by Jenna Payne
Micah was supposed to stick with Drake so they could protect each other. But she had veered away from the plan. She'd managed to slip away from Drake so she could carry out her secret scheme.
Soon she found what she was looking for- the cell where Shelley was being held. It was on one of the top floors; a special cell that was separate from the other chambers for prisoners. She walked up to the two cyborg guards dressed in the same uniform she was wearing.
"Hey, who are you?" one of the cyborgs asked in a puzzled voice. "You're not supposed to be in here. Only the two of us are assigned here."
Micah took off her cap, revealing her blonde hair and recognizable face. "Hi," she greeted them without any trepidation. "My name's Micah Morgan. I believe the entire force has been looking all over the city for me."
The two cyborgs exchanged a confounded look. Then one of them stared at her and she saw the recognition in his eyes. "It's really her." He hissed to his partner.
"I've come to turn myself in," Micah told them calmly. "In exchange for Shelley's freedom, of course. Call the General and tell him of my offer."
One of the cyborgs suddenly lunged at her, but she was quick to evade his advances. She threw off his punch, sidestepped him, and was able to give him a good kick to the shin and then his stomach. He doubled over but did not seem to be in much pain. He was fast to recover, and the other cyborg stopped him before he could attack her again. "Let's call the General," he said.
Micah smiled at both of them, crossed her arms, and waited patiently. The cyborg whom she'd kicked was red in the face and seemed absolutely furious and humiliated. But he could not do anything for the time being.
"He's coming," the other cyborg said, after using his hi-tech radio to contact their superior. "He wants to personally put you in jail."
"I hope he kills you right away." The angry one sneered.
Micah gave a small laugh and simply ignored him. After just a minute, she found herself being looked over by a muscular gray-haired man who looked regal, yet cruel. He had a scowl on his face, which quickly transformed into a leer when he saw her. "Why, hello, Miss Morgan," he drawled on, with feigned friendliness. "I am deeply honored by your presence. I heard of your offer, which certainly made my day."
Micah met his gaze. She didn't back down even when he stepped forward in an intimidating fashion. He stared at her in silence for a few seconds, before finally motioning for the two cyborg guards to release Shelley.
"Micah!" Shelley screamed in relief, when she was taken out of the enclosed cell. But she was still restrained by handcuffs and held tight by the guards.
"Escort her outside," the General commanded them. He flicked open a device in his hand, which showed a screen with the camera footage of the exit area. "I keep my word, Morgan. Watch."
"Where's my brother?" Shelley asked, as she was led down the hall toward the elevators.
Micah did not give a response. She noticed about five cyborgs positioning around her. Ten, nine, eight… she counted in her mind.
Somebody pulled her hands forcefully behind her back and placed handcuffs on them. She did not protest even though she had not seen Shelley yet on the video.
"Don't worry," the General assured her, holding up his modern gadget.
After a few more seconds, Micah saw Shelley being forced out of the building through the exit, while she kept on asking where her brother was. The doors were secured when she was finally out.
Five, four, three… Micah continued to count silently.
At this time, the General had turned toward her with a wide smile. "I'm still wondering whether to keep you alive for a few more days so I could watch you suffer and wither," he said in a vicious tone.
One, she finished counting.
At that instant, there was a deafening explosion from below them, causing the building to shake and throwing them all off balance. But Micah knew what was about to happen, so she had the upper hand over all of them. She reacted instantly and quickly lifted her leg and kicked the General in the upper thigh and rammed her elbow in his face, hard. She moved away swiftly and efficiently avoided the nearest cyborg who tried to pounce on her.
She ran as fast as she could, her hands bound at her back. She sprinted and then rolled on the floor as bullets and laser beams zoomed past her. She got up at once and aimed for the door to the General's office. She banged hard on the hard door and dropped to the ground. As she was rolling over and pushing herself up again, she saw Drake coming toward her, shooting at the cyborgs who were after her.
