by Sandra Knauf
“What happened last night has been all over the news, sweetie. Today has been an awakening.”
Grandma Wren, now sitting in a chair next to the window, nodded in agreement.
“Void’s spin people are trying to say the live footage from the laboratory was a hoax, but the public isn’t buying it. There’s been an energy in the air, like nothing I’ve felt before. An enthusiasm about opening our eyes to issues that have been ignored for too long. But some people aren’t so enthusiastic. Especially Ms. Tiffany Taylor.” She picked up the remote control and pressed a button.
“There she is again,” Grandma Wren said. “The same interview we’ve seen three times.”
Zera, taking another drink of water, looked up and almost choked. Tiffany, nearly large as life. “Could you turn it up, please?” she asked. “I want to hear what she’s saying.”
Hattie groaned. “If you insist.”
“Yes, I am planning to sue,” Tiffany declared to the female interviewer. She looked great; clean clothes, hair and make-up done to perfection. She wore pink, of course. “I am in the process of preparing to sue the Void Chemical Corporation and these people called the Green Guerrillas. And also Theodore Green.” Tiffany’s hand moved up nervously towards her chin and then back down to her lap.
The two women, sitting in upholstered chairs, looked like they were chatting in a cozy living room. Before them on a glass coffee table was an enormous floral arrangement. Zera noticed that most of the flowers in the arrangement were lilies. Now that’s ironic.
“Mr. Green is your boyfriend?”
“Ex-boyfriend.”
The reporter looked into the camera. “That would be Theodore Green, president of the Biotechnology Division at Void Corporation. He and Troy Sylvan, head of VCC’s Research and Development, were picked up in Colorado and taken to L.A. this morning for questioning. Police are still looking for Lily Gibbons, leader of the Green Guerrillas, an environmental activism group, and other members of that group.” The interviewer locked eyes with Tiffany. “I believe Theodore Green is being accused of being part of the Green Guerrillas. Did you have any knowledge of that?”
“There is no doubt in my mind that Theodore was involved in this all along.”
“Why do you say that, Ms. Taylor?”
“He’s known that woman, Lily, since high school. He had photos of her in his home.”
“I see.” The reporter leaned forward. “You claim you were kidnapped by the Green Guerrillas, is that right? And you escaped yesterday?”
“I was kidnapped and . . . tortured.” Tiffany’s eyes glazed with tears, her voice in a whimper. “And then . . . I know you’ll find this hard to believe, but when I escaped, they had plants there that, who, attacked me.”
“Plants?” the reporter’s eyes widened.
“Yes,” Tiffany said, shifting in her chair, not so comfortable any longer. “When I got out of that horrible farmhouse, vines wrapped around my ankles before I could get to the road. They pulled me down. They held me down until after dark!”
“Then they released you?”
“Yes.”
The reporter, eyebrows raised, nodded. “There have been similar reports from men who worked for VCC. They claim that they were attacked by plants at the Research and Development facility. But the satellite transmission showed nothing like that. What it did show was footage of some horrendous secret human organ experimentation. Footage that VCC claims to be fake. The live streaming showed Void’s employees holding the Green Guerrillas at gunpoint. Then the footage stops. We’re not even sure how the Green Guerrillas escaped.”
“I don’t care how they escaped.” Tiffany sniffed. “As long as they find them and arrest them. And I’m telling you. It did happen. The plants are in on it!” She peered nervously into the floral arrangement. “That’s not real, is it? Wait . . . are those lilies?”
The camera zoomed in on the interviewer. “So there we have it. Conflicting reports on what happened last night. Void Chemical Corporation claims it’s a hoax, but is filing breaking and entering charges against the Green Guerrillas. And now we have Tiffany Taylor saying it was not a hoax, at least not what she experienced.
