Kaden wipes away a tear from his right eye and answers, “Yeah, we shouldn’t have let them just take her like that.”
“What could we have done though?” asks Kristina.
“I don’t know, but she doesn’t deserve to be treated like a lab rat. She’s a good person,” answers Kaden.
Kyle can sense that Kaden is upset, and he understands why, but he can’t help but to feel that Kaden is blaming them for Ashlyn being taken away.
“She doesn’t deserve that, you are right,” says Kyle.
Kaden looks at Kyle and Kyle can sense that Kaden wants to say something to him.
“But there isn’t anything we could have done. They have tons of troops with weapons and a whole operation,” says Kyle to Kaden.
Kaden doesn’t know what to say or do, but he is clearly upset and just feels guilty that Ashlyn was taken away.
“It’s normal to feel guilty and upset right now. Your father and I are as well,” says Kristina to Kaden.
Kaden with a frustrated tone replies with a loud voice, “You don’t seem like it. You seem like it’s just another regular fucking day around here.”
“Keep your voice down,” says Kristina to Kaden.
“Why? Because people might here us! Who cares, they clearly are watching us, listening to us, and taking our shit!” shouts Kaden and then Kaden runs inside the house.
Kristina looks at the open sliding glass door and shouts, “Kaden! Get back here!”
“Let him go, he needs to cool off,” says Kyle to Kristina.
Kristina and Kyle hear Kaden slam his bedroom door and Kyle says, “We all need to decompress. We’ve been through some crazy shit.”
Kristina looks at Kyle and asks, “But what are we going to do?”
“With what?” asks Kyle.
“With everything. With tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. What’s the endgame for us? Where can we go where it’s safe for us?” answers Kristina.
Kyle thinks about Kristina’s questions and he doesn’t know what to say. The Sinclair’s are problem solvers, and they are each having a hard time with not being able to solve the problems that have been coming at them since the world fell apart.
“I’m not sure, I think we just have to take it day by day,” answers Kyle to Kristina.
“Yeah, adapt and survive, right?” replies Kristina.
“Look, I don’t like it either, but what can we do? Where can we go?” asks Kyle.
Kristina thinks about what to do and what is the best action for them to take next.
“I’m sorry, let’s just take the rest of the day to clear our heads and make a fresh start tomorrow,” says Kristina as she looks at Kyle.
“I agree, and just for the record I don’t like being here, but I’m pretty sure they won’t let us leave now,” answers Kyle.
“I’m going to take a bath and relax,” says Kristina to Kyle.
Kyle stands up from his patio chair, walks over to Kristina, and pulls her close.
Kristina looks at Kyle and Kyle whispers to Kristina, “Let’s just get to the lab tomorrow, get into Commander Pine’s office, and see how we can get the fuck out of here.”
Kristina nods her head in agreement to Kyle’s statement.
“I love you and Kaden more than anything and I promise that I’ll figure a way to get you somewhere safe,” says Kyle.
“You better, that’s your job,” replies Kristina with a smile on her face.
“Now go start that bath, I’ll be up to join you in a couple minutes. I’m going to talk with Kaden,” says Kyle.
Kristina kisses Kyle and then she heads up stairs and runs a bubble bath in the master bathroom.
Kyle walks into the house, walks up the stairs, and softly knocks on Kaden’s closed bedroom door.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
“Go away, I want to be left alone!” shouts Kaden.
“I just want to talk K,” says Kyle from outside of Kaden’s closed bedroom door.
“Well, I don’t!” shouts Kaden from inside his bedroom.
Kyle checks the door handle to Kaden’s bedroom, and it is unlocked. Kyle slowly opens Kaden’s bedroom door and Kaden is lying in his bed.
“I know you don’t want to talk, but I just want to tell you a couple things,” says Kyle to Kaden.
Kaden, who is lying on his right side in his bed, doesn’t reply to Kyle as Kyle steps into Kaden’s bedroom.
“I just want you to know that I’m not giving up on Ashlyn and Stan. I feel like they were a part of the family and I want to know they are safe,” says Kyle as he looks at Kaden who has his back facing Kyle.
