by Meg Ripley
A man leaned in the doorway there. Most of the people in the room were the of the same demographic that was common in that rural part of the state. Whether because they wanted to be or because Ben had made them to be, they were clean cut and dressed conservatively. The man in the doorway could’ve just as easily been one of them, but the grease stains on his clothes and the dirt under his fingernails made him stand out. Even more than that, the hard look in his eyes as he watched the leader wasn’t anything like the happiness that glowed from the other followers.
Jack was no psychic, and he was still getting used to the idea of such a thing existing, but he wished he could reach out and touch Erica’s mind with his own. His fox was on alert, knowing there was something wrong with her. He could feel it thrashing around inside him, desperate to get out. At the very least, he wanted to ask her what was going on. He didn’t dare to interrupt Ben, though. For the moment, he turned his attention back to the car salesman.
“Friends, we have two new people who have joined us. They, like the rest of us, are looking for a better way of life. They want the peace and harmony that everyone craves, but they’ve been brave enough to go out into the world and find it. Please give a warm welcome to Jack and Erica.” He gestured at them to stand.
Jack pushed his chair back, glancing nervously at Erica. She’d pasted that vapid look on her face that she’d worn back at the dealership, the one that indicated she wasn’t very deep or smart and certainly not capable of infiltrating a terrorist cell and tearing it apart from the inside. Erica smiled and blushed.
“Please, make sure they feel at home here, as all of you do. They’ve come at a good time,” Ben continued, “since we are ahead on our work. It’s time for a day of relaxation and fun, my friends. Enjoy yourselves, take a day off, and revel in the tranquility that you’ve come here for.” A rather thunderous round of applause broke out this time. Ben thanked everyone with a bob of his head as he made his way over to Jack and Erica’s table. “I take it you each slept well?” he asked.
Was it a test? Did he somehow know what they’d actually spent the night doing? Even if it was, Jack wasn’t about to give the man what he wanted. “Oh, yes. It’s so nice and quiet here.”
Ben seemed pleased with this answer. “Good, good. I’ll be going in to work today. You’ll find activities throughout all the common areas here, including movies and games. But first, I’d like to talk to you about your role here.”
“That’s exciting!” Erica squealed. “It’s so generous of you to support all these kind people, and I’ve been wondering what I can do to help.”
“Everyone has their place,” Ben assured her. “We strive to put people in the place where they will be the happiest, so that we may all find fulfillment in our jobs while we support each other. There are some who work in the kitchens or the gardens, and we even have some who prefer the laundry area. Tell me, what are your talents?”
Erica lifted a shoulder. “I think I’m a decent cook, and I’d really like the chance to find out more about gardening. It’s so much healthier than buying all of our produce from the store, and the breakfast you’ve just served proves that.”
She was laying it on thick, so thick that Jack wasn’t sure Ben would buy it.
But the man once again looked pleased. “Great! As I’ve said, we’ll have a relaxing day today, but I’ll have Rayna guide you through some of our processes starting tomorrow. She’s the head of our kitchens, and she oversees much of the gardening as part of that. She’ll be more than happy to show you around. What about you, Jack? Where does your passion lie?”
This was their chance to get to know Ben a bit more and get a better insight into what he was actually doing there. Jack had to follow his instincts. They could put their heads down and simply do as they were told, but that wasn’t going to get them very far. “I’m actually interested in your dealership. I’m pretty good at working with my hands if you need a mechanic to work on the cars you bring in.”
Ben wasn’t as agreeable with this as he had been with Erica’s proposal. “No, I already have someone in that position. In fact, I’ve got to go see him in a moment. I’m giving my people the day off, but that doesn’t mean I get one.” He laughed as if this were a great joke, and Jack followed suit. “We could use your skills when it comes to building and repairing our structures, and there’s always a lot of electrical work to be done. Do you think you could do that?”
