Chapter 5

Chapter 5:

Ashton marched to Carson’s office. Heart racing, worries flooded through his mind. Cole stood against a wall in the main building. His arms were crossed against his chest and a smirk was plastered onto his face.

His eyes fell on Ashton and they locked with one another for a moment. Cole smirked again. “Good luck,” a sinister laugh came with his next words, “You’ll need it.”

Ashton tugged against the collar of his coat. The fabric rubbed against his throat, adding to his nerves. “Come in, Ashton.” Carson called, his hands splayed on the desk.

“Good afternoon, sir.” Ashton stepped in.

Carson looked up at the young man. His dark eyes flashed angrily at Ashton, sending a warning. “I’ve heard rumors.”

“Rumors, sir?” Ashton masked a look of innocence onto his face. Yet, a feeling of dread wrapped its fingers around his heart.

“Yes, rumors.” Carson growled. “I’m in no mood for games. Did you, or did you not speak with Sage Bennett before her transport?” His fingers rapped impatiently against the desk.

Ashton gulped. He didn’t answer.

“Ashton.” Carson stood and rounded the desk to face him. “Answer the question.”

“I did, sir.” He bit his tongue and held back slashing words.

“Why?” Carson’s hand instinctively laid on his gun’s handle in the holster. The holster hung from his belt, the handle of the gun rested just above his hip.

“I needed to have a word with her about her work.” He spat out.

“You’re lying, Ashton.” Carson flashed a small smile. A mockingly sweet tone peppered his voice, “You know what I think of lying.”

Ashton gulped, his face started to pale. “Sir, I-“

Carson narrowed his eyes and pulled the gun from his holster speedily. “The truth, Ashton. Or you can choose a slow, painful punishment.” He aimed the gun at Ashton’s shoulder.

Ashton instinctively whipped out his gun, pointing it at the chief. Carson cocked the gun, his voice was deadly. “Ashton, put the gun away. And tell the truth.” A snarl twisted his face. “Now.”

Ashton aimed the gun at Carson, his hands shook as he cocked it and placed his finger onto the trigger. “Put the gun away.” He hissed, “Tell me the truth.”

Carson’s aim held steady at Ashton’s right shoulder, Ashton slowly lowered his gun and pointed it to the floor. His muscles were tense, ready to spring it up again. “I told you. I was talking to her about her work orders. I informed her she would be transferred for a couple days.” His heart raced.

“That’s not what Cole told me.” Carson growled, taking a step up to Ashton. “He said you and Miss Sage Bennett were making escape plans. You were scheming to kill me, take down each of my soldiers one by one, and take over the camp.” His eyes flashed. “Then, you could free everyone.”

Ashton started to raise his gun, but thought better of it. “I assure you, I had no such contact with Sage about that.” His jaw tightened. “We talked strictly about work orders.” Ashton steeled his glare and looked Carson in the eyes, “We both know Cole has a reputation for creating and spreading rumors, sir.”

Carson laughed and lowered his gun for a moment. “You are right about that.” He de-cocked the gun, as did Ashton, and they both re-holstered them. “I want to speak with Cole.” Anger spiced his voice. “Where is he?”

“He was outside when I came here, sir.” Ashton straightened.

Carson twisted the door open, “Garris! Get Cole in here. Now.” He shut the door again and looked at Ashton, “You may stay here. I need a witness to Cole’s words.”

Cole marched into the office moments later. His green eyes darted around and landed on Ashton. He scowled before shutting the door. “Reporting to your office, sir.” He growled.

“Cole, Cole.” Carson clucked pitifully. His boots clicked against the floor and he stopped across from the now shaking young man. “You know what I think of rumors being spread.”

A bead of perspiration dripped down Cole’s cheek. His face reddened and his hand sat on his gun holster. “I-I don’t know what yo-you mean s-sir.” He stammered nervously.

Studying his nails for a moment he spoke, “You know exactly what I mean. You set a bad reputation for sharing rumors and lies, it gets you into trouble.” His eyes flashed maliciously. Carson’s hand pulled out his gun and lightening speed and aimed it at the young man..

“Sir, please.” Cole pleaded. He didn’t pull out his gun, he knew he wouldn’t be able to shoot faster than Carson.

Carson cocked the gun. “I gave you a chance. You blew it. I gave you a second chance, you also blew it. They say third times a charm, but you’ve shown it’s not.” His finger twitched on the trigger. “Three strikes –– you’re out.” He growled.

Cole blabbered, sweat started to dampen his hairline. “Please, ju-just give me one more chance,” He begged. “Please I promise I'll be better-“

Carson growled under his breath and re-holstered his gun again. “Get out of here.” He waved his hand. “If I hear you spread rumors such as this again, I will be sure you never set foot on this camp again, or any other.”

~*~

“Obviously, having your daughter here isn’t much use, is it?” Maverick snarled. “Take her back to the camp.” He hissed. “I have no more need of her here. It’s no use.”

The guard smirked and dragged Sage out of the door. “Sir-“ Maverick interrupted him with a nod and a flash of the eyes. The guard’s smirk grew larger.

Sage followed, cringing in pain. He stopped her outside and pushed her against a wall. His eyes glimmered at her. “So, you’re a trouble-maker, huh?”

