*****

Beep…Beep…Beep...Beep.Beep.Beep. BEEP. BEEP…BBBEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPP!

I jolted up from the blaring sound of my alarm clock and rubbed my wrist to disengage, only to find my wristwatch missing. Images of dark woods and weird Z’s fogged up my memory and quickly, the last prior days flashed back. However, as I looked around this room, I had no recollection on how I got there.

Beep.

I turned my head to the right and observed a monitor, slimmed in size and as white as the walls, this sleek device looked like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Markings scrolled across the screen, my heart rate monitored in minutes and my temperatures at the bottom right corner. As I continued to look, I got a sense of déjà vu. I turned my head to survey the room and was entranced by a large portrait window. Unlike other hospital square panes, this one was round and uneven, extremely organic in shape. The architect must’ve envisioned rocks or boulders, and modeled the window out of that. Weird, however the view was simple breathtaking.  The grey sky illuminated the Blue Mountains, while the fall leaves clung to the trees in desperation. All I needed was a book, a knit blanket and warm cookies, and I would never leave; but this wasn’t three years ago. There was no contentment in this world; there was no settlement or staying put. Only needed to remember to fight or flight.

Energized, I sat up and instantly, my back cracked in rejoice. The rest was well deserved and much needed, but I had to find Karen, and Jasper, and… My eyes looked upon a lone chair in the corner by the window. A memory of the SEAL came forth; huddled in that chair, fast asleep. Now, it was vacant and seemed undisturbed; no trace of Michael. I wondered where he could have gotten to.

I pulled the sensor from my finger and swung out of bed. I expected tenderness from my joints, yet everything felt great, like I just did hot yoga and ran a couple of miles. I was completely warmed up for today’s journey. I walked over to one of the doors in the room and opened to reveal a small closet. Hung amongst a robe was a pair of neutral grey cotton pants and a matching shirt. A matching underwear set was placed on the shelf above and white slip on shoes sat on the floor. Nothing fancy, just your basic, environmentally friendly outfit.

Across the closet was another door that led to an en-suite bathroom; personals were stowed in their rightful place, nothing missed. Quickly, I hopped in the shower; scrubbed myself under the hot water in ways you can’t achieve out of a bucket. I even washed my hair. I took advantage of the brush, comb, and blow-dryer, as well as the toothbrush, paste, and light makeup, before exiting to get dressed. In under an hour, I was ready to face the world and all its many secrets. The first thing was to find Karen.

***

Two flights up and I was on the main level. I watched out of a window the same garden we entered from, while several workers went around picking the crops. Their skillful hands were quick and they worked in a rhythmic pattern. Amazed, I thought to ask them about for help in my search, but a long hallway stopped me. Intrigued, I followed, as more organic shaped windows led my way. I passed a bunch of closed doors, with no words or symbols to identify them. However, beside each was a small black box that I assumed was for security measures. Upon the end of the hall, I hit a three way. Pulled to the right, I turned and cruised, as the windows looked upon another garden. However this one was brown and lifeless. I looked upon small mounds of mush and figured it was a compost waste system. I looked to a gaping hole above and the forest trees hovered, that’s when I heard voices. I looked behind me and immediately spotted a door left ajar. It took a short five steps to reach it and then the voices became comprehensive.

 “…We must start phase 1,” was a command from an older man, age and wisdom laced in his deep tone.  I edged closer to the door as an angry voice spilled through the crack.

“They have already infiltrated the colony, but we can’t move forward until we get someone in a better position. Our four would never be able to accomplish the mission from their place.” The sense of urgency sparked something within the room and several voices agreed.

“What about the president’s son?” this came from the first man

However my heart quickened when I recognized Norris’ voice. “I think we’ve found the eldest, but…”

“We’re waiting on DNA matching to confirm,” and this one belonged to Karen. Level-headed, her tone and confidence echoed through a quiet room, everyone hushed to hear her words. “It will only take a couple of more hours. It was hard getting enough samples.”

“And the seeds?” the older man questioned.

“Well our four reports great improvement, nothing has changed,” she answered and soon the conversation was only amongst those two. Their talked turned to technical medicine terminology and codes of some sort, and yet I milked in every word like I was a part of this meeting.

“and her…?” The man asked.

“She’s improving but, the boy’s doing phenomenal. All of his vitals are better than normal, even the wounds have recovered quickly. He should be up and walking in…”

“How long until we start Phase V?” Suddenly, a new voice interrupted the conversation, strong, deep, and husky. His baritone sound bellowed louder in the hallway.