It wouldn’t get him right under Ben’s wing where he needed to be, but it would at least keep their cover for now. “Sure. That would be great. Is there someone I should report to?”
“Kenneth will come find you after breakfast tomorrow.”
“This is just so amazing,” Erica gushed. “I know we haven’t been here long, but we’re really happy to be a part of such a great community. Is there anything else we can do to help?”
“Well…” Ben trailed off as he pursed his lips. “I hate to ask, but if there is any money you can contribute to our cause, we’re in great need. As you can imagine, it’s difficult to support so many people just by selling used cars here and there. We have to have some sort of sacrifice in order to gain the tranquility that we strive for here.”
“I’ve got a little in savings. I was going to use it as a down payment if the two of us went in on a piece of property together, but you’ll be able to use it much more effectively.” Jack hoped his acting was up to par with Erica’s. He wasn’t used to being so ingratiating.
“How generous of you! Thank you, we’ll get that all arranged, but for now, I want the two of you to enjoy your day. Get to know everyone. I’ll be checking back in with you soon.” He shook each of their hands before turning to leave.
“Um, sir?”
Ben turned to Jack, raising an eyebrow. “Please, call me Ben.”
“Right. Ben. I wanted to ask you a question.” This was going in more of a direct route than he normally preferred, but Jack was eager to get to the bottom of this. They hadn’t discovered anything that seemed particularly odd just yet, and usually guys like Ben left their evil intentions simmering just under the surface.
“Of course.”
“Why shifters? I mean, why don’t you bring any regular humans in here with us? I’m sure they’re looking for peace and tranquility just like the rest of us are.” He widened his eyes a little to make himself look more innocent.
Fortunately, Ben didn’t take this as an insult. He laid his hand on Jack’s shoulder as he leaned forward. “You’re right, I’m sure. But we’re not like regular humans. We’re separate from the rest of the world. We, carrying these animals inside us, know what it’s like to live in a peaceful group. We understand what it means to be one with nature, to understand all the things the rest of man has forgotten. Humans no longer have a sense of passion and understanding. We’re different.”
“I get that. Makes perfect sense.”
Jack watched him go, noting that the greasy man in the doorway had been watching them. He turned away just as Ben approached him, and the two men walked down the hall together, their heads close as they talked.
“Seems to me like Ben is trying to make a point about shifters being different from the rest of the population. It’s a pretty standard tactic for extremist leaders. They have to find some way to encourage you to cordon yourself off from the world. I still feel like we’re missing something here, though.”
“I wish I knew what that was.” Erica pushed the remainder of her breakfast around on her tray. “I’m not liking anything I see here.”
“What do you think is going on?” Jack knew something was amiss. Dozens of people didn’t just get to do a few household chores and a little maintenance in exchange for three square meals and a solid roof overhead. “It’s more like a hippie shifter commune that a terrorist cell.”
“To the naked eye, yes,” she agreed. “I was really looking for anything fishy from Ben himself, and of course I got nothing. It was the same way with all the other people here, excep
t for that guy Ben just took off with.”
“I was going to ask you about that,” Jack admitted. “I could tell something was going on with that guy. What do you think his deal is?”
She gave a short laugh of frustration. “I wish I knew. I like to think I’m pretty good at what I do, but so are people who try to overthrow the government or make some pointed political statement. They’ve spent their entire lives covering up their true motives, and that’s often reflected in their psychic energy. The only thing I can say for sure is that he’s up to no good.”
Jack rubbed his jaw. “Ben said he was a mechanic. I wonder if that translates to a bomb engineer.”
“I don’t know. But I do think we should enjoy our day, just like Ben wants. I say we split up and get as much information as possible. Your brain is geared more toward engineering, so I’ll leave it up to you to map out the buildings and figure out anything you can about how they work or what might be hiding here. I’ll work on the people. Someone’s got to know something.”
Jack’s mouth twisted. “I don’t like it.”
“If you’d rather rub elbows, then have at it. I just think we’d be using our best assets the other way around.”
