Caught (The Runners)

  Caught

  By Logan Rutherford

  Smashwords Edition

  Copyright 2011 Logan Rutherford

  CAUGHT TAKES PLACE MOMENTS AFTER “RUNNER”

  Chapter One

  Seventeen and Fifteen were in the back of the police car. Things were not looking good. There was no escaping this time.

  Seventeen was afraid. How was he going to find his family, from behind bars? He felt a tear escape from one of his eyes. It was game over.

  “What are we going to do?” Fifteen whispered.

  “I have no clue.” Those words were hard for Seventeen to say. He always thought of himself as a leader, even when he did not have a clue on what to do; he acted as if he did. He never wanted to look weak in front of his friends.

  That was the old me. He thought. He knew that he would never be the same, again.

  “Yo, Steve,” Said the officer in the passenger seat. “Why don’t we stop and get some-”

  The windshield shattered as bullet holes appeared in the windshield, and in the officers themselves.

  As the life left the drivers hands, the steering wheel jerked to the left, and the car flipped.

  The car rolled four times, before coming to a stop upright in the middle of an intersection. The four police cars that were following them surrounded their car. Then in unison, they all exploded.

  Seventeen looked to his left, and he saw Fifteen was unconscious, and her head was bleeding. Seventeen realized that his own head was bleeding. Then, he smelled smoke coming from the front of the car. He began to panic. He couldn’t unbuckle himself, because of his handcuffs. He was going to die, and he could not even try to fight back.

  He was afraid.

  Then, the window exploded, and a hand reached in and unlocked the door. The door swung open, and Seventeen saw a masked man unbuckle him and throw him on the ground. Seventeen did not move, because the man had a gun pointed at his head.

  “Is she alive?” The man shouted at his partner, who was retrieving Fifteen.

  “Yeah, man. She’s coming around!” He shouted.

  Relief flooded through Seventeen. She was alive.

  The man pulled him up, and they began walking to a white van. When they got to it, the man threw him, and Fifteen into it.

  Seventeen felt the van lurch forward as they drove off.

  *****

  Seventeen and Fifteen were sitting against the side of the van. After about thirty minutes into the drive, Fifteen woke up. Other than Seventeen telling Fifteen what was going on, they never said a word.

  Then, the van stopped. The door slid open, and Fifteen and Seventeen were thrown out, along with a black bag.

  “Sorry, we don’t get to kill you this time.” Said a masked man. “Better luck next time.” Then, he jumped into the van, and drove off.

  They sat there for a moment, before Fifteen spoke up. “What’s in the bag?” She asked.

  Seventeen reached for the bag, an opened it up. Inside, was a laptop with an SD Card already inside the slot. Seventeen opened the laptop, and a word document opened.

  Hello, 15 and 17.

  We would like to say, Congratulations on making it this far.

  In order to make it to the next round, you must go to 135 Mary Jean ST. There, you will find something that will help you to survive.

  Inside this folder, you will find a map that will give you directions to the address.

  Thank You for your time.

  They read it over, and over again. Seventeen was dumbfounded. The way the letter was wrote they made it sound like they should be happy that all this was happening to them. Seventeen had to fight the urge to break the computer in half.

  “Next round?” Fifteen thought aloud. “What is this to them, a game?!” She was getting very angry.

  Seventeen did not answer. He was asking himself the same thing.

  He shut the laptop, and placed it back inside the bag. “It looks like we have some errands to run.” He said, placing the bag on his shoulder, and walking off.

  Chapter Two

  They stepped out of the woods across the street from the house. There was a mailbox in front of the house with the numbers 135 on it. The house was a two story red brick house with a big red door in the front of it. There were overgrown hedges in the front of the house, and the steps leading to the door were chipped.

  “I guess this is the place.” Seventeen said, and he walked up to the door. He rang the doorbell, and heard ruffling noises from the inside, the sounds of locks clicking and sliding from the came from the door. The door opened, but a chain lock stopped it from fully opening. A face emerged from the crack. “Whataya want? It’s Two ‘o’clock in tha mornin’!” Said the voice.

  “We’re very sorry to disturb you, sir.” Said Fifteen in a very polite and gentle voice. “But you see, we were told to come here by some person. We don’t know who it was, but if you let us in, maybe we can discuss some things?”

  The door slammed shut. They heard the sliding of a chain, and the door opened again, fully this time. “Come on in,” said the man.

  He led them through a small entrance hall, and into a large living room. The living room was painted gray, and had two black leather couches up against the wall facing a large TV, and entertainment center. “Please,” he said motioning to the couches. “Sit down.”

  Fifteen and Seventeen sat down beside each other on one of the couches. The man sat on the opposite one. “What’s your name?” Seventeen asked.

  “My name,” the man said as he sipped a cup of coffee that he must have been drinking before they came in. “Is Felix, and I am similar to you, but not quite the same. You see, I am what am called, a Keeper. You see,” he said standing from the couch. “I watch over this place, this safe house. This is a place where no harm can come to you; a place to think, to recuperate, to make plans, but most of all, a place to devise ways to bring down Kappa.”

