Picking up the radio, she responded, “I am. And please tell me you have good news.”
“Afraid not, Doc and I want to meet with you as soon as possible.”
“Can it wait until after breakfast?”
“Already have that covered. Linda is on her way with a basket full of food courtesy of the Woman’s Club. And tell Christian Olivia made something special for him.”
“I will.”
“What to you think it is?” I asked.
“Your guess is as good as mine”
On our way over, I felt like a kid consumed with thoughts of an unknown gift.
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.
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?”
“Christian, 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.
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.
“I’m so thankful Lex is in your arms tonight,” said Karen to Olivia. “And Jeff, I hope you can forgive me for leaving you out of the loop. Had I told you, Echo might have been tipped off.”
“I understand. Would have made the same decision if I were you.”
“It means a lot to hear you say that.”
“Well, we’d like to go home now if it’s okay with you? Lex is exhausted.”
“Of course, we can talk in the morning.”
“One last thing, Chief. What do you plan to do with Echo?”
“Like I said, we can talk in the morning. For now, I would like to have Christian drive you home in my cart.”
Jeff looked over at me and said, “Sure you can find your way around the place, Fortunato?”
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.
As we left the room, George Bradshaw’s men were loading Borya’s body onto a stretcher while Cathy stood nearby in hands cuffs. How strange it must be to kill oneself, I thought
“Robert, is Doc in the surveillance room?” asked Karen.
“Chief, he’s here with Nicky.”
“Thank you, we’re on our way.”
The surveillance room was on the opposite side of a one-way mirror, of which Echo stared intently. Her eyes dark with a smile that made you want to kill her right then and there.
As the minutes passed, she began pacing back and forth like a caged animal. Refusing to sit back down until she heard Karen’s voice over the speaker. “Echo, this is Karen Davis, Chief of Elysian. I plan to send you home with a message, but first, I want to know where Lex is.”
“Screw you, and tell his mom the horny bastard was an easy catch.”
Before Karen could respond, Robert stepped up to the window and handed her a note that read: Olivia was able to retrieve Echo’s memories. Lex is alive and well. Jeff is on his way with a security team to pick him up now.
Karennodded and stared back through the glass. “It’s too bad Borya died instead of you, Echo. A bimbo like yourself has only the skill of a whore with nothing to say.”
“I have plenty to say, Bitch, and your day is coming. Ghosts are not outliers; Elysians are. Who’s your friend, who’s not. You might be surprised to know which American tribes have already sided with us.”
“Sleep tight,” Karen replied as gas filled the room. “Robert, secure Echo in the chair so Doc can make contact. And Doc, don’t walk out of that room until you’re sure there’s nothing left in that trashy brain of hers. Understood?”
Doc seemed as stunned as I with her demeanor.
“Understood. And Chief, what do you want us to do with her when she wakes up?”
“I haven’t decided. Hold her there for the time being.”
Peter was coming in as Karen and I made our way out. “Chief, it was brutal what Borya did to Cathy. Don’t be too hard on her. I would have killed him myself had she not beat me to it.”
Karen studied him for a moment, then moved on down the hallway to a waiting golf cart where she radioed back to Doc. “Put Mitch under hypnosis when you’re finished with Echo. I think he’s had plenty of time to access Cathy’s memories, and I want them all.”
“You got it.”
Linda, I want to talk with Jill Hanson. Go pick her up after you drop us off. I’ll meet you in your office after I close things out with the Wilcox family.”
Office and safe-room were interchangeable underground, every Elysian family had one. But Linda, Robert, and Karen’s have security features that allow them to monitor and control the entire complex. So Jeff, Olivia, and Lex were well aware of Echo’s comments, making our meeting with them a tearful one.
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.
Sensing trouble, she turned back. But it was too late. A wall had already moved into place, trapping her inside. With no other options, she slowly made her way through the maze as the eerie sound of sliding walls closed from behind. Reaching the killing room, she resigned herself to the moment.
Back in the auditorium, the Wilcox family waited in a panic state for information about their son’s whereabouts. “Have they caught her yet?” asked Oliva.
“I’ll check,” replied Karen, who stood by them, along with Linda, Donnie, and myself.
