by Jill Cooper
John’s eyes threw accusations at Thomas. “You arrived here saying you inherited your grandfather’s cabin, but you know, I never knew anyone who lived here before. Why don’t you tell me what you’re doing with these two kids?”
Thomas sighed, placing his shotgun into the front seat of his cab. “Mr. and Mrs. Miller, you’re nice people, I respect what you’re trying to do. But if you care for these kids, you’ll turn your back and let us drive away. Forget you saw us, at least for a day or so.”
Jake got out of the truck just as Wendy stepped outside. She was beautiful, swelled high with his child, but her face was so sad. He wished she hadn’t heard about her dad that way. Rushing to her, he took her hand and led her toward the trucks.
Mary intercepted them, blocking the passenger side door. “If you’re in trouble, girl. Real trouble, tell us now. We’ll get the police. Anyone who will listen.”
“And if you’re not, if you need a place to hide, we’ll help you.” John added.
Jake didn’t know what to do, which adult to listen to. All his life he had been conditioned to follow the law, to always listen to authority, but now they were telling him different things, and he didn’t know which way to go, who to pick.
“I don’t want to go,” Wendy whispered, her chin quivering. She reached out for Mary’s hands, “Please—”
“Now listen here!” Thomas yelled, reaching inside his truck and unlocking the door.
“I knew it.” Mary whispered, yanking on Wendy’s arm. “Stay with us. Have your baby here if that’s what you want, but don’t go with him. Whoever he is, he smells like trouble.”
Sally threw her arms up in the air. “Everyone please calm down, please! Her condition is very serious. I am her nurse and I’m telling you, we have to go now without any more drama, before the stress does more damage than it’s already done.”
Jake didn’t know what she meant by that, but knew he trusted her. If Sally said they had to leave, then they did. He opened the passenger side door and implored Wendy to get in. “For me, please.”
After what seemed like an eternity, she did.
He let out a sigh of relief as Thomas pulled his shotgun from the car. He held it in a relaxed fashion, but the tension around the automobiles increased tenfold. “Now I’m a patient man, but know when I say we are leaving here, I mean one way or another. Stand back. And if you think of calling the authorities, remember I know where you both live. Where your children go to school.”
Jake was shocked by the threat. But he got into the second truck when Thomas yanked on his collar. Using the rearview mirror he could see John physically restraining Mary from chasing after them.
After a few minutes, Jake turned around and saw Wendy crying in the other truck, but Sally drove straight ahead as if nothing was wrong at all. What had they gotten themselves into? He wasn’t sure that he fully trusted either of their guardians. At that very moment, Jake felt that he made the wrong choice and should have told his parents. That they should have stayed with the Millers. He just wanted the chance to do everything over again.
“Don’t worry,” Thomas broke the silence. “We’ll regroup at the compound. You’ll see her again soon.”
But Jake had a feeling he wouldn’t at all. He felt like he might never see her again, and that image of her crying uncontrollably, would be seared into his brain forever.
Chapter Twenty-three Jenna
Glistening Rights and Protection Organization
Alexandria, Virginia
“You can’t go in there.”
The secretary was on Jenna’s ass, following her with a clipboard, but Jenna didn’t care. “Keep her busy, will you?” she said to Jameson or Dirk, whichever would listen. As long as it wasn’t she who had to put up with crap from some nonessential worker doing what she’s told. Meanwhile, a girl’s life hung in the balance.
Jenna knocked on the door and pushed it open.
Rebecca jumped up from her chair and papers flew everywhere before floating down to the ground with the precision of a parachute. “You? Here I thought you were being held somewhere for murdering Chief Reynolds.”
“I do not have the time or patience to throw barbs back and forth. Let’s not do this the hard way.” Jenna pulled her gun from her side and cocked it. “Bullet’s in the chamber so you better damn answer my questions.”
Rebecca held her hands up. “I know they say you are unreasonable—”
Jenna tilted her head. “Do they? That’s very understated of them. Where in the hell do you have those kids hidden? Is it here? By the lack of security outside, I’d say no.”
