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Liev had stayed up late from the previous day. After the meeting with Frank and Sharon he decided to sleep on it for a while. After a late night with Doris, things seemed clearer in his mind. Doris seemed to help him relax and feel normal and her stories she used to tell made him feel like he was a part of her life. A time when things seemed simpler and less chaotic than they were today. As he came down the stairs, he could hear Doris snoring on the sofa. She was not in the best of health and had now got a nasty chest infection. She smoked like a chimney pot some days and would always take the filters tips off before lighting up. Liev had told her she should try to quit, but she just smiled and said the same line. “I am too old to change my ways now. Love me as I am or don't love me at all.” He went through to the kitchen and put the kettle on the gas shove. With a quick flick of the button and a turn of the knob, the flames began to lick the bottom of the kettle.
“Cuppa tea Doris.” Liev shouted through to her.
In a coughing groggy voice, Doris replied. “Yes, please dear. And could you bring me my packet of cigarettes through.”
Liev continued to make the pot of tea and set the tray ready to bring through. Doris liked it all laid out the old-fashioned way and it was like a well-rehearsed morning ritual. First the tea was poured, then the milk added, and finally one cube of sugar. Liev would have much preferred a tea bag, a quick dunk, then down the hatch, but Doris made it special, and he really did not mind entertaining her the way she wanted things done.
“Are you going out today?” Doris asked, while she held the cigarette in one hand and sipped her tea in the other.
“I have got one phone call to make and then I thought we might spend the day together. I could do us something special for lunch, and we could see if there is an old film on the television.”
“You are good to me Liev. I really don’t know how I would manage without you.”
“That’s settled then. Just let me make that call, then it will be just me and you for the rest of today.”
Liev went into the hallway and took the card with Franks number on it. He waited as he could hear the ring tone on the other end.
“Liev, is that you?”
“Yes. No talking, no names. We need to meet up in two days. I have a contact I need to see, then I will tell you what I think. You need to get me more information on the Smiths. Then we will meet at the same place at the same time.”
“Okay, but...”
“No talking. We don’t know who is listening. Let’s leave the details until then.”
Liev hung up, then went back in to see Doris.
“Right then. Let’s switch the television on and see what we can find.”
Doris smiled, then lit another cigarette.
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Palmer Industries. Two weeks earlier.
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It was another daily meeting and Ronald knew he was on borrowed time. All he had left was a hope that the two people in from of him could come up with a miracle to give him something he had yearned for all his life. Time.
“So, you think the last time I had the transfusion was possibly the last time my body could cope with it?” Ronald asked, disappointed that it looked like the miracle cure he was hoping for was never going to be found.
“We did the testing after you had the transfusion last week and I can say that you will not survive it again. Your immune system is rejecting the blood.”
“I take it you are no closer to fixing the DNA permanently?”
“No. The problem isn’t the blood, in a way. The problem is each time we harvest it, it has changed each time.”
“How is that possible?”
“We are not sure, but with think as the donors grow, so does the blood structure.”
“What does that mean?”
“It’s new to us. We think something is developing inside the blood, but at this stage, who is to say what that is.”
“I will leave you two to it. I need a break.” Casey said, as she got up from the meeting and left the room.
“She still does not trust me, does she?”
“Ronald, we have been over this. It has nothing to do with trust. We have been working tirelessly for years now, and she needs a break. Casey will be fine with some rest and just thinks this is a bit cloak and dagger and that we will get caught.”
“You have to reassure her everything is fine.”
“I do, ever single bloody day.”
“Is there something else going on?”
“I didn’t want to say anything, but we are getting divorced.”
“I am sorry to hear that.”
“It was expected. We have been under such pressure, she cannot cope.”
“Does she want to leave the project?”
“No, no. She will see this through, but then we agreed to go our separate ways.”
“I am sorry. I have brought this on you.”
“If it were not this, it would have been something else. Let’s not worry about that right now. It is you we need to fix. I do have one idea.”
“Let me hear it. Anything is worth a try.”
“You might not like it, after all. You did say we should have no contact with the subjects directly.”
“Go on Brian. We have known each other for a while now, and we should be able to voice what we think.”
