Chapter 2

Carson threw a file down unto his desk, his face grew red with fury. “What do you mean we lost half the shipment?!?” He screamed at a soldier’s face. His teeth clenched and his eyes narrowed to little slits. “You get that shipment. NOW!”

“Sir, I was not in charge of the shipment.” The soldier’s face remained stoic. His eyes stared straight ahead as he spoke. “Ashton Hunningsworth was in charge, sir.”

Carson’s bottom lip twitched. “Get him in here. Now.”

“Yes, sir.” The guard exited the room and marched out.

Carson sat in his chair, he had questions about Ashton. He folded his hands on the desk and slowly breathed in and out, calming his fury. Ashton appeared at the door minutes later. “Sir?”

“Come in, come in.” Carson’s fury had subsided, his voice now holding a new calm.

Ashton stepped in, his hands folded in front of him. “Yes, sir?”

“You were in charge of a shipment that was supposed to arrive today, correct?” Carson grabbed a pen and twirled it in between his fingers.

“Sir, I was not in charge of the shipment.” He looked Carson in the eyes. “I was in charge of last month’s shipment, which did arrive.”

Carson stopped twirling the pen and stood. He walked over to Ashton and leaned close, his breath falling on Ashton’s face. “You get that shipment here, whether you were in charge or not.”

“Sir, I have no information on the shipment. Last I heard, Soldier Mays Garris was in charge.” Ashton replied, keeping a calm tone.

Carson backed away and sighed as he sat down. “You are dismissed.” He muttered.

“Thank you, sir.” Ashton edged towards the door then left quickly.

~*~

Sage sighed as she dug trudged through the muddy field pushing a wheelbarrow. Her arms ached and her hands were covered in dirt. She braced her feet and pushed through the thick mud, her feet slipped and she fell down, the wheelbarrow fell along with her. Rocks and sticks flew from the bucket part of the wheelbarrow and scattered everywhere. A male soldier marched up to her, a scowl masked on his face. “Get up!” He screeched at her. Sage stood but slipped in the mud and nearly fell, she regained her balance again.

The man’s face was red, his eyes were smoldering with anger. “You better clean this up, girl!” He kicked a a few sticks and sent them flying through the air before they landed with small splashs.

“Thanks for making my job harder.” She mumbled under her breath.

The man grabbed a fistful of her hair yanking it. “What did you say?”

Sage fought tears as pain rushed through her scalp. “I’ll be sure to clean it up, sir.” Her voice held a hint of sarcasm that she could not keep out.

The soldier harshly pulled her up to her feet. He released her and nudged her leg with his muddy boot. “Get to work.”

Sage bit her lip and gathered the load that had spread everywhere. “Oh, finally you’re here.” The soldier who was watching Sage spoke to another person. “You’re her primary guard, you watch her. She’s been nothing but trouble today.” A sloshing sound told her he was walking away.

“Sage?” A familiar voice hissed.

Sage whirled around, “Ashton!” She dropped her load into the wheelbarrow, a dull thunk sounded against the metal. “Fianlly, I thought I was going to be stuck with that guard forever.” She paused and looked at him.

His face turned into a meancing glower. “Get back to work before I send you to the main office!” He barked at her.

Sage dipped her head and hurried back to her scattered work. Soft sloshing footsteps sounded behind her. “Listen, I have to be extremely careful.” He whispered, his eyes glancing around franctically. “I’m going to be harsh with you, but it’s all part of...” He stopped, searching for a word. “It’s like acting.” He continued whispering. “I’m going to have to ask you to do something.”

Sage turned around, her eyes wide. She walked back to her wheelbarrow. “What?”

“Just-” Carson walked up to them. Ashton straightened his jacket and grabbed his baton, smacking it against his palm. “Get this done in five minutes!” He screeched at her.

“Ashton.” Carson stopped in front of him.

“Yes, sir?” Ashton glanced at Sage, as she hurried to finish.

Carson leaned over and whispered something to Ashton. Ashton’s face paled as he listened to what Carson said. “I want you to bring Sage in my office tonight.” He hissed. “I have a feeling she is going to be quite useful for my special projects.”

“Yes, sir.” Ashton gulped.

Carson stood back and watched as Sage grabbed the wheelbarrow’s handles and started pushing it through the mud again.

~*~

Later that evening...

Ashton grabbed Sage’s arm. “Come on.” He hissed through clenched teeth.

Sage stood and left the wet laundry in the basket. A female soldier rushed up to them. “STOP!” She screamed in their faces.

“Soldier Rosa, I have orders to take prisoner 203 to main quarters. Now if you’ll excuse us.” Ashton spoke like a programmed robot.

“Fine.” Rosa huffed, her eyes narrowed. “But she better finish her work. Or,” A smirk spread across her face. “She’ll have extra to do.”

Ashton tightened his grip on Sage’s arm. “Prisoner 202!” He barked. A young woman with blonde hair and large blue eyes stepped out from behind a shed. “Yes, sir?” Her small voice squeaked.

