“This is it,” Tyrone boomed. “Find a mattress…now!” He jumped to the first bunk and ripped off the mattress.
“Grab a mattress, kid!” Leland said.
Todd did as he was told.
The four men pushed their way to the back of the cell and lay against the wall, covering themselves with the mattresses. Lieutenant King gave the order and the door opened. The dogs leapt forward, barking and snapping at the first row of inmates. As the inmates fell back, soldiers quickly entered and began firing tear gas canisters. The soldiers and dogs retreated and the door closed again. Tear gas flooded the cell.
Todd pushed the mattress against his face trying to keep the choking gas out of his lungs as long as he could. He could feel his heart pounding in his ears. It didn’t take long for the burning sensation to begin. He could hear people choking and gagging all around. He peeked over his mattress. Gas masked soldiers were pushing their way into the cell, swinging the butts of their rifles at the choking inmates. Todd heard the sounds of fans coming on and the gas quickly dissipated. Snapping dogs reappeared, driving everyone to the floor. Finally, the only sound left was crying men and the incessant barking of the dogs.
After some time, the dogs were systematically removed. Soldiers stood over the prone inmates, pushing the muzzles of M-16 rifles against the back of their skulls.
Lieutenant King walked heavily towards the front of the room. “You will lie on the floor until your name is called! Then I want you to stand where you are. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir!” the inmates responded.
“If you stand, and your name wasn’t called, you will be shot. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir!”
“Inmate Bellaccomo, Tony, stand up!”
An inmate in the front of the room stood up.
“Inmate Vasquez, Pedro, stand up!”
Todd dared not look up. He heard another inmate jump to his feet.
King continued calling names until he reached the end of his list. “You men stand over there!” he said, pointing at the wall.
The men did as they were told.
“Everyone else, stay put!”
Once the men had lined up against the wall, King turned his attention to them. “Recent circumstances have made it impossible for the citizens of this state to continue babysitting you maggots. So by order of Judge Judith Owens, you men have been set free.”
The men standing at the wall looked at each other. They began yelling and slapping palms.
“Shut your holes!” King hollered. “You ain’t gone yet!”
“They’re gonna’ let us go,” Todd whispered.
“Don’t be too sure,” Leland said quietly.
“Hey man,” Hector yelled, still lying on the floor, “What about me?”
“Shut up, Hector!” King bellowed.
Hector slowly stood up “No man. Why you always doggin’ me, man.”
King stepped forward, pulled a handgun from its holster and fired a round into Hector’s forehead. Hector fell into a heap on the floor.
Todd felt the blood drain from his face.
Silence fell over the line of men standing at the wall.
“Get out of here,” King said, turning back to face them, “And watch yourselves. The streets are full of police and military. They’ll shoot you for no reason at all, got that?”
The pale faced men standing in line nodded in unison. One of the soldiers stepped forward taking hold of the first inmate in line. He pushed him out the front door. The others quickly followed.
“What’s going on?” Todd whispered.
“Those were the short-timers,” Leland said, “the non-violent felonies…misdemeanors.”
“What does that mean?”
“We’ll find out soon enough,” Leland said.
“You men shut up!” King barked, pushing his side arm into Todd’s face.
Todd quickly quieted.
King turned and looked around the room. “The rest of you, get up on your feet!”
The remaining inmates slowly stood.
“You men will follow Captain Paige!” He pointed at one of the soldiers. The captain turned to leave. Another solder pushed the first inmate towards the Plexiglas door with his rifle. The next inmate fell in behind. Todd, Leland, Anthony and Tyrone made up the back of the line.
As the line began snaking out the door, one of the inmates screamed and bolted towards the rec. room. Automatic weapons fire tore him to pieces before he reached the entrance. The inmates in line hit the floor but were yanked to their feet and pushed out the Plexiglas door.
They were led through a maze of halls and outside into the vast outdoor recreation area. There, they were lined up against the fence and told to turn to their right.