He cut his hand through the air. “That’s not what I mean. I don’t like the idea of splitting up. This place is pretty big, neither one of us is completely familiar with it yet, and the only communication we have with the outside world isn’t one we can use right now.”
Now the resistant look in her eye had nothing to do with acting. “We haven’t seen any actual threats, and I shouldn’t have to remind you that I’ve been through plenty of training. I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.”
That may be true, but it was hard for Jack to see her that way. She’d been soft and welcoming the previous night. Erica was a woman to be treasured and protected, not thrown out amongst a group of potential terrorists. “You don’t understand. I know you’re capable, but with what I am… what we did… what I feel…” He searched for the right words and cursed himself for being so emotionally wrapped up in this. Jack was a logical man, and matters of the heart always came second after matters of the mind. With Erica, though, the line blurred to the point of disappearing. How could he explain his incessant need to protect her?
She touched the back of his hand with her fingertip, a small gesture that wouldn’t reveal just how intimate they’d been. “That’s very sweet of you, Jack, but it’s not going to get this taken care of. I’ll be fine. I promise. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to introduce myself to that group of ladies over there.” Erica rose from the table, bussed her tray, and approached the women she’d indicated.
Jack shook his head and cursed under his breath, but he had to be proud of her. His animal side told him to protect her and make sure nothing happened to her, but the other side of his brain told him she really was more than capable of handling herself. The only thing she needed from him was to do his job.
Reluctantly, he stood up and attempted to do just that. Jack strolled over to a man sitting by himself, smiling as he polished off a blueberry muffin. “Hi, I’m Jack. I’m new here.”
The man eagerly extended his hand. “Ted! Ted Costello. It’s nice to meet you. You’re really going to love it here.”
“I think you’re right, based on what I’ve seen so far. I’m still new, though. I don’t really know anyone except my friend that I came here with.”
“Have a seat, Jack, and feel free to call me your friend as well. Anyone who’s here seeking a better way of life certainly has something in common with me. Can I get you anything? Coffee, or a muffin?”
Jack took the chair but waved off the offer. “I just ate, thanks. So what brought you here, anyway?” The guy seemed more than eager to talk, which could only be counted as a good thing. Getting in good with the other recruits was always his first step. It helped him to blend in while he learned more about the actual operations. If he was lucky, Ted was some vital part of this compound and might let a few secrets slip.
“Oh, Jack. I’m happy to tell you. In fact, I’ve been thinking about writing a book and telling everyone. I thought about putting it online in a series of blog posts so I could make it free, but then I realized that is exactly the type of thinking we’re supposed to be getting away from.” He slapped his fingers on the side of his head. “It’s crazy when you realize just how much all our societal norms are ingrained in us. You think you’ve gotten past them, and then they come creeping back up again. Now, where was I?”
“Um, you were going to tell me what brought you to this lovely place.” Jack risked a peek at the other side of the room, where Erica and a few of the ladies were heading out the door. He could practically feel her presence diminishing, and he no longer had to feign his discomfort. Anything could happen to her there. They still had no idea exactly what Ben’s movement was all about.
“I was working up in St. Louis, and I thought I had it all. Great job, nice house, fancy car, beautiful women on my arm. But I was always so stressed out, Jack. All that money I was making was getting taxed to death. The value of my home decreased every year. The women were taking just as much money as the government, and they valued me even less.” He chuckled to himself. “It was a crying shame, Jack. I put in all that work and for what? Some material things? Not worth it. My inner groundhog gave me warning signs, but I truly found myself when I had a massive heart attack.”
“I’m so sorry. Are you all right?” Inwardly, Jack was wondering just what the hell this guy was doing out there in the middle of nowhere if he had so much going on in the city. He and Erica hadn’t seen any signs of brainwashing yet, but it had to be happening if it could make someone change his life so drastically. In other parts of the world, most people joined these movements to keep themselves or their families from starving to death. They had no money, and they needed a better life. They would’ve killed to live the way Ted had been.
