Annihilation Read online

  “I can’t say I blame him for that,” I admit, trying not to laugh.

  “We have to help Dave,” Kitty says. “You’re Jessie’s good friend and so maybe could influence her. So when you talk to Jessie, you should always remember to say something nice about Dave.”

  “Kitty, please don’t involve me in all that stuff,” I say.

  “You’re just jealous,” Kitty groans. “And it’s me who should be the jealous one. You’ve brought this Chelsey girl along.”

  “Come on,” I say. “Chelsey is just a kid and…”

  “I’m just teasing you, silly!” Kitty interrupts, giggling. “I told you I was receiving visions. I know how she helped you to steal the control key.” She pauses, giving me a strange look. “I’m also aware of who it was that really shot you,” she adds quietly. “You don’t need to lie about that.”

  I don’t say anything. Kitty lies back down beside me, seemingly sad now.

  “How’s Marian?” I ask. “Is she doing all right?”

  “She seems fine. But she’s a little strange. You know, like there’s something off with her.”

  I keep quiet, thinking. I know exactly what Kitty is trying to say.

  “She’s run away from camp a few times, but then always returned,” Kitty continues. “She’s constantly smiling and laughing, but never seems truly happy. I thought I’d hate her, because I can’t stand your loving anybody else besides me. But I can’t hate Marian. She reminds me of you in so many ways. And she’s so beautiful. I wish I could be more like her.”

  “That’s silly, Kitty,” I say.

  “You don’t understand,” Kitty sighs. “Your sister is perfect. I’ve never seen anybody as beautiful as her.”

  Kitty places her head on my shoulder and is soon asleep. I remain awake for a long time. I lie motionless, thinking about Marian. There is definitely something off with her. I remember her screaming and clawing at me. I remember feeling her resentment and then sudden change to affection. I don’t know whether I can help her. But what I do know is that I’m not going to betray my sister a second time. No matter what, I won’t give up on Marian.

  I close my eyes, finally drifting off.

  ***

  I suffer several hours of light nervous sleep, waking every twenty minutes. I dream about staggering through the long dark passageways of the Death Camp. I have to step over lifeless bodies spread across the floor. I can smell freshly spilled blood and the stench of death hanging in the air. It’s overwhelming. I’m desperately looking for a way out. But no matter where I go, I always wind up in the same small windowless cell. Emily sits on the floor, holding a small red-haired girl in her arms.

  “Don’t leave me here!” the girl screams.

  I grab her hand, pulling her away from Emily. But our mother has a strong grip.

  “She’s mine!” Emily yells. “You can’t have her!”

  She raises a handgun and shoots me in the face.

  I finally give up on trying to sleep. It’s already dawn. I sit up, blankly staring into space. I can still hear Emily’s hateful voice echoing inside my head.

  I put on my uniform, taking a long look at Kitty peacefully sleeping. She never seems to suffer bad dreams. I tuck in the blanket covering her and kiss her lightly on the forehead. Kitty mutters something incoherent. I smile as I leave the room.

  I find Jessie and Chelsey having breakfast in the kitchen. Chelsey is chowing down on a sandwich. I grab a seat at the table, joining them. Jessie fishes out a package of cookies, beef jerky and more sandwiches from a backpack. We eat in silence for a while. I watch Jessie.

  “What?” she asks, noticing my gaze.

  “I’m just happy you’re okay, Jess,” I say truthfully. “I thought you were dead.”

  She snorts.

  “Well, it was a close one,” she says, pulling up her t-shirt. A rough red scar runs across her midsection.

  “Gosh, Jess,” I breathe out. “I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault,” Jessie grins, pulling her shirt back down. “I gotta learn how to make myself a smaller target.”

  Chelsey pats me on the shoulder to garner my attention, then quickly leans in, putting her face close to mine.

  “Have you noticed anything different about me?” she asks. “Can you see?”

  “See what?”

  “My eyes! They’re not green. They’re gray. I’ve gotten rid of my contact lenses.”

  “Oh, very cool,” I say, finally taking notice.

