The Hunt

Chapter 10

Darren:

"So, Darren. Welcome to my office." Says the director. His voice carries an air of casualness, of relaxed comfort. I look around the room again, trying to make sense of it all, the situation.

"I know you have some questions. A number of questions, no doubt. But we'll get to those."

I force myself to look into his eyes. I hold myself firm, keeping my confusion hidden, keeping the fear that's working its way through my body masked. Despite my efforts I can't hide the drops of cold sweat that form on my forehead.

"No need to be alarmed." He continued. "You are in no danger. Mike and his men do a fine job of keeping me safe."

The mention of the name causes me to forget my fear for the moment. I look at Mike. I look into his face, trying to find something that gives him away, that reveals something about him. I see nothing new.

"Who are you?" I ask, my voice raised, challenging. I stand up, pushing the chair back. It stays upright despite my knock.

Mike smiles but doesn't speak. That damn smile again. Forgetting myself I step forward towards him. But I feel a strong hand on my arm. Jack.

"And who the hell are you?" I ask him, bringing my face close to his. I'm no physical match for him, but the look on Mike's face has switched my fear to anger. Adrenalin is coursing through my veins, giving me a reckless courage.

"Sit your damn self down!" Jack says. I feel myself pulled down into the seat. But it wasn't Jack's hand that did it. Something unseen, a force, pushed me down. Something felt but not seen. But it can't be. It must have been Jack.

Jack sits back down. The director is gazing at me, thoughtful, penseive.

"Darren." he says. "Mike is the head of my personal guard. He brought your here on my instructions. He's just been following orders."

What? Head of the director's guard. No wonder no one stopped us from coming in here. None of the guards paid us any attention. He's their boss. My fear's back now, in full force. I slump a little where I sit. I'm in the director's office and the door is guarded. There's nowhere to go.

"What about Jack?" I say to the director. "What's his place in all this?"

The director turns his gaze on Jack, who stares back, a hint of defiance in his eyes. Then he looks at me.

"I had no damn choice." he says.

"Why?" I ask.

"They've got my sister." He says, looking down at his feet.

"Now, now Jack." The director says, in a mock-soothing voice. "Your sister is perfectly safe, perfectly comfortable."

"You know we haven't harmed a single hair on her head."

Jack says nothing. He continues to look at his feet. There's a sadness etched in his features. A weight on his shoulders. I suppose it's always been there. But it's obvious now.

"Tell me what's going on." I say to the director.

"Gladly." He says. He looks amused, but there's an intensity to his eyes, a hardness, a power. I need to be careful.

I'm calmer now. I let my training take over. I take some deep breaths and push all the feelings to one side.

"You've been feeling doubtful about your duty I believe." He says.

"No, sir. I remain loyal to the cause. I stand ready to protect mankind, to bring an end to the suffering of the monsters. That's why I signed up." I say. I'm prepared now. The model soldier. I think it's the only way out of this.