The Collection (23 page)

Chapter 53

Tonight on
The Greg Finnegan Show,
an interview with Grant Marsden's superior during his tenure in service. Learn even more about the American Hero.

—
American Gazette

Frustration filled Grant. The boy was supposed to call an hour ago, and he hadn't heard from Rex in forty-eight hours. He didn't want to risk dialing out, in case the call was traceable. Too many people were watching him. Even though Grant had blocking technology, turning it on might signal something. He reminded himself Rex would have called if the situation had taken a turn for the worse, or maybe Rex was dead. Either way, the boy was more important.

On the plus side, if the boy met his demise at least Grant would have a new dummy to test his inventions out on. Human experimentation was something in which Grant hadn't taken part in some time.

 

P
eace and quiet,” the host said. “Still not scared?”

“No,” Grant said. “I am hungry though; will you untie me?”

The host picked up his chair and set it next to Grant's. He cut up the fish and stabbed a piece with his fork, then fed it to Grant.

“Now everyone is happy,” the host said. “How many years until you report for duty?”

“Six,” Grant said.

“Don't talk with your mouth full,” the host said. “It's rude.”

Grant swallowed the fish.

“Do you know why you're still alive?” the host asked.

“Because you're having fun toying with me,” Grant said.

“The young, so reckless,” he said. “I'm impressed with you.”

He held up another piece and Grant took a bite.

“Two weeks and I had no idea; you sized up that man right away for what he was, and you have no fear. What should I do with you?”

“If you aren't going to kill me, I guess let me go,” Grant said.

“I never let anyone go. I don't like unserved men,” the host said. “I get one or two every year trying to break in or looking for work. They're dirty and lack potential, and are missing a certain amount of refinement. You don't show those qualities.”

Grant didn't know how to respond. Then the rapid-fire questions came.

“If I asked you to kill that man, would you have?”

“Gladly,” Grant said.

“Why?”

“He was annoying.”

“Have you killed anyone before?”

“Yes.”

“How many?”

“One.”

“Why?”

“I didn't like him.”

The host smiled and leaned back in the chair.

“I can't kill you,” he said. “You remind me too much of myself.”

The host picked up a dinner knife and sliced through Grant's bindings. The ropes loosened and Grant lifted his arms. The host still held the knife; he was ready to stab. Grant picked up his fork and took another bite of salmon. The host laughed.

“I think we can have some fun together,” the host said.

 

A
vibration from Rod's cell phone brought Grant back to reality. He picked up the device and went into the room next door. Rod was awake, flipping through one of the old books Grant had found to keep him entertained.

“You're back,” Rod said. “Any news on my son?”

“He's on the phone,” Grant said. “I want you to tell him you're all right.”

Rod nodded and Grant flipped open the phone, hitting the speaker button.

“Dad?” Carter said.

Rod was tearing up. “It's so good to hear your voice,” he said.

“You're alive?” Carter said. “I knew you weren't dead.”

“It was a bad accident,” Rod said. “They're taking real good care of me.”

“I'm so sorry I let you down,” Carter said. “It should have been me who jumped out.”

“What are you talking about?” Rod asked.

Grant pulled the phone away and switched off the speaker. He held the phone up to his ear and walked out of the room, ignoring Rod's calls.

“I can't have you upsetting my patient,” Grant said.

“Who is this?” Carter asked.

“While we were never formally introduced, I think you enjoyed kicking me in the ribs several times,” Grant said.

There was silence on the other end.

“Now that we're acquainted, let's get down to business,” Grant said. “I have someone you want and you have something I want.”

Still silence, but Grant could hear the boy's breathing.

“Bring me back my wife and you can have your father back. It's simple.”

“She's not a thing,” Carter said. “She's a person.”

“She's a woman,” Grant said. “But let's not get bogged down with specifics. She's mine and I want her back.”

“Why?”

“I don't like these questions,” Grant said. “I'd be more worried about my intentions toward your father. Do you know what I do for a living?”

Silence.

“I make weapons,” Grant said. “I'm always on the lookout for someone I can test my models on. I have a knife that will shatter a bone as soon as it makes contact. I have a gun that will cause an infection to spread. A machete that is so sharp it can cut off an appendage with minimal effort.”

“Enough,” Carter said. “I can't bring her back. I wouldn't know how.”

“You can and you will,” Grant said.

“You'll kill us as soon as we get there.”

“No, I am a man of my word. You and your father will go free. I'll fly you anywhere in the world you like; I'll even give you some seed money to start a new life.”

“Never,” Carter said.

“Okay.” Grant let out a sigh.

“Wait, don't hurt him.”

“I'm going to kill him in a very slow and painful manner.”

“No,” Carter said, his voice filled with urgency.

Grant rolled his eyes.

