Shine: Season One (Shine Season Book 1)

by William Bernhardt

  He bit down on his lip, but it wasn’t enough to suppress the smile. “We won’t find any.”

  The man scratched his ball cap. “How can you be sure?”

  “Shine isn’t genetic. That is, it isn’t inherited.”

  “How can you be sure?”

  “I have it from a most reliable source. A good friend. The most reliable source there is, on this subject.”

  “Then what’s the point—?”

  “Fear. That’s the point. When people are scared enough, they’ll go along with anything.”

  “But you got what you wanted. PA2 passed and this is about to pass, too.”

  “I’m just getting started. I’ve never been opposed to our species evolving. I just want to make sure it evolves the right way. I don’t think the destiny of mankind should be left in the hands of a posse of schoolgirls. Have you persuaded the media that this latest catastrophe, the all-boy plague, is the fault of the Shines?”

  “At this point, I think everyone assumes Shines are responsible. For everything.”

  “That makes your job easier, doesn’t it?” He gazed out his penthouse office window, past the parked choppercar, to the city below. Mostly a concrete playground, full of broken hearts and broken promises. Small wonder people lost sight of their morality. “My job, on the other hand, has become increasingly difficult.”

  “I thought contributions were up.”

  “Very much so. I am fortunate that so many have found validity in my message. But with great resources comes great responsibility. When people fork over hard-earned cash, they expect results. Once upon a time, folks were content to think their contributions bought their way into heaven. Now most have more earthly ambitions. They’ve traded heaven for a two-bedroom condo and theater tickets.”

  He suspected the man in the ball cap was not entirely convinced of the holiness of their mission. Nothing wrong with that. Christ himself used people who were less than pure to meet His objectives.

  “Reverend, was there a reason you asked me here?”

  “Naturally.” He walked around his desk and pulled out the vacant chair on the opposite side. “You’re an eyewitness. Tell me about Santa Monica.”

  “You got my report, didn’t you?”

  “I have the essentials. Police roped off a crime scene. Shines showed up. The crowd became hostile.” He tilted his head. “I assume you had a little to do with that.”

  The man shrugged. “A little.”

  “But why?”

  The man hesitated. “I thought it would please you.”

  “To have known SSS members engaged in an unsavory public display? To threaten police officers? I would never ask that of you or anyone else.” He leaned in closer. “Who were you taking your orders from?”

  The man stuttered. “I didn’t talk to anyone but you.”

  And he could see the man believed it, too. But the fact was, he gave no orders. He didn’t even talk to the man that night.

  Estes was right. Helsinki had come to California.

  “So answer this question. That crowd. How easy was it to manipulate?”

  “Like throwing a match on a kerosene lamp. Easier, really. I didn’t even need a lamp.”

  “Good to know.” But if he could manipulate the crowd—who could manipulate him? “I will have further instructions for you in the very near future.”

  “I could stop by your house. Ride home with you.”

  An alarming thought. He had far more exciting plans. “Uh, no. I’ll be occupied with my…experiments tonight. I’ll call you when the time comes.”

  “Anything you want, all you have to do is ask, Reverend.”

  “Very good. Reassuring.” His chin rose. “Onward Christian soldiers. Marching as to war.”

  62

  Aura couldn’t get her bearings, couldn’t see clearly, couldn’t understand what was happening around her. What was she doing in Seattle? The one place on earth she would never belong again. The one place she could be certain no one would ever let her forget.

  You will never fit in. Not anywhere. Not with anyone.

  That’s not true, she screamed. Stop saying that. It’s like a curse.

  Not a curse. Not a curse. Not a curse.

  Then what is it?

  A blessing. My gift.

  Well then, where can I exchange your gift, because I don’t want it. She wasn’t sure if she was speaking or thinking or what. This was so confusing and she couldn’t shake the feeling that something horrible was coming, some unforeseen monster lurking just around the corner. I don’t want any of it, the Shine, the enemies, and especially not the freaky hair.

