by JJ Liniger
Alex shook his head.
“Cut the crap and be honest.” I hopped toward him. “This is exactly what you wanted the moment I came back home.”
Alex glanced down the hall and then nodded. “For you, yes, but not for Dr. Worrell. It came together perfectly. I needed your father to die and your mother would likely go along with him. By then, my family and I would be gone, taking with me any evidence of my involvement.”
“What about those sick and left behind?” I asked.
“They’d take care of themselves.” Alex shrugged.
“Because then they won’t be poisoned by you no longer,” said Dr. Worrell. “You’re disgusting.”
“Leave Dr. Worrel out of it and take me.” I leaned my tired body against the crutches.
“I can’t, she knows too much.” Alex frowned.
At least he wasn’t a complete monster, but I’d never understand how he allowed so many people to suffer through fake procedures.
I had two needles inside my pocket, one for each Taker. My shoulders shook with added fury, I jabbed the crutches in front of me. I felt the heat simmer through my body and my breath exited through clenched teeth. Anger seemed too simple a description for my feelings. I wanted justice for the families who had been robbed and for those who were cheated out of a chance for life. I wanted punishment, revenge, and retribution, but most of all I wanted the suffering to stop. Being Taken wouldn’t help solve the problem, it would only add to it.
The two Takers approached from both sides.
“Mr. Porter, it’s time to go,” Jacob said.
He grabbed my arm and instinctively I shook my shoulder from his hold. Sonnie sprung to my other arm and held on tightly. He became dangerously close to feeling the syringes in my pocket. When they took Nicholas at the pizza place, they didn’t search him, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t examine me.
My elbow hit the crutch forward, knocking it to the ground. I couldn’t move.
“Jake, I’ve known you all of high school. Tell your partner to let me go and I’ll leave with you. I can’t move like this, I need my crutches.”
Jacob and Sonnie made eye contact. My mother was one of the most respected persons in the community, followed directly by Alex and then most likely Dr. Worrell. I didn’t envy the awkward situation these two men found themselves in.
The second Taker nodded and released me. They turned to Dr. Worrell. “Ma’am, we’ll offer you the same courtesy if you’d come with us peacefully.”
“Over your dead body!” The doc glowered. “I’m not goin’ anywhere. There’s zero evidence of me bein’ sick, because I ain't!”
“That’s not for me to determine.” Jacob stepped closer to Alex and Dr. Worrell. “If what you say is true, then you’ll be released.”
“No one’s been released in over three years!” Dr. Worrell countered.
“Exactly!” said the other Taker. “You’re claiming to be falsely reported, which has never happened, by the man who has worked harder than anyone else in Becton. Other than Mrs. Porter.” He gave a respectful nod to me.
“Worked harder!?” Dr. Worrell yelled. “What in God’s name do ya think we’ve been doin’ all these years? Ever considered, he’s not the man ya think he is?” The woman shifted her weight to one hip and her eyes bore into them.
“It’s time to go,” Jacob said, avoiding her question.
“No!” Dr. Worrell shoved Alex toward the men and ran the other direction.
Alex stumbled forward. “After her!”
Jacob and Sonnie ran to the dark area. The back door wasn’t far, and she’d free. I admired her courage and had I not been injured I would’ve done the same. Shoes screeched across the linoleum and things clattered in the darkness as I carefully bent down to pick up my crutch.
“Damn it! Why is she so smart and difficult?” Alex mumbled.
“Did you expect anything less?” I asked.
Alex shook his head.
“I want to know something.”
“What?” Alex glared.
“How did this actually start?”
Alex again shook his head, his fist clenched.
“You owe me that much. You’ve ruined this town. My son’s life has been in a cage and my parents have been destroyed by stress and anxiety. Why use Samuel as your imaginary carrier?”
“I didn’t on purpose. It was an accident.” Alex ran a hand through his red hair. “I worked in the school lab on a new chemical fertilizer for the cotton fields. We could produce twice the amount in half the space. It’s exactly what Becton needed to finally become the success your dad strived to create.”