Sage gulped as he leaned close to her face and blocked her from moving away. “Looks like you need-“

“Harlen!” A male voice chuckled from the shadows. “You’re taking orders all by yourself?”

Harlen scowled and turned around. “Oh shut up.” His body shifted and he turned to face the man.

Sage snuck away from the wall then started running. Her feet flew and she ran out of the prison. “We have an escapee!” Screams sounded from guards all around.

Harlen pulled out his gun and a bullet whizzed past Sage’s head. Her feet flew faster. She ran outside of the prison. Guards pulled out their guns and started aiming at her feet or arms. They didn’t dare kill her.

Sage looked behind her and suddenly bumped into a strong muscular body. Steel like arms wrapped around her waist and stomach. “Settle down.” A voice hissed. Sage panted and twisted again in the man’s grip.

Harlen marched up to her a growl spiced his voice. “Trying to escape?” He cupped her chin and tilted her head up to look him in the eyes. Defiant eyes glared back at him. “We’ll see what Maverick has to say about that.” He pulled out a walkie talkie device and radioed his boss.

“We have an escapee –– the girl.” He announced to Maverick.

A voice came back staticky and annoyed. “This isn’t her prison, you take her to Carson and he deals with her.” A beep sounded.

Harlen scoffed. “Get in.” He pushed Sage into a car. She slid across the seat, trembling as the burly guard scooted in next to her.

In moments they arrived to the other prison yard gates. They were let in and Harlen harshly marched Sage to the main office. Ashton stood outside the office. “Is Carson in?” He asked while gripping Sage’s shoulder.

Ashton glanced at Sage’s face, while she was stern and stoic, he saw determination in her eyes. “Yes, sir. What seems to be the problem?”

Harlen glowered. “I took her to Maverick and she is charged with attempted escape from the prison as I was ready to transport her. Maverick dismissed her and I started to grab her but she ran-“

The office door swung open and Carson marched out. “Sage..” He crooned. “Lovely of you to make an appearance.” He motioned for them all to enter.

Ashton strode in, Sage walked in front of Harlen. His grip sent aches of pain up and down her arm. “What’s the problem, Harlen?” Carson took a seat at his desk and whirled a pen between his fingers. His dark eyes flashed and landed on Sage’s straight figure for a moment before turning to the guard.

The man relayed the events from moments earlier. Carson nodded and dismissed Harlen. “Thank you.” He waved him away.

Ashton stared at Carson before speaking. “What’s your plan sir?” He asked gruffly.

Carson chuckled and stood from his desk, coming around to Sage. She brought her eyes to meet his for a moment then quickly averted them. He saw the determination in her eyes. Yet he sensed a hint of fear in her. “She needs to learn.” He grunted as he grabbed her chin and tilted her head up.

“Learn what?” Sage spat the words in Carson’s face. “How to work like an animal? How to be exhausted, and be tortured? How to be a slave to all you ugly, disgusting people?” Her eyes were defiant, fearless. “Learn how to be a human robot, obeying your every command?”

Carson gasped, sarcasm laced his voice. “Sage! My dear, you don’t understand.” He walked around her and talked, his boots clumping with every step. “This camp was set up to keep the world a better place. Secrets don’t help anyone. Ever. They’re dangerous. The world is a dangerous place.”

Sage’s eyes followed his every move, bracing for what might come next. “We’re merely trying to sort out the secrets. Lying never helped you get through life, did it? It only made it worse. The time you lied about stealing a cookie, and then later felt guilty. Or maybe a time you lied to yourself.” A pause. “Tsk-tsk.” He clucked, “You must learn, things work differently here. You work, we earn. You talk, we learn.” His eyes stared into hers for a moment. “You hide secrets, we find them out."

Ashton watched, trying to maintain his composure. He saw what Carson was doing –– trying to brainwash her, make her see things his way. It scared him more than the other horrors he witnessed. Carson glanced at the young man. “Take her back. She’s still new.” His dark eyes locked onto hers. “Still adjusting.”

Sage suppressed a sneer at the chief and turned to Ashton. He opened the door and shoved her out it, then pushed her to get outside. Once they were clear of any eavesdroppers and other guards, Ashton grabbed her shoulder. He turned her around to face him. “Are you insane?” He almost screamed in her face.

She didn’t flinch. “I can’t let him win. I won’t back down.” Her bright green eyes grew more defiant and fearless. “He took my life away, he took my family away.” She whispered harshly. “If you want to let him win, then fine. Be my guest. But I’m not backing down.” Her back turned away from him. “I’m done being afraid. I’m done being an oh-so-obedient-slave. I’ve made up my mind.”

Ashton blew a frustrated sigh and ran a hand through his slicked back hair. “Listen, I know you want to fight back. But this isn’t the way to do it. He could kill you!” He grabbed her arm but she shook it away. “We have to play it safe, please. I know how Carson works, and what he’s capable of. Please, just listen to me!”

She started marching ahead of him, her stubbornness and defiance clear. “You do your job, and I’ll do mine.” Her voice hissed at him.

He walked behind her, frustration building up inside. Why was she so hard headed? So stubborn! As long as he could remember she’d always had a fiery temper. While she tended to be meek at first, her temper soon revealed itself. The stubbornness always showed through. He knew Sage, and was afraid of what she might do. Yet, he feared more so of what Carson could do to her.