Aberrant (14 page)

"Are you sure they're not part of the government?"
I didn’t want to fall into a trap after how far we’d come. We wouldn't make it anywhere
without water. We hadn't had any since we'd left Haven.

"The only government towns are on the map back east
from where we came. The government has labeled everyone else as a rebel," he
assured me. "Besides I can't take anymore driving without something to eat
and drink." I knew he was right. We’d endured a brutal trip. I was just
grateful we had a vehicle and weren't trying to escape on foot.

I nudged him with my arm as we slowly approached the end of
the road and saw a home situated a hundred feet from it. "We walk the rest
of the way?" I guessed. I just hoped no one would steal our vehicle if we
left it.

Joshua turned off the car and tossed the keys into his
pocket. "Seems like the only way to get up there," he gestured at the
closed off road. We walked past the brush into the forest, through trees and
thicket toward the approaching house. The closer we got, the more the smoke seemed
to swell higher in the backyard, reaching the clouds. They definitely had a fire
out back. I could smell the smoke and a hint of something else, meat perhaps. My
mouth instantly watered as I trudged to the front door.

"Come on." Joshua took my hand, leading me to the
porch. I couldn't help but feel nervous, unsure of what awaited us on the other
side. Whatever it was, we could deal with it. Turning around and heading down
the mountain without food wasn't an option. I just had no idea how friendly
these people would be. Could they be worse than Haven?

Joshua gave a rapid steady knock. "Hello? Is anyone
home?" he called, his voice echoing in the woods.

Slowly, the wooden door creaked open, a pistol drawn at us,
and I groaned as my stomach ached with a roaring pain. I clutched my stomach
with a grimace. "Please, help us," I breathed, my eyelids heavy with
hunger, thirst and exhaustion.

"What do you want?" The voice on the other side
demanded. He sounded like an older gentleman, and he didn't budge from the
door.

"The government attacked Haven," Joshua explained.
"We need food and water. We're starving."

The man sized us up curiously. "Why should I help
you?"

"Please," I begged as my hands shook. I struggled
to stay upright, the pain in my stomach becoming unbearable. "We're
heading west. We won't stay long, but we haven't eaten in days." I
couldn't remember the last time I'd eaten. Sunrise and sunset had become a blur
with each day, as Joshua had driven as much as he could handle.

The older man studied us both curiously. He tilted his head.
"Come in, come in," he answered with a resigned sigh. He opened the
screen door and stepped aside. Joshua walked in first. I hesitated. My stomach
grumbled loudly, and the older man turned around hearing it. "I'll get you
some food."

"Thank you," I tried to be polite, hiding the fear
coursing through my veins. My eyes surveyed the home. Nothing looked weird or
creepy, but I still felt more than mildly uncomfortable – perhaps because this
guy lived in a cabin in the middle of the woods without anyone in hundreds of
miles, or perhaps because we'd nearly been killed, and I was still on edge.

"I'm Milo," he introduced himself.

"Joshua Warren, and this is Olivia Parker," Josh replied.

I shot Joshua a nasty look. He merely shrugged, not thinking
straight. "Olivia Parker. Really?" I crossed my arms ignoring the cramps
in my stomach as the anger boiled within me. "Are we not married
anymore?" I questioned. "Is that it? I'm not good enough to be your
wife?"

Joshua sighed. "I didn't say that, I just thought–-"
he let out a heavy sigh and glanced at Milo for any ounce of help he could
supply.

"Olivia Parker? The Olivia Parker?" Milo whispered
in awe. "You're Samantha Parker's daughter?"

I remained silent, unsure how to answer, especially after our
stay in Haven. I glanced at Joshua, realizing we'd made a mistake. We shouldn't
have used our real names. The thought of these people demanding of me what
Haven had made me sick. He put his gun down, but I kept an eye on it and him. I
felt nauseated – I needed food and I couldn't wrap my mind around how he knew
my mother's name. Was I hallucinating? Had I lost my mind?

“Are you?” he asked again, stepping closer, peering at me.

"My mother is Samantha." I paused thinking it
over. Everything felt real. Could word have possibly traveled that fast about
who I was? "How do you know my mother?" I asked, my eyes narrowed
into slits.