“Okay. I want to meet them.”
“Why? I mean, why now? What have you in mind?”
“I have seen these teenagers show some remarkable learning skills. The girl is what, maybe sixteen now and the boy about fourteen in normal ageing years.”
“Yes, I guess they would be by now. What is this all about?”
“They could be the answer to our problem.”
“I am still unclear at what you mean Brian.”
“They could work out the formula. From the observation window I can see they are way above normal intelligence, and the test results I have seen are astonishing.”
“Did Drake show you them?”
“Yes, but don’t blame him. I insisted it was for your benefit.”
“I cannot say I am entirely happy you two have gone behind my back with this Brian.”
“I’m sorry, but you do see the logic. They are very gifted and with a push in the right direction. I am convinced they could find the hidden keys to locking in the DNA. It could take me and Casey years, years you do not have.”
Ronald pondered the idea. It did make sense and would speed things up. At best, he knew he had less than two months and each time before the decline started, it was rapid once it began. He had no choice; his time was literally running out.
“Okay. But you will keep me informed with everything this time. I will deal with Drake. You do what you think is necessary and I will give you full access to them. I do have cameras in there, so I will be watching things very closely from now on.”
“I just think we are running out of time. You do see the logic?”
“Yes, let me know if you need anything.”
Ronald gestured for Brian to leave the room. He was clearly angry at him going behind his back. It was a reminder for Brian that Ronald could not be trusted and the fears that Casey was still having made that even more evident by the look he was giving Brian as he left the meeting.
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One week later.
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Brian had convinced Casey to come along to meet the two subjects they had so far been estranged from. Casey as usual refused at first, but then later thought it a good idea to put her fears to bed and at least this way, she could see for herself that the now teenagers were indeed, being cared for in a respectful manner. She knew this was wrong and that this was no way to look after them but was too scared to vent her anger. Now that they were going to get divorced, she felt like she had a weight lifted off her shoulders and could only hope now that this would all be over soon. That was the underlying factor for her to choose to meet them. The quicker they found the cure, the quicker she could leave this place and get back to a normal life. Something she felt no longer existed outside the madness she should have walked away from when she had the chance at the beginning.
“Do they have names?” Casey asked Brian, as they looked through the viewing window.
“I have no idea.”
“What do we call them?”
“I guess we let them decide.”
“You are cleared to enter the room.” Drakes voice said, through an unseen speaker in the observation room.
The side door in the room clicked and opened. Brian and Casey looked at each other perplexed. Then walked into room.
“Hello. My name is Shannon, this is my brother Blake.” Shannon said, without looking from her computer screen.
Blake also kept looking at the screen he was at and continued typing. Shannon slowly spun round in her chair and stared at Brian and Casey.
“You are here for our help, aren't you?”
“How did you know? Can you read minds?”
“A little, but it comes and goes.”
“My name is...”
“Brian and you are Casey, correct?” Casey replied, not sure what to say next.
“Yes. I must say you was not what I was expecting.”
“What did you think, we were monsters because we are here like caged animals!”
“No, well yes.”
“We are quite normal. My brother does not speak though. He is a little shy.”
“Do you know what is going on here?”
“Yes. Our blood is special. We are the chosen ones.”
“Who told you that?” Casey asked, concerned at such a strange comment.
“I am just joking Casey. To be honest, we really have no idea what this is all about. We know our blood is different. All we know is this place. Why? Do you think we are special?”
“Yes, I do. I think you are remarkable, considering the circumstances.”
“I guess you might think that, but what have never had, we could hardly miss. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“I think so but aren’t you curious to know what is really outside.”
“I think about it all the time, and Drake said we will see it one day. Once we have helped his brother get better. He said we cannot risk getting ill, so we must stay here until his brother is better.”
Casey looked at Brian with a worried look in her eyes. She thought that by coming to see them that she would allay those worries, but instead, she realised even more so now that they had to try to get these two as far away from this place as they could.
“Your five minutes is up. Please leave the room.” Drake said over the speaker.
“Will you come and see us again soon.” Shannon said, offering out her hand to Casey.