Her chin quivered and her eyes darted while she thought of an answer. Rebecca wasn’t the pillar of confrontation that Jenna thought she’d be. “Summerset. It’s a small fishing village. Few hours away at best. I can send the coordinates to your phone.”
Jenna nodded. “See, I knew you could cooperate. I don’t like you, Seers. What you’ve done has set off a chain of events you can’t undo. You shouldn’t have moved them in secret. You shouldn’t have moved them at all. You should have made her get rid of it. If you did, my life wouldn’t suck and the Chief would still be alive.”
Rebecca’s eyes flashed with disbelief. “You really believe that? You really think they killed Chief Reynolds over Wendy?”
“What I believe is that the Chief was just collateral damage and the real targets got away. You’re going to tell me the thought never crossed your mind? I don’t buy it.”
Rebecca glanced at her desk. Jenna saw the truth on her face.
“What’s her condition?” Jenna asked. “If I’m going to save her ass, I want to know what I’m walking into.”
Rebecca stuttered, smoothing her hair back and her eyes wouldn’t meet Jenna’s. “Good. I get reports from her nurse. You know her. She works for your mother.”
“Sally?” Jenna asked and felt the color wash out of her face. She snorted and shook her head, teeth clenched. “I can’t believe your nerve, getting my mother and her camp involved in this.”
“She was involved in this way before I was. Your mother is a pioneer.”
“And an idiot.” Jenna took a deep breath. “Thanks for the information. I’ll let you know when the kids are safe. But if I’m lucky, maybe the men searching for them will come here and blow you first. Seems only fitting, don’t you think?”
The shock on Rebecca’s face made Jenna laugh. She stormed out and saw Jameson holding hands with the secretary, who, judging from her blushing cheeks, was eating every moment of it.
“Loverboy.” She slapped him in the chest. “Let’s make tracks.”
“Where are we headed?” Dirk asked, jogging to keep up to her long strides.
“We’re going to the country, boys. Break out the fishing rods.”
New Haven High School, Basement Level
Security Clearance, Restricted
For a long time, Marie sat in darkness. There was nothing to see or hear. The only sound was her chattering teeth from the cold. Her naked skin stuck to the metal of the chair and her wrists were raw from how tightly the ropes were tied against her naked flesh.
Unaware how much time passed, her ears focused on the sound of footsteps and a metal door banging shut behind her. The metal cuffs around her neck kept her from behind able to turn. “Hello?” She whispered in the darkness, her throat hoarse from the cold.
A warm hand clamped on her shoulder. For a split second, Marie felt that everything would be okay. Before the needle slipped beneath her skin.
The darkness spun until there was nothing at all.
Marie was aware that her chin was buried into her chest with such a crick in her neck that it made her head thud with pain. Her wet hair was frozen in icicle chunks all around her face. Squinting, she looked across the dark room. She could see a pinprick of light opening in the distance. She tried to sit up, to see what was happening, but was so cold that none of her body seemed to respond to commands anymore.
The light
snapped into such a blinding light unlike anything Marie had ever seen before. Instinctual, her eyes closed, but still the light hurt her. She moaned, unable to look away, thanks to the bracers she wore. Trying to scream, an electrical pulse deadened her muscles through the bottom of her chair. It surged through her bones, chewed through her muscles, and put her through such agony, Marie wished for it only to end. She didn’t care if they killed her, if they disposed of her, only if it ended.
It did end, in that moment.
And Marie was grateful.
But then a moment later it was back. Brighter and more intense than before. She did her best not to scream, not to give in.
Music flooded through speakers unlike anything she had ever heard. The harsh sounds hurt her ears. Guitar riffs and obnoxious drum solos. When the men sang, they screamed. It wasn’t music, it was torture. If Marie’s hands weren’t clamped to her side, she would have covered her ears. Time ticked by, hours maybe, or even longer. Marie could barely think from the constant pounding in her ears.