“I'm not unreasonable,” Grant said. “You can call once a day and hear his voice, on speakerphone of course. The doctor expects his casts to come off in six weeks. You have one month until I start testing my weapons. Two months until he's dead.”

“I can't bring her back,” Carter said. “You'll do the same to her.”

“No,” Grant said. “While she deserves punishment, I gain nothing from it but personal satisfaction. Your father's torture, on the other hand, gives me something I want. His will be much, much worse than you can imagine.”

“I need more time.”

“This isn't a deal,” Grant said. “It's a fact. Those are my terms and the clock starts today.”

“Please let me speak to him again,” Carter said.

“Once a day,” Grant said. “Your father is quite happy here. He thinks he was in a car accident on his way to the capital to bid on a construction job and you're safe at home in the Southwest Area. If you say anything to make him think otherwise I'll make sure his stay here becomes less than pleasant. I know you are aware of the pain I am capable of inflicting.”

“You're a monster,” Carter said.

“Thank you,” Grant said. “One piece of advice: I wouldn't let her know what you're up to. Talk to you tomorrow.”

Grant hung up the phone. Now he had to fix the small problem with Rod. He pasted on a smile and went back into the man's room.

“Where's my son?” Rod asked. “Why'd you take away the phone?”

“He was upsetting you,” Grant said. “Doctor's orders. He'll call tomorrow. Once a day until Dr. Schaffer says otherwise.”

“Why was he talking about jumping?” Rod asked.

“He wasn't,” Grant said. “You have a severe head injury. All he said was he was sorry you were hurting. It should be him hurting.”

Rod's eyes were red. He looked shaken and leaned back in the bed.

“I can talk to him longer tomorrow?” Rod asked.

“Of course,” Grant said. “As long as he doesn't upset you.”

Grant's personal phone went off. He checked the screen; it was the grand commander calling. No doubt with another pointless lesson to teach Grant about politics. None of which mattered; once Grant was the grand commander he would run the country a different way. He left Rod's room and kept the plastic smile on his face as he answered his own call.

Chapter 54

Recruitment of new members must be handled with the utmost secrecy. Reaching out to people in the homeland puts their lives in great danger.

—Internal memorandum from Affinity

The morning went by quickly. Zack escorted Andrew on the same tour Mia and Carter had been given the day before. The three were so happy to see each other that they didn't pay much attention to the surrounding members of Affinity. After lunch Zack disappeared and Sarah joined them. Carter wandered off to use the restroom and everyone waited for him by the field. Mia was grateful Sarah was escorting them, but she was dying for alone time with Andrew. She had so much to ask him.

“I thought this afternoon we would go see the teachers,” Sarah said. “Zack mentioned Carter expressed some interest in that position?”

“Position?” Andrew asked.

“Everyone has a basic job here,” Sarah said. “If you decide to stay you'll have to learn a trade. More will be explained at orientation.”

Mia wanted to interrupt and let Sarah know Mia planned on telling Andrew everything, but decided it was best to swear Andrew to secrecy.

“When will we have to make this decision?” Andrew asked.

Sarah shrugged. “We assume you're already on board,” she said. “And you will be . . . soon.”

Sarah flashed a smile and for a moment Mia felt the urge to grab Andrew's hand. She turned away. Mia didn't want to fall into that trap; she had nothing to worry about. Her days of competing with other women over men were long gone, and Sarah was no threat to what she and Andrew had.

Carter appeared in the distance. The three rose, but he didn't quicken his pace at all. When he neared them he held his chin high. Mia could tell something was wrong.

“Do you feel okay?” Andrew asked. Mia was surprised he felt concern for Carter; the two of them were normally at odds.

“I'm fine,” Carter said. “Ate too much at breakfast.”

“You guys want to head down to the school?” Sarah asked.

She didn't wait for a response and started walking across the field. Carter sped up to keep pace with her. In the distance Mia saw a group of people fighting.

“Should we break that up?” Mia asked.

“It's practice,” Sarah said. “Every member of Affinity must know how to defend themselves.”

“From what?” Mia asked.

“America knows we exist,” Sarah said. “It's necessary we are prepared to take action.”

“You think you could beat the American armed services?” Andrew asked.

“They'd never invade outright,” Sarah said. “Fifty years ago they sent a convoy to attack us. It was the current grand commander's first act. We lost a lot of members, but the event was highly publicized. The world wanted to attack America over it.”

“Did they?” Mia asked.

“No,” Sarah said. “We were so close to having every country on the planet invade. The Registry would have been stopped then, but America claimed it was rogue soldiers, on an unauthorized mission. Then the states of the United Kingdom declared war on each other and that took precedence. Ireland won.”

