by A. I. Nasser
“I don’t think so,” Alan said. “Something tells me this is going to work.”
“And you’re sure you don’t want me around for this?”
Alan shook his head. “If I’m right, I’m going to need you to make sure Kathrine’s safe.”
Deborah leaned in and kissed him, her lips soft against his as he let her touch soothe his shaking. “Take care of yourself, Carter.”
“You, too,” Alan said.
Deborah kissed him again, then looked him in the eye before shaking her head and standing up quickly. “Don’t be too long,” she said, grabbing her coat and keys.
“I’ll try not to be.”
He waited until he heard the front door close, then made his way upstairs.
***
“This is absurd!”
Rachel Adams fought to control her anger as she stared back at the Council members. It was clear, though, that they had made up their minds long before she had arrived to the meeting, and like it or not, she was going to be voted out of her position. At one point in time, she could have easily counted on two or three of the Council to vote in her favor, but after the kidnapping of a founding family child, she doubted those odds would stick. Her only option was to talk the Council out of voting in the first place.
“There are rules to this,” Rachel argued. “You can’t vote me out.”
“Funny,” William sneered. “When Daniel Cole fell ill, you had no problem doing just that.”
“Daniel Cole was driving this town into the ground,” Rachel hissed. “We were killing innocent people because of those blood bindings.”
Elizabeth chuckled. “The blood bindings were put in place to protect us,” she said. “That was all that mattered. Now we’re not safe, and it’s all because of Alan Carter, whom, may I remind you, is locked up all cozy with your daughter and has not been made to answer for any of this.”
Rachel scoffed. “You want to try him for this? Have you forgotten what we’ve done to his family?”
“No one’s forgotten,” William interrupted, “but we won’t let all our sacrifices go to waste because you don’t have the heart to do what needs to be done. You are not Daniel Cole.”
“And you are?”
“As close as we’ll ever be to the man who had this whole mess under control,” William nodded. “His family made the ultimate sacrifice for those blood bindings, and you threw all that into the wind as if it didn’t matter.” William sat back in his chair and eyed Rachel. “I’m beginning to ask myself whose side you’re on.”
Rachel stood up angrily and leaned in towards William Brewster. “This is not right,” she warned. “You know it, I know it, and this whole damn Council knows it. Do you think it’s going to be a walk in the park? Do you think bringing back the blood bindings is going to solve our problems? It’s too late, William.”
Rachel stood up straight and looked out at the other Council members. “This fight is over,” she said. “There’s no going back. We need to find another way to stop Copper, and we need to find it fast before we lose this town.”
“We will, Rachel,” Elizabeth said, “only we won’t be doing it with you at the helm of this. We’re voting you out. That’s final.”
Rachel stared into the faces of the other Council members and immediately saw that there was no use. William Brewster would be the new Chairman, and with him, the blood bindings would return. She had no idea how the man expected to accomplish that, but he was a resourceful man, and there was no telling what he already knew.
“I’m not going to be a part of another blood binding,” Rachel said, “nor will my daughter. Find someone else to do your dirty work.”
Elizabeth sighed. “Rachel, there’s no reason to be rash.”
“Go to hell,” Rachel replied.
“Well, then I truly hope you never have grandchildren,” Elizabeth said.
Rachel looked angrily at the woman, clenching her fists in fury. “Is that a threat?”
“Of course it is,” William answered. “Just remember what happened to the Carters when Logan didn’t see eye to eye with the rest of us.”
Rachel felt the room around her close in, and she could sense her heart beating faster than what was considered safe at her age. She could see Fiona Bright enjoying herself on the sidelines. They had no idea what they were getting into. The Council was in over its head, and they wouldn’t realize it until it was too late.
She would have to warn Deborah and Alan. There was no telling what the Council would do now, and she would have little say in matters with William as Chairman. Countermeasures needed to be taken, and quickly. Besides, the Council had no idea about Alan’s connection to the other side, which would definitely play to her advantage.
Rachel turned to William Brewster and flashed him a smile. “Say hello to your daughter for me, William, and send her my deepest condolences.”
Rachel grabbed her purse, turned on her heels and walked out of the meeting room.
***
Stanley Turk was the man of the hour.
The call to action had truly rounded up a great number of people, some from outside town, and the bar was full of people who had come to help. Several people had introduced themselves to him and the other families, promising them that they would not stop until the children were found, or the man who was responsible for their kidnappings was brought to justice.
Stanley couldn’t help but feel proud of himself. Although he tried his best not to show it lest someone thinks he was using his daughter’s disappearance to garner a mass following of some sorts. All he really wanted was to make a statement, and if the Sheriff would not listen to him, then she would definitely listen now.
“This is awesome!” David Whelm gasped, coming up beside Stanley. The reporter held his cell phone out and snapped a selfie of the two of them together.
Stanley couldn’t help but smile. It truly was incredible.
“So, what now, great leader?” David asked.
“What do you mean?”