The music finally cut off, but Marie still heard it vibrating in her head and feel it quivering in the floor beneath her feet. Her dull, tired eyes detected a window opening to the room next door.
There was a metal slab in her view and beside it a man in a white coat, as if he were a doctor. But he scared Wendy, because she knew he was one of the worst kinds. He wasn’t a glistening, like she was. He wasn’t just a human being. He was one of the doctors who worked for New Haven. Probably did experiments on other glistenings, just like they were doing to her now.
On the metal slab was a small frame covered up by a white sheet. The doctor peeled the cloth back enough so Marie could see the dead woman’s face. It was the face of her mother. It was Susan Monroe. The one she was named for. The one Marie loved more than her own life.
“Mom!” Marie shrieked. Her throat burned, but the screams couldn’t cease. Marie’s wrists ached, but still she veered forward, pulling against her restraints. Marie’s neck strained against the metal clasps.
The window slammed shut. A voice echoed through the room.
“Begin phase 2.”
More cold air was pumped into the room, and the lights returned.
It all started over from the beginning and Marie didn’t think she would die. She wanted to die.
****
When the window slid open again, Marie felt almost nothing. Even the pain she had felt the last day, the past hours, was no longer present. There was only a numbness in her mind and a tingling through her limbs. She didn’t know how many phases she had been through, but phase five had been the worst, while phase six made her cry the hardest.
Marie blinked as she regarded the lifeless frame on the slab in front of her. When they pulled back the sheet, she barely reacted. “That’s my Mom,” she said flatly.
“She’s dead.” A voice said to her over the loudspeaker.
“Yes,” Marie repeated, listlessly. “But she’s in a better place.”
“A better place?”
Marie nodded. “Just like we all want to go to someday. Can I go home soon? I think someone needs to feed our cat. My mom used to do it. Before she moved on.”
“Congratulations, Marie, on completing all the phases so brilliantly. We willget you something to eat and see you home.”
With a snap, all of her restraints were free. Marie used her hands to shield her eyes as the light gradually turned back on. Someone was beside her, wrapping her in a warm blanket. It was one of her old teachers from kindergarten. The woman had a warm smile. “You are exactly who we need you to be, Marie.”
“I will be whoever you need me to be.” Marie followed her. She was in the basement of the high school. The walls were lined with doors, each guarded with a police officer. Marie smiled at them for a job well done. She thanked them for their service.
Her old teacher led her to the second-floor bathrooms and instructed her to take a hot shower and get dressed. “We’ll take you home soon. I’m sure your Dad can’t wait to see you.”
Marie couldn’t either. She thought maybe she could make him a nice cake. Or maybe a pie. Apple pie was always his favorite. Since Mom wasn’t around anymore, someone was going to have to take care of him.
****
Marie felt grungy in the sweats they gave her. Never before had she been in public in anything other than a skirt, but her teachers assured her it was just temporary until she got home. Then she could change, make dinner, and unwind in front of the television. After a long day of school and extracurricular activities, Marie welcomed it.
Megan met her by the curb with a warm hug. “How are you, sweetie? Last I heard, they sent your Dad home a few hours ago. I’ll take you home. I’m sure he can’t wait to see you.”
Marie smiled. Megan was one of her mom’s oldest friends. She was sure one day she’d end up married to Megan’s son. Too bad her mom wouldn’t be around to see it. It was too bad, but at least now she was in a better place.
“She’s in a better place now, you know.” Megan said once they were seated in the car. Marie couldn’t help but notice there were bruises on Megan’s face, and on her neck there was a thin red line.
“Did you get tangled up in the clothesline again?”
Megan smiled. “Yes, I did. Seems to happen every few months, doesn’t it?”
It certainly did.
Once home, Marie thanked her for the ride home and gave her a pleasant wave goodbye. She watched her drive off, surprised how empty the streets were. All the stores were closed and Marie didn’t see anyone inside the neighborhood parks at a time of year when all the parks were full. There was hardly anything fun to do in New Haven. Marie supposed the malt shops must have been extra busy that night.