“A part of me feels like I let Stan and Ashlyn down and I’m not going to stop until I know they are safe,” says Kyle.
“But what are you going to do? You said that it’s impossible to help them,” replies Kaden, who still has his back to Kyle.
“No, I said that they have tons of troops with weapons and a whole operation. Nothing is impossible,” replies Kyle.
Kaden turns around in his bed and looks at Kyle.
“It’s not going to be easy or quick, but I’m not done with this. In fact, I’m just getting started,” says Kyle.
“But what can we do?” asks Kaden as he sits up in his bed and looks at Kyle.
“We can only take it one day at a time and try to gather as much information as we can,” answers Kyle.
“How can I help?” asks Kaden to Kyle.
Kyle thinks about Kaden’s question and his immediate impulse is to not have Kaden help and to have him stay where it is safe and secure, but Kyle sees that Kaden is eager to help and that this may be a great opportunity for Kyle to teach Kaden.
“Your mother and I will come up with something for you,” answers Kyle to Kaden.
“I know what that means. It means that I won’t be involved, or I’ll be involved in a minor meaningless way,” replies Kaden.
“Look, it’s just us three now. It’s all Sinclair’s on deck and I’m going to be counting on you for some pretty big things,” responds Kyle.
Kaden is about to reply, and Kyle looks at the camera in Kaden’s bedroom. Kaden sees Kyle look at the camera and Kaden gets quiet.
“We’ll come up with something and you’ll definitely be involved, but we have to be smart about this and everything that we do here. You have to trust me and your mother,” says Kyle to Kaden.
Kaden nods his head in agreement.
“Good, now let’s just keep our cool and we’ll come up with a plan. Your mother and I are working in the lab tomorrow morning bright and early. You’ll have to stay here, but we’ll come up with a plan,” says Kyle to Kaden.
“I’ll do whatever you need me to,” says Kaden to Kyle.
Kyle smiles at Kaden and gives Kaden a big hug.
“You are my only son and I love you very much. I won’t let anything happen to you or your mother,” says Kyle as he hugs Kaden.
Kaden and Kyle are still hugging and Kyle whispers to Kaden, “Your mother and I will come up with a plan. When the time is right, we’re leaving this base, but we have to keep things cool and quiet. We need to blend in and make them forget about us.”
Kyle and Kaden break from their hug and Kyle steps towards Kaden’s bedroom door.
Kaden says to Kyle, “I’m sorry about before. Sorry I lost my cool.”
Kyle smiles at Kaden and replies, “It’s okay, you just said what we all felt. We all feel like we let Stan and Ashlyn down.”
“But I just want the people that took Ashlyn to pay for what they did,” says Kaden.
Kyle looks directly into Kaden’s eyes with an intense look and replies, “Don’t worry, they’re all gonna pay.”
CHAPTER 11
DAY 54
“Ahhh, this one stinks so bad,” says Kristina to Kyle as they are working in the lab and Kristina looks at the male zombie that was just brought into the lab.
Kyle, Kristina, and everyone in the lab are wearing custom self-contained biohazard suits.
The suits have their own oxygen supply, sensors on the fingertips and throughout the suit, and a large fog proof open viewing window so the person can see.
“What’s wrong Kris? Can’t stand the stink?” jokes Alex to Kristina as he sees Kristina looking like she wants to puke as she watches Ty and Ovi place the male zombie under a large device and three white LED lights.
“Just make it through this one, it should be the last one for today,” says Kyle to Kristina.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but smells have been getting to me lately,” replies Kristina.
“Okay, everyone quiet,” says Alex to everyone in the lab.
Everyone gets quiet and Alex says, “ACT, please run diagnostics on subject Z fifteen.”
“Which diagnostics do you want me to run?” answers ACT to Alex.
“I still can’t get over ACT having a female voice,” says Kyle to Kristina.
“Run a full diagnostic panel as well as a full body scan,” answers Alex to ACT.
“As you wish,” answers ACT to Alex.
The white lights above the male zombie turn blue. The male zombie is strapped to a metal table in the center of the lab and the blue light covers the male zombie. Alex jokes to Ovi, “Love it when a woman does what she’s told.”
