Elimination (The Mind Breaker Book 1) Read online

  “Time to choose the breakers you want for the team,” he announces.

  “All right,” I answer, concentrating. “Lena. She’s a strong telepath. I’ll definitely need her help.”

  “I agree,” Holtzmann smiles. “Also I’m pleased with an opportunity to take her away from Carrel. Lena will become my subject now.”

  “Can you remove those nasty electrodes from her head?”

  “I’ll see what we can do. Who else?”

  “Jessie,” I continue.

  “She’s not a strong breaker,” Holtzmann protests. “She’s borderline level 2 at best.”

  “She’s tough and can still hypnotize other breakers.”

  “I guess,” Holtzmann says, thinking. “Who else?”

  “Jimmy.”

  “Jimmy? We don’t need him. He’s level one. A very weak breaker.”

  “Listen egghead, according to my deal with Browning, I’m the one who picks the team for this project. I trust Jimmy. Plus he seems like a nice kid.”

  Holtzmann looks at me carefully and says, “You want to protect Jimmy, don’t you? Fine. He’s in. Who else?”

  I take time to think. Seems like I haven’t forgotten anybody. There must be many more inmates who have been falsely accused and needful of protection. I don’t know them and am unable to help them out at the moment. “That’s all I have right now,” I say. “Who would you suggest?”

  “I do have one subject I’d like to recommend,” Holtzmann says. “His name is Frank. He’s a very polite and trustworthy individual. And his situation is unique.”

  “How’s that?”

  “Like you, Frank is another breaker rejecting his abilities. I trust him. And he is a level four.”

  “One more telepath?” I ask. “I thought only Lena and I had telepathic abilities.”

  “Frank’s abilities are undeveloped. He will have to overcome a severe mental block before all his potential can be realized.”

  It sounds interesting. I agree to meet Frank and see if he can become a member of our team.

  One day Rebecca comes for a visit. She seems paler and thinner than I remember. She opens the door slowly and stands quietly in the doorway, looking like a ghost. I sit up on my bed and wait for her to say something. Rebecca just stares at me and I can’t tell if she’s afraid or just naturally shy.

  “Are you okay, Rebecca?” I ask.

  “How could you do this?” she finally says.

  “Do what?”

  “You’ve almost managed to kill Egbert. He could have died from all that stress you’ve caused him. And that was after everything Egbert and I did for you!”

  “Rebecca, your cousin is stronger than you think,” I answer. “Maybe it’s time for you and everybody else to stop treating him like an invalid?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Rebecca says. “How could you use him as a hostage? Were you really ready to kill him? Why do you think you are any better than those terrorists you’ll be hunting?”

  “Is that what you think of me?”

  Rebecca doesn’t answer, averting her eyes when I try to catch her gaze.

  “I’m not really sure what I think of you,” she says, leaving.

  “See you during the team meeting, Rebecca,” I say coldly before deciding that I shouldn’t be angry with her. Rebecca just overreacted a little, worrying for her cousin. What would I think if somebody took Kitty hostage?

  When I regain motion in my injured shoulder, Chase brings a fresh set of clothes. Black military pants, heavy boots and a pitch black jacket. The Elimination uniform. At first I only stare uneasily, then decide what the heck and give it a try. Wearing the uniform of my sworn enemy makes me feel really weird.

  Chase bursts out laughing upon seeing me in uniform. “That’s wild,” he says. “Are we really on the same side now? In any case, you look good in black.”

  I don’t answer because I’m not sure what he expects me to say. We have the same goal temporarily, but it doesn’t mean Chase and I won’t wind up shooting each other at some point in the near future. We can’t fully trust each other, and we both realize that.

  Chase leads me toward Frank’s cell. We meet several officers along our way. One gives me a hateful glare, saying, “Don’t think a uniform makes you one of us, you stinking breaker.” Chase tells the guy to shut his mouth.

