The Scales

by Paul Sating

  “No!” Ida and Serenity screamed simultaneously.

  Serenity added, “We’re not going with you, anywhere near you. Stay back.”

  Hilliard laughed from his gut, full of pure joy. Serenity took a step back, otherwise she’d lunge at him and plow her fist into his mouth, and that wouldn’t work for any of them.

  “Come now, Serenity.” Hilliard spread his arms wide. “You’ve got one small town cop with a firearm he’s probably never used and the rest of you are unarmed civilians. I have fifteen highly trained men behind me; each armed with ten times the firepower of your sad, small-town deputy. God, you kids can be so stubborn.” Hilliard clapped his hands aggressively, making Serenity jump in surprise. “Your generation thinks it runs the world. You're convinced everyone should hear your voice and those oh-so-witty things you have to say. As if you know what you’re talking about. You haven't lived long enough to understand how the world works. You don’t know a damned thing, and I’m done playing with children and obnoxious wanna-be heroes. Come with us or be dragged down this hallway like the little bitch you are.”

  Serenity stepped backwards again, tugging on her mother’s sleeve and hoping that her movements were so small that Hilliard wouldn’t catch onto what she was doing. Ida, in turn, had a hand on Jerrod’s sleeve.

  “No.” Serenity stared, daring him to flinch at her direct challenge. If this wasn’t going to happen, if they had a chance at escaping, she needed a diversion to distract Hilliard.

  Rumble.

  Her head throbbed.

  Boom!!!!

  “I’m not playing.” Hilliard bared his teeth, even as his men unbuttoned their jackets in compliance to the implied message, exposing the M9s each of them carried.

  Rumble.

  She ground her teeth.

  Boom!!!

  “I can’t help you,” Serenity said. She knew that not going down that hallway was the only way to ensure they had a chance. The Black Suits would have to chase them all over this chamber before she allowed that to happen.

  “But you can,” Hilliard said. His cheeks bulged as he clenched his jaws. “You are the key. You know the Screecher like no one since…well, your friends on the reservation have already given you more information than you need. Suffice it to say, it’s been a long time since someone like you has come along. Your government has spent a lot of money on this program and needs citizens like you to meet our mission. I’m sure even someone your age can understand the importance of contributing to the security of a nation. That security requires everyone to make sacrifices when their time comes, Serenity. Even I will, if called. In fact, I do. Would you, to ensure that security lasts? So that future generations, your children, your mother’s grandchildren, are safe from enemy threats?”

  Serenity couldn’t hold back a snort. He seriously thought that line of reasoning would work. Not on a teenager from the middle of Despair, America! Hilliard’s unwavering expression told her he believed every last syllable.

  “The only thing I’m sure of,” Serenity snarled, “is that if we go with you, we won’t come back.”

  Hilliard clapped his hands, a mocking applause. “That’s so unfair. We will treat you with respect. We’ll make sure your needs are taken care of. Go ahead, ask your mother and Jerrod. They’ve been treated well during their time with us, and so will you as long as you cooperate.”

  “Yeah, that’s the thing,” Serenity said. “The way I see it, whatever connection I have with the Screecher” —she couldn’t explain it to him even if she understood it herself— “is between me and it. And from what I’ve seen from you, I’m not sure it would be safe to share what I know. I’m not interested in helping you.” She took another step back, pulling her mother. Pulling Jerrod. Hoping Deputy Rodgers was picking up on their retreat.

  The tunnel mouth was now fifteen away and moving further back. They almost reached the open floor which would give them space to spread out, making it harder—she hoped—for Hilliard’s thugs to imprison them. Lots of open space gave them more chances than being packed into the tight hallway. Nothing else came to mind. As unlikely as her plan seemed, it was the only choice. Getting her mother and Jerrod away was the priority, though Jerrod would be able to handle himself.

  Rumble.

  Rumble.

  The floor pitched. Stumbling, the world blinked in and out of focus for Serenity.

  Boom!!!

  “Serenity,” Ida whispered, “are you all right?”

