by Gary Starta
Hayes swerved, his car passed solid lines then righted. It’s only a matter of minutes. I’ll kill that bitch traitor Sizemore and the voices will disappear. It’s only a guilty conscience I’m hearing.
“I’m still here, cowboy. I have no place to go. I can be in your head for an eternity.”
Hayes brushed a hand through his hair. How could this be? What if it wasn’t a hallucination? What little fucker could be capable of this betrayal?
“We don’t like how you toy with our chess pieces.”
Hayes’s face went pale. “Shit!” He could only fathom his covert ops missions were under scrutiny of the biggest brother. How had he been found out? More important, why had he been fingered? He was only being proactive. They wanted him to listen in to every conversation and weed out threats. People like Timothy Ray were justifiable threats. They promised hope and change. Hayes was certain the band could only march to a single beat, one of subservience. It never welcomed the different drummer theory. “No! I’ve went above and beyond the call of duty!” Hayes car swerved again.
*
Trailing behind, Parsons couldn’t discern if the swerve was out of defiance or if he was now cooking Hayes’s brains to medium rare. What he did know was that time was of the essence. He had no means to engage in a real two-way dialogue with Hayes only snippets of pre-recorded spliced consonants and syllables spoken by Gina Hayes.
Would it be enough to deter the bastard?
Parsons gasped as a car pulled out in front of him from the intersection. It would surely cut him off if he didn’t act just as quick so he pulled his car to the left and passed as its front nose screeched to a halt somewhere in the vicinity of his gas tank. A finger rose out of the car’s sunroof.
Parsons retorted. “And I just let you have a nice day, you asshole!”
*
“I’m through with verbal warnings. Now I will conduct an audio test”
“Ah!” Hayes screamed in pain. His ears felt as if they were on fire, microwaves simulated the audio crunch of a 90-decibal sound system accompanied by a visual hallucination. Waves of every colour and variety danced and blinded Hayes while the audio pierced his eardrums.
*
Parsons could only hope the message was a deterrent. It was probably sheer luck that the microwaves induced the added visual effect. He had no control of the audio software which was pre-programmed to deal with any disobedience on the part of Hayes. What Parsons could discern was that Hayes’s car was out of control and another car was proceeding in an oncoming lane not more than a quarter mile ahead.
Parsons beeped his horn in warning, hoping beyond hope the car might veer to the shoulder. But even if it did, the driver might also suffer the effects of the DEVICE.
*
Hayes held both hands to his ears. “Stop it. Please, will you make it stop? We can negotiate. I promise.”
The DEVICE was programmed to deactivate if it recognized a specific procession of words. They were: I will stop.
But Hayes hadn’t uttered the correct procession, only the correct words.
His car veered again to the right and the passing car swerved but Hayes grazed its tail sending it into a spin and directly into Parsons path.
*
Parsons stepped on the brakes but this time they couldn’t respond as quick. He lurched forward and pulled the wheel hard right. The oncoming car was avoided as it spun to a stop from behind.
Parsons observed as the driver restarted his engine and sauntered away without as much as a raised fist. Had the DEVICE also penetrated this motorist’s skull as well, suggesting he practice pacifism?
Up ahead, Hayes car continued to careen right, then left, then right again.
*
Hayes screamed. “You got it. I won’t fuck with anyone again. I promise, just make it stop. For the love of God, I will stop.”
The magic words deactivated the DEVICE but not before Hayes’s sedan launched into a spin. The crash was imminent.
*
Parsons watched the car mimic an accordion as its front end coalesced with a tree. Inside, Hayes was bloodied, red dripped from his face as Parsons passed. He watched as if caught in slow motion. Steam spewed from the trunk.
Could Hayes still be alive? Did he require medical attention?
Parsons weighed the conundrum in his head for a nanosecond as time suddenly righted itself and another passing motorist greeted him with a honking horn.
“No. I must return the DEVICE immediately. Although immediately would have to be tomorrow morning. He had called out sick after all.
Three Months Later…
“Want to go for lunch?”
“Again?” the red headed girl replied. “Twice in two days?”
“I’ve got the cash. Don’t sweat it.” George answered.
Valerie brushed a strand of red hair away from her hair. “All I’m saying is that I might get used to a good thing.”
“What could be better than free astronomy classes?”
They answered in unison: “A free lunch.”
*
“You’ve made it by the skin of your teeth, cadet.” The gruff police instructor snorted. “But I’m glad to have you.”
Kate Sizemore couldn’t stifle her grin. She had made it by the skin of her teeth, because in a few months she would be 30 and past the maximum age requirement of 29.
Now it was just a question of what she could accomplish with the rest of her life. Could a series of good deeds ever nullify the bad karma she had sent Timothy Ray’s way?
Many restless nights did not afford an answer but Kate Sizemore would give it her all just in case.
There were other unanswered questions for Kate to grapple with. Why had Hayes allowed her to leave the firm without incident or accident?
If there was an answer to the latter, maybe it was fate. Maybe he simply wasn’t capable of stopping genetics. Kate laughed at the thought. Did she actually possess cop DNA?