  Elimination keeps Frank separated from the other inmates. His cell is large and contains such luxuries as a TV, desk, and even some books. Frank is a big broad-shouldered guy in his late twenties. He wears a dull expression on his wide face. On first impression, Frank seems unfriendly and even somewhat hostile. But then he smiles slightly and speaks in an unusually quiet tone of voice for a guy of his stature. He introduces himself and we shake hands.

  “So Frank, why do you want to be on my team?” I ask.

  “It used to be my job,” he answers, “catching breakers.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I was an Elimination officer,” he admits. “One of the best. Captain Wheeler hand-picked me for the job, and I was really good at what I did. I always knew where the breakers were hiding. Right up until the fateful day I found out I’m a breaker myself.”

  “Bummer,” I say. “And it doesn’t make sense. How could you be not aware that you’re a breaker? I’ve known I’m a breaker all my life.”

  “Lucky you. I realized it only a year ago. I’m twenty nine now. I thought I was a normal human for twenty eight years. Holtzmann thinks it’s because I reject being a breaker so much. So you can probably imagine how shocked I was. I mean I hated breakers. I believed they were our enemies, evil incarnate, and I was doing society good catching them. And then I find out I’m a breaker myself.”

  His career in Elimination was over that same day. Frank turned himself in without resistance, although he now thinks doing so was a mistake. He was just too shocked to think straight. His whole life turned upside down within hours.

  Elimination has been keeping Frank in the same prison he used to work as a guard before. Most officers couldn’t help from showing their former coworker favoritism. Frank received better living quarters, food, other guards never beat him, and Carrel refrained from performing his sadistic tests on him. Browning initially wanted Frank to become a snitch, but Frank’s moral compass wouldn’t allow him to accept the offer. He refused beating and humiliating other inmates as well. Frank truly believed in justice, and believed he couldn’t abuse others just because they were weaker. So there he was, lost and perplexed. Even Browning and Wheeler couldn’t decide what to do about Frank, to keep him locked away forever or simply kill him to put out of his misery.

  I listen to Frank’s story attentively, considering his strange predicament.

  “I want to prove that I’m the same person,” Frank says. “That Elimination can trust me whether or not I’m a breaker. That’s why I need to be part of this team. I simply hope that one day I can prove worthy enough to become an Elimination officer again.”

  You can’t go back, I think, Elimination will never accept a breaker. You live in a different world now, a world filled with intolerance and hate. Nevertheless, I agree to take Frank as a member of our team. I can’t quite decide what to think of him. He’s gotten used to capturing breakers and now he’s just a very confused and troubled breaker himself. Really odd. At least he seems to be honest. I decide that Frank is all right.

  The next morning our team has its first meeting in Holtzmann’s lab. Rebecca continues avoiding me, but her expression seems a little softer. Everybody wears an Elimination uniform, even Lena. She gives me a big hug, saying how thankful she is about my stealing her away from Carrel.

  “We’ll try to remove these awful things from your head as soon as possible,” I promise. Lena smiles and takes her seat at a large round table.

  Jessie’s face is still bruised and swollen from the beating she took in Carrel’s lab. She’ll probably have scars for the rest of her life and may never completely recove
r. When I ask her if she’s willing to work for Elimination, Jessie answers, “Yes, to protect my parents, you idiot.” She sits at the table with her arms crossed on her chest, looking at Holtzmann with unbridled resentment.

  Jimmy is the only breaker at the table truly happy and excited to be here. He’s telling Jessie about his parent’s dogs, making her nauseous. Adding to her pain, he then asks if she’s ever flown a helicopter. Jimmy is hoping we’ll all get a chance to fly in Elimination helicopters, but he refuses to jump wearing a parachute.

  “I saw how soldiers make jumps wearing parachutes in the movies,” Jimmy says. “Looks so cool! But I’m not sure I could do that. I’m afraid of heights. Somebody would have to push me out of a perfectly good chopper.”

  “We’re not in the military, stupid,” Jessie says. “Elimination doesn’t make parachute jumps. And nobody uses helicopters for parachute jumps anyway, they’d be cut up by the blades.”

  “I saw in the movies that they did,” Jimmy protests. Jessie rolls her eyes.

  Chase stands aside, rifle slung unthreateningly across his shoulder.

