13.Thirteen

31. Thirty One

Thirteen was right, Michael didn't believe what he was saying. "You're saying you were kidnapped and tortured by a three-headed dog that could talk? I'm sorry but that's absurd", Michael said. "Maybe your imagination got the better of you". "No sir", Thirteen said, "That's what happened. Really". Michael reluctantly wrote down what Thirteen was saying, "Okay, you mentioned a scientist who used to work for Roy Holbert, correct?", Michael asked. Thirteen nodded, "His name was Azrail and he trained Maximus and built the Arena". Michael took a sip of his water, he was unsure what Thirteen was saying was fiction or not. "Is there any way you can take me to that tunnel you came out of to arrive here?", Michael asked. "Yeah, we can walk, it's not that far", Thirteen said, getting up off his seat and heading for the door.

Michael and Thirteen reached the top of the hill, Thirteen pointed out the gap where he had come out of. Michael crouched down and shone his torch down the opening. Michael crawled in a little to get a better look. Thirteen dragged him out and got in, "Follow me, I can take you", Thirteen said, starting to crawl. Michael followed Thirteen close behind, he pulled his gun closer to his hand just in case. Thirteen knew the path from when he had first been taken, it wasn't that far. He saw a glimpse of light and stuck his head up from where it was coming from. "We're here officer", Thirteen called back to Michael. Thirteen got out first and helped Michael up. Once Michael saw the rubble of the Arena, and the body of Maximus, he had to get down on his knees. "Oh my god, Ben", Michael started, "I am so sorry I doubted you. Please forgive me". Thirteen smiled at him, nodding his head. "I can take you to the shed where the experiments were carried out", Thirteen said, taking Michael's hand and guiding him through the grey Forrest.

Michael was disturbed by what he saw. Thirteen kicked down the door and showed him the brain cells, dead kids and soul essence. Michael took pictures, so if it became a case they would have evidence. "Ben", Michael called out. Thirteen stopped as the officer got closer to him. "I am so sorry you and the other how many kids had to spend time here. This place sick. Sick". "It's okay", Thirteen said. "You didn't even know it was here so you couldn't have done anything". They continued, walking down the endless hallway. "And this was a child farm?", Michael asked. "Yep, they took kids, brainwashed them and sold them", Thirteen explained. "Any idea what happened to the one's that were sold?", Michael asked. "Best guess is prostitution, sweatshop labourers, couples who can't have kids. Numbers 20 to 40 were sold to China. Make iPhones and iPods I heard", Thirteen said. Michael felt sick, he was disgusted by this place. "I've seen enough, let's go", Michael said, "Lead me back to the tunnel". Thirteen did as the officer said and took him back.

Once they were back at the station it had gone dark. Michael let Thirteen bunk in one of the holding cells. "I'll see you, tomorrow buddy, have a good nights sleep", Michael said, before closing the door. Thirteen didn't know what time it was, but he couldn't get to sleep. He kept hearing voices; screams of kids, rocks crashing onto the sand, Maximus's sick voice and Azrail's haunting description of his accident. "This past is supposed to haunt you", Maximus's voice said, "You corrupted the only person who shared the same views as me and ruined it all". "Go away Maximus, your not real", Thirteen said and rolled over for the 100th time. "Keep kidding yourself. You returned to nothing, as I predicted", Maximus said. "Your not real, go back to hell", Thirteen said. "I own hell", Maximus said, "Earth is the real hell, trust me. Your all waiting for this almighty God and Savior that abandoned you centuries ago. Spoiler alert, he ain't coming back". Thirteen put his pillow over his head, hoping to drown him out. But he was like a disease; you couldn't get rid of him no matter how hard you tried. Finally, there was some commotion that sent him away for a while. "C'mon Darryl!", the voice shouted, "I lost control! I don't even know what happened". "Save it War, let the walls hear it", the cop called Darryl answered, closing the door. Thirteen was getting no sleep, after all, the person next to him was punching and kicking the metal door all night, at least Maximus had gone away for now.