Chapter 23 – Aiden

Emily eventually falls asleep on the couch with her head in my lap, but her sleep is fitful, and she moves around a lot. I can’t shake the feeling that she’s right—about everything. There’s something off about Brenda, and she hasn’t bothered to answer any of the questions Emily asked. Why is that?

“Is she all right?” Marjorie crouches next to the couch and nods at Emily.

“She’s scared.”

Marjorie snorts. “Aren’t we all?”

I nod. “What’s Tom’s plan? How long are we going to just sit here?” Brenda had retired to her room about forty-five minutes ago, and I’m itching to get out of here and back to the beach. Not that I like the thought of hiking through the jungle in the dark.

She shrugs. “I don’t know. He hasn’t told me anything.”

“Brenda has to be sleeping by now, don’t you think?” I glance in the direction of the bedroom. There’s no lights on. No movement or sounds. “We can slip out now without her knowing.”

“I think Tom wants to wait until the sun starts to rise.” Marjorie sits with her back against the couch. “Going out in the dark isn’t a good idea. We still don’t know who’s out there.”

“What if she wakes up with the dawn?” I ask.

Just then, Tom approaches. He’s got a handful of papers. “I’ve been snooping.”

“They teach you that in air marshall school?” I ask sarcastically. I don’t know what’s come over me or why I’m acting like a brat, but I can’t sit here a second longer. My skin is crawling, and I want to climb out of it, leave all this stuff behind.

Marjorie whips around to look at me. It’s the same expression my mom always gives me when I get into trouble. I give her an apologetic shrug.

“Aiden,” Tom begins. “Just because I fly around the country doesn’t mean I’m not fully trained like every other law enforcement officer out there. And the number one lesson I was taught—always stay calm and never act like you don’t have complete control of a situation, even if you don’t.”

I remain silent and wait for him to continue. Emily shifts and rolls over so her face is buried against my stomach. She mutters something incoherent and then goes still again.

“These scientists were sent here to test a new biological weapon.” Tom looks at the papers. “As best I can tell, it was a gas that would cause a person’s nervous system to essentially freeze, rendering them useless.”

“Why would anyone want to do that?” Marjorie asks.

“You paralyze your enemy, you can kill them easier,” Tom says. “But there’s more. Initial testing was done on the wildlife, which explains why we haven’t seen many animals or birds around here.”

“Oh, dear God.” Marjorie cups her hand over her mouth and stifles her gasp. “That’s awful.”

“You got all that information from some papers?” I ask with disbelief.

Tom nods. “These are Brenda’s field notes. She’s been meticulous about documenting every day on this island. All the testing and the results and even the people. She kept a detailed log about everyone and everything, including two people named Tracy and Greg. She actually talks about them a lot.”

“This is so creepy,” I say.

“Listen to this…” Tom shuffles through some of the papers to find what he’s looking for. “I found some torn pages that appear to be from Brenda’s personal journal. The date is missing, but listen to this… ‘I had another nightmare last night. The same one I’ve had since I was thirteen. My parents are on vacation, only this time, I’m with them. We’re in the lobby of the hotel when Mom says she forgot something in her room, but she doesn’t have her key, so Dad has to go back with her. Being an impossible teenager, I refuse to go with them. Dad tells me I can go ahead and wait outside on the bench. But I don’t listen. I wander down the sidewalk, and then the hotel blows up. I run back toward the building, hoping I can save them. But I can’t. I never can. And then I wake up in a cold sweat. I know I wasn’t there when they died in a terrorist attack, but the helplessness is still very real, almost tangible.’” Tom pauses to flip the paper over. Then he continues.

“‘I’ll be forever grateful to the US government for their quick acting and for eliminating the man who killed my parents. But I can’t get past the anger and the need for revenge. That attack took more from me than just my parents. It stole my faith in humanity. It stole my dreams of ever having kids of my own because what sort of messed up person would bring a defenseless child into this horrible world we live in? It’s what led me to sign up for this project, to help develop the weapon that will prevent anything like this from happening again. It’s my life’s mission to develop the perfect weapon, to keep the world safe.’” Tom flips to the next page. “That’s where it ends.”

“Wow. So, she’s like a mad scientist or something?” I ask. My hand resting on Emily’s waist stiffens.

“Tracy and Greg?” Marjorie whispers. “Who are they?”