  “Thank you for getting me out of the Death Camp,” Chelsey adds, smiling. “I’m so happy to be free again.”

  “Me too,” I answer. “And I’m the one who should be thankful. You helped me escape.” I notice a handgun on the table, the one Chelsey took from a downed guard. I take it and show Chelsey how to switch the safety off. “It’s your trophy now. Jess can teach you to shoot later.”

  “Thanks,” Chelsey whispers, turning the gun in her hands.

  “That’s about right, Rex,” Jessie groans. “Go ahead and teach a little girl how to use a gun.”

  “Come on Jess,” I say, a little surprised by her reaction. “You probably learned how to shoot before you could walk.”

  “That doesn’t necessarily make it right,” she sighs.

  Soon Holtzmann and Dave join us. I notice that Holtzmann is wearing three wristwatches.

  “What’s that, professor?” I ask. “Another experiment?”

  “This is my newest innovation,” Holtzmann answers proudly. “I use the alarm of this watch to let me know when I should take my medicine,” he says, pointing at a watch. “The second one signals when I’m supposed to receive my meals. And the third one controls my sleep schedule. This way Rebecca doesn’t have to constantly assist me.”

  I don’t say anything. Egbert is crazy.

  “You’re a genius, professor,” Dave compliments.

  “Thank you,” Holtzmann answers, then looks at me. “Rex, do you think you’re ready to discuss your role in my new project?”

  “I’ve been ready since yesterday,” I answer.

  “Very well then,” Holtzmann says. “Let me start by refreshing your memory concerning the classifications used to differentiate various levels of mind breaker abilities.”

  “I remember it,” I say, but Holtzmann isn’t listening.

  “The first level is the most common,” he begins. “It consists of the ability to hypnotize ordinary humans having low resistance to hypnosis. The second level allows breakers to utilize additional psychic power over more resistant types and even manipulate one another. The third level features an uncommon ability to read memories, while fourth level breakers possess the additional gift of telepathy.”

  Holtzmann pauses as his left eye begins twitching annoyingly.

  “As I’ve stated in our previous conversation, this classification scale is informal,” he continues. “I have always been certain there would be other levels identified at some point in the future. And it happens I was correct. The current leader of this renegade group of breakers, this so-called Guardian, is a level 5. This level features a unique ability for telekinesis. Level 5 is an outlier phenomena, previously undocumented within modern science. And I believe he’ll become the individual to drive humankind into total extinction. Neither breakers nor ordinary humans will survive this war, taking our current population issues under consideration.”

  “So what can we do about it?” I ask.

  Holtzmann hesitates a few seconds, then says, “Rex, you probably realize that I place a high value on human life and have little tolerance for violence. Unfortunately, I have to make an exception to principle in this case. I simply don’t see any other choice available, but to terminate him. His army of breakers will never surrender as long as they have him as leader. And Guardian is a powerful manipulator who can always recruit new soldiers to serve his cause. We must assassinate him to preserve humanity.”

  “I have no problem with the idea, professor,” I say. “I jus
t don’t see how we can kill him. He can stop bullets midflight. I’m not convinced a bomb would even be effective against him.”

  “It probably wouldn’t work,” Holtzmann agrees. “His assassination requires an entirely different approach.”

  It’s odd to hear the gentle professor speak about killing.

  “Let me tell you about some experiments I was forced to conduct in the Death Camp,” he continues. “Guardian kept me alive only because he needed to develop a method to increase the psychic abilities of his soldiers. I was able to create a unique drug which can alter the level of a mind breaker. After my work was complete, Guardian intended to terminate me as he realized I was the only scientist who might develop an effective strategy for his assassination. But he was too slow. You and your friends liberated me before he deemed my death necessary.” Holtzmann pauses again, taking a deep breath. His hands are somewhat shaky. “To assassinate Guardian, it is necessary to use the drug I developed, and create another level 5 breaker who at least in theory would be able to terminate him.”

  “Sounds good to me,” I say. “So what’s the problem?”

