Elimination (The Mind Breaker Book 1) Read online

  “There’s one primary reason,” the captain answers. “He’s a mind breaker. That’s what all of them wind up doing sooner or later. Killing innocent people.”

  Wow, what a bummer. I’m being tried and convicted right here on national TV.

  “Let’s watch the video feed of these violent crimes,” Lola suggests.

  They show video taken from the cameras in the bank. Of course this is not the full version of what happened. On the first short video I kneel down over the breathless body of Mr. Thompson. I have a vicious looking snarl on my blood smeared face. Another video clip shows me hypnotizing the SWAT team. I’m holding a gun in my hand.

  It’s outrageous. They’re making a real monster out of me.

  “I didn’t do it,” I say to nobody in particular.

  “Nobody freaking cares if you did it or not,” the girl says. “You’re a breaker. That’s all they need.”

  I hear Kitty sobbing.

  “How dare they?” she says with anger. “They don’t know you. You’re the nicest guy in the world.”

  I give her a hug, trying to calm her down. Our hostess watches us with a strange knowing expression. Likely, she doesn’t believe that Kitty is only my sister.

  “Anybody who sees this escapee needs to contact us immediately,” the Elimination captain says. “Do not try to apprehend him alone or even approach him. Do not look into his eyes. He’s an extremely dangerous and ruthless killer on the run.”

  Lola the journalist opens her mouth widely, imitating total shock.

  After the interview with the captain they bring in witnesses. First, I see Tim’s bruised face.

  “I was fighting him,” he says. “But the creature hypnotized me and then beat the heck out of me.”

  I must be becoming less sensitive to these attacks, because I feel nothing but emptiness watching Tim’s betrayal. Someone probably paid him to witness against me.

  Now comes Mandy. She has really dressed up for the interview and is smiling like a super model.

  “I refused when he asked me out earlier in the day,” she says. “That could be why he targeted me during his attack.”

  “How do you feel now?” Lola asks.

  “I’m so scared,” Mandy answers. “He almost took advantage of my helplessness.”

  I choke on a piece of pizza. Maybe I was wrong in saving Mandy?

  “That’s enough,” Kitty growls. “Did you really ask her out?”

  “No way,” I answer. “She’s just a silly desperate girl seeking attention.”

  “I’m sick of this!” Kitty says, turning off the TV.

  We remain silent for several gloomy minutes. I have no appetite left, but force myself to take another bite. Never know when we may get a chance to eat again.

  “So,” the girl says. “Do you have a place in mind to go?”

  “Not really,” I answer.

  “I’ve heard rumors about a group of breakers who help guys like you,” she states. “It’s said those breakers hide out somewhere down in the south. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but you may want to try to find them.”

  Good, I think, we’re heading south anyway. It’d be great if somebody could help provide shelter and security.

  “How can we find them?” I ask.

  “How would I know?” our hostess answers. “Use your telepathic skills I guess, if you have that ability.

  “Very funny,” I answer, rolling my eyes.

  “I’m not joking, idiot,” the girl says. “You really don’t know anything?” she asks. “Hypnosis isn’t the only ability many of us have. Some are telepaths as well and others can even read memories.”

  “That’s just a silly myth,” I say.

  “Whatever,” she sighs, turning away and chewing on another slice of pizza. I think on her words, confused now. Maybe she’s right. I don’t know everything about our kind. She and Kitty are the only two breakers I’ve ever met.

  The apartment has only one bedroom. Kitty and I lie on the floor, covering ourselves with a thin blanket that our hostess provided. My headache lessens and I drop into a deep slumber.

  I see an odd place in my dream. A surgery room with white sterile walls and no windows. The sharp smell of disinfectant makes me gasp. I notice a small sad girl sitting on a gurney. She is about eight years old. Scary-looking electrodes stick out of her shaved head like so many octopus tentacles. She holds my picture in her tiny fingers, crying. Everything is so vivid that it seems real. At the same time I realize it’s only a dream.

  “Find him,” an unrecognizable voice commands.

