Into the End by Bonnie Paulson

Author:Bonnie Paulson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: psychology, fear, terrorism, war, end, torture, america, armageddon, branding, bombing, apocolypse

~

She couldn’t snap out of the fog in her head. The Rhode Island Psychology Project had been few in number and traumatizing to every member. Brenda remembered when Rachel returned from the two-month-long trip. It was the longest Rachel had ever been away from her kids or her husband. She’d called Brenda for a ride home from the airport.

Brenda had stared out the windshield while her sister had curled into a ball and cried like a small child.

Brenda would never forget that night and how she’d felt like she’d picked up someone else’s sister.

The distinct guttural edges of the leader’s voice prodded at the vestiges of lingering daze in her head. She focused on his words. “Are you Dr. Rachel Parker? I’m not going to ask again.”

She shook her head. “No.” The man sat across from her. She’d at least been given a seat. Odd, she’d been left alone with him for the moment.

He’d commandeered the principal’s office and stripped the walls and desk of memorabilia. The pile of pictures and trophies and miscellaneous items spilled from the corner under the window. He spewed cigarette smoke into the air and tapped the burning end of the cig onto the desktop.

“Who are you?” He raised his eyebrow and raked her with his gaze.

Hell no. “Who are you?”

He laughed. “Me? I’m no one of consequence. But you’re looking for a name, aren’t you? Lieutenant-colonel Gustavson.” He leaned forward, his breath blowing the black and white ashes around the wooden desk. A knock on the door and he raised his head. “Lieutenant Bastian, enter.”

Brenda refused to look around. She held her gaze on Gustavson’s face, but felt the new presence come to stand behind her. “Sir, I brought the insignia you requested.”

“Perfect.” Gustavson’s hard face broke on a smile devoid of delight but filled with anticipation. He returned his stare to Brenda. “Your name?” He cut her off before she could begin. “Does she really look like Dr. Parker, Daniel?”

Brenda sat up straighter and interrupted their side conversation. “My name is Brenda Krous. I look like her because I’m her sister. Why do you want her?”

The man beside her inhaled sharply. He moved around behind the leader and watched her face. Daniel. He’d known Rachel. Somehow. They had the same tattoo in the same spot.

Gustavson laughed, the sound oily and sharp. “I want you to be difficult, Brenda. Certainly, I want answers, but I want this to be worth my time as well.” He pulled a new cigarette from his inner breast pocket and twirled it between fingers with the grace of a pianist. “Dr. Parker is… shall we say, valuable for reasons I don’t think are pertinent to this visit. Call it personal business, if you will. Regardless, I want you to tell me everything you know about her work.”

Daniel’s eyes narrowed. His nostrils flared. Brenda had the distinct impression he was angry. But she hadn’t done anything. She needed to get back to Andy, to check on him. Check on the other people.

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