborhood today,” replies Kristina.
“He should, time is running out. A lot of people are leaving this base this afternoon,” says Kyle.
“You think Elias, Sheila, and Paxton are leaving as well?” asks Kristina to Kyle.
“Possibly, I could see them leaving today,” answers Kyle.
“We are coming towards the neighborhood,” says Stan over the radio.
“Okay, we are in the back of the neighborhood,” replies Kyle into his radio.
“It was smart to keep moving yesterday. I’m sure the cameras around here wouldn’t like it if our vehicle stayed in this upscale neighborhood,” says Kristina.
“How is this neighborhood here anyway? They build these fancy homes on purpose for the leaders on base?” asks Kyle.
“He just pulled into a driveway. I’m driving down the street, where are you guys?” asks Stan over the radio.
“Come to the very back street of the neighborhood, we are in the back corner,” answers Kyle into his radio.
Stan and Kaden arrive at Kyle’s SUV and Stan says, “His jeep is the only jeep in the neighborhood.”
“Was he alone?” asks Kyle.
“Yeah, and his jeep looked to be loaded up with stuff. He might be leaving today,” answers Stan.
“Good work, you lead the way to the house, but we’ll take it from here. You two are the lookout,” says Kyle and Kyle starts up his SUV and follows Stan’s car to the house that has Paxton’s jeep parked in the driveway.
Stan drives by the house and Kyle parks his SUV in front of the house that has Paxton’s jeep parked in the driveway.
“Now what? Do we just go ring the doorbell?” asks Kristina with a sarcastic tone.
Kyle opens his driver side door and answers, “Yeah.”
Kristina watches Kyle walk around the SUV, walk up the driveway, and approach the front door.
Kristina exits Kyle’s SUV and can’t believe Kyle is going to knock on the front door.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
DING! DONG!
Kyle knocks on the front door and rings the doorbell.
Kristina looks around and she sees Stan’s car is parked down the street as it faces the house that Kyle and Kristina are at.
The front door opens, and Kyle is shocked to see who answers the door.
“Hey Kyle, I thought we might get a couple more guests for this meeting,” says Commander Pine as she looks at Kyle and Kristina.
“Is there something I can help you with though?” asks Commander Pine to Kyle.
Kristina comes from behind Kyle and she looks at Commander Pine.
Kyle is about to answer Commander Pine and Commander Pine says, “Both of you come in. I’m sure you have a ton of questions.”
Kyle and Kristina watch Commander Pine walk away from the front door and towards the back of the house.
“Are we really going in here?” asks Kristina to Kyle.
Kyle looks into the house and he hears people talking inside the house. The curiosity outweighs the fear and anxiety that Kyle is feeling, so he decides to walk into the house.
Kristina reluctantly follows behind Kyle and Kyle and Kristina enter the living room and they see Commander Pine, Paxton, Sheila, and Elias.
“We thought you may join us, and it’s fine that you are both here,” says Commander Pine to Kyle and Kristina.
“Thought you didn’t get in touch with them?” asks Kyle to Paxton.
Paxton shrugs his shoulders, but doesn’t answer Kyle.
“Now where were we?” asks Commander Pine to Elias and Sheila.
Kyle and Kristina cannot believe that they are seeing Commander Pine, Elias, Sheila, and Paxton in this house and they don’t seem to care that Kyle and Kristina are there.
“When you get to Colorado, you give them these orders,” says Commander Pine to Sheila.
“Did you say Colorado?” asks Kristina.
“Yeah,” answers Commander Pine.
“What’s in Colorado?” asks Kyle.
“A major research lab and facility,” answers Sheila.
“What the fuck is going on?” shouts Kyle.
“With those orders you’ll be allowed on the base,” says Commander Pine to Sheila.
Kyle is in disbelief as he stands with Kristina in the living room and he hears the nonchalant conversation between Sheila and Commander Pine.
&n
bsp; “Again, what the fuck is going on?” shouts Kyle.
Commander Pine looks at Kyle and answers, “We heard you the first time.”
“Then answer the fucking question!” shouts Kyle and then Kyle steps towards Commander Pine.
Paxton stands up and Kyle looks at Paxton and shouts, “What are you doing here?”
“Moving on to our next mission,” answers Paxton.
“Where is Ashlyn?” asks Kyle as he looks at Commander Pine.
