by S. L. Hess
“This is quite a spread.” Brett looked around at the array of food Devan had prepared. It consisted of eggs, toast, elk sausage, pancakes, and hash.
“If we’re going to be leaving I wanted to use up as much of the food as possible.” Devan flipped a pancake with one hand while rotating the sausage with the other.
Brett sat down heavily at the kitchen table. “You’ve seen the sample?” His voice was weary, either from sleep or from the situation. Probably both.
“Yes.” Devan kept his attention on the food; moving the hash around and then buttering the toast.
“I’m sorry Devan.”
Brett’s apology surprised Devan. He wondered what the sorry was for; the wolves, The Company, having to leave, creating him, all the above.
“I know you are, Sam.” Devan used Sam’s true name―it seemed fitting― and tried to keep the same weariness out of his own voice. No need for both of them to sound so morose.
“I knew it was possible that this could happen; not all my research was destroyed in the fire we set before escaping. Many of my earlier test experiments were set aside into cryogenic storage. They must have been able to find someone to reverse analyze the experiments. From there they were then able to reconstruct them. When you mentioned the abnormalities of the wolf my first thought was of an experiment I had done involving wolves. I altered the animal with bear DNA to make it larger and bloodhound DNA to enhance its olfactory senses. They must have recreated the experiment with the sole purpose of finding you. The question is whether they were sent to locate or to kill you?”
Devan nodded. “Yes…I was wondering the same thing. The animal gave the impression it wanted me dead, but they might just need to make physical contact with me.” He replied evenly. “You know, it’s statistically improbable that one pack of wolves would have been able to track me down throughout the entire United States, Canada, Mexico, and South American regions. I wonder how many packs they’ve created.” Possibly dozens…and that was a sobering thought.
Another thought counteracted the anxiety. Although The Company had the means to generate as many animals as they wanted there were only so many handlers they could assign to them, at least those they would trust with the task. That left the possibility that the wolves were possibly left to roam free until they located their prey.
Brett nodded gravely. “Yes, I’m sure there are more.”
The food was done so Devan began shifting everything from the stove over to the table, after which he loaded up his plate and began to eat. Brett watched for a moment before doing the same.
For the first time ever Devan wasn’t all that hungry, but he needed to fill in some time. However, it wasn’t long before they were both picking at what was left, putting off the conversation that needed to come next, and it wasn’t hard to see that Brett could barely maintain a serene demeanor with the probability of The Company bearing down on them at any possible moment.
Brett broke the laden silence, his voice heavy in urgency. “We should probably start getting ready; there’s no telling what kind of tracking system The Company has on the wolves. They may be monitoring the wolves’ movements; for all we know they could be on their way at this very moment.” He stood up, not bothering to take care of the dirty dishes.
Brett went to the hall closet for boxes that they stored just for the purpose of moving…preparation was paramount. He then proceeded to the office to pack up the laboratory equipment.
Knowing he had held them up longer than he should have Devan followed suit.
Even though they had never had to leave this hastily before they were prepared for the eventuality. Devan’s first responsibility was to get all their necessary papers.
Sprinting out the back door he snatched up a steel pipe and ran in a straight line for a hundred yards from the corner of the house halting in front of a medium sized boulder. No one who came across it would think that under it were forged papers essential for their next life; mainly because it was a three hundred pound boulder no one person would likely be able to move.
Levering the steel pipe under the boulder, Devan used another smaller boulder as a fulcrum to raise the boulder enough so he could reach the papers underneath it. The documents were in a plastic bag to keep them protected from environmental damage. There were two other separate locations where they had additional documents hidden, lest the house be compromised, but they could be left where they were, it was highly improbable anyone would find them.
After a quick change of clothes Devan loaded just the essentials Brett had packed plus a few things of his own. Ten minutes later they were standing in the driveway ready to leave.
“So, Denver, right?” Devan asked, striding toward the jeep. They’d made arrangements when they’d moved here for Denver to be their exit city.
“Yes.” Brett replied, opening the door to his truck.
That would take them back through town…past Laney’s house.
“We’ll stop and fill up with fuel before we leave.” Brett called before slamming his door.
Driving past Laney’s house Devan slowed down in the hopes of one last glimpse, from a window, or even better outside walking around, but the house was completely still. If he hadn’t canceled their plans last night, and wasn’t skipping town, she would have been heading over to his house right now.
That thought didn’t help Devan’s mood, which was getting darker by the minute. He had been keeping his emotions under tight control since this morning, when he’d stopped deluding himself and realized they would have to leave, but Devan could feel anger building deep inside of him and he wasn’t sure how long he would be able to contain it.
The anger he felt toward The Company was expected, but Devan was shocked by the resentment he was also feeling toward Brett. It wasn’t rational; Brett was the reason Devan was alive and no longer caged, and he was in just as much danger as Devan if he was caught, but the animosity simmered none-the-less.
The road through town was unaccountably busy; the curbs lined with vehicles leading up to and past The Diner. The Diner itself was packed full of people inside and out, even more than last night, but the atmosphere was a lot less exuberant; more focused and intense. The presence of the police cruisers increased the seriousness of the whole appearance.
