Only the Strong Survive

Chapter Twenty Seven

Nina pov

When Mr Anonymous came back to discuss his 'offer', I had had enough of this underground torture stuff. His offer included my full commitment to this stuff because he was my creator and bla bla. Bottom line was, I cooperate, they treat me like a person, and I get a quick death when their done. My other option, say no and risk immense pain. I was ready to risk the pain at this point. There wasn't much the hadn't done already.
I've been drown, burned, stabbed shocked, and a new one, poisoned. They tagged me with a few chips, and now I'm allowed chainless in my cell. I know it won't last, because I have a kinda sorta plan. Kinda. My best bet was that this concrete was softer than it looked, which still isn't a very good plan.
I had one friend in this whole place. I still didn't know his name, but he would bring me daily reports on the whether outside, what day it was, stuff like that. He was like my daily news channel. Today it was raining, a raging thunderstorm. Near the end of May, but how could I know he was telling the truth? If he was graduation should be next week.
I had one other visitor today, and I didn't appreciate his presence. "Come on Ni, you know that you want to talk to me." Landon said putting a hand through his hair.
I crossed my arms and put on my best scowl. "Nope. Pretty sure I don't."
"I'm sorry, please, just listen."
"Nope. Not gonna happen traitor."
He groaned. "Ni, you know that isn't true!"
"I'm pretty sure it is. What kind of friend would trade you into an organization set on weaponizing and then killing you?" I snapped. I was ready to take a swing at him.
"I'm gonna get you out of here." He said in a low whisper. "I'm gonna go back to the army and tell them where you are."
"Yeah right. Did you know they plan on putting a drill in my eye tomorrow? Then the next day their gonna wipe my memory and train me on whatever. And if I don't cooperate, they will kill me. And that's exactly what I'm gonna do."
I would rather die then be used as a weapon. Landon kissed my head. "I promise Ni, I'm gonna get you out of here. I promise."
I doubt angels from heaven could get me out of this mess, much less the army.

Landon pov

I took the truck from where we left it outside the base and high tailed it out of there, the rain pouring down in sheets. Why did I ever think this was a good idea?! Very, very, bad idea. I pulled into the army camp, straight past security, plowing into the gates and guards. I didn't know what I was actually going to do, but I ran for someone. Before I knew it I was tackled to the ground and gagged. A man whispered in my ear. "Say a word and the girl dies a slow painful death." Before he could drag me away, I put a few spikes in him. I ran, ripping the gag off. Who is most likely to listen? My choices were limited...
I made up my mind to run to the infirmary. Surly Johann would listen to me, right? There were a few more soldiers chasing after me, but I couldn't tell if they were the Evolutionary spies we sent in like the first one, or just normal soldiers. Either way, they're both probably hunting me down anyway....
I was half way to the infirmary, the soldiers were catching up with me, when I spotted a familiar face. "Phoebe!" I yelled running into her.
"Landon? What the heck! Where have you been? Is Nina with you?"
I shook my head. "Listen to me."
"Are those people chasing you?"
"Yes, but let them catch me. Ni, she was kidnapped. There is an evolutionary base around ten miles that way." I said pointing. Her eyes widened when she saw the E on my arm. "Oh my-"
"Listen to me! This is all my fault, and I'm sorry, but I need you guys to get her out of there. Take out the base, blow it up, whatever. They are going to weaponize her. Not only her but-" I was pulled back and hit in the head. As my vision faded I saw that Phoebe looked terrified. She should be.