She shook it with both hands and took the piece of paper that Shannon slipped into her hand, clearly scared to hand it to her directly. Casey, as discreetly as she could, put it between her finger and closed her hand. Shannon stared into her eyes like she was trying to project something into her mind and for a split-second, an image came into her head. It was a still picture of her looking at Brian while they were both laying on the floor. Brian had a bullet hole wound in his head, then the sound of a gun being fired brought her out of the glare that Shannon had on her. As she flinched, Shannon was now facing the computer screen and Brian was at her side.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.” Casey snapped, as she rushed to get out of the room.
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After Brian and Casey left the room, Shannon and Blake have a telepathic conversation.
“Did you find anything out?” Blake asked.
“Yes. She is the one who will help us.”
“What about Brian?”
“I could not read his mind, but Casey likes us. She is worried we will never be released and thinks that Ronald is going to kill all of us once he has perfected the blood.”
“Are you going to tell her it was you who changed the DNA in your blood?”
“Maybe. Right now, we need them. I do feel she really likes us and if I plant ideas in her mind, she might be able to get us out of here.”
“Will you tell them everything we can do?”
“I don’t know. I do not think we have much time. When I read Drakes mind his brother is planning something, but he wasn’t here long enough for me to find out.”
“Do you think they know?”
“I don’t know, but we will have to be careful. There is something going to happen. I could feel it inside Drake.”
“Will I be able to do all the things you can?”
“I think so, but we cannot do them here anymore. I think he has been watching us at night. I will try harder to find out more from Casey, but I don’t think Drake will visit us again because they suspect we will find out what they are really up to, and they know we could hurt them.”
“Will you kill him for what he has taken from you?”
Shannon paused for a moment.
“Yes.”
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Later that evening. Casey had been worried all day. The image Shannon had passed into her mind seemed to have been impregnated, and she could not get rid of it. She had been too scared to look at the note in her pocket and had waited for them to be driving back home before she dares look at it.
“Is everything okay? You have not been the same since we saw Shannon and Blake.”
“Well, I am not happy.” Casey said, as she unravelled the note.
“What is that?”
“A note that Shannon gave me.”
“What does it say?”
“Give me a damn second, and I will read it.”
“Okay. You are not the only one who thinks this is crazy you know.”
“Really. Then why have you gone along with this madness for this long then? Money!”
“No. But if you really think that, then why should I even bother to tell you.”
“Don’t tell me. The research.” Casey said sarcastically.
“If you must know, then yes, at first it was. Now I have managed to convince Ronald to let me see the kids I want to help them.”
“What do you mean convince?”
“I lied about the blood.”
“Why?”
“I wanted to see for myself if those kids were... normal I guess.”
“Have you figured out how to get the blood to work?”
“Almost, well nearly. I think it is never going to work.”
“What!”
“It will never work.”
“How is that the answer?”
“I don’t know, but what I do know is their blood will never be accepted by another human because the DNA is not compatible. Not now, not ever.”
“Why have you kept it to yourself, or even told me?”
“Because you have been so stressed. I wanted to figure a way out.”
“So, you do realise he will kill us once he realises, we cannot help him any further.”
“Ronald, no. He likes us.”
“Wake up Brian. Shannon projected an image into my head before we left them earlier. It was you and me dead on the floor.”
“Don’t be stupid. That is just your imagination.”
“Really. Then read this note.”
Brian pulled over into a layby and took the note from Casey.
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YOU MUST LEAVE AND NEVER COME BACK HERE. HE IS GOING TO KILL YOU VERY SOON.
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“Oh please. This is...”
“Will you take your head from outside of Ronald's backside and wake up to what is really happening here. How many people have you seen since we started at that place?”
“None, just the security guards and Drake.”
“Doesn’t that ring any alarm bells. No medical staff, no other technicians and all that medical equipment and all those rooms we are not allowed to enter.”
“Yes, I admit it is odd, but why bother to kill us? We are nobody special.”
“Because if we crack this blood problem, image what he could do with it. Do you think all that facility was built so he could cure himself? Picture this. Mass producing that blood. A cure for any disease. The price people would pay to live. Now tell me I am being paranoid.”
“Yes, I see what you mean. What are we supposed to do?”
“If he finds out what you have just told me...”
