“Get back to work, Roya. The future isn’t going to save itself, you know,” I say.
I know that getting away from the girl who Roya told about my whereabouts is futile. She’ll follow me to the ends of the Earth. Not out of love or loyalty, but because before she was born, she signed a contract with God promising to try my patience at every single turn.
I’m almost to the elevator when she yells out, her cockney-accented words cutting straight through me.
“I deserve to go on this case with you,” Adelaide says.
I turn and face my only offspring…that I’m aware of. “No, Addy, that’s not how life works. You aren’t entitled to fresh air, food, shelter, or love. If you have any of that, it is simply a gift that you should be grateful for. And this case? It’s mine. Because, well…I fucking want it.”
Adelaide—who is in her early twenties, and inherited my red hair, bad attitude, and all of my psychic powers—stomps over to me, looking up, fire in her green eyes. “This isn’t fair. I’ve been sitting around this underwater freakshow for weeks waiting for a case. Trent promised me that I’d get the very next one since my training is about to end. Then you waltz into the Strategic Department and take it. And you didn’t even acknowledge that I was in the room when you did it!”
“You were there?” I ask with mock astonishment. “I didn’t see you, but now that you mention it, there was a strange smell.”
“Ren!” she yells, because no one took the time to teach her any manners.
I would have, but I didn’t even know she was alive until a year or so ago, when she showed up at a restaurant and ruined my lunch…and my life. At least for a little while. Yes, I’ve grown to appreciate the fact that I have a daughter, but only also with a great deal of remorse. She’s absolutely just like me in every way. Well, without having a dick…and good parents.
The only reason that I’m not defiling all the world by abusing my powers is because my mum and pops taught me right. Unfortunately, poor Addy didn’t have that. She had a crazy Middling mother, and a father who didn’t know she existed. And like I said, she’s just like me, which means she’s more powerful than ninety-nine-point-nine percent of the population. And that means that, just like me, she’s destined for great things and also a life of misery. That’s plainly and simply how it goes.
“I want that case,” my ungrateful child says. “Trent was about to give it to me before you walked into the Strategic Department and strong-armed him.”
“That’s not what happened,” I say casually.
“I was there!” Addy yells. “You don’t even show him respect in front of his agents. How do you expect him to lead the department when you treat him—”
“The way I treat Trent shouldn’t affect the level of respect he gets from the agents,” I countered. “Actually, the way he responds to me might be the only way he’ll get real respect from them. He could have stood up to me. He could have faced me as an equal. Instead, he cowered. I can’t blame the department for doubting him.”
“We know full well that if he stood up to you, you’d make him dry his hair while standing in a running shower.”
I smile. “Would you like to dry your hair in the shower? I can make that happen.”
She shakes her head, knowing that I won’t use my mind control on her. Actually, I won’t use it on anyone in the Lucidite Institute, because I’m a kind and just man. Well, and also because Trey Underwood asked me not to many years ago, and I do things he asks…sometimes.
“My point is,” Addy says, seeming to try and regain her composure, “that case you’re going on, the only one available, well, it’s supposed to be mine. My first big case. My first chance to prove myself. Please let me have it.”
I draw in a breath. “There will be other cases.”
She sighs loudly. “I know that! But I want that one.”
“We don’t always get what we want. That’s why I’m standing here, putting up with your abuse, when I would rather be sitting in my armchair and doing pretty much anything else.”
She rolls her eyes because she’s an irritating little brat who needs to be sent to finishing school. I keep threatening to do it, but she’s got that whole free will thing.
“We both know that you’d rather work a case any day than take time off. That’s why you stole the only case available.”
I shake my head. “No, Addy, I took the case because I’m the best agent for the job.”
“I’ve got all your powers,” she argues. “I can do everything you can.”
I disappear and then teleport on the other side of her. “Oh, can you now?”
Addy whips around and huffs. “Okay, fine! I don’t know how to teleport yet, but I’m working on it. Still, I’ve harnessed my mind control.”
I wave my hand in the air, and a duplicate image of me pops up from the floor behind Addy. It then speaks.
“Oh, and what about your ability to create illusions? Have you mastered that yet?”
She shakes her head radically. “No! That’s really hard. It’s taking some time.”
I allow my illusion to disappear as I sigh. “Then may I suggest that you stay here and practice while the experienced agent takes care of this case.” I step around my daughter and head back for the elevators.
“When are you going to stop ruining my life?” the little heathen yells at my back.
I tap the button for the elevator and casually turn and face her. “Never. Ever. That’s what parents do. We make it so you wish you were never born.”
“Mission accomplished,” she says in a hot whisper.
I step onto the elevator when it arrives, and face my daughter. “Practice, Addy. You never know when the next case is coming, or when you’ll need the full extent of your powers. Life won’t wait for you to be ready for its challenges. Instead, you’ve got to be one step ahead…always.”