“To recap: Last night a satellite transmission went out all over the world, showing some horrific animal-plant, human-plant experimentation going on at Void Chemical Corporation. The transmissions are now being examined for authenticity. Members of an environmental group called the Green Guerrillas have claimed responsibility, and police are looking for them. Members include Lily Gibbons, Cornelius Curtis, Drew Bly, and James Dubson. Two prominent members of Void Chemical Corporation are also allegedly involved, Troy Sylvan, head of VCC Research and Development, and Theodore Green, who had just signed on as president of VCC’s Biotechnology Division. Green was an employee of Biotech Multinational, the company that recently opened the highly successful Burger Depot franchises, and he is also the youngest son of Guinevere Green, former owner of the once world-renowned Green Seed Company.
“Other authorities, including the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Agriculture, and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, have announced investigations as well.
“The whole world is watching this story. As we speak, protests are being held at VCC Headquarters in Los Angeles and at all their offices around the world. You can be sure Channel 10 will be watching this story closely and reporting developments as they come to light. Thank you, Ms. Taylor.”
The camera cut to Tiffany, who was still staring at the flower arrangement with a frightened intensity, as if it might attack. She had lost her tigery spirit; she now seemed more like a frightened pussycat ready to scat at a moment’s notice.
A male reporter’s face appeared. “That was footage from this morning’s interview. On breaking news, we have learned that Guinevere Green died today. Ms. Green was Theodore Green’s mother. She passed away early this morning at Peak County Hospital near Ute Springs, Colorado. Hospital sources say she had been ill with a heart condition for some time.”
Zera hadn’t noticed that Cosmic Dan and Ben had walked in. Hattie turned off the set.
“I’m sorry,” Dan said to Zera, bending down to hug her.
“So am I, Zera,” said Ben and put a hand on Zera’s shoulder.
“Thanks.” The air around her seemed dense with a suffocating sadness. She needed air. Zera turned to Hattie. “Is there any way I can get out of this room for a little while?”
Chapter Thirty-five
Theodore had not been formally charged, yet. Under the advice of his attorney, he had left the police station to go outside with Langston Void alone, to talk. They sat in the back of his limousine. Theodore couldn’t remember when he had been more exhausted; it took all his willpower just to hold it together. When will this nightmare end? he thought. I just want to get back; to Zera, to home.
“I’m sorry about your mother,” said Langston. “I really am.”
The expression on Langston’s face said he wasn’t lying; in fact, Theodore was shocked to see how upset he looked.
Langston continued, “I’m sorry, but we’ve got to make some decisions about what’s going to happen now. The media’s all over this and they’re going to want answers.”
“We tell them the truth,” said Theodore.
“I can’t do that. There’s too much at stake.”
“Yes, I agree, there is too much at stake. That’s why we’re telling them the truth!”
“You don’t get it,” Langston said. “I can’t let it end like this. I won’t.” Langston’s voice grew quiet. “I do care about your future, regardless of what’s happened, but I won’t lose everything I’ve worked for. You have to come back to the company.”
Theodore couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Are you insane? Did you not experience what I did last night? Those . . . those green gods, whatever they were? You don’t know what you’re messing with Langston. I know I don’t either, but I have some idea now!”
Langston shrugged. “The Green Guerillas had some kind of knock-out gas. I’m pretty sure we were all under the influence of some kind of hallucinogenic substance last night — probably something they drugged you with when they kidnapped you.”
Theodore shook his head. “You’re crazy.”
“Maybe. But I can’t let this happen. You have to listen to me. If you come back, I’ll make sure Lily doesn’t go to jail, that none of them go to jail when they are caught, and I promise you they will be caught. But if you don’t, if you go against me . . .” He swallowed hard. “You could lose custody of your niece and go to prison. Then what will happen to Zera?”
Theodore stared at him.
“You must decide now. I took you to your mother last night, and then I had to have you arrested. You see that, don’t you? I have control here.”
After all this? This is what it comes to? For an instant Theodore thought about what his mother would want, what she’d do, and he knew that she would certainly tell Langston Void to shove it right up his . . . But before that thought was complete, another came: She made a mess out of things too, in her life. I can’t make her mistakes. I can’t leave Zera. I’m all she has now.
Theodore stared into Langston’s already-triumphant green eyes.
Chapter Thirty-six
“I heard they’ve been camping outside all night,” Theodore said to Zera. It was morning again, and he’d just gotten back from Los Angeles. The group had gathered at the hospital exit; Zera was in a wheelchair, a nurse at her side. The others were standing close by, waiting until Theodore gave the go-ahead for them to leave the hospital and take on the media crowd.