“Okay, I get it. What now?”
“We need a plan. I want to rescue those kids.”
“Are you insane?”
“Yes, I must be. But could you live with yourself knowing they will die in that place. They could be somebodies’ kids for all we know.”
“For now, we will just have to pretend we are still looking for the cure”
“Okay, but then we figure a way to get those kids out of there.”
Brian continued towards the flat they rented in the local town. Both sat in silence, wondering what they had really got themselves into and how they were now going to out of it, alive, and with two unknown children.
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Two days later.
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Two passes arrive and are left on the desk in the lab to enter the observation area, where Shannon and Blake are being kept.
“Are you going to see Ronald?”
“Yes, he wants to...”
“Good, I want to see the kids.” Casey said, as she took one of the passes and rushed out of the lab before Brian could finish his sentence.
It had been an excruciating wait until the passes were issued and Casey was more eager than ever to get the ball rolling on how they planned to get the kids out of there. Over the last two days, Casey and Brian had come up with a plan. It was simple. They had to try to convince Ronald to allow them to take the kids out of there for a few hours to stimulate their minds. It was all they could think of to bypass the security and once outside and in a public place, they planned to alert the Police, hoping they did not get killed in the process. Brian was now left to try to plant the seeds for them to plan the short trip outside the faculty.
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Casey raced to the door where Shannon and her brother were. Her heart pounded in her chest as she thought of how much risk it was to try to get them out of here and if Ronald found out, would she and Brian indeed be laying on the floor dead soon.
She placed the pass over the sensor on the door panel and heard the door click open. Taking a few deep breaths to calm herself down, she entered the observation room. Inside, she could see the two teenagers at the computer screens in the same positions as before, like they have never left this prison they were in. Shannon slowly turned around and stared at the glass. Casey knew she was there, but how? She had no idea, and for the first time she wondered how much these two could do with their unique skills. Standing at the side door, Casey paused again until she had regained her composure, then entered the room.
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Brian was now outside Ronald's office, and he felt like he was now treading on very thin ice. He realised more than ever, now that Casey had high-lighted it, how important it was to keep this all secret from Ronald, but Brian knew he was no fool and this was going to be difficult, if not impossible to convince him to let then take them out of here. Even if it was for just a short while.
“Brian, please come in and take a seat.” Ronald said, as he appeared at the door, taking Brian by surprise as he been watching him hovering outside his office.
“Oh. You gave me a fright.”
“Sorry about that Brian. I was watching you from one off the many cameras we have here. Is there something wrong? You seem on edge today!”
“No, everything is fine. I guess all this excitement with being allowed to see the subjects has just got my brain wired with new ideas.”
“Good. So, let us hope you can now move forward quicker than we have been, because time really is ticking on this Brian.”
“Yes, I was thinking about that. What would you say to use taking the subjects out for...? I don’t know, a meal maybe. It might give them some extra stimulation!”
Ronald went and sat down and was now gesturing to Brian to also sit down opposite him across his desk. He could tell he had taken him by surprise and was no doubt thinking about what he just said.
“I think in essence it might be a good idea, but would it not be better to study them further before we take the next step.”
“Well yes. Of course, we will do that. I was just thinking outside of the box, so to speak.”
“Leave that thought with me. I might consider it. For now, we really need to press on, and we can discuss this further on Friday when we go for our weekly meal out at the restaurant.”
“Okay. Sounds good. I will look forward to it.”
“Now if there was nothing else... I really do have pressing engagements to attend to today.”
Brian stood up and hoped he had done enough to plant the idea in Ronald's mind, if not. He would have to try another tact on Friday.
He left the room feeling that same glare from Ronald as he had done many times just lately. A trust seems to have been eroding away, and they both knew that both could not be trusted. Brian knew he had nothing to counter anything Ronald might do, and no doubt would, if he needed to. Ronald on the other hand had plenty of means at his disposal to do as he pleased, which Brian was now seeing more and more, as he came out of the glazed mind, he had been under for so long. He closed the door behind him and did not linger around, knowing he was being watched from unseen cameras everywhere. He made off down the corridor and back to the lab.
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Inside the room, Casey felt a little more at ease and looking at these two innocent looking teenagers, she knew she could not simply walk away.
