Shadows

by Terry Schott

  "Of course. What you watching across the street for?"

  Dawn hesitated, then answered. "I'm supposed to be staying in an apartment over there. A friend of mine promised to bring my dad to meet me, but I'm not positive I can trust my friend."

  "Such a sad world we live in," the old woman shook her head, "when we can't even trust our friends."

  "Yeah, it's rough out there," Dawn said.

  "You afraid that instead of your daddy, your friend gonna bring someone else?"

  "He might. I'm afraid my friend might be working both sides of the fence."

  "What makes you think that?"

  "He always seems to know a lot of things before everyone else."

  "Well, that don't mean nothing, sugar." The old woman waved a hand dismissively. "Maybe he's just better at paying attention than most others, kind of like me. 'Course, I also have the benefit of living out here in an alley."

  "Really?" Dawn asked. "I've never heard anyone describe living on the streets as a benefit."

  "How many people you talked to that live in the street?" the old woman asked.

  Dawn smiled. "Good point. Counting you, just one."

  The old lady chuckled and picked up a small rock. "Okay, then. You can hide out here and wait for your friend to come by. I hope he's an honest one, sweetie. Friends are hard to come by; it would be sad to find he isn't what you thought." She leaned forward and cocked her arm, then threw the rock across the alley.

  Dawn watched the stone sail through the air and strike a mound of crumpled black garbage bags. Her eyes widened as the mound let out a deep growl and began to move.

  "Woman, why are you always throwing stones at me?" came a gruff masculine voice. An old man with long white hair and a scraggly white beard rolled over and sat up. The black garbage bags were his clothing, a makeshift shirt and ragged black plastic pants that rustled as he moved, flashing tanned, wiry calves. On his feet were heavy black combat boots without laces, the tongues flapping free. As he stood up, Dawn first heard and then saw that his hands were encased in strange gloves.

  "Are those gloves made out of red pop bottle caps?" she asked.

  "Huh?" The old man's perturbed look disappeared as he turned his gaze to Dawn. "Oh, hi there," he said. "I didn't know we had company. You just get here?" He scowled at the old woman. "You didn't tell me we were having company," he said. "I'm glad that you at least woke me when she arrived."

  The old woman shook her head and chuckled. "She arrived a while ago, old man. I didn't even see you over there until a few moments ago, although I doubt I'd have woken you earlier if I had known you were here. I find that you're most charming when sleeping."

  The old man smiled and bowed theatrically. "That is one of the nicest compliments you have paid me in a long while, my lady. Thank you kindly."

  "It wasn't meant to be a compliment," the old woman muttered.

  "One of the nicest compliments in a long while!" the old man said with vigour.

  "Fine," the old woman shook her head. "If you would be so kind as to assist our young friend."

  "Absolutely. What can I do for you?"

  "Show her a good hiding spot near the mouth of this alley. I know you have an excellent place over there, although I can never seem to find it."

  "That's because it's an invisible space located slightly outside of this reality!" the old man declared.

  "Yeah, sure. Whatever it is, can ya take her to it, please?"

  "Absolutely. Follow me, girl." The old man started to walk toward the mouth of the alley.

  Dawn smiled at the old lady, then hurried to catch up to the old man. A few moments later they were standing in the corner of the alley near the street. The apartment was clearly visible from the spot, but so was Dawn.

  "It's around here somewhere," the old man said, searching the area as if what he were looking for should be obvious. After a moment, he snapped his finger and pointed. "There it is!" he exclaimed, taking a couple steps to his right.

  Dawn watched as the old man bent down and made the motion of grabbing something, but there was nothing in his hand. Then, looking very much like a professional mime, he made a lifting motion in mid-air as if pulling open the lid to a trunk. Oh, brother. He's senile. She stood still.

  "Well, come on." Sweat began to bead on his forehead. "I might make it appear light, but this lid is very heavy, girl."

  "It is?"

  "Yes," he hissed between clenched teeth. "At least from the outside. Don't worry, once you're inside it's a breeze to open when you're ready to get back out."