“There’s notes on them, too.” Tom scans the next couple of pages. “Here it is. ‘Tracy and Greg aren’t doing well. The solitude of this island and our experiments are weighing heavily on them. They wander around aimlessly and keep talking about going home. This morning, they put in an official request to relinquish their posts and return back home. Permission was granted, and their replacements will arrive within three days’ time. I’ll be sad to see them leave. Greg’s changes to the formula have seen some wonderful results.’”

“Wait,” I say. “They weren’t just testing? They were tweaking and changing the weapon? Why?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t been able to find an answer to that, but I’m sure it’s in here somewhere. But listen to this…” He shuffles a few more pages. “‘Tracy and Greg left to meet the transport yesterday, but so far, we haven’t met their replacements. If they decided not to send any, why weren’t we notified?’” Tom flips to the next page. “‘Today is supply day. The transport usually arrives around nine a.m., but when I got to the airstrip, the crates of supplies were already there. As we gathered them and headed back to the building, I noticed movement in the trees. I’m positive it was Tracy and Greg, but that can’t be. They left days ago. Didn’t they?’”

“So, she thinks those two were left here intentionally?” I ask, trying to piece everything together. “If that was the case, why didn’t they go back to the building?”

Instead of answering me, Tom continues to read. “‘We’ve been given a new course of study today. Instructions, along with a new biological compound, were sent with our supplies. It’s something Greg was working on while here. He and Tracy volunteered to be test subjects and are now in quarantine while the effects are studied closely. We have to do the same here. I’m astounded. It’s too soon for any human trials just yet. We don’t even know what this is. No one wants to volunteer, so we had to draw sticks. Kevin is now our test subject. We’ll expose him to the compound tomorrow morning.

“‘Day fourteen. Kevin is unnaturally pale, but his spirits seem to be high. He’s moving around his room unassisted, and he’s eating more than usual. Day twenty-two. Kevin is exhibiting traits of a wild animal. He’s resorted to eating with his hands at all times and is defecating in the corner. He sleeps on the floor. His temper is out of control, and he’s stopped communicating,’” Tom reads.

“It all makes sense now,” I say, glancing between the two of them. “Greg. Tracy. Kevin. They created something that turned humans into savages.”

“Seems that way, but why would they do that? It’s not like savages can be controlled or used in combat.” He searches through the pages. “I need more time to read through these.”

The sound of furniture scraping across the floor silences all of us. I hold my breath, waiting for Brenda to appear from the hallway. After several beats and no sign of her, I say, “I think we’re out of time.”

“I agree. We need to get out of here,” Marjorie says, standing. “For all we know, she lured us down here and plans to use us as her personal guinea pigs.”

I glance down at Emily, intent on waking her up, but she’s already awake. Tears pool in her eyes, and I know she’s heard everything. I give her a sad smile, wishing she didn’t have to know what I know. She sits up and rubs her eyes while yawning.

“Okay, grab whatever you can, and let’s get out of here. Be extra quiet,” Tom says. He shoves the pages into his pack and then goes back to the lab to get more.

Marjorie heads into the kitchen and jams as much food as she can into her bag. I get up to do the same when Emily grabs my hand, pulling me back down onto the couch. “What’re the effects of radiation exposure?” she whispers.

I search her face for some indication as to what’s going on in her head. There’s something different in her gaze, a fearful determination I haven’t seen before. “I don’t know,” I say, knowing that’s not the answer she wants. “I really don’t think we’ve been exposed. The effects of nuclear bombs last hundreds of years. If there was still radiation on this island, there wouldn’t be any life at all. No trees or grass.”

Her shoulders slump, with relief or disappointment, I have no idea.

“Everyone ready?” Tom asks.

“If you leave this bunker, you will die.” Brenda stands at the end of the hallway, arms crossed. She’s unarmed, but the mere sight of her standing there strikes terror in my veins. Instinctively, I move Emily so she’s standing behind me. Then we slowly inch toward Tom and stand behind him. Marjorie does the same.

“We need to get back to the beach,” Tom says. “We need to warn the other survivors so they have a fighting chance.”

“If they’re still alive,” she says coolly.

“Why wouldn’t they be?” Tom asks.

“When I reported the effects of the last biological compound we’d been testing, I was given very specific instructions that no one is allowed to leave this island. Ever.” Brenda’s expression unflinching.

