Of Eternal Life Read Free

thoughts.
    “It’s for the military personnel here at the hospital. No need for you to be worried,” he said. Ah, this she was used to. Her short crop of blond curls, big blue eyes, and freckled nose often elicited this don’t-worry-your-pretty-little-head response from macho men. God, she hated that. But at least it ensured that they underestimated her ninety percent of the time.
    Not that she’d ever proved to them that they had underestimated her. But there was always a first time. She just knew it.
    “Of course not,” she assured in her best big-girl voice, which only made Major Taylor’s smile soften even more.
    “Okay, I’ll let you all get back to what you’re doing.” He eyed the petri dish still balanced in the palm of Abilene’s hand. “Keep up the good work.” He strode through the door, closing it behind him.
    One … two . . .
    “Oh, Abilene,” Olive burst out as Lisa and Mary started laughing, “you’re my hero.”
    “Yay,” Abilene mumbled under her breath as she finally set down her petri dish.
    “I’m starting a fan club right now. Ladies,” Olive turned to Lisa, Mary, and Dahlia, “care to join? Dues are only drinks at lunch.”
    “Honey,” Dahlia interjected as she made her way to Abilene’s side, “I’ve already founded that club. You can pay the dues to me .” She squeezed Abilene’s shoulder as she whispered for her ears only, “It’s okay. You were cute.”
    “Yeah, that’s going to get me far in the medical field.” She turned to the others. “How soon do you think we can leave for lunch?”
    Dahlia looked at the clock on the wall. “An hour. Come on,” she tugged at Abilene’s arm. “Diet Coke?” Olive, Mary, and Lisa clapped their hands in enthusiasm and jumped up and down like little kids. Abilene felt her lips tug up in a reluctant smile, recognizing their Valley-girl act as an attempt to cheer her up.
    “Diet Coke can’t solve every problem, you know,” she felt obliged to point out.
    Lisa gasped as Mary dramatically whispered, “Blasphemy!”
    “Hey, Duke, I thought you were supposed to be smart,” accused Olive.
    A genuine chuckle burst from Abilene’s lips. “You’re right. I don’t know what I was thinking.” As she headed out the door she said, “Diet Cokes on me, girls.”
    • • •
    The rasp of a razor bounced off the unfinished stone walls as an orderly shaved Eli’s chin and cheeks. That his lower face had to be hairless for whatever was going to occur made Eli’s stomach twist in anxiety.
    What was it to be this time? The Tormentor relished suspense, saving the revelation of what was to kill him until the very last possible moment. He played a sick version of Twenty Questions with Eli, revealing symptom after symptom that he was soon to experience until Eli could either guess what was coming or — the Tormentor’s favorite — the focus of the experiment was whispered into Eli’s ear.
    A smooth jaw meant one thing: they needed something to seal over his mouth or both his mouth and nose. Ingestion . He felt himself relax by a degree. If he had to swallow something, then that meant he could fight it. Never mind that his efforts had always been overcome in the past; he was a man, damn it, and a trained one at that. He would fight with all the strength in his body if it were the only victory allowed him in this hellish place.
    The door’s hiss and whir announced the Tormentor’s entrance into the room.
    “It’s a beautiful day today, Eli. Bright blue skies, gentle breeze.” He flicked a negligent glance over the orderly’s progress and returned his gaze to the clipboard he was carrying. “I might head toward the coast for a bit.” He paused, enjoying his captive audience. “After.”
    Eli jerked his arms in his restraints. Hell, what he wouldn’t give to pound that smirk from the Tormentor’s horrid face. “Yuk it up, Doc,” he growled. “How long do you think this can continue?” You’re a pathetic man who gets