Contained (Virus Book 3) Read online

  “Tonight,” Elaan said, trying not to freak out. Tonight was too soon. That was crazy. She didn’t want to get married, even though it was clearly part of her father’s plan.

  Thoreaux was looking at her.

  Elaan tried to think of an explanation for her shock, but nothing was coming to mind.

  “I bet you thought we were going to have to wait,” beamed Josh. “Nope, looks like we can do it before we leave.”

  Thoreaux chuckled. “Well, of course,” he said. “You’ve already waited too long to get it done properly. We might as well get it done ASAP.”

  “Well that’s great,” Elaan managed to force out without sounding as terrified as she felt.

  “We’ll perform the ceremony here after the evening meal. You can each bring a friend to stand up for you, and then I’ll send them out on the caravan tomorrow, heading to Kansas.”

  Her father nodded, as did Kingston. “You know, sir,” her father said. “We wouldn’t want to impose on your busy schedule. I know the chaplain, and I’m sure he’d be willing to do it.”

  Thoreaux looked at them. “It’s no trouble, Jim,” he said. “No trouble at all. Back before all this started, back before I was in the Senate, I used to perform weddings at my church. One of my favorite duties, and I’d be glad to do it again.”

  Chapter 38 - Lijah

  He’d been climbing the walls wondering when Alex was going to come back. He needed to get his mother and get out of this place, but he hadn’t seen her yet. He’d figured out a way to tell her what Alex was planning without Alex realizing. But he hadn’t seen his mother, even though she had promised to come. Though, Alex had said he thought it best she not come.

  He was pacing the tiny cell, which seemed smaller now that he was in here alone. He knew it should have felt bigger without the other guys, but now it felt as if the walls were closing in on him. And he hated it.

  He heard the door open, and turned to see his mother walk in. She smiled at him and walked over and hugged him. “I’m so glad to see you,” she said in his ear.

  “I am, too,” he said. “I’ve been worried. Alex said I wouldn’t see you anytime soon.”

  She pulled away, squinted. “Alex came to see you?”

  “Yes,” Lijah said, trying to avoid sounding bitter. “He thought he owed it to me to explain the situation.”

  She sighed as she watched his face. He motioned for her to have a seat on the bunk. She sat and he joined her.

  “How have you been?” he asked. “Have you made progress on the vaccine?”

  She sucked in a breath. “Yes, the main one is ready, and so is yours. I’ve brought it for you,” she said.

  He raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

  She reached into her lab coat pocket and pulled a capped syringe. “May I?”

  He nodded. He hadn’t trusted Alex enough to take the one he’d offered. He did trust his mother, and let her inject him in his bicep. She recapped the syringe and dropped it in her pocket. She’d have to dispose of it later.

  “Shouldn’t be too much by way of side effects, except soreness where you got the shot.”

  “I can deal with sore.”

  She nodded but looked distracted. She forced a smile. “So, you’ve been alright here? Been getting meals?”

  He nodded. “Yep. All fine. In fact, it’s so boring I get to spend a lot of time thinking, remembering.” He looked at her significantly and hoped she’d get the meaning of what he was saying. “You remember that time we went skiing up in Pennsylvania, what a great time we all had? I remember it so well, yet, sometimes I feel like Dad on that trip. Remember how he spent the last part of the trip?”

  She didn’t speak. She just stared at him and finally she said, “I remember.”

  He laughed. “Yeah, I guess it wasn’t that funny to you, since you were stuck caring for Dad, but it is kinda hilarious to say someone bruised their coccyx.”

  She shook her head, probably remembering that their father had decided to leave two days early because a snowstorm was coming in. The rest of them stayed, because they were still on winter break, but he had a meeting in DC and he couldn’t risk being stuck due to the storm. Only it had been pretty slick when he got home, and he fell shoveling and managed to bruise his tailbone, known more humorously as the coccyx.

  “Your father was in a lot of pain,” she said.

  “But he was stuck sitting on that donut pillow in the cabin while everyone else got to have fun.”