When he'd killed them all, he turned to her with ferocity. "What were you thinking?" he shouted angrily.
"Undo my handcuffs," Micah demanded. He quickly melted the metal with a special weapon he was carrying in his jacket.
Micah didn't even wait for him to speak again. She didn't even have time to thank him. As soon as her hands were free, she grabbed the spare laser gun hanging on his belt and pointed it at the door. She was able to drill a hole and reach in to unlock it. They both burst inside and started rummaging through the office.
"I'll guard the door," Drake muttered after a while.
"The General will not come without backup," Micah said.
"I know, but he's probably coming now with some," Drake said. "Even if we were able to distract them temporarily, cyborgs move very fast."
Micah had learned everything she knew about computers and gadgets from her good ole friend Stan. Even if he was currently in hiding, she could feel his presence as she rapidly typed and tapped on the touchscreen computer monitors in the office. She entered and re-entered passwords. Time was running out. She needed to figure this out fast. And suddenly a name popped in her head. Last Standing Renegades. No way. He wouldn’t. She entered the words and gained access to the main server. She would contemplate that password at a later time. Right now, she was in his files. She popped in the extra special flash drive that Stan had created for her, that downloaded files in quarter seconds and Micah got to download a bunch of files before they heard a commotion outside the General’s office.
The cyborgs had arrived, along with the General. Drake and Micah blasted away as they backed toward the other end of the room. Many went down injured or dead. But the General, who'd been cowering behind them, had suddenly shown himself. He was armed too, and was quick to shoot at both of them.
Micah yelped as she felt a searing pain in her shoulder but she kept firing back. Adrenaline was rushing through her body and she barely felt the pain.
"Run to the elevator at the other end!" Drake shouted, as he fought with the General. "There's a secret passageway from there."
"You traitor!" the General roared, clawing at his face.
Micah wanted to stay and help him, but when he yelled "Run!" again, she found her feet dashing toward the secret elevator and going down a narrow underground passageway. She kept going because she knew that she still had to destroy the laboratory and factory of the happy pills and other medications the New Government had been working on.
When she reached the end of the tunnel and pushed open the heavy metal door, she was greeted by bright sunlight. She refused to think about Drake's condition as she made her way toward the next building. There wasn’t anyone else around, as they were probably all on red alert inside the police tower.
She came upon the modern structure that housed the laboratory and factory. She snuck toward the back and found the lever that Drake had told her about. She pulled it down with all her might, to sound the warning alarm. In less than a minute, people were spilling from the building to the outdoor area of the compound. These were doctors, technicians, and other workers whom she did not want killed in what she was about to do.
When she was positive they were all outside, she pulled the bomb out from the bottom hidden part of her pants. She threw it into one of the open windows, screamed for everyone to run, and ran with them too.
The loud explosion made people run faster, and scatter off in all directions. She blended in with the
crowd, but was determined to get back into the headquarters. Just as she was nearing it, though, she was tossed back by the impact of yet another explosion. The building was consumed in large flames of fire.
She stopped and stared in stunned belief. "No," she screamed, color draining from her face as she thought of Drake.
Behind her, Shelley was running, screaming, and crying. Micah caught her before she could enter the building. "Drake, no!" she cried. Micah held her tightly as another part of the building erupted into more flames.
"Maybe he'd gotten out already," Micah whispered. Her eyes scanned the grounds around her while Shelley continued to cry hysterically. Drake was nowhere in sight.
*****
Micah gazed up at the night stars while leaning against the side of the abandoned van where she had first made love with Drake and shared her dreams with him. A tear fell down her cheek and she quickly brushed it away.
I have to remain strong. I have yet to find where Stan is now. I will look for him tomorrow and he will help me with the completion of my mission.
She was one step away from victory, yet she felt so empty and miserable. Her thoughts kept on drifting back to Drake, even though she wanted to just forget about him. Besides, she had no proof whatsoever if he had been able to get out of the building or not, before it had exploded. I must have faith. She told herself repeatedly.
