“I started this company because I wanted to uphold our obligation to be fiduciaries to our clients. It’s why I hired you, Will. I wanted to help the small business owners, the manufacturing workers, and the truck drivers. Not to chase around lawyers and investment bankers. Besides, a lot of those guys already have themselves taken care of. They’re not gonna need guys like us.”
Will gave in, loosening his tie and unbuttoning the top two buttons of his shirt. He tried to breathe easy, but all he felt was the exhaustion of nearly five years of school and all of it wasted.
“What am I supposed to do now? Pray another firm hires me? What a fucking mess,” he said. He went in for another painful sip.
“I know it sounds ass backward, but those bots do need maintenance. Maybe you should go back to school.”
“That’s not my field, man. Even if I did try to push through it, it would be years before I finished and even longer for me to find a job. My family can’t wait that long.”
Barry couldn’t think of an alternative and offered only silence. He poured another drink when he saw Will finally finish his first. His brother-in-law waved off another serving. His eyes were watering, something he made no move to hide.
“I’m gonna go pack up my shit now,” Will said before he left the office. Barry sat there not sure what to think. How am I gonna tell Sam that Davis Investments is dead and buried?
***
September 13, 2050 - Elsa, Texas
Zaneta laid on her bed sitting upright against her pillows. Though her lamp was turned off, she still had plenty of light on her phone, which was beside her. Her phone told her it was three hours’ past midnight, but rest never occurred to her. She sat there reading more about her father. These were the papers her mother had tried to hide from her, and as she read on Zaneta felt no anger about it. Everything she had read had been horrifying.
There were photos of her father in several countries, all of which showed him standing tall over the soldiers he’d slaughtered. In many of the images, the clarity was so intense she could see the blood dripping off his sword. Most of these photos were credited to Steve Oswald, and all field reports came from General Gavin Kane. Looking at picture after picture, it became even more surreal that this man had once put her to bed every night.
Thunder rumbled outside. She didn’t hear any rain, but for all, she knew she was too preoccupied to notice if there was any.
Without warning, her door swung open and the lamp in her room immediately switched on. Zaneta knew it would be pointless to try to hide what she was doing.
“Baby—” Julissa began before seeing what had been going on. She saw the files all over her daughter’s bed, some having fallen to the floor.
“Zaneta, get ready. Pack your bags like we planned,” her mother finally said.
“It’s happening now?” Zaneta said as she jumped off her bed.
“Neeson told me he’s on his way, so move as fast as you can.”
“Okay, Mom.”
Julissa eyed those files again, but still didn’t act on it. She merely shut the door once again. Zaneta immediately began to shuffle through her dresser, tossing what she needed onto her bed. She paused only once to look up at the stars on her wall. It’s time to finally do Damien’s room, Daddy.
***
La Presa, Texas
Barry trudged to the door. It was at the crack of dawn. It was hard to tell with the clouds up above, but daylight still managed to get through. His phone was probably back across town at home. For a mildly cool day, he was pouring sweat. Every day that had gone by lately he’d been plagued with glimpses of the past. His surrenders. His destruction. Now all that was left for him to do was run. He rang the doorbell and accepted his fate.
A man with a wife beater opened the door, at first with mouth agape but not long after he had a grin.
“B-Man, haven’t seen you around these parts in a cool minute.”
“You gotta help me, man,” Barry said.
“Trust me, I can still do that just fine. Question is, how much ya want?”
Barry pulled out a wad of money from his pocket. It was the month’s rent, given to him courtesy of Julissa. Seeing the cash, the man laughed hysterically.
“I don’t know how you do it, B-Man, but I ain’t one to ask. Step inside, my friend.”
***
Zaneta and Julissa had been parked in front of Barry’s house for three hours now. The sun was out in full force. Neither one of them were the least bit tired. They kept their eyes trained on any person walking by, but none so far had been Barry.
“What do we do, Mom?” Zaneta asked.
Julissa thrummed her fingers along her steering wheel.
