The Dystopian Gene Page 15

  Sergeant Duff jogged to the end of the line and took up a position in front of him, yelling into his face. “What did you say?”

  “Sorry, I mean, yes, Technical Sergeant Duff,” Lucas replied.

  “Louder.”

  “Yes, Technical Sergeant Duff.”

  “I want to feel it!”

  “Yes, sir, Technical Sergeant Duff!”

  “No 'sir', just Technical Sergeant Duff.”

  “Yes, sir, Technical Sergeant Duff!” Lucas repeated.

  Sergeant Duff brought his nose within an inch of Lucas's. “Something wrong with you recruit?”

  “No, sir, Technical Sergeant Duff!”

  “Drop the sir. No, sir,” Sergeant Duff yelled.

  “No, sir!” Lucas echoed.

  “Do you have a problem following directions recruit?”

  “No, sir!”

  “I said you will address me as Technical Sergeant Duff and only as Technical Sergeant Duff,” the sergeant hollered, spit flying onto Lucas's cheek.

  The sergeant turned his head, inspecting the line with his dark eyes. “Technical Sergeant Duff.” he repeated. “I have always been Technical Sergeant Duff. My momma named me Technical Sergeant Duff.” The sergeant turned his gaze back to Lucas. “The name on my birth certificate is what, recruit?”

  “Technical Sergeant Duff?”

  The sergeant nodded. “You might get it yet recruit. Do you understand now?”

  “Yes, sir!” Lucas yelled, then covered his mouth with his hand. “Oh, shit.”

  “You need a lesson in following directions, recruit!” The brim of the instructor's hat wobbled with every word as he continued. “The only words that will ever come out of your mouth will be 'yes, Technical Sergeant Duff', now drop your pack.”

  Lucas dropped his bag on the ground. “Yes, Technical Sergeant Duff.”

  “Now pick it up!”

  “Yes, Technical Sergeant Duff,” Lucas replied, picking the bag up off the ground.

  “Drop it!”

  Lucas dropped the bag back to the ground. “Yes, Technical Sergeant Duff.”

  “Pick it up!”

  Lucas picked up the bag. “Yes, Technical Sergeant Duff.”

  “Drop it!”

  Lucas dropped the bag. “Yes, Technical Sergeant Duff.”

  Anna watched the pickup game for several minutes out of the corner of her eye. She found out later that's what the Military Training Instructors, or MTI’s, called it. They used it often to torment the recruits. It wasn't just for the MTI's enjoyment though; they used it to teach recruits to follow directions without hesitating, or asking questions. It was one of the most important lessons in basic military training.

  After thirty rounds of the pickup game Technical Sergeant Duff paced back down the line. “I will be your drill coach, your instructor, and your worst nightmare. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Technical Sergeant Duff!” the group called out.

  While staring straight ahead Anna examined the bus, wondering what life would be like for the next eight weeks.

  It will be okay. I‘m a smart girl. I only have to keep my head down, not say anything, and do what I'm told.

  Anna smiled.

  This will be fun.

  “What are you smiling about recruit?” Technical Sergeant Duff asked. “Is something funny?”

  Anna straightened her spine. “No, Technical Sergeant Duff.”

  Anna looked passed the sergeant's frame, continuing to stare at the bus ahead of her.

  Something‘s wrong with the tire, she thought, wrinkling her brow.

  “You look confused. Are you confused, recruit?”

  “No, Technical Sergeant Duff.”

  “Constipated?”

  “No, Technical Sergeant Duff,” Anna repeated.

  “Then what is that look on your face, recruit?”

  “I think the tire is flat.”

  Technical Sergeant Duff stared into her face. Anna watched the sweat drip down his chocolate skin along her peripheral as the man yelled into her cheek. “Think? You don't get to think. You gave up your right to think when you swore in and walked through those doors behind you!”

  “Maybe not flat, but seems deflated,” Anna added.

  Shut up Anna, you're making this worse.

  “I see, we have a mouthy one here.” Technical Sergeant Duff smiled. “Take everyone's bags and load them into the back of the bus, recruit!”