"Hey," she heard a low voice say from afar, making her look up. She squinted, trying to make out if there was someone in the shadows.
And there he was there. A well-built figure stepped out of the darkness. Half-illuminated by the moon, she could barely see his features. But she would recognize him anywhere. His brown eyes seemed to glow with joy at seeing her too. And before he could close the gap between them, she met him halfway and threw her arms around his neck.
"You're here," she kept saying.
"Yes, I'm okay," Drake confirmed, wrapping his arms around her waist and bringing her closer to his body. "I'm definitely okay."
"Thank God," she whispered. And then their lips were on each other once more, the hunger and passion and fear dragging them in. They kissed desperately, expressing how they truly missed and cared for one another. Their bodies seemed to merge as clothes slipped off piece by piece.
Drake opened the back of the van and grabbed the raggedy blanket from the cold metal floor of the van. They stumbled their way toward a clearing of grass under a tree and Drake pushed Micah gently down to the ground. He kissed her soft pouty lips. “I never doubted I wouldn’t see you again,” he said against her lips, and kissed her deeper. His hands slid over her body and caressed her skin gently. Drake felt goosebumps rising against his fingers. She moaned and writhed under his touch. “Drake.” She moaned breathlessly. “Pleaaaase. I need you.” Drake dragged his lips down her neck and sucked on her skin before continuing down to her chest. Both of her nipples puckered as he wrapped his hot, hungry mouth around one turgent nipple, and her back arced up from the blanket. Micah dug her fingers into Drake’s biceps and squeezed. He was devouring her slowly, and it was killing her. She was desperate for him. She squirmed her body and pulled Drake further over her body. He dug his erection against her hip and Micah moaned. She spread her legs open and his body slid between hers. He rubbed against her and she thrust against him. He was reaching his hand between their bodies but she stopped him. “Let me,” she whispered.
Their hearts were pounding against each other. Drake watched as Micah slid her hand between their bodies and wrapped her long fingers around his erection. His cock throbbed and pulsed at the sweet sensation of her fingers squeezing around him. He moaned. He raised his head and looked Micah straight in the eyes. “Put me inside you Micah.” She moaned and squeezed her hand tighter around him. He gasped. She rubbed him against her hot, wet center and spread her legs wider. She pushed the tip of him into her body and pulled her hand away. “No, put your hand back around me.” He moaned. “Just for a minute. I love feeling your hand where we are joined.” He kissed her deeply and she slid her hand down and wrapped it around his shaft. Drake slid one hand up and intertwined his fingers with Micah’s free hand, and slowly pushed into her body. They moaned in unison. “God.” He laughed. “No, not God. Drake.”
She leaned in and kissed him. Drake pushed himself fully into her body. Micah pulled her hand away and thrust back against him. Intense heat spread through her body and she gripped every inch of her body around Drake. Their movements were slow and sensual. They were finding a rhythm with their bodies and kissing deeper, hungrier. “Micah.” Drake moaned. “You feel so good wrapped around me sweetheart. I’m so close. I want you with me. Cum with me, Micah.” Micah moaned at his seductive tone. Her pleasure accelerated through her body. He was begging her. So hot. Every inch of her tingled. She was thrusting and clenching and squeezing Drake as he thrust hard and stopped moving. She felt him. Pulsing inside her. It was incredible. She could feel his heat. They kissed through their mutual orgasms. Their connection sealed with the intimate encounter.
In the midst of the forest, they lay on their backs and visualized the future world they had been dreaming of. Now there was hope, there was a light they had been waiting for in the dark tunnel. And now there was love sparking between them, connecting their souls somehow.
*****
"Ready?" Stan asked, adjusting the video camera he had set up which was now directed at Micah.
