The Protector

by Stormi Lewis

  The town had plenty to talk about. James heard the whispers behind his back. No one dared to talk about it to his face, and James was glad for that.

  He worked odd jobs here and there, despite his family having plenty of money. He liked doing different things and helping those in need. He avoided the corporations and spent his time with his friends while they worked on building their new careers. James helped Tina and Ben study to pass all their exams required. They also had plenty of movie nights and good times.

  After a year, Tina decided it was time for James to move on and started setting him up with just about any person with female anatomy that breathed. It would be the night that James found Sophie in the woods that would change his life forever, though.

  At first, Sophie was just a blurred shadow, running deeper into the woods. She was faster than anyone James had ever raced against. Just when he thought he had lost her; Sophie had reached out and grabbed him to quickly push him up against the trunk of the tree she had been hiding behind. The move was swift and graceful, and once his eyes had adjusted again, James was looking at the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

  Sophie’s bright blue eyes seemed to look directly into his soul. Though her short, chin length black hair was a bit messy, and her face a little dirty, Sophie was the most beautiful thing James had ever seen. She was thin, athletically built, and pale as the moon’s light, with black clothing that clung nicely to her curves. James had no idea why Sophie was running, or who was after her at the time, but he found himself instantly drawn to protect her at all costs. What a bizarre sensation since Sophie hadn’t even spoken much to him yet.

  It wasn’t just about her looks. There was an electricity that seemed to course through his veins when they touched. An instant feeling of need and desire spread from his core. Sophie was different. She was special. She would give him a run for his money as he would find out later.

  Sophie challenged him to be the best version of himself, even when he didn’t know what exactly that meant. James wanted to make her proud of him. He liked who he was when she was with him. James finally knew what love was actually supposed to feel like. Sophie didn’t just tell James what he needed to hear, or what she thought he wanted to hear. She called him out constantly and kept him in line.

  She gave him strength when he felt weak, and valued his opinions and advice even if she had no real intention of taking any of it. Sophie could take care of herself, there was no doubt about it. However, she had innocence and curiosity that needed to be fed and appreciated.

  Finally, a woman of equal intelligence that didn’t have James clenching his jaw in annoyance. And her Cheshire grin was to die for! James had heard of girls saying that love gave them butterflies in their stomach and made their knees go weak. Sophie would be the first to prove that it could happen to men too.

  She consumed his thoughts and dreams, and when she wasn’t around, James couldn’t function or breathe as well. If he thought of Hellen, it was simply as a reminder of how little he really knew what he needed before meeting Sophie.

  James knew she had to be hurting and being by herself just made him worry more. Sophie would remain tough on the outside for his friends and him, but the image messed with his head and Jess wasn’t even his mother. He closed his eyes and used all his strength to send his love to Sophie as she traveled.

  James prayed she wouldn’t shut him out. He prayed that Sophie knew how much he really loved her. What he was willing to do for her. How much he needed her. He concentrated hard on her new image. Sophie with her dark red-wine hair hanging around her face, smiling, and waiting for him to get to her.

  Sophie had a hoodie on and hid as much of her red hair under it as possible. She had been born a ginger, just like her mother. That didn’t help her not be an easy target at school. The bullies always picked Sophie out first but regretted their decision shortly after. She smiled her Cheshire grin as she thought of all the nasty kids she had put in their place.

  Even as a baby, Sophie seemed to have showed a great amount of intelligence and plenty of sass to go with it. She was faster than most both mentally and physically. She remembered her parents watching her intensely and spending a lot of time whispering behind her back. Although most of her memories as a teenager were still blurred, one thing Sophie knew for sure…she had always been different.

  She didn’t fit in with any of the kids, and spent her time escaping into books. Sophie loved Anne of Green Gables because she felt like Anne understood her pain. Despite getting into trouble at a young age, Anne was still able to find love which gave Sophie hope that her differences didn’t make herself incapable of enjoying love too.

  However, something had happened on her fifth birthday that really seemed to change everything. A woman tried to drown her in their pool, and the man with the cane stood back and watched. A scene that was still blurry but made her shiver all the same.

  After that, Sophie was suddenly on a vigorous training schedule. She was taught to fight off any attack, she started seeing a ton of doctors, and received what felt like a thousand shots a week without being sick. A fact that still bothered her today. What was in the shots? Why did she have to have them?

  However, other questions needed to be answered at the moment like “what did the SD card have to do with anything?” and “why did her parents have to be murdered?” Of course, another important one to solve was “who the hell was the man with the cane?” and “why did he want her so badly?”

  Sometimes Sophie wondered if fate hadn’t stepped in to wipe her memory in order to have her be vulnerable enough to let James and his friends into her life. It was a gamble that Sophie found herself still struggling with daily. Was helping Sophie putting their lives in more danger? Or was staying with her keeping them alive?

  Sophie couldn’t bear the thought of losing any of them, but losing James would mean she would lose part of herself. Was it selfish to allow them to stay with her, just so Sophie could keep James? Probably. Sophie never allowed herself to think about it too much. Most likely because she would eventually make herself follow through with what was best for James. She just wasn’t ready yet and doubted if she ever would be.