The first thing that crossed Devan’s mind was that the wolves must have made another emergence.
As Devan passed he wasn’t able to catch too many conversations, but he did catch a few stray comments on the unbelievable aspect of the whole situation. Slowing even more Devan hoped to catch a glimpse of Laney in the crowd, but he didn’t see her anywhere; her or her father. He did see the back of Hali’s head inside the restaurant. She was leaning into another woman’s body; the woman had her arm around her as if trying to comfort her.
This scene caused a surge of disquiet to zip through Devan’s body, especially since he could see no sign of Laney. He noticed that Jarrod and his vehicle were absent also.
The disquiet upgraded to full-fledged alarm.
Brett had pulled into the fuel station and was already filling up his truck. Pulling up behind him Devan jumped from the jeep and strode directly into the store up to the counter.
“What’s happened?” Devan demanded.
The middle aged woman behind the counter just stared at him in astonishment; either at his abruptness or his physical appearance. Devan didn’t have time for her to acclimate.
“What is going on at The Diner?” He repeated forcefully.
She blinked in unease, but her brain recognized his commanding tone. “Oh, well...two teenagers went missing; they seem to have disappeared last night. There’s speculation on whether they went for a late night stroll and got lost in the woods, or whether there’s something more sinister involved. I myself knew them to be good friends. Seen them together often, they even worked together. The girl’s father of course insists that his daughter would never have gone off into the woods like that at night, especially since there are
possible rabid wolves roaming the woods, but teenagers these days. Oh, okay...” She trailed off as Devan turned away and left the store.
Devan didn’t need to hear anymore, even though she hadn’t named the individuals Devan knew who she was talking about. Hali being comforted, two teenagers who had been friends and worked together; Devan knew it was Laney and Jarrod.
Brett had just finished filling up his tank when Devan walked up. “Do you need any…?” He halted mid-question. “What’s happened?” His tone switched from placidly urgent to alarm at whatever he saw on Devan’s face, and Devan couldn’t help wondering what he was seeing. Agony, anger, guilt, despair; they were all crushing down on him.
“Laney,” was all he was able to choke out.
Brett’s expression became even more alarmed and he stepped forward to grip Devan’s arms. “What is it? Does it have something to do with what’s going on in town? Were the wolves seen again?”
Devan swallowed with difficulty, but it seemed to get rid of the lump in his throat so he could speak. “I can’t leave. Laney’s been kidnapped and I have to go find her.” He turned for the jeep.
Brett skipped after him. “Devan, stop! What exactly is going on? What do you mean Laney’s been kidnapped?”
Devan’s only thought was to get to Laney as he walked away from Brett. He jumped into the jeep realizing he had left it running.
Brett ran up to the window reached his arm in and grabbed the wheel. “What is going on?” He demanded. The tone of his voice made it known that he wanted an answer, and Devan could tell by the death grip he had on the wheel he wasn’t going to make it easy for Devan to leave without detaching Brett’s hold forcibly.
Devan turned to look him in the face. Brett jerked back reflexively a flicker of trepidation in his eyes and Devan again wondered fleetingly what he saw.
“Laney has been kidnapped by another student who has a very unhealthy interest in her. He’s taken her who knows where, and I need to find her.” Devan had to maintain a tight grip on the desire to rip Brett’s hands from the steering wheel, or his arms from his shoulder sockets.
“You have to find her?” He asked, looking confused.
“Yes.” Devan’s voice was rough as he strained to control his emotions. A massive wave of fury and anguish was rolling through him and he didn’t know if he could contain it for long.
“It would be too much of a risk for you to stay.” Brett stated reasonably.
Devan’s mind was way past reasoning with. The only thought in his head was finding Laney and nothing was going to sway him from it.
“The night we left the facility you told me that you had created me in the hopes of giving back to the world, well this is one of those ways. It sounds like he took her into the forest and if that is true then I’m uniquely qualified to find her, quickly and with little effort. I’ll stay out of it officially so no one will know I’m involved, and if The Company comes looking I’ll be in the perfect environment to hide from them.” Devan was surprised he was able to articulate logically past the angry haze and pounding pressure in his head.
Brett raised an eyebrow at Devan’s explanation, but having utilized Brett’s own words he could hardly argue with them. Instead he offered up another obstruction. “What about the wolves.”
“I can handle the wolves.” Devan clipped curtly.
“You didn’t do so well the last time.”
“That’s because I was in a small enclosed space,” Devan growled fiercely, unable to contain his patience any longer. “The forest is a lot more area to evade…and conquer. We really don’t need the extra hassle of them on our trail anyway.” If Devan came across those wolves again he would destroy them.
Brett’s brow furrowed in incomprehension at Devan’s evident anger, but he nodded catching the gist of his meaning. Now that Devan had given Brett a logical and rational basis for his behavior Brett was less inclined to argue.