  “Yes, Technical Sergeant Duff!”

  “Let's go recruit, double time.”

  Anna jogged to the back of the bus, dropping her pack before returning to the line. Technical Sergeant Duff walked back down the row of sweaty teenagers as Anna took Lucas's bag and returned to the bus. “Once I am done with you, the only things deflated around here will be your ego's and your waistlines!”

  Anna returned to retrieve another bag, pausing for a moment to wipe the sweat from her forehead.

  “Oh, are you getting hot, recruit?” Technical Sergeant Duff yelled. “Are you uncomfortable?”

  “No, Technical Sergeant Duff.” Anna replied.

  “Good, two bags at a time then. Let's go, hustle, recruit. You don't want to be the one putting us behind schedule.”

  Anna grabbed the next two bags, struggling to keep them from dragging on the ground as she jogged back to the bus. Another half dozen trips left Anna a hot, sweaty mess. Finished with her task she stepped into line, catching her breath while sweat ran down her back and into the crack of her ass.

  The sergeant swelled his chest. “All right, recruits. Load up!”

  Everyone found a seat, and the bus jerked forward, beginning its tour through the city towards the main gates. They told Anna they would spend the next eight weeks at an outpost in one of the farming districts. For Anna, traveling to the other side of the wall was both terrifying and exhilarating.

  The bus made it to the Easton river and turned onto River road. It was a winding lane that followed the river for a half mile before ending at the main gate.

  The scent of burning rubber filled the air around Anna’s seat. She turned to her seat-mate, a female recruit from Anna's side of the city, and wrinkled her nose. “Do you smell that?”

  The girl nodded.

  “We should say something.”

  The girl shook her head. “I'm not saying anything.”

  “Fine,” Anna growled, standing up. She swayed along between the seats as the bus followed the bending road. “Technical Sergeant Duff?” she asked, arriving at the front of the bus.

  “What part of speak only if spoken to do you not understand, recruit?”

  “I smell burning rubber,” Anna said.

  “The only thing burning around here is my ass, recruit. And you seem to be the one holding the flame. When we get to base, you will unload the bags, three at a time. Is that clear, recruit?”

  “Yes, Technical Sergeant Duff.”

  “Good, now go sit down.”

  “It's just that-”

  A deafening explosion cut Anna off as the tandem rear driver's side tires blew out. The bus lurched sideways, skidding towards the riverbank.

  Anna fell to the floor from the jolt.

  “What the hell was that?” she said, scrambling to stand up.

  Ears ringing, Anna righted herself and looked out the window to see the river's bank straight ahead. With her heart hammering at her chest she watched the river race towards them. “Oh my God,” she whispered.

  Anna clutched the pole behind the driver in a death grip, the sounds of gasps and profanity echoing down the sheet metal. The bus tore into the bank's soil with bare rims, spinning to one side as she hung on with white knuckles.

  Anna's eyes widened.

  The river came into full view out the windows as the bus rolled onto its side.

  “Jesus Christ, we're going in!” Anna said, hugging the pole and dangling sideways.

  The bus splashed down, tossing its occupants to one side and slamming the driver's forehead in
to the steering wheel. The sound of shattering glass and screaming recruits filled Anna's ears as water rushed in through the broken windows, wrapping around her ankles.

  Anna sucked in a breath.

  The emergency exit.

  She scanned the back of the bus as the cold water raced towards her knees.

  Luggage blocked the rear exit.

  “Shit. Shit. Damn it.”

  Glancing down the side of the bus, Anna found the emergency window exit.

  It's our only chance.

  As she stepped along the corner of the bus's ceiling to avoid the broken windows at her feet, Anna waded through the sea of panic-filled recruits towards the bus's middle.

  Water rushed to her waist as air hissed through the window seals above her head. Anna reached up between two recruits scratching at the window's glass. She flipped the emergency latch pulling the window free, increasing the pace of the rising water.

  “Come on, I'll help you up,” Anna coaxed the shell-shocked recruit next to her.