“9 months,” Karen announced, and this caused uproar.

“Can it not be sped up?” the new voice demanded more than questioned.

“After everything we are fighting, went through, chancing with this, you wish that we speed up the only natural remedy we might have, absolutely not. We need to give them both time to adjust to the task at hand before Phase II, and we need time to observe the development, to document and record every step, for regeneration…” Suddenly, the door opened and a man walked straight into me. He was an older white man with harsh eyes and a scowl across his face. “What are you doing here?” he snapped, and immediately, I blanched. He took one look at the outfit Karen left for me and his black beady eyes returned to my face.  “Aren’t you supposed to tending to the greens, before they freeze?” Speechless, I was caught off guard by his hand on my upper arm. Tightly, the man began to drag me away from the door while I stuttered an explanation.

“Lt. Davis! She is not a worker at the Cove.” Immediately, the hall was filled with Karen’s voice, her anger laced in every word.

Quickly, the man spun, let me go, I did the same. “Well, what the hell is she doing snooping around during our private meetings?” He barked.

“She is our private meeting.” Karen responded and then approached. She stopped right in front of hime and pointed toward me. “Look at her, remember her face, because she is the future of everything you believe. Insult her again, and I will, personally, make sure she takes your seat at future meetings.” Her deathly eyes met mine and she melted, suddenly. She offered me a hand and smiled. “How was your rest, dear?”

“It was good, thank you,” I said as I watched the man fume over her shoulder. I could see his will to say something back, start a confrontation, but he didn’t. Eventually, he flipped Karen off behind her back and disappeared back into the room. “Sorry. I came for you and when I heard your voice, I stopped.” I lied, there’s no need for her to know I heard anything.

“Oh that’s fine. I wonder why no one called to tell me you were up.” She looked down at a thin silver wristwatch and started sprouting off the names of different nurses on duty. I, however, remembered the conversation. 

“What are the Phases are you planting?” I asked and Karen’s face looked up suddenly. “…well I came close to the door at that point…” I explained and smiled awkwardly, however, she just laughed.

“No need to be shy, or eavesdrop, anymore. You’re interest in the cause is welcomed. As for the Phases, they’re our way of battling this war.”

“Against the Z’s?” I countered.

“Against Washington, darling.” I wasn’t surprised by her words. The Rebels hatred kept coming back to the government, and while I wasn’t a fan of the system, there were bigger fish to fry.

“Karen, the government no longer exists and if it does, trust me, it has nothing compared to the Z’s. They’ve adapted, changed. I saw them with my own eyes at that military school. A shit ton of them clustered in the tunnel below. They looked like nothing I’ve ever seen before.“ I urged for her to see the danger I felt. The rebels should be helping stranded people against the ‘real’ enemies. However, Karen’s reaction was unexpected.

“You were at the holding cell?”

“That’s where we came upon Norris and his men.”

“Come with me.” She gripped my hand and nearly dragged me toward that big door. Now it was shut.  Quickly, she punched in a code and the door unlocked. Karen wasted no time and immediately we were in a small office. It was dark except for three flat screen monitors that showed a room. In the corner of each screen a tiny clock ran for almost three hours. Yet, Karen had me moving again. We passed through another secured door before faced a set of stairs. The voices were louder, not fed through a microphone.

“I think she’s lost her shit with one. There’s no way this girl is useful…”

“Lt. Davis!” Karen snapped as we rounded a corner and was submersed in grand conference room. Large, home movie screens lined one wall, while several displays hung from the ceiling around the room. A soft yellow glow bore down on the oval shaped mahogany desk from an overhead track lighting system.

Karen guided me closer to the table, where one abandoned seat marked her spot. Next to her was two more figures in white lab coats, there were three men in office suits, then that guy Davis;  Norris sat opposite Karen, his lap dog in the next seat, while the other three were lined with people in military greens. 11 pairs of eyes looked at me in astonishment, while I coward behind the tiny woman.

“Everyone, this is Celeste Freeman, and she, along with Jasper, fought for two years to find us, on the words from my dead daughter. How many of you can say you’ve done the same? No one.” She looked at me and her voice softened but the anger was still within. “Celeste, you are looking at some of the former directors of the free world, all turned away because they learnt the truth and posed a threat to the mechanism of our state. They can offer answers to any question you have, what can you offer them? Their freedom.”

