by Scott, D. D.
“No. I’m not suggesting locking you up, but I want you to stick close to home. Maybe you and I can hunt together more often. That might help you control these…urges.”
I shot out of the chair, ready to escalate the confrontation, but I held back, if only to prove to myself that I still could. “This isn’t something that a little uncle/nephew bonding is going to take care of, Sam.” I shook the dark curls out of my eyes. “I can control my abilities. The problem is that I don’t want to anymore.”
As I said the words and saw the shock on Sam’s face, I regretted the confession that had escaped my lips. I turned and set my knuckles on the table, almost at eye-level with Sam, and released a long, slow breath. The burning itch under my skin receded. I sat down and folded my hands on the table in front of me and met Sam’s gaze.
“I see that you can control your temper. That’s a start. But what happens when someone else’s life is at stake, Zeph. Will you choose to give in to your dark side again rather than saving a life?”
I hated that he called it my dark side, but I supposed that was what it was. And that was the question. How selfish was I? How power hungry and ruthless would I become? My face fell into my hands. “Maybe I should just leave,” I said.
“I don’t want you to leave. I want you to grow up and take responsibility for yourself and your actions. Do you understand? We can’t afford for you to go off on a rampage and have the townspeople spreading any more rumors. Do you want to lead the Industry straight to our door? Because that’s what’s going to happen if you don’t cool it.”
I shook my head, unable to help the small smile that curved my lip. I mean, who says ‘cool it’ anymore? “Okay. You’re right, Sam. I’ll try harder. Can I go to my room now?”
He nodded, and I made a quick exit for the stairs, hoping to escape any further lecturing about what a loser I was.
“Zeph,” he said. My shoulders stiffened, but I turned back. “You have a responsibility to this family. If we’re to survive, we need to stick together and help each other.” His brown eyes filled with emotion. “Lily is going to need you if I’m not around. I’m counting on you to protect her.”
“I know. I will. I’ll do whatever needs to be done; don’t worry.” I turned my back and escaped to my room, the weight of the world weighing heavily on my shoulders.
I couldn’t sleep worth a damn, so I got out of bed long before the sun hit the horizon. I snuck out of the house and headed for the one place I felt I could leave my troubles behind and burn off the extra energy that still had my bones humming. My feet hit the trail and I ran like the wind in the shadows of predawn light. I didn’t worry about hitting a tree or running into some wild animal that might consider having me for breakfast. Negotiating my way through the dark forest had become second nature, and the animals seemed to sense that I was not prey, but a predator. I ran until I came to the pond.
Soft purple light shimmered across the water, casting long shadows from surrounding trees. The air vibrated with the echoes of insects and bullfrogs. I looked across the pond, wishing I knew the answers to all the questions that rumbled in my head like thunder. I wasn’t even sure if I was asking the right questions any more. I tugged my shirt off, dropped my pants, and then sloshed into the water, sucking in a breath as the bracing cold seeped into my muscles. I dove under, coming up a dozen yards out.
The ice-cold water cleared my head and I took long strokes toward the other side. More a lake than a pond, the expansive body of water was out in the middle of nowhere, my own private world where I could get lost in the peace of being alone—no one to judge or criticize me or my behavior. The tension slipped away as I found a steady even breath to match the rhythm of each stroke. I could make it to the other side and barely be out of breath, but I took my time, losing myself in the deep. At the center of the pond, the water was colder, but not cold enough to shake the heat that coursed through my veins. I dove down, never hoping to reach the bottom but unable to stop myself from trying. I swam downwards until my ears felt ready to explode, then I shot to the surface, taking in great gulps of air. Dive—repeat. Each time, the sky grew brighter above me.