  She climbed onto the seat at her waist and helped lift the recruit up through the open window. The recruits clamored for the exit in a mob of flailing arms and legs, hopeful they would be next to escape the thirty foot iron casket dragging them to a watery grave. Anna helped a male recruit through the exit. He wiggled out onto the side of the bus, kicking and screaming, but not before landing a blow to Anna's face.

  “Ow! One at a time. Don't panic.”

  Anna touched her swelling lip, glancing toward the front of the bus. She noticed the driver, strapped in his seat-belt with a gash across his forehead and water up to his neck.

  Her throat tightened.

  Technical Sergeant Duff floated towards her, semi-conscious with blood flowing from above his right ear.

  Anna shook her head.

  “Damn it! I can't do this alone.”

  She stared into the wide eyes of the screaming girl next to her. “You're taller than me. Help me get everyone out. I have to check on the driver and Duff.”

  The girl stared into the space behind Anna's head. “We're running out of time!” Anna yelled, shaking the girl by the collar and pulling her from her trance.

  Anna dropped from the bus seat. Water flowed between her breasts, lapping her pounding chest as she helped the girl lift three more recruits to safety. “Got it? Hurry. Get them out, we have no time.” Anna said, turning towards Sergeant Duff.

  With water swirling around her neck, Anna pulled the sergeant towards the exit, the smell of algae and her own sweat-soaked hair stinging her nose.

  “Help me get him out,” Anna said to the tall girl still helping the last of the recruits up through the window. Anna slapped Duff's cheek. “Sir. Sergeant Duff,” she called. Sergeant Duff opened his eyes, groggy from his head wound. ”We have to get you out the window. You need to help,” Anna urged. Together they struggled to hoist sergeant Duff through the exit and out onto the side of the sinking bus. Anna slipped back into the water through the emergency exit. “Now help me get the driver,” Anna said.

  The girl looked at the water level around Anna before shaking her head. “There's not enough time,” she replied.

  “Help me,” Anna sputtered through the water around her lips.

  The girl offered a trembling hand down through the opening. “Give me your hand”

  Anna coughed. “No, I have to get the driver. Help me.”

  The girl stared, wide eyed while shaking her head. “I can't.”

  Anna tipped her head back, lifting her chin out of the water. “Help Duff get to shore. I'll get the driver,” she replied before water bubbled up over her head.

  The bus tipped, nose diving for the river bed and slipped beneath the surface.

  I won’t make it.

  Anna swam for the back of the bus, hoping to find air. She surfaced, sucking oxygen from the tiny remaining cache, lips brushing the bus's sheet metal.

  Anna dove and tried the latch of the rear door, but the pressure difference made it impossible to open. Resurfacing, she filled her lungs a final time before diving to the front of the bus. She felt her way to the driver, fumbling with his seat belt in the growing darkness as the bus neared the river's bottom.

  I'm running out of time.

  Lungs burning, Anna found the release and pulled the driver free. Pushing off the seat backs, while tugging the driver, she climbed to the exit window. Anna slipped through the opening, holding onto the driver's shirt collar.

  The last of the air in her lungs bubbled from her lips while she pulled the driver through the opening. Anna slid her arms around the man from behind, hugging him under his armpits. She kicked hard for the surface, eager to ease the fire in her lungs.

  The bus driver's pant leg caught on the window latch, halting Anna's ascent.

  She fought the urge to fill her lungs under water, knowing what that would mean. Anna held on, sinking with the bus and its driver.

  Shit. Oh God, please.

  Anna tugged and kicked with blurred vision. One solitary bubble escaping her left nostril as the front of the bus struck the soft river bed.

  The jolt freed the driver's leg.

  Thank God

  Anna kicked towards the surface with the last of her strength. She struggled to lift the driver, precious seconds ticking by as she flailed her legs, pulling the man towards the light above their heads and the life-giving oxygen only a few feet away. The light became brighter as she kicked with oxygen starved muscles; the urge to fill her lungs uncontrollable as the light's intensity grew.

  Absent of necessary oxygen, Anna‘s legs cramped, dangling like dead sticks.

  This is it. I won't make it.

