The Collection (29 page)

Chapter 68

The names of our members stationed in America must be kept hidden. They should exist on no piece of paper or electronic document.

—Internal memorandum from Affinity

“I know that most of you have had the pleasure of meeting our newest recruits, but tonight please allow me to formally introduce Mia, Andrew, Carter, and Rex,” Zack said.

The four of them rose from their table. The whole room was clapping. Andrew didn't seem upset this time, more embarrassed by the attention. Carter cracked a small smile, the first Mia had seen in days. Rex's smile was almost too large. His toothy grin made him look like an eager child.

“As is our way,” Zack said, “tonight there will be a celebration in the field in their honor.”

Now everyone really clapped. This was news to Mia. All of her colleagues seemed surprised too. Mia saw Carter's smile fade though. He was always so social. It didn't make any sense.

“We hope to see everyone there,” Zack said.

The applause died down and people started leaving. A small girl came running up to them. She had a piece of folded purple paper in her hand. She handed it to Andrew and then ran off right away.

“What was that?” Mia asked playfully.

Andrew opened the paper up. Mia leaned over his shoulder to read. In childlike handwriting it said:

Welcome to Affinity Andrew. We are happy you are here. Love your friend Stella

“I think someone has an admirer,” Mia said.

“She must be seven,” Andrew said. He looked concerned.

“When I was her age I had crushes on all the older farmhands,” Mia said. “I guess that's just human nature.”

“What?” Andrew asked. “Liking older men?”

“Liking attractive men,” Mia said.

Andrew shook his head, but Mia watched as he folded the note back up and slid it into his pocket.

“Can we talk?” Carter asked. “Just the three of us.”

Rex had already walked away. He was speaking with Katie. Andrew looked concerned.

“I'll be right back,” he said.

He walked away from the table and over toward Katie and Rex.

“It's important,” Carter said.

Andrew didn't seem hostile. In fact the opposite; he seemed almost happy.

“Mia,” Carter said.

“What?”

She turned her head back to look at Carter. His forehead was crinkled up and his arms were crossed.

“Do you ever pay attention to anything I say? Or are you too obsessed with Andrew to spare me any thoughts at all?”

“I care about you,” Mia said. “That's not fair.”

“I want to talk to both of you,” Carter said. “Before the party.”

Andrew came back over. Carter pushed away from the table and walked toward the door.

“What's his problem?” Andrew asked.

One detail Mia had left out when she was describing the past month to Andrew: her fling with Carter.

“He's feeling a little left out,” Mia said.

She started after him and Andrew followed. Carter went straight to their bunk. Mia pushed the door open; Carter was pacing back and forth.

“We're here,” Mia said. “Our attention is all yours.”

“They introduced us as recruits,” Carter said. “When did we agree to stay here?”

“Where else would we go?” Mia asked.

“I don't know,” Carter said. “Anywhere. We could go back to Mexico. We could stow away on a boat. Anywhere.”

“That's crazy,” Mia said.

“I'm not crazy,” Carter said.

“I didn't say you were,” Mia said. “Sit down.”

Carter stopped pacing and took a seat on the lowest bunk. He hung his head between his legs, then brought his hands up through his hair and down his face.

“I don't want to stay here,” he said.

“Why not?” Mia asked.

She glanced toward Andrew. He was silent, leaning against the door.

“I feel trapped here,” Carter said.

Mia didn't understand. They had a lot of freedom here. Carter seemed very frustrated.

“Are you two together now?” he asked.

Mia's eyes widened. She was going to have to find time to tell Andrew everything, before Carter did and Andrew hated her for it. She remembered the look of betrayal on his face when he'd walked in and Mia was on top of Carter.

“Yes,” Andrew said.

“Perfect,” Carter said.

“It doesn't mean we care about you any less,” Mia said.

“Get over yourself,” Carter said. “Everyone thinks your life is so precious. That you are worth more than anyone else. I don't see what the big deal is.”

“Hey,” Andrew said.

He started to walk over from the door. Mia felt guilty. She hadn't realized Carter's feelings for her were that serious, but she wanted to avoid having this conversation right now.

“Carter,” Mia said, “you're frustrated. I understand.”

“You don't have to stay,” Andrew said.

“Andrew,” Mia said. She shot him an angry look. “If one of us leaves, we all leave,” Mia said.

Carter seemed to relax a little at that comment. His face loosened up and he sat up tall.

