Continued from scene forty-two
Chapter Eight
Karen stayed in her office overnight, talking with tribal leaders. All claiming to be allies, never knowing, she knew better. It had become a game of wits and primal instinct at this point, with no clear winner by morning, but one thing was made clear. While the spies, one dead, one alive, would be sent back home. The same courtesy would not be extended to others, regardless of their tribal affiliation. The meeting with Jill Hanson had also proved disappointing. Skin contact revealed nothing, and her answers were troubling.
“So you believe she is hiding memories via a hypnosis technique. How is it even possible?”
“Look at it as a redacted memory, stored within her DNA.”
“Can you do it?”
“I know of the technique via my ancestral memories but have no idea how it is done. It was only in the realm of a few who used it to their advantage, just as they are today.”
“So the Chief of Ghost has a pedigree in this realm. And actively used it against us.”
“I like the way you think, but no. Denis is not pure in any way, shape, or fashion. He is a terrible excuse for a man and a pitiful chief.”
“Then how did he ever become chief?”
“How does any weak man, or woman, for that matter, become chief?”
“They––.”
“They don’t. Denis is just a puppet. The puppet masters, I do not know. Now If you don’t mind, I would like to change the subject. After all, this should be a joyful time for us, but here we are, having to deal with outliers and a possible blackout. It’s a lot to take in, and truthfully, I can’t believe you haven’t fled. You’ve only had five weeks of sporadic training in a world that’s falling apart as we speak. And I’m afraid there is nothing I can do to stop it.”
Placing my fingers over her lips, I replied as her knight in shining armor, “I’ll stop it for you, my fair lady.”
Laughter filled the room before the last syllable left my tongue. It continued as we tried to kiss without success.
“Karen, this is Robert. Are you awake?”
Our moment of ease was short-lived.
Shift is an online work of fiction.
This is the first draft of my manuscript Shift – Don’t judge a book by its cover. I am writing it online in sections as I go. So feel free to comment, good or bad. If you see mistakes, point them out.
The story centers around shapeshifting.
I’m currently working on chapter nine.
Timothy French 