Chapter Six
I know as soon as I’ve teleported to Minneapolis, Minnesota, that something isn’t right.
There isn’t anyone shooting at me. In front of the bank vault is nothing standing between me and the ones I came to rescue.
That’s highly bizarre. Usually there’s a deranged gunman who I have to wrestle and then bore into his mind to subdue. But all there is here is silence, reminding me that I’m alone—aside from the six hostages on the other side of the steel door.
I take a deep breath and consider staying here longer than I need to. It’s peaceful and about as cozy as the Institute, with its metal walls. Also, there are no jackfruits annoying me with their ideas and free-flowing thoughts. It’s just me for a change, which is nice.
Leaning back against the cool metal, I close my eyes. I guess I could have allowed Addy to accompany me on this excursion, but I’m not sure it would have taught her anything. She really has to learn to do things on her own, and taking field trips with dear old dad is definitely not teaching her that.
And also, she needs to learn patience. Things don’t happen when we want them to. They happen when they’re ready, not the other way around. She’s already surpassed training faster than usual, thanks to Trent’s lackadaisical methods. I keep telling him to follow protocol, and he keeps stating that I only like it because the protocol is mine.
Duh, dude.
I open my eyes, unable to relax with the knowledge that the six hostages are running out of air on the other side of the steel door. My consciousness always spoils everything.
Oh, Middlings always ruin my respite with their life-threatening situations and dying. I let out a breath and pull out the chalk that Aiden gave me.
I have to hand it to him, it’s a very clever device. I like that it doesn’t make noise, have a scent, or really draw any attention to itself. Too bad I can’t tell him that; he’d just be more repugnant the next time I see him. No, the best way to deal with types like him is to act unimpressed. They’ll continue to reach, hopefully while not being as loud, and then everyone will come out better off.
I draw
a large rectangle, mirroring the shape of a door big enough for six normal-sized adults to fit through. If any of the hostages have eaten too many second servings at dinner, they’ll have to stay put.
That’s the rule, and I can’t change it, I think as I toss the chalk back into my pocket.
I pull the small black device from my other pocket, immediately wondering how it’s supposed to adhere onto the slick wall in front of me. I turn it over several times in my hands, but it’s seamless. There’s no way to attach it. No sticky side. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Deciding to give it a go and place the device in the middle of the rectangle I’ve drawn. When I pull my hand away, I’m slightly amazed to find that it sticks in place. I keep my hand hovering there, just in case it falls to the ground. However, four robotic legs appear out of unseen slots and grip the surface.
It’s fucking science and not at all as exciting as if it happened by magic. Still, I have to give Dr. Monkey Ass credit. It’s sort of smart. Kind of.
Once the legs stick into place, the device sinks deeper into the steel door, like it’s made of putty and not pure metal. Then the light show starts, just as Aiden described. It isn’t bright or noticeable. There is no smell or noise. Actually, most wouldn’t have even noticed it unless made aware. I noticed it though, because I’m not a blind idiot who glosses over important details in my environment.
When the light fades away at exactly the moment that the path of the chalk line is completed, I step closer. I’m not sure what happens next. I walked out of Aiden’s lab before I could get further details, but they probably would have only melted my brain.
I press my hand to the space beside the black device and suck in a breath. My fingers knock the large plate of steel a tiny degree. It’s enough to widen my eyes and make me realize the implications.
The doorway has been cut fully. All I have to do is displace this piece of metal, and the hostages inside will be free. They’ll have fresh air. They can move on with their meaningless lives, where they eat too many overly manufactured foods and put too much waste into the world. But they will be free. And so will I. Then I can return to my home in Malibu and lie in my armchair doing nothing. Or…I can return to the Institute and find meaningful things to do with my time.
I’m just about to knock the piece of metal out of place when I freeze. I can’t get over the feeling that this is too easy. Too well coordinated. I’ve never been one to be paranoid, but right now, in this perfect moment, with the luxury of free time on the horizon, I sort of am.
I shake off the feeling and press my hand straight into the metal. It falls back with one swift movement, bringing a wave of light and odd smells.
Footsteps are the first thing I hear. Then a guy pokes his head through the opening. He isn’t young, but he isn’t old. About thirtyish, with soft brown eyes and a relieved expression.
“We did it!” he says, a wide smile on his face.
I shake my head. “I don’t believe you did a damn thing. But you’re very welcome.”
Another head pokes through. A woman with cornrows and a toothy grin. “I knew we’d guessed all those clues right.”
I draw in a breath, straightening to a standing position. They must have been without oxygen for longer than I thought. “What do you mean by clues?” I ask.
“Oh man,” a short guy calls, jumping out at once. He shakes my hand, and I immediately know all his darkest secrets. The thoughts I didn’t even want to know he had.