  I gave you that, too.

  She screamed without screaming, and it started again, all at once, just like before. The ground trembled. People screamed, then ran in a blind panic. Buildings crumbled. Dust, all around her, dust and dirt and billowing smoke clouds. The pavement cracked and she tumbled into the abyss…

  A hand shot out of nowhere, grabbing her just before she was consumed by the blackness.

  Her. Shaved head girl. With the ankh tattoo.

  Why did you save me? she wanted to scream. Why couldn’t you just let me go? Let this misery and fighting come to an end.

  We need you.

  For what? I’m no use to anyone.

  Of course you are. You just don’t know it yet.

  She thought the girl would save her, but she was wrong. A strange trembling smile flashed as the girl executed a perfect swan dive. Together, the two of them tumbled into the bottomless blackness…

  Aura’s eyes flew open.

  Damn that dream. Again. Infinite variations on a theme, always terrifying.

  Her clothes clung to her skin, wet and sticky. What did you expect, sleeping on the floor on a pallet made from cardboard boxes? Paperback books for pillows. She hoped no one heard her scream.

  “Aura?”

  But of course they did. The light was dim, but she could make out a sizable silhouette. “Tank?”

  “Yeah. Having problems sleeping?”

  “A little.”

  “Me too. I keep having this same flesh-crawling dream.”

  “I’ve had some weird ones, too.”

  “What’s yours about?”

  “Oh, it’s…it’s…I don’t know. I’d rather not say.”

  “Sure.”

  She felt a touch of guilt. Tank had reached out to her. She shouldn’t slap her away. “I’m reliving a moment from my past. When I did, like…a really bad thing.”

  “My dream’s kinda like that, too. To tell you the truth, I’m kinda shaken up.”

  “Take several deep breaths, then slowly release them.”

  “Okay.”

  “Try to think about a moment when you were happy.”

  “Okay.”

  “Tell yourself a joke.”

  “Don’t know any. Aura—I get kinda scared sometimes at night. Can I come over by you?”

  “Um, okay…” She heard the sound of sliding cardboard. Tank scooted her pallet till they were beside one another. “You don’t want me to sing ‘Raindrops on Roses’ do you?”

  “Nah.” Pause. “Do you know ‘Mama’s Gonna Buy You a Mockingbird?’”

  “No.”

  “I don’t mean anything by scooting closer to you. Not like—you know.”

  “I didn’t think—”

  “I just—everyone acts like since I’m so big that means I’m tough and hard and don’t have feelings. But I do. I get creeped out sometimes.”

  “We all do.” Especially when you’re on the lam from the law, the whole world is out to get you, and you have no idea where to go or what to do next. “Did your mother hold you at night when you got scared?”

  “She died when I was little. My dad wasn’t the touchy-type.”

  Aura exhaled, slowly exorcising all traces of her dream from her mind. “Well, get over here then.”

  They embraced. Tank was so much stronger and bigger she worried that she might come ou
t of the hug with a severed spine. But she didn’t.

  “Thank you,” Tank said quietly.

  “It’s nothing.”

  “I mean, thank you for everything you’re doing. For helping us all work together. Thank you for taking care of us.”

  “’Cause that’s worked out so well so far. That’s why we’re sleeping on the floor in a basement.”

  “If it weren’t for you, we’d be dead.”

  “I doubt that.”

  “Would you think it was weird if…if I told you I loved you?”

  Uh-oh.

  “I mean in a girlfriend sort of way. ‘Cause the truth is…I never had a girlfriend.”

  “What?”

  “Or a boyfriend. All the other kids were scared of me. Even before my Shine came out, I was always big. I wasn’t cool or pretty or skinny like the popular girls.”

  “No dates?”

  “I went out on a date once.”

  Brave man, that. “Did you have fun?”

  “I broke his nose.”

  “For fun?”

