Chapter 20
Chapter
Twenty
The next few days pass in a blur. I don’t even have enough energy to clean or work out like I usually do with my free time.
It all feels pointless. Instead, I drink, and watch TV, dully registering the local news’ attempt to explain away the blood rain.
A “natural” reaction to a chemical spill, they’re calling it. I guess that’s the best the MRF can do.
When I venture out to quiet my grumbling stomach—and more importantly, to restock on booze—the grocery store is eerily empty.
The shelves are all but cleared out as locals stock up to prepare for whatever they think is coming.
On the way home, I hit traffic from a long line of cars leading out into the desert. Locals fleeing Ash Valley.
It won’t save them, if Cain is right. If my father is right.
I try not to think about that as I curl up in my armchair, drinking straight from the bottle this time. I try not to think about Cain at all.
He’s not my problem anymore. I keep trying to tell myself that as I swallow my pain and stare out the window at the hushed, emptied-out town. He chose this. All I can do is respect it.
But thoughts of him plague me, even in my sleep. Visions of bitter, bloody tears and black skies. Memories of his hand in mine, his voice saying my name.
What if you were meant to kill me?
Sometimes I delude myself into thinking it was a kindness to push me away instead of forcing me to make that choice.
I wake to my phone buzzing on the nightstand. I blink away bad dreams as I fumble for it, frowning when I see the caller ID.
“Director Wright?” I answer, my voice thick with sleep.
“Ms. Hawkins, apologies for waking you,” she says. “I’m aware you’re on leave, but I wanted to inquire if it was possible for you to come into the MRF today.”
I sit up in bed, rubbing a hand across my face and trying to collect my bleary thoughts. “Today?” I repeat, dumbly, trying to make sense of it.
“Indeed. We’ll be relocating X-16, as you’re already aware of, and need a security officer to accompany him.”
I shake my head. “I already told Barnes. I’m not doing it.”
“Yes, he did mention that, but…” Wright clears her throat.
“The situation has changed. I consider your background check sufficiently passed, and we intended to call to discuss your return to work on Monday—” After the relocation, I register dimly.
“—but Barnes was involved in an incident late last night and won’t be able to escort X-16 as planned today. ”
I sit up in bed, my lingering anger toward Barnes immediately forgotten. “What kind of incident? Is he hurt?”
Wright hesitates. “He was bitten,” she says. “By Subject X-17. The security team was attempting to move the Wolfman to a cell farther away from X-16 due to his sensitivity to episodes, but X-17 broke free during the transfer. Barnes had to put him down in self-defense.”
My stomach lurches. Barnes must feel horrible; I remember how much empathy he always showed for the huge wolfman, no matter how violent and mindless the creature seemed. I hope Barnes will recover, both physically and mentally.
But there isn’t time to dwell on that, or ask any questions. Wright continues quickly.
“In lieu of anyone else on the security team capable of handling X-16 without grave danger, I have to beg you to reconsider your stance. For the sake of both the subject and everyone else involved.”
I shut my eyes, silent for a moment as I process all of that. I’m worried about Barnes, but I have to trust her word that he’ll be okay, which means I need to focus on Cain.
“Respectfully, it may be best to delay the relocation until Barnes is up to it,” I say. “I’m not sure I can handle X-16 on my own.” Not the full truth, but it’s close enough to it.
“I would agree, if the circumstances were different,” Wright says.
“There’s only so much I can say over the phone, but suffice to say, we are worried about the safety of X-16 and the safety of the staff and other subjects.
His situation has worsened rapidly. And there have been crowds forming at the MRF.
Protestors. If an episode were to happen while they’re in the direct vicinity, it would be catastrophic. ”
I shut my eyes, remembering the earthquake. The blood rain. Whatever happens next will likely be worse. She’s right—if innocent locals are near the MRF when an episode occurs, it could kill them all.
“We need to move him today,” Wright says. “It will happen with or without you, but I believe it is in everyone’s best interest if you are there.”
I keep telling myself that I don’t believe in God or fate. But right now, I have a terrible sense of some great hand at work, pulling the strings, forcing Cain and me back together.
We were always meant to meet.
So I can kill him, he believes. I still think there’s a chance I’m meant to save him. And if that’s true, how can I refuse to rise to the call?
I let out a long, slow breath. “All right,” I say. “I’ll do it.”