Chapter 29.

Cold air seizes my body along with a harsh smell of antiseptic. My eyes don't want to open, and I can barely move. A breeze floats where no breeze should be. A beep of a monitor makes me peek my eyes open to look. I move my head and see my knees in the air. My feet are cold from harsh stirrups, slowly warming with my body heat. It's cold where it is usually warm because I'm wide open.

A doctor writes in a clipboard, no. Not a clipboard, a smart pad. I figure he's a doctor from the white coat. Maybe I have just been in a four year coma. Possibly having had a massive car wreck, hallucinating zombies, and having a massive freak out requiring me to be placed in the loony bin. I'm betting he's a doctor, and I didn't dream up the last four years.

I struggle and let out a moan, meaning to say, "What the fuck?" It doesn't come out the way I want it to. The monitor beeps rapidly with the tune of my heartbeat. The doctor turns to look at me, gesturing with his hand. Before I can really look at him, a nurse with green scrubs on comes into view. She does something I can't see. I remember nothing after that.

My body is stiff, like I've been asleep for an unusual amount of time. My memories stream back to me all at once. I know where I am, and don't want to face that reality. Without moving or making a sound, I open my eyes and take in my surroundings. Lying on a twin bed, a bunk bed to be exact, I'm in some kind of dorm room, made of painted white cinderblocks. Several bunk beds take up the walls. It smells of harsh cleaning chemicals and floral fragrances.

"She's awake," a bored voice announces. "Get Donna, so she can do her thing."

A girl with dark curly brown hair to her shoulders comes into view. She's clean, and when she smiles her teeth are stark white against her coffee brown skin, the bright green V-neck shirt contrasts with it.

"Hello sleepy. You've had quite a time, huh?" She doesn't sound like someone held captive against her will and awaiting slaughter. I blink sleep out of my eyes, and rub out the crust.

A door opens, and a woman clears her throat. "You know the drill ladies. You can get to know Kansas later. Out." She points to the door with her thumb. Creamy Coffee just shrugs at me and leaves along with a couple other girls who look to be around my age. I'm strangely curious about this, and want to know more about them. I haven't seen many girls my age for a long time.

"Hello, Kansas." I turn my attention back to the plain Jane woman with frizzy, dishwater-blonde hair tied in a ponytail. Her light brown eyes scrutinize me. A purple sweater and jeans with white sneakers give off a disheveled look that reminds me of myself. "I'm Donna. I help coordinate the single female housing."

She lets that sink in for a minute before continuing, "You'll be able to shower and change in a little while. I'm sure you're tired of that hospital gown."

I hold up a hand, "How long have I been here?"

She rubs her chin like she has a beard and sighs, as if my question isn't unexpected, just tiring. "A couple of days." Everything seems to be in order. The team hasn't showed up yet. "Usually happens with the people we have to sedate." Her eye twitches. "If you cause trouble, we won't hesitate to do it again. If you give it a chance you can be happy here."

"We have rules, of course. I'll start with the basics. You're encouraged to find ...a partner." She eyes me as dread settles in my stomach.

I'm not in immediate danger, and she doesn't hold a gun on me, but I have to ask. "Why?"

She sighs again, "I suppose you have questions, but I'm not at liberty to answer. Dr. Finnegan will be here in a couple of days. He's the one that answers those. He's brilliant, and it may take a while to get use to his views, but everything makes sense. I promise.

"You have been cleared as a healthy, fertile female. You will be treated with much respect. You could say it's almost like being royalty. You will be royalty if you bear children. You have a chance to pick your own partner. You can live with him, marry him, or just have babies. Some women opt for that, and live on their own so they give back to the world the same as women who find a companion."

"Who would want to bring an innocent baby into this world? What if I opt out?" I'm getting angry. This is the second time in a week that I'm wanted for my uterus. One of the reason's I was kidnapped to begin with. Kidnapped, twice. I now know why young women are scarce at the community. They don't just come and go. They are taken against their will.

She looks at me blankly. "You will be forced, but we want you to be happy, so you're encouraged to do so. On your own. The children here are really happy children with no worries that would apply to children outside of here. They live and are raised by their parents. They attend school, get exercise, play, and have friends that they will know their entire lives." She lifts her chin studying my reaction. "I have someone that will take you around the compound and let you see with your own eyes. She's recently married, and pregnant with her first child. She lives with her husband and they live a normal life in independent housing. She devotes her time in talking to women like you, who come from the outside unwillingly. She was here before I came, and I have been honored with watching her grow and accept."