  “No. He got kinda fresh. And after that, no one came near me. I actually thought rehab might be an improvement, but it wasn’t. Everyone still hated me.”

  Tank felt that way too?

  “Except you. You’ve been nice all along. You’ve been nice to everyone. Made me feel like…like I wasn’t so totally alone anymore.”

  “I’ll tell you what, Tank. From now on, I’m your girlfriend.” If anyone was eavesdropping, she hoped they understood the context.

  “Really?”

  “Really. Pinky swear. I’m honored to hold the position.”

  “Thanks.” And then Tank hugged her so tightly she thought her spine would almost certainly snap. And she didn’t care.

  63

  Aura knew she shouldn’t be doing this. No, “shouldn’t” wasn’t strong enough. She knew this was the stupidest possible action she could take. But here she was doing it. Story of her life.

  The streets around Redondo Beach were black and dark and among the most disreputable parts of the greater Los Angeles area. Fine. No one would expect to find a renegade Shine here.

  She raced into the convenience store, keeping the hoodie Gearhead found drooped forward so the security cameras wouldn’t get a clear picture of her face. She hoped they shot black and white footage. One color shot of her weirdo bangs would be enough to identify her. She moved quickly and tried to speak in a lower-than-usual tone of voice.

  The clerk held up his hands. “If you’re here to rob me, let me save you the trouble. I don’t have anything. Haven’t taken in twenty bucks all night.”

  Seriously? She looked like she wanted to rob the joint? “I’m not here for money.”

  “Great. Drugs.” Despite the fact that the kid couldn’t possibly be older than twenty, he had a world-weary, seen-it-all attitude. “Did you read the sign up front? This isn’t a pharmacy. We don’t carry anything stronger than Nyquil.”

  “I’m not an addict.” She took a deep breath and started over. “I just want a phone.”

  “Cell phone?”

  “Yeah. Prepaid. Can’t afford a watch or a tablet.”

  “Untraceable?”

  She hesitated. Was this a trick question? “Can you…um, do that?”

  “I can give you a phone that makes a signal that hits the carrier tower with a false ID and address. It’s not exactly untraceable, but it takes a very long time. Assuming you ditch the phone, you should be safe. Even if they use nanocircuits.”

  “How much?”

  He told her. The amount was well beyond her budget, given her current status as fugitive from the law.

  She thought a moment. Concentrated. Focused.

  “I can fix your problem.”

  “What problem?”

  She gave him a long look. “Do you really want me to go into the details?”

  His head twitched. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  She lowered her gaze. “Down there.”

  “I only slept with her once!”

  “She left her mark.”

  “What, can you smell it or something?”

  “Sort of. I’m, um, a doctor. Sort of.”

  “You don’t look old enough to be a doctor.”

  “Heavy on the ‘sort of.’ Look, do you want to get clean or not?”

  “Well…yeah.”

  “Then give me the phone.”

  He ducked under the counter, rummaged around a bit, then returned. “Here it is,” he said, hand extended. “But how do I know you’ll—”

  “I already did it.”

  “That’s not possible.”

  “Is.” She snatched the phone away.

  “I’m clean?”

  “Ish.”

  “But—how?”

  “Believe me, you don’t want to know.” She skittered out the door before he could say another word.

  ***

  In a dark alley, a few blocks from the library, Aura hunkered down behind a Dumpster and dialed the number.

  Several seconds passed before anyone picked up.

  “Hello?”

  “Taj?”

  He gasped. “Aura? Oh my Gandhi. Is that you? Is it really you?”

  “Taj, I don’t have much time, so listen to me. Are you alone?”

  “Yeah. Dad’s working. I read about TYL going blooey. Where are you?”

  “I can’t tell you that. I just wanted you to know that I’m safe.”

  “My dad thinks you should turn yourself in.”

  “I respectfully disagree.”

  “He said he’d make sure you were treated fairly.”

  “I’m sure he’d do what he could—but he hasn’t got the clout make that happen.”