  Fifteen and Seventeen stared at him silently. The thing that stood out most in Fifteen’s mind was that she finally knew the name of the people that took her family. She knew the name of the people that took her family. She knew the name of the people that she despised.

  “So,” Seventeen said in a shaky voice. “Kappa is their name.”

  “Yes.” Felix said.

  “Do you have a number?” Fifteen asked.

  “Sorry?” Felix said with a puzzled look on his face.

  “A number. Marcus – who I am guessing is the head of Kappa – called me “Fifteen”. What did he call you?”

  “Oh, yes. Of course, I am number Six, but around here, we don’t go by numbers. We all give each other names! We shall come up with names for the both of you over breakfast.”

  “We?” Seventeen asked.

  The phone rang. “Yes, we. There are three other Runners here. You shall meet them tomorrow. But now,” He said quickly as he walked over to the staircase and motioned up it. “It’s time to get some rest. We will answer all the questions that we can tomorrow. You,” He said pointing at Seventeen. “What’s your number?”

  “Seventeen.” He replied quickly.

  “Go up the stairs, down the hall, last room to your left.” He turned to Fifteen. “You will be right across the hall from him. Goodnight.” And he disappeared into another room.

  Seventeen went up the stairs, walked to his room, and collapsed on the bed where he was greeted by sleep, and nightmares.

  Chapter Three

  Seventeen looked at the clock next to his bed. It was Five ‘o’ clock in the afternoon of the next day. After killing two people, possibly blowing up a few others, breaking into a library, being arrested, and going across the city to arrive here, he deserves some un-interrupted sleep.

 
; He sat up, and looked around the room. On the white walls were vintage guitars, and picture frames with a different family in each one. He swung his feet of the side of the bed, and walked to a dresser that was in the corner. He opened the drawers, and pulled out some jeans, and a white V-Neck T-Shirt. Then, he went to take a long, hot shower.

  After the shower, he got dressed and went down the stairs.

  “Ah, there’s the sleeping beauty!” A boy of about 15-years-old said.

  He saw Fifteen sitting on one of the couches, along with Felix, and three other people.

  “Seventeen, come sit.” Felix said, standing from his seat on the couch. Seventeen went over and sat next to Fifteen. He looked around the room, and there was another boy, about fifteen-years-old, sitting on the other couch staring at them. There was also an Asian girl who looked to be eighteen. She was sitting next to the boy, typing on a laptop.

  “How was your sleep?” Felix asked, as he sat down on the opposite couch.

  “More like a coma.” Said the girl.

  “You can’t go into a coma, just from being really tired…or can you?” Said the boy, with an unsure look on his face.

  Seventeen was anxious to learn some answers, and he said. “Can you guys tell me what the heck is going on?”

  “Oh, yes. I am sorry. What would you like to know?” Felix asked.

  “How about,” Fifteen said very politely, “we start by you telling us your names.”

  “I think she should tell us her name.” Said the girl on the computer.

  “My name is Fifteen.” She said very proudly.

  “No, that’s your number.” The girl said sarcastically. “What’s your name? You know, with letters that make up a word?”

  “Oh, yes. My name is, it’s, umm…Oh my god.” A look of horror came across her face. “My name! I don’t know my name! What’s going on?!” She shouted, standing up from her seat.

  Seventeen put an arm across her shoulder, and lowered her to her seat. He was completely freaking out on the inside, but he did not want to show it. How could he forget his own name? He never even thought about it. The only person that he met while he was running was Fifteen. “Why did I do it?” He asked to no one in particular, but found himself looking at Felix. “Why did I introduce myself as ‘Seventeen’ so Fifteen?”

  “Well,” Felix said, looking at the wooden floor. “Kappa has messed with your memories. They made you forget your name, and you only realize that you don’t know it until somebody asks you it. It is their way of saying, ‘We know who you are, and you don’t. We have everything you value, including yourself.’”

  “Why?!” Fifteen screamed, with tears rolling down her cheeks. “Why would they want to do such a horrible thing?!”

  “If we knew,” Said the other girl in an irritated tone, as she looked up from the computer. “We wouldn’t be sitting around having a jolly old chat!”

  “Twi ,” Felix said, throwing her a Shut up look. “Don’t pretend that you didn’t react the same way when you found out.”

  Twi’s face flushed with anger and embarrassment, as she looked back down on her laptop. Her fingers hit the keys hard out of frustration.

  “If we don’t know our names, then how do you know yours?” Seventeen asked.

  “They’re nicknames, dude.” Said the other kid. Seventeen almost jumped, he forgot that he was there, because he was so quite.

  “Yeah,” Felix said. “I’m Felix, that’s Nick, and that’s Twi.”

  “So,” Fifteen said, as she wiped the tears off her cheeks. “What are our names?”

  “You look like a ‘Cry-Baby’ to me.” Twi said.

  “Well, you look like a-”

  “Alright, ladies! Let’s take it down a notch!” Nick said.

  Seventeen sat there for a moment and thought, What’s my name? He never really thought about what he would ever change his name too, if he got the chance. He didn’t know what his real name was, but he got the feeling that he liked it. “Adam.” He said. “My name is Adam.”