“I want to leave,” Carter said. “Tonight.”

“Give it a week,” Mia said. “Let's spend one week here and then have this conversation again. Can we all agree on that?”

Carter glanced around the room and nodded his head. Andrew was indifferent.

“But you have to give it your all,” Mia said. “Is there any position you're interested in?”

Carter shrugged.

“Teaching,” he said. “I like the kids.”

“Tell Zack that,” Mia said. “Then spend the week at the school.”

Carter nodded his head.

“We should get to the party,” Andrew said. “It is in our honor.”

Carter stood up from the bed and walked toward the door. He brushed past Andrew on his way out. Whatever camaraderie the two had built over the last few weeks was dwindling down.

“Why did you say that?” Mia asked Andrew.

“What?”

“That he could go off on his own?”

“I don't want him to,” Andrew said. “But I also don't want him to feel like a prisoner. If he's not happy here or happy about us he needs to know he has options.”

“Well, there are better ways to say that,” Mia said.

“Why are you so upset?” Andrew said. “He just insulted you.”

Mia took a breath. Now was her moment to come clean.

“Andrew, I didn't tell you everything earlier,” Mia said. “Before we left America . . . Carter and I were . . . together.”

Andrew looked like he'd been punched in the gut.

“Did I know?” Andrew asked.

“You found out,” Mia said.

In true Andrew fashion he sucked up whatever he was feeling and his face went blank.

“We should get to the party,” he said.

“Does this change anything?” Mia asked.

“No,” Andrew said.

Mia knew he was lying. He wouldn't look at her as he turned and left the cabin. Mia stood alone in the empty cabin, regretting her time with Carter and her decision not to tell Andrew about it this afternoon.

 

T
he party was in full swing. There was a campfire set up with people sitting around it. A band was playing music on the field and people were dancing. Children were running all over the place. Mia watched as Andrew chatted with Rex and Katie, while Carter played games with some kids. Mia sighed and decided it was best to give Andrew some time to digest the news. She spotted Sarah sitting by the campfire and went to join her friend.

“Congratulations,” Sarah said.

“For?”

“Joining Affinity,” Sarah said.

“We haven't yet,” Mia said. “Well, not officially.”

“Oh,” Sarah said. She crinkled her nose, then let out a small laugh. “Did you give any thought to your job?” she asked.

Apparently formal acceptance was a minor detail.

“I was hoping to talk to you about that,” Mia said. “I received an offer, from ET.”

Sarah's eyes bugged out of her head. “Are you going to take it?”

“I said I needed some time,” Mia said.

“You're crazy not to,” Sarah said.

“You said you would be unsure.”

“I said that because I'll probably never get asked,” Sarah said.

“I thought you said they were so intense.”

“Well, it depends on your goals,” Sarah said. “You'll be separated from the group some of the time, but you'll be in on everything. You'll have a say in the master plan.”

Mia looked over at Andrew. He smiled and laughed.

“Part of me wants a somewhat regular life,” Mia said. “I wouldn't get that if I was focused on America all the time.”

Sarah shrugged. “I think you're worried you won't get enough time with Andrew,” she said.

“No,” Mia said. “He knows and said he'll support whatever I choose.”

“See that man dancing?” Sarah asked. She pointed her finger at someone who was waving his arms in the air, carefree. Mia nodded.

“He's a member of ET,” she said. “And that woman over there? She is too.”

“How many members are there?”

“Eleven,” Sarah said.

“Eleanor said my invitation was open-ended,” Mia said.

Sarah's eyes popped back out again.

“That's unheard of,” she said. “You must be pretty special. Did someone else join too?”

“Rex,” Mia said.

“Well, if you don't accept by next week someone else will get an invite,” she said. “They always have an odd number.”

“What if I change my mind?” Mia asked.

“I don't know,” Sarah said. “Eleanor doesn't lie, but she doesn't mess around either. Maybe they'd kick someone out?”

Mia glanced at the two ET members. They seemed fairly happy. Maybe it would be possible to have both. A normal life and one devoted completely to the cause. She stopped glancing around the crowd when Andrew came into view again.

“I'll be back,” Mia said. “Thanks.”

She stood up and made her way toward Andrew. He saw her coming and broke away from Rex and Katie.

“Can we talk?” Mia asked. “Somewhere private?”

He nodded his head and walked along the jungle, away from the party.