  Hilliard was running out of time, and he knew it. She knew it. He would only grow more desperate with the Screecher exposed. The more she resisted, the more urgent his need. And that need went one way. If he decided to harm any of them, she could resist cooperating completely. Hilliard couldn’t risk that.

  None of them had woken it. She had. And in waking it, she had become the key to this organization reaching its goal.

  “You need to think about this very carefully,” Hilliard warned.

  Boom!!!!

  No rumble this time.

  “Do I?” Serenity said, her eyes darting to her left. “Because the way I see it, it’s you who needs to think carefully.”

  Another step toward the chamber. Another tug on her mother’s arm. Another tug on Jerrod.

  The group of Black Suits took a few strides forward. Something jarred her, rage boiling. Primal anger. Burning. From outside-in, Serenity felt invaded, like a foreign body was working its way throughout her, begging—demanding—release. In the corner of her brain, a tickle of a whisper encouraged her to rip, tear. She blinked rapidly, confused at the presence that wasn’t real, couldn’t be real. It was frightening and invigorating simultaneously. But in that moment, the last thing Serenity cared about was containing it. She’d much rather dive across the distance separating them and rip Hilliard’s skin from his skull. Her breath came in a rapid, deep rhythm. She wanted to feel those slim tendons, those millions of points of contact between skin and bone, be ripped apart; to enjoy each and every separation.

  “Oh my,” Ida said from her side, her hand against her head. She swayed, unsteady on her feet.

  “Momma, are you okay?” Concern about Hilliard forgotten for the moment. “What’s wrong?”

  “I—I don’t feel good,” Ida said, reaching out for something to support her. Jerrod stepped closer, holding her.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Her mother looked bad. Weak. Her eyes sagged, her bottom lip, full and paler, drooped and quivered. When Ida blinked, it was slow, methodical. With her own head wanting to split open, it was difficult enough to stay on her own feet and try to distract Hilliard. Having one more person, even her mother, to focus on was too much. Feelings of the approaching tidal wave swirled in her head, hiding the invader, quickening her pulse.

  “I don’t know.” Ida breathed heavily, gasping.

  “We need to get her out of here.” Deputy Rodgers aimed his words at Hilliard.

  Hilliard shook his head. “You’re not going anywhere.”

  “My Ma is in trouble!” Jerrod roared.

  Hilliard smirked. “Not my problem. But, we can get her help. You just need to come with us.”

  “You’d only save a woman’s life on conditions?!” Deputy Rodgers spat.

  Hilliard looked at him as if he’d eaten something sour. “I’m in charge of a program that costs more to operate each year than your department has spent over the last fifty years, deputy. I don’t have the time or inclination to justify my priorities. You’re incapable of understanding my daily administrative responsibilities, never mind my mission. Her life” —he motioned to Ida— “is important, but it’s not more than the work we’re trying to accomplish. No one’s is. That’s the difference between men like me and small-town heroes like you; we can distinguish that.”

  Serenity took another step backwards. She pulled on her mother’s arm. Jerrod stepped with them. They were not yet out into the open.

  Boom!

  Boom!

  “It must be nice to
have the luxury of overseeing the sluggish existence that is the Tri-Counties,” Hilliard continued. “So damning to keep up with the petty squabbles that plague this God-forsaken community.”

  Deputy Rodgers, to his credit, remained calm. “I don’t need to run disgusting programs to feel accomplished. How long have you lived in this area? A year? Five? Ten? How long have you been stalking the people of the Tri-Counties, waiting to strike? Was it Serenity? Was it because she tripped across the Screecher one day? Or the fact she's a high school senior, hardly a threat to an agency like yours? So honorable of you to illegally monitor American citizens in the name of defense against unseen enemies. You know, the Tri-Counties might not be all that impressive to you, but at least that type of shit doesn’t work here.”

  Step.

  Boom!!