“Are you going to try and stop us?” Tom reaches for the gun in the waistband of his jeans.

“Those people out there… they’re not human anymore. They’re animals. They can smell you, sense your fear. You don’t stand a chance in that jungle.” Brenda pushes off the wall and saunters into the living area as if we’re casually discussing the weather.

“You’ve managed to survive all this time,” Emily says.

“They know my scent and know I’m not a threat. They leave me alone.”

I tilt my head, unable to shake the feeling that there’s still more she’s not telling us. “Why not just leave? Why stay here with them?”

“Because I’m still working. Watching them. Studying them.”

“Controlling them?” Tom asks, and Brenda nods. “Then lead us back to the beach. Help us help the others. You’re the only one who can. Please.”

Behind me, Emily shifts. I can only imagine what she’s thinking. Maybe she is right about going out on our own. Maybe we would be better off together, away from everyone else.

“I can’t,” Brenda says.

“This is useless,” Emily mumbles.

I turn to look at her and mouth the word, stop. Her snide comments aren’t helping the situation, and I’m pretty sure Tom is getting angry.

“I read your research notes,” Tom says, challenging her. “I know about your parents. I know why you’re here and what you’re trying to do.”

I want to smack him upside the head. What is he doing?

Brenda remains silent, but her forehead wrinkles as if she’s deep in thought.

Tom continues, “What was in that compound you gave Kevin?”

Brenda’s face is a mask of indifference. “A genetic enhancement. It was supposed to sharpen the senses, make it so our troops could hear better, see further, run faster. Make them real-life super soldiers. It was intended to give them an advantage, but the science was wrong, and it had the opposite effect we wanted. It turned them into deadly predators.”

“Why weren’t the experiments stopped?” Tom asks.

“They were. The government sprayed the island with toxic gas, a gas that’s equivalent to what you’d find in a nuke. It was supposed to kill everyone and everything on it. Then they shut down all testing and labeled the island off-limits to the public.”

“Clearly, that didn’t work,” Marjorie says snidely.

“Thought you said you were still working,” Emily says, her tone sarcastic. “Which is? Are the experiments still going on or not?”

“No, it didn’t work. In fact, it only made them stronger. Whatever was in that compound made them immune,” Brenda says to Marjorie. “As for me, I knew it was coming, so I hid out down here until I figured it was safe to come out.”

“Why didn’t the government pull you out?” Tom asks. “They knew you were here, that you were fine.”

“My contact warned me and has been helping me ever since,” Brenda says.

“Are you seriously telling us the government—our government—did all of this?” Emily’s tone is colored with disbelief and disgust.

“That’s exactly what I’m telling you.”

“This contact of yours,” Aiden begins, “how do you contact him?”

Brenda paces in front of us as if she’s debating on what else to say. Finally, she speaks again. “There’s an airstrip five miles straight behind this building, and there’s a dock on the eastern most side of the island. My contact drops supplies once a month. The next supply delivery is scheduled for the day after tomorrow. If you can catch the transport, you can get off this island.”

My eyes widen, and my heart races. Emily snatches my hand and squeezes. We’re going to be rescued! My prayers have been answered. Hope and excitement swell in my chest, and I can’t stand still. I fidget. Now, more than ever, I want to get back to the beach.

“What do you mean if we can catch the transport?” Tom asks.

“Because of the natives, they never actually stop. They do a sky drop. And the time is never the same. So, if you’re not there when the plane flies over…” She shrugs. “Then you’re out of luck.”

My heart sinks. There’s no way at all to catch an airplane.

“Can’t you get in touch with your contact and let him know we’re here?” Tom asks.

“No.” Brenda’s face droops, and she appears tired. I wonder how old she is, how long she’s actually been here, if she has any family back home—wherever home is for her. “And don’t ask me that again.” There’s a dangerous edge to her tone.

“What happens if there’s an emergency?” Marjorie asks. “You’re telling us you’re stranded on this island with no way off and no way to talk to the people who put you here?”

Yeah, I’m not buying into that, either.

“Believe me or not, I don’t care. You can stay here where it’s safe, or you can take your chances out there. But I’ve helped you enough.” Brenda turns on her heel and disappears down the hallway.

“Let’s get out of here,” Emily says. She leads the way down the corridor and up the steps. She pushes open the door and gasps.