“I'm really sorry,” Mia said. “I should have told you right away. I was nervous about how you would respond and—”

Before she could finish Andrew wrapped his arms around her waist. He pulled her forward and up on her tiptoes. She met his mouth with hers and wrapped her arms around his neck. She felt like she was flying as his energy made its way through her body. After a few moments he pulled back, giving her a tiny kiss to end their embrace.

“You should have told me,” Andrew said. “But it was in the past. You're my future.”

Mia felt like her body was melting. She went back up on her toes and he met her kiss. They moved their heads in a rhythm and Mia felt like it was only the two of them left on the planet. She pulled away this time.

“I'm not going to join External Tactics,” Mia said.

“Why not?” Andrew asked.

“Because I want to stop the Registry, but I want this too,” Mia said.

“You'll have me either way,” Andrew said.

“Not just you,” Mia said. “I want as quiet a life as possible. At least for a little bit.”

“Nothing about you is quiet,” Andrew said.

A ball came sailing across the grass, stopping right beside them. Andrew broke away and picked up the toy, tossing it back. He came over and grabbed Mia's hand.

“Come on,” he said. “It's our party.”

Mia was happy to follow him. This was what she had been waiting for. She felt like she belonged here. She had the best of both worlds. She was able to continue fighting injustice while starting something more with Andrew. She couldn't imagine anything more perfect.

Chapter 69

GREG FINNEGAN PREVIEW: GRANT MARSDEN HOPES TO HAVE SONS, SO HE CAN TURN THEM OVER TO THE GOVERNMENT AND ENSURE OUR GREAT NATION CONTINUES ON WITH A STRONG ARMED SERVICE

—
American Gazette

The drive home from the studio cleared Grant's mind. It was his third interview with Greg Finnegan in four days. He was looking forward to his wedding night. That meant no more forced public appearances and no more
Greg Finnegan Show
. He would be named the next grand commander and this tasteless display could stop.

At least the public was informed about his dress choices; he didn't need to wear a suit tonight. No doubt after the show aired tomorrow night Grant's look would be the newest trend among young men. A tan cardigan was tied around his shoulders, blowing back in the breeze from his convertible sports car. The sky was covered with stars but Grant never took his eyes off the road.

He wondered what Rex was doing. The man hadn't made contact since his initial phone call. Grant wouldn't let Rex bring him down. He was on the cusp of getting everything he wanted. Carter's phone calls were regular and he promised Amelia's return. Roderick was becoming a bit of a pain. He was starting to question his confinement and lack of access to the outside world.

Talking about his past wasn't something Grant enjoyed. Whenever Greg got a little too personal Grant got more and more vague. Tonight Greg had asked about Grant's premilitary life; of course Grant had lied, but the memories kept coming back.

 

D
aphne was beautiful. The longer Grant stayed with Victor the more that became the ultimate truth. Grant wanted her. He wanted everything she represented. He looked forward to meals; they were the only times he was able to see her. He waited patiently at the breakfast table. Victor came in and took a seat.

“How are you feeling?” Victor asked. “One week until you report for service.”

“Confident,” Grant said.

Victor picked up a dish of eggs and put some on his plate before handing them to Grant.

“No Daphne to serve us this morning?” Grant asked.

She was there most of the time, but at least once a month she was absent. The next day her arms would be covered in bruises. Victor liked her to show them off; it let the world know what a poor wife she had been. Grant always hated those mornings.

“Daphne is no longer my wife,” Victor said.

“What?” Grant asked.

Marriage was only severable by death.

“In five years she's produced three sons,” Victor said. “And she's started to get a little old. I think I deserve an upgrade.”

“What happened to her?”

“I told the authorities she slipped and fell down the stairs,” Victor said.

He gave Grant a mysterious grin.

“But I have a surprise for you,” Victor said. “Finish your eggs and come with me.”

Grant ate with speed. He thought about Daphne. Over the last several years he'd never spoken to her directly. But he liked looking at her. She was a flower in Victor's palace of rage and cruelty. Grant knew he didn't have much of a heart, since he had little problem inflicting pain on innocent people, but Daphne was different. He felt they had some unspoken bond. Like they were both prisoners here. Both of them were kept with golden handcuffs. If Grant left he would have returned uneducated and poor, while Daphne didn't even have that option.

Breakfast was done and Victor led Grant out of the kitchen. They walked down the long hall and toward the basement. Victor always kept that room locked. He punched in a code and the door opened up. Grant had never been down here before. He had always wondered what was beyond that wall.