  “Whatever. I think you’re safer on your own. This is so awesome. You and your gang of outlaws. You’re like Bonnie and Clyde. Except I guess it’s more like Bonnie and Bonnie.”

  “Have you heard anything about Beverly?”

  “No. My dad says she’s dropped off the face of the earth. Hasn’t shown up at the law office. He was concerned the strain might’ve gotten to her.”

  If he only knew the hideous truth. “Taj, I wanted you to know I’m alive and well. I probably won’t be able to contact you again, so…” She paused. “I—I really care about you.”

  “You do?”

  “Of course I do. And I miss you. And—if this nightmare ever ends…anyway. I’ve talked too long. Goodbye.”

  “Aura—”

  She disconnected the line.

  Well, that was completely unsatisfying. Probably accomplished nothing, except potentially putting herself—and Taj—in danger. But at least now she might sleep better.

  She tossed the phone into the Dumpster, pulled the hoodie over her head, and started back toward the library.

  She shouldn’t have made that call. But something inside her needed to reach out. Something wanted to spend a brief moment with the only pre-rehab friend she had, the only remnant of her former life.

  She’d fibbed when she talked about getting together. She knew she’d never see Taj again. It would never be safe. Not for her or him.

  She had a new world now. A world of…Bonnies. With a lot of agents gunning for them. And she remembered how well that worked out for the first Bonnie.

  64

  “Okay,” Aura said. “The library is closed. Let’s call this meeting to order.”

  The Shines sat around a long book-sorting table in the basement. During the day, when people worked upstairs, they tried to remain quiet. Liking hiding out in Anne Frank’s annex, Twinge had groused.

  “First order of business—”

  “Who made you the leader?” Dream asked.

  “Exactly. That is the first item on the agenda.”

  “I don’t see why we need a leader,” Gearhead said. “Why can’t we all just do our own thing?”

  “Because if we all do our own thing, we’ll all end up dead. We either hang together or we hang s
eparately.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  “They tried to kill us. We only survived because we worked together.”

  “They tried to kill someone,” Dream said. “I’m not sure they wanted to kill all of us.”

  She put a fist on her hip. “Are you suggesting they were only after me?”

  “I don’t know why anyone would be after me. I didn’t bring down the Space Needle.”

  “That was not—”

  “And if I’m right, just being around you puts us in danger. We’re potential collateral damage.”

  Mnemo stood. “Are you forgetting that Aura saved our butts?”

  “Actually,” Gearhead said, “you saved our butts, Mnemo.”

  “Aura got us out of the firing line. Showed us how to function as a team. We owe her our lives.”

  “Don’t go all Lifetime Channel on me,” Dream said. “You came up with most of the good ideas. Maybe you should be the leader. If we must have a leader.”

  “I don’t want to be the leader.”

  “Does Aura?”

  She flustered. A good question. “I think we need a leader. It doesn’t have to be me.”

  “I think it does,” Tank said. “Aura’s the only one who ever stood up for us when all those wipes back at the rehab tried to mess with our minds.”

  “Ancient history,” Dream said.

  “Important history,” Tank replied.

  “I agree,” Mnemo echoed. “There’s more to being a leader than coming up with bright ideas. Part of it is being a symbol.”

  “And what is it you think Aura symbolizes?” Dream asked.

  “A new world. Where Shines aren’t ashamed or treated like second-class citizens. Where they stand up for their rights.” She inhaled, apparently steeling herself. “Where they use their abilities for good.”

  “Do you know what you’re saying, girl?” Twinge asked. “You could be arrested just for thinking that.”

  “Yeah, well, too late,” Mnemo replied. “Our Shines are the only reason we weren’t blown up or locked away in Mordock. We used our abilities and no innocents were hurt and no—forgive me, Aura—no national landmarks were leveled. We just did good. We should do it again.”

  “This is getting way too treasonous for me,” Dream said. “That kind of talk could get us on the America’s Most Wanted list.”