The Hunt

Chapter 56: Naya

A computer is slapped down on the table in front of me.

"Did you know about this?"

Viktoria flicks her ponytail and points her long finger at the screen, and although my reading isn't advanced (out in the forest, I didn't do much of it), I can read the title of the news page.

Head of Military Confinement Found Dead.

"It happened last night. Apparently, he committed suicide by jumping off of the roof of the residence building. I guess it's expected, because everyone knows he was a troubled guy, but that's just something else."

I study the picture underneath, a black body bag being hauled away by military officials and hospital nurses.

"Why are you showing me this?" I lower my voice, "I'm an exile, I don't know any of these people."

"His death isn't what matters. Look," now her skeletal finger points to a paragraph down at the bottom of the article. I scan the words, but a lot of it is confusing and I don't understand much.

She rolls her eyes and flicks her ponytail, "It says that they're giving control of Military Confinement to the Criminal Management branch temporarily, until they can find a new head. And since you happen to be the Captain of this department, or you're pretending to be at least, that means you're in charge of it."

"Wait, in charge of Military Confinement?"

"Yes, the prisoners. You have to run that branch until Garik finds a new guy to take over."

Perfect. It went smoother than I thought.

"Also, I want to thank you for playing along so well. I know this is probably difficult and stressful for you, and I know Trent and Stephan don't seem like they trust you, but I appreciate it. If it weren't for your strategies, we wouldn't be able to get this much time out in the forest looking for Jonas and Hanna. I think we're close to finding them, so this can be over soon. Keep maintaining your side of the deal, and hang in there."

"Thanks," I nod.

As Viktoria walks away from my table in the cafeteria, (which is much nicer than the one in the hospital), I glance back at the image on the computer screen. Although they don't show the man in the body bag, I know exactly what he looks like. I'm the one that pushed him.

There are a lot of security cameras everywhere. Regardless, being a captain of a department has its perks; none of my team knows that I figured out the key card situation. With my key card, I can access control rooms where security camera footage is processed. It took a little practice, but just like I figured out the MBT, I figured out how to delete certain clips of footage and replace them with blank stills. When I could do this, I had the ability to virtually erase my movements and whereabouts from all cameras. As far as killing the Head of Military Confinement, he was an easy target. I noticed he takes smoke breaks up on the roof about two times a day, and I also noticed that the department he was in charge of was closely related to mine. We both manage criminals. So when I followed him up there last night, pushed him off, and erased my trace from the security footage, people only saw a man with a smoking habit going up to the roof by himself. I'd hoped I would gain some of his responsibilities and power when he died, but I had no idea they would give me the whole branch. Yes, it's temporary, but I only need the position as a stepping stone.

I have lots of plans in motion.

"Yes, the gates are now closed. Thank you General, the equipment will be returned to you within the hour. I will send him right away. Of course," I hang up the phone and take off the headset that I was using to talk to my team. I've gotten good at speaking like a captain, I've learned to mimic how the generals and soldiers talk around here.