Prisoner
Chapter 11
Seeing their faces gave her a sick feeling. Their crimes against synthetics had been heinous and unforgivable, she reminded herself.
“Yes. And what do you know about us?”
She recollected the news reports. The bodies that had been uncovered.
The word ‘murderers’ almost came out of her mouth, but she chose her words carefully. “You’re...extremists,” She swallowed hard, “Some sort of terrorist organization. At least, that’s what I’ve heard.”
Jazun and the other woman exchanged glances.
Lena continued, “Those bodies that were found. They all had your symbol carved into them.”
“The symbol?” Jazun asked. He looked annoyed. “I swear, if one more...”
“Jazun,” the woman interrupted. She approached Lena and spoke clearly and direct. “Lena, what you have been told about us is not wholly truthful.”
Lena looked at her in confusion.
“You will know soon enough,” she said. She then added, “Lena, you told us that you drove.”
She was at a loss for words.
“Where’s your car?” Jazun asked.
She thought for a moment. “It’s a bike. It’s parked near the campsite.” She looked back at the woman. “It was an old road. I almost passed it.”
At this, Jazun left the room quickly without a word.
“Lena, your ability is very valuable. This is why you’re going to help us.”
“I-- what?”
“Your knowledge of driving the old machines is rare.”
The woman spoke sharply, but Lena’s sense of mortal danger was receding.
“I suppose I don’t have a choice.”
The woman pondered this statement for a moment.
“Lena. Once you see, you will not need to choose.”
Lena stood in silence. This was all happening so fast. Where was she? Would she ever see her friends and Nico again?
“Please, why can’t you just let me go? I don’t want anything to do with this. I have no idea where this place is. Please…” Lena begged.
“Lena,” the woman said strongly. “You will take us.”
She fell back on the chair, her head in her hands.
“But you will not be held prisoner.”
She looked up.
The woman moved to the door, her hand on the handle.
“Follow me. You must be hungry.”