26
Tessa did what she had to do to save her family. She charged H.I.V.E’s core, hoping she could escape and destroy it later. Security was tight, but she remained determined to right this wrong. H.I.V.E did not deserve this power. They would use it for evil and watch innocent people die.
Once the Director had what she needed from Tessa, agents whisked her away. They loaded Tessa and her family onto an underground train. Their train car was dark and cold, and H.I.V.E chained them to the floor like animals.
Alone in the train car, Tessa could speak to her family. “I am so sorry this happen. I promise to make it right. We will get out of here as soon as possible.”
Tessa’s father spoke for the family. “We recognized the risks as your family, and we could have run. We decided as a family to stay and make a stand. We are family, and we will always stand together.”
Her mother agreed, “We are proud of you, Tessa. You are always strong, and we never expected you would rise to such power. Your heart inspires people. Most people want to do the right thing, and we all realize H.I.V.E is corrupt.”
“You have such a beautiful family, Tessa.” Finn’s family abandoned him when they discovered his Evo abilities. So, he ran to the rebels rather than be a H.I.V.E lab rat.
“Finn, you are part of my family too. You’ve always had my best interested in mind.” She wanted him to appreciate the love and support of a family. “We will get out of this together, and we will get our revenge on H.I.V.E for this.”
After a short train ride, they arrived at an underground station realizing they were prisoners to be processed. Each of them checked in, and security cataloged their belongings. Tessa had to watch as they processed her goggles, scout, and all her weapons. She also watched them file away her digital music. With their possessions taken, they were forced to change into orange jumpsuits to process their clothing.
After processing, security provided them each with a blanket and a pillow and led to prison. The prison was an open facility with common areas full of prisoners and cells along the outskirts of the commons on four levels. A guard pushed them inside, expecting them to find their own bed.
The common area was full of metal tables and a jumble of H.I.V.E criminals. Many of them being human, but Tessa noticed a few convicts wore collars similar to her Finn. They stationed guards throughout the balconies, watching the inmates below. A guard tower in the center of the common room towered above to monitor activity within the prison. The security was tight here, and Tessa guessed this is where H.I.V.E kept their most wanted criminals.
Tessa noticed the fear in her mother’s eyes. She wasn’t accustomed to defending herself. Tessa’s dad and brother were familiar with conflict while securing the farm and family assets; she felt they would be all right. That meant that her mother could not wander the prison unaccompanied. She planned with her brother to make sure someone was always with her mother.
Their group parked at an empty table, and Tessa sensed eyes on them. They were new, and people would test them soon to see if they were weak. Criminals would strive to take advantage of the vulnerable. Tessa realized she would have to secure a reputation here so that they might all be safe.
Tessa and Finn explored the facility searching for open bunks. They weaved in and out of the common area around groups of people huddled around tables. She heard hushed whispers and noticed sideways glances, but most people kept their distance.
Just when Tessa thought they would navigate the crowd of convicts without incident, they came to a table on the fringes before reaching the surrounding bunk area. A group of haggard-looking men appearing like they had been in this facility for a long time. There were five of them, and they all looked older but to be in peak physical shape. As Tessa neared their area, she noticed their body language and the glare in their hardened eyes. They were trouble.
Their leader stepped forward and moved toward the newcomers. He was much older than his companions, with long gray hair knotted into dreadlocks and a long beard with wrinkled olive-colored skin and an eye patch over his left eye. Tessa figured from his rough appearance that he had been here a while. He was also the long-term convict that knew everything about this place. She might find his knowledge useful in planning an escape.
He hollered at her and Finn in a gruff scratchy voice, “Hey, newbie, we keep your kind on the other side.”
Tessa played his game. She looked behind her and then back to him. “Were you talking to me? I didn’t see any signs telling me where I can and can’t go.”
He puffed his chest, “There ain’t no signs, but it’s the way it is here, and you’d be best to learn the rules here fast if you plan on living past a few days.”
“Who makes the rules here?” Tessa was pushing buttons.
“I do.” His four buddies stood up to make his presence more menacing. It didn’t work on her, but she noticed Finn got nervous.
“And who are you?” She needed to learn the key players here. The sooner, the better.
“They call me King because I run this place. Your kind don’t have no power here.”
“What is my kind?” Tessa baited him. She knew what he referred to. She wore a collar, so he knew she was an Evo.
“You Evos think you run this world with all your fancy powers. You’re nothing but a bunch of bullies hiding behind those powers. Without the powers, ya’ll are sniveling cowards. I’ve seen hundreds of you come through