  The girl gazes at me. Her oriental eyes are puffy from tears. I know she can’t see me, but somehow feels my presence. Lena. Her name is Lena, I suddenly realize.

  “What is this place?” I ask. My voice sounds muffled. She can’t hear me.

  I notice a man wearing a black uniform standing behind her, the same Captain Wheeler whom I recognize from the news. He raises his hand slowly and then slaps the girl. She screams helplessly, falling down.

  “I said find him!” he yells.

  “Stop!” I shout. “Don’t touch her!”

  They can’t hear me. I want to run forward and protect the poor child, but remain at the same place. No matter how hard I try, I can’t move an inch. Some wild inexplicable horror overcomes me and I yell, straining my throat. I sense everything that the little girl feels. Her pain, her fear, her despair. I can’t tell who I am anymore and can only scream, helpless and lost.

  I wake up, sweating and repeating her name. Lena. Where did it come from? I’ve never known anybody by that name. Instinctively, I squeeze Kitty tightly in my arms, making sure she’s here and safe. She complains and pushes me away in her sleep. I get the feeling this nightmare is somehow real and something awful is going to happen.

  Unable to sleep, I get up and walk toward the window to take a look outside. The street is empty. Nobody’s waiting to capture us, but I don’t believe we’re safe for a minute. Elimination knows how to track their victims.

  I notice my teeth clattering and make myself relax. This strange dream has really knocked me off balance. I’ve never experienced anything like this before in a dream.

  “Hey, what are you doing?” I hear a voice behind me.

  I turn back quickly. Our hostess looks at me with raised eyebrows, awaiting my response.

  “Boy, you are really jumpy, aren’t you?” she adds with a grin.

  “I can’t sleep,” I whisper.

  The girl glances at Kitty and then gestures for me to go with her. I won’t be sleeping again this night anyway, so I follow. We walk into the living room. I see a bottle of whiskey on the floor and a half-empty glass. Looks like I’m not only one having trouble sleeping.

  “I’d offer you some, but it’s better to remain sober in your situation,” she says, taking a sip. She downs the whiskey like it was water, no problem.

  “That’s okay, I don’t drink,” I answer.

  Breakers normally don’t consume alcohol. It’s impossible to hypnotize when you’re drunk. This girl doesn’t seem to care.

  We sit together on her mattress in silence. She’s drinking and I’m thinking of my nightmare. The girl probably notices that something is off with me.

  “You know you can’t freaking break down right now,” she says.

  “I’m all right,” I lie.

  “You look like death warmed over,” she says. “You have to stay strong for Kitty.”

  “What?” I exclaim. “Do you really think I can’t protect her?”

  “I doubt you can even protect yourself,” she answers.

  “How can you think that?” I say. “You don’t even know me.”

  “I’ve seen enough,” she answers. “You are the most wanted criminal in the country right now. Every dog in the city is looking for you. Do you realize that you are dragging Kitty down? You have to split, otherwise Elimination will catch both of you.”

  There’s some sense in her words, but I can’t imagin
e leaving my Kitty.

  “No,” I say. “She needs me.”

  “Don’t be so selfish,” the girl says. “You’re a dead man already. You can’t outsmart Elimination, they’re pros. You know this. But Kitty may still have a slight chance. You have to let her go. ”

  She may be right. Together we’re a vulnerable target, although some part of me doesn’t want to admit it. Kitty is everything to me. The only person in this world who really cares about me. We’re undividable in my mind. I can’t leave her and become lonely again. I’ve already been a loner for too many long years.

  “She isn’t your sister anyway, is she?” the girl suggests.

  I see the accusation in her eyes and realize that she must have the wrong idea about my relationship with Kitty. It makes me really angry. I’ve already been accused of every other crime possible. That’s enough. I stand up abruptly.

  “I’m tired,” I say. “I’d better get some sleep.”

  “Sit back down, idiot,” she hisses. “I’m only trying to help.”

  “I didn’t ask for this,” I answer roughly, walking out of the room.