"Everyone knows of your mother," Milo insisted. "She
chose to live her life in Genesis for you. She thought that would protect you."
Milo grinned. “This is amazing.” He beamed, gazing at me. Reaching out, he
touched a strand of my blonde hair and I stepped back.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I demanded, grabbing the
shotgun against the wall. Even weak from dehydration I felt strong. I held it
up to him, raising an eye. “Touch me again, and I will shoot you.” It wasn't
just a threat. I was tired of everyone choosing my life – it was mine to
choose.

“I’m sorry,” Milo apologized, holding his arms up. "Your
mother was a legend, and always considered somewhat of a myth. But here you are."
He grinned. “I’m just so excited to meet you. The fact that you’re alive and
well, it’s great news! Now put that down,” he insisted, "And come to the
kitchen. I'll make you both a big breakfast." Reluctantly, I put the gun
back against the wall, hoping I wouldn't need it.

I wasn't sure I could eat a big breakfast, but I knew I
needed to eat something. Milo pulled out two tall glasses and filled them with
water for us. I devoured mine in an instant and poured myself another glass. I
just hoped it wouldn't come back up. Milo watched us both with fascination. His
eyes came to rest on me once again. "Is it true?" he whispered
stepping closer, examining my face. "Can you bear the last child?"

"I don't know." I sighed, slamming the empty glass
on the table. "It's possible." My eyes narrowed. "But I'm not
about to start trying." I made it perfectly clear. If this old man thought
he could have his way with me, he had another thing coming.

"Fair enough, young lady." Milo nodded. "You
may stay as long as you like, but please know the government will be looking
for you. If you truly are Olivia Parker, then I'm sure they destroyed Haven searching
for you."

"Why?” I knew the government had arrested me and wanted
me dead – at least if it was up to Governor Craynor – but why kill hundreds of
innocent people in Haven?

Milo sighed. "You are a legend, Olivia. The government
is searching for you and won’t stop unless they believe you’re dead. I suggest
you take on new names, new identities.” He opened his fridge, pulled out a
batch of fresh eggs and turned on the stove. My mouth instantly watered.

Joshua spoke up, "Thanks for doing this, Milo." He
stared at the food on the stove, and I knew he felt as hungry as I did. He
opened his mouth and said softly, "You should dye your hair red."

I shifted uncomfortably on my feet at the suggestion. "You
think I should be Jacqueline?" Was he serious? I could never be his
sister. It would be too weird.

He shook his head, "It's okay. Milo's right. We need
identities and back stories. If someone asks, you know enough about where
Jacqueline is from you can pass the story off as your own."

"What about you?" I asked Joshua.

"I can be Adam," he answered in a matter of fact
tone. "While you spent a few days with Jacqueline, Adam showed me around
town. I think I can pass myself off as him."

I'd never met Adam and didn't know what he looked or acted
like. I had to believe Joshua could pass for anyone, but more importantly if no
one knew what we looked like, and we had different names, it could work.

CHAPTER 12

We stayed the afternoon on the mountain, joining Milo and
his wife, Uma, for not only breakfast, but lunch and dinner, as well. All
morning, she'd been out picking berries in the forest and was pleasantly
surprised to find us seated in her living room with Milo. I was grateful for
their hospitality.

Milo made sure to give us plenty of food and matches to take
back with us. He spent an hour with Joshua teaching him how to lay traps for
fish when we traveled west as we'd find water closer to the ocean. While Joshua
and Milo were fishing, Uma showed me which berries were poisonous and which
were good to eat. I doubted we'd find time to stop again, but I definitely learned
a good lesson should the need arise. After dinner, Uma took me aside, handing
me a bottle of custom red dye she'd made from the berries, explaining how to
use it. I thanked them repeatedly as we said our goodbyes and headed back
through the woods.

"They were surprisingly nice," Joshua admitted,
nudging me as we walked to the car. He opened the door for me and we both
rearranged the food and other supplies in the backseat. "Aren't you glad I
suggested it?"

I couldn't help but shake my head and laugh. "I'm just
glad we didn't get shot.” Joshua agreed. He pulled out the keys. "Here, I'll
drive," I offered taking the keys from him.

As the sun broke through the horizon, I glanced in the
rearview mirror seeing the sun light up the night sky, turning itself into day.