Finally, when my head began to cool, I floated on my back, opened my eyes, and watched the stars fade into the grape sky. Why had God made me this way? If there was a God, he couldn’t be this cruel—to give me this powerful ability and then expect me not to use it. Blaming my mother had done no good. She’d been a victim as much as I was—even more so, because her intentions were totally noble. It was the Industry that took something good and turned it into…me. I rolled onto my stomach and paddled hard through the water, trying to escape the word “evil” that followed me like a great white shark intent on consuming me.
Dr. Vincent Bartholomew was the researcher who took over the experiments from my mother, casting her aside and then using her as a guinea pig under the guise of “serving humanity.” He was the man that needed to be held accountable.
As hard as I kicked, I couldn’t shake the rage that flowed through me at the injustice of life. While I’d set out to burn off the fire in my body, what I’d accomplished was refining my laser focus on one thought. As my arms pumped through the water, propelling me faster and faster, the sun broke the horizon, heralding another relentlessly hot day. And all I could think about was that someone had to pay.
Chapter 8
When I arrived home, I headed for the stable to start cleaning out the stalls—a smelly, sweaty, mindless job that fit my mood perfectly. Sam was there, brushing down the horses.
“I wondered where you’d run off to so early,” he said as I walked in. “Been to the pond?” It was more a statement than a question. He knew me too well. I nodded, grabbed a pitchfork, and started heaving manure over the wall of the stall into the composter. “Did you forget what today was?” Sam asked as he continued grooming Shilo, who let out a soft bray of satisfaction. I hadn’t forgotten, but I’d thought for sure that he and Lily had.
Sam set down the brush, disappeared into the tack room, and returned a moment later with a large wooden box. “Happy birthday, Zeph.”
I wasn’t much into celebrating my birthday—never had been, considering the event had caused the death of my mother—but I couldn’t help the warmth that spread through my chest, knowing Sam had remembered and thought to get me a gift. I lifted the lid on the box. Inside were several tools, all neatly lined up on a velvet-covered tray. Small hand tools for intricate designing, a wood burner with a variety of tips, a planer, and a set of drill bits—everything I would need to make my flutes and wood carvings without having to pilfer Sam’s tools. I ran my fingers along each piece. My eyes stung as they filled with tears, and I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “Wow! Thanks, Sam.”
“You’re welcome. I was going to wait until tonight, but I thought you might like to use them today. It’ll help you stay busy.” He looked apologetic but stern. “I meant what I said about you staying close to home. I don’t want you leaving the farm until further notice. Is that understood?”
I closed the box, my jaw tightening. “Yeah, I understand. But confining me isn’t going to change who I am.” I turned and stalked away, leaving Sam calling out after me to come back and wanting nothing more than to run as far away from him and this place as possible.
A while later as I sat on my bedroom floor burning the image of a wolf’s head onto a piece of poplar, I heard Lily and Sam downstairs talking. I got up and stood in my doorway, listening in on the conversation. As relieved as I was to learn that Bo had recovered from his near death experience, I couldn’t help but feel frustrated. Not to be free to run with the wolves, explore the woods, or go into town of my own free will made me feel trapped—a condition that every cell in my body resisted. Yet there I was—trapped in my room, trapped on this farm in the middle of nowhere, and trapped in my life. Then I heard Lily tell Sam that she was heading into town and ask if he needed anything.
I spent the next several minutes pacing back and fort
h in my small room like a caged animal, growing more restless to escape with every moment. It wasn’t fair that Lily could go wherever she wanted—do whatever she wanted, and never get into trouble for it.
Sam’s voice rose in warning. I caught the name “Josh Johnson” and a stern warning to “avoid strangers,” and then I heard the front door close. I watched out my window as Lily headed for the timber trail road. Fighting my urge to escape was futile. Against my better judgment, I climbed out my window, slid down the roof and dropped to the ground below, landing as softly as a cat. I followed far behind my sister. She really shouldn’t be traveling into town alone. Hadn’t Sam told me it was my job to protect her?