*
“I’m tired.” Lori plopped onto the couch.
“You’ve got every right to be.” Tim poured a concoction into a glass. “It’s time for your meds.”
“I never knew veggies could kick ass.”
“If it’s cancer’s ass they can.” Timothy laughed.
There hadn’t been much laughter of late. Lori’s condition was slightly better if Timothy could trust his self-diagnosis of Lori’s lump. Perhaps the sun was helping or maybe it was just mere suggestion that it could. But neither was certain it could prevent the unthinkable.
“To think, I may be spending my last few days on this planet as a waitress.”
“I know.” Timothy stuttered. “I know it’s hard. You don’t have to do this. I still have a savings account.”
“But that savings may have to last your lifetime.” Lori’s head drooped. “In my case…”
A knock interrupted and Helena scurried toward the door to greet guests.
“I swear, Helena, sometimes you act just like a dog.”
Timothy’s observation brought a smile to Lori’s lips.
When the door opened, two dour faces were illuminated by street lamp.
“Come in. Come in.” Timothy pulled Chao-Zing Zheng and Zack Simmons toward the couch to be seated.
“This is a nice surprise.” Timothy stood with hands on hips. “Can I get you anything?”
Chao-Zing stated bluntly. “Your hope.”
“Oh,” Timothy said with sad realization.
Zack cleared his throat. “The day I feared is approaching. The geomagnetic storm I suspected.”
Tim tapped his foot on the floor. “Can you be certain of its effects?”
“It’s as certain as the Carrington Event.” Chao-Zing answered. “You remember the 1859 storm which rendered the telegraph system inoperable?”
Timothy whistled. “I was born a little late to remember that but we don’t have telegraphs to worry about.”
“No.” Zack said. “You’re right. We only have to
worry about the entire electrical grid going off line and when it does uranium will heat to a gaseous level at all our nuclear power plants.”
“We could lose our entire civilization,” Chao-Zing added, “In a heartbeat.”
Helena pounced onto Chao-Zing’s lap and the professor complied with a back stroking.
Timothy scratched at his cheek. “Sometimes I really do believe ignorance is bliss.”
Chapter Twenty Two
“What if you’re estimations are incorrect? What if we don’t even come close to getting hit?” Timothy rubbed his thumb against his index finger. Chao-Zing surmised his anxiety level was through the cosmic roof. He had every right to be apprehensive. The media had treated him no better than a drug addled, sex addicted celebrity. Ultimately, Chao-Zing concluded, he probably was having a hard time coming to terms that the source of his joy could bring great destruction as well.
Professor Zack Simmons clasped his hands together and spoke calmly with a controlled volume. “It’s not my estimations. My friends at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration both employed models and predict a major coronal mass ejection will arrive next Wednesday afternoon.”
Chao-Zing nodded. “Timothy, this is real science. It’s tangible. I’m not predicting this with a feeling.”
Timothy scoffed sarcastically. “You don’t have to disparage yourself or me. Maybe feelings and instincts are what we were intended to use, not models. But I trust the science is correct and because I do, I’m expecting our leaders are on the ball with this. I’m just not willing to believe our survival comes down to me. If it does, I can’t blame the doubters. It’s as if you’re calling on a rainmaker. It sounds hokey even to me.”
“You know in your heart it doesn’t, Timothy.” Chao-Zing adjusted her glasses. “I think some of the hate from that article has impacted you. I don’t want you to give in because that’s what they want.”
Timothy exhaled. “I’m not giving in. I’m taking care of Lori. I need to be able to continue to do that. Remember, the magazine article was most likely launched by Hayes & Rosenberg which means there’s a very good chance they’ll step up their game if I should re-emerge. I’ve purposefully stayed off the radar. I think it’s why I haven’t been harassed.”
“He’s right,” Lori said. “I don’t want that to come off sounding selfish. I am dependent on Timothy for everything these days.” She gazed into Timothy’s eyes a long moment before breaking contact. It was a loving look and Chao-Zing had no doubt they had created a strong bond between them. Lori redirected her attention to Chao-Zing. “I also know this firm poses a threat, not just verbally but physically. Can anyone account for Kate Sizemore’s whereabouts? It’s as if she just fell off the grid. I’m willing to bet that fall was lethal.”
Timothy patted Lori’s knee. Helena pounced onto Lori’s lap vying for attention. “She’s right. Kate told me she was going to make things right. That’s the last I heard of her. You see what happens when you confront the powers that be.”
Chao-Zing rose from her seat. Zack wore a perplexed look as if he feared she would retreat and leave Timothy in peace. The good professor doesn’t know me. She made her way to the window and allowed the light to wash over her. “Mm. This feels so good. I can see why you wanted to share your experiences with everyone. It’s in your nature to share.”
She wheeled around to face Timothy. “It’s why you’re helping Lori. You need to share. You didn’t want to keep the sun all to yourself. You claimed your share of it with a dollar meaning you intended others to share in your joy for a modest price. I also know how afraid you were when I threatened to dig up your sacred circle. You can’t deny how important this is to you and how much you want to help others. So there’s only one solution, Timothy. You must follow your instinct and not rationalize. Become the leader who will bring the masses together in a collective consciousness. United we have power. Together we can dodge a cosmic bullet.”