“Who is Ashlyn?” asks Commander Pine.
“She was taken by Dr. Yen for research and testing,” answers Kristina.
“Then she is most likely being ready for transport today,” answers Commander Pine with a casual tone as she stands up from her chair.
Kyle takes the lack of concern for Ashlyn as disrespectful and he walks over to Commander Pine and reaches for Commander Pine’s right arm.
Commander Pine quickly grabs Kyle and hip tosses him onto the carpet and puts Kyle in a rear naked choke.
Kristina watches Commander Pine choking Kyle and she steps towards Commander Pine and Paxton gets in Kristina’s way.
“What the fuck?” shouts Kristina.
Kyle fights against Commander Pine and Commander Pine says, “Stop resisting, or I’ll put you to sleep.”
Kyle keeps fighting and Commander Pine puts more pressure on Kyle’s neck and Kyle passes out.
“He’s out,” says Sheila to Commander Pine.
Kristina pushes Paxton and she tries to get around Paxton to get to Commander Pine and Kyle.
“Kyle!” shouts Kristina.
“He’s out,” says Commander Pine as she stands up from the floor.
Paxton doesn’t let Kristina get by him and Kristina tells Paxton to move, but Paxton continues to not let Kristina get by him and Kristina kicks Paxton in the balls.
Paxton falls to his knees and Kristina gets by Paxton and she walks over to Kyle.
Commander Pine sees that Paxton is going to go after Kristina, but Commander Pine stops him.
Kristina supports Kyle’s head and Kyle wakes up.
“What happened?” asks Kyle to Kristina.
“Can we discuss things like adults now?” asks Sheila as she looks at Kristina.
“Yeah,” answers Kristina as she helps Kyle up off the living room carpet.
“Now I’m sure you are wondering what’s going on, but unfortunately we can’t provide all the answers,” says Sheila.
“Where are you taking Ashlyn?” asks Kristina.
“Colorado,” answers Sheila.
“What’s in Colorado?” asks Kristina.
“We can’t fully answer that. All we can say is that there is another base there where they are conducting more research,” answers Sheila.
“Why can’t you tell us more than that?” asks Kyle.
“Because we don’t really know,” answers Sheila.
Kyle looks at Commander Pine and asks, “You don’t know?”
“I don’t know specifics, but they could be working on a possible cure and they need some of our subjects from this base,” answers Commander Pine.
“Are all of you going there?” asks Kyle.
“I’m not going there, but they are,” answers Commander Pine.
“Can we come with you?” asks Kristina to Sheila.
Sheila looks at Commander Pine for the answer.
“No, unfortunately you are needed here,” answers Commander Pine.
“For what?” asks Kyle.
“It will be explained later today, but you’ll have full access to all the labs on base now,” answers Commander Pine.
“For what though?” asks Kristina.
“It will be explained later today,” answers Commander Pine.
Kyle thinks about Colorado, Sheila, Elias, Commander Pine, and Ashlyn.
“Can you take Ashlyn’s father Stan with you to Colorado?” asks Kyle to Sheila.
Sheila looks at Commander Pine for the answer.
“Tell him to come in here,” says Commander Pine to Kyle.
Kyle doesn’t answer as he is kind of shocked that Commander Pine knows that Stan is outside of the house.
“How did you know?” asks Kyle.
Paxton answers, “I saw them following me from my house.”
Kyle grabs his radio and says, “Come inside the house Stan and Kaden.”
“Are you sure?” asks Stan over the radio.
“Yeah, come in here now,” answers Kyle into his radio.
Commander Pine whispers something to Paxton and Paxton walks over to the front door.
Paxton escorts Stan and Kaden into the living room.
Kristina walks over to Kaden and Stan looks at everyone in the room.
“What’s going on?” asks Stan.
“I have an opportunity for you,” answers Commander Pine.
Stan looks at Commander Pine and Commander Pine says, “It might be a lot for you to handle, but you’ll be able to see your daughter again.”
“Where is she?” asks Stan.
“She’s safe and like I said you’ll be able to see her again,” answers Commander Pine.
Stan looks at Kyle and Kristina.
“Your daughter is going to Colorado for further testing,” says Sheila to Stan.
Stan gives Sheila a questioning look and asks, “Is she alive?”
“Yes, she’s with the other people from here that will be making the journey to Colorado,” answers Commander Pine.