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew I was on shaky ground with my reasoning for ditching my confinement, but as I jogged silently through the woods behind Lily, I didn’t care. I was free. If Sam thought he could keep me locked away, it wasn’t happening. I pushed concerns about punishment to the back of my mind as I ducked behind trees and kept out of sight. My stealth mode was far superior to Lily’s, so it was easy to follow her undetected. Besides, I knew she was going to Mrs. Higgins’ store. First, to check on her patient, and second, to get me a birthday present. Another warm rush invaded my chest at the thought of Lily finding me exactly the right gift. She always seemed to know just what I needed.
As I came into town, the streets were already bustling with activity in spite of the early hour. I slipped into the shadows of buildings and alleyways. People wouldn’t say anything unkind to my face, but I could tell I made them nervous. It was best that I keep to myself. I stood across the street from Higgins Market, my back pressed up against the side of the Wyman’s clothier’s shop.
Not two minutes into her visit to town, Lily was in a confrontation with Josh and Luke Johnson. I peeked around the corner of the building to see if she needed my help, but she was already giving Josh an earful about picking on some kid who was down on his luck and new to town. Luke and Josh were shoving the kid back and forth like a sack of potatoes, and just as Lily intervened, the kid took off. I knew my interference wouldn’t improve the situation, so I stayed glued to the wall in the alley and listened. After a few more choice words from my sister, Josh and Luke headed toward the butcher shop.
Lily stopped in front of the door to Higgins Market and then quickly disappeared around the side of the building. I could see her peeking in the window and wondered what the heck she was up to. I shook my head at her weird behavior and then my attention was drawn to a more interesting sight.
The alley, normally empty, had a smart black vehicle with wide tires and darkened windows parked between the buildings. I studied the vehicle with a keen eye. Sam would kill for parts of that monster. I wondered who it belonged to. I had a fleeting thought about getting home ahead of Lily and hoping Sam hadn’t noticed I was gone, but I couldn’t resist checking out the black vehicle. With those wide tires and that suspension, the thing could go practically anywhere. The bumpers were squared-off and the front grill had a mean looking titanium alloy grid pattern. Cool-o indeed. I was peering into a darkened window trying to get a look at the interior, when a strong hand landed on my shoulder.
“Hey kid! What do think you’re doing?”
My heart slammed against my ribs as I spun and faced a large man at least a foot taller than me and a hundred pounds heavier. “I was…just looking. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
Steely gray eyes glared down at me. After a minute, he released the vice like grip on my arm. “You shouldn’t go messing around with government property.”
My stomach clenched at the realization that I was in the hands of an Industry agent. He was dressed all in black with the letter E etched into the hair on the side of his head—the Industry insignia. Sam had shown it to me in pictures, the letter E standing for Evolution—the last hope for humanity, according to whatever powers were still running our so-called country. I stepped back and stood taller, facing the man head on. “I wasn’t ‘messing’ with anything. Maybe you shouldn’t leave such a valuable asset untended.”
The man’s eyes widened—then crinkled at the corners as he studied me for a minute. “I like your spunk, kid. Maybe you can help me out.” He leaned against the car and crossed one ankle over the other, folding his arms much like Sam did when he was about to try to play me. “I’m looking for a boy about your age. He’s got a sister a few years older. You know anybody around here like that?”
I tried to keep my face blank, but I could feel sweat beading on my forehead. “No, Sir.” I cleared my throat. “What does he look like?”
“You see, that’s the thing. I don’t really know. But I’ll know him when I find him.” A bad feeling settled into my gut as his lips curved into a sideways smile. His eyes remained cool.
“How will you know him?” I asked, my voice a bit on the husky side.