“I am so glad you came back to see us Casey.” Shannon said, as Casey pulled a chair over to her and sat directly in front of the now swivelled round chair that Shannon was sat in.
“Can we talk?”
“Of course. What do you want to know?”
“No, I mean can we talk.” Casey said, as she flicked her eyes towards Shannon's forehead.
“Oh. I see... Will this do?” Shannon said, as she projected the words into Casey’s mind.
“Can I have communicated back to you through my mind?”
“Not unless you have these skills, no.” Shannon replied, telepathically.
“Okay, I will just blink my eyes twice for yes, once for no.”
“They will never let any of us go. I have read Drakes mind and Ronald is planning to kill all of us.”
Casey blinked twice, then was not sure what, or how to ask a question.
“You are going to try to help us escape?”
Casey blinked twice.
“Will we know when?”
Casey again, blinked twice.
“We are being watched, and we have to be careful what we say?”
Again, Casey blinked twice.
“Does Brian think the same as you do?” Blake asked, Casey shocked at hearing his voice for the first time in her mind.
“Don’t worry. Blake has the same skills as me... well almost. He is a little behind with his development, but will soon be as able as I am.”
“What else can you two do?” Casey asked, curious at how far their abilities really went.
“We will tell you soon, but not here. If they knew, we think Ronald would not allow us to have any more contact with you and would lock us up like before.”
“Before?”
“Yes. When we realised, we could do stuff we tried to escape. A guard got killed. We were locked in secure rooms for months until we promised to behave.”
“Did you kill the guard.”
Shannon looked at her brother, then back at Casey.
“Yes, but we never meant to hurt him. He was going to shoot us, so I made him shoot himself.”
“You can do that?”
“Yes. But we will never hurt you or Brian. We only wanted to protect ourselves.”
“I understand. Look, we might be being listened to and it might look strange if we are being watched. Leave it with me for now. We have a plan, so be ready soon.”
Shannon smiled, then Casey got back up to leave the room.
“Will you be back to see us soon?”
“Tomorrow. I will be here to see you tomorrow.”
Shannon smiled again while Blake just stared at Casey. She left feeling worse than ever, knowing it was going to be difficult, if not impossible to help them escape.
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“Do you think we should trust her?” Blake asked, after he heard the door click shut.
“She seems nice, but I think we had better not trust anyone. They all seem to want something from us.”
“What does Casey want?”
“I am not sure, but she seems... lonely.”
Blake went back to his computer, neither interested, nor caring about what Casey did or did not want. He just wanted to be free, but Shannon felt something different for Casey. A feeling she had never had before, and it felt warming. Like a comfort blanket was being wrapped round her when she was with her. Did she feel like Casey was like a mother figure? Wanting to protect her. Shannon was not sure of the feeling. All she knew was that she liked it and hoped to see Casey again.
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Later that evening back at their flat, Casey was anxious and was desperate for a plan that did not involved getting killed with the image that Shannon had given her still fresh in her mind.
“Did you managed to convince Ronald?” Casey asked.
Brian had been quiet all afternoon, and even on the way home, he seemed different. Not like the upbeat person he normally was.
“Yes. We are going to discuss it tomorrow at the restaurant.”
“So, he didn’t say no then?”
“I think you were right. You have been right all along.”
“Right? Right about what?”
“All of this. We should never have taken the job on.”
“It is a bit late for that now. I told you this was a stupid idea and now look at us. This maniac will never stop, and we might be lucky if we get out of this with our lives. You do finally see he is going to kill us, whether we find a cure or not.”
“Yes, I think you are right.”
“Good. Now stop your sulking and help me figure a way to get this drug into Drake without him knowing it.”
“Spike him.”
“Perfect. You will distract him, and then I will slip the drug into his drink. Simple.”
“Simple! None of this is going to be simple, and then what? We run off into the night!”
“Oh, stop being so melodramatic. We get ready to leave. We will prepack everything the night before, then just pop back here.”
“And then what? Where on Earth do we go?”
“I don’t know. Don’t you have those rich relatives in Scotland?”
“Oh, and they are going to love me, you and two teenagers turning up seeking sanctuary.”