“What went wrong?” I leaned against the drywall, to be out of the way of two Takers who walked by.
Their heads nodded to Alex. He waited for them to be out of sight before continuing. “Late one night, I left the lab while the chemicals cured. When I came back, I found HIM passed out on the floor.”
“What was he doing?”
“Reverend Brown had a meeting at the school. A group of teens were watching the kids, but HE enjoyed experimenting and wandered to the science lab. After a trip to the hospital they said HE was fine. But HE wasn’t.”
“Samuel did make people sick?”
“Yes, but it took a while before anyone noticed. Rev. Brown got it first and kids in HIS class. I worked on a cure, based on the fertilizer I had tried to create. It worked for HIM and the younger kids.” Alex kept his eyes toward the blackout area, expecting Jacob and Sonnie to return with Dr. Worrell soon.
I hoped she made it away. Was that possible? Could she hide? Escape seemed unlikely.
“None of this is in my dad’s journal or the binders you and Tiffany showed me.”
“I didn’t want anyone to know because I had already sold the fertilizer. If they knew it made people seriously sick, I’d be ruined. I had to fix my problem without anyone else finding out about it. Luckily, Rev. Brown had multiple health complications prior to becoming infected and didn’t make it. His adopted brother Vincent came for the funeral providing the cursed theory. The crazy fools believed every word he said. Tiffany and Carole bought into it and I saw an opportunity. I could continue the poison and no one would suspect me.” Alex smiled and appeared proud of himself.
“Was it worth all this?”
“I’ve gotten a nice chunk of cash out of it, but it’s more than that. I’m the hero here. The people love me and do anything I tell them.” He gestured to a pair of Takers bringing in a patient.
“This is one heck of a god complex you have.”
Alex chuckled. “Brilliant! You’re right. You know, Carole agreed to the fake treatment.”
“No way!” I scowled. “She has mortgaged everything to help pay what the families couldn’t afford.”
“True, but she also knew the blood testing we tried wasn’t working. We needed the funding, and she agreed to charge them to pay the doctors and additional testing.”
My insides want to burst with rage. How dare he bring my mother into a con! The crutch in my hand shook as I placed the top under my armpit.
“You’re insane!” I yelled. “And you won’t get away with this.”
“I already have. There’s nothing you can do. As soon as they return, you’ll be Taken and never heard from again.”
“No, I’ll fight.”
From down the hall, Dr. Worrell’s loud cursing could be heard as she screamed at the two Takers. Another bang and her voice grew louder as it came closer. Dang it, she didn’t make it far enough. Beads of sweat dripped from the sides of her face as she continued to fight the men holding her close.
“Got her?” Jacob asked Sonnie.
The Taker looped his foot around the doctor’s, preventing her from moving. Based on the scuff marks on his shoes, she had put up one heck of a fight.
“You’re making a mistake,” I said to Jacob, but it could’ve applied to Alex as well.
Dr. Worrell’s chest heaved, her shoulder remained stiff and det
ermined. However, her eyes had lost their fire. She was giving up.
Jacob took his gloved hand into the front pocket of his white jacket and pulled out a syringe. The woman’s eyes widened, and she screamed louder than I had ever heard. Tears streamed down her face and what strength she had left crumbled as she wept.
The medication used on Nicholas put him out cold within seconds. I had two of the same resting inside my pocket. Sonnie or Jacob first? My hand trembled as my fingers slipped between the fabric, feeling the syringes. Hard plastic surrounded the tip, and I felt the plunger on the other side. Once I sprung into action, I’d only have seconds to use them. I took a deep breath to calm my racing nerves.
Sonnie held Dr. Worrell’s tired body against him.
I glanced at Alex, who remained expressionless. How could he do nothing? Did he not care?
Jacob brought the needle to her neck.
Without a moment of hesitation, I threw my crutch against the linoleum floor.
Jacob’s hand flinched, causing the syringe to tumbled to the ground as their eyes darted to the crutch. I reached inside my pocket, drew out my own needles, and tackled Alex.
