Genesis : Knights of Salvation Series

“Yes, Harrison?” I say as he finally gets to me.

“I have a question?” I nod my head listening.

“Well, I need to know if you know how to read a map?“He says and for a moment I have no idea where the question came from. “Why?” I asked completely confused.

“Oh, well Enyo said everyone needs to be able to read a map, just in case someone gets lost or everyone else dies.” I’m thrown by how easy it is for him to talk about dying.

“No, not really,” I answer him furrowing my brows slightly. Harrison is so positive and kind that it’s hard to see him out fighting forsaken monsters. He doesn’t say military, when I first saw him I didn’t think he was a member of the team anyway. He is so light and warm while others like Enyo and Orion are cold. Enyo’s eyes pop into my head from this morning, the way he always seemed to watch me. I hated being watched, in fact, if I could I would take off and live in the mountain. Nothing to keep me locked in, no walls to stop me from going anywhere. I have never sent the mountain but I once read a book that described them, it even had a small picture. That’s before the government confiscated all books that spoke of the Old lands. They said it’s because we needed to look forward to our lives in the wall and not to the past.

Since my father was placed in office more and more rules have come down ordering the confiscation of things from the Old lands. I hated it, It seemed like everyone wanted to only believe they had always been trapped in the walls while all I wanted to do was make it so we didn’t have to anymore. The idea of seeing forests and mountains, even something called an ocean seemed to always draw my wandering mind. Part of me is excited to finally look around and not only see the old cement walls.

“Well, tomorrow we will start the lesson after our meeting about the mission, okay?” Harrison draws my attention again, a pang of guilt hitting me that I wasn’t really paying attention.

“Ya, tomorrow.” I agree, it probably is best to learn more skills for the mission.

Suddenly I hear the door open and I turn around expecting to see Clare scribbling in her notebook, as usual, only she isn’t alone. As if the room grew cold with her sudden arrival I feel a cold shiver come over me as I take in the head of the Eradication Division. The eradication division is part of the Health leadership, and Dr. Ailey Beya. I hated her, no in fact I hated every part of her. Clare stands tall her shoulders pushed back, the same way she always stood when near someone with authority.

Dr. Beya stood tall, her black six-inch heels clicking as she walks into the dining room. Unlike usual she wasn’t wearing her lab coat but a tight pink blouse slightly unbuttoned on the top. Her curves make her pencil skirt shape her hourglass frame. Like usual her dirty blonde hair is pulled tight into a sharp bun. Her piercing green eyes fall on me and all I want to do is scream and flee. I swallow hard walking over as cool and collected as I can.

“Dr. Beya, I’m surprised to see you here,” I say mustering my best A-status behavior.

“Ahh, dear Aspen, I see you are still as kind as ever although I do hope your pale skin is a symptom... of your current health.” She offers the usual backhanded compliment. A flash of Foxgloves scream echoes in my head and the thought of hitting Beya in the head was more comforting and terrifying. I swallow the urge to scream back keeping my sweet smile on my face. Suddenly I hear Enyo and the team enter the room completely surprised by their unwanted guest.

Enyo step’s forward greeting his guest with an outstretched hand. “I apologize but may I ask your name.” My fingers begin picking at each other as she gives that sharp smile to Enyo.

“Oh, dear you are a gentleman.” She says keeping her ladylike facade going.

“I am Dr. Ailey Beya, I’m the head of the Eradication Division.” She greets. Enyo has a small simple smile and for a moment I saw a glint of irritation in his eyes. For once I’m glad he doesn’t like those in the upper-status jobs.

“Captain Hawkin’s, Sparrow team leader.” He introduces himself with as little enthusiasm as possible. I resist the urge to laugh. For once someone isn’t fooled by that pretty face and sharp smile.

“Pleased to meet you, young man.” She bats her eyes sweetly, slightly tilting her head.

“May I ask why you are here dr. beya?“He says placing his hand in his pocket. He looks relaxed but even then I notice the slight tightening of his jaw. If anything he looks uncomfortable.

“Oh, yes, I’m here to discuss some matters with the ladies. I would also like a word with you captain.” Just like that, I felt like I was back in that horrid lab. The smell of sanitizers and the clink of medical equipment. Enyo just nod’s his head returning with the team to what they were doing and I wished I could go with them. Instead, I’m dragged unwillingly into the kitchen.

Just as soon as the door is closed her hands are on her hips the sharp smile now gone and replaced with a heart-stopping scowl of anger.

“Now which one of you would like to explain to me why I received word this morning that aspen, the physical embodiment of a cure is leaving the safety of the wall to go on a wild goose chase?” She all but scream’s out.

I want to roll my eyes. She was there just as much as me and Clare, even the president when the director of health told us the truth. We all heard it but beya is livid because her little guinea pig is finding a solution she hasn’t been able to find for years. Most of my life I spent in labs as she poked and prodded me like an animal, continually telling everyone she was finding a cure. She never did, all she did was use me as a lab rat until the director realized what we needed to do. That moment she was kicked out of the room a year ago as the president and the director figured out a solution. They didn’t ask her, me, or Clare if it was what we wanted.

Clare luckily speak up, no matter how much I hated her she also terrified me. I guess she was my monster under the bed.

“I apologize for the surprise but we are under strict orders to report here and speak nothing to anyone. The team has the bare minimum until we have launched onto the mission in a week.” It was like watching a melon explode. Her face grew red with anger and frustration that her experiments were over. She suddenly turns to me boiling with anger. “It’s you, isn’t it!! You cried to your father and now I’m paying the price!” She shrieks no longer caring about if anyone can hear us.

“You spoiled little monster-” She begins to say when suddenly a hot stinging sensation explodes in my left cheek. My eyes grow wide in surprise that she had enough anger to hit me. I hated that I’m too afraid to hit her back. My hand flies to my cheek as I try my best not to get upset. The door to the kitchen swings open as both Enyo and Orion burst into the room. Their eyes wide, they undoubtedly heard her scream and the loud connection of her hand with my cheek.

Both of their faces are set hard like steel as they walk into the room. Suddenly noticing Enyo she plants that fake smile on her face. “My apologies, but we need another moment.” She tries to get them to leave when Clare stands up taller than before that hard determination set on her face.

“Actually doctor, I believe we are finished here. If you have any more questions please see the director.” She says sternly. I drop my hand from my cheek holding in everything I can until I’m alone. She opens her mouth to protest when Enyo’s voice thunder’s out strong and set. “I believe it’s time for you to leave doctor.”

Beya look’s from them to me and tightens her jaw and slips past Enyo and Orion and out the door. For the first time since I saw her, I could actually breathe. I swallow hard needing to be alone.

“If you’ll excuse me I would like to get some sleep,” I say with a forced smile. I know they can see the red hot spot on my cheek as their eyes lay on me but I’m thankful they don’t say anything as I leave the room, heading to my room.