Karen’s rage turned back to the round table and before I knew it, she held a remote to the largest screen and clicked a couple of buttons. I made to speak, but suddenly images appear. Riots, fighting, soldier killing civilians…and then Z’s, the ones from the tunnel. “Celeste, this is a recording from a week ago, sent to us from Europe. These images are comprised from France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, and so forth.” She stopped on an image of a woman in plains clothes being bitten by a Z while a guy in uniform stand and watch. “Their government is cleansing their country by killing their own people. Those things are a war strategy, not a mutation in nature.”

Suddenly sound exploded throughout the room, and the woman’s screams filled the space. I gasped as more images spanned across, each as gory as the one before, and then it stopped. The screen went black and then ignited again, displayed a panoramic view of paradise. Luxury homes floated over beautiful white sandy beaches and children played; laughter as a soundtrack. I choked up at the jovial sound, something I haven’t heard in years.

By their own submission, my feet drew me closer to the screen. The video seemed to be shot by a cheap device and the panning of it amateur, but it did the job and showcased a wealth island community. “What is this?” I asked over the roar of the waves.

“This is your capitol, your government.” This time, the voice belonged to Norris. He stood behind me, yet close enough that his breaths were on my neck. “And if you are doubtful, look in the foreground…” An arm extended past my left shoulder to point toward the top of the screen. I followed and froze at the brick wall lined along the island’s edge. While one side was free to the sweeping oceans waves, the inland side was blocked by a mountain of carved stone. Spiraled barbed wiring ran across the top, while watch towers stood a couple of feet apart. The contrast between lavish living and fort amazed me, yet repelled me at the same time.

Instantly, the video was once again replaced by a picture. The image from a plane showcased an extensive layout of the large island. Huge homes were mainly on the beachfront, while large buildings were centralized and then perfect square scattered closer to the walls. Even though most of the structures were compact on its patch of land, fields of greens and large gardens showed up toward the southern coast.

A red laser pointed at an x marked in the center, while several green dots sat on top of properties. “X marks the spot,” this came from Davis, his sarcastic voice was hard to miss.

Karen was by my side again, and in a soothed voice, she explained the layout. “Celeste, X is the new Capitol building now. All of the green dots show the homes of the president, congress members, state officials, Politians…” and then more green dots popped up. “…celebrities, the 1 percenters, and everything highlighted in orange are reserved for military and workers.” The perfect squares by the wall, were the only things in orange, the furthest and most cramped place on this map.

“How do you know this?” I turned toward the table. How did any of them know this?

“Because most of them came from there,” she answered and then slowly, one by one, about eight people nodded; the two doctors, the three business men, Davis, and two Army members; the only other woman was dressed army green.

Overwhelmed, my head whirled as I searched for someone familiar, someone I trusted to help comprehend this. “Where’s Michael?” I asked abruptly, and a few people were puzzled by the name. “Karen, where’s the guy I came here with?” I looked at her directly and she looked at Norris.

“Darwin…” he translated and that’s when I saw signs of recognition.

“Frankly, I don’t know where he’s been placed. I’ve…I’ve been so wrapped up in your recovery.”

“Well, who knows?” I asked, quite suspicious and a little worried.

“I saw him, with a rifle, headed outside.” Everyone turned to the far side of the room, and realized the comment came from Norris’ lap dog.

“Well, I need to find him. He should hear this, all of this. He’s more than a SEAL, right?” I said and looked toward Norris for support. Ironically, the guy met me with a blank stare. “Norris…? I know you agree, you said so right after I went back for him.” This time, I looked at the group. “He even knew about the underground tunnel at the academy, knew it like the back of his hand. I’m sure he has useful insight.” It was only when I stopped talking that I noticed the hush amongst the scholars. Some looked on with interest, while others had eyes on Norris and Karen. The Army woman spoke up, “And how do you know about his knowledge with the tunnel, Celeste?” his voice was sharper than Karen’s, but kind all the same.

“Because he led me through it. You all say that I’m an asset; well he might be on too. Where’s my bow?” I asked Karen.

“Bow? Why do you need a weapon?”

“Because I’m going hunting.”

“Not alone, you’re not,” Norris shot out and before I knew it, his lap dog advanced toward me.

“You don’t know these woods, Celeste. Sage will help you.” Put off from the escort, I quickly made my way toward the exit after Karen told me where I could find my bag and weapons, however I did hear her message to the soldier, “and make sure she stays in the covered area.”