She nodded and smiled confidently at the camera. They were actually in an old basement which Stan had converted into a makeshift TV studio. Hiding from the authorities had not done him well, as he was now thinner than ever. His cheeks seemed hollow and his skin was dry and coarse. Micah felt sorry for him, but knew that it was going to be all over soon. They would finally be able to fulfill the mission and become free, just like the rest of the humans.
Behind Stan, Drake smiled at her and gave her a thumbs-up sign.
She nodded at him and mouthed "thanks." Then she faced the camera, took a deep breath, and began her speech about the secret plans of the New Government. She talked about what the happy pills actually do to people and the long-term damaging effects they had on human beings. She showed all the supporting information she had uncovered from the General's computer files.
All across the globe, her video was being shown… and watched. She knew there would be a lot of people who wouldn't be ready to accept the truth. But there were bound to be supporters. This exposure would surely awaken some from the trance induced by the drugs from the government.
Micah then thought of her best friend, Elise. She looked forward to being seeing her again someday, just like old times. Then she thought of her family in heaven, who were probably looking down at her now with pride and happiness.
Her heart soared with relief and gladness as she ended her presentation.
"It's a wrap," Stan declared. "You did it, Micah. I'm so proud of you. You really did it."
"Thanks, Stan," Micah replied. She went over to join hands with Drake. "We both did it. And of course without you, we wouldn't be able to bring the news to the whole world. So you are part of this victory too."
Stan grinned. "Glad to be of service."
As he packed up all the stuff, Micah and Drake headed upstairs to the cozy, beautifully designed home that used to be owned by one of the members of the Last American Renegades.
"So…" Drake began. "How about celebrating with me- just the two of us, over dinner?"
A smile spread across Micah's lips as she turned to look at him. "You mean… like a date?"
He smiled and touched her chin with his finger. "Yes, a real date. We deserve it, don't you think?"
"I guess so," Micah agreed hesitantly. "But why are you asking me out?"
"Why not?"
"I thought…" Micah didn't know what to say. She had never had an actual romantic relationship with anyone before. Now that her mission was over, she still hadn't thought much about her plans for the future. Perhaps this was going to be a good start. "I jus
t didn't think…"
"That I'm serious about you?" he teased. With his brown eyes sparkling, he leaned over and gave her a soft kiss on the lips. "This is just the beginning of our adventure together, Micah. I'm so glad that among all the cyborgs, I was the one who was able to capture you."
You captured my heart Micah said in silence. But aloud she said, "I'm glad too. So where are you taking me for dinner tonight? I hope they let rebels like me inside."
"Beautiful rebels like you are always welcome, especially when accompanied by a handsome cyborg." he said jokingly, enfolding her in an embrace.
She laughed. Deep inside, her heart was pounding like crazy. This was certainly nothing compared to all the life-and-death situations she had been in but it felt just as equally terrifying. She smiled. She would risk it. She was ready to explore, risk, and fall… in love.
THE END
Bonus Story 20 of 40
Curating a Billionaire
Amos
When I first got a look at the artist Lora Zombie, I was initially entranced by her blue hair and the way she painted with the tips of her toes. I knew immediately that her work was more than art—it was spiritual, transcendent, and surreal. Upon meeting her at her gallery at Gagosian I knew that one day her work would be worth millions.
The image that created the controversy of my life was called Deviled Legs. As I recall, the pair of legs in the painting were white with red leggings, red heels, lying against a purple and black backdrop.
“What inspired you to paint Deviled Legs?” I asked her, sipping from my glass of brandy.
“I was inspired by the woman,” she said. “Because woman is monster.”
That was all Lora Zombie ever said to me, unless you can count her loud cackle after my offer to buy Deviled Legs for a hundred thousand dollars as communication. To this day I’m not sure if she laughed because she thought that her art was worth nothing, or if that someone she knew that the piece would come to be known as one of the most moving and provocative images in contemporary art. In any case, she did not accept the offer.