The Life of Jacob Track (Book Two of the 33X Series)

Chapter Twenty Two

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

March 6, 2015

Ben rushed into the room almost too late. Larry's hands were on Zacchya's face and chest. Zacchya's eyes were wide, frozen in fear like a deer in headlights.

"What the hell are you doing?" Ben shouted angrily.

"Just some testing, Sergeant. She's perfectly fine," Larry replied calmly, putting his hands to his side.

"No, she isn't! She's as pale as a ghost! You're no longer allowed to be alone with her, Magnus' orders! So please, test away. I'll be right here," Ben's face was boiling from anger. He had been right about Larry. Thank God he had gotten there in time, before something worse had happened.

Zacchya looked at Ben, beyond frightened, but so grateful he had saved her. She had tried to convey her gratitude in her eyes, not wanting to speak out in front of Larry. She was safe for now, Ben had saved her. Ben would make sure nothing else happened to her.

The CT scan was over and done quickly, within an hour, and Ben escorted Zacchya back to her cell. Once Zacchya was away from Larry, she could barely contain her emotions.

"I ... I can never say thank you enough. Honestly ... he's too strong. I couldn't fight him off," she cried.

"You will never have to fight him. I told you that I would keep you safe and I meant it. He will never touch you again, I promise."

"Thank you, Ben. He told me the plan for 33X. This place won't allow that, will it? To brainwash countries into peace? It's ludicrous!"

"We don't get a lot of information on the plans for 33X ... but there are a lot of scientist working to perfect it and the LZ Virus."

"He can't be trusted, Ben. You seen it! He must be stopped! He'd never use it appropriately. Look at his track record so far. Look at what he made me do! Depression, suicidal thoughts, made me believe I was a murderer! He'll never use it right! NEVER! I know you know this!" Zacchya pleaded, her eyes dry and furious.

"There's nothing I can do about it. No matter what I believe or don't. I have no authority here, not really. Please, just try to relax. You've had a long day. There's not much else we can do about it now. Just try and relax. There are no more tests today," Ben tried to reassure her, but he didn't believe most of it himself. He knew that Zacchya was right; Larry had too much power over 33X to be trusted.

Ben left the cell and headed to his living quarters, as he was not assigned to any more jobs for the day. The gnawing in his stomach continued until night. Something had to be done to try and stop Larry and 33X before it got out of hand. The possibility to do anything was almost non-existent. There were cameras almost everywhere, constant surveillance.

The only hope was to kill Larry and let Jacob and Zacchya escape, was to befriend the surveillance crew to falsify video feeds. But there was so much else to be done. Ben shook his head, trying to let go of his overwhelming thoughts. He would have to betray Magnus and The Program. No. It wasn't possible! To stop The Program completely, was impossible. He had to forget about it. He had made a future here, he couldn't leave it. There was no other choice but to suck it up and do his job. He had lied to Magnus, and crossed a boundary line in caring for the kids, but it had to stop. The kids were test subjects and that was that. They were like mice or rats, just for testing. And he'd get himself killed thinking any other way.

*****

Larry was called into Magnus' office after the incident with Zacchya. He had been stupid, selfish, wound up by excitement. Larry knew that Ben would be an issue from here on out. He longed to slice Ben's throat, but there was no way. So, he daydreamed about it on his walk to Magnus' office.