Project RM: Genesis, Peter Schoemann [rosie project txt] 📗

professor kidnapped them? Where were they going? Was Laurel all right? He peeked back at her; her fiery, amber eyes belied her usual kind nature.

The professor continued, “Or maybe you’re asking, why did I lure you here under the pretense of a test of our stealth enhancements? Certainly not for your fighting skills. A little tip: your body may have grown to match your intelligence, but it takes more than size and strength to beat me. No, it’s that brain of yours. Anyone who can help solve the issues with his country’s first satellite gains our interest. Anyone who does so at twelve years old…well, we have to have him. You’ve achieved a great deal in the time you’ve been with me. In fact, I’m disappointed that, as smart as you are, you didn’t see this coming. The real question is, why are we doing this now? For that, you can blame your President Kennedy. He has accelerated your opportunity.”

“Opportunity?” The professor’s words paralyzed and confused him. This man, whom I trust more than anyone, is kidnapping us for our brains? What does the president have to do with this?

Another thought occurred to Joseph. Who does he mean by “we”? Are there others? Joseph touched his two forefingers to his left temple—the focusing technique the professor had taught him.

The professor smiled at Joseph, likely waiting to see if he could figure out the puzzle. Unfortunately for Joseph, nothing came to mind. Is this about the radar-jamming system?

“Allow me to help with some of the questions running through your head,” the professor said. “No, it’s not for your help on the radar jamming system. That’s a bonus. We’ve had plans in place for you. We weren’t going to act for another year. But your president’s announcement has forced our hand. He’ll stop at nothing to impose his will on the rest of the world.”

Before Joseph could respond, the boot pressed once more into his tender, throbbing neck. Joseph closed his eyes, ready to pass out.

“Leave him alone,” Laurel pleaded. “Please.”

For the moment, Professor Drucker complied.

Through the throbbing in Joseph’s head, he heard the professor’s condescending voice. “I know it hurts, but both of you need to understand your situation. You’re all alone now,” he said to Laurel, who had recovered enough to reclaim her glasses. “If I hadn’t acted, the oncoming nuclear holocaust would have incinerated all of us.”

“It won’t happen,” she said. “There’s no way either side will do it.”

“You silly girl. This young, naive president has his finger on the trigger right now. It’s inevitable. The only question is, when? I’m not waiting around to find out. You should be thanking me, not fighting me or”—here, his foot pressed back into Joseph’s neck—“whatever you call that attempt to defend her.”

Joseph looked at Laurel, who turned away. Dizzy from the lack of blood flow, he welcomed the oncoming blackout

CHAPTER 2

The warm caress of her hand on his cheek woke him. Her heavenly fragrance made him think for a second that he had not survived.

“He’s gone,” she whispered.

His eyes popped open to see both of his arms had been handcuffed, one to the chrome pole in the center of the cabin and the other to hers. Everything closed in around him. He had spent two years longing for her presence, too frightened to get close. It had been like wanting to get a close view of a celestial body, but having to keep one’s distance to avoid being crushed or incinerated. Joseph breathed in slow and deep so the intimacy wouldn’t overwhelm him. Instinctively, Joseph knew he had to focus on their escape, but as long as he remained this close to her he couldn’t think. He lowered his head and mumbled, “I’m sorry.”

“For what? Trying to protect me?” She placed her free hand under his chin and forced him to meet her eyes. “Confidence is all that you’re missing. You’re amazing, and it’s time you realize it.”

“I…I didn’t think you felt that way.”

She smiled and leaned toward him. He tensed further as she whispered in his ear, “We need to find a way out. You have to get over this fear and start thinking. And I’m going to help you do that.” She giggled and backed away.

Anxious as he was, his head tilted at her bizarre behavior.

She grabbed his hand. “Do you remember when we first met?”

He remembered the awkward encounter and nodded, a blaze of heat radiating through his face.

She continued, “We stood across the desk from each other in Professor Drucker’s lab. You stared at me. Do you remember what you were thinking?”

Joseph’s chest tightened. He felt as if she had squeezed away the limited space he had between them. He attempted to pull away, but she held firm. The heat intensified.

“Answer the question first.”

He exhaled. “All right…I wasn’t thinking.”

“Exactly.”

“Until I noticed you staring back at me.” He thought about how he had looked down, then back up again to see if she was still staring. She had been. He had turned around so fast that a bead of sweat had flown from his brow. “Then I thought it had to be a mistake. Why would someone as…as… Why would you be into me?” She frowned. “And, if by some miracle you were, my reaction had to have killed it. It was embarrassing.”

She released his hand and tugged his chin up again. “Actually, I thought it was cute. But you’ve always been too scared to talk to me.”

He couldn’t look at her. He wanted to say, I’m scared of all girls, but especially you. But all he could offer was a slight nod.

“I’m not sure why.” She glanced at the staircase, then back at Joseph. “I want you to think about two things. One, you don’t know me. I knew you before you became…what do girls say, a hunk. I’ve always been into you. But don’t like me just because you think I’m pretty.” Her index finger shot to his lips to stop his response. She