“You’re full of questions, aren’t you, kid?” He uncrossed his leg and pushed away from the vehicle. “If you see this boy around, give him a message for me. Tell him…tell him Agent Marx would like to talk to him. Tell him I know what it’s like to be like him. Tell him if he wants to figure out how to manage his…condition, he should contact me.” He handed me a small communications device, not like anything I’d ever seen. “Tell him I’ll be around this area for a few more days—until I find him and his sister. It’s a shame, really,” he said, opening the heavy door of the vehicle, “I really only need the boy. But if I find out where they live, I might have to take the whole family in. Of course, the kid would be treated like royalty with the kind of condition he has, but the rest of the family…well, you just tell him to call me if you see him.”
The man got in, closed the door, and rumbled out onto Main Street, leaving me standing in the alley with the com unit in hand and my mouth hanging open.
Chapter 9
I took the back alleys and snuck out of town before anyone could stop me and ask why I was skulking around looking suspicious. I needed to try to beat Lily home, climb back up into my room and hope that Sam hadn’t been looking for me. It was a Monday and Sam let me sleep in, sometimes until noon. It was normally my one day without chores when I was free to do as I pleased. I had every intention of going straight home, until I saw Tyler walking along the side of the road with his fishing pole, headed toward the ravine.
Against my better judgment, I caught up and matched his long stride. “Hey Tyler. Going fishing, huh?”
He broke into a grin when he saw me. “Zeph…I haven’t seen you in a while.”
“I’ve been laying low. You know how it is.” If anyone understood me and my predicament, it was Tyler. He’d lost his mom the same way I had, more or less. I wasn’t sure about the details, but I knew she died in childbirth and I knew Tyler felt partially responsible. It was the one thing, besides fishing, that we had in common, though we didn’t talk about it much anymore.
“Yeah, this is the first time in months my dad has let me out of his sight. I figured I’d better make good use of his being too busy to pay attention.” Tyler rested the fishing pole over his shoulder. His skin was a shade lighter brown than that of his brothers. His mom must have been a white woman, whereas his dad’s skin was very dark. Tyler was a nice mix that gave him a mocha coloring and dark eyes that seemed deeper than a cavern, and equally as mysterious. Part of what made me like him was never knowing quite what was going on behind those eyes. He didn’t talk much, but I found his knowing expression to be comforting somehow.
“I know what you mean. Sam just tried to confine me. I don’t know why they think we need to be protected.” I kicked a rock, shooting it across the dusty road that led out of town and into the hills.
“Maybe it’s not us they’re trying to protect,” he said, raising an eyebrow in my direction.
“Yeah, maybe.” I’d been thinking the same thing but not willing to say it out loud. “Can I hang out with you for a while? I’m not ready to go home just yet.” An ache in my chest had taken up residence since
that Industry agent had laid out his threat. He hadn’t fooled me with his “tell-that-kid-if-you-see-him” routine. He obviously knew who I was and had been playing me, hoping I’d go with him willingly in return for him leaving my family alone. The com unit lay in my pocket, heavy for such a small device.
“Sure, c’mon.” Tyler picked up the pace. “So what’d you do to get on Sam’s bad side?”
I filled him in on the wild pig fiasco. Tyler was one of the few people who knew my secret and didn’t freak out about it. He had his own secret to protect, so we’d made a pact not to tell anyone what we knew about each other. “I don’t blame him for being tough on me about it, but he’s gotta’ know I don’t like that I have this…condition…any more than he does.”
“That’s a funny way to describe what you can do,” Tyler chuckled.
After a moment of considering the potential disaster my oversharing might cost me or our friendship, I told him about the Industry agent I’d met in town. “What do you think I should do?” I asked, already regretting my decision. “I mean, if I contact him and choose to go with him, it might save Sam and Lily a lot of grief. And maybe I would get some answers about how to control this freakin’ curse.” I kicked another rock.
“I hear you, man. I’d give anything to be able to tune out people’s thoughts and not see the crap that’s in their heads.” Tyler’s “gift” wasn’t any easier than mine to deal with in some ways. It kept him isolated, driven to the brink of insanity if exposed to a crowd.
“A sad pair we are, huh?” I nudged his shoulder and his face lit up with a wide grin.