  “Let’s begin then, shall we?” Holtzmann asks in an official tone of voice. He briefly describes our team goals, to locate the terrorist group of breakers and then call in an Elimination assault team to deal with them. As he begins talking about our pre-mission training, the door suddenly slams open as a very angry Victor enters the lab. He’s wearing an Elimination uniform as well.

  “What the hell are you doing here, Victor?” I exclaim.

  “I’ve been put on your freaking team,” Victor says. “And believe me I like this stupid idea about as much as you do.”

  The same instant Jessie comes out of her seat and dives across the table into Victor, ready to kill.

  Chapter 19

  “I won’t stay on this team if this jerk doesn’t leave,” Jessie says after being pulled off. “So choose, it’s me or him.”

  “I never invited him in the first place,” I answer. “So what are you doing here, Victor?”

  “I’m here on Browning’s orders,” Victor says, wiping blood from his split lips. “I don’t have a choice and neither do you. You can’t really argue with the warden. He’ll simply kill you.”

  Jessie and Victor exchange a heavy glance. Jessie’s face darkens with hatred. Victor is looking at Jessie with sympathetic, apologizing eyes. While Jessie was punching him, Victor didn’t strike back. He let her hit him as if accepting the fact that he deserved the beating. Then Chase and I dragged Jessie away, holding her until she calmed down.

  “I choose the breakers for this team,” I say. “We don’t need you here, Victor.”

  He rolls his eyes. “Are you really so stupid? To think you truly make all the decisions? Wake up, dude. We’re in prison and Browning is the guy we all have to answer to.”

  Victor is right, I realize.

  “Why does Browning want you on my team?” I ask.

  “What do you think? Browning and Carrel want to know what’s going on here. They need to have eyes and ears on your team. That’s why they’ve chosen me.”

  “To spy on us?”

  “Yep,” Victor admits. “They’ve ordered me to be their little snitch and fight a few terrorists along the way. I couldn’t believe it. After everything I’ve done for them, I’d have thought I deserved some respect.”

  I don’t understand why it bothers Victor so much. In my opinion, the role of snitch suits him perfectly. Perhaps, he just doesn’t want to risk being shot while hunting down the terrorists.

  “We don’t need a snitch here,” I repeat. “Go back to Browning and say I booted you out.”

  “Rex, can I speak to you privately?” Holtzmann asks quietly as he walks toward the exit, gesturing for me to follow. When we’re standing alone in the corridor he says, “Victor may be useful for us.”

  “You’re kidding me.”

  “He’s got more experience using his skills than any other breaker in this prison.”

  “He’s a snitch,” I remark.

  “Victor isn’t what you think,” Holtzmann disagrees. “He was forced to do much of what he did. Besides, I believe Victor would be willing to snitch only the information of our choosing, which might be very valuable at some point.”

  I don’t answer.

  “Anyway,” Holtzmann smiles. “It’d be nice to steal another subject from Carrel. I recommend you to let Victor stay.”

  I sigh. Browning is breaking our agreement. While I don’t like this one bit, I also realize I have to let Browning think he’s in control.

  “All right,” I say to Victor after we return to the lab. “You may conditionally stay. Everything you snitch has to be run by me first, and if I learn you’re snitching any unapproved information, you’ll be out the same instant.”

  “Don’t worry, guys,” Victor answers. “I hate Browning as much as you do. I don’t follow all his orders.”

  I don’t believe him.

  “Great, then I’m out of here,” Jessie says, standing up.

  “Jessie, wait,” I say, following her. We end up standing outside in the corridor, arguing for a good fifteen minutes.

  “Why do you need me on your team?” Jessie asks finally. “I’m not the strongest breaker. I’m not even really your friend. You hardly know me. So, why?”

  “Because I trust you,” I answer. “You’ve helped Kitty and I before. Now let me return the favor.”

  “Don’t make me laugh. I still think you can’t help even yourself.”

  “You may be right,” I say. “Maybe everything that I do is just one huge mistake. But at least I’m trying. I’ve escaped once from this prison. I’ll do it again, and next time I’ll be taking you, Lena and Jimmy with me.”