Brett pulled his hand away from the steering wheel. “Yes, that might be a good idea; having modified animals pursuing us constantly could be problematic. You believe you can take care of them with no problem?” He asked, anxiously.
“Yes.” Devan stated, with no hesitation.
Brett sighed and then nodded slowly.
Finally! “I will meet you at Cornett Condominiums when I finish.” Devan stated putting the jeep in gear.
Brett reached his hand back in through the window, gripping Devan’s arm. “Just be careful Devan; who knows what this young man might be carrying, and don’t take any unnecessary risks with the wolves, utilize your training.” He squeezed Devan’s arm to emphasize his point.
Devan nodded in acquiesce and Brett stepped back away from the vehicle. Devan reversed out of the lot, his only thought on finding Laney. The Company, Jarrod, and the wolves were just inconsequential factors that revolved around her.
Parking on the main road with the rest of the vehicles he made his way over to The Diner. In just the short time he’d been at the fuel station even more people had arrived. The parking lot consisted of mostly teenagers, huddled together whispering about the circumstances revolving around the suggested kidnapping.
A multitude of heads turned in Devan’s direction as he made his way past. Even with his hood up and sunglasses on everyone recognized him because of his height. Many of the individuals had seen him with Laney last night and they were whispering to others in their group on whether his presence had some impact on the situation.
Striding through front door Devan headed straight to Hali who had her head on the table; she appeared to be sleeping. Devan had told Brett that no one was going to know he was involved, but he needed to find out as much information as he could, even if it brought him some attention.
Hali was thankfully sitting alone, the woman who had been sitting next to her gone for the moment. Normally Devan would hesitate in making contact with another person, but he had no such difficulty this time. Sliding into the booth, he gripped Hali’s shoulder and gave her a slight shake.
She pulled her head up groggily, red bloodshot eyes blinking heavily trying hard to focus, her hair stuck up where it had been laying on her arm. She looked childlike in her sleepy state, free of make-up.
“Hali, you need to tell me what happen.” Devan commanded.
Her bleary gaze looked around before focusing on him. “What time is it?”
“It’s close to ten.”
Her expression drooped. “I must have just fallen asleep,” she muttered, rubbing her eyes. “I can’t believe what’s happen. Did you hear?”
Devan understood that she was half asleep and groggy, but his impatience was hard to contain. Time was slipping away as he sat here trying to find out what happen. “Only a little, can you please tell me what you know?” He repeated urgently.
She sighed heavily, the sigh breaking in distress. “All we know is that Laney’s father called the police early this morning to report that Laney was gone. He found her phone which had a text message on it from Jarrod saying he was outside her house and would she come outside to talk. The text message showed that it came in around midnight.” Hali breathed in a shaky breath before continuing. “Jarrod’s truck was found at around seven o’clock this morning at Pine Bridge Falls, but there was no sign of Jarrod or Laney. Nick has been telling the police that Laney would never have taken off in the middle of the night to go for a walk in the woods. He’s been saying that Jarrod must have made her go somehow. I’ve been telling them of how Jarrod’s been acting lately and that they’ve been arguing.” She looked up with tears forming in her eyes and continued with a trembling voice. “No one wants to believe that Jarrod took Laney against her will, but she would know better than to take off in the middle of the night and above all to go into the woods for a walk at night; especially with wolves roaming nearby. I can’t imagine what Jarrod was thinking.”
By the end of Hali’s story Devan’s nerves were stretched to the breaking point…she’d been gone for ten hours already!
Hali had taken the napkin and was rubbing it roughly across her eyes. “Yes,” she answered, looking up in surprise. “That’s right; Laney took you there Sunday, didn’t she.” Hali reached her hand across the table, taking his hand in hers. The contact was unexpected, but he maintained enough control to not jerk away at the unaccustomed touch.
“You know, I really think she likes you,” she said with a watery smile, “but don’t you dare tell her I told you that.”
Devan heard the footsteps walking up to the table before he heard the voice.
“Hali honey, how are you doing?”
The voice was from the woman he had seen holding Hali earlier. Her gaze was skipping back and forth between him, Hali, and their hands. Devan disengaged immediately.
“I’m doing okay mom.” Hali answered, blowing her nose. She pointed a finger his way. “This is Devan, a friend mine and Laney’s.”
Hali’s declaration of friendship had him stumped for second. He found himself starring down at her unable to make a reply.
“Hello Devan,” the mother acknowledged sadly. “It’s unfortunate that we have to meet during this time of misfortune.” She sat down on the other side of Hali.
Devan was impatient to leave and start his search for Laney but he took a moment to do something uncharacteristic; reaching out he gave Hali’s hand a squeeze of reassurance. “Everything will work out.” She returned the grip her watery blue eyes full of uncertainty and fear.
Standing up Devan took a few awkward steps backwards the urge to hunt overpowering. He spun away from their bewildered expressions and rushed out the door.
Uncaring of the stares that followed him Devan dashed for the jeep; he retained enough control to make it look like a normal run. Hopping in the vehicle he did a u-turn in the road heading in the direction of the falls.