DeniseZen

by Jamie Antonia Symonanis

  “At least we’d be moving. You don’t think it is clogged.”

  “Well, these other main highways are a mess. We’ll be going nowhere fast.”

  “We can’t stay here huh?”

  “Hotels and emergency centers will be some of the first places they will send their goons to look for us.”

  “I think these windows are going to blow out,” Denise said listening to the roar of the wind rushing by outside.

  “So do I.”

  The television picture kept cutting in and out. Anyone who had not already evacuated was being told to seek shelter and remain inside.

  Denizen.

  Myla.

  They plan on making the exchange after midnight, in the middle of the storm.

  Myla. Do not worry. Follow the plan we discussed and I am sure we will get you out of there tonight.

  Yes Denizen.

  Myla.

  Yes.

  Keep your shoes on.

  Yes.

  The phone rang in the room. It was the front desk telling them that if they were planning on riding out the storm at the hotel they would need to come down to the lobby so they could be directed to the safest part of the hotel complex as soon as possible.

  “What time is it?” Denise asked.

  “Ten fifteen,” Layla said looking out the window. “It’s getting crazy out there.”

  “Ok, thank you. We’ll be down in a few minutes to check out and rush over to a friends house.”

  Denise hung up the phone and slid off the bed. “I guess it is show time honey.”

  “Let’s get this over with.”

  They grabbed their packed bags and double-checked for all they would need. “Don’t forget the bucket, she might be hungry.”

  “I feel like an emergency worker,” Denise laughed. “A person’s got to be nuts to go out in this weather.”

  “I feel like a Ninja,” Layla said. They both were dressed from head to toe in black.

  “You would Supergirl.”

  Layla just grinned and got on the elevator. “Let’s go get our crew member.”

  “Let’s.”

  Chapter 53

  Hurricane

  The walk to the car was a somewhat painful experience. The wind whipping the pouring rain would sting bare skin. “You said it, this is crazy,” Denise shouted as she fell into the passenger seat of the Mustang, the wind slamming the door shut when she did.

  “Well, I got my wish,” Layla laughed.

  “To experience a hurricane? Right. I’m from the Windy City and I’ve never experienced wind like this.”

  Layla started the Mustang and pulled out of the Hotel parking lot.

  “I’ve been thinking, pull over in that empty lot for a second, under the street light that is swaying in the breeze,” Denise said.

  She got out of the car and stood in front of it. Tell me if this weather affects the medallions. She activated stealth and vanished. The water landing on her created a shimmer.

  I cannot see you, but I can see an effect of the water landing on you.

  That is what I was afraid of. How about now? Denise activated the medallion to look like Layla.

  You have a sparkle effect happening, like tiny jewels the color of the light hitting you. Nice body though.

  Oh yeah.

  She got back into the car. “Let’s do this thing. Time’s a wasting.

  “I know.”

  “We must assume we will not be invisible outside.”

  “Got it.”

  Layla drove the Mustang in stealth to the Resaca de la Palma complex.

  “The gate is still open,” Denise said.

  “I am not that worried about a gate luv.”

  “Pull up a little and back up on to the grass. Take advantage of as much shade from that tree as possible. We will be glowing too brightly under that street light.”

  “You got it.”

  “Perfect. We’ve been through this a dozen times. Let’s do it.”

  “Be careful.”

  “You too Supergirl,” Denise said, pausing to kiss her before they quietly and quickly exited the Mustang.

  Stay in the shadows as much as possible.

  I saw some movement in that window, Layla said, pointing to the small sentry like structure between the gates to the complex.

  Let’s enter on the other side where the wind is blurring their view the way it is raining.

  They quickly entered the complex slipping past the guard, staying in the shadows until a large pickup truck drove past and exited the complex.

  Myla.

  Denizen.

  Are you alone?

  Yes. There is a guard outside my door.

  We will be there any second. Myla, just do what we discussed and you will be fine.

  I am ready Denizen.

  Let’s do this Supergirl, take me for a ride.

  Layla battled the wind and driving rain to stay on her feet. She lifted Denise up above the house, bringing her to rest on the roof to the right of the tower.

  Are you ok? She asked.

  Yes. Bring it.

  Layla first blew open the front door with such force it was ripped off its hinges. She watched it fly across the room and slam into two men sitting on a couch. Next she blew out all the windows in the building.

  When Denise got to the window Myla was there waiting. She quickly slid the medallion over her head and activated it before pulling her through the window. I got her Supergirl.

  YES.

  Denise had her arms wrapped around Myla, and turned to see two men looking out the blown out windows in the tower as Layla brought them to rest on the ground to the right of the building.

  Stay here. Layla said.

  She moved to the edge of the building where she saw three men outside carrying assault weapons. We got company, heavily armed.

  Can you take care of it or shall I?

  I got these.

  Layla lifted them high up into the air and slammed them into the roof of the tower where two other men were still in the windows.

  Come on, let’s get out of here, Layla said.

  When they started crossing the street the sound of automatic weapons firing could faintly be heard over the roar of the storm.

