Page 52 of Trained

The Novocaine burns as Dr. Grenoble injects it.

“Just relax,” says Grenoble. “If it helps, I have practiced this procedure on some very uncooperative individuals. You’re going to be fine.”

“I know. Thank you,” I say.

My eyes tear up, but Ingram and I kiss until the sensation fades and I can’t feel any pain around my implants.

“Okay, Ingram. Get the cases ready,” says Grenoble.

“Yes, doctor.”

I keep my eyes closed and my breathing steady as Dr. Grenoble begins the procedure. The incisions cause no pain at all; the anesthetics work perfectly. I feel a tugging sensation as she pulls the implants out, but it doesn’t hurt. Eyal scans the implants up until they’re removed, but none of them show any sign of transmitting a signal.

When Ingram closes the first case around the device, my tears drip freely. For a long time, I never believed this moment would come. This could be a dream — a wonderful reality I’ll wake up from, only to realize none of it ever happened. Ingram will really be dead and Anarchy, Inc. won’t exist.

This is real, though. The doctor does her work, and then my implants are gone, locked away in the cases where they can’t harm anyone. Grenoble stitches up the incisions and cleans them.

“We’re done,” she says. “Kate, take painkillers as needed once the Novocaine wears off. Avoid too much strenuous activity. If you heal well you should be back to normal soon.”

“Thank you, doctor,” I say, shaking her hand with both of mine. “I don’t know how I can ever repay you.”

“Take down Anton,” she replies. “That’ll be enough.”

“We will,” says Ingram. “We will. Thank you for everything. A car is waiting to take you home. You’ll be safe with my men.”

“Of course. Call me anytime if you need something, Mr. Dent, Ms. Atwood.”

“Kate, come with me,” says Ingram.

He leads me outside the barn. My wrist, neck and thigh will feel numb for hours, but I have no trouble walking. When we step into the fresh, cool air, I inhale deeply — a free woman for the first time in nearly a year. As we watch another Cadillac pick up Dr. Grenoble and drive her away, it’s incredible to think that I could be doing the same: I could get in a car and go literally anywhere. Ingram could put me on a plane to Nairobi or drive me to Myrtle Beach. I probably can’t come out of hiding for a while, but if Anton couldn’t find Anarchy, Inc. before, he won’t find us now.

The enormity of it all makes me dizzy. Months and months of loneliness are over. I’ll be with Ingram from now on. His operatives will protect me, and when the threat of the Masters is over, maybe I’ll find a way to convince my friends that I wasn’t myself. Someday soon I’ll have a semblance of my old life back. Maybe I won’t be a respected journalist ever again, but at least I’ll be free — with the man I love.

Then there are the little things, of course: no more eating the same bland turkey sandwich or garden salad every day. If I want to watch a movie I’ve seen ten times already, I can. Maybe I’ll learn a new hobby, like gardening or cross-stitch.

I smirk.

Fuck that.

I’m going to the gym and I’m taking up kickboxing, or maybe Aikido. Then I’m going to a range twice a week and learning to shoot like an expert marksman. Handguns, machine guns, sniper rifles — I’m not going to get caught defenseless ever again.

“Is it safe for us to be out here?” I ask, sweeping my eyes across the open fields. Not a single car can be heard coming from the empty country road. Dark clouds and a cool breeze herald a coming storm.

“We’re fine,” he says, showing me his phone. It’s an aerial view of the farm. “No one’s approaching the property for miles. We have drones in the air, and we’re watching Anton. We’ll know when he makes a move.”

“Good.”

He takes me in his arms and kisses me. I melt into his embrace, not caring if my body still feels funny from the Novocaine. Ingram walks me back until he presses me against the side of the barn, then reaches down between my legs.

“Ingram,” I moan.

“Do you not want to?” he asks. “Are you in any pain?”

“No,” I giggle. “But the doctor did say to avoid strenuous activity.”

He grunts a laugh.

“We could take it easy, for now. Just relax and I’ll take care of everything.”

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