  No matter how angry I am, I realize the truth in what the girl was saying. Sooner or later Elimination will track me down. Kitty too, if she’s with me. I endanger Kitty in keeping her close. Perhaps I should leave right now while she’s sleeping, because Kitty will never let me go being awake.

  I feel guilty thinking this way. Kitty trusts me. How can I betray her?

  I walk into the bedroom and see her smiling in her sleep. She seems so tiny and fragile that I can’t think of leaving anymore. No, I won’t go away. I need Kitty too much.

  Troubled, I lie down beside her. I stay awake till sunrise again, lost in worries and doubts.

  In the morning our hostess hands me a sack filled with sandwiches and then offers her handgun.

  “No, thank you,” I say. “I’m not gonna shoot anybody.”

  “Don’t fool yourself,” the girl says. “When Elimination comes, you’ll have to shoot or be shot. Take it. It’s a gift.”

  Reluctantly, I take the gun and tuck it away under my sweatshirt.

  “Don’t steal any cars,” the girl instructs. “It’s too risky. Better to catch a train. Only a few people ride the rails nowadays, so you shouldn’t attract too much attention.” She pauses, giving a piercing look. “And think on what we talked about last night,” she adds.

  I nod, appreciating the advice. I thank her for everything and we leave. Kitty looks excited. Holding my hand, she walks with her head held high. Her eyes are full of wonder and curiosity. It’s the first time she’s ventured outside of the city.

  “I’ve always wanted to travel,” she says with a sigh.

  “This is no vacation, Kitty,” I say.

  “We’re together and traveling,” she answers. “Feels like a vacation to me so far.”

  Nothing ever seems to change with Kitty. Her fresh well rested face shows no strain from the previous two hellish days of running from the police. Kitty is carefree and happy. I feel like somebody chewed me up and spit me out, unrested and stressed out to the max.

  “Did you like Jessie?” Kitty asks. “She seemed cool. I liked her tattoos and all that piercing. It would be fun to be like her.”

  “Jessie? Is that her name?” I ask in surprise.

  “Yeah,” Kitty answers. “She said it’s her real one. She’s fed up with aliases and fake IDs. You know, Jessie is from the south just like you.”

  I’m aware of Kitty’s ability to trigger sincerity in the unsuspecting. Looking so innocent and sweet, my little sister can manipulate even without using her breaker abilities.

  Following Jessie’s instructions we walk toward the train station. It’s still early, so we don’t run into too many people. Seeing someone approach, I turn away and pull my hood down low.

  “Quit that,” Kitty whispers. “You’re acting suspiciously.”

  A long passenger train arrives within a couple of hours. This is an old noisy monster, ready to be retired soon. Kitty stares opened mouthed at the train. She’s never ridden one before.

  Most cars are empty just as Jessie suggested. We choose seats closest to the exit. It seems safer somehow although I’m not sure you can open the doors by yourself. Looks as if they’re set to open and close automatically. Should Elimination arrive and order all exits blocked, we’d be trapped. I shiver from the thought and pull my hood back down, shielding my identity from a few nearby passengers.

  Nobody seems to pay us any attention. When a conductor comes around, Kitty closes her eyes, concentrating. He walks away, being slightly drowsy and thinking that we both have the tickets.

  I lie down across two empty seats, listening to the steady rhythm of the train’s movements. The sounds are calming. Reminds me of a train ride I took years ago. I traveled the same way, only in the opposite direction from south to north. The south is where I grew up and belong. I remember endless meadows filled with colorful flowers and warm sunshine, the smell of honeysuckles and a hot humid breeze on my face. I wonder if our old farm is still there or not. That was the one place where I almost felt happy. At least until I was forced to leave.

  Thinking of my past, I’m able to relax for the first time since the bank robbery. My body is extremely sore, but now the headache is gone. Exhausted, I fall asleep.

  When I wake, the train is creeping slowly through a devastated part of the country, where people used to live before the Eruption. I can see nothing but the ruins of old cities and broken roads. A thick layer of grayish ash covers every inch of crumbled buildings and scorched streets, giving the place an unearthly appearance. Thousands died in here, their remains still buried beneath the ash.

