Siddiq, Evalyn, and Reshma walked in silence pressed between the general’s men. They followed them to the parking lot, stopping on the sidewalk.

  “Load them up,” the General barked at his men as he joined them.

  “Where are we going?” Evalyn asked, turning to face him.

  “Oh, just to a little off site station nearby. No need to fret,” he replied with a half smile that didn't reach his eyes. “Where is the other one?” he called out to one of the men there.

  “Red is coming with her, sir!” replied one of the soldiers.

  “Good, lets go ahead and get everyone situated in the meantime. One to each vehicle,” he called.

  “Sir, yes sir,” replied the men, as they began ushering everyone into separate vehicles.

  Siddiq looked back at Evalyn and Reshma with concern as he got into the truck the guard shoved him towards. “I’m going, I’m going. No need to push,” Siddiq said, shaking the soldier's hand off his shoulder.

  “Shut up and get in,” he replied, slamming the door behind Siddiq.

  Siddiq turned to look out the back window and watched as Evalyn and Reshma were separated into their own vehicles. Looking around more he saw another soldier walking up with someone behind them. Emily! He thought as she stepped out from behind him and glared at the general. He watched as she exchanged what looked like heated words with him. Tell him Emily, Siddiq snorted, smiling to himself.

  Siddiq turned when someone opened the door to the driver seat and climbed in. Looking back he glimpsed Emily getting into the fourth vehicle. Guess she didn't get out of this either, he frowned. Turning around to face the front he settled in the seat and buckled his belt. After a few minutes he heard the soldiers radio crackle commanding him to roll out.

  Staring out the window as they drove Siddiq watched the trees go by. Man I haven't left this place since I got here, he thought to himself, feels weird. Sighing to himself he continued to stare out the window as they drove. After a few hours they turned off the road and stopped at a guard house. Once they were waved through they continued down the road until coming up to another gate.

  “General Dempsey’s orders, five vehicles,” the soldier said in a clipped tone. The soldier waved them through the gates standing at attention as they passed. They drove past the first building and circled around to another one and stopped. Siddiq looked out the window at the building as he unbuckled his seatbelt.

  “Out,” said a soldier opening the door for Siddiq.

  Siddiq hopped out and looked around for the others. He saw them each getting out of the vehicles they were in and started to head towards them when the General’s voice boomed out stopping them in their tracks.

  “I am going to need you all to stay separated for the time being. Don’t want you making up any stories before I can talk to you,” he finished. “Go ahead and escort them all to their own rooms, boys.” The soldiers nodded and they were all ushered into the building and separated into their own rooms.

  As Siddiq was shoved into his room he adjusted his clothing as he heard the door lock behind him. Standing up he looked around. He was in a typical interrogation room. A mirror on the wall, a simple metal table and a chair on either side. He walked to the mirror and placed his finger on it. “Two way, of course,” he said, noting his fingertips touching.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  He paced around the room for a while before finally sitting down on the chair that faced the mirror. Sighing, he leaned his head back and stared at the ceiling. After a while he sat up and cracked his neck. “I don't know who is back there watching, but can we get this over with?” he called, staring at the mirror.

  With no way to tell time in the room Siddiq looked up again and started to count the dots on the ceiling tiles. After a while he heard the bolt on the door click and he sat up.

  “Siddiq Gully,” said the General as his large frame blocked the doorway.

  “That’s me,” Siddiq said, his tone bored.

  The General walked into the room with a fake smile plastered on his face. He sat down in the chair facing Siddiq and folded his hands on the table. “Mr. Gully, how are you doing?”

  “Well, I was surprised by my friend's announcement, then while trying to talk with my team your men come in and start tearing apart his home, and then I was forced to come here. Soooooo, not good,” Siddiq replied.

  “Of course. I guess we could have handled this a little more delicately,” General Dempsey said, his tone insincere. “Well this doesn't have to take long. I have already spoken to your teammates. I understand that you and Alex were relatively close. Is that correct?”

  “What do you consider close?” Siddiq countered.

  “How about you not answer my questions with questions or I may not keep this cordial,” General Dempsey replied, his fake smile dropping to more of a sneer.

  Siddiq gritted his teeth before saying, “I was closer with Alex then I was with the others. Yes.”

  “Good, see we can get through this if you just work with me. Did Alex ever invite you to his place or to the woods?” the General continued.

  “The woods?” Siddiq frowned. “No, we would hang out at the recreation center. Playing games or eating.”

  “Have you ever seen Alex with anyone strange?” asked the general.

  “Aren’t we all a little strange?” countered Siddiq.

  “Don’t toy with me. I am talking about anyone that seems like they don't belong at the campus?” he said.

  “No, never,” Siddiq replied.

  “Did you ever notice Alex doing anything strange?” he asked.

  “Strange? I mean we are scientists. We are all a little strange in our own ways,” Siddiq replied.

  “Did Alex ever say anything to you about these ‘abilities’ he claims to have?” General Dempsey continued.

  “No,” Siddiq said.

  “Why so clipped there? Are you sure he never said anything to you? Maybe show you some things?” the General pressed, leaning forward.

  “No, he never said anything about it, and if he had…” Siddiq trailed off.

  “If he had it would be your duty to report that, Mr. Gully, for the good of the nation,” General Dempsey said. Siddiq stayed quiet and glared at the general across from him. “Heh, I get it. Alex was your friend. You want to stay loyal to your friend, but let me ask you this. How good of friends were you really? Not good enough for him to tell you about his ‘gifts’ right? I believe that you don't know anything about his ‘abilities’ but I hope that if you did you would let me know.” he finished.

  Siddiq looked away and nodded. “You’re right. Maybe we weren’t the friends I thought we were.”

  “Well,” said the general standing up. “Should you hear anything from Alex, he somehow gets into contact with you, I hope you do your civic duty and contact me immediately.”

  “That’s it?” Siddiq asked suspiciously.

  “That’s it,” he replied with a smile that didn't reach his cold and calculating eyes.

  “How would I get in contact with you?” Siddiq questioned.

  “Call this number,” he said, placing a card on the table. “If you don’t, well,” he chuckled, “I’ll know.” With that he left the room, the door bolting behind him.

  Alex what have you gotten us into, Siddiq sighed picking up the card. After a few minutes the door opened and a soldier stood there. “Let's go,” he said with a clipped tone.

  Siddiq got up and followed him out of the building. “Where are we going?” he asked, slightly blinded by the light of the sun.

  “You are released to go back to the campus and continue your work,” the soldier replied. “Get in.”

  Siddiq frowned and climbed into the truck. The Soldier entered the driver seat and began the long drive back to the campus. Siddiq took the card and spun it in his fingers before putting it back in his pocket. Staring out the window he heard the soldiers' radio chirp. “I might have eyes on them.”