  They’re shooting. Stay close to me.

  Bullets went flying in every direction off the force field Layla had put around them.

  Thanks Supergirl.

  I think the guard can see us.

  He can see something, but not us.

  When he pointed his weapon in their direction Layla blew the small structure to pieces, sending the guard flying out to the shoulder of Coffee Port Road.

  Quickly they put Myla in the back seat of the Mustang and got in. They did so just in time as two black SUV’s pulled up on the drive on either side of where the guard shack once stood. Men spilled out of them heavily armed.

  “Now would be a good time to get us out of here darling,” Denise said. “Myla, stay down.”

  “Whatever you say Denizen.”

  “Denizen?” Layla asked.

  “I’ll tell you about it later, go.”

  Layla pulled slowly towards the road. “Asians.”

  One of the men noticed new tire tracks forming on the grass and shouted something, pointing directly at them.

  “Step on it,” Denise shouted.

  Layla gunned it, flying down Coffee Port Road, a hail of bullets trailing behind them as the Asians fired in the direction they thought the vehicle might be.

  “Are they following us?”

  “Oh yeah,” Layla said.

  “Stay down Myla. Oh, how rude of me. Myla this is my dear friend Layla, who has been with me since the beginning of this odyssey. I could never have gotten this far without her.”

  “It is a pleasure to meet you Layla,” Myla smiled. “Your vehicle has some familiar features to it.”

  “Indeed it does, as does the medallion around your neck. Please keep it there.”

  “S
hit, they’re still coming up behind us,” Layla said.

  “Can you go any faster?” Denise asked.

  “Are you in stealth?” Myla asked.

  “Yes Myla we are, but the mass quantity of driving rain is creating a watery image of the vehicle as it lands on it, so it gives them something to see, and shoot at unfortunately. In answer to your question Denise darling, with all this water on the road we are hydroplaning. It is not safe to go much faster now or we may end up in a wreck and that is something I won’t let happen after coming this far if I can help it.”

  “Can you define hydroplaning?” Myla asked.

  “So much water on the surface. Our wheels are not touching the ground. We are riding on the water at the speed we are going and it is easy to lose control if we are moving too fast over it.”

  “May I see your control panel?” Myla asked, as Layla slowed down to turn onto Old Port Isabel Road. She studied the console closely. “Have you used all of these controls yet?”

  “No. There are a few we were told it is best not to touch yet,” Denise said.

  As they sped down the highway there was so much water on the pavement it would slow the Mustang down when they plowed through the deepest puddles.

  “One would not want to travel in the air with the intensity of this storm?” Myla said.

  “That is precisely why everyone from the Tyrine is out of the area waiting for the storm to subside or for us to come out of it, whichever comes first.

  “Yet it is unsafe to go faster touching the ground and water? Would you object to traveling just off the ground?”

  Denise and Layla looked at each other and smiled. “Not at all,” they chimed.

  “May I?”

  “Please do,” Layla said.

  Myla activated the feature that allowed the vehicle to travel off the ground. When she did they could no longer feel the road, the puddles no longer a factor.

  Layla could still see the two SUV’s behind them. “So, it is safe to go faster?”

  “Yes,” Myla smiled.

  “Make it so,” Denise giggled.

  Layla accelerated to a speed the SUV’s could not keep up with as they made their way to the border.

  Chapter 54

  Mexico Way

  Once they crossed the border, it was slow going until they were able to get through the border towns and onto the open highway. In some places the roads were flooded but Myla adjusted the controls to pass over them. The further south Layla piloted the Mustang the more the rain and the winds eased up.

  Denise reached into a small cooler on the floor behind Layla and grabbed a few bottles of water. “Here, you must be thirsty, I know I am,” she said, handing a bottle to Myla.

  “Thank you Denise,” she smiled.

  “Yes, that is my name. It sounds good hearing you say it.”

  “Have you been able to reach anyone from the Tyrine?” Layla asked.

  “No, which is odd. I’m just going to write it off as another thing a hurricane disrupts or destroys.”

  Myla was genuinely interested in Denise and Layla, and their world.

  “We’re not all like those that put you through this, but there sure are enough of them,” Denise said. “Take this country we are in. There is a lot of human on human violence and murder down here, evil humans rotten with greed and hatred to the point of murder.”

  “Why did you agree to help us?”

  “More than any reason, I just don’t like what was done to you, I don’t like the type of people who value riches rather than life. I would not have been able to refuse what I was asked to help do,” Denise said humbly.

  “And you Layla?”

  “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I’ve been helping people who are abused and bullied all my life it seems. It was just the right thing to do. Of course, meeting Denise and being able to take this adventure with her has made it a lot easier. Seeing you sitting in that back seat is the best sight of the trip so far.”

  Myla smiled at Layla looking up at her in the rear view mirror. “On my world you would be called Malangis.”

  “What does it mean?” Denise asked.

  “A being having the qualities of beauty, purity and kindness.”

  “Well thank you Myla.”

  “We still have a few hours until the sun comes up in case you would like to get some sleep,” Layla said.