King paced nervously in front of them and stopped. “You men are the violent felons! We can’t afford to turn you loose on an unsuspecting public and we don’t have anywhere to keep you…The United States of America is in a state of emergency and has been placed under martial law. By order of Judge Judith Owens, you men are to be executed.”
The men in line looked at each other and back at King. Two men in line broke free and tried to run, but were immediately cut down. One of them lay on the ground moaning. King moved forward and finished him with a shot to the temple. “If you don’t run,” he said, looking at the remaining inmates, “it’ll be quicker. It’s up to you.”
Todd glanced over his shoulder at Leland. “Is this it? We’re gonna’ die now?
“If it’s God’s will,” Leland said.
“Aren’t you mad at God, Leland? Even a little bit?”
“Kid,” Leland said softly, “I’ve been in prison a long, long time. I’d'a never got out. I done things only God can forgive. I always knew I’d die in this place. Now it’s time for me to finally go home.”
“Amen, my brother,” Tyrone said.
“Right on,” Anthony echoed, “I’m ready.”
Leland put his huge hand on Todd’s shoulder. “It’s time to make a decision kid. Are you ready to give your life to the Lord?”
Todd jumped as he heard King’s sidearm pop. He heard a body fall to the ground. Men all around began softly praying, some crying. Another pop and another body fell in a heap.
“Are you ready?” Leland asked.
“It’s too late.” Todd said. “You can’t wait till the last minute then expect God to save you.”
“Yes you can.” Leland said. “The thief on the cross did.”
Another pop, closer this time.
“Yes, yes,” Todd said as loud as he dared. “I want to be saved.”
Leland smiled, dropped his hand away from Todd’s shoulder and began softly singing. “Ah..ma..zing grace, how sweet…”
Anthony joined in, just as King reached him. “To…save…a…wretch…like me….”
King put his pistol to Anthony’s temple and fired. Anthony fell to the ground.
“I…once was lost…but now…am found….”
King put the pistol to Tyrone’s head and fired. Tyrone’s body fell into a heap on the ground.
“Was…blind but now…I see….”
King moved to big Leland and put the pistol to his temple. “Sorry, Rev,” he said in Leland’s ear. “Put in a good word for me with the man, will you?”
Leland smiled, nodded and continued singing. “Though we’ve…been there…ten thousand years…bright shining as the sun….”
King pulled the trigger and shot Leland in the head. His giant body crumpled at Todd’s feet.
Todd gritted his teeth. He gently drifted away to a little house in a Nashville suburb, to a smolderingly beautiful raven haired girl, tender smiling lips, emerald green eyes glimmering in the soft glow of the fireplace....
King put his pistol down, pulled out a new clip and reloaded.
Todd felt the barrel against his temple.
“Thank God, this is the last one,” Lieutenant King said. He hesitated for a brief moment and pulled the tr
igger.
~~~
The limo pulled in behind a row of small office warehouse units. It soundlessly glided to the end of a parking area and stopped at the entrance of one of the units. The automatic door was already responding to a wireless signal given by the driver. The limo pulled in and the door closed behind them.
Dr. Oliver glanced around nervously. “What are we doing here?”
“We have a little business,” Santana said. “This won’t take long.” He looked at the man sitting beside Maria. “Untie her, Tanner!” With considerable effort, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief. “Gag her.”
“What—what are you doing?” Oliver said.
Tanner ignored Oliver and stepped out of the limo. He reached back in and violently pulled Maria out the door.
“Be careful!” Oliver barked, his face, contorted.
Tanner smirked and pushed Maria away from the car.
Santana chuckled. “Why do you care about her?”
“Sorry Mr. Santana,” Oliver said. “The…baby, they might hurt the baby.”
The limo driver stepped from the limo. The two men pushed Maria face down against the hood of the car and began untying her hands from behind her back. As Oliver stepped out of the vehicle Maria turned towards him.
“Why are you doing this?” she said sobbing.
