Summary:  If they hadn't escaped in '09 would Ben still have been crazy.  I think so.  The blue lady still has plans for him and for Max…whether she's willing or not.

Warning:  Mature themes and character death.

No Escape

She'll require reindoctrination.  Forgetting the past year is not enough.  Make it so she won't ever remember knowing Ben.  As for 493, he'll never be functional again.

***

Chapter 1:  Child's Play

            "Your behavior is disgraceful 493."  The TAC leader who held the little boy up by his left arm said.  The TAC leader on his right arm grunted an agreement.  But the boy didn't care he refused to walk willingly to his fate instead making the soldiers drag him through the basement to isolation.  "Go ahead and keep this up 493.  They can smell your fear and they like it."  493, known as Ben to his unit members, immediately straightened up and began walking on his own.  His fear of the "nomaliles" drove him harder than anything to do well and be a good soldier.  But today his efforts hadn't been enough and he was once again facing his greatest fear. 

"48 hours with no rations."  The guard barked before slamming the steel door shut.  Ben continued to pull on it until he could no longer hear the retreating footsteps of his jailors.  He backed into a corner and drew his knees to his chest.  Squeezing his eyes shut and clenching his fists he began his chant to the Blue Lady. 

"Please protect me.  I am a good soldier.  Please protect me."

Ben continued this mantra for two hours straight.  He would have continued throughout his 48 hour sentence, anything to shut out the groans and grunts of the "nomalies' in the surrounding cells, but a rustling sound coming from the other side of the door stopped him.

Ben stared wide eyed at the door, certain that the Blue Lady had judged him to be a bad soldier and was now allowing a "nomalie" to come open him up and drink his blood. He held his breath as the tinkering behind the door became louder.  Ben opened his mouth to scream as the door creaked open but his vocal chords failed him. However his voice returned full force when he saw who stepped through the door.

"Max!"

"Shush, Ben, they'll hear us."  She scolded but her smile gave a way any real anger.      

Ben nodded and Max quickly darted into the room.  The two embraced. 

"I brought you this." Max handed him a piece of fruit and a granola bar she must have stolen from one of the personnel who didn't live on the base.

"You're gonna end up in a cell next to mine."

"I'll be back to the barracks before they know I'm gone."

"How?  It's after lights out so there are guards posted in all the hallways."

Max shrugged.  "They're not gonna check in here again.  So I guess that means I'll stay till the shift change just before revival." 

"Thanks Maxie."  Max couldn't keep from grinning at the relief that washed over Ben's face over the fact that she was going to stay with him the entire night. 

"Feel like telling me a story." 

Ben laughed then threw an arm around Max and pulled her closer.  The two leaned their shaved heads against each other as Ben began his latest tale.