I shake my head. "I don't care. What if I decide I want to leave?"

She looks at me with pity. "We won't force you to stay here, but if you walk out of those doors you are no longer safe from the infected."

"What? Infected? So it is a disease? How?" I blurt these all out. She holds up a hand. I don't believe her about letting me walk out if I want to leave. Her tone tells me as much.

"Dr. Finnegan will explain." Her arm lifts toward the door. "Let's get you a shower, and something to eat. Then you will have time in the singles hall." They're not wasting any time. I have to be serious. I was coming here for this exact reason. Now, I'm going to talk to someone who knows the things I want to know. Hoping the team will hold off a while longer, I will have time to get knowledge, look for Julie, and set a plan into motion. Not for the first time this week, I wish I could make a phone call.

We go next door to the shower room, complete with lockers, benches, and a big group shower. She shows me clothes in the lockers and shoes. Everything I will need. A big makeshift vanity with girl crap all over takes up an entire wall. A girl with auburn hair spots us, and scrambles out after applying lip-gloss.

"Um, where are my clothes and boots?" I want Mac's shirt back and my boots. The jeans I don't really care about, just the shirt.

"Your clothes were probably cut off of you." My eyes sting with tears. Stupid really, but it's all I had. She takes in my reaction and quickly mumbles, "I can look for your boots, if you would like." I nod, and she quickly leaves. They really do want me happy and compliant, but I have no doubt they won't have any trouble tossing me to the famished, like Rudy first said they did. I can't really grasp the reality and organization that was put into this.

I believe her when she said people are happy here, people jumping at the chance for safety and normal living. I still can't see bringing a child in the world. It's cruel and selfish. They don't know what I do though, a cavalry will come with a whole lot of explosives soon, and their world will be torn apart. It will be too late to think about their hasty decision to join a new age plan.

Pure happiness overtakes me when I get in the hot, steamy shower. Standing there for a good ten minutes as it ripples over me puts me in a daze. I don't completely understand my situation yet, it being so frustrating and unbelievable. After I take my time washing my hair and body, I get out feeling relaxed and ready to take on anything.

My boots perch on a bench on top of something white, much to my relief. Mac's shirt. When I pick it up, it falls apart in tatters, but I'm grateful to Donna.

"I figured it was like that." I spin and Donna leans against the wall. "You know, more people came with you. Maybe he is already here?"

I shake my head. "I was kidnapped before, by crazy religious people."

She nods, "You might recognize some of them then. You never know whom you will see. They bring in people all the time." I hope Mac is not here. Rudy either. Anyone I know, for that matter. I can't worry about them now. They can take care of themselves. I know they thought the same of me. No point going down that road. I'm sure the opportunity to be pissed at myself will arise again through my unwilling frolicsomeness.

I dress in a white long-sleeved T-shirt, and low-rise jeans, so low that my shirt doesn't cover my hipbones as they protrude, indicating I've lost some weight. My tattoo sinks in, I need food pronto. A baby pink, zippered, hooded sweatshirt covers up my skinniness. Slipping on my boots is a comfort to me. The colored part of my hair's light blue, so I brush it and leave it down, pulling the hood up.

It seems we stick to the same building with several wings. She explains one wing is dedicated to the singles area, but the bachelors live in a separate dorm. The cafeteria's right off the front lobby which is all white-painted brick and cream colored tile floors.

The cafeteria's empty when we get there, reminding me of a school cafeteria. Rows of tables with the attached stools and a long buffet line sit in front of the kitchen. Inspirational posters hang throughout the building. I notice one now, featuring a cottage type house with a family playing the yard. The caption says, "Home sweet home. This is the place to find happiness. If one doesn't find it here, one won't find it anywhere." Give me a fucking break.

The menu is varied with pizza, burgers, and fries, and I eat, not realizing how hungry I am. Food that will keep people happy. I opt for a Portobello mushroom burger, fries, and a hearty vegetable soup. God loves me I have homemade double chocolate brownies. Donna watches me eat curiously. I think she wants to laugh.

"What?" I say with a mouth full of food as a piece of mushroom goes flying.