  She watched him closely, her own mind seeming to return to that trip. “I understand what you’re saying,” she said. “But there’s no need to sit around reminiscing for too long. I’ve talked to Alex, and I think I’m close to getting him to consider releasing you.”

  Lijah nodded. “Really?” he said. “I’m glad, then. I didn’t get the impression he wanted to let me out.”

  “As soon as I get the other thing to work, you’ll be fine to come out.” She looked down at the mattress, patted it. “You really should make your bed,” she said, straightening out the covers a bit. She smoothed things down and reached over to his pillow, grabbing it and fluffing it.

  “I’m fine, Ma.”

  She shook her head. “No, you’re not, but we’ll get you out, soon.”

  With that, she stood up, knocked on the door, and exited. Lijah looked at the blankets and shook his head. “She knows I don’t like it like this,” he said, as he reached for the covers. After a few moments of fiddling, he found the note she’d left tucked in the sheets. He went to the bathroom and read it.

  We’ll come for you tonight. Be ready. I love you.

  Chapter 39 - Elaan

  She was at her father’s cottage pacing back and forth in the kitchen. Her father was seated at the table. “Dad, this seems extreme,” she said.

  “You wanted out, didn’t you?”

  Well, of course. She nodded. “But I don’t want to get married.”

  “If I can convince Thoreaux to let the chaplain marry you,” he said, doing air quotes when he said marry, “then it will be fine. The chaplain’s on our side. He won’t even do the ceremony.”

  That was good. “What if you can’t convince the chaplain?”

  “Well, then, Thoreaux will do the ceremony and that’s that for the moment,” he said. “But there’s a decent chance it won’t be legal. I mean, you’re under duress, and once Thoreaux is removed from power, I doubt they’ll hold up any of his final acts as legal.”

  Elaan stared at him. Doubting wasn’t good enough. “Wasn’t there another way to sneak Josh and me out of the facility?”

  He shook his head. “I’ve been wracking my brain, and there’s no good way to get immunes out, especially since you’ve got the tracking device. This way, I can remove it after the ceremony, and slip it on the convoy to Kansas, and they’ll think you guys are in the right place.”

  Elaan sighed. She did love Josh, but even in this crazy new world, she wasn’t ready to make a lifelong commitment. She paced some more, a little hesitant, and then decided to broach the subject again. “OK, if we go through with this ruse, preferably with the chaplain, you’re going to slice open my neck and take this thing out?” She pointed to the chip in her neck.

  “Yes,” he said, with confidence.

  “Dad, you’ve been in research for a long time. Are you sure you can do it safely?”

  He grinned at her. “Don’t doubt the old man. Steady, steady hands, and a great knowledge of anatomy. But, if you’d like, you can have Kingston do it…”

  “Number one, I would never voluntarily let Kingston come within three feet of my jugular with a scalpel. And number two, are you saying Kingston is OK with this?”

  Her father shook his head. “Number one, I was just joking about Kingston doing it. And number two, Kingston isn’t entirely on board. He doesn’t actually know I plan to remove your tracker. However, he knows you want out and this marriage is a way to facilitate that. Josh knows the entire the truth, but Kingston believes you’re
pregnant. He thinks I just want you out of this facility, so he’s willing to go along with the marriage ruse for the sake of his grandchild.”

  Elaan had an urge to retch. “Alright,” she said. “I guess the plan is what it is.” She stopped pacing and sat down in a chair. “Please go convince Thoreaux not to perform the ceremony. Tell him I’m embarrassed because he knows I’m pregnant. Tell him anything. Just, please, Dad, keep him away.” Jim nodded. “And next time, tell me first before you tell the world I’m pregnant—especially if I’m not.”

  He reached out and grabbed her hand. “I am sorry that I was only able to tell Josh in advance, and not you,” he said, his eyes full of sincerity. “I would have told you if I could have. I was able to discuss it with Josh because he was easier to access. I could come and go to the men’s dormitory without problem, and he was also coming to the lab at times.”

  “So, what do we do next? After the wedding?”

  “You head out on the transport. Your driver will take you to a good location, while the rest of the transport actually heads west.”