The man thumped his chest. “Better than ever! The one thing my money did buy me was medical care, but did it buy me someone waiting at my bedside while I was in the hospital? Or waiting for me when I finally made it back home? No sirree. I started doing some real soul searching. I’m ashamed to say that at the time, that also meant searching the web, but it all worked out in the end. I stumbled across some of Ben’s blogs and videos, explaining how I could live a life of purpose and peace out here. I sold everything I had and came up. Now, I’ve been able to shift more than I have in years, too.”
“I see.” And he was beginning to. Ben wasn’t pulling people in based on religion. He was fighting against the difficulties of modern life, something almost anyone could relate to. The rich were working themselves to death and finding no comfort in the amenities they could afford. The poor were also working themselves to death, but with even fewer results. Either way, Ben was benefitting from the money they turned around and donated to him. At least, it was one theory. Hopefully, Erica would be able to confirm it with her own recon when they met back up later. “And how long have you been here?”
“Two months. I tell you, Jack, it’s like going to a health spa. No massage tables or saunas, but there’s nothing better for the soul than a little hard work. I feel like there’s a real need for me here. If I don’t do my share, then someone else might suffer. Someone I know and care about. That’s what you’ll come to find, Jack. We’re all family here, like a new clan. We’d do anything for each other. Anything.”
Including drinking poison? Jack had to wonder. He wouldn’t have asked, but he didn’t get the chance. A scream emanated from down the hall. It shivered in his bones and echoed in his soul.
Jack was out of his seat and across the room in a flash. He fought his fox, who snarled when Jack forbade it from coming out. Something was happening, and his animal instinct dictated he’d get there faster on four legs than on two. Jack barely kept himself in check as he raced down the hall toward the sound.
He rounded a corner, and it was then Jack reali
zed just how far away the scream had been when he’d heard it. The group of women he’d seen in the common area stood at the other end of the hall, backing slowly away from a body on the floor. Jack’s heart beat like a bass drum as he saw the dark hair and the blue shirt. He shot forward, shoving these women aside to get to her. “Erica!”
“I’m fine,” said a voice just behind his shoulder as a cool hand touched his arm. Erica tugged him backwards.
Confused, Jack glanced from the woman on the floor back to Erica. They had similar coloring, and the woman’s shirt was a close shade to Erica’s, but it wasn’t her. “I thought… I heard… I saw…”
“Your friend must have excellent hearing.” This came from Ben, whom Jack hadn’t realized was standing among the group. He held his right hand in his left as though in pain. “I’m sorry if I startled you. I hope you understand that I must do whatever needs to be done in order to keep my clan in check.”
Jack swallowed as one of the other women bent to help the woman in blue off the floor. A bruise that matched her blouse was beginning to form on her cheek below her eye. Rage swelled up inside him. Jack didn’t know this woman, but that didn’t matter. There were no excuses for what had seemingly just happened there.
Ben smiled at him, but it wasn’t the same smile he offered when he was selling a car. It was a placating one offered alongside a friendly nudge on the arm as he gestured with his head for Jack to step aside with him. “I pride myself on running a very tight ship, Jack. The only way I can do that is if everyone pulls their weight and does as they’re supposed to. Anyone who doesn’t cooperate risks ruining it for all of us. You can understand that, I’m sure.”
Shit. This was a true test of his spying skills. There was nothing he’d like more than to lay this guy out like he deserved. The piece of shit had just hit that woman, and Jack highly doubted she’d done anything that would actually threaten him. But they way he’d acted when he’d thought Erica was down had already put him dangerously close to blowing his cover. He was painfully aware of her eyes on his back now, and he hoped she’d be willing to forgive him for going along with this. “Of course. I thought maybe someone had fallen or was in some other medical trouble. I’m terribly sorry for interrupting.”