“Okay then, we go abroad.”
“I think you are forgetting one thing. They don’t have passports.”
“The Police then. We go straight to the Police.”
“What if he owns the Police. We will simply end up back at the facility and no doubt dead.”
“So, what is your solution Brian.”
“I don’t have one. And there is no saying Ronald will agree to us taking them out of there in the first place, then what?”
“We definitely go to the Police. If he does not agree, we take as much evidence to the Police, and we open this bag of worms right up.”
“Then we still get killed”
“Well, we had better find a plan of some sort soon, or we might be killed anyway!”
Brian and Casey racked their brains for a way round what they were going to do if they could get Shannon And Blake out of the facility, but everything was leading the same outcome. Death. Whichever way they tried to figure out a plan, it seemed even simpler for Ronald to get to them, and they both knew he had the means and resources to easily find them. Even if their plan did work, it was looking hopeless.
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As Friday came round and now all four were at the restaurant, the table they all sat round was normally a chatty table, but not tonight. Ronald was the first to speak after a prolonged silence.
“You two seem off tonight. Has something happened?”
Casey looked at Brian and wanted to shout at him and let all her emotions that had been building up out but thought better of it.
“We are just worried. That is all.”
“About the subjects?”
“They have names Ronald.” Casey said, angrily
“Have I missed something since we last spoke. I thought this is what you wanted, and now we seem to be at cross purposes.”
“Casey just feels like Shannon and Blake could do with some time away from the facility. She means no harm.”
“Casey? Is this true?”
“Yes. You have kept them cooped up in there for so long now and... they are just kids.”
“So, what do you think we should do to solve this little problem of yours. Let them wonder around in this world they have no comprehension of!”
“No. Of course not. But a meal out would do them the world of good. We could be supervised. Drake wouldn’t mind, would you Drake?”
“Leave me out of this. It is my brother’s business, not mine and after the last time you got me in trouble, I want nothing more to do with what you two want to do.”
“Ronald?”
“I’m thinking.”
The table went silent. Each eyeing each other up like they were getting ready to draw their guns and was just waiting for the first person to flinch or show signs of weakness.
“Okay. But there will be two guards and my brother accompanying you all. If they get a sniff of trouble, it will be the end of this project and I think we all know what that means!” Ronald shot to his feet. “It will happen this Sunday, at this restaurant. I will bid you all goodnight. Please take the day off tomorrow while the arrangements are made. I will have the subjects brought here at noon on Sunday. Drake, we are done. Enjoy your meals Brian... Casey.”
Ronald left the table with a sheepish looking Drake trailing behind. Casey and Brian watched as they left, as the food began to arrive at the table.
“Is it just the two of you now?” The waitress asked.
“No. We have all changed our minds. Brian, pay the bill.”
Brian looked at the waitress and began to go red as he fumbled for his wallet. Casey had already stood up and watched as Ronald and Drake got into the car waiting outside.
“Hurry up Brian.” She hollered over to him.
Brian rushed over just as Casey was leaving the restaurant and continued to watch as Drake got in the rear of the car. He looked over to Casey and attempted to smile. She could hear Ronald shout get in. Brian joined her on the pavement, and they both watched the car pull away.
“What do you think that was all about?” Brian asked.
“I think we just got the sack, and that spoiled bastard has just told us we have signed our own death warrants.”
“He didn’t say that did he!”
“You work it out.”
“So, you don’t think he will bring Shannon and Blake here on Sunday?”
“I have no idea. We will just have to wait and see.”
“Do you really think he is going to kill us?”
Casey just looked at Brian and shook her head, then began to walk off towards their flat.
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The Bentley cruised down the high-street back to the facility while Ronald sat looking out the window and Drake waited to hear what his brother had planned. He had become attached to Brian and Casey. The last thing he wanted was for them to be killed, but knowing his brother, this is exactly what he was now planning. Drake had to know because this madness had to stop!
“What are you thinking?”
There was a silence in the rear of the car, then Ronald spoke, calmly, yet with evil intent.
“My brother, I think we both know that the time has passed with all this messing about. My time is running out. What I need you to do is search the lab they have been working in and see what they have been doing.”