  Dawn walked over and stood in front of the old man. His hands were shaking, causing the red pop bottle caps to jingle.

  "Step in," he said. "And take this lid from me when you're inside."

  She decided to play along, and took a step forward. As her foot touched the ground, it continued to move downwards, passing into the ground until it finally met resistance about three feet below the street surface. "What the—?"

  The old man ignored her surprise. "Grab the lid," he said.

  Dawn reached up and put her hand near the old man's. She closed her fingers together, and felt something solid in her hands.

  "Good," he sighed and let go, taking a step backwards and winking at her. "Okay, Dawn. Just sit down in there and lower the lid. You'll disappear from normal view once the lid closes, but don't worry. You'll still be able to breathe and see out."

  "What is this?" she asked.

  The old man shook his head. "When you're done, just lift the lid and get out. The odds are excellent that you won't come out here in this alley, but that's a normal side effect."

  "Where will it take me?"

  "Somewhere less than a block away," he shrugged. "No big deal."

  "Okay," she nodded, and began to lower the lid. When it felt like it might be halfway down, she stopped to look at the old man once more. "How did you know my name is Dawn?"

  "Huh?" The old man shook his head, then smiled. "Oh, I've met your brother a few times. He has a picture of you on his desk."

  "You've met Sam? I'm pretty sure he would have mentioned you. No offense, but you're hard to forget."

  The old man raised his eyebrows and shrugged. "Maybe I haven't met him yet. Or maybe he forgot about me. How old is he right now?"

  "Seventeen."

  "There ya go, then," the old man slapped his hands together loudly and pointed a finger at her. "Looks like I haven't met him yet. Okay, good luck, kid. I gotta head out."

  "Thanks," Dawn said hesitantly. "I hope to see you again."

  "You never know." The old man shrugged and walked toward the old woman in the alley.

  Dawn closed the invisible door and sat down to watch the apartment across the street, wondering who the old man was and what he'd been talking about.

  24

  Harry Thorn looked out the window of his twentieth-story apartment and glanced at the hotel on the corner. His gaze scanned the hotel's front door as he spoke into his phone. "The younger brother went in a few hours ago and hasn't come out since," he reported.

  "What about the older one?" Josh asked.

  "Nope. Vector left this morning and hasn't been back since."

  "How strong is your intel on that?"

  "It's solid." Harry let the drape fall from his hand and returned to the living room area to sit in a plush leather chair, reaching for a glass of water. "I'm not waiting any longer, Josh. I'll get close to Logan and execute Sam's program. After that, I have to get back to looking for Dawn." He paused to take a sip of water. "Unless you've found her?"

  "No, and I'm frustrated. I have no clue where she is, Harry. I'm sorry, but they caught us with our pants down on this one. I can't do anything from where I'm sitting."

  "That's fine," Harry said. "I can't do much of anything either, and I'm in the city."

  "It would be better if you waited for Vector to return," said Josh.

  "Why?"

  "I've explained what Sam designed. You know why."

/>   Harry shook his head. "I'll wait fifteen minutes, then I move. It's getting dark soon and I don't want Dawn out there another night."

  "We own the city, Harry, I'm sure she's holed up somewhere and is fine."

  "We've had no contact. If one of our people had her, they would have called a landline at the very least to let us know."

  "Not necessarily. The whole city is caught up in confusion with the sudden loss of territory," Josh reminded him. "Protocol states that the leaders stay off the grid until contacted by superiors."

  "I've met with most of the leaders," Harry muttered. "Certainly enough to deal with that provision."

  "Not personal contact. You know as well as the others the protocol describes digital communication, which we are unable to initiate."

  "Fifteen minutes," Harry repeated. "Then I do this."

  "After that?" Josh asked.

  "After that, I go see Tank and find out if anyone in his group has heard anything."

  ***

  Kyle strode into the small restaurant and nodded at the waitress. "Where's Tank?" he asked.