“I do want to follow my heart. You’re not wrong. But redirecting solar flares? That’s a lot to ask for.”
“You can do it,” Lori said. She rested her head on his shoulder. The professor is right.
“This means I have to face a lot of haters as well. They’re probably just waiting to tear me apart. They think I’m a fraud and I’m doing this for monetary gain. How will I be able to withstand that kind of heat?”
“Explain it to them.” Zack shook an index finger. “Tell them you know how bad the storm will be. It will be a lot worse than the media will divulge. Your efforts will sound viable to them when they face reality.”
“But aren’t we the least bit protected?”
Zack pursed his lips. “No. We’re not. The government could have purchased surge protectors for the grid. But they haven’t for whatever reason.”
“I think I know what that reason is,” Chao-Zing interrupted. “It’s pride. They would have to purchase the material for the protectors from China.”
“Wow!” Timothy said, rising from his seat and pacing. “This country really does have a phobia and resistance to the eastern ways.”
“What will the media say?” Lori asked the professors.
“They’ll probably warn of a power outage,” Chao-Zing answered. “But they won’t explain how long that outage might be. Or that nuclear power plants will go offline like I mentioned. When that happens, the plants will leak lethal radiation. So even if the grids could be repaired, our water and our food supply will be poisoned.”
“So, we have a week.” Timothy scrubbed at his chin. “How will I gather the masses? Posting on Lifestream is too slow.” He paced the room while Helena danced alongside.
Chao-Zing dug a cell from her purse. “George can help. He’s one of my students and knows how to make things go viral, as they say.”
*
Timothy made love to Lori that night. On top of her, he gently directed himself in and out. She moaned softly.
“Oh, this is so much better than I imagined. I’m glad to have you for as long as I can have you.”
She raised her head to kiss his neck. At that moment, he came. His release caused him to shudder.
He toppled off to her side and grabbed her hand. “I know and it’s why I’m agreeable to become the world’s foremost sun guru because having even a little pleasure for a short amount of time can mean so much.”
“I think you really are a guru.” Lori teased. “Seriously, there really is no time. We just perceive there is. But no matter, we will dance in the light for as long as the universe allows.”
*
Kevin played with Chao-Zing’s hair as she rode on top of him.
“I can’t believe this gets better each and every time, baby. You’re so good for me.” Kevin’s hands slid down Chao-Zing’s sides, to her hips.
Chao-Zing bent down to kiss him, drowning him with affection.
I’m glad Kevin can’t see my fear. Chao-Zing sensed the urgency and shelf life of her relationship. What if Timothy can’t stop the flares? This might be our last times together. With that thought in mind, she pressed her lips harder to Kevin’s. He groaned in delight.
*
“I hope it’s not too early. I mean, I really like you, George.”
Valerie removed her bra and George directed his lips to her nipple.
“I know.” He said between smooches. “I really like you too.”
Their lovemaking came to a conclusion some two hours later.
George pushed Valerie’s red locks from her eyes. “I want to see inside your beautiful eyes. I want to see inside of them forever.”
Valerie blushed. “I believe you do. But we’re also both pretty freaking scared right now. Aren’t we?”
George nodded. “I know. But not all of what we did was fear sex. I really do adore you.”
“I love your rationalizations.”
“Well, we can’t help but be frightened, Val, but there are studies that show minds connected by single t
houghts can have dramatic effects on our wellbeing. That is, prayer is a tool for health, just as vitamins are.” If the population harboured doubts about Timothy, George wasn’t aware. His videos were received enthusiastically. It seemed everyone wanted to pray with Timothy Ray. “There are going to be millions if not billions of minds linked together next Wednesday. It seems people believe.”
“I see. I read about those studies too. And I know in theory our emotions can impact planets and stars, and vice versa. I just can’t find any evidence that mass prayer or positive thinking can impact cosmological or geological events.”
“It would seem Timothy Ray just might have something to prove. I can see it in the history books now, much to the chagrin of scientists everywhere. And we can say we knew the man who could affect the heavens.”
Valerie bit her lip. George believed she was just as beautiful when pouting.
“But George, what if he can’t?”
George pondered and fear lanced him with a chill that ran up and down his spine. He hadn’t considered Timothy’s followers might be sceptical at heart. They were desperate for protection and it didn’t seem their leaders could offer any sage advice other than to gather water and canned food. He wondered how much of the populace were simply desperate, and if they were, would the doubts lodged in their subconscious minds be enough to sabotage Timothy’s efforts?”
Chapter Twenty Three
“Space weather, space hurricanes, solar threats…”
Timothy was muttering in his sleep. Lori raised her arm to shake him but thought better with it. What if he was in some kind of psychic communion with the solar system? If he really was going to be a saviour any action she made might have an impact.
We’re all connected. Lori laid back and allowed Timothy to dream. But why do some seem to resist it? If she had lived more in the light than in the dark, could she have healed herself? Or was her sickness fate like the appearance of the raven? It remained alongside until the end. Still, she hoped change was allowable.