  “There are multiple problems to overcome. I can’t recreate the drug as I don’t have the requisite chemicals or equipment,” Holtzmann explains. “We’ll have to acquire the drug from the research facility in the Death Camp.”

  Great, I think gloomily. I’ve barely escaped from that slaughter house and now I’ll have to return.

  “Secondly, the drug itself is highly toxic,” the professor adds. “Even a small amount has severe side effects on the immune system. Increasing level 1 to level 2 requires a very minimal dosage, which carries a decreased risk for health. Altering level 2 into level 3 becomes more dangerous as a higher amount of the drug is necessary. Alteration to the fourth level carries an increased risk up to fatality. And we’ll have to use even higher dosages to alter a level 4 breaker into a level 5. Doing so could possibly even kill the subject within a few hours of the injection time.”

  “So what’s your solution, professor?” I ask.

  “We’ll use two subjects, who can act together as one, and divide the dosage,” Holtzmann says. “I’ll need a powerful and highly experienced telepath to become the Alpha subject in my experiment. This breaker will perform the major role, ultimately developing the ability for telekinesis and assassinating Guardian. The Beta subject will mostly assist, performing a smaller role…”

  “Wait a minute, Holtzmann,” I interrupt. “I do have strong telepathic abilities, but I’m not a very experienced telepath. I still struggle to use my abilities.”

  “You surely do,” I hear Kitty say. “But Holtzmann wasn’t referring to you.”

  I turn around and see Kitty entering the room. She slowly approaches and sits on my lap.

  “It’s me, darling,” she says, curling her lips into a sweet smile. “I’m to be the Alpha subject in this project, and I’ll assassinate Guardian. Your job is to help me.”

  Chapter 5

  “No way!” I blurt out. “You can’t do it. I won’t let you take part in something that dangerous.”

  Kitty’s smile disappears and she jumps down off my lap.

  “I knew you’d say that!” she shouts accusingly. “Nothing ever changes with you, Rex!”

  She takes a seat across the table, looking over at me angrily.

  “Kitty, this is just too risky,” I say. “I don’t want you to be injected with some kind of toxic drug and then try to kill Guardian. This whole idea sounds like a suicide mission. That’s not exactly the type of thing I would wish for anybody.”

  “There it is!” Kitty groans. “You’re just being envious! You want to be the Alpha subject, but I’m the stronger telepath.”

  “Stop it, Kitty!” I answer, raising my voice. “I don’t care to be any kind of subject. All I really hope for is to keep you safe and alive.”

  “I can’t listen to any more of this nonsense!” she exclaims, covering her ears.

  “Rex, we’d be conducting the administration of the drug under close medical supervision,” Holtzmann mutters. “I can reasonably assure you that dividing the dosage between two subjects will greatly decrease the risk for both and…”

  “Kitty won’t become a subject in your crazy experiments,” I growl at him. “I’ll never agree to that.”

  Kitty’s face turns pink as she begins crying. Holtzmann shakes his fists in the air, demanding me to help him prevent the coming apocalypse. I become angry as I ever have, because I finally realize in addition to the considerable danger involved, there’s lots of conspiracy going on around me. Kitty knew I wouldn’t approve of her participation in this dangerous mission. Holtzmann and Jessie must have been aware of this fact as well. But nobody chose to tell me anything. They were all stalling for time, refusing to explain anything till morning. And I suddenly wonder whether this is the real reason why Kitty was behaving so sweet and loving towards me. Was she trying to manipulate me into letting her participate in Holtzmann’s project? Was she just trying to comfort me and improve my mood? It makes me furious. I’m sick and tired of being manipulated. I don’t want to become anybody’s puppet ever again.

  We quarrel with one another for a good twenty minutes. Chelsey silently watches with a terrified expression. Dave lowers his head, sitting still as possible. A yawning Victor enters the room, takes one look at the unfolding scene and hurriedly takes his leave. Only Jessie doesn’t seem to care, eating her sandwich with an expression of outright boredom.

  “Stop this madness!” Holtzmann finally barks. “We must save humanity!”