  “Our driver. Who is he?”

  Her father smiled. “I’d rather not say too much,” he said. “But everything will be clear. And tomorrow, you can do your part.”

  “And what’s your part? Why are you staying? Why don’t you come with us?”

  “Because there are still people in the Basement, and once things go south, I have to help those people get to safety.”

  Elaan frowned. She didn’t like the sound of that. “That could be dangerous, Dad.”

  He shook his head. “Don’t worry, Laani. I’ll be fine.” He stood. “Let me go talk to the president.”

  * * *

  Elaan had been shoved into a white dress Ms. Pace had picked for her and was now standing in the little chapel on campus. She was wedged next to Josh, as her father and Kingston Wells looked on. Thankfully, her father had managed to talk Thoreaux down, and the chaplain had showed up and had them sign a marriage certificate, though he hadn’t performed a ceremony. “It’s not legal unless I sign, and I won’t,” the chaplain had told them both, before heading to a back room in the church.

  They were in the chapel now and Kingston was holding a camera, not a cell phone camera, but an old-fashioned looking 35-millimeter one. It had a digital screen, so it must have been more modern, even though it looked old.

  “Smile,” Kingston said, holding the camera up. “If we give him the pictures, he’ll believe the ceremony happened.”

  Josh, looking as handsome as ever in a tuxedo someone had rustled up for him, wrapped an arm around Elaan, and they both faced the camera with big smiles. “Kiss,” Kingston said.

  Elaan felt a little awkward, but kissing on cue seemed better than having to fake their way through a ceremony. She had to hand it to Kingston. He knew how to get things done. He hadn’t wanted to be complicit in their little charade, and he’d come as close to that as possible, given the circumstances. She awkwardly kissed Josh.

  “For God’s sake. You look like you’re miserable,” Kingston said. “Please, look happy.”

  “I’m trying,” she shot back at him. “It’s just awkward with you taking pictures.”

  “Then pretend I’m not here.” He scowled at her, then added, “I may have some Number Nine back at the office. Do you think that would help?”

  Josh shot him a look. “No, Dad, we’re fine.”

  Truthfully, the drug probably would have helped. Elaan had never been into public displays of affection, but she figured it was a better idea to shove her anxiety aside than get dosed up with a drug that made her have loose lips. She closed her eyes, tried to focus, tried to pretend it was just her and Josh.

  She opened her eyes, and he was looking at her, his beautiful big green eyes seeming to say that it would be OK, that they could do this. She leaned in and kissed him. She just focused on him, on the softness of his lips, the way his tongue moved against hers, the way he nestled her in his arms. It was good.

  “Alright,” Kingston said. “I’ve had enough. I mean, I have enough pictures.” Trying to recover, he looked over to Elaan’s father, sitting on a pew a few feet away. “Let’s get a shot of the father and the bride.”

  Jim stood up and positioned himself next to Elaan, while Josh stepped aside. She smiled and they took a few more pictures. When they were done, Josh, Elaan, and Jim sat on a pew, while Kingston paced.

  “Dad,” Elaan said. “Are you sure this is going to work? I mean, won’t they know we didn’t do it? Every place around here is bugged.”

  Kingston shook his head and spoke. “Not the chapel,” he said. “President Thoreaux believes a chapel should be sacred. I’ve seen security maps. This place is clear. The key thing is for you two to go off and be a couple at the Kansas facility.” Kingston looked at Elaan’s belly. “I’ll be out to visit in a few months.”

  “Thanks for your help, Dad,” Josh said, and he looked completely genuine.

  Kingston smiled, his first genuine one of the evening. “Anything for you, son,” he said. Then he turned to Elaan. “I’m sorry about yesterday. I hadn’t realized this was what Josh and Jim had been discussing. I shouldn’t have been so harsh with you.”

  Elaan waved him off. “Don’t worry about it,” she said, feeling a pang of guilt that he was in the dark about the truth.

  “I appreciate the fact that you didn’t push for a real ceremony, that you are willing to see what happens in the future, so long as you get out of this facility. An actual marriage would be a mistake, regardless of other things.”