David threw his hands up in the air and sighed impatiently. “These people didn’t come together for nothing. Form the lines, grab the signs, off to the police station in protest!”
Stanley stared at David in wonder, confused as to how this man had ever gotten a job as a reporter. David Whelm looked like he was high, and it bothered Stanley that the man had not stopped drinking since arriving at the bar.
Actually, David had made sure everyone’s glass was always full.
The crowd had become a little more rowdy than Stanley would have preferred, but the important thing was they were all getting along, and they had come together for a cause. He had stopped counting how many people had shook his hand and said they were praying for him; all adamant to doing everything they could to make sure he got justice for the heinous kidnapping of his daughter and all the other children. His call to action had become a quest for many, and Stanley was excited that he was the one who had brought them all together.
“I don’t think we need to do that,” Stanley said, leaning in closer to David. “If we can get this on film and post it online, it will be enough.”
“That’s ridiculous, buddy!” David said. “Do you think they’re all here so they can pose and wave? They’re here to take action. It’s why we did this in the first place. The Council needs to see you’re serious.” David’s eyes suddenly went wide as he excitedly tapped Stanley’s shoulder. “Maybe we should march all the way to Town Hall. Really get their attention!”
“I really don’t think that’s necessary,” Stanley said, concern seeping into his voice as he watched David’s manic smile. “Just the video.”
David smacked him on the back and laughed. “Nonsense!”
Stanley watched the man disappear between the crowd, shaking hands with people as he made his way to the front of the bar. He took a sip from his drink, and was about to go after him when the front doors opened.
The bar was suddenly silent as the Melington Police Deputy walk
ed in, closely followed by two other officers. Stanley watched the tall man take in the gathering with a smile, his eyes scanning the crowd until they fell on Stanley. The deputy gestured to his officers and the three of them made their way through the crowd towards Stanley, pushing people aside as they approached. Stanley took another sip before placing the glass down on the bar and readying himself for what was to come.
“Stanley Turk?” the Deputy asked, an obviously rhetorical question meant more as protocol than an actual inquiry.
“One and only,” Stanley replied.
“You’re under arrest for disturbing the peace and attempting to incite a riot,” the Deputy said, pulling out his handcuffs as he grabbed Stanley by the arm.
“That’s ridiculous,” Stanley said, knowing that if he fought back, it would only make things worse.
“Hey!” someone shouted. “You can’t do that!”
The Deputy gestured to one of his officers to quickly stand between them and the crowd. Stanley was forced around and his arms brought behind his back, and he cursed under his breath as he heard the clicking of the cuffs around his wrists.
“You corrupt bastards!” someone else shouted. “Why don’t you actually look for the guy kidnapping those kids?”
“Stay back!” the Deputy shouted. “This is a police matter.”
“Screw you!”
Stanley frowned. He was sure that was David’s voice.
“You’re not taking him away!” David shouted. “Stanley Turk is a hero, and we’re not going to be pushed around by the police anymore!”
There was a cry of approval, and suddenly Stanley felt bodies pushing against him as hands tried to pull him away from the Deputy. He could see one of the officers reaching for his gun, and he watched in horror as someone reached out and punched the man in his face. The officer fell to one knee and was quickly rewarded with another attack that sent him sprawling to the floor.
“Get them!”
The Deputy let go of Stanley and reached for his own gun, but it was too late. The mix of alcohol, anger and frustration were enough to completely numb everyone’s senses. The crowd that had originally come to show support for a cause were now hyped up and ready to go to war. It was like watching a school of piranhas attacking their prey, hands and legs flying out in every direction as anyone with half a mind took their shot at the officers.
Stanley staggered away, the cuffs hanging around one wrist as people pushed him aside to get in on the action. A hand grabbed him by the arm and pulled him to a side, rushing him towards the back exit.
“We need to get you out of here,” David said as he pushed Stanley through the door and into the lot behind the bar.
Stanley felt the world around him suddenly close in, but he quickly started running behind David as they made their way for his car, leaving the sound of angry shouting and breaking glass behind them.
***
Alan opened his eyes to the familiar pulsing red light. He pushed himself up to a sitting position, quickly looking both ways down the corridor.
It was time.
Alan pulled up and folded his legs beneath him and waited.
Chapter 11
Fiona Bright pressed down on the gas pedal as her cruiser gunned forward.
She had been busy congratulating William Brewster for his appointment as Council Chairman when the ringing of her phone had brutally interrupted the celebrations. The urgency in the dispatch officer’s voice had immediately alarmed her. By the time she had decrypted the frantic woman’s message, she was out the door and running to her car.
A riot. It was the last thing she needed right now.
The Council meeting had gone as planned, and she was already discussing Michael Cole’s role in the attempts to return the blood binding. There was still so much to do, but Fiona was looking forward to having things returned to the way they were, back when this whole mess was under control and surprises like riots and YouTube videos were things she would never have to worry about again.