“I don’t know, baby. Our flight leaves within the hour.”
They both looked at his door, expecting Barry to step out at any minute. He would laugh off his tardiness and then hop in merrily. That’s what Julissa wanted, but she realized it wasn’t what she was going to get. Please, Barry, be safe. She pressed the start button, and the engine came to life.
She did see some level of condolence. Barry’s next door neighbor was out front watering his lawn. Julissa pulled the truck in front of his house and rolled down Zaneta’s window.
“Hey, Mr. Mead!” waved her daughter. The old man struggled to recognize her at first.
“Zaneta? God, you’ve gotten big, how are ya?”
“Yeah, it has been a while,” she laughed. “I hate to ask, but can I ask a favor?”
“Nonsense. What can I do for you?”
“Well, we’re running late for a trip. We were just wondering if you could keep an eye out for my uncle.”
Mr. Mead’s expression didn’t spell pleased, but he nodded all the same.
“Yeah, yeah, I can do that. Julissa, you just keep him from passing out on my grass again, and we’re even.”
Julissa only offered him a thumb up and a smile.
“You’re awesome, thank you!” Zaneta said.
Mr. Mead waved as they rode off.
***
UNR Headquarters – Chancellor’s Office
Julissa and Zaneta stood before the mighty door. Behind that strong steel door was their enemy, as well as their beloved. Julissa wore the same dark blue dress she’d worn when they’d went to see Will five years ago. She hadn’t worn it since then, but something inside her drove to put it on again. She’d worn a small black jacket to deal with the drizzle back in Texas, and she hadn’t removed it since. It was incredible to her how that had only been a few hours ago. She’d been waiting for this moment for years, but even with that keycard in her hand, she hesitated. Her hand was shaking badly, maybe worse than ever.
“Mom? Are you okay?”
Julissa turned to see Zaneta, her precious baby girl. She was in her jeans, one knee revealed, and her shirt had Tupac Shakur on the front of it. The hoodie he wore in the photo was a lot like the one she now wore. Will had always gotten on her ass about wearing listening to that rap. We both did. For all that was at hand, the child seemed at ease. That or she hid her anxiety incredibly well. Julissa smiled. Amazing how kids always find a way to impress you.
“Yes, baby. Are you ready?”
Zaneta nodded her answer.
Okay then, Julissa swiped the card, and a computerized voice greeted them like royalty. That titanic door slid open, and the two of them stepped in.
The first thing they saw upon entering was Chancellor Venloran rise at his desk, a dumbfounded look on his face. His assistant, James Kearney, stepped backward upon the sight of them. Dr. Neeson was the only one who approached the mother and daughter and shook both their hands.
Standing beside the Chancellor’s desk was Will. He was a mirror image of the photos in the portfolio. Even with the sword at his hip and black overcoat, Julissa felt a surge of hope seeing the red bandanna wrapped around his forehead. It drove her to say something she’d never told to Neeson before:
“Thank you, Doctor.”
Zaneta follow
ed suit before they briefly froze in place. Their eyes locked with Will. Without warning, they both ran up to him and hugged him. No words could be uttered by either mother or daughter, only tears. No one could find words to say at the sight. Not even the Chancellor.
Julissa was propelled forth by pure instinct. Something inside her ticked which hadn’t in quite some time. She placed a hand on his shoulder and used the other to grip one of his hands. She brought her lips to his and for a few seconds relived the past in exquisite fashion.
Still, as good as his lips tasted, and just how familiar they were, something was off. It was then Julissa realized Will was not being drawn in by her kisses. It was if she was a stranger, and the man even drew back from her slightly when she stopped.
It was then Julissa also noticed a fine detail that was indeed in the pictures but one she’d never analyzed: Will’s face. He still looks…young. The man still looked like he was in his mid-thirties and not a day over. Julissa was pushing forty. For one self-conscious moment, she saw that as why this man she loved was drawing away from her. Looking closer, she saw that wasn’t it.
Will wasn’t disgusted. He was terrified.