  A feeling of hopelessness creeps over me watching the gloomy scenery. Everything appears to be dead or ruined.

  Kitty is glued to the window.

  “Looks like another planet,” she says in astonishment.

  We stare at the ruins for a while, then eat a couple of sandwiches Jessie packed for us. They taste good and have a calming effect. Being rested and no longer hungry, Kitty’s enthusiasm is starting to catch on. We’ve evaded capture for almost three days now. Not too shabby when you’re dealing with Elimination. Apparently, they still don’t know where we’re at. Freedom is intoxicating, giving me hope for our future. In a few hours we’ll be home free in the south. There should be many good places to hide out. Maybe we’ll actually make it and keep our freedom after all. For the first time I truly start to believe.

  I close my eyes again. I need as much rest as I can get because everything could change any second.

  It’s getting dark now. Kitty lies across the seat, using my lap as a pillow. I remain in a sitting position, dozing on and off. Fully relaxed and about to drift off, my pulse suddenly skyrockets. I feel suffocated and anxious. The inexplicable terror consumes me, forcing to open my eyes and look around. Nothing, there’s no reason to be scared. A few passengers are sleeping, paying us no mind. Kitty is dreaming peacefully. I’m still tensed and full of adrenaline. This is weird. What’s wrong with me?

  “They’re coming,” I hear a childish voice whisper.

  Instinctively, I turn my head toward the sound. Nobody there. Am I hallucinating?

  “I’m so sorry,” I hear the same voice again.

  Everything fades. I fall into the darkness. I see the surgical room from my nightmare. The girl with electrodes in her head stands in front of me. Her face is red and swollen from tears. Her eyes look troubled and sad. She is in a hospital gown and wears a strange metal collar around her neck. Her scrawny little arms have dark bruises and multiple red marks. She seems so real. I feel like I can extend my hand and touch her. I know she’s frightened. I sense something really nasty has recently happened to her.

  “Lena,” I whisper.

  The girl glances at me in surprise.

  “Can you see me?” she asks.

  “Who are you?” I wonder. “What is this place?”

 
She doesn’t bother to answer my questions. Large tears spill from her eyes and she covers her face.

  “I’m sorry,” she says, sobbing. “They made me do it. You have to run. I had to tell them where you are.”

  A strong feeling of guilt pierces me. This must be how she feels. Somehow we’re connected. How did I know her name? I still can’t understand if this is a dream or reality. I hear the sound of wheels pounding the tracks, and know I’m back inside the train. I’m still holding Kitty in my arms. At the same time this dream room and Lena seem so realistic.

  “Run!” she screams.

  Her frightened voice snaps me out of my bizarre hallucination. I touch the hard surface of the seat to make sure it’s real. My heart is racing and my ears ring from Lena’s desperate wail. Am I going insane?

  Kitty wakes, staring up at me in confusion.

  “Did you say something?” she asks.

  “No,” I answer.

  “You were talking in your sleep,” Kitty says. “Why did you call me Lena?”

  I look around, feeling uneasy. Somehow I know that Lena is real and spoke the truth. Elimination has located us. They’re coming. Right now. No time to hide.

  “Rex! Are you okay?” Kitty asks, worrying.

  “We have to go,” I say. “Elimination has found us.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  Abruptly, the train slows its speed. The momentum yanks us forward. Kitty grabs my arm for balance.

  There’s no reason for the train to stop here. We’re in the middle of nowhere. I rush to the window to check what’s going on outside. Several military helicopters are descending from the dark night sky.

  Chapter 5

  My first impulse is to grab Kitty and run. But I can’t be panicking now. I need to stay calm and figure out our best option.

  The sudden stop awakens the other passengers. I pull my hood down in a feeble attempt to hide my face. Should somebody recognize me and call out, Elimination would be on us in seconds.

  I grab Kitty’s arm as we slowly head toward the exit, trying to act unconcerned. Passengers should believe we’re just taking a curious look around as to why the train stopped.