“I will do that brother, but you know I do not know anything about what they do in there and even if I did find something, what good will it do?”
“That is not for you to worry about, just do as I ask.”
“Please tell me what you are planning. This concerns me too and I think you owe me that, don’t you?”
“I do. I know you have been there for me all through this, but there are things you do not know about.”
“Speak to me then. Tell me what I can do, and we can figure this out.”
“You may not like it.”
“Let me be the judge of that.”
“Okay, but I did this for us to secure our future and now I think it may be too late.”
“What is it brother? What have you done?”
“Do you remember when I paid the Russians to take over the experiments.”
“Yes, but that was just a simple transaction for the rights to this new blood!”
Ronald turned to Drake with a worried look on his face. Not like before where he had a confidence about him, whatever the mistake he had made, but more like a fear that was now in his eyes that Drake had not seen for as long as he could remember.
“What is it? What have you done?”
“I hope you understand; it was the only way.”
“Brother, tell me.”
“The Russians are coming. They want the subjects. Part of the deal was that they kept a percentage of the rights. I mistakenly told them about the subjects after I discovered that there was no chance of me finding the cure in time, and what they can do.”
“Why would you do that?”
“I thought they could help speed things up. Instead, they accused me of not telling them the truth about the subjects and that I have double-crossed them. I did not know they were already planning to take the research, even if we did or did not find the cure. It is they who have been using us. They are coming to take it all, everything. That is why I need you to find whatever you can in the lab. It will be your insurance and hopefully it can save your life.”
“Are we running? Is that what you are telling me?”
“No brother, I am not leaving. I have contacted our parents, and they have said we have brought shame on the family and to not come home.”
“So, they will not help us.”
“No. They said they cannot get involved. They will not send anyone to help us.”
“And Brian and Casey! Is that why you have told them to not come back here?”
“Yes brother. It is to protect them. They do not need to know about this, and they will be safer not knowing. The subjects will be dropped off as promised on Sunday. The guards and you must protect them.”
“What about you?”
“There is already a price on my head, and they want me dead. You will be safer away from me.”
“I will not leave you my brother.”
“You have no choice, and besides. I will be dead soon anyway.”
“We will just start up again. Somewhere where they cannot find us.”
“Your optimism would make out parents proud, but that time has passed. Please just do as I ask. A last wish if you will.”
“This is madness. We cannot let them just walk all over us.”
“You are brave and foolish. They will be here on Monday to take everything. You will have a twenty-four-hour head start. Make good use of it. They will be coming for you.”
They continued their journey in silence. Drake wondering if this were all real and thinking he would wake up in any minute. After a short while, the car pulled up outside the facility and Ronald got out as usual. The guard in the front passenger side also got out and Drake looked on, thinking how it had all gone wrong. It was only ever Ronald all his life and now it looked like the end. Drake heard the boot lid pop open and then the car doors being locked. He turned to look outside where Ronald was and now saw that he was being handed the family ceremonial samurai sword. He did not need to be told what his brother was about to do, and he frantically tried to open the car door.
“Brother, brother no.” Drake shouted at the glass window.
Ronald turned and looked at Drake as he drew the sword from its sheath.
“May all the luck in the world be with you brother.” Ronald said, as he lifted the sword out in front of him.
The blade glinted in the early evening rays of light coming from the setting sun. Then he thrust the sword into his body. Drake continued to shout for him to stop, then began hitting the window and shouting for the car to be opened. By the time the doors clicked as the car was opened, Ronald was on the floor on his side with the sword deep inside his body. Blood was now coming from his mouth and as Drake bent down, Ronald began to speak.
“The guards have instructions for you. I will die an honourable death. Tell our parents I did this for you.” Ronald said, as he struggled to get his last words out. “Be safe broth...”
He was gone. As Drake knelt by his dead brother the guard put a hand on his shoulder.
“We must prepare to leave Sir. We have instructions to destroy this facility once you have collected what you need to from the labs.”
“We must take his body back home.”
“We have been given all the arrangements Sir. We do not have long. We must be away from here by Sunday.”
“Yes, yes. Give me a minute with my brother. Then we will do what he has instructed.”