As we drive under the slab, we notice IOUSC is carved into it, making it clear we will be stopping soon enough.
Chapter Ten
After passing under the IOUSC sign, we head into what looks like a tunnel. On either side of us there is nothing but concrete and smashed and banged up cars.
“Where are we?” I ask, breaking the silence.
“I would say we are getting ready to find out,” Mar whispers with a terrified look on her face.
We all watch as the truck continues to pass post war destruction. There is also broken glass, parts of motors, and a strange smell of decay all around us. There is so much debris the sky isn’t visible from where we are. Everything is so eerie feeling in this dark and damp place.
Eventually, we emerge into an area where the sky shines blue and the sun warms us. The scene set before us is nothing like I have seen before. On either side of the entrance are armed guards wearing all white from head to toe; strangely, their guns are white as well.
“It’s a football stadium,” Jake says in amazement.
“And it’s nearly in perfect condition,” Samantha exclaims bewildered.
“I didn’t think any of these were left intact after the war,” Magi begins. “The Elected destroyed anything that was deemed an American activity.
“And boy was this their favorite.” Jake beams.
“Hey Jake?” Samantha says, still in shock. “Do you remember that football game we watched with Mitch and Hannah?”
“Yeah,” Jake says, dropping his voice to a sad tone. “It was the only recorded game left to our knowledge.”
“I know,” Samantha says, “it was pure luck we found it in that abandoned building.”
I know the sadness in his voice is because we had learned a few days ago Mitch and Hannah’s names were on the list of those who willingly became members of The Elected.
They must have all been close friends.
Before Mar, Zac, Eli, and I came to The Force, I wonder what life was like. They were friends and family that all had something to believe in. I begin to wonder how long they had been stabbing each other in the back. Jake knew nothing about his dad or friends, so how long had they been planning to go bad and keep it from him?
I am sure he is haunted by the same question.
“Look!” Zac exclaims, looking in the direction of a wide opening in the stadium.
We fall silent when we see ten or so guards marching in unison out in the open. They are all wearing crisp white uniforms and they all carry short, white guns. I can’t help but laugh just a little at how funny they look. Jake looks at me sideways as if reminding me to keep quiet, but something inside me tells me he finds it funny as well.
They walk towards the truck. In the middle of the group stands one man dressed in an ivory suit. My stomach clenches. The only other person any of us from the R9 have ever seen in a suit, was Morimoto.
He’s dead now.
Slowly, they march to the side of the truck to the front door. The guards allow a path for the man to walk up to the truck. He opens the driver’s door pulling Johnathan out and hugging him tight.
Smith climbs out of the passenger side of the truck walking over to where the group is standing. The man in the suit gives him a light shake on the hand indicating they do not have the same relationship as his partner.
Johnathan ignores us sitting in the back of the truck. He, Smith, and the man in the suit turn in the direction of the opening in the stadium and walk inside, followed by two of the guards.
“If you don’t mind,” one of the guards begin, “we are going to blindfold you, so you don’t see anything you’re not supposed to.”
“And what if we don’t agree to that?” Samantha blurts out defensively.
I can’t say I can rightfully blame her. I am looking around at this very moment trying to find a way out of being led blind into a building we very well may never get out of.
“If you don’t allow us our protocol,” another guard begins, “then you may not enter.
“And if we don’t enter?” Jake pipes up.
The remaining guards look at us dumbfounded. It was easy to see they didn’t meet much resistance.
“Um, I’m not sure,” the first guard stammers. “We’ve never had anyone refuse. Most people come looking for us. We have never taken prisoners.”
“Well, you better find out what you are sure of before I go anywhere with you, and we are not prisoners,” I say confidently. “You’re dealing with a different group of people than you have ever dealt with before.”
Jake sends another look in my direction, but it is hard to tell if it is a way to go Liz kind of look, or a shut up you’re making things worse kind of look. Now I am going to assume it is the shut up you’re making things worse kind of look and be quiet…if I can.
The second guard looks at the first and nods his head. He then leaves the group, walks ten yards away, and begins talking into some sort of radio. Moments later, he re-enters the group, whispering to whom I would guess the one in charge is.
The first guard nods in confirmation.
“If you do not go with us willingly, then you will be taken by force,” the guard announces his instructions hesitantly.
“Some guards you are,” Samantha scoffs. It is this version Sam I like. The same one that outran Sampson, Malachi, and Levi the day they about killed Mar and me.
“Well then,” Mar looks at Leah, ignoring Samantha altogether, “we will go willingly.”
“Speak for