It’s horrible. I’ll need therapy after reading his thoughts. He’s to blame, although he didn’t realize that I have telepathy linked to touch. I should have a warning plastered across my head that says, “Don’t touch me unless you want me to puke.” Still, I’ve found that most will still accost me because they like causing me pain and also spilling their innermost thoughts. It’s like confession, except I don’t get to take advantage of them afterward. Well, I could, but I don’t…usually.
“That was way cooler than they said it would be,” the short guy says.
“Who said it would be?” I ask, narrowing my eyes at the buffoon.
More people spill out of the open vault, none of them appearing as distressed as most hostages I’ve seen. Actually, they are wearing delighted grins, like they just got off a dumb amusement park ride.
“The guy,” the short fella says. “The one who hired us.”
My hand instinctively reaches for my mobile telephone in my pocket, but I pause. “Hired you? Who hired you? For what?”
The guy, who might be related to Aiden, laughs. “Oh, come on. Don’t you work for the same escape room company?”
I narrow my eyes at the guy, considering if I should kill him now or wait. “I don’t work for an escape room company. I just saved you from death.”
“What are you talking about?” the first guy chimes in. “It was just a puzzle. And we figured it out not a moment too soon.”
“Who put you in that room?” I ask the tallest guy, knowing that talking to short people is a waste of my time. They misunderstand things for so many reasons, but mostly because they are underdeveloped.
“The guy,” he answers. He snaps his fingers. “What did he call himself? The captor? Yeah, that was it. The captor. And he said that, to finish our challenge, we had to tell our rescuer something. Sally, you remember what it was?”
The girl from before comes forward. “Of course I do. He said to tell our rescuer, ‘I thought about taking you down too, but I have better plans for you. And I figured that watching your precious Institute burn would be the best punishment until I can finish you myself…’ Or something like that.” She laughs excitedly, but I’m already dialing.
This has been a trick. The worst trick in the world. And now it’s starting to click in place in the worst possible way. If what I think is happening, then we’re all doomed, starting with the Lucidite’s Institute, which means most will be dead soon.
Chapter Seven
Trey doesn’t pick up when I call. That’s typical. He never does.
I then try Trent, Shuman, Aiden. I even try Roya because I’m a glutton for punishment. None of them answer.
I’m desperate, my hands shaking, when I try my last resort.
“Dad!” Addy yells into the phone.
I pull it away from my ear with a sneer. “What have I said about calling me that?”
“Dad, there’s an attack on the Institute,” Addy says, her tone elevated. “It’s horrible. I don’t know how they got in.”
“Who?” I yell in a hurry.
“I don’t know,” she answers. “They’ve blocked all our ways out.”
“How?”
“We can’t get to the GAD-Cs,” she says. “We can’t even dream travel. There’s some sort of force field. It’s so strange. I’m locked in the Strategic Department.”
“Look around,” I encourage. “What do you see?”
“Smoke,” she says. “Lots of it. And water spraying in from the walls. It’s horrible. We’ve lost a lot.”
My heart aches as it sinks down to my stomach. It was a trick. But why? Who wanted me away? Who wanted to attack the Institute?
Then like a bunch of building blocks, it all fits together.
Middling Corp, my past cases, the institute, the hostages’ message.
“I figured watching your precious Institute burn would be the best punishment until I can finish you myself.”
Yen Tang.
I know who he is now. I stopped him once, when he was less powerful. Less of a threat. But now he’s figured out how to attack the ones he hates the most, Dream Travelers. And he’s come after the one who put him away originally. Me.
I knew him as Andy Chang. A murderer. A criminal. A destroyer. And he made me one promise when I put him away:
“I’m not done,” he told me from the other side of the bars. “I’ll come back and destroy your precious Institute, the Dream Travelers who pretend they own this world, and, more importantly, you.”
I
end the call without saying goodbye to Addy, grinding my teeth together.
Yen Chang thought he could go after my home and win. But he was wrong. There are few things that I’ll die to protect, but the Lucidite Institute and the people who live there are one.
My daughter might be a pain in the ass, but she’s my daughter, and there’s no way she’s dying while I still have breath in my lungs to fight to protect her.
THE END
— — —
Want to read more by Sarah Noffke?
Made to Kill, Genetically Altered Series
Werewolves like you’ve never seen before. They don’t howl at the moon, but they are deadly.
Twelve men went missing.
Six months later they awake from drug-induced stupors to find themselves locked in a lab.
And on the night of a new moon, eleven of those men, possessed by new—and inhuman—powers, break out of their prison and race through the streets of Los Angeles until they disappear one by one into the night.
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Sarah Noffke, an Amazon Best Seller, writes YA and NA science fiction, fantasy, paranormal and urban fantasy. In addition to being an author, she is a mother, podcaster and professor. Noffke holds a Masters of Management and teaches college business/writing courses. Most of her students have no idea that she toils away her hours crafting fictional characters. Noffke's books are top rated and best-sellers on Amazon. Her books are available in paperback, audio and in Spanish, Portuguese, German and Italian.
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