  With a sensation of warmth enveloping her, Anna closed her eyes as she floated motionless below the river's surface, welcoming euphoria‘s embrace. The burning in her chest eased as the intensity of the light grew. A sensation of being pulled towards the light, tugged by an unseen force into its open arms, overwhelmed her soul.

  The burning in her lungs returned with a sudden vengeance along with an icy chill.

  With the feel of warm lips on hers, a skull-cracking headache erupted behind her ears.

  Anna opened her eyes.

  “She‘s coming around.”

  Heaving through the pain, Anna rolled onto her side, emptying water from her lungs, along with the contents of her stomach. She heaved again, coughing, sputtering water and bile onto the river's bank through blue lips. Tears flowed from the effort as her body shook.

  Technical Sergeant Duff knelt beside the paramedic. “You will be okay,” he said, staring into Anna's wet, bloodshot eyes. “You had us worried.”

  Anna tried to speak, but went into a fit of coughing. She made a second attempt through a cracked whisper. “The driver?”

  Technical Sergeant Duff nodded. “Yes, they're transporting him to the hospital, but looks like he‘ll be okay too.”

  Anna pulled in a fresh breath of relief, thinking how easy it is to take something so simple as air for granted.

  Two more paramedics arrived at Anna's side and they lifted her onto a gurney.

  The sergeant wiped Anna's mouth with a towel before wrapping a blanket over her. “What‘s your name, recruit?”

  Anna swallowed and took in another long breath. “Anna,” she replied, sliding the hair from her forehead with a trembling hand.

  “Well Anna, I have to apologize. I should have listened to you and checked the tires. It's my fault we all went in the drink. Because of me, we all could have died.” He snugged the blanket around her neck. “But because of you, we all lived.”

  He touched the back of his bandaged head, wincing. “We were lucky. An emergency medical team in an ambulance was driving on the same road and watched us go in. They're the ones who jumped in and fished you and Staff Sergeant Brandt out of the river. But what you did today was a miracle. You remained calm and made hard decisions under pressure. You have all the qualities of a leader, Anna. What do you say about being a squad lea
der when we get to base?”

  Anna balled her hands into tight fists and tucked them into the blanket. “I'll do whatever you want Technical Sergeant Duff.” She slowly shook her head. “As long as I never have to go back in the water.”

  CHAPTER 18

  Four and a half years later.

  ANNA'S PRESENT

  A smile pulling at her lips, Anna drained a glass of fresh-squeezed vegetable juice and set it on the table. She swallowed the last of the pulpy froth, pushing the hair back from her unblemished cheeks before rising from her chair. Eating the food Lonewolf prepared for her over the last ten days took getting used to. They made everything fresh, and raw. The ache in Anna's jaw, sore from the need for incessant chewing, was her body's only complaint.

  For the first time since Anna could remember, she felt alive. Like being reborn, Anna supposed, fresh and rejuvenated. The clarity of thought she had not realized was missing, rushed in like a glacial torrent in tandem with her energy. Anna picked up her empty glass and floated across the vacant kitchen. She had not seen Jax and Lonewolf, except for meals. They spent most of their time pouring over the data from Anna's mother's smart drive.

  Anna didn't mind. She reveled in the peace, enjoying the time to herself.

  Almost like having my own place, she thought, humming to herself as she tidied up the counter and washed the breakfast dishes.

  As Anna finished cleaning up, Lonewolf marched into the kitchen with a bounce in his step. “How are you feeling?”

  “I feel fantastic!” Anna replied, whirling around to face him. “This is the best I've felt in a long time.” Anna's eyes widened and the smile that had been tugging at her lips all morning fledged into a broad grin.

  “Today's the day,” Lonewolf announced with a nod.

  “Oh.” Anna placed a hand over her mouth. “I almost forgot,” she said, leaning back against the counter and crossing her arms. “Are you sure you still want to do this?”

  Lonewolf pulled his shoulders back, extending his chin. “Positive.”

  “And you still think Cromwell will let you waltz right out the gates.”

  Lonewolf smiled. “I thought a Dervish whirl might be more appropriate.”

  Anna shook her head. “I don't like it, sending you to the other side.”