Page 43 of Born Savage

His laugh was full of joy, which struck me as odd. “I merely suggested enhanced protection was needed. Various scientists and other medical professionals created what they hoped would be an impenetrable army. With the fears at the time increasing with legitimacy of what could occur, the United States needed a foolproof method of fighting all those daring to attack our country. The plan was excellent. Unfortunately, neither the scientists nor the military had accounted for the intricacies of the poison gas used against the army of genetically altered men. In short, not a single Savage was spared from the extreme effects of the nerve gas.”

“Yes. That’s why even you have warned me about their horrors.”

“I have,” he said as his eyes twinkled. “Not all of the first-generation Savages are extremely vicious or incapable of acting as if almost entirely human, but they cannot be trusted.”

“First generation. Then I’m thankful I drugged them and escaped.”

His chuckle seemed as if pleased by my behavior. “You have a level of curiosity befitting your heritage. I should have taken that more into account with telling you about the Verndari.”

“The Verndari?”

“A name based on ancient Norse mythology. Savages rising from the ashes in a crisis. The name is perfect for the new generation of Savages. They are impervious to the effects of any gas produced both in the beginning and in subsequent years, including up to as late as five years ago from our enemies. They have many more capabilities than what is left of our world, I’m afraid. They were also allowed to keep more of their humanity, which in turn creates a weakness but also a strength.”

The United States. The name had changed before I was born in the United Sovereign States of America. And now? Most simply used the terminology for the domed cities that had popped up in several locations. From what I’d heard, the Freedom Cities were anything but free. All run by a tyrannical man who’d named himself a king. Many had fallen for his promises of rebuilding, laying claim to the concept of the Freedom Cities when he’d only been a part of the team developing the projects.

Now he lived in the main city called Zenith, a highly secured city filled with thousands of believers.

“You’re telling me the Verndari have a sense of humanity? Decency? That they aren’t really monsters.”

“I am. They are programmed beings, still genetically altered, but instead of using their extreme attributes for harm, they use them to support the Resistance. Unfortunately, they are actively being hunted.”

“By the Freedom Hunters?”

“Yes, and by rogue groups of survivors including the Borgata and others like them.”

I thought about what Rage had warned me. That I was being hunted. Why?

“If they aren’t killed, they are taken to prisons for the Exile. They don’t mind rounding up the stage one Savages as well, especially after the coup of twenty seventy-seven, but most were and continue to be put to their deaths, not imprisoned and used for entertainment purposes. Plus, they are experimented on as well. Those doing the king’s bidding are even more dangerous and uncontrollable than before.”

His face fell in recognition of whatever horrors they’d been forced to face.

“How would I know for certain if the Savages I faced are Verndari?”

“They carry a mark on their groins. A black star. Unmistakable and in perfect formation.”

My mind drifted to Rage. While I’d admired his cock, I certainly hadn’t noticed a star. Was it possible he’d been truthful about what he’d told me?

“What does all this mean?”

“What did they say to you?”

I licked my lips, trying to force down some additional tea while my throat had already begun to close. “He said he’d been sent to take me somewhere and he and his soldiers wouldn’t take no for an answer. Why would he say something like that? Who did he think he was, trying to coerce me into going with him? Where? Why?” A knot had also formed in my stomach, one large enough I struggled to breathe normally.

I was a nervous wreck. No one liked change, least of all someone who’d felt all alone as a child.

Peter was so calm, so in control of his emotions and very little interrupted his enjoyment of tea. He’d once told me it was one of his greatest pleasures. After consuming every drop, he finally lifted his head. “I will answer your questions, but first tell me what you remember. What have the dreams returned to your life?”

“What have they returned?” I’d hated the dreams, terrified of their meaning. “I don’t understand what you’re asking.”

“Yes, you do, child. Think about your first memories of being saved and even before. That’s what you’ve envisioned at night. Yes?”

I had a terrible feeling I was going to throw up. “I can’t.”

“It’s important you do. Close your eyes. Why did you choose the name Jake for the dog?”

“That’s easy. I had a dog named Jake a long time ago. He was so sweet. They even looked a lot alike and…” I realized the memory had run free in my mind, images crystal clear. “I had a dog when I came to the village?”

“No, Star, you did not.”