Kristina hears Alex’s remark and Kristina rolls her eyes.
The blue light starts at the male zombie’s head and scans the entire male zombie’s body from head to toe.
Kyle looks at the male zombie and he sees that he looks to have a chest wound and that is what most likely killed the man.
“Please insert the blood samples into the computer so I can link the blood samples with my scan for test subject Z fifteen,” says ACT as the blue light above the male zombie turns white.
Ty finishes collecting a blood sample from the male zombie that is in the center of the lab, and he inserts the blood sample into a piece of equipment that is connected to a computer.
“The sample is inserted ACT,” says Ty.
“Thank you, would you like me to run the usual blood panels for the blood sample?” asks ACT.
“Yes, run the usual panels and log your findings into the system,” answers Alex to ACT.
“As you wish,” answers ACT.
The lights in the lab brighten and Ovi asks, “What’s the order for this one?”
Alex looks at his tablet and answers Ovi, “ACT is still processing the blood and diagnostics. Let’s give her more time, but I’m sure it will be to keep it alive like the other fourteens subjects.”
Kyle and Kristina look at the male zombie and they notice that he looks like the previous test subjects.
“Where do you think they get these test subjects from?” asks Kyle to everyone in the lab.
“Who cares?” asks Alex.
Kristina looks closer at the male zombie and she notices that the male zombie is a middle aged Caucasian male that is wearing jeans, a long sleeved shirt, and boots.
Alex, while looking at his tablet, says, “Let’s get him upright and he’s going back into storage.”
“Everyone clear,” says Ty to everyone in the lab and Ty notices that everyone is away from the male zombie.
“Go ahead,” says Ty to Ovi and Ovi hits a button on the side of the metal table that the male zombie is strapped to and the table goes from horizontal to vertical.
“Are we done for the day?” asks Kyle to Alex.
Alex looks at his tablet and answers Kyle, “Yes, we are done for today.”
“Please call the storage people to come pick up subject Z fifteen,” says Ty to ACT.
“Calling now,” replies ACT.
Kyle looks around the lab and asks, “Is it okay if we leave now?”
“Yeah, just clean up your stations and we’ll see you tomorrow,” answers Alex.
Kyle and Kristina clean up their workstations and make their way into the decontamination chamber.
Kyle and Kristina are both scanned, cleaned, and allowed to exit the lab.
Kristina walks through the open door that Kyle is holding for her and they both enter an interior hallway.
“Kyle and Kristina, wait up,” says Dr. Smith as she sees Kyle and Kristina enter the hallway.
“Everything okay?” asks Kyle as Dr. Smith comes over to Kristina and Kyle.
“Yeah, I just got access to Commander Pine’s office for you,” answers Dr. Smith.
“Have you been in contact with her?” asks Kristina to Dr. Smith.
“Let’s go up to her office and get you inside,” answers Dr. Smith.
Kyle, Kristina, and Dr. Smith exit the building where the lab is, and they make their way into another building and into an elevator.
“How are things going in the lab?” asks Dr. Smith to Kyle and Kristina.
“Pretty good, I was wondering though where all the subjects we are seeing are coming from?” asks Kyle to Dr. Smith.
The elevator doors open and there are two troops standing near the open elevator door. Kristina looks at the troops and she recognizes one of the troops as the soldier that gave Kyle the middle finger from the back of the military truck that was leaving CBD.
“Excuse us,” says the soldier to Dr. Smith and he gets out of the way so that Dr. Smith can exit the elevator.
Kristina quickly exits the elevator and Kyle makes eye contact with the soldier as he exits the elevator behind Dr. Smith.
The soldier looks at Kyle and he gives Kyle an expression like where do I know you from?
The soldier gets on the elevator and the elevator doors close.
Kristina, Dr. Smith, and Kyle pass through the security checkpoint and they make their way down the interior hallway and over to Commander Pine’s office.
There is a security number pad above the door handle of Commander Pine’s office door.
Dr. Smith grabs a small piece of paper out of her pocket and she puts the numbers into the number pad.