Oliver winced and moved towards her only to be pushed aside by Tanner. “Don’t worry Miss,” Oliver said softly. “Everything’s gonna’ be alright.” Tanner yanked her head back and tied the handkerchief tightly over her mouth.
“Don’t, don’t…do that,” Oliver said grimacing. “You don’t have to hurt her.”
Santana turned and began walking towards the small office at the front of the warehouse “Oliver, come with me. We need to talk.”
Oliver hesitated and followed.
Santana stopped, whirled and hollered at the two men holding Maria. “Tie her face up on the table! Tie her arms and legs to the legs of the table, got it?”
“Got it.” Tanner said.
Maria screamed through the gag as the two men began dragging her towards the center of the storage area.
Dr. Oliver stood staring at the ominous looking table in the center of the floor. “What is that? What are you doing with an autopsy table?”
Santana stopped and turned. “You coming?”
“Uh…yes sir,” Oliver said.
He turned and fell in behind Santana. The two men opened the door to the office and stepped inside. Santana moved to a chair behind a small desk and motioned for Oliver to take a seat.
“I…I’m sorry mister Santana,” Oliver said. “I just have to stand.”
Santana flipped a hand. “Fine!”
Oliver eased back towards the door leading into the warehouse and charily peeked out.
Santana stood, moved to the door and closed it. “I need your attention Oliver, do you understand?”
Oliver slowly sat down in a small chair and began nervously drumming his fingers on the desk in front of him. Santana returned to his seat and began nonchalantly thumbing through paper work.
What are we doing here?” Oliver said, breaking the silence.
“What do you think we’re doing here?”
“I’m not sure I want to know,” Oliver said, holding his breath.
“C’mon Oliver, you don’t really believe we had any intention of taking her with us do you?”
“You’re gonna…kill her?”
“No, don’t be ridiculous. Of course I’m not gonna’ kill her. What do you think I am, a monster?” He pushed back from the desk and pulled a plastic wrapped scalpel from one of the drawers. “You’re gonna’ kill her.” he said, throwing the scalpel on the desk.
Oliver jumped to his feet. “No! There’s no way in hell I am gonna’ kill that girl…you can forget it!”
“Oliver,” Santana ordered, “Sit down!”
Oliver slid back into his seat.
Santana leaned forward. “She’s gonna’ died soon anyway. Besides, it’s not like you’re gonna’ KILL her, kill her. You’re just gonna perform a simple cesarean section…piece of cake.”
“I refuse to do it…I, I can’t do it. I’m a psychiatrist not a gynecologist.”
“Psychiatrists are medical doctors,” Santana said, “and you were a gynecologist before you went into psychiatry, am I right? That’s why you were there at the hospital taking care of the girl in the first place. You were doing double duty for the Vinces.”
Oliver glared at Santana.
Santana chuckled. “Never let it be said that Benjamin Santana doesn’t do his homework.” He became serious. “Damn it, Oliver, be reasonable. The damn asteroid’s gonna’ kill her anyway.”
“Then let the asteroid kill her,” Oliver yelled back.
Santana became silent and leaned back in his seat. “But then…I suppose the asteroid is gonna’ kill everybody…unless of course, you’re like me and own a private jumbo jet.”
Oliver’s eyes slowly dropped.
“It’s gonna’ be a brave new world once the asteroid business is over,” Santana continued, “Plenty of room at the top for the right person. I’m not stupid; I know how valuable a good doctor could be at a time like this.” He shuffled the few papers scattered haphazardly on top of the desk. “I hope you don’t mind but I’ve already made arrangements for you and your family to be on board when we leave for Australia tomorrow morning…That is, if you’re still with us.”
Oliver remained silent.
“All flights away from the mainland were completely overrun within minutes of the president’s announcement,” Santana continued. “Traffic leaving the city is so backed up, people are already abandoning their automobiles and setting out on foot. They’ll starve of course. The idiots didn’t think to stockpile. Marauding murderous gangs have already raided the food. It’s amazing how fast it all happened….No hope of leaving the city, let alone the country….This could be the last chance you have to save yourself, and your family.”