Nina pov

After my meeting with Landon earlier, I wasn't surprised that he would come back. But there was something different. Guards accompanied him in and chained him to the wall. The chained me in across from him. What the heck was happening?
Landon was bleeding from a few places on his face, his arms... He just looked coated in blood and dirt, but his turquoise hair looked as vibrant as ever. Mr Anonymous came in after we were both chained. "Ah, Nina, nice if you to join us for this demonstration." He looked sourly at Landon and then back to me. "This, is what happens to people who don't cooperate. They end up waiting for a slow painful death. Any last words?" He asked Landon. "Ni, I am sorry."
Mr Anonymous laughed. "Really? I thought you couldn't become any more pathetic." He started slashing away at his arms, legs, chest, with a large knife. I closed my eyes, but I wish I could have closed my ears. His screams hurt me, even though they probably shouldn't after what he's caused. When the screaming was reduced to whimpering, I snuck a peak. I wish I didn't. Mr I-Torture-People-For-An-Honest-Living was gone along with the other guards, leaving Landon to hang on the wall, bleeding to death. "Ni..." He coughed up some blood and spat it onto the floor. "Told Pheobe... Where you are.... I'm so sorry."
I wanted nothing to do with this conversation. "Landon, shhhh. Everything will be ok." I said trying to calm him down. "Nina, I never should have left you when we were little. Then maybe this..." He went limp.
Oh my gosh.
I stared at his lifeless body. "No. No, no, no." I was crying, but I wasn't entirely sure why.....
Guards came in a few minutes later, made sure he was dead, and dragged him off. They unchained me, and I fell to my knees. I huddled into the farthest corner, farthest away from Landon's blood. Something caught my eye just before I drifted off to sleep. I crawl over to the blood and pick up a thin spike. One from Landon's hand. Would it be weird to keep it? I tucked it in my pocket, careful not to stab myself with it. I crawled back to my corner, trying not to think about everything that just happened.

Logan pov

"Hello? Logan are you still there?" Phoebe said through my phone. "Yeah, I'm hear kid. Are you sure?"
"I just told you exactly what Landon told me."
I took in a deep breath. "But you just said that he was with the other side."
Phoebe sounded drained, and even more from having to call around trying to reach someone. I didn't answer until the fifth time she called. "Yes, I did, but we all know that Landon wouldn't intentionally do something bad to Nina."
I chuckle. "So your saying that he cares enough to be a traitor, but not enough to be a psychopath? That's great Phoebe. Nice example of character."
"Logan? Why are you being sarcastic?" A voice said behind me. I look over my shoulder to see Jack. "Sorry Phoebe, gotta go. Call if there's an update." I hung up and faced Jack.
"What was that?" He asked, "your never sarcastic unless-" his face paled. "What happened."
"Nothing kid. Get to bed. Your going on vacation tomorrow." I started pushing him up the stairs. "But graduation is next week!"
"We can handle it without you." I said trying to get him up stairs. He didn't move. "Logan, tell me if something is wrong!" He demanded.
"If I told you, it would only make things worse for you. Get to bed."
"But-"
"No buts, Sleep."
He reluctantly trudged up the stairs.
I was cornered yet again. Before she could even talk I said. "Everything is fine Storm." And I walked away, leaving her standing in the middle of the hall.

I knocked on the professors door. "Come in Logan."
Charles was seated at his desk, and it looked like he was doing paperwork. I opened my mouth to speak, but he cut me off. "Yes, I am aware of your situation."
I nodded. "What are we going to do about it? She hasn't called for weeks, and that's probably how long she's been in there already."
"Sit down Logan."
"I'd rather stand." I insisted. "What are we going to do?"
"Logan, are you planning on joining the war?"
"What does this have to do with anything?! They are trying to weaponize my daughter!"
Charles remained calm, even in my outburst. "Logan, we have very capable students and soldiers out there, and I am sure they will be able to find her."
I made a snap decision. "After graduation. I am going to find her."
He nodded. I got up to leave. Just as I reached the door he said, "You know Logan, your going to have to tell Jack. He is part of this."
I nodded.

When Jack opened his door after the billionth time I'd knocked, I sat in a chair by the window. Snapping off the tops of a few beers, I handed one to him. Jack just looked at me. "What? You came up for a drinking partner?"
I shook my head and held back a laugh. "After what I'm gonna tell you, your gonna wish that was why I was here."
He set the bottle back down. "I don't want it."
I left it where he put it. "Trust me kid, your going to."

Comments? Questions? Feelings? Anything? Thanks for reading. PlatinumAngel7