“Robert, Give me an update.”
“Chief, She’s locked in.”
“Jeff, you and Oliva go with Linda to my safe room. You can observe the proceedings from there. Christain, Donnie, wait for me by exit two while I address the others.”
Karen’s words were not as commanding as before. And the crowd was not as receptive to them. The sudden realization of spies among them had everyone on edge.
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.
“I would like to think all of you for coming here on such short notice. Things are changing fast, and we must meet these new challenges quickly. I have been talking….”
As she continued, Robert’s team went into action.
“Door one secure.” “Door two secure.” “Safety exit one secure.” “Safety exit two secure.” “Where’s Borya Seated?” “Right side, last row, at the end.” “Karen, this is Robert; we’re ready to set the maze.”
“Copy,” she replied, turning the key in front of her.
I watched as walls closed off some hallways while opening others.
“Maze set,” reported Karen. “Linda, we’re ready.”
“Like I said earlier, dark times are coming, and we must remain united. So please reach out and hold the hand of the person next to you. Let this room be filled with the love we have for one another.”
“Borya just got up. He’s headed for door two.”
“Let him go,” replied Robert. “Karen, unlock door two.”
“Why is Terry Cole walking toward Borya? I thought he was working tonight.” she quickly responded.”
“He is; Matt met with him earlier today.”
“Could it be Echo?”
“Not sure.”
“Arrest both of them right now.”
“Stop!” yelled Robert.
Borya turned quickly to escape, running head-on into Terry and the knife he held in his hand. “I will be the last person you ever rape,” he said, keeping eye contact with him all the way to the ground until his soulless life faded into obscurity.
Mick Turner pulled him off as he shifted to his original. It was Cathy, no tears, just anger.
“You would have done the same thing,” she mouthed off toward the stage, thinking she was talking to Karen.
“Donnie, move in on the Wilcox family; something is going on over there,” said Karen through his earpiece.
“Lex,” said Jeff in anger, “why did you pull away from your mom when she reached for you? I don’t know what’s got into you lately.”
Placing her hands on Lex’s shoulders, Olivia tried to ease the tension but screamed franticly. “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH MY SON!”
Shifting into a mixed martial arts body, Echo began fighting her way toward the exit. Several Elysains quickly shifted to match her strength.
“Let her go, said Karen through the PA system as she unlocked exit one.”
Seizing the moment, Echo shifted to a runner’s body and fled through the door.
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 room, hidden behind the stage, was small, and I could feel the tension in Karen’s hand as she released from mine. Over the next few hours she sat quietly, so I amused myself with the security cameras, scanning the entire underground complex.
Linda stepped in around seven for a last-minute meeting, and we ate supper.
Soon after, the auditorium began to fill, and we watched as Carol Jenkins made small talk with Linda, who was now on stage in Karen’s body. Donnie remained seated behind her, trying to avoid everyone.
“Doc,” said Karen into her microphone, “go up on stage and strike up a conversation with Donnie before someone takes notice of his nervousness.”
“You got it, Chief.”
When the clock struck nine, the room fell silent, and Linda began to speak.
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.
“To a safe room. Robert feels it’s too risky for us to be out in the open.”
“You’re not going to address the tribe in person?”
“Linda has agreed to stand in as me, and Donnie will shift into your body. We will be able to view it all, and they will be wearing earpieces should we need to talk to them.
“I’m starting to feel like a VIP.”
“You are,” she replied with a soft rub to her belly.
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 ride over to Doc’s required another text as Robert feared Echo might unknowingly be tipped off. He wanted every team member to meet ASAP.
Upon our arrival, Nicky took Cathy into the examining room while the rest of us went below to wait.
Forty-five minutes later, the team was in place. “Alright, have a seat, so I can start the briefing. Karen, do you have anything to say before I begin?”
“Not at the moment.”
“Okay, first, I want everyone in this room to shake hands with three other people and confirm you are looking at the original. Karen and Nicky excluded.”
Chatter filled the room as members reached out for one another while Karen and Robert looked on. Satisfied with the results, the meeting continued.
“As you are well aware, we have spies among us. A clear violation of tribal rules. A threat we can not take lightly under the current circumstances.