With a grunt, his head hit the floor. He saw Jacob’s syringe and shoved me off him to roll toward the needle.
I pushed with my injured foot and pain soared, making my breath catch. My only option was to overtake Alex, then convince the Takers of his involvement.
Dr Worrell groaned as she continued her struggle against the two men. My sudden burst gave her the courage for one last fight.
I lunged for Alex’s waist, grabbing him.
“Get off me!”
Alex’s fists pummeled my face and head. He kicked at me while reaching toward the needle. I grabbed his elbow. Alex broke free from my grasp, connecting with my jaw. I winced and used my weight to keep him pinned to the ground.
Adrenaline soared through me as I fought to unsheath the plastic from the tip of the syringes. Curses and grunts echoed from all direction as Alex’s knee connected with my injury.
“Go to hell!” I shouted, biting the hard plastic covers to remove them from the pointed tip. Alex’s eyes widened seeing I had my own weapon. His fingertips wrapped around the dropped needle. I felt the sting as it entered my side as I plunged both needles into Alex’s shoulder.
“No!”
My body trembled as my fingers squeezed the plunger. My racing pulse thundered through my body. Strong arms ripped me from Alex, who spasmed against the linoleum.
Sonnie pinned me against the white drywall. “Don’t move!”
The sting at my side continued, but I didn’t feel the affects of the drug.
“Trevor!” Thumping of small feet echoed around me. “Trevor,” Tiffany said breathlessly.
Where did she come from? How long had she been Down Under? Multiple questions swarmed inside my mind, unable to focus long enough for the words to form.
Behind her stood a strong man in a blue uniform. On his shoulder a gold badge declared law and order. In his right hand, his pistol pointed at us.
“Stand down,” said the officer.
Sonnie kept his hand encased around my wrists and my body planted to the wall. “Sir, this is my job,” he said, to the officer.
“Not today, it’s not.” The armed man stepped closer, his eyes glancing between the two Takers. “Hands in the air!”
“Thank God,” said Dr Worrell. I couldn’t see her but assumed Jacob had her. During my fight with Alex, her voice had mixed in with the surrounding others. Now, she breathed rapidly behind me.
Sonnie gave me a shove against the drywall and then let go.
I inspected the needle at my side. With each movement it twisted inside my body. I winced as I pulled it out and pressed against the wound. The plunger remained fully extended, which was why I didn’t feel the affects of the drug. Leaning against the drywall, I saw Jacob obeying the officer with his hands in the air.
I took a much-needed breath and looked at Tiffany. “How did you get here?”
“Somebody…” she looked directly at me, “stole Walter’s truck. He came to the house and Alex didn’t want to deal with it. I may have suggested he call the sheriff.”
“Jeez, thanks for having my back,” I mumbled.
Tiffany continued. “Maybe an hour later, the hospital called Alex to tell him you were missing. Apparently, he had told the staff to report to him directly in regard to you. When he left, I saw Walter talking to the officer and approached them.”
“She told me everything,” added the sheriff.
Sonnie stepped next to Jacob. I assumed them being side-by-side to be a habit. “Is he okay?” Sonnie asked, nodding to Alex.
He laid still with the two needles sticking out of his shoulder. Had I killed him?
“Dr. Worrell?” I looked to her for an answer.
She made eye contact with the officer who nodded for her to proceed. Her fingertips felt Alex’s wrist for a pulse. Then she leaned closer to the needles, reading the calibrated scale.
“He’s still tickin’. Trevor put in more than he should’ve and Alex’ll be sleepin’ for a while, but he’ll be alright.” She sighed.
Did she wish I had killed him?
I’d rather not have murder added to my list of sins.
Tiffany released her breath and appeared relieved.
“What’s going to happen now?” I asked.
“Sheriff Gredine has a copy of the financial records,” Tiffany answered. “And Dr. Worrell found the drugs.”