  “Is that your plan?”

  “I don’t have a plan yet. I just know we need to stop the terrorist group first, and save Kitty. Then we’ll see what can be done. Hopefully, we can gain enough of Browning’s trust that an escape won’t be all that difficult. Maybe we can even take your parents with us.”

  Jessie thinks for a few minutes in silence. “This terrorist group we’ll be hunting, are they the same breakers I’ve told you about?” she asks. I nod. “I had no idea they were terrorists,” Jessie says. “All I’d heard is how they were helping other breakers escape.”

  “And now Kitty is caught up with them,” I say.

  “I’m sorry,” she answers. “Is that why you came back and agreed to work for Browning now? To save Kitty?”

  I nod again and say, “Please Jessie, help me locate and stop them. I know what Victor did to you and your parents. But now we’re all in the same boat. We have to do what we can to save Kitty. I’ve no choice.”

  “There’s always a choice,” she sighs. “All right. I’m in.” Then Jessie looks at me with a strange expression and says, “I didn’t realize you loved Kitty that much.”

  I don’t really know how to answer that. I do love Kitty tremendously, but not quite the way Jessie thinks.

  “Okay, breakers,” Wheeler says. “In spite of the fact that I hate you and you hate me, we have to temporarily work together now. I advise you to fully cooperate and not do anything stupid.”

  We’re inside the Elimination training facility. Wheeler has been assigned to instruct marksmanship and combat skills to the members of my team. He completely ignores me, probably by a direct order from Browning. There’s definitely something ironic about Wheeler and I working together. I’d like to smash his head in, but can’t do it now. First, I need to make sure Kitty is safe and we have a means of escape.

  “Will we be learning to shoot with real guns?” Jimmy asks. “I’ve always wanted to shoot a gun! My dad had a rifle, but he never let me touch it and…”

  “Jimmy, shut the hell up,” Wheeler commands. “That is going to be your primary objective for this mission, keeping your mouth shut.”

  “I can do that,” Jimmy agrees. “No problem. But I just wanted to offer that I think I may become a great
shot. I only need a little practice and then I’ll shoot all the terrorists...”

  Wheeler groans. I can’t help from smiling.

  “Jimmy, be quiet, please,” Holtzmann suggests. He’s arrived to watch our training session and make sure Wheeler doesn’t kill anybody.

  “This is gonna be a really long day,” Wheeler sighs.

  First, we’re tested for marksmanship. At the gun range, each member of my team is checked out a handgun for shooting targets.

  “Lena doesn’t have to do this,” I protest. “She’s too young.”

  “I’m under orders to train all of you,” Wheeler answers. “That little rat isn’t an exception.”

  “She may hurt her wrist, Wheeler,” I say. “Any injury won’t help our mission.”

  “I don’t really care,” he grins.

  I have a strong urge to punch him in his arrogant face, but I can’t do it right now. I can’t let Wheeler provoke me.

  “I agree with Rex,” Holtzmann says softly. “Lena doesn’t need to learn shooting. That’s not her role within our team.”

  “Whatever,” Wheeler says, giving up.

  Frank makes a perfect score shooting. It’s no surprise with him being a former officer. I notice Chase quietly exchanging a few words with him. Frank says something in return and Chase bursts out laughing. They may have been close friends before.

  Jimmy empties his gun, never once hitting the target. He suggests that something must be off with the gun.

  “That firearm is in excellent condition. Something is off with you,” Wheeler says. “Why have you picked him, breaker?” he asks me. “It was really stupid of you. That boy is useless.”

  “It’s none of your concern,” I answer.

  Victor refuses to touch a gun, saying that he’s not here for firearm training. “I’m a hypnotist and a memory reader, not a gun slinger,” he states as a matter of fact. Wheeler yells at him, but Victor ignores the command, walking away.

  It’s my turn to shoot and I can barely see the target. I didn’t realize my vision was getting so bad. I empty the thirteen round magazine, hitting the target only twice with no bull’s eyes. I sigh in frustration.