“Christian feels Borya has an accomplice by the name of Echo Komarov. And there may be others, so talk to no one about our plan.
“In just a few minutes, Karen will send a message to all Elysains, calling for an emergency meeting, to be held in the auditorium at nine o’clock, to discuss the latest tribal talks. A security officer will visit those who can not make it due to work.
“Our goal is to flush out the outliers and locate any members who may be suffering in a box of their own. So don’t get careless. Their lives may very well depend on your actions tonight.
“Cathy, do you have anything to add before I turn it over to Karen?”
“Standing up, she said, the Ghost tribe picked the right name for themselves because they have no soul. They do not deserve our respect when captured. Those bas—”
“Thank you,” interjected Karen, cutting her off.
Cathy sat down reluctantly.
Tonight we must confirm the identity of every Elysian. And we must capture those who have broken our trust. Please be safe as we do not know what Borya’s team is capable of. But I want them alive. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Chief,” was said in unison as Robert whispered into Karen’s ear, after which she motioned for me to follow.
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.
“Yes, Sir. he’s with Darrel and Borya trying to round up the cows that got loose just as planned.”
“Christian, any last-minute memories of Borya and Cathy’s interactions before we go in?”
“Remember the girl from Borya’s hometown? I think she’s here with him. Her name is Echo.”
“Matt, did anyone come in or out of Cathy’s house last night.”
“No, sir.”
“Then we’ll have to assume she’s embedded herself at another location. Let’s move. I can’t stand the thought of Cathy being locked up in there for one more night.
“Christian, is the window unlocked?”
“Christian!”
“Sorry, Robert. I kinda blanked out there for a minute.”
Robert, Matt, Peter, and Donnie, were all part of Elysian security. Mick on the other hand was hand picked by Karen for is trust worthiness. He did not know it now, but she was looking for another team member and this would be his first test.
“Christian, give me a lift so I can get through the window.”
“Dang, Donnie, you need to lay off the buffets,” I said struggling to get him in the air.
“Come on you puss, put your hear into it.”
Grunting harder my eyes began to flash and Donnie went flying through the window.
“Damn, son,” he yelled from inside the house. “You just about broke my neck.”
Looking out with his hand on his head, he said. “You could of told me you were going to shift.”
“I would have if i had know,” I replied.
“Christian, that’s going to be a problem if you can’t get it under control. Flashing eyes are one thing, but a involuntary full body shift is unacceptable.”
“Sorry, Robert. I’m still feeling a little light headed.”
“Well get it together, Cathy’s life is in our hands right now.”
Just then, Donnie, opened the back door and Robert turned his attention toward him, “Stay her and stand guard.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Moving to the basement stairs we all funneled down one by one, And one by one we began to gag. The smell was becoming overwhelming at this point.
“Rub this under you noses,” ordered Robert, “Unless you want to clean up your own vomit before we leave.”
As we rubbed the Vicks in, Donnie picked the lock without a hitch. The relief on Cathy’s face when we opened the soundproof box was overwhelming. She had been in there for over a week. Only receiving food and water once a day, along with a diaper; the old ones thrown out in the exchange.
“Thank God you found me. Did you kill the son of a bitch?”
“No, we need time to flush out his accomplice, so let’s go. Peter is going to shift and take your place, so he doesn’t get suspicious.”
“You can’t do that to Peter. I’ll stay; just make sure you get him.”
“I can’t leave you here. You’re too weak, and Doc’s waiting on you. So go behind the curtain with Peter and exchange clothing.”
“I can’t do this to you, Peter, my cloths are a mess.”
“It’s okay, Cathy, I will be alright, he replied softly.”
Stepping out, Peter asked. “What do you think, Robert.”
“You don’t match. Cathy has lost weight. Make contact with her and update.”
A shifter’s database of bodies remained the same as when touched. Only growing older when the body is used. Mick had not made contact with Cathy in months. Taking her hand, he made the adjustment, and the switch was complete.
“That’s better. Now get in; we’ll be back after the meeting.”
Cathy cried at the sight of herself being locked in the box. A frail body mirroring her own.
“Christian, send an encrypted message to Karen telling her we are on our way.”
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.
Timothy French 