***

“What’s the covered area?” I asked once we were outside and up on the cabin level. Immediately, I sucked in the fresh mountain air and felt my lungs expand eagerly. Not accustomed to being shut up indoors, I realized there was a change in me while under the ventilation of the cove. I felt alive now, with my coat on, boots and full set of weapons, I was my old self. I looked at the soldier, Sage, who also changed from his normal uniform and now wore a pair of dark jeans and a black winter jacket.  A rifle was strapped to his back, but otherwise he seemed weaponless, however I figured he had some tricks hidden in his pockets.

“The covered area, are all the places within sight. The same cameras you saw on the cabin are strapped to trees, marks our vicinity and allow the cove to monitor the land,” he answered honestly, without signs of suspicions.

“Then he’s not there. Can you lead me to the uncovered areas?”

“Technically yes, but I have orders.”

“You’re orders are to help me find my companion, and he’s smart enough to stay invisible. Now stop being a wuss, let’s go find him.” I raised an eyebrow and upped the challenge. I saw the mischief in his eyes, and his knowledge of the grounds would be beneficial. “Favor for a favor…” I added anyone smart wouldn’t resist favors in this world; those were the very things that kept you alive.

And he took it. “Follow close, especially when we get to the stream.”

Quickly, Sage led me deeper and deeper into the woods. The grey skies lit our path, and yet covered Michael’s. I wasn’t positive that he came this way, or would still be here, but somewhere I knew he wouldn’t leave, so I trekked on.

We continued in silence, Sage and I. We followed the covered trailed, and true to his words, camera followed our every footstep. “Are there people watching us on the other side?” I called out to my leader.

“Not usually. They have motion sensors that can easily detect if it’s human, or human like, from animals. Most of the time, animals are not recorded therefore not tracked, but humans are.”

“So I thought you were supposed to lead us off the covered trail.” I said, suspiciously when we stopped. Sage’s attention was on something along the tree we stood by, and before I could inspect, he darted away, fast.

Immediately, I followed, as instant fear shot up. I listened for the sounds of footsteps behind us and ran faster out of sheer instinct. There was no need to ask questions; when someone runs, they are normally running away from something. 

Soon we approached a stream and I remembered his words. Without hesitation, the guy took a giant leap over the slow moving water and I followed. By the time my feet hit the ground, Sage had sped up and I had to do the same or loose my guide.

The trees began to grow wilder; the land seemed more. Weeds grew out the ground, while fallen leaves and branches littered. What manicured acres we crossed, were now, no man’s territory.

Instantly, my body came to life and I excelled, eventually met Sage foot by foot. Astonished the man looked with a smile and his eyes gleamed, but then everything stopped; I heard a sparrow.

Quickly, I dug my feet in the dirt and halted so fast that I went tumbling over my own feet, however I recovered quickly. I shot up and looked around the abandon forest; skinny trees mixed with grand oak ones made sight horrible. I repeated the melody, and the birdcall came again, however from a different location. Michael was on the move. “So you want to play,” I said as the third whistle came and I spun around, bow and arrow already raised, and I let go.

“Fuck!” Sage yelled in fear as the arrow shot right passed his head into a tree about fifteen feet away. “What the hell was that?”

“Shh…”I said immediately and stared at my arrow. I readied another, and waited for the call, but I had a feeling it wouldn’t come. “Got…you,” I whispered confidently, and then the next second, a blur of black shot from the back of the tree and raced further into the woods. And the sparrow was back.

I shot after Michael, this time trailing his every move. I identified his black canvas bag which by the weight looked to be filled and his rifle that was strapped to his back. His long legs widened in stride and he increased his run, weaved in and out of trees.

A whistle brought my attention to the new soldier in my life. Sage glanced to our left and then smiled. He would help me trap him. Inside, I laughed at the trick and continued on behind Michael. I tracked him and when I thought he would turn, I slowed my movement and let an arrow fly. As expected, Michael repelled from the flying weapon and stayed right on the course I wanted.

We kept the chase for ten minutes before Michael suddenly stopped. Focused on only the man, I watched him look to his right and then immediately fled left. “What?” I questioned and almost three seconds later, Sage raced from opposite direction of me and went immediately after Michael, a deep determination written across his face. Me, the much slower of the two, tried to keep up, but the boys moved too fast and as quickly as I saw them, they vanished. Soon I ran alone, in a direction I wasn’t sure of, in woods I didn’t know.