When they reached the bottom of the steps he saw a big empty room with cement walls. It was the opposite of Victor's home. There was a tool bench and a drain in the middle of the room. Outside of that Grant didn't see much. His eyes stopped wandering when he saw her. Daphne was strapped to a pole in the middle of the basement, clad only in her undergarments. Makeup was running down her face from her tears; a piece of tape covered her mouth.

“I thought you could have her as a going-away present,” Victor said.

Grant looked up at him, confused.

“Of course you'll have to kill her at the end of the week,” he said. “But maybe release some desires. I know you harbor them. It's only natural. My gift to you.”

Grant was mortified. The woman he fantasized about was helplessly tied to a pole. He couldn't let Victor know his pain.

“Thank you,” he said.

“I'll leave you two alone for a few hours,” Victor said.

He patted Grant on the back before walking up the steps. Grant waited until the door was closed, then he ran over toward her. He ripped the tape off her mouth.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

She was shaking. Grant ran over to the tool bench. There were pliers, saws, and a variety of knives set out. Grant picked up a large knife and ran back toward her. She let out a scream.

“No,” Grant said. “I'm not going to hurt you.”

He started sawing at her bindings.

“We have to get out of here,” Grant said. “Both of us.”

He cut through the last strap and she fell forward.

“I'm going to check upstairs,” Grant said. “Make sure we have a way out. Then we'll run.”

“Where will we go?” Daphne asked.

“Steal a boat,” Grant said. “Make our way across the ocean.”

Grant picked up her hand and led her toward the stairs. He signaled for her to wait at the bottom and checked the door. It was unlocked. He peeked his head out, then waved for her to come up.

They moved quietly down the hall; Grant still had the knife in his hand. The silence shattered when Daphne started screaming.

“Victor,” she yelled, “he's trying to run!”

Grant turned around and grabbed her, covering her mouth with his hand. She looked at him with intense hatred and pushed him away.

“Victor!” she screamed again. He got his hand over her mouth again.

“I'm trying to help you,” Grant said; she shoved him again.

“You're a traitor,” she said. “I don't want your help. I want to serve my husband.”

She took off running through the halls. Grant chased her, hoping to stop her. She turned into the main room and Grant followed. There was Victor, seated in his favorite chair with his legs crossed, a cruel smile on his face. Daphne ran over to him and kneeled down.

“I did just like you said, and he wants to escape. He talked about running away from service.”

“Is this true?” Victor asked.

Grant looked back and forth from Victor to Daphne. Victor looked smug and Daphne pleased with herself.

“No,” Grant said.

“Then prove it,” Victor said.

Grant looked down at Daphne. The woman he had been willing to sacrifice his life to help was nothing but a lapdog. He had wanted to give her everything, and she didn't care about him at all. He gripped the knife in his hand and ran at her. She let out a scream as he brought the weapon down into her back, stabbing over and over again. Her blood sprayed back in his face. Her screams stopped soon and she lay in a pool of blood, gurgling away. Grant was breathing heavily. He moved back and stood up.

Victor came up behind him and placed his hand on Grant's shoulder.

“This is the most important and hardest lesson to learn,” Victor said. “Love is unnecessary, and it will make you weak.”

Grant looked over at Victor. This man who had given him everything, who taught him how to live. He was the closest thing Grant would ever have to a father. But Grant wasn't him. Victor had nothing but true hatred in his heart. Grant still had some semblance of a soul left. If he ever wanted to become Victor he needed to destroy it all. He turned toward the man and brought the knife up with speed. He drove it straight through Victor's chest with a single motion. The look on Victor's face was a mix of confusion and anger.

“On some level I loved you too,” Grant said.

He pulled the knife out and Victor started backing away. Grant dropped the blade and sat next to the man while he died. It was over. Grant spent the rest of that day hiding the bodies and the evidence of the murders. That night he went to the recruitment station early. He never once looked at the news to see what was reported about Victor's death.

 

A
t that point Grant hadn't known what was in front of him. Looking back, he should have been afraid. Armed with the knowledge of the future, Grant realized that night had changed everything for him. It had made him the man he was today.

He parked the car in front of his house and turned off the engine. The newspapers were calling Grant a hero, but that wasn't a title he was after. Grant was much more interested in being a winner. That crown was headed his way.