  “Thank you Layla. I am happy to be awake after being unconscious for so long,” Myla giggled.

  “There are some power bars and other snacks in that bag on the floor next to the cooler if you are hungry?”

  “I could use one,” Layla laughed.

  “What would you like?” Myla asked.

  “Anything will do, thank you.”

  “Do you think they are still following us?” Denise asked.

  “Well, there are not that many ways out of Brownsville, especially during a hurricane. We should stay prepared for the possibility that at least one of them is heading south. They don’t really know where we are, but better safe than sorry,” Layla said.

  Layla drove through the night deciding to stop in Zacualtipan just after first light. “It’s about 200 miles to Mexico City if we even have to go that far. Anything from the Tyrine?” she asked.

  “No. I’m dumfounded. Something is wrong, with me again more than likely. Oh could I use a coffee,” Denise said.

  “What is a coffee?” Myla asked.

  “Hey, you’re awake. Coffee is nothing short of the best drink on our world. I cannot start my day without it,” Denise laughed.

  “It is addictive?”

  “Not really, it is a beverage brewed from ground up roasted coffee beans, something this region and further south of here is famous for, some of the best there is. It is a mild stimulant that can be brewed in many delicious combinations.”

  The morning sun was shining brightly. “Doesn’t look like they got a drop of rain this far south,” Layla said.

  “Yes, it sure looks that way.”

  “Don’t let it bother you, I can see the concern in your look. We’ll hook back up with the Tyrine soon enough.”

  “They should be able to track this vehicle whether I can contact them or not,” Denise said.

  “Well it was one hell of a storm, so I’m not panicking yet.”

  “Hey slow down. A panaderia, and they look open,” Denise smiled.

  “A bakery, sweet.”

  Layla pulled off the highway and parked on the far side of a white VW Camper Van. “Oh it feels good to stretch. Hey, that restaurant looks open too,” she said, pointing across the dirt covered lot.

  “Come on Myla, let’s get a meal in us.”

  Upon exiting the car they could not help but notice the bullet holes in the left rear quarter panel and trunk lid. “Damn, that was close,” Layla said.

  “It would explain the inability of the Tyrine to locate you. These holes, if I am not mistaken, are where that tracking ability might have been placed. When is the last time you tried stealth mode on the vehicle?” Myla asked.

  Denise opened the trunk to give the appearance they were talking over doing something other than counting bullet holes.

  “Not since we crossed the border,” Layla said.

  “Great, but that does not explain why I cannot reach them,” Denise said. “Come on let’s eat.”

  They walked up the handicapped ramp and through the door to the El Rincon del Sabor. There were only two men sitting at a table eating.

  “Do you speak English?” Denise asked a woman who was wearing an apron and pouring coffee for the two men at the table.

  “Si, please have a seat.”

  Myla found everything fascinating. “Your food is prepared while you wait?”

  “Yes, although your way is much easier, faster, and at times more delicious,” Denise said.

  “Can we start with three coffees,” Layla asked when the woman came over to the table with a menu.

  “Of course.” She returned with th
ree cups and poured their coffee.

  The menu was in Spanish, but Denise and Layla had been in enough Mexican Restaurants to know what to order. “Let’s keep it simple. How about three orders of Huevos Rancheros?” Denise said.

  “Good choice, they are delicious here,” the waitress smiled.

  Myla watched as both Denise and Layla added cream and sugar to their coffee. Denise handed the one she had mixed to Myla. “Try it this way,” Denise smiled.

  “Thank you.”

  “Careful, it’s a little hot,” Denise said moving Myla’s unmixed cup to her side of the table.

  When the food was brought to them, Denise asked for a refill on the coffee. “Ready for your second cup?” she asked.

  “Yes, please,” Myla said.

  The meal was delicious as was the coffee. When they finished eating Denise gave the waitress a twenty-dollar tip.

  “You are too kind, thank you very much.”

  “Thank you,” Denise smiled.

  Exiting the restaurant they noticed that the doors to the white VW van were open. Sitting in the back with the side door slid open was an old woman. “They are waiting for you ahead,” she said, talking directly to Denise.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “Those that did that to your car, they are waiting for you between here and Mexico City.”

  Denise knew better than to ask how she knew this.

  “May I ask you a question?”

  “Si.”

  Can you hear me speak to you like this?

  Nothing.

  “You cannot speak to me that way,” the woman said. She asked the two people with her to step back into the bakery and buy more bread. “Your friend used a very powerful force to shield you, no doubt saving your lives. It has dampened your ability to do so.”

  “I am Denizen,” Denise said.

  “I know. I have been expecting you. I am Maria. You are being tracked. The first thing you must do is give her a complete change of clothes. The device is hidden in what she wears.”

  Denise and Layla looked at each other, expressions of shock on their faces.

  “She can change in here. You must then discard these clothes as soon as possible.”

  Layla quickly went to the trunk and pulled out a pair of capri pants and underwear, a top, and a pair of sandals. “These should fit,” she said, handing them to Myla.