“Will? What’s wrong with you?” she asked painfully. “Will, what about us? How can you just leave us?”
Zaneta stood by the wayside, crying while sticking close to Neeson. The old man felt her small hand grip his arm for comfort.
“Our children?”
Julissa finally fell back to Earth studying Will’s vacant stare. She saw now that Zaneta’s hopes had withered away. Seeing them hadn’t changed a thing. It was then that Venloran’s voice finally registered in her ears.
“You should be patient, ma’am. As I said in the letter, your husband suffered heavy brain damage. He’s lucky to be with us and is one of the honored few who has dedicated their lives to the UNR’s relentless defense.”
Julissa dipped into her rage. Unlike at the pier, she no longer held back. No one was there to stop her.
“You said he was in a coma! I want to know why he was not sent home! You can’t just take him away!”
“Please, try to understand. When one like your husband is brought back after being so close to the brink of death, the mental effects are devastating. His rehabilitation into normal society will be lengthy, if at all attainable. My only intention is to keep him and others like him as productive members of society. Your husband still fights for his country and for his family.”
“And for you, right, Chancellor? Please, don’t treat me like a fool and feed me that shit.”
Julissa didn’t have her gun, but she went for the only weapon that she did have in her purse. The portfolio of her husband was once again back in UNR hands as she plopped it onto Venloran’s desk. She was ecstatic to see Venloran finally look scared.
“Where did you get these?” he said as he stared at what was inside for himself.
“I gave those to her. Some time ago,” Neeson chimed in. Being backed by one of the UNR’s heads filled Julissa with the power she had never felt before. For the first time in her life, she felt on top of the Chancellor himself.
“I don’t know who the hell you are to play God, but you seem to have forgotten you can’t just do this sort of thing. We’re taking my husband home where he belongs.”
This is it! This is it where he concedes and begs for generous terms like the insect he is! Julissa’s blood was hot with the thought of it.
“My apologies, Mrs. Marconi, but you cannot do that. You will continue to receive monthly compensation, and we will keep you notified of any developments in his condition.”
UNR soldiers now entered the Chancellor’s office. Julissa heard their boots, but she didn’t turn to face them. With the acknowledged commander-in-chief standing right in front of her, and his lackeys to her back, she began to see things in a different light now. It was an encirclement. When you’re cornered with nowhere to go, what are you going to do? Her father’s voice came to her like an angel. Are you goin’ to lay down your gun and put up your hands? Are you goin’ to beg?
Never.
Julissa swung at the Chancellor, landing a punch directly to his mouth. Her knuckles had drawn blood. The Chancellor’s assistant didn’t do a thing but cower while the soldiers behind her raised the batons from their belts. They were ready to beat the woman to death right then and there. The only thing that stopped them was the Chancellor’s raised hand.
“Men, escort these two women off the premises. Have a good day, ma’am. I wish you happiness.”
Julissa lost it. She attempted to hit the man again, but this time the soldiers at her back grabbed hold of her. Two men had to do the job, and she struggled with all her strength to get free. All that thrashing and kicking, however, proved futile. The soldiers were slowly pulling her out of the room. Will only stared at her as she got farther and farther away. For all her tears and rage, she saw no emotion on his face. She had lost her ground, but she kept telling herself if she had one more second in that room she could get through to him. There had to be a way, but her chance had crumbled.
“No! NO!” she yelled as she was dragged down the hall. One of her heels went flying, but they grabbed hold of her legs and restrained her not long after. More soldiers were entering the Chancellor’s office, all of them ignoring her cries.
What are you going to do?
Chapter 9 – Contamination
September 13, 2050 – Renaissance Hotel, Washington, D.C.
Zaneta sat on her bed, staring vacantly at the carpeted floor. Julissa, on the other hand, had gone ballistic. She kicked over the armchair in the corner of the room before turning to the desk behind her. She grabbed hold with both hands and flipped the whole thing upside down. The laptop that had been provided courtesy of the hotel was crushed under its weight. All that still wasn’t enough.