  “Tsk, tsk.” Hilliard shook his head, creeping forward. His men followed. “A non-patriot, wearing a uniform. How sad? Ask not what you can do for your country, but ask what your country can do for you, huh? Hypocritical, wouldn’t you say?” Hilliard sneered. “But I wouldn’t expect anyone in your situation to understand. I’ve been stationed in this desolate region for the past two years. I can understand why all of you believe you have nothing to contribute since you are a hopeless bunch. But we all can give. Most of us just aren’t willing.”

  Serenity noticed a genuine sadness to Hilliard, like he honestly believed what he was saying. His mental drama might give them the opportunity they needed to put more space between them.

  Step.

  It didn’t work. “Stop,” Hilliard warned. “I’m not going to ask you again, Serenity. You can do this the easy way, or your family suffers. One way or another, you’re not running away this time. There are no options for you besides deciding whether or not your loved ones get hurt in the process.”

  She didn’t want to listen, but he was right.

  Boom!!!

  Yet she had a sense they needed to get further into the chamber. Somewhere in that faded blue light, that open expanse of floor, they had a chance.

  “Serenity.” Hilliard extended one arm, palm up. “Your country needs you.”

  She returned Hilliard’s pleading gaze with one of determined disgust. “The people of the Tri-Counties need me.” She took a step back, pulling her mother’s arm. They were in the small work area encased by the tall computer cases. Thousands of lights blinking from inside each case. Large scrolls of paper, laid across a large work table in the middle of the two hundred square foot workspace. Nothing was useful for holding off the Black Suits.

  Boom!!!

  “Serenity, you’re forcing my hand.” Hilliard’s tone became serious. “If you insist on doing this, you’ll still end up in the same position, yet I won't give your loved ones that same freedom. I’m not going to play around anymore, child.

  “Leave her alone.” Jerrod spread his legs and crouched lower, like he used to look when he played football, ready to tackle an opposing player.

  “Come on,” Serenity whispered, edging herself around the table.

  “Back down,” Deputy Rodgers demanded, raising his pistol with four times as many pointed back. “Let us leave. She’s not going with you.”

  Hilliard actually laughed.

  Step.

  Boom!!!

  “Do you think we don’t know how to deal with people like her? Really?” He clapped his hands together as if he were trying to knock dirt off them.

  Step.

  Another few feet and they would be out in the open chamber. They’d have a chance then. Somehow, in a deep level, her brain directed her, told her, “Get to the chamber.”

  “Keep going,” her mother whispered. “We need to get to the open area, baby.”

  She knew too? How?

  Step.

  Boom!!!! Metal rattled.

  “We’ve dealt with other Callers before.” Hilliard waved to his squad who encircled them. “She’s not the first one.”

  “Callers?” Serenity risked a pause in her retreat to play dumb in order to buy time. That was what George had said so few people were, those who woke the Screecher. People like her. Hilliard had known all along.

  “Ha!” Hilliard laughed. “Did your white knight not tell you about being a Caller? Shame. I’d thought he’d told you everything. I guess he’s not that interested in helping you, then…well, not as interested as he is in helping the Screecher. You stepped into a game played by people much more powerful than yourself. It may not seem like it now, but we’re here to help, Serenity. To help you channel your gift.”

  “No,” she said, through frustrated tears that begged to flow. “That’s not true.”

  “But it is,” Hilliard persisted. “You’re a Caller. There have been others like you. But it’s been an exceedingly long time since we found one. You’re the first in the past decade, at least.”

  Boom!!

  Boom!!

  Boom!!

  Hilliard stepped closer. The Black Suits had them nearly encircled. Almost trapped. Then he stopped, his eyes alight. “You know you can’t control it, right? You may think you can, especially if that crazy, senile bastard filled your head with thoughts of empowerment, but he’s got his reasons for that. He wants you to believe that. But you can’t, Serenity. You try, and you’ll die.”

  “I’m not helping you,” she said, ignoring the rising thoughts about Patch, George, and what they’d told her about Atsidi. Step. “I know what this program has done to people. The evil things, the cruel things, you’ve done to others. I’m not going to be part of that.”

  “My child.” Hilliard sighed. “You don’t have a choice. I tried to give you a chance, but I have run out of patience and time.” He flicked his hand as if he was wiping a crumb from a table, and his squad of black-suited men swarmed.