“I just done that tonight,” exclaimed Dr. Worrell. “How’d ya know?”
Tiffany pointed up. From the ceiling a round bulb kept record of tonight’s events. “We’ve been watching the security footage.”
“All Mr. Alexander Black said can and will be used against him.” The sheriff smiled.
CHAPTER 26
REGARD
When I finally made it back to Mother’s hospital room, rays of the sun danced off the walls. The sky appeared orange with pinks and yellows spreading across the space, revealing the most amazing sunrise I’d ever seen.
Dr. Worrell and Mother sat on the bed with their arms around each other. Their wet cheeks contrasted with the huge grins dominating their faces. While I made an official statement to Sheriff Gredine, Dr. Worrell agreed to explain Alex’s criminal behavior and help Mom understand the crisis was over.
“Once the bastard wakes up, then he’ll be arrested on multiple charges.” Dr. Worrell squeezed Mom’s shoulder.
Part of me wanted to see the shock and anger on Alex’s face, followed by desperation when he realized his great plan had failed dramatically. The other part of me wanted to hibernate for months. All of my body hurt and my head ached from lack of sleep.
“Hey, Doc? Since it’s over, does that mean Samuel can be released?” I asked.
“You bet ya! I’ll let the staff know, so HE be ready.”
“I’d also like for Samuel to be referred to as his name. No more HE, HIM, IT, The Boy or any of that,” I said.
“I’ll spread the word.” The doctor grinned.
“Thank you, Dr. Worrell.” Mother hugged her friend goodbye.
Mother’s back still curved, but she stood a little taller. The weight the poison left on her had been lifted. Beaming, she looked at me.
“I’ll get your crutches,” Mother said, walking to the bedside where they rested. Handing them to me, her smile spread wider still. “Let’s go get my grandson!”
I grinned, pleased Samuel would be released with us, but also felt anxious. I didn’t know what to do with him. Samuel seemed able to adapt to any situation. I had grown to admire him. He could handle New York with ease. But was it the best place for him? If Becton recovered, I suspected Samuel would prefer to stay here.
We hurried down the hospital corridor to the end of the hall. The scenic paintings lining the walls appeared to have more life. In fact, everything seemed more optimistic than hours before.
“Samuel?” I knock
ed on the door.
“Yes?” he replied.
Mother opened the door, and I hopped through. The room had the same basic appearance as the one I had shared with Mom, except a single bed and the window provided a pathetic view of the parking lot.
Samuel stood from the bed in jeans and a Becton Bears t-shirt. His hands ran along his exposed arms. Did he missed having the hooded jacket he used to wear? He had used it on my injured foot and the blood had stained it. I’d gladly buy him a new one.
“Dad!” He leapt toward me and then stopped. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” I reached for him, and he met me with a hug. My son, who’d lived basically as a prisoner, would be set free. I kept him close, surprised by how ecstatic I felt.
“Do you need anything, dear?” Mother asked him.
Samuel shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Let’s start by going home.” I released him, smiling. “If you think of anything you want or need, let me know.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
Samuel opened the door for us to walk through. Maybe I should use my savings to continue what my father had started. I wasn’t a businessman like him, but I could try. Thoughts filled my mind.
As I rode in the passenger seat of my SUV, Mother drove and Samuel sat in the backseat. The wheels stopped and I stared at the weathered bricks of the Town Hall. Home sounded great until I realized Mom thought of this location as her home.
It was time to face the reality of my father’s condition. He needed freedom from his empty shell to go to heaven. How was I to have that conversation with my mother?
Samuel brought my crutches from the backseat and I hobbled into the building.
The pungent smell of disinfectant brought us closer to Dad’s room. Opening the door, we were welcomed by the steady beeps of my father’s heart monitor. I limped closer to him along with Samuel.
Mother knelt on the old rug, clasping her hands together to pray. My heart felt ready to burst with pain, looking at his skeletal form. How should I explain to her that the man she loved wasn’t with us? Tears spilled from my eyes and left trails down my cheeks.
“Mom—”