  Sophie got off the bus and looked in the direction that would eventually lead her to Jumping Jack’s Power Plant. She instantly became nauseous and fought the need to throw up. Even if Sophie could physically make herself go back there, whoever was tracking her would definitely be watching to see if she would return.

  Sophie kicked the rocks on the sidewalk as she weaved between the people and avoided being caught on any cameras. She could change her hair, but there was nothing she could do if her face was captured. Facial recognition software was more advanced these days, and it only took a partial shot to flag her.

  The image of Bill confused, and scared while being held hostage by Simon flashed before Sophie’s eyes, causing them to tear up. She had a strong desire to leave a flower by Bill’s grave and stop to say hello, however, that wasn’t a safe option either.

  Sophie wondered if his family was able to give Bill the burial he deserved. She was consumed by guilt. After everything that had happened, Sophie couldn’t even go to pay her respects.

  Bill was dead because of her. Sophie and her desire for human companionship while she tried to save James and her friends. When was she going to stop choosing whose life mattered more? A tear ran down Sophie’s cheek and she wiped it away swiftly before it dropped from her chin.

  “I’m sorry,” Sophie whispered to no one.

  “I know,” she heard Bill’s voice ring in her ears. Sophie went to look up, but Bill urgently whispered, “Don’t!” so she kept her head down and continued to weave in and out of the crowd.

  “I miss you,” Sophie whispered to him.

  “I miss you too,” she heard Bill’s voice crack. “You’re doing great, Kid. Just keep going. Don’t worry about me. It’s nice up here. And I’m giving them hell,” Bill stated with pride.

  Sophie smiled.
She wasn’t sure if she was just imagining Bill’s voice to help her get through Buffalo, but she would take it. “Don’t get caught,” Sophie chuckled as she kept moving towards the meet up.

  Sophie was the last to arrive as usual. She did a walk around, checking for all possible quick escape routes and making sure they were safe and secure before entering the Quality Inn. The word “quality” was being used loosely.

  The neighborhood was not ideal for tourists, which made it perfect for Sophie and her friends. The inside was clean, and the staff was polite. This was not a location that people were dying to stay at which suited Sophie just fine.

  When she got to the room, Tina was already working feverishly on the secured laptop at the small wooden desk across from the bed. Ben was leaning over some books spread out across the king-size bed on a tan comforter, and James stood in the corner holding the beige curtains back and staring out the window into the alley. Relief flooded him once he saw Sophie standing in the doorway with her backpack in hand.

  “I was worried,” James whispered as he kissed Sophie softly and passionately.

  “I’m better now,” Sophie breathed once they parted. “So, where are we at?” she asked Tina and Ben.

  “Basically, I was able to decode about three-fourths of the card,” Tina said, frowning at the laptop in front of her. “I just need to get something from the office, and I will be able to crack the rest.”

  “What are we dealing with?” Sophie asked sitting next to Ben’s books on the bed.

  “Most of it is about the logistics of how a satellite in space can be used to offset the environmental pressures of the atmosphere, causing such things as hurricanes and tornados. There’s also a way to set off earthquakes and tsunamis, but I’m still trying to figure out that part,” Tina said in annoyance.

  “You mean, someone can actually control weather from a satellite in space?” James asked with distress.

  “Apparently,” Tina answered, matching his concern. “Sophie’s father designed a satellite that would be able to help control weather. Only Jack’s plan was to keep the planet safer with the supposed ongoing effects of global warming, etc. He never intended it to be used for evil,” Tina added for assurance. “With the insane hurricanes of the past like Katrina and Sandy, Jack was looking for a way to save lives. He honestly thought he could offset what Mother Nature threw at us. However, something changed his mind after a while, and it doesn’t seem like Jack ever finished the project.”

  “So, why make such a big deal about keeping it safe?” Sophie asked with a hint of irritation.

  “Because it’s not just about the satellite,” Tina said deep in thought.

  “What do you mean?” Ben asked, finally taking a second to look up from his own books.

  “There’s a puzzle within this puzzle,” Tina said with a hint of admiration.

  “What?” everyone seemed to ask almost in unison.

  “Yeah,” Tina said smiling. “There’s some sort of puzzle within this puzzle. That’s what I can’t figure out. I think there’s a message for Sophie, but it’s too hard to see until I decode the rest of the documents. Don’t worry,” Tina said, taking Sophie’s hand and squeezing it. “I’ll get to the bottom of it,” she said winking at her friend.

  “I’m not worried,” Sophie lied. Her head was already buzzing about what possible explanation all of this had, and why lives were being taken for it. “What about you?” she asked Ben, trying to distract herself.

  “Well, I believe that Dr. Moore was genuinely giving you immunizations to help you fight off as much as possible,” Ben said assuring her. “That’s why you got as many shots as you did from him. He was just building up your immune system.”

  James winked at Sophie for assurance.

  “I wasn’t really worried about Roger,” Sophie laughed.

  “I know, but he was part of MY puzzle,” Ben said with a little pride. “You said the other person was a woman, right?”

  “Yes. A brunette, I think,” Sophie answered, trying desperately to pull those lost memories to the front, but they were still missing.