She dialed her Deputy, cursing when he didn’t answer and pressing down harder on the gas pedal. Another cruiser was already on its way to the bar where, according to the dispatch officer, Stanley Turk’s little get-together had suddenly turned sour. She had half the mind to string the man up by his feet and whip him to his senses once she got her hands on him, but right now she had to get the angry mob under control.
Fiona cursed Rachel Adams for letting things get this far out of hand. The Council looked weak because of that woman, and it was no surprise someone like Stanley could sweep in and turn a bad situation into a complete disaster. No more, she promised herself. Now that the Council was led by someone with a little more sense, the offerings would be handled a lot more discreetly, the way they had always been.
Fiona’s cell phone rang, and she briefly glanced at Michael Cole’s name on the caller ID. She put him on speaker, maneuvering her car expertly through the scant traffic as she drove further into town.
“Did you send her?” Michael Cole’s voice came through, angry.
“Send who?” Fiona asked, turning right into Lexington Street, gunning the engine and ignoring the ringing coming from the speedometer.
“Deborah Adams!” Michael said. “She’s standing outside my door. What the hell’s she doing here?”
Fiona cursed under her breath, knowing that anything concerning Deborah meant Alan Carter was close behind. She couldn’t have him messing things up.
“I have no idea,” she said. “Is Alan with her?”
There was a short silence as she listened to Michael moving around. “No,” he finally said. “I don’t see him anywhere.”
Fiona wondered if Deborah’s sudden visit had anything to do with her mother’s untimely removal from position. “Listen,” Fiona said as she turned another corner. “Her mother’s been removed from position, and she probably sent her to talk you into swaying the Council’s decision. Don’t let her play you, Michael.”
Michael hesitated. “So you didn’t send her?”
“Why the hell would I do that?”
Fiona’s eyes grew wide as she stared out at the scene in front of her, and she quickly pressed down on the breaks, her car screeching to a sudden halt. In the distance, she could see where the bar should have been, the small building now ablaze, the fires licking out into the night. The mob had made its way into the streets, and was now in an open riot. Store windows were being shattered, cars were being destroyed, and a sudden explosion shook Fiona’s cruiser as a liquor store burst into flames.
“What’s going on?” Michael asked.
Fiona hung up without answering and turned her cruiser around, quickly driving in the opposite direction.
***
“You are a fool, Alan Carter.”
Alan stood firm, looking straight ahead as the woman in red floated in circles around him. Her eyes burned orange as she gazed upon him, her lips drawn in an angry sneer, obviously still feeling contempt at the way he had eluded her the last time he had been here.
“You return where you are not welcome,” the woman hissed. “You should not be here.”
“I’m not here for me,” Alan said. “You know that.”
The woman stopped in front of him, her gaze firm, her frame seemingly taller than it had been before as she towered over him.
“You come for your sister,” she chuckled.
Alan couldn’t help but notice how close that chuckle was to Copper Tibet’s. He nodded, bracing himself for her reaction.
“Then you can never leave,” the woman said, moving in.
“I deny you,” Alan said quickly.
The woman halted her advance, her face inches from his, and although she looked remarkably beautiful, the embodiment of seduction and appeal, he could smell the underlying rot.
“You have no power here, Alan Carter,” the woman hissed.
Alan doubted it. His connection to the corridor, his ability to move back and forth between the waking world and this
one, made him feel like he had a lot more power than the woman suggested. All he needed to do was make sure he could find a way out for Kathrine. Right now, it was all that mattered.
“I am here to free my sister,” Alan pressed.
The woman floated away, her head thrown back as her laugh echoed through the corridor. Alan could feel the pulsing light intensify and the walls around him vibrate with her laugh.
“You are a fool,” she said between laughs.
“I know who you are,” Alan continued.
Her laughter stopped, the woman’s face bending into a deep scowl.
“I don’t think you want to be here any more than the children locked behind these doors do. Take me to my sister, and I will find a way to stop him.”
“You cannot,” the woman said. “It began with a Carter, and it must end with a Carter.”
Alan frowned, her words as cryptic as everything else about this place.
The woman floated closer. “You make promises you cannot keep.”
“All I want is my sister,” Alan said. “If you help us escape, I will free you of this place.”
“You cannot leave here, Alan Carter,” the woman said. “Leaving is death, for you and every child you come in contact with. It is a fool’s quest, and you are wrong to believe you can overcome him.”
Alan gave her a small smile. “Try me.”
***
“What do you want?”
Deborah hadn’t expected much from Michael Cole. During her drive here, she had run many possible scenarios through her head, trying to figure out the best way she could ask her ex-boyfriend to help her with what she needed to do. Needless to say, none of those scenarios ended with a happy ending, and she had slowly made peace with the idea that she would probably need to force her way past him.
Still, the fact that he had let her into his house was as good a start as any.
“I need your help,” Deborah said, choosing to ignore the pleasantries and jump right into it. Besides, the way he was looking at her didn’t make her feel like she could ease into this.