The only thing left standing was the small nightstand beside her bed, and on top of it was a vintage wine bottle. It was a Chateau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac, untouched since they had arrived several hours ago. Only now did Julissa go near it, grabbing it by the neck of the bottle.
Zaneta had never heard her mother yell before, and to hear her do so was flat out chilling.
Julissa hurled the bottle at the telescreen on the wall, causing both to shatter on impact. A large shard of the bottle still knocked a chunk out of the wall. The red wine splashed down onto the carpet below.
Julissa stood panting in the center of the desolation she’d left behind. Her breathing began to slow, her fist unclenching. Zaneta still sat where she had been.
“What do we do now?” she asked.
Julissa thought on that question. Zaneta heard knocks on their door. She saw the state the room was in and didn’t answer. The knocking persisted.
“Is everything all right in there?” a voice asked.
“Not now!” Julissa hollered. There was not another knock.
The first thing we need to do is regroup. Julissa went to her purse and dug into her phone. Ten missed calls? Every one of them was from Mr. Mead. He’d also sent some text messages. Zaneta instantly knew something was up.
“What happened, Mom?”
“Pack your bags. It’s your uncle.”
“Uncle Barry? What happened to him?!”
Julissa opened the closet. Inside was her suitcase. All her daughter had brought was a measly gym bag. The woman’s legs suddenly felt numb. Her knees hit the soft floor, and she collapsed against the closet doorway.
“Mom? Mom?!”
All of Julissa’s strength had drained from her body. She’d never felt this weak before. The day she’d seen Will lying in a coma had reduced her to this. The woman had come here today with a fervent wall to shield her from the reality that surrounded her. The wall had finally collapsed and without warning, leaving Julissa helpless once more.
***
September 15, 2050 – Elsa, Texas
The souls bear the weight
A smog’s shadow grows
Sou
ls doomed to hate
They wander lost
Never to reach the gate
Zaneta shut her notebook and quickly got dressed. She slipped into her favorite jeans and put on an old T-shirt. On it was Ice Cube’s AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted album. She was going out without her pen or purse. Today all she needed were her keys.
Zaneta sped down the stairs, one hand on the railing for safety. All the noise she made, however, roused a slumbering Julissa. Her mother sat up on the couch just as Zaneta reached the last step.
Julissa appeared dreary, her long black hair a mess as opposed to her daughter’s neat bun. Her eyes were puffy and barely half-open. Just go back to sleeping it off, Zaneta thought with scorn. Her mother’s eyes locked onto the shirt she had on, and she looked back to the telescreen. It was turned off, showing only her damaged reflection.
“You eat yet, Mom?”
There was no acknowledgment. Julissa reached for the remote and turned the telescreen back on.
“I’m going to meet up with the Crimson Angels. Don’t wait up.”
Once again there was no response. Zaneta was tempted to give up. Seeing her mother rot on the same couch, her uncle had slept on only days before disconcerted her. What did our family do to deserve this? That was when she remembered something: the very same couch had been where the family had sat to enjoy their Friday Movie Nights. Her parents snuggled close together with Zaneta seated between them both. She’d always insisted on holding the popcorn.
“Remember when Uncle Barry gave me this shirt? He told me I needed a ‘lesson in culture.’ You were the one who persuaded Daddy to let me keep it.” The memory brought a faint smile to Zaneta’s face. It took all her courage to say what she said next. “I wish we’d done more to help him with his sickness, but I’m not going to sit around waiting any longer. I’m doing this for them, and for you.”
Still, her mother had not a word to share. Zaneta accepted it as another defeat. Defeat stung, but she’d suffered enough of them not to let them slow her down.
***
September 15, 2050 – Austin, Texas
Zaneta and Eli parked on the very top floor of the Texas Capitol Parking Garage. There waiting for them was a group of people. All of them stood beside their cars. The duo walked to them silently. Jesse was there. So was Ruby, but the others were faces neither had seen before. A blond man was at the front of the lot.
Persecution Page 9