Taken

Chapter Twenty Eight--JEREMIAH

Where are you taking me?”

          Two soldiers had me by each arm and were dragging me through corridor after corridor.  I shook them off and stood up.  “I can walk,” I seethed and stayed standing when they took my arms again.

          The other soldier who had called me out was walking purposefully in front of us, gun in hand.  He turned around to see what the commotion was all about and then glared at me.  “Watch yourself.  I can very well kill you dead on the spot.  I just think General has a need for you, otherwise you would’ve already been dead meat you little punk.”

          I stopped acting up then, knowing if there was any way I could live I needed to take it.  Although I didn’t see why there would be any reason for keeping me around.  My heart was beating faster than ever.

          Finally we turned down a corridor that seemed to be a living quarters and the soldier in front of us opened the door to a big study.  The two soldiers and I stayed out in the hallway for a moment, but I could hear the exchange of words inside because the door was cracked.

          “General, I’ve found someone.”

          “Bring him in then.”

          The door opened to reveal me and the General smiled, only there was no warmth to it at all.  It gave me the chills, and before the two soldiers let go of me they tried to handcuff my wrists.

          “No!” barked the General.  “That’s not how you treat a guest! Now be gone, and inform the kitchen we need tea.”

          “Yes, sir,” they both mumbled faithfully and excused themselves from the room with a nod towards the General’s direction.

          “I’m General Barnes,” he said, motioning toward the chair in front of his desk.  “Please, sit.”

          Barnes was an intimidating man, with beady dark eyes and a stern expression.  He was tall, probably six-three, and looked to be in his mid-forties.  “What’s your name son?”

          “Jeremiah,” I managed, but my voice cracked and it made me sound weak.

          “You look uncomfortable.  Why?”

          I almost laughed.  “The circumstances are—um—a little rough.”

          “Ah yes,” he replied, welcoming the servant bringing the tea.  “Tea?”

          I declined, even though I was thirsty.  I was sick at my stomach and didn’t think I could bear it.  “Thank you though.”

          “Manners,” Barnes said approvingly.  “I like you already.”

          There was a pause as he sipped his tea.  “I’m sure you’re wondering why you’re here,” he said, smiling that same creepy smile. 

          I nodded.  “Well you see, I don’t like children.  I detest them very much, so… they really need to just disappear.”  He said it matter-of-factly, as if it was completely normal to need such a thing. 

          I tried to act surprised, since I already knew this, but I didn’t know how I came into play with the whole situation other than that I was under eighteen.  “I don’t guess I understand how I am involved, sir,” I said carefully.

          “Let me finish and you will understand it fully.” Another pause, another sip.  “War would be the only way to carry this out in a civilized manner.  At least that way, they’d have a chance.  I really am not such a bad man.  I just have my preferences.  And I prefer to have the kids gone.

          “And that’s where you come in, my friend.  I need your knowledge.  You look educated, experienced, I’m sure you know a few things about a child’s tendencies.  I mean, you look as if you’ve grown to be a nice young man, but you still aren’t an adult.  You know your own species very well.”

          Species? I wondered incredulously.  A child is hardly different from an adult despite the maturity level.  We aren’t a different species.  My head was spinning as I processed all of this.  I was supposed to help him destroy the rest of human kind?  And since when was war civilized?

          No, I wouldn’t do it, I decided internally.  “Then again,” came Barnes voice again, interrupting my thoughts.  “If you don’t want to do it, I could always help you change your mind…” At that moment the study door whirled open and Simon was pushed in the room, a knife to his throat.

          “How did you know—” I began but the General only laughed, a deep throaty laugh.          

          “I know everything.  That is one thing you should never forget Jeremiah.”  I winced at the way he said my name, chilling and evil.  He wasn’t fooling me, I knew he was one twisted guy.

          Simon was as pale as when I was snatched.  “Help him,” he urged.  “Do it Jere.”

          I gulped.  Don’t do it and let Simon die, then try to escape and let everyone know to prepare? Do it and let the fate of every child rest on my shoulders?  I was at war with myself.

          “Jeremiah,” Simon pleaded as the soldier’s held the knife to his throat tighter.         My heart leaped into my throat at the sound of his desperation.  It swelled until I could hardly speak, and I tried with all my might to overcome it, to find the words.

          “Fine!” I exploded.  “I’ll do it!”

          The soldier’s grip on the knife relaxed and he withdrew.

          “I knew you’d come through,” Barnes said, coming over to rest a hand on my back.  “You really are a nice boy.”

          Somehow, I didn’t find it a compliment.