Hattie peered out the glass door over his shoulder. “It’s going to be tough getting out of here without a scene. It’s like piranha-infested waters.”
“People should know the truth,” Zera said. “We need to tell them.”
“Listen, Zera,” said Theodore. “Let’s not say anything today. There’s a lot that’s going on that I’ll tell you about later. Stuff about Lily, the others . . .”
What is going on with him? Zera wondered. There’s something he’s hiding.
“It’ll be okay,” said Dan. “It’s just a crowd.”
“A crowd?” whispered Hattie. “That’s an understatement.”
“We can handle it,” said Ben, trying to be upbeat.
Hattie turned to Grandma Wren, whose ancient face showed only curiosity.
The nurse moved into position behind Zera’s wheelchair. “We can call Security for an escort, Mr. Green,” she offered.
“It’s not necessary,” Theodore turned to Hattie. “Don’t worry, Hat, it’ll be fine.” To Zera he said, “You ready?”
“It’s weird to be in a wheelchair. But I guess I’m ready.”
“Hospital rules, honey,” said Hattie. “Once you get out the door, you can stand up and walk out of here.”
Cosmic Dan grasped one of the door’s metal bars. “I’d feel better if I spoke to them first. I’ll be back in a sec.”
He stepped through the door. The hum of activity turned into a clamor as Dan faced the swarm — reporters, television crews, photographers, and behind them all, a crowd of onlookers. The group numbered well over a hundred.
The ruckus died down as all eyes studied Cosmic Dan. Murmurs traveled through the throng as they took in his appearance: tall, thin, middle-aged, and good-looking. Cameras flashed. Then came shouting: “Where’s Theodore Green?” “When is he coming out?”
Dan raised one large hand in an appeal for silence and waited for the crowd to quiet. “Theodore’s niece just came out of a coma yesterday,” he said calmly. “Both the Greens have lost a loved one. You’ll need to back off the sidewalk. Please.”
The crowd obliged. Dan disappeared behind the doors, and a moment later they all stepped into the sun.
The throng waited as Zera rose from the chair. Ben went to her other side and stayed there. Cameras flashed as her uncle put his hand on her shoulder and whispered, “It’ll be all right.”
The crowd closed in as Dan led the way. Reporters shouted. “Mr. Green, Mr. Green!”
Theodore glanced in the direction of one of the voices and its owner bellowed, “Can you tell us anything about your arrest?”
“No comment.”
Zera looked at her uncle. Why won’t he say anything?
“But what about the accusations, Mr. Green?” chirped a small woman at Zera’s side. She directed a microphone toward Theodore’s face. “Was Void Corporation performing those horrible scientific experiments?”
“I’ve been advised not to make any statements.”
That comment was met with a dozen more questions as they worked their way through the crowd.
“What about Lily Gibbons? What is your relationship with her?”
“I’m not answering any more questions,” said Theodore. “Not today. There’s been a death in our family — please have some respect!”
As the group inched towards the parking lot, a reporter bulldozed his way toward them. He accidentally knocked into Cosmic Dan in an attempt to get closer to Zera. Behind him, a camerawoman trained her lens on the girl.
“For goodness sake, man!” said Dan. Ben’s shoulder was touching Zera’s, and she felt him grow tense, saw that his hands were balled into fists.
Hattie, behind them, raised an arm to shield her grandmother. “What a jerk!”
The young blond reporter ignored them both. “Miss Green,” he beckoned, “I’ve been doing some research into your family, and legend has it that the Greens can talk with plants. How about you? Can you communicate with plants? Do they talk back?”
Zera stopped, turned to the reporter. “Yes, I can. And yes, they do.”
The reporter’s mouth dropped open as Zera added, “And what I can do, everyone can do.”
Cameras flashed all around her. A few snickers rippled through the crowd. Zera took a breath, slowly, mindfully. She didn’t feel self-conscious in the chaos. She felt at peace. And, in spite of everything, she felt stronger than ever before.