  "Back office," she said. "He's with someone, though. Doesn't want to be disturbed."

  Kyle nodded and continued walking to the back of the restaurant. "Trust me, he'll want to be disturbed for this."

  He made his way into the kitchen, smiling at the dishwasher and greeting the line cooks. Kyle rapped twice at the office door and turned the handle, walking in without waiting for a response. "Heya, Tank. Sorry to disturb you, but I have some big news to share."

  Tank was behind his desk, with a blond man sitting across from him. Both stopped talking as soon as the door opened. Tank glared at Kyle, much to the visitor's evident amusement.

  Tank stood up and closed a large black ledger book on his desk. "Hey! I told Ally that no one was to interrupt me, Kyle. Go wait outside 'til I'm done here."

  Kyle raised his hands in a calming gesture. "Okay, boss, okay. Sorry to disturb you. I didn't know you meant me when you gave that order."

  The visitor chuckled and stood up. "It's fine, we're done here anyway." He reached across the desk and shook hands with Tank. "Thanks for the information on your entrée counts, Tank. I was starting to think my restaurant was the only one experiencing a little dip in business."

  Tank looked confused for a second, then nodded. "Yeah, sure, man. Always glad to help out a fellow small business owner."

  The visitor left the room with a parting nod at Kyle.

  Tank sat down and looked at Kyle without warmth, then pointed to the chair across from his desk. "Well, sit down. What's so important you had to barge in right away?"

  Kyle sat down, leaned back, and started lying. "I heard from some of my contacts in City One. They say there's nothing suspicious going on over there. Our side still controls the game board, but will keep their eyes open for signs of trouble and let us know if anything happens."

  Tank stared at him, his jaw clenching and unclenching. "That it?" he asked.

  "Yeah," Kyle said. "That's good news, right?"

  "I guess," Tank said without enthusiasm. "Doesn't put any money in our pockets though, does it? I was expecting better news, since you couldn't wait to share it with me."

  Kyle spread his hands. "I'm sorry, Tank. I didn't know you were in a big meeting. In my defence, how many times have you said not to disturb you but didn't mean me?"

  Tank nodded. "I do let you get away with too much, don't I?"

  Kyle smiled. "It must be my winning personality."

  Tank laughed. "Something like that." He relaxed and leaned back in his chair. "Fine, I forgive you. Now get out there and help us get back up on the grid. We're bleeding money here."

  Kyle stood up and gave a sloppy salute. Tank laughed and returned the gesture. Kyle kept his smile in place until he was out of sight of Tank's restaurant.

  What is Vector Hearthkin doing in the city talking to Tank? And who can I trust to get in touch with Harry Thorn for me now?

  25

  "Hello."

  "Hey, Josh, it's Harry." With Harry, the person dialling always identified him or herself upon answering. He refused to rely, or allow associates to rely, on caller ID.

  "You in place?" Josh asked.

  "Sitting in the hotel lobby right now."

  "Good. What's the plan?"

  "Logan has seen me, so he knows that I'm in town and likely close by. My ansible says that he's on the top floor of the hotel. I'll take the elevator to the floor just below him, enter the unit beneath his room, and shear him from there."

  "Sounds good," Josh said. "Sam is sitting here with me now. I'm putting you on speaker phone."

  Harry's first instinct was to ask if the room was secure and shielded, but Josh didn't make mistakes like that.

  "Hey, Dad," Sam's voice said over the speaker.

  "Heya, Son," Harry smiled. "I'm gonna give it another minute, then head up the elevator."

  "Affirmative," Josh said.

  "Wait a minute..." A new target appeared on Harry's ansible. He looked at the front door and smiled. "Looks like I won't need to make the elevator trip. Brother number two just walked in through the front door."

  "Nice," Sam said.

  Harry swiped a finger to access the personal shearing menu and quickly targeted Vector. "Here goes," he muttered as he tapped the command.

  No one said a word for the three seconds it took for the 'working' bar to move slowly toward its goal. Most players waited to see if the bar would make it to the line indicating success, but that wasn't a concern with Harry's ansible. There weren't many opponents who could defend against him, especially from stealth attacks made nearby.