Oliver’s eyes slowly moved to the floor. He sat silent for a moment. “Why do you need to do this?” he said, looking up.
“We need the baby,” Santana said quickly. “We need the baby now.”
“Why can’t you keep the girl alive and allow her to give birth naturally?”
“No, no, I’ve been down that road. I want that kid, and I want him now.”
Santana tilted his head to one side. “Come on Oliver, think of the nightmare of having to drag a hostile, pregnant hostage around with us everywhere we go. The Vinces would move heaven and earth to find her if they had the slightest hint she was still around. It’s bad business…and besides, there’s only enough room on the jet for us. Me and my family, you and your family, my staff, and of course, the kid…that’s all the room there is.”
Doctor Oliver’s eyes drifted back to the floor.
“It won’t be that bad,” Santana said after a pause. “Just find an artery or whatever…cut it. It’s that simple.”
“What about anesthesia?” Oliver said quietly.
Santana smiled. “Everything is sterile. You have all the medical supplies you’ll need.”
“That’s not what I asked!” Oliver said through his teeth. “What about anesthesia?”
“I planned on picking some up but…well you know…under these circumstances…I don’t think we’ll find any anesthesia. You saw the way things were at the hospital.”
Oliver stared at Santana. “My God! What kind of man are you?”
“A damned rich one,” Santana said, grinning.
“Why can’t we break into a drugstore, find some chloroform or something…anything!”
Santana leaned forward, shaking his head and pointing the scalpel at Oliver. “No can do. I’m no doctor, but I know chloroform would probably kill the kid…as a matter of fact, any anesthesia is dangerous for the kid…am I right? I’m just not willing to take the chance…sorry.”
“An epidural block is espe
cially—”
Santana leapt to his feet. “THE GIRL’S GONNA DIE ANYWAY!”
Oliver jumped in his seat.
“Besides,” Santana continued, “we gotta’ do it now if we are to have any hope of getting your family together in time for the flight.”
Oliver sat a long time staring at the floor. Finally, he reached for the scalpel on the desk and stood.
“Now you’re being reasonable,” Santana said, grinning.
Oliver brushed by him and walked out of the office. He quickly made his way into the warehouse with Santana close behind. He could hear the muffled sounds of Maria crying through her handkerchief gag. As he approached, he could see that Maria’s hospital gown had already been pulled up exposing her belly. A tray of medical tools had been placed at the side of the table.
“It’s ok, Little Miss,” he said as he approached. He reached for her hand. She took it. The fingernails of her trembling hand bit into his. He looked deep into her terrified eyes. “Everything is gonna’ be fine, Little Miss…you’ll see. It will all be over very soon.”
He slowly lifted the scalpel, trying to keep it out of Maria’s view but she saw it anyway. She screamed and began writhing on the table. “Missy,” Oliver said quietly, gently stroking her forehead, “trust me, I’ll make it as quick as I can.”
Maria arched her back and screamed as Dr. Oliver’s trembling hand lifted the scalpel to her stomach.
~~~
Lieutenant King pulled his pistol back and looked at it closely. “Hmm, that’s never happened before. Must ‘a misfired. Bad primer I guess.”
Todd’s knees gave way and he slowly sank to the ground. Two soldiers pulled him back to his feet as King continued inspecting his pistol. “Looks OK to me,” King said, turning the weapon over in his hand. He returned the pistol to Todd’s temple.
“Wait a minute, sir,” one of the prison guards said. “I’ve been looking at the VF list—”
King turned and looked at him. “Why?”
“Something weird about this kid,” the guard said, looking at Todd. “I was moving him back into population the other day and he kept claiming he hadn’t been charged with anything, said he hadn’t even seen a lawyer. I checked it out just for the hell of it and he was telling the truth."
King dropped the firearm to his side. “So there’s a mix-up somewhere, so what?”