“I want to see her,” says Stan.
“You’ll be able to see her and be with her if you travel to Colorado with them,” says Commander Pine to Stan.
“What’s the catch?” asks Stan as she looks at Commander Pine.
“It’s really the only way you’ll be able to see your daughter again,” answers Commander Pine.
“So it’s either I go to Colorado, or I won’t see my daughter again?” asks Stan.
“Well, I guess you could travel on your own to Colorado, but you probably won’t be allowed onto the base,” answers Commander Pine.
“How do I know that’s where you’ll take me, and I’ll see her again?” asks Stan.
“You don’t, but you’ll have to trust us,” answers Commander Pine.
Commander Pine’s smartwatch beeps and she says, “I must be going now, but it was nice talking with you and I hope to see you again.”
“Going to get your hard drive from your computer?” asks Kyle to Commander Pine.
Commander Pine smiles at Kyle and Commander Pine says to Sheila and Elias, “You are good to go just be at the hanger by 1400.”
Commander Pine looks at Stan and says, “I know it’s hard that your daughter was taken, and I do feel bad about it, but I’m giving you a way to be with her. Your daughter could be very important in rebuilding the world.”
“How do I go with her?” asks Stan.
Commander Pine answers Stan, “Sheila and Elias will tell you all about it.”
Kyle looks at Commander Pine and Commander Pine comes right over to Kyle and whispers to Kyle, “Careful now, it’s not what you think.”
“What is it then?” asks Kyle to Commander Pine.
“We are outside,” says a male voice over Commander Pine’s radio.
“It’s time for me to go,” answers Commander Pine to Kyle.
Commander Pine exits the house and gets into a car that just arrived at the house.
Kyle steps onto the front porch and watches the car, that Commander Pine just got into, drive away from the house.
Kristina looks at Sheila and shouts, “What the fuck is going on? You are working with Commander Pine?”
“We were always working with Commander Pine, and we have our orders to get intel and report back to our superiors,” answers Sheila.
“You coming with us to Colorado?” asks Elias to Stan.
Stan looks at Elias and asks, “Is there any other way to get Ashlyn back?”
“Not unless you want to get killed,” answers Paxton
. Kyle walks back into the living room and makes eye contact with Paxton and asks, “Guess you’re full of shit?”
“Elaborate on that,” answers Paxton to Kyle.
“You said you didn’t have a way to get a hold of Elias and Sheila, but here you are with them in the same house. You haven’t been home for days and now you are leaving,” answers Kyle with an aggressive tone.
“It’s all about survival Kyle. You know that. Adapt and survive and that’s what we’re doing. It’s nothing personal,” replies Paxton.
“Why can’t we go to Colorado with you?” asks Kristina to Sheila.
“I don’t know,” answers Sheila.
“Bullshit!” shouts Kyle.
“Honestly, I don’t know specifics, but it has something to do with you two working in the lab and with your fellow agents from CBD,” replies Sheila.
“Where are you going in Colorado?” asks Kristina to Sheila.
“It’s classified information and Commander Pine didn’t tell us the exact location,” answers Sheila.
“Pax, where are you?” asks a male voice over a radio.
Paxton grabs his radio and answers, “I’m coming to the hanger shortly.”
“There are tons of people here and they are checking all our belongings,” says the male voice over the radio.
“That’s standard, just do what they say and look after mom. I’ll be there shortly,” replies Paxton into his radio.
“Family is coming with ya huh?” asks Kyle to Paxton.
“Yeah,” answers Paxton.
Elias looks at his watch and says, “We need an answer Stan.”
Stan thinks about what to do.
“You promise that I’ll see my daughter and that she’s safe?” asks Stan to Sheila and Elias.
“I can’t promise you anything, but I’ll do everything that I can to make sure you are with her,” replies Elias.
Stan looks at Kyle and Kristina for guidance.
“I think you have to go with them either way,” says Kristina to Stan.
Stan looks at Kristina and Kyle says to Stan, “But watch your back. These people might stick a knife in it.”
KNOCK! KNOCK!
Someone knocks on the closed front door to the house that Kyle and everyone are in.
Paxton answers the door.
Sheila and Elias stand up and they say, “That’s our ride.”
Paxton comes back into the room and says to Sheila and Elias, “Your ride is here.”
In 100 Days | Book 2 Page 10