She smiles. "This is my favorite part. Watching people eat the foods they haven't been able to eat."

I nod. "I lost weight while drugged. I don't think I've ever been this skinny. It's gross." I don't remember eating anything at Jeremiah's either. I frown.

She raises her brow, "Most girls like being ultra skinny."

"It's disgusting. Even though some girls can't help being that skinny. Most girls starve themselves, and all I want to do is give them some cookies. I don't think it's attractive to not eat." I shrug.

She nods approvingly as I dig into my brownie. "Can I take some of these to go?" I ask jokingly, and tell her so. I feel a lot better now with a shower and food. I did eat too much, but I need it. I'll probably eat a lot today, and not be hungry tomorrow.

"So, how did you know my name? It's not like I have ID on me or anything?"

She rubs her chin again. It's a wonder it's not raw. "Fingerprints." I grow cold, turning to stone. "It seems yours were in the database. Quite the trouble maker," she scolds. "We know all about you, Kansas City Sunshine Moore."

I stare at her. "Not everyone can be found that way."

"Not everyone has to be brought in being carried. Most of these people came here willingly." A tight smile forms on her lips. I don't believe her. Otherwise, how would they know I would make trouble before taking my fingerprints? They wouldn't, leaving me to believe everyone is drugged and carried here.

"Yeah, they thought it was a government camp. You know? The people that run the country?" My voice isn't exuding with sarcasm. Much.

She ignores my tone. "Battle of wills now."

I start to ask, but of course she holds up her hand. "All in good time, Kansas."

"Does everyone know about me?"

She shakes her head, "No, just your name, and your tattoo." She smiles. "Can't really keep secrets like that around here." Damn Reece and his "virgin canvas" speech. "But no. No one knows about your previous record with the police." She eyes me and purses her lips. "We had to confiscate your bag and the laptop. Your previous actions from the former world let us know that would be the smart thing to do. The guns, it's against the rules for civilians, and the guards know to look out for anyone who has had them."

I nod, not caring for those things. I can get more. This new information tells me my laptop would have been useful here. I file that away for future reference. About my past? I'm not proud of it. Therefore, I don't want anyone to know about it. I was young and dumb, constantly testing my parent's limits. It slowed down when Malachi became attached to my hip. I think that's why they loved him so much. I loved him for that, too. That's also why his parents could care less about me, and tormented him about it. It didn't help that I was no less than frigid with them. They treated him poorly. I can see now, they just wanted what was best for him, but I never held him back from anything. I still got into trouble though. I'm surprised this base knows about the felony charge that had been thrown out.

I sigh, letting those thoughts go. They never get me anywhere I want to be. "Where are the people that came with me?" I ask reluctantly.

"Most have already adjusted, but none had records such as yours either. We took precautions with you. Are you ready to meet everyone?"

"Might as well get it over with."

She peers sideways at me as we leave the cafeteria. "It's not so bad."

"Do you know a Julie?" I ask, not knowing her last name.

She glances at me again, this time with shock. She rubs her jaw. Her chin must be sore. All her face touching explains the little pimples lining her jaw. "Yes," she says. "She's the one giving you the tour tomorrow."

I freeze. "Wait. Didn't you say she was married and in a fix?" Her look tells me she's confused, not catching my meaning. "You know, pregnant?"

She nods, watching my reaction. This just got a lot more complicated. I haven't even met the tramp yet. I scoff at myself. Who am I to judge?

Chapter 30.

The "singles" hall is just that, located adjacent from the cafeteria. It reminds me of a nursing home recreation room with an adjoining courtyard. Big TV's with comfy seating make up most of the room. A huge bookshelf on a wall supports board games, DVD's, books, music, and video games. I can really see myself getting into the mood here. Right.

Pool tables and card tables take up a huge space in the middle. People talk in friendly groups. At first glance, I'm relieved not to recognize anyone.

"The courtyard is out that way." Donna points toward the double glass doors parallel from us. "The indoor pool is right across from the bathrooms, down that hall." Her finger directs to an open hallway on the far right. "The workout room is also down there."

Workout room? Interesting, it will give me something to do if I get bored. Not likely. Right now though, I feel odd, and want to sneak back to bed. Actually, I'd rather take my chances running into the thousands of zombies outside the base.

