After a bit of silence, he continued. “Her eye’s sparkled before the drugs. She was funny, warm––caring. I couldn’t help but love her. You would have liked her, Christian.”
“I saw you standing alone in the rain as we pulled away from the funeral. That’s how I knew. Love does that to a man. Makes him stand in the rain––makes him do a lot of things he would never do for another.”
He looked up, eyes wet but not tearing; finding it hard to show emotion like most men.
“Ready to head out?” I said, giving him an out.
“Not yet. You go ahead.”
“You sure?”
“I just need some time to clear my head.”
“I’ll see myself out then.”
“Christian, you really would have liked her.”
I nodded and walked away.
Reaching the stairs, I pushed the up button, causing them to rise, their sound unable to silence the wailing from below.”
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, this is Linda. Jill is nowhere to be found.”
Startled by the radio traffic, we all jumped in unison.
“Security footage shows her leaving the tunnel for home right after we all met in my office. No one has seen her since. I had Donnie search the house, and he found clothes scattered across the bed and a small suitcase left in the hallway, causing me to believe she fled.”
Standing slowly, Karen turned to point at two words on the wall. “Dark Night, that’s why I brought you here; that’s why I wanted Jill to be here. To confront her. To make her squirm at the scratches of a trapped soul who tried to warn us. I think Jill used drugs to flip Kate’s loyalty toward the outliers, which led to her addiction. And she will pay for that If I ever find her. Elysians are family, and I don’t like traitors.”
“Karen, did you copy my last transmission?”
“Christian, tell her I’m going to my office and do not want to be disturbed.”
“Linda, this is Christian; she did. Thank you. She left for her office and does not want to be disturbed.”
“Okay, I’ll wait to hear from her.”
Doc looked at me for a moment, then said, “That’s why Karen came here last night with her camera.”
“She did tell me she was troubled by Jill’s answers during their interview yesterday, but still, she had no idea the plan was called dark night until this morning.
“Intuition, I guess. Kate and Jill became close friends after they started hanging out at a local bar. I went with them one night and hated it. She seemed distant after that, and our friendship fell apart. I tried to help her when I found out about the drugs but failed every time, just like I did in this room.”
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.
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 conversation around the table took on a more serious tone as time moved forward.
“Linda, please let the women’s club know how much I appreciate their hard work.”
“I will.”
“Doc, you look tired. Should I assume things did not go as planned?”
“No, we got what we needed. Robert has the highlights. And Nicky will have a complete transcript for you by noon.”
“In that case, Robert, If you’re ready, I’m all ears.”
After taking a quick sip of coffee, he opened his notebook. “Chief, we worked Echo’s memories and placed Mitch under like you asked. Our cyber team is verifying the information as we speak but what I am about to tell you is fact as far as I’m concerned.
Both Borya and Echo were isolated from other Ghost members for well over two years before coming to America. This was done to keep crucial information from being read if captured. In Borya’s case, it worked. However, Echo was a different story.”
“How so?”
“She may be a bimbo, as you said, but her skills of seduction have served her well. While Borya was training for their mission as instructed. Echo was sleeping with a Ghost security officer, who gave up money and memories with every encounter. So it is with great confidence that I tell you over half the tribal Chiefs have aligned themselves with Ghost; twenty right here in the good ole USA. Including our friends from Texas. It appears the doppelganger videos were being used as a scare tactic to get Chiefs still sitting on the fence to join. And finally, with or without the remaining tribe’s approval, “Operation Dark Night” will take place by the end of the year.”
“I have two questions. Were all tribes asked to join the outliers?”
“No”
“In that case, what criteria was used to pick the ones who were?”
“I’m not sure?”
“Linda, Robert, pick up Jill Hanson and place her in Kate’s cell. We’ll meet you there.”
“Kate’s scratches are all over the walls,” I interjected. It’s a hellish place to put someone who was friends with her.
“Christian, I am fully aware of the room’s appearance.”
“Then why do it?”
“Because I want something out of her, she will not give up anywhere else. Doc, are you ready to go?”
Looking up from a fresh plate of scrambled eggs, he said, “Sure, where to?”
“I’ll assume your lack of sleep prevented you from comprehending the conversation we just had in this room, so follow us, and I will fill you in on the ride over. Christian, you drive.”
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.
A hint of bacon wafted through the air as we entered Robert’s office.
“Karen, Christian,” said Linda, “come have a seat at the table. And Robert, there will be no business discussed for the next thirty minutes; Olivia’s orders.”
Robert nodded and smiled as we took our place with the others.
“This meal is for all of us, of course, but Olivia wanted to bring special attention to Christian. The man who she said, and I quote, ‘Saved my son’s life.’ And it’s true. Had Christian not touched Borya at the dairy. Lex and Cathy may have very well been killed. So, without further ado, I give you this plate, Christian, of which I know nothing other than Olivia said you would understand.”
Removing the cover, a tear rolled down my face as I looked upon a single homemade donut with two eyes and a smile, with the words “I love you” written in chocolate beneath. “Mom used to make donuts like this. Tell Olivia the message was received.”
“I will,” she replied, wiping the tear from my cheek with her thumb.
Nothing else was said for a few seconds as everyone sat silent, most likely thinking about their own mothers. Linda finally broke the silence. “A beautiful meal for us all, don’t you think?”
Doc agreed, and our early morning breakfast continued as Karen placed her hand on mine. “I bet you were a handsome little hero in your superman cape.”
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.
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?”
“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.”
Mitch 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.
Timothy French 