  "Success," Harry whispered, as his ansible screen emitted a quick pulse of white light.

  "Good," Sam said. "Now let's hope this works.."

  Harry switched his ansible to camera mode and placed it in his pocket so that Sam and Josh could see Vector. An audible chirp sounded from Vector's pocket–his ansible informing him that he'd been sheared–and he reached in with a frown to turn it on. Vector looked around, trying to spot the culprit. Harry kept still in his hiding place behind a column.

  "Here comes the boom," Sam said.

  Vector's ansible started to emit a loud alarm, attracting attention and irritation from the people around him. His face flushed and his brows furrowed as he brought the ansible closer to his face.

  Harry chuckled and pulled the phone out his pocket, turning the screen around to watch as every red target on the screen began to turn blue. "Poor Vector," Harry said. "He's going to have a hard time explaining to his family why he suddenly decided to use his ansible to return control of the entire city back over to us."

  Sam laughed and cheered through Harry's earpiece. "Turn the camera back on him for a second, Dad. I want to see his face again as he tries to stop it."

  Harry smiled and pointed the camera at Vector, who was swearing loudly and tapping commands into his ansible. The bell captain gave Vector a chilly stare. Harry edged closer, approaching from behind until he was less than five feet away. This wasn't part of the plan, but he couldn't resist.

  "Come on, come on!" Vector said as his fingers flew across the screen. "This can't be happening. Not all at once, and not so quickly."

  "Your father must be so disappointed in you boys," Harry said, smiling condescendingly as Vector whirled in surprise to face him. "All you can do is mash buttons and go where he tells you to go." Harry leaned against the nearby column. "My people, on the other hand, write a completely new program to kick your stupid asses out of town and regain control of an entire city in...what do you think that took? Less than a minute is my guess."

  Vector glared in fury. His mouth moved, but no words came out.

  "Oh well," Harry shrugged and trained his gaze on Vector. "Your father understands genetics well enough. I don't suppose he expects very much from you, given your shallow gene pool."

  Vector's lips pursed together with rage, and his hand reached toward the
inside of his jacket.

  "Oh, yes!" Harry's grin widened. "Make your situation worse by attacking me, runt. The only thing better than regaining massive board space in the game would be sending a Hearthkin home in a body bag."

  Vector's eyes flashed angrily, but after a moment, he spun on his heel and stalked toward the elevator.

  "In three hours," said Harry to Vector's receding back, "I see any of your group in my city, I'll make sure they leave, and it won't be pleasant, boy."

  Vector said nothing as he entered the elevator.

  Harry chuckled and walked toward the exit. "Now find Dawn," he said quietly into his ear piece.

  "I'm on it," Josh assured him.

  26

  The small space Dawn occupied was not uncomfortable at first, but did not become more pleasant with time. At first, she'd been worried that people might see her, or even wander into the alley and step on her, but no one had approached the alley. After what felt like an hour, but was probably closer to ten minutes, she spotted Kyle walking up to her building. And where is Dad?

  Kyle entered the building. Minutes passed, then he exited and stood out front for a minute, looking around and eventually dialling a number on his phone before starting to walk away. No one appeared to be tailing him.

  Dawn raised the invisible lid, pushed upwards, and got out to follow Kyle. She hoisted herself up and out of the small hidden space, looked up to make sure she didn't lose Kyle... and was no longer in the alley.

  "Oh, crap, that's right," she moaned out loud. "The old man said I would exit the space in another part of town."

  Dawn shook her head and scanned her surroundings. He had also assured her that she wouldn't end up more than a block or two away. On her right was the apartment building that Kyle had just left. She crossed the busy street and hurried to catch up to him.

  She turned the corner at a brisk jog, ready to break into a faster run if Kyle was still too far ahead of her. He was leaning against the wall with his arms folded and a grin on his face. "Well, hey there, Dawn. What took you so long?"