  “Well then, Adam.” Felix said as he stood up and extended his arm. “It’s nice to meet you, my name is Felix,” and they shook hands.

  Chapter Four

  They were sitting around a table in the dining room, eating some Pizza that they heated up in the oven. Adam sat with his hands in his face. He couldn’t eat, even though he had not eaten in forever.

  Kappa. The word echoed through his head. They were the ones who did this to him. They were the ones who ripped his life away. He hated them. All he wanted was to walk up to Marcus, their leader, and drain the life from him. How did this happen? He thought. He never thought he would kill somebody, but he has killed a lot in the past day. I am a monster He screamed in his head, but those people deserved to die, didn’t they? Who was he to think that he could decide who deserved to die, and who didn’t? Adam never thought he would be doing the things that he was doing now, but that is how the world works, doesn’t it? Things may not go your way, but you fight back, and do whatever it takes to make things normal – to make things right – but what is right…

  “I think it’s time to tell you guys about Kappa.” Felix said, as he pushed his plate away.

  Adam cringed at the name. “Who are they, and why are they doing this?” He asked.

  “Well, we aren’t entirely sure of their end game-”

  “Well, no duh Captain Obvious!” Twi stated sarcastically.

  “You know what,” Eve - which was the name that Fifteen chose for herself – began. “Why do you always have to be a jerk?”

  “I’ve always been like this. Get used to it.”

  “Ladies,” Nick said holding up his hands. “I don’t wanna have to keep breaking up fights between you two!”

  With that, Twi stood up from her chair angrily, toppling it over, and stomped up stairs. A bang of a door slamming echoed down the hall.

  Fifteen’s face was red. After all that she’s been through, she thought she would get a break, but no. She has to deal with Twi. She’ll get a break when she dies.

  “Now that’s taken care of,” Felix said. “Let’s continue.”

  As I said earlier, we are not sure why Kappa is doing what they are doing. What we are supposed to do is try and bring Kappa down. We have been trying to come up with a plan to do this for a while, but nothing has ever worked.”

  “Why don’t you go to the government about this? Like, the President or something?” Eve asked.

  “That’s just it. They are the government, or at least, a part of the government.”

  Adam felt like he just got punched in the stomach. He thought he could trust the government. They were the ones who he looked to for direction. They were the ones who decided what was best for the American people. How is turning sixteen-year-olds into murders helping America?

  “Where are they at?” Adam asked, his face flushing with anger. “WHERE ARE THEY?! I want to-” He began looking for words to say, but he ended up making a series of noises. Words couldn’t describe what he felt. His eyes blurred with tears.

  He felt his arm around his shoulders. He looked up as he blinked tears out of his eyes. Eve was sitting next to him. It was her turn to comfort him.

  Chapter Five

  Adam was staring at the ceiling. The moon was shining through the blinds, making the room look strange, and empty.

  He could not believe this. He was no longer running from Kappa and their minions, but he still felt worn out. The anxiety that he was experiencing was unreal. His palms were sweaty, and it felt like there was a hundred pound weight on his chest.

  His door creaked open, and he shot up.

  “Uh, hi.” Nick said as he peaked around the door. Adam glanced at the clock beside his bed, and it read 3:13.

  “Nick, what are you doing?”

  “I was just seeing if you wanted to talk. I figured you weren’t asleep yet. I couldn’t sleep for days after I got here.”

  Adam motioned Nick to sit down on his bed. They sat there
in awkward silence.

  “So,” Adam said awkwardly.

  “I just wanted to say to back off. Twi is mine.” Nick said so fast, it took a moment for Adam to realize what he said.

  “Oh, wait. What? Dude, she’s all yours.” Adam said putting his arms up in surrender.

  “Oh, okay.” Nick said standing up. “That’s all.” And he rushed out of the room.

  At that moment, Adam realized that he was never going to figure Nick out.

  Adam walked down the stairs, and was greeted by Felix. “You’ve got a phone call.” He said, and handed him the phone.

  Adam took the phone, wondering who would be calling him. “Hello Who is this?”

  “Hello, Adam.”

  Hate exploded within him. Marcus. “I hate you.”

  “Ah, these feelings are normal. I do have complete control over you.”

  Adam hated the way his voice sounded like he never took anything seriously. “You’ll never control me. Ever.”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t be so confident.” He chuckled. “I’ve got you right where I want you. You think you’re free, but you’re still mine, and you always will be!”

  Adam heard screaming coming through the receiver – the screams of his little sister.

  “No! No! I hate you! I’m going to find you, and I’m going to kill you!”

  “Adam?” Said a little girl. “Adam, it’s me! Your sister!”

  Adam couldn’t say anything. His throat closed up on him. He could not breathe, or talk.

  “This place is scary. They took me away from Mommy and Daddy. There aren’t very good cooks here.”

  Adam forced a chuckle. That was his little sister, always worrying about food.

  “Adam, say something!”

  Adam began to cry, but he fought the tears. “I’m sorry. I’m so, so, sorry!” He said in a hoarse whisper.