The black chair rose slowly out of the floor. Number Two yawned and switched on the screen. Time to see how things were progressing. Number Six was already up, pacing. Restless as a shark, that one. In that uncanny way of his, Six looked at the camera, his eyes resentful. No matter, all in good time. Two switched to the beach. Nothing. Number Seven had vanished.
He grabbed the yellow phone."Where is she?" there was an irritating delay on the other end. "Number Seven!" he yelled into it. "Where is she?"
The Supervisor's voice came over the line. "Scanning now."
The cameras flicked through the village and the surrounding area. All quiet in the early hours. No sign of the girl. Two shoved down the panic. There was no where for her to run. She would be found.
"I ordered round the clock surveillance on Number Seven." Two barked into the phone. "How could she get off the beach undetected?"
A slight pause. Then the Supervisor's flat voice. "Technical difficulties. Last night's storm was particular violent. Several of the cameras were damaged. Some are still not functional."
"Aren't they calibrated to withstand the storms?"
"Yes, sir. There was a technical fault. It's being addressed."
Number Two glanced up quickly at the silent watchers. Of course they already knew he had temporarily lost track of the girl. Were they waiting now to pounce?
"Should I issue an alert?" The Supervisor asked, yanking him out of his inner torment.
"No alert." This may yet work to his advantage. "Locate and observe only." Given enough rope Number Seven would reveal the plot.
There was the expected hesitation from the Supervisor as he considered the usual order. "Yes, sir. will that be all?"
"Word of this is not to leave the control room. Is that understood?"
"Of course, sir."
He set the phone down hard. The unseen presents of his masters drew his attention again. They might well demand his head for this. No matter now. The die was cast. If the girl was still in the Village she would be spotted soon enough. He switched back to Number Six's room. Six had gone. Out for an early morning stroll? The camera found the man heading boldly for the beach. Such a contemptuous disregard for authority. Still it was good to see he hadn't lost interest.
The yellow phone buzzed. He snatched it up.
The Supervisor was on the other end. "Number Six is moving towards the outer perimeter."
"I can see that."
"Should we intercept?"
"Allow him satisfy his curiosity," The man's reaction may prove insightful. "Keep scanning for Number Seven. Inform me the moment she's been located."
Two settled back in his chair and flicked aimlessly through the cameras not really seeing what flashed across the screen. A thought which he scarcely dare entertain was niggling in the back of his mind. Had been for some time. Something about Number Seven wasn't quite right. The girl was demonstrating unusual resilience and self reliance. Nothing in her past could account for it. Not in the past they had been presented with. Could it have been a fabrication? He bristled at the thought.
The screen now showed Number Six. Two paused leaning his chin on his cane as he watched Six cross the sand with brazen confidence. Was she a plant? If that were indeed the case he had allowed her unfettered access to their most valuable prisoner. Such an oversight could spell disaster. For him personalty.
Two grabbed up the yellow phone again. The Supervisor answered.
"I want Number Seven's file," Two barked.
"Sir?"
"Everything we have, including her psychiatric report." he was shaking. A mistake like this could spell disaster and he wasn't going to bare the blame. "And tell the doctor I want to see him immediately."
The beach was deserted. No sign of Casey. Six walked round the rocks. Rain had washed away any tracks. Had Two removed her or had she the initiative to run? If she tried for the mountains she was dead.
He scooped up a hand full of sand and let it run through his fingers. The sky over the waters was clear. It was going to be a beautiful day. The first since Casey's arrival. Another thing about this place, every aspect of it suited their purpose. It gave one the impression they could control everything. If only minds were as easy to manipulate as the weather.
Six climbed up on the rock where Casey had sat. He settled himself and looked out over the water. The game was going to Number Two's advantage. No reason for him the change the rules now. More likely the girl was refusing to behave. And yet the quiet persisted. No alarm for either of them. This Number Two didn't always tip his hand.
From his chair Two shot a viscous look at the door. The Supervisor was a long time coming with that report. Up on the screen Number Six sat brooding on the rock. Had he really expected to find the girl or was this just a ruse? Two paced. The other night, while they were cuddling, a plan could very well have been hatched. Right before his eyes.
"Where is she? What are the two of you playing at?" Two snapped at the screen. Six continued to study the ocean. That stoic face of his betraying nothing. "What ever it is, it won't work."
The door opened. Two wheeled on it. The Supervisor and the doctor came through. In the Supervisor's hand was the report.
Six slipped down off the rock. Not much was left of Casey's crude camp. Some charred pieces of drift wood from the fire, a shard of glass and the shells she'd collected lay scattered in the sand. The broken pole caught his eye. He picked it up and fingered the hook. The tip was sharp indeed. Resourceful for such a young girl. Whatever her past, survival training had been apart of it. Exactly how much time had been put to transforming her into an assassin? She didn't yet have the hard eyes of a seasoned killer. Though she may very well have enough experience to try.
He tossed the pole down. If she had left the beach of her own volition she wouldn't be running. His gaze went to the Village, just now waking. Sunlight gleamed off the green dome. The prospect of revenge would be far too enticing. And he had put her onto it.