  And all the guilt she’d temporarily felt washed away. Kingston was such a jerk. She held her tongue about his statements, and asked, “How long should we wait until we leave?”

  “My wife is as impatient as ever,” Josh said, grinning at her.

  Elaan glared at him, not appreciating the humor in this moment.

  “The transport will be leaving in about forty five minutes,” Jim said. “That should give us enough time for you to change clothes.” Jim turned to Kingston. “Why don’t you get those pictures off the camera and over to Thoreaux.

  Kingston nodded and left the room. After he did, Jim turned to Elaan and Josh. He whispered. “Quickly, let’s get your trackers out. I’ll take care of Josh, first. You brought turtlenecks, right?”

  Elaan and Josh nodded.

  Jim inclined his head toward the back of the church, the opposite way that Kingston went. “Come on,” he said.

  Chapter 40 - Elaan

  She had changed, had her tracker removed, and was waiting outside in the dark, on the steps of a building at the edge of the campus. Several vehicles were lined up, ready to take them away, as well as go on whatever mission they were scheduled for. They were waiting for Thoreaux, who planned to bid them adieu. The ginger-haired man was a few cars down softly discussing something with a man in uniform. What he was discussing, Elaan couldn’t hear. She stood beside Josh, waiting. Her father and Kingston stood a few paces away, also waiting.

  Waiting would have been easier if her neck didn’t hurt from the removal of the tracker. She also didn’t feel that comfortable in turtlenecks. They seemed very constricting, but she couldn’t let anyone see her bandage.

  After a few minutes, Thoreaux walked over to them and smiled generously. “I’m sorry I had to miss the ceremony,” he said to Elaan and Josh. “But I had some last-minute preparations for the messages the team that’s taking you will be delivering.”

  Elaan smiled big. “Well, thank you for stopping to congratulate us. It’s an honor.”

  Thoreaux looked at her belly. “No, little lady, you’re doing the honor by helping us bring about a greater nation.”

  Elaan wanted to slap him, but she simply gave a demure smile, and moments later, Thoreaux had headed off. There were several military jeeps positioned and also a couple of unmarked vans, similar to the one they’d been brought here in. Elaan presumed they’d ride out in that.

  “I’ll walk you to
your vehicle,” Jim said. Josh picked up his and Elaan’s bags and walked behind Elaan and her father. They walked in silence through the cool night air. They walked past the vans and finally stopped at one of the last vehicles, a jeep. Elaan frowned. It was going to be a long, bumpy ride. This thing looked better prepared for wilderness than road trip.

  “This is you,” her father said. He hugged her, and whispered in her ear. “You’ll be safe now. Your driver knows what to do.”

  She gave him a tight squeeze, then released and nodded. Josh opened the rear door of the jeep and Elaan slid in. Josh was saying something to his father, and then he hopped in beside her, pulling in their duffels with them. Her father pushed the door closed, and soon the engine of the vehicle roared to life. After a few minutes, their jeep, bumpy as ever, was moving through the compound. Elaan simply sat quietly, not wanting to push their luck. They weren’t out yet.

  “You alright?” Josh asked.

  Elaan shook her head and then leaned on Josh’s shoulder. Yes, she’d wanted out, but she hadn’t wanted to leave her father, or Amadu. She still wasn’t sure what had happened to him. Only that her father had promised that he was safe. But Kingston had hinted at the opposite. She tended to believe her father, but she wondered if he had been jealous of Amadu or even vindictive.

  It was a quiet drive, and soon the vehicle slowed. Elaan peeked out to see they were approaching a gate. They were leaving the compound. She waited, breath bated, as they slowed, someone apparently checking credentials as the vehicles exited.

  Finally, the jeep rolled forward and someone came to check their vehicle. The front window on the driver’s side rolled down, and the man outside said, “ID and orders.”

  “Right here,” said the driver, his voice immediately familiar. Elaan inched forward in her seat to get a look at him. Tucked under a military cap, ebony skin and as handsome as ever, was Amadu.

  “All seems to be in order,” the man outside the vehicle said. “Go ahead.”