  “I actually think the Dr. Cox you mentioned is Dr. Elaine Cox,” Ben said triumphantly.

  “Who is that?” James asked, sitting on the other side of Sophie on the bed.

  “Well, from what I gather she’s very well-known in the science community as the first genome surgeon,” Ben stated casually. Everyone stared at him. “She’s heavy into the CRISPR tool,” Ben added as if to make it clearer. Everyone just continued to stare at him.

  “English please?” James asked shaking his head at his friend.

  “Don’t you guys ever read anything?” Ben asked, blinking rapidly at them in disbelief. “CRISPR is the new tool they use to dispatch into living cells, and they can manipulate any gene in any tissue in any organism,” he said excitedly. “Basically, any alteration in your DNA can lead to disease or disabilities. There’s a group of scientists in San Francisco that are working on trying to figure out how to alter damaged DNA. For example,” Ben continued without waiting for questions, “if someone has some sort of genetic disorder such as Autism. Instead of just learning how to cope with it, a genome surgeon could simply go in and surgically remove the errored DNA and possibly even cure you. They’re not as close as they want to be to achieving it just yet, but it’s very exciting news for patients that suffer from rare and uncurable genetic diseases!”

  “Wow,” Sophie said stunned.

  “So, are you saying Sophie was a test subject?” James asked cautiously.

  “I’m not sure,” Ben said truthfully. “It seems like she just collects samples in order to practice manipulating it. Nothing points to the fact that she ever works on children though.”

  Ben had a theory on why that probably wasn’t completely true. He just wasn’t ready to share it yet.

  “But didn’t you say your dad gave you shots too?” Tina asked Sophie.

  “Yes, I do remember him giving me something,” Sophie said deep in thought.

  “What would your dad be giving you if he didn’t study medicine?” James asked confused.

  “No clue,” Sophie said frustrated.

  “Hey,” James said lightly stroking her arm. “We’ll get to the bottom of this.”

  “I honestly don’t know if there is a bottom,” Sophie said standing up in frustration. “The more we figure out, the more questions that need to be answered. It just feels like there’s never really an end,” Sophie said enraged as she stormed off to the bathroom to throw some water on her face and cool down.

  James got up to follow her. Tina quickly grabbed his hand.

  “Give her a second,” Tina warned. “This has to be ridiculously hard for her.”

  James looked longingly towards the now closed bathroom door and sulked back onto the bed in defeat. He knew Tina was right, but all he felt was desperation to help Sophie feel better.

  “Maybe we should quit for the night and watch a movie,” Ben offered, also staring at the bathroom door. Sophie was the little sister he never had. His heart ached as he watched her struggle. Ben wasn’t sure the truth was going to be any better. He knew he would have to tell her what he knew. Ben worried if it would be the straw that broke the camel’s back. He loved that camel, and he didn’t want to be the reason it broke.

  James volunteered to get some dinner while Tina and Ben worked on finding a movie that would be a suitable distraction. Sophie remained in the bathroom looking at an image she hadn’t seen since her teenage years with her new red hair.

  Why had her father insisted that she find the key if the project was unfinished anyway? If the man with the cane couldn’t use it, then what was the point? What were all the shots for? What was any of this for? Sophie splashed some cold water on her face and looked back into the mirror.

  She willed her mother to appear once more and give her guidance, but all she saw was her own sad, exhausted, frustrated eyes looking back at her. Was her mother okay? Sophie felt sick to her
stomach and hunched over the bathroom counter.

  “Get up,” she heard her father’s voice order.

  Sophie was too irritated to move.

  “Get up!” Jack warned her. “I have enough to deal with right now. Don’t make me worry about you too.”

  Sophie’s head shot up, and she saw the alarm in her own face. So, her mother wasn’t okay.

  “Don’t,” Jack cautioned. “She’s fine. Now focus and go be with your friends.”

  “Seriously?” Sophie yelled madly. There was no response. “Fine,” she muttered, and did what her father asked her to.

  Sophie was pretty sure she had lost her mind anyway, talking to ghosts from her past, and playing God with people’s lives. She didn’t want her father to worry about her, angel or imaginary. So, Sophie put a smile on her face, opened the bathroom door, and went to join her friends.

  Chapter 3

  J ames laid silent as he felt Sophie toss and turn in the bed next to him. He had tried to give her the space she usually needed to process things, however, neither of them were going to get sleep at this rate. He rolled onto his side, gently wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her close to him.

  “I’m sorry,” Sophie breathed out in frustration.

  “For what?” James asked casually.

  “I just can’t seem to get my brain to shut down enough to sleep,” she sighed heavily.

  “Wanna talk about it?” he offered.

  “I don’t even know where to start,” Sophie whined.

  “The beginning usually helps,” James suggested.

  “You saw what I saw, right?” she whispered softly.

  “Yes,” he assured.

  “I don’t think she’s okay,” Sophie choked out. Panic began to consume her.

  “Your dad isn’t going to let anything happen to her, we both know that,” James stated bluntly.

  “Is it real? Are they some kind of ghosts? Or am I losing my mind?” Sophie whispered with her voice cracking.