Commander Pine’s office door unlocks, and Dr. Smith opens the door.
Kyle and Kristina follow behind Dr. Smith and Dr. Smith closes the office door.
“Pretty sweet office,” says Kyle as he looks at the medium sized office that has a large wooden desk in the middle of the office, white walls, and white floor tiles.
“Weird that it doesn’t have any windows though,” says Kristina.
“Yeah, it’s more like a big closet,” replies Kyle.
Dr. Smith looks around and she doesn’t see any cameras or any signs of ACT in the office.
“This is a secure room. ACT shouldn’t be able to monitor you in here, except what you do on the server,” says Dr. Smith.
“No cameras in here?” asks Kristina.
“No, Marissa was able to set her office up to be a secure room,” answers Dr. Smith.
“Have you been in touch with Commander Pine?” asks Kristina.
“Yes, she gave me the code to get into the office and she also said that she’ll try to get in touch with you both soon,” answers Dr. Smith.
“Where is she?” asks Kyle to Dr. Smith.
“She didn’t say, but I think she’s in Chicago or Dallas. I think she was going to both of those cities before heading to Colorado,” answers Dr. Smith.
“How do you know all this? Why are you and Commander Pine helping us?” asks Kyle to Dr. Smith.
“My contacts and I need your help. We don’t agree with everything that has been ordered around here and around the world,” answers Dr. Smith.
Dr. Smith gets a notification on her smartwatch and she looks at her smartwatch.
“I have to go, but this is your office now,” says Dr. Smith and she hands Kyle the small piece of paper that has the code for the office door written on it.
Kyle looks at the piece of paper and he sees two other sets of numbers on the paper and asks, “What are these other numbers for?”
“They open the two bottom drawers on the desk,” answers Dr. Smith.
Kristina watches Dr. Smith walk towards the closed offi
ce door and she says, “Thank you for all this.”
Dr. Smith turns, looks at Kristina, and answers Kristina, “You are welcome. If you need anything else, I’m staying at the house that you met Marissa in before she left here.”
Kyle thanks Dr. Smith and Dr. Smith exits the office.
Kristina sits in the nice leather chair that is behind the desk and Kyle looks at the two number drawers that have security number pads on them.
Kyle punches in one of the sequence of numbers on the drawer that is at the bottom left hand side of the desk and it doesn’t open.
“Try the other set,” says Kristina to Kyle.
Kyle tries the other set of numbers on the same drawer and this time it unlocks and opens. Kyle opens the drawer, and he finds a laptop, two tablets, and three smartwatches inside the drawer.
“Is that Kaden’s laptop?” asks Kristina.
Kyle hands Kristina the laptop and he answers, “I don’t know.”
Kyle walks over to the drawer at the bottom right hand side of the desk and he punches in the sequence of numbers that didn’t open the other drawer.
The desk drawer unlocks and opens, and Kyle opens the drawer. Kyle finds two pistols, a box of bullets for the pistols, and the small radio that Kiran left Kyle.
Kristina sees something in the drawer where the laptops, tablets, and smartwatches where in and she grabs it.
Kyle pulls out the pistols and smiles.
Kyle sees that Kristina has a white envelope in her hand and he asks, “What’s that?”
Kristina reads the outside of the white envelope, “To Kyle and Kristina.”
Kristina opens the envelope and there is a handwritten letter in the envelope.
Kyle watches Kristina open the letter and start reading the letter.
“What does it say?” asks Kyle.
Kristina finishes reading the letter and she hands Kyle the letter. Kyle reads, “To Kyle and Kristina. Hopefully, you are reading this, and you made it to my desk. I’m sorry that we had to break into your house and take your things, but it had to be done for security reasons. I got two new pistols for you as your guns are still locked up with the other weapons. Be safe. I know you two have the training and skills to survive, but be careful with the stuff I left for you. Fort Derrick is very secure, but it’s also very dangerous. I’ll be in touch as soon as I can. Sorry for choking you Kyle, hope your neck is okay. C.P., P.S. Use the smartwatches, they aren’t monitored by ACT and that’s how I can reach you both.”
In 100 Days | Book 2 Page 12