  Serenity turned and ran, pulling her mother. “Come on!” she screamed to Jerrod and the deputy. Unlike when the Black Suits invaded her home, Serenity made sure those she cared about were with her. She passed the computer cases as Deputy Rodgers flipped the work table, sending the plans and lights crashing at the feet of Hilliard and some of his squad. Jerrod swung and knocked down the first man, and then the deputy was pushing him out of the work space. They ran as fast as Ida could, staying by her in a tight clump.

  Boom!!

  Boom!!

  Boom!!

  Boom!!

  Crack!!!!!!!

  The sound of something thick cracking echoed down to the chamber floor. Even the Black Suits looked unnerved now, casting glances through the hundreds of feet of empty space toward the chamber ceiling.

  She’d led her family and the deputy into a corner they couldn’t fight their way out of. All her life other people made decisions for her, and now, she was in control for a change and made a complete mess of four lives.

  Hilliard’s men were catching them. Deputy Rodgers yelled, urging them forward. Jerrod raced ahead toward another work area across the floor.

  Someone plowed into her back, and black-sleeved arms wrapped around her. The pale blue-painted cement floor raced up to meet her and slammed the air from her lungs.

  38

  Serenity struggled to catch her breath. Her head throbbed, the pain making its way down to the base of her neck. Rolling over, Serenity almost cried out, but the pain in her head seized her ability to do so. Looking past her feet, she saw Deputy Rodgers prone on the floor, his eyes closed and blood trickling from his mouth. Three men zip-tied Jerrod. Another Black Suit, twice her mother’s size shepherded Ida toward Hilliard. None of them had made it. Not even one.

  Tears slid out easily. Deputy Rodgers…well, she didn’t want to think about that. The blood seeping from him. Serenity pulled her eyes away from the sight.

  Crack!! More light.

  “I told you.” Hilliard’s voice was even behind his mocking grin. “It didn’t have to end like this had you simply cooperated.”

  Serenity groaned as she tried to sit up. At least she wasn’t restrained, but that freedom
wouldn’t last much longer. Until the Black Suits got what they needed out of her.

  Crack!!!

  The world swam; everything in her view undulated, coming in and out of focus. Sounds dulled, forcing Serenity to lie back down, pressing a palm against her temple to stem the urge to vomit against the motion. A clump of dust hit her in the face. Serenity clamped her eyes shut and coughed out the bits that landed in her mouth.

  “All you had to do was listen, and none of this would be happening,” Hilliard bathed in the glory of his victory. “Now you’ve forced my hand. I have to show you that we’re serious.”

  Wait, she wanted to yell, wiping the dirt from her face, but speaking took too much energy. They couldn’t possibly win this.

  “I don’t want to do this.” Hilliard sounded like he very much wanted to do this.

  More dirt dropped on her face.

  This isn’t dirt. It’s…sand!

  Boom!

  Boom!

  Boom! Boom! Boom! Crack! Rip! Boom!

  As Hilliard moved, the ceiling ripped apart, and the roof fell in.

  And so did the Screecher.

  From over a hundred feet in the air, the beast of nightmares fell through the desert floor and into the chamber. It landed solidly, cracking the concrete floor, and lay flat. Ida screamed. Serenity did too. The Black Suits scattered in different directions, crouching and covering their heads. Even in this panic, their training guided their reactions. Deputy Rodgers remained static. The Screecher, falling from that incredible height, didn’t twitch.

  When no signs of life came, Serenity's chest loosened. No bolts of electricity filled its body. It was dead, the fall doing what Patch and George said couldn’t be done.

  Now they only had to finish off the Black Suits. Rescue was still possible with the Screecher out of the way if everyone up on the desert floor could get to them in time. Hilliard’s fifteen Black Suits couldn’t hold off hundreds—if hundreds had survived—of Tri-Countians.

  But didn’t the death of the Screecher mean the Black Suits had no need to be here anymore? The mysterious creature was the reason why they’d been here for decades. Now that it was gone, they should be too.