"Not everyone is here yet, still on their work detail, but will be here shortly. You will be assigned to do something, but can wait a few days while you get adjusted. I'll see you soon. Dinner is at seven." She gestures to a clock and it reads 3:17pm. "You'll get use to the schedule, and everyone else's. I have something I need to see to, so I'll leave you to it." She turns, leaving before I have a chance to say anything.

A couple of guys smile at me. I snort to myself, and ignoring them, I walk out the double doors into the courtyard. The whole thing takes up half an acre of Bermuda grass of course, it's brown now, and freezing out here with several benches. Little patio tables, a grill, some chaise lounges, and a volleyball net complete the scene. A fountain is the centerpiece of the courtyard. I imagine they plant flowers in the spring. Sitting next to the wall, I put my head on my knees willing the time to pass.

I don't know how much time has passed when I hear my name as a question. "Kan?" Afraid to look, I do it anyway, and my stomach drops.

"Dalton?" He nods, but he doesn't look happy to see me here either. He runs a hand down his face as tension permeates his handsome features.

"You were the one they kept sedated," he states as he shakes his head. "I hoped you escaped while all that was going down."

"I thought you weren't there, that you went to find Mac." My voice shakes, I'm unable to contain it.

"I did." I stare at him with hope. Sitting down beside me, he slumps and stares at nothing. "The guy I saw told me Mac wasn't there. He got into a massive fight with another guy and left the community." My face goes flat as my stomach sinks even lower and threatens to come up in the form of vomit.

"A fight? Who was the other guy?" I don't really want to know.

"I don't know. I was just upset that he left." He peers at me. "I did tell the guy that I knew where you were, that you were kidnapped. If Mac goes back, he'll know where you were and figure out what happened. I'm sorry Kan."

"Who was the guy you talked to? Did he know me?"

"Yes, they thought you ran off by yourself. I don't know why they would think that." I do. I just found out the truth about Julie. With Mac thinking I had a more-than-friends feelings for Rudy, well, I'm not surprised he left. I still can't help thinking about the morning we shared. Did Mac really think I would leave? He assumed though, and that kills me. "The guy was Bart, the bartender dude."

I nod. Good. Mac will know if he goes back, but that's a big if.

"I couldn't stay to find out more. When I did get back to my post, not ten minutes later I got stuck with a needle. They know I'm from the Coalition, and are keeping an eye on me. I need to get out though."

"Me too, but I'm going to find some things out, first."

Dalton takes on a serious look. "No, Kan, you can't listen to them. You can't trust these people."

This pissed me off. "You mean you haven't even bothered to figure out what's going on here? What the fuck is wrong with you? I don't trust them, but something big is happening. I can't believe you and that damned Coalition aren't doing anything about it!" I snap.

"We are. No one is in danger yet. Things take patience, and time."

"Bullshit! I've been kidnapped twice, because of my age. There is something wrong with that, and I have been harmed! Violated, drugged, forced into a psycho marriage, this close to having sex against my will with a minor." I hold up my forefinger and thumb to indicate how close. "And the same fucking thing is going to happen here!" I seethe, practically feeling steam coming from my orifices. I decide to tell him about my team. "I have people coming here to help, just be ready to haul ass and help when you hear boom sounds."

His eyes widen on the last in sudden alarm, "What? Did Mac know about this?"

"Yeah, he was part of "

A hand cuts me off. "What? He isn't supposed to get caught up in civilian issues. Only report them," he says this quickly. From the way he glances at me, I don't think he wanted to tell me that. "At least that explains why he left. He went to report it," he adds, coming up with his own explanation.

Great. I don't need that complication if it's true, and a sad thing that I really don't know what's going on with Mac. "I can't be seen with you. They won't talk to me if they do." Getting up and walking away, I fume at the confirmation Mac knows about the guys in black canvas.

A movie plays on the TV screen, and I think it might be some romantic comedy. To my utter delight, it isn't, I settle on a blue sofa just as Will Farrell "The Tank" streaks down the road in Old School.

"You like this movie?" I cut my glance sideways to a guy sitting beside me, locking his hands behind his buzzed, black head of hair. My gaze shoots to his button up bowling shirt, looking very Charlie Sheen-ish. The guy's got to be at least five to ten years older than me. He laughs, "Such suspicion. Don't worry, I'm not hitting on you."