I stopped again, made sure to gradually slow, and listened. There was silence, not even the crack from a boot crunch on fallen wood. I listened harder and then heard a shuffle. Immediately, I raced to the sound in time to hear a body hit and a groan. On alert, I armed myself instantly and took cover. More constant hits could be heard before a curse came from Sage. I ran closer and froze when I saw the men fighting, however they fought each other.

Michael delivered a blow to Sage’s cheek and the boy flew against a tree, however he recovered quickly and ran. He tackled Michael to the floor, before they tussled in the leaves for the upper hand. “Stop it!” I yelled, but they continued as if I said naught. Somehow each man gained his footing and stood. I watched as Sage pulled out some underground MMA moves, and attacked Michael with his feet. “Sage!” I yelled just as Michael grabbed the boy’s ankle and flipped him on to the ground. I yelled for them to end it again; this time I gained Sage’s attention.

“We’re just playing…”he lied, and stood, his eyes determined to end this violently. My attention turned to the older man.

“Michael! What the hell?”

“Just, stay out it,” he snapped back, and then turned to face Sage as the boy sent an ending blow to Michael abdomen, the exact spot of the wound he had when I found him. Michael dropped to his knees in a pool of dried up leaves, his palms slammed against the dirt to catch him. My heart exploded in pain, since I knew of his injury, however before I could aid, Sage was gearing back for another blow.

Immediately, energy surged through my limbs and I had an arrow strung back and flying within seconds. I watched as the weapon surged through the air like it was on fire, and ripped right across Sage’s chest and arm. With a loud thump, it smashed into the heart of the tree, needle deep.

Emerald eyes shot at me and before I knew it, I reached back for another arrow and aimed it right at his pelvis. “This time I will be spot on,” I said and eyed the guy.

A mixture of emotions crossed his face, however disbelief and astonishment stood out the most. I could tell he knew I was serious, however he itched to finish the fight with a KO; he was still in his fighting stance.

I held Sage’s eye for two seconds more, before the boy chuckled and called out, “It was only a game…I’ll wait for you by the stream, but you don’t meet me in five minutes, they’ll come looking for you.” He walked away then, and yet I was left frozen.

As Michael tried to gain his breath on the ground, I tried to reason my need to protect him, against an ally no less. “You idiot,” I choked out instead and snapped back to reality. I put my bow and arrow away and ran to him. I lowered to the ground and tried to see over his arched back. “Are you okay?”

“Why are you here?” the words came out a harsh whisper. Once again, I was reminded of the last time I went looking for him.

“Why else, I was looking for you,” I countered, with an attitude. He was going to a pain my ass soon.

Michael’s head snapped up and eyed me from only inches apart. “Then what do you want?” he asked aggressively.

Caught off guard, I went on defense mode. “Excuse me, but I’m the one who woke up in a strange room to find you missing. I’m sorry if I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“And why wouldn’t I be? I mean we are in fucking heaven…oh wait, it’s Haven…whatever the same fucking thing, all a bunch of lies and bullshit that you are too naïve to realize. Do you even know what this place is, who this, Karen, has become?”

“And you do? Because I’m sure they are the only ones who care if we have a full meal, or a goodnight’s rest, security…or even know the truth!” An intensity burned through me from our proximity and rage had my blood boiling, however I couldn’t turn away from him; he had me glued to this spot.

“The truth? The truth, Celeste, is that this place is six levels deep, and you’ve only seen two. What’s below? What are they hiding and for what costs? A crack and bull story about the government creating a virus to kill everyone in their own country? What the advantage in taking control when there are civilians to follow you?” His hands flew to the little bit of hair that grew out; back and forth his hands rubbed hard. He was red with anger, I was glad the emotion was mutual.

“Well at least, I am looking for answers, questioning more than what bullshit they’ve fed me. You know, I didn’t force you to come here to be a bitter son of a bitch.” I spat and made to stand.

“Well then you forced me to come here for nothing,” and my heart shuttered, ached at his words.

My mouth opened to say something, anything but air was the only thing that escaped. Relying on my default comment, “Oh, fuck you!” I said in retaliation and slid away on my knees. I was seconds away from standing and bolting, when I heard him.

“Please…” the harsh whisper would’ve gone unheard by anyone else, but I was a damn good hunter.

“What…please, what?” I snapped in his face; however instead of words, Michael suddenly gripped in me and brought me to him. It was Michael’s lips, his hot tongue, and those strong, long fingers that I got in return.