Stepping inside her house, Marie let the door close behind her quietly. “Dad, you home?”
“In here.” His voice was sad.
Marie felt so bad for him and rushed into the living room. He sat in the recliner watching a Scooby-Doo rerun. Mom’s favorite cartoon.
“Your mom’s favorite,” he said as if he read her mind.
She sat down on the armrest beside him. “I’m sorry, Dad. About Mom. About Jake.”
“At least I still have you, kiddo. I love you, Marie.”
“I love you too, Daddy.” Marie leaned in for a warm hug. It lingered probably too long, Marie thought. Maybe he could sense that deep down somewhere, she was sad too. “I’m gonna go make us something to eat. Just like Mom would.”
Marie excused herself, but not before she noticed the red marks on his wrists and neck. Just like hers. Maybe this was normal, maybe this was life, but Marie doubted it. She wasn’t sure she could ever bring herself to ask, even over a tall glass of warm milk.
Would she ever feel safe enough to be honest again?
****
After a wonderful dinner, Jeff did the dishes while Marie did her homework in front of the television. He could hear its soft whine over the running water and the meowing of the cat bellowing at his feet. Susan usually fed him milk at night, he remembered. So he took a yellow saucer from the cabinet and filled it up.
“Sorry, Harvey.” Jeff scratched behind the purring cat’s ears. “It’ll take a little getting used to, but we’ll find our groove.”
The doorbell sent Jeff to the front door. When he answered, he was surprised to see his friend from across the street. “Billy? You’re just in time for coffee, if you want some.”
Billy’s eyes were shifty, but he looked relieved to enter the home. “Thank God you’re here. I saw your car, but was afraid that they got to you. They’ve already gone through a third of the town. Some of us are held up in the old church. The one Stark used. It has special properties.”
“I can’t go out.” Jeff poured Billy a cup. “Marie’s here.”
Billy’s eyes drifted to the living room. When he saw her, he waved. “Well, bring her with you. It concerns her too.”
Jeff scowled. “She has homework and school in the morni
ng. What’s gotten into you?”
“This is more important than school work.” Billy grabbed Jeff’s wrist and pushed up the sleeve. Then, he inspected his neck. “Oh, gosh, they got to you.” Billy backed up, fear in his eyes. He wiped spit off the corner of his mouth. “Damn it, Jeff, snap out of it. We need you. If we have you, others will join us. Susan would want a good life for you and Marie. If we stay here, we have nothing left. Not with the chief dead. Not with all the cops knowing we can take them out if we want to. We have to strike now before they clamp down on us. Or worse.”
“Billy, I don’t know what you think you know about Susan. Her death, while tragic, is just a hurdle we have to overcome. She’s in a better place.” Jeff grinned. “That’s all that matters.”
His friend set the coffee cup down without a sip. “I’m sorry you feel that way, Jeff. I’m sorry for a lot of things.” Billy left without saying goodbye and slammed the door shut.
Marie came from the living room holding a notebook to her chest. “Dad, what did Billy want?”
Jeff didn’t have the foggiest idea.
“Dishes are done,” he said. “I know it’ll take a while for us to get into a groove. Just the two of us, but it’ll be nice, I think.”
Marie agreed. “We’ll get through it. I’m glad I have you.” She hugged him, and Jeff patted her back.
“I’m going to head up to the bedroom and lay a few things out for the morning. I’ll be back in a few moments.” Jeff grinned before heading upstairs.
The bedroom was warm and quiet, with the shades drawn. The bed was freshly made and everything looked as it normally would, except Susan’s shoe rack was empty and her closet was cleaned out. The town did it, to save him the trouble, and Jeff was grateful.
He pulled a shirt and a pair of slacks out for work the next day. He laid them on the bench beside Susan’s old vanity. Her makeup and jewelry were gone. All that was left was the mirror and a few rings on the wood were Susan used to rest her morning coffee.