Hannah on TOP~Chapter 2

Bait and Switch

The office into which the TOP representative led Hannah left her with a homey and welcoming feel. Rows of shelves lined two full walls, and on these, volumes of books begged to be touched. Alongside a shelf of collector edition classics, were encyclopedia styled volumes and a few shelves of instruction manuals.

Hannah should have known something like this awaited her when she followed the mysterious stranger out onto the school football field to a sleek black unmarked helicopter.

The woman who’d yanked her out of classes held out a hand. “I’m Tia, TOP intake and head of the HR department.” Hannah shook briefly. Tia released her grip, walked around the large cherry wood desk, and took a seat in a high-backed black-leather office chair. She gestured at the svelte maroon wing-back chairs across from her.

“Have a seat, Hannah.”

Hannah eased herself into the closest chair, balancing on the edge, still a little over-awed at the whole situation. Tia had said two words to her during the flight, and “Hold on.” did nothing to answer Hannah’s many questions. She slid her foot back and forth across the maroon throw rug protecting the dark-chocolate hardwoods from the abrasive legs of the desk and chairs.

“So,” she said, staring at her nails. “What’s this TOP thing?”

The leather of Tia’s chair creaked in protest, and Hannah looked up. Tia leaned forward, hands folded, her forearms resting on the desk.

“What I tell you must never leave this facility,” she caught and held Hannah’s gaze. “Only those with proper clearance can know of what we do.” She leaned forward even further. “Speak only to those you know and trust, and trust no one.”

Hannah swallowed, but didn’t look away.

“I need you to give me your word on this,” Tia continued. “Do I have your word on this, Hannah?”

Hannah nodded.

“No, Hannah,” Tia said and slapped her arms down on the desk. “I need you to swear yourself to secrecy. Swear on something you hold dear.” She trailed her fingers gently over the desk, looked down at them, then back up at Hannah.

“Swear to me on the memory of your murdered friend.”

Hannah caught the arms of her chair in a death grip and squeezed until the bones threatened to burst from the back of her hand. “Leave her out of this!” The words echoed flat and deadly in the once warm room now gone cold.

But Tia didn’t stop. “Swear on the power you felt when you put a bullet in the bastard who killed her.”

“Stop it!” Hannah lurched from the chair. “I didn’t want to kill. I didn’t want her dead.”

Tia flashed a predatory smile. “No, but you wanted him dead.”

“No!” Hannah shook her head savagely. “I’m not like him.”

Tia leaned forward, poised like a serpent ready to strike. “You wanted him to pay.”

Hannah dove across the desk and lunged for the woman’s throat. In an instant she found herself facing the opposite direction, arms pinned behind her.

“That’s it, Hannah.” Tia’s breath rushed hot against her cheek. “Remember that pain, that anger. Let it out. Let it flow.”

“Shut up!” Hannah screamed, struggling against Tia’s grip. “Shut up, shut up, shut up!”

“Oh, Hannah. Poor, broken Hannah. I’m going to teach you how to harness that rage. I’m going to show you how to use that pain for good.”

Hannah felt pressure on her head, and then a gentle caress as Tia stroked her hair.

“I’ve been there. I’ve felt your pain.” The grip on Hannah’s wrists eased, and she was pulled into an embrace.

“And someday I’ll tell you all about it. About my beautiful sister, and the monster that took her from me.”

Tia’s voice cracked slightly. “I want to help you, Hannah. I want to help you heal.”

Tears flooded Hannah’s eyes and flowed onto her cheeks. She sobbed against Tia’s chest, wordlessly enjoying the tenderness of the arms around her. She cried as Amy’s face surfaced in her mind and smiled. She curled against Tia when the predator turned to her with his panicked look. She cringed as the hole appeared on his forehead, and the light in his eyes died. She shook in Tia’s arms, bawling until her body went limp and there were no more tears to shed.

Tia’s hand cradled her head, and Hannah relaxed against the woman’s chest. “Let me help you, Hannah.” came the whisper of words. “Let me help you, guide you.” The gentle touch smoothed over Hannah’s hair and came to rest on her shoulders. “Let me give you the greatest gift a victim could ever hope to receive.”

Hannah pulled her head back and looked up into the deep dark eyes of the woman who offered salvation. Tia gripped her shoulders and held her at arms length. “Will you let me help you, Hannah? Will you take that chance and help us too?”

Hannah reached up and wiped her tears on her sleeve. She sniffled, and asked, “What is TOP?”

Tia gave her a smile, this time one that spoke of understanding. “TOP is a program that renders justice when the law can’t.”

The confused Hannah chewed her lower lip a moment. Then she asked, “How do you do that?”

Tia shook her head. That is something you’ll learn tomorrow in orientation if you choose to trust me and agree to stay. Tonight, I’d just like to get you settled.”

She moved from behind the desk and came to Hannah’s side. “Are you ready?” she asked, and held out her hand. Hannah didn’t hesitate.

The two women moved through the building and ascended a flight of stairs.  As they reached the landing, a tall dark-haired boy about her age caught her eye. A flicker of a memory haunted her. She knew him from somewhere, but everything had become a blur since Amy’s death.

Hannah heard nothing else Tia said that evening. But it didn’t matter.

Hannah had already decided to stay.