and storage areas.
Rein joined him, and the old man’s full lips curled, deepening his wrinkles and exposing missing front teeth. Sweat beaded at the hair-line where his grey dreadlocks hung in clumps around his head, and his dark skin glowed under the fluorescent lights. He lifted a wrinkled hand and put it on Rein’s shoulder.
“How is our guest?” he mumbled, as if speech further tired him.
“She’s awake.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“I’m not so sure I am.”
“Why?”
“I think I made a mistake. Her being here can expose us all.”
Jordan cackled. “You did right, bringing her here.”
“She’s not talking.”
“Great, not only is she using our limited resources, but she is refusing to give us information. That’s the reason you brought her here, wasn’t it, Rein?”
Rein swiveled around on the bench at the sound of Woody’s voice.
Woody toted a small wooden crate, filled with ammo, over to Jordan. His ash-blond hair was darkened by the sweat running from his hairline down the side of his face.
He stared pointedly at Rein before setting the crate down in front of their leader. “This is the last.”
Jordan pulled out a small box containing Remington SPC rounds. “Put the rest next to my pallet. I’ll distribute it later.” His black eyes rested on Rein as he handed him the ammo. “Tell our contact.”
“We’re scheduled to meet in a few days.”
“Good.” Jordan started to stand. Rein jumped up and helped the old man to his feet. “And don’t worry about the girl. I trust your judgment.”
Rein smiled, though he didn’t feel he deserved the compliment. If he was wrong, he had risked everyone’s life for nothing. The settlement founded after the Nazis had invaded would fall after all these years. He had known the chances, the possible danger, and he’d ignored the safety of the others because of a gut instinct. And, judging by the way Woody looked at him, his friend believed the same. His grey eyes flashed accusations every time he looked at Rein, like now.
“Would you stop it?” Rein asked, as he watched the old man walk away.
“Stop what?” Woody blinked innocently.
“You know what.”
Sighing, he held his hands up as if in surrender. “Look, Rein, we’ve been best friends since we were kids. I’m telling you she is dangerous.”
“I know. You keep reminding me.”
Rein left the hall, doubt tugging at every fiber of his being. Only this doubt came with fair skin framed with white hair and sky-blue eyes that bore holes into him.
12
Dr. George Hirch entered the experiment room with Leland at his side. Light reflected off the glass cubicles that divided the room, and bounced off the white-tiled floor. Several assistants were busy within the cubicles, where they sat at tables across from his creations.
Sensing his approach, platinum blond heads turned, and four sets of intelligent, azure eyes settled on the doctor as the door closed behind him with a snick. His children were beautiful, like angels—lean, muscular, flawless complexions, hair the color of purity.
George waved, indicating for them to continue with their lessons. All at once, as if connected by a string, they focused their attention back on the assistants.
“Come, Leland.” He paused at the first door, marked
“What do you see, Micah?” asked the soft voice of the assistant. Dressed in the mandatory lab coat, the assistant leaned toward the young man. Long yellow locks flowed down her back.
Micah’s eyes were closed while he ran his fingers along the box. He turned it over in his hands and felt along the other side. “A female in a black dress. She is crying. Tears are falling down her face. She’s holding a picture of a male—her husband. She places the picture in this box with a wedding ring.” He handed it back to the assistant.
“Good, Micah. Now, what about this one?” She handed him a torn piece of material. Blood spotted the cloth.
“Is that—”
“Shh.” George held his hand up to Leland’s face.
Again, Micah closed his eyes and rubbed his thumb over the material. When he opened them, his expressionless gaze rested on George. “It belongs to Ellyssa,” he said, his voice monotone. “There is green—tall trees, plants, shrubbery. They are streaking by in a blur. She is cold. So very cold. And, she is hurt.” The boy’s face briefly twitched as if he could feel her pain.
“She is searching for something. Kansas City.” Micah’s gaze flicked back to George. “And she is muttering something about you.”
The boy’s strong jaw clenched and unclenched as his stare bored into the doctor. The tiny hairs on the back of George’s neck stood erect. He handed the material back to the woman. “Why is that,
George looked around the room. All eyes, including those of the assistants, were on him. He faced Micah. “I do not know.”
“Why would she run in the first place?” Micah asked.
“Until we find her, Micah, I am unable to perform the necessary tests for diagnosis.” Doctor Hirch opened the door and went over to Micah. “Can you tell me why she has chosen Kansas City?”
“Kansas City is not her destination any longer. She seems to be lost.”
“Where is she going?”
“
George placed his hand on Micah’s shoulder. “Thank you.”
“You are most welcome.”
“Continue with your lessons.” He closed the door behind him.
“What now?” Leland mumbled.
“We wait.”
Doctor Hirch went to the next cubicle marked
“Truly remarkable,” whispered Leland.
“Yes,” said the doctor. “The next test will be with bullets.”
Leland shook his head. “He’s only fourteen.”
“Age is irrelevant.”
“But…what about his safety? The experiment as a whole?”
The doctor’s steely gaze settled on his assistant. “You are questioning me?”
“No, it’s just…” Leland stepped back.
“May I remind you, my authority is not to be challenged by the likes of you.”
“I understand,” Leland responded, dropping the doctor’s stare.
George watched him for a moment longer, then stepped past him, ignoring the empty cubicle marked