“You have laundry duty, correct?” He asked.

“Y-yes, sir.” The woman’s arms shook.

“Then finish.” He turned on his heel, pulling Sage with him.

When they were out of view, Ashton released Sage’s arm. They both stopped and he turned her to face him. His face was covered in concern and fear. “What’s wrong?” Sage asked.

“Listen, Carson is up to something.” He swallowed hard. “Whatever he asks you, you need to keep my cover safe. And..” He hestitated, his eyes held a hint of guilt.

“What?” Sage grabbed his arm. “Kea-Ashton, what is it?” When he didn’t reply she crossed her arms. “Please, just spit it out.”

“And, you need to go along.” He averted his blue eyes from her expectant green ones.

“Go along?” She asked as he started walking again, faster this time.

Ashton nodded. As they approached the building, his posture changed. “Soldier Ashton Hunningsworth reporting to Commander Carson’s office, sir.” His left hand rested on his belt that held a hand gun.

“Go on in.” The guard replied, not moving.

After they entered the building and the door shut behind them Ashton spoke. “Just-” He gulped and looked at Sage. “Whatever happens, please don’t hate me.” He whispered the words. Sage stared at him, she saw a familiar pained look in his eyes. The same look she saw years ago when they were children.

“Ashton..” Sage searched his face, hoping for an explanation but he didn’t offer one.

They reached the main office door and Ashton knocked. “Come in, come in.” A voice called.

Ashton pushed Sage ahead of him, sending her into the room first. “Prisoner 203 reporting to your office, like you requested, sir.” Ashton spoke.

“Very well done.” Carson folded his hands across the desk. “Sage Bennett, correct?” His piercing dark eyes stared straight at Sage.

She nodded. “Yes, sir.”

Carson nodded his approval. “Have a seat.” He motioned to a chair placed in front of his desk. “Ashton, shut the door and you also have a seat.”

Sage sat down, careful not to get overly comfortable in the cushioned chair. Ashton sat in a chair close to the door. “Now, you are probably wondering why I asked you to come to the main office.” Carson’s voice dripped with suspicion. He didn’t wait for her reply, instead he leaned closer to her. “I have special reasons for you being in this camp.”

Anger started to build in Sage’s chest and throat, she held back angry words that threatened to spill.

Carson’s eyes sparked as he stood and walked over to her chair. “You, my dear, hold vital information. Information that can help me..” He let his voice trail off. He placed a syringe filled with clear liquid on the desk in front of her. “Will you talk, or will I have to make you talk?”

Sage glanced at the syringe, then Carson. “I’ll talk.” She whispered, lowering her eyes.

“Fabulous.” Carson pulled a chair close to her and leaned over to look her in the eye. “First. Do you know this guard?” He whirled and pointed to Ashton, who sat like a statue. His jaw twitched slightly.

“No.” Sage blurted. Tears welled behind her eyes but she forced them back.

“Are you sure?” He demanded. “Think again. Do you know this man?”

She gulped and didn’t answer. Carson grabbed her hair and pulled her head up. “Look at him. Do. You. Recognize. Him.” His words came like ice, hard and harsh.

Ashton’s fists clenched in his lap as Sage grimaced in pain. “No!” She screamed at Carson.

Carson released her. “I have reason to believe you’re lying.”

Ashton interlocked his fingers. “She only met me when we got here, sir.”

“Quick to defend a girl, are you?” He smirked. “Gives me all the more reason to believe she’s lying.” He placed a hand on the desk next to the syringe. “Moving on... What do you know about this camp?”

Sage tilted her head at him. “Excuse me?”

Carson rolled his eyes and picked the syringe up. “Don’t play games with me.”

“I honestly know nothing, sir.” She gulped as he brought the syringe close to her face.

“I suppose, I have to make you talk.” He grabbed her arm and pulled it straight. He jabbed the needle into her arm and injected the clear liquid into her.

Sage glanced at Ashton, who’s face had grown pale. “What is this?” She asked Carson.

“Oh, just a drug to make you talk.” He slowly pulled the needle out from her arm. “And forget any answers you said.” He added.

Dizziness overtook Sage’s senses, she clenched her eyes closed as the room started swirling around her. “You should begin to feel the effects in a few moments, you’ll first feel dizzy, then drowsy, and then you will have complete memory loss of this whole interrogation.”

Sage opened her eyes and looked straight ahead, she forced herself to stay alert, but the dizziness overwhelmed her. She pushed back her chair and stood, holding onto the desk to keep from falling.

“Sit back down!” Carson commanded her.

“No.” Sage shook her head as a drowsy feeling overcame her. She took a step away from the chair and tried to walk to the door. Her knees buckled before she reached the door and Ashton caught her before she could fall. “Please..” Her eyes begged him.

Ashton held her up and guided her to the chair. “I’m sorry.” He whispered into her hair. He discreetly jabbed something into her arm, something to reverse the other drug’s effects. Sage grew drowsy, she tried to move but couldn’t. Then, everything around her faded into darkness.