"Olivia? You still awake?" Joshua yawned, shifting
in the passenger seat as he rubbed his eyes. The morning light was enough to
wake him as was the heat while we traveled into the desert.

"I should hope so." I joked tiredly at Joshua. "I'd
hate to think I was driving in my sleep."

"Pull over." He gestured. “I’ll drive.” I stopped
the car – no point in actually pulling over – we were all alone out here. We
switched seats and I stretched out, instantly closing my eyes. "Going to
sleep already?" Joshua teased.

"I'm beat," a yawn slipped past my lips as I watched
him buckle his seatbelt. "You can talk. I may listen." My eyes closed,
but I knew he heard me.

Joshua laughed. "Gee, thanks." He hit the gas,
taking off faster than it seemed I'd driven earlier. Perhaps the sudden stop to
start made it feel that way. I moaned softly, missing my bed already. I hoped
it wouldn't be long until we reached the town where Joshua intended to take us.
In a matter of seconds, I drifted towards oblivion.

I felt the cold metal steel beneath me. I tried to move
but was trapped in place, my arms bound to the table. No amount of struggling
would loosen the restraints of my arms or legs. "Please!" I cried
out, trying to survey the room. I recognized no one – merely eyes as white
surgical masks covered their faces.

I tried to sit up, tried to move, but it was no use. The
binds on my arms chafed my skin and though I continued to try and work my way
free, it seemed impossible. "Joshua," I whispered, gasping as my eyes
darted around, trying to find him.

A strange voice answered me, an older female who seemed
familiar, but I couldn't quite place her. "This is for your own good,
Olivia, and for the good of mankind."

"I don't want this!" I screamed as loud as I
could. My voice seemed to echo but no one came for me. The other doctors
watched me with a strange curiosity. "Help me," My voice begged as I
whispered up at the woman, begging for her to release me.

"We are helping you," she assured me. "Helping
everyone. You have a gift we want to share with the world," she explained.
"You are special, Olivia, but you don't have to be. You can be like
everyone else if you let us study you."

"Do I get a choice?" Did I have any other
options?

She stared at me, pausing for a moment contemplating how
to answer me. "No," she was honest and I closed my eyes, feeling a
single tear slide down my cheek.

"Please," I begged. "Please save me."

"We're saving humanity," she assured me. "Is
that not worth fighting for?"

"Not at the stake of killing a life!" I shouted
at her.

The woman smiled at me, walking over toward the table
reaching for a scalpel. "We're not killing you, darling."

My eyes widened in horror as I realized what she intended
to do. "Please, no. I'll do anything. Anything but let you cut me
open!" I wasn't an animal to be dissected or an experiment. I was human. Could
they not see that?

"Just like you did for Joshua?" She narrowed
her eyes.

"What do you mean?" I didn't understand. I
shook my head violently trying to break free. "Tell me! What did you do
with him? Where is he? Joshua!" I screamed as loud as my voice could take,
cracking and I felt myself breaking down. I tried not to cry, wanted to be
strong but my resolve was quickly crumbling.

"You did it to him," she remarked, slowly
removing her mask to show me her face. I gasped in horror, recognizing the
woman as I jolted awake.

"You okay?" Joshua glanced at me. Sweat caked my
body. I shivered from the reminder of my dream, relieved to see him sitting
beside me. It had felt so incredibly real.

"Just glad to be awake." I shifted uncomfortably
beside him, not wanting to talk about my dream.

"That bad?" He guessed, shooting me a sideways
glance as he continued to drive. I turned toward the window beside me, seeing
dry ground and cacti surrounding us. Earlier in our trek I’d felt we had been
in the middle of nowhere. This was truly it. "Do you remember the first
time we met?" he asked.

I was grateful for the sudden change of subject. "We
were five, right?" I glanced at him as he focused on the road.

Joshua shook his head. "We met at school when we were
five and became friends, but that wasn't the first time you and I met."

That surprised me. I knew our parents had been friends, but
I didn't remember meeting him before our first year in school together. "I
guess I don't," I confessed. Much of my childhood felt like a blur. After
my father died, I tried to memorize every detail of every part of my life. So
much when I was younger faded.