Chapter 12 #2
“I know how to use a weapon, Erik, and I know what to do with one. You have a fever so you’re coming with us.
Blood drawn. Vitals checked. Everything that you wouldn’t allow me to do earlier.
Please.” Cassia tugged the duffle in front of my eyes.
“This is gold and you’re going to be a part of this. ”
“I’ll be fine, at least for now. I want to check the compound myself.”
“Erik. That’s what the soldiers are for.” Her voice cut right through me in the same way that… She’d been at the compound while I was there, all those wretched months ago.
“What’s wrong?”
Another image flashed, horrible and wretched. I could see her strapped down, her face twisted in horror as she struggled with her bindings. I rubbed my temple, unable to understand what I was seeing. “Nothing. I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine and you’re coming with me.” Cassia held out her hand, her expression warm and inviting. “Besides, I might need your protection.”
A cold chill shifted down my spine and the backs of my legs, forcing my body to sway. After I fell against the table, both women grabbed my arms.
“Whoa. That’s it. You’re coming with us. Rowena, help me.”
I didn’t fight them as they led me through a maze of smashed glass and chunks of fallen metal.
Everything seemed like a blur, my eyes constricting even with the limited light.
I could feel the pressure building in my heart, blood pumping in an irregular fashion.
I was no fool. There was very little time before I wouldn’t be mentally able to discern the difference between right and wrong, my enemies and my friends.
Don’t fight. Don’t…
The words filtered in and out of my mind. I had difficulty feeling my legs, but I pressed on.
“What is happening to him?” Rowena asked. I could see the laboratory door just ahead.
“He’s succumbing to the disease and that’s not going to happen. Not on my watch. He’s very special to me.”
I heard the words. They resonated within my soul, continuing to fuel my drive, perhaps even my will to live.
“This place is a wreck but at least this computer doesn’t seem to have any damage,” Rowena commented. “What in the hell went on in here?”
“A release of at least one prisoner that was held against his will. But you knew that.” Cassia eased her bag out onto a small stand, unzipping and peering inside.
“Thank God. Nothing was broken.” She walked toward one of the steel examination tables, raking her arm across it.
Debris scattered to the floor, her expression full of uncertainty.
“Get him on the table. I’m drawing his blood first.”
I was cognizant of Rowena guiding me to the table, helping me lie on top.
I stared at the ceiling, the lights swirling in my periphery.
I finally had to close my eyes, trying to concentrate on my breathing as well as staying sane.
Within seconds, the small pinprick on my arm was nothing in comparison to the jolt of electricity rushing through my system.
I was losing the battle. “Where. Is. Brexin?” The sound was stilted, nothing I could recognize.
“He’ll be here. Just relax.” Cassia’s hand caressed my cheek, but I heard her strangled sigh. “That’s it. Rest while I take a look. Okay?”
I had no answer, no desire to even try. I was able to comprehend what they were saying as they worked, uncertain of how much time had passed. The chill in my body increased and my mouth was bone dry.
“The blood is different than the others,” Cassia said quietly.
“From what I can tell, the white blood cells are attacking the red at a significant rate. He needs a blood transfusion.”
“Do you have any blood stored?”
“We have Erik’s blood. Before the experiments began, we harvested several pints just in case there were complications.” Rowena’s voice sounded muffled to me, echoing in my ears.
“Then find it. That’s a good first start for Erik, but what about the others?”
Rowena stuttered then groaned under her breath. “Look at this. Kevin was toying with the structure of the DNA, including the blood cells even before he began the experimentation process.”
“Jesus Christ. There are samples there from everyone in this facility.”
“My God. He was planning on injecting the entire crew?”
“Were you give any injections when you arrived?” Cassia asked.
“Several before we left Earth but also… Yes, one upon arrival. Do you think that…” Rowena’s words died off.
“You didn’t give me an injection when I arrived.”
“No. I had a feeling I shouldn’t,” she whispered.
“Then we need to harvest my blood. I have an idea.”
I was unable to withstand the exhaustion, the pain building in my arms and legs.
I shifted and within seconds, I’d fallen from the table.
I heard their exclamations, the sound of their boots as they ran toward me.
I struggled, trying to move. They were coming for me.
They were going to kill me. No! That wasn’t going to happen.
I slapped my hands on the table, jerking to a standing position.