Mia thought about Riley, how her country had grown in size since the Great War. Then she remembered what started this all: Corinna leading her toward a hidden magazine article. Mia had destroyed the pages, not wanting to get caught with them, but she'd memorized every word and remembered it was from the UK. She supposed if they were publishing articles like that, America would have reason for concern.

“A lot of people thought America instigated the UK war, but it could never be proved. Anyhow, we moved to this spot and have been left alone ever since, but all of us are skilled in defense tactics.

“It's not a stretch for the American men who defect to pick them up,” Sarah said. “Carter and Andrew, I'm sure you two are capable fighters.”

Andrew stopped walking and bent down. He held his hands over his ears. Mia saw him squish his face up. She put her hands over his.

“Come back,” she said.

He opened his eyes and looked at her. The pain seemed to vanish.

“What's wrong?” Sarah asked.

“Nothing,” Mia said.

Mia looked to Carter for verification. He kept a stone-cold face and his eyes diverted away from the incident.

“I'm fine,” Andrew said.

Sarah raised the corner of her mouth and her forehead wrinkled, then she spun back around and continued walking. They cleared the field and started into the jungle on a path. Mia appreciated the shade. Soon the lake Zack mentioned came into view. Mia was sure he had meant to say “pond” though. She could see across to the other side. There was a clay building to their left.

“Once we get inside we'll stand in the back,” Sarah said. “The kids might look at you, but try to keep your eyes on the teacher.”

They approached the building and Sarah pushed the doors open. It was a giant room. The youngest child looked around five and the eldest was roughly ten. Slowly they turned their heads around and a hush fell over them.

“Ignore our guests,” the man said. He was standing at the front of the room.

Mia locked eyes with him. There was an image projected on a giant white board. Mia didn't understand how it was there. She was more interested in the students than the technology. There were boys and girls mixed together.

“Who wants to name the eight old regions?” he asked.

A girl raised her hand.

“Ronnie,” he said.

She rose from her seat.

“North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, Asia, Australia, Latin America, and Africa.”

“Very good,” he said. “Now the current ones?”

A boy raised his hand. The teacher pointed and he stood up.

“Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America.”

“And?” the teacher asked.

“Latin America?”

“Very good,” he said. “Does someone want to explain what happened to the other three?”

The first girl raised her hand again; the teacher ignored her.

“Maura,” he said. “Why don't you tell us.”

Another girl stood up.

“After the Great War, Africa and South America became habitable. Parts of Asia too.”

She took a seat.

“You're on track, but the word is ‘inhabitable.' The opposite of ‘habitable.' Benjamin, will you explain why?”

A small boy stood up from his seat.

“Because people can't live there,” he said. “They don't have good water or food. They'd die.”

He sat down again.

Mia felt her eyes go wide. These young people knew so much more about the world than she did. It wasn't fair. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Andrew. He kept a blank face, but his eyes seemed warm. She turned and walked out the door; he followed her.

Once they were outside she felt like screaming; instead she paced back and forth. Carter and Sarah didn't join them. Andrew stood still with his arms crossed, watching her. Mia knew she'd have to speak first.

“It's not fair,” Mia said. “A child knows more than I do.”

“Don't you think they're too young to know that sort of information?” Andrew asked.

“Versus learning lies?” Mia asked. “I've never heard the words ‘Africa' and ‘Australia' before.”

Andrew looked away.

“You knew,” Mia said. “Nothing in there was new to you?”

“They were possible enemies. I didn't know about the old ones, or the inhabitable stuff, plus those were just regions, not countries.”

“And it doesn't bother you?” Mia asked.

Andrew nodded his head. “Of course it does,” he said. “But there are more important things to worry about than ancient history.”

Then it dawned on Mia: Andrew was right, and they were alone. She felt the anger leave her body.

“Can you remember everything yet?” Mia asked.

Andrew shook his head.

“It's not pleasant to try,” he said. “When I see you, part of me still thinks you're a ghost, or that I'm dead and living in some second world.”

Mia walked toward him. She lifted her hand and brushed it against his cheek. His eyes locked with hers; they were sharp and his cheekbones only added to his cold demeanor.

“I promise you,” Mia said. “We are very much alive.”

His facial expression didn't change, but his eyes broke from hers and he started looking at different parts of her face.

“Are we interrupting?” Sarah asked.

Mia broke eye contact with Andrew. Sarah had a playful smile, while Carter looked up at the sky. Mia didn't respond. She dropped her hand from Andrew's face.

“We're fine,” he said.

“I thought we would check out some other areas of Affinity,” Sarah said.

She started talking about checking on the older students. Mia tuned her out and kept her eyes on Andrew. He didn't seem interested in returning her gaze. There was so much she wanted to speak with him about—Rex, Affinity, the militia—but it seemed as soon as the chance presented itself, it vanished.