  “I don’t care about humanity,” I answer. “I care more about Kitty’s safety. Why does she have to become your primary subject, Holtzmann? Can’t you find another telepath?”

  “Kitty is currently the most advanced telepath we have,” Holtzmann explains. “Additionally, she has a strong emotional and telepathic connection with you, Rex. And I need my Alpha and Beta subjects to have a solid connection to be able to synchronize their actions and work as one, otherwise the strategy simply can’t be successful. You and Kitty are perfectly compatible matches for this project.”

  “Kitty’s safety is more important for me than your project,” I persist.

  “Listen to him, he doesn’t even try to understand,” Kitty groans. “Rex, why don’t you ever believe in me?”

  “I don’t want you risking your life,” I answer.

  “Why do I always have to do only what you want?” Kitty asks. “I’m sick and tired with your over-controlling ways. Sometimes it seems you’re a lot like Guardian. He wants to keep everybody under his control too. But I can make my own decisions. And I choose to become the Alpha subject in Holtzmann’s project, and help save the world!”

  I’m getting really frustrated with her.

  “Fine,” I say, getting up. “You do whatever you please, Kitty. But count me out. I won’t willingly participate in something that may very well kill you.”

  I head toward the door.

  “Rex!” Holtzmann calls. “Your participation is absolutely necessary as well. The plan requires two telepaths to be successful.”

  “Sorry, but I just don’t give a damn,” I answer, exiting the room.

  I walk outside and sit on the front porch. I can still hear Kitty’s accusations inside my head. Is there any truth in her words? Am I really over-controlling?

  Something else bothers me even more. I really didn’t like Kitty comparing me to Guardian. I despise and hate that monster who tortures and kills the innocent and now threatens all of humanity. But I can’t stop wondering why he chose me for a leadership role. He explained that his choice was entirely coincidental. He needed a strong level 4 breaker and there I was. My staged execution gained me popularity amongst rebellious breakers. But I now question whether these were the only reasons why he picked me.

  What if he saw some kind of familiarity in me? Do I really have the same desire for control and violence?

  I ponder on the thoug
ht for a while. I sense there’s something truly wrong with me. I easily adapted to my new life, becoming a killer. I’ve certainly taken many lives since, although I did so mostly in self-defense and defending those whom I love. But the thought of killing those people never so much as bothered me.

  Could it be that I’m just as cruel as Guardian? Would I ever willingly accept the idea of becoming the leader of his army?

  I shake my head, trying to straighten out my thoughts. No, I’m not Guardian. I’m nothing like him. I don’t wish to become anybody’s leader. I only want to keep Kitty safe and alive. She’s still young and vulnerable. She doesn’t fully realize what she’s getting herself into. And should anything happen to her, I’d never forgive myself.

  Kitty walks outside and sits beside me, smiling shyly.

  “I’m very sorry for what I said,” she utters. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. Don’t be angry. But please agree to participate in the project to help save the world.”

  “No,” I answer curtly.

  Kitty gently touches my hand.

  “Does your no really mean no?” she asks. “Or does it mean you’ll resist a little more and then agree?”

  “No means no, Kitty,” I answer, getting annoyed.

  “Don’t be so stubborn,” Kitty pleads. “Just give me a kiss.”

  She leans in closer toward me, but I stop her short.

  “It won’t work, Kitty,” I say. “You don’t have to continue trying so hard.”

  Kitty stares at me in surprise. Her eyes darken. She slowly gets to her feet, taking a few steps away.

  “Is that what you really think of me?” she sobs quietly. “You don’t truly know me then. And I guess you don’t even care to know the real me. ”

  I don’t say anything.

  “Why can’t you believe in me, Rex?” Kitty asks, as a tear begins rolling down her cheek. “You promised to believe in me and you lied. You still think I’m a helpless girl who can’t fight or protect herself. But that’s not who I’ve been for a long time. What do I have to do to prove myself to you? I’ve already saved you from the Death Camp. Isn’t that enough? I’ve been on dangerous missions before and did many risky things, but never once got hurt. So why do you refuse to believe I could kill Guardian? Do you believe I’m not good enough?”