Then I saw them. The bastards who’d taken me prisoner and killed my wife.
I pitched the table against the wall, throwing back my arms and roaring just seconds before I advanced.
“Erik! It’s me. It’s Cassia. You’re okay. You’re going to be fine.”
“Don’t do that. He’s not okay. Look at his face. He’s… Oh, my God. We need to get out of here.”
My vision was blurred but I could still see them. They weren’t going to get away with this. I rushed toward them, grabbing the first one around the throat.
“No. Erik. Put her down. She’s with me. She’s going to help you.”
I knew the voice was female. I’d heard it before. She was the one. She was in the prison. She wasn’t going to get to me this time.
“What the hell?” The male voice skittered into my left ear, drawing my attention.
“Brexin. We have to get him sedated. He has no clue what’s happening to him. Please, help me.”
The male advanced and I knew what he was going to do. He was going to kill me. I lunged forward, catching him in the chest and pummeling him against a wall. I heard the sound of my own roar, wanting nothing more than to tear him to shreds. “I. Will. Kill. You.”
“That’s not going to happen. Get that fucking sedative ready!” he demanded.
“I’m trying. Almost.” Her voice penetrated my ears, ringing in the most melodic way.
I tipped my head in her direction. She was so beautiful, angelic in appearance. “What…” The sound was nothing more than a guttural growl, but as she approached, I was unable to hold back. Reaching for her. I had to get to her. I had to protect her. I had to have her. I had to…
“Calm down, baby. Everything is going to be all right.” She purred the words. They were so beautiful.
Hands grabbed me and I attacked. They weren’t going to take me alive.
“Brexin. Hold him. For God’s sake. It’s okay, Erik. Listen to the sound of my voice. It’s okay.”
I was knocked to the floor, pinned down. Everything was foggy, the pain excruciating. “No! Please… No!”
* * *
Cassia
“What in the hell just happened?” I dropped the syringe, covering his body with mine.
I’d seen the murderous look in his eyes.
At the end, he hadn’t recognized me at all.
Every part of me was shaking. I glared up at Brexin, blinking away the tears, so thankful he’d been here. “We don’t have any more time.”
“Listen to me, Cassia. Your idea isn’t bad. I’ve already looked at the slides. You’re right about the blood and I think I’ve discovered something else.” Rowena’s voice was full of excitement.
“I can’t leave him. There’s no way to save him or the others. The disease is too strong. His bloodstream is riddled with it. We’ve lost. We’ve lost everything.”
Brexin eased me to my feet, caressing my arms. “The only way you can help Erik is if you do this. Trust in your abilities. Besides, there are others who need you as well.”
“No. My life isn’t complete without him.”
He jerked me forward, forcing me to look into his eyes. “I don’t know everything about this bullshit or what Erik and the others were forced to endure, but I do know you. You’re a strong and vivacious woman who refuses to give up. Don’t give up now. We all need you. Please.”
There was no way of describing the anguish. I opened my mouth to scream, to cry until I could shed no more tears. There was only silence.
“Help us,” he repeated.
“Cassia. We can do this together. Please,” Rowena encouraged.
“Take care of him. Make him comfortable and I need you to find the bastard who did this. I don’t give a fuck if he’s lying in the mud hurt. Bring him to me!” I had no doubt what I was capable of.
Brexin snickered. “I will do that with pleasure. I’m sending one of the guards down here to watch over you. How long will the sedative last?”
“I honestly don’t know.” I glanced at Erik one last time, wiping away the tears as soon as they slipped from my eyes. “I just don’t know.”
“Then I need to restrain him. He’s much stronger than he was before.” Brexin wiped my cheek with his knuckle. “We can get through this. Okay?”
“Okay. You’re right.” Crouching down one last time, I kissed Erik’s lips. They were cold while the rest of him was burning with a high fever. If we were lucky enough to bring him out of this, he could be braindead.
We worked for at least two hours nonstop, testing and retesting, Rowena reading over details of the experiments while I managed to isolate the disease.
There was no doubt the drugs used in the transformation had increased the timing, but there was something else, perhaps what might be considered a miracle. I could only pray.
“I think that’s all we can do,” Rowena said quietly. We were both exhausted, uncertain of anything.
“What if we’re wrong?”
“Then they will die but perhaps without losing their minds.”