Glistening Haven: A Shape Shifting Dystopian Boxset

by Jill Cooper

  “Get them both out of here.” Briggs waved his hand to dismiss them. He turned his back, and walked toward the wall like they had already left.

  Dirk placed a hand on Jenna’s shoulder in a soothing gesture, but it didn’t help. Her blood was boiling and she was ready to launch an attack on anyone in her way. “Let’s just go, Jenn. We could use the rest.”

  She knew he was right. A glance into his warm eyes softened her, but Jenna wasn’t ready to let her guard down just yet. “Can I get a phone call first?” She asked one of the guards on the way out. They headed toward one of the squad cars.

  He shook his head. “No calls in or out until Spector arrives. Chief’s orders.”

  Jenna took a deep sigh, pushing her hair from her face. She could feel her vision spinning and a dangerous drop in her blood pressure. Whatever was happening she needed it to end and end quick.

  Dirk stepped in. “Wait a second, we have a son on the outside. He’s a year old. She just wants to check in on him.”

  “Sorry.” The officer said without an ounce of sympathy and with a smirk on his face. He opened the squad doors and they slipped into the back.

  They weren’t handcuffed or forced, but Jenna felt like she was under arrest. She was completely at their mercy and there wasn’t a thing she could do about it.

  The officer started the car and the engine purred. They drove through the tunnels and then uphill. The front gates opened and through it Jenna could see the lush trees bordering the sidewalks. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

  “You should have taken that chief job.” Dirk said with a smirk, but there was no laughter behind his voice.

  “I really should have.” Jenna said flatly.

  ****

  It was the first time that Jenna had been inside a New Haven community since seeing the destruction of New Haven 56. She still remembered how it smelled, the burning of human flesh and the rivers of blood. They hadn’t all been her friends, especially Laurel who set Jenna up to take the fall for the murder of Travis Reynolds. But she had known them.

  They worked together. She knew their faces. Their families.

  Made sleeping at night sometimes hard knowing that good officers were gutted while Laurel was alive, rotting in prison for her crimes. But she was alive, being treated fair and getting her three meals a day. Some innocent Americans were getting less than that.

  A lot less.

  Glistenings had taken no human prisoners, had issued no mercy during their escape. It was only the calming presence of Jake that had allowed them to let go of their hate and blood lust.

  In contrast, it was a bright and shiny day as they drove through downtown. Jenna saw many of the New Haven staples; the soda jerk, the movie theater and the big park across from the corner grocery store. There were women in hoop skirts and men with their hair gelled back looking relaxed and happy as they threw a Frisbee back and forth.

  But, she saw a few things she wasn’t used to. The homes were larger and while identical to their neighbors, the bushes and color of flowers varied. There was more yard space for kids to play and the buildings weren’t packed up against each other like they normally were. Jenna knew the rations were increased and living arrangements were supposed to be more pleasant, but hadn’t seen it firsthand.

  She had to admit she was a little jealous. Her home wasn’t nearly this big. Humans didn’t have an indefinite supply of food. Why was it that glistenings received all the special treatment when they were the ones that had nearly destroyed the world?

  The squad car drove up a hill and then took a left. It must have been the police ward because the homes were smaller and painted with more subdued color. There were no plants, no flowers, and the buildings were boring boxes. Jenna clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth and said, “figures.”

  It figured that humans were treated worse than the glistenings. They were so concerned how the monsters were treated, humans treated themselves like crap. Like somehow they had something to answer for, like they were constantly apologizing for creating glistenings in the first place.

  The car pulled over and the officer handed over the home key to them. For a moment Jenna stood outside, her eyes sweeping the street and taking in the other houses. “I didn’t want to, you know. Kill all those innocent glistenings.”

  Dirk’s hand massaged her neck. “I thought they weren’t innocent?”

  She peered up at him, tears in her eyes. Her lip trembled and he leaned down and kissed the bridge of her nose. His hot breath warmed her skin and she quivered in his embrace. She didn’t want to give in to a sob, so didn’t.

  “Why do you always have to be so tough?” Dirk kissed her.

  Jenna wished she knew. She didn’t have an answer as her lips met his urgently. All she knew was she needed him, wanted him, and if her attitude problem ever got in the way of that, she’d regret it for the rest of her life.

  They went inside to finally have somewhere to rest, and hopefully find a bite to eat. The rooms were small, but clean. The furniture was nice, if not bland, but there were no wall hangings. No decorations of any kind. It felt more like a safe house than a home.

  Hopefully soon they would be able to get out of there and head home. Jenna’s stomach was tight with anxiety. She wanted nothing more than to go home, kiss her son, and then get away from all this as quick as she could, but she was starting to think….starting to think maybe running away to Hawaii wasn’t the best idea in the world.

  The NH didn’t want her anymore, but maybe that’s why she needed to stay. Jenna pulled back the drapes on the window and eyed kids in the next yard playing. All of them with harnesses around their neck. How would she feel if Travis or her unborn baby were fitted with one of those? How would she feel if she was?

  Jenna rubbed her neck subconsciously.

  “There’s burgers in the freezer and bacon in the fridge. Should give you the meat jolt you need. It’s been awhile since you ate.”

  “Food of champions.” Jenna said softly and leaned against the wall, watching Dirk across the hall in the kitchen going through the freezer. He opened the cupboards until he found a frying pan and then with finesse he spun it in his hand, placing it down on the stove top burner.

  After everything they had just been through, when Jenna last ate was the first thing on his her mind. If it was possible for her heart to grow because of the love and warmth she felt for that man, it just happened.

  “I don’t deserve you.” Jenna said and startled herself when the words tumbled out of her mouth. She crossed her arms and stared off into space as Dirk approached her. He rubbed her arms and kissed her forehead. Tears filled her eyes and she quickly blinked them away. “You do all this stuff for me and most of the time, I’m kind of a bitch.”

  Dirk grinned and caressed her cheek. “Maybe a brat.” He offered. “But never…well, okay maybe sometimes. But I love that fire in you, Jenn. I love that you burn hot and you feel so passionately about so many things. Protecting people, loving me and Travis.”

  “You always do that.” Jenna whispered.

  “What do I do?” Dirk asked, eyebrows arched.

  “Make me forget what a monster I am. You make me see these great qualities in myself that I swear don’t exist unless I’m around you.”

  “Guess then you’ll just need to stick with me.” Dirk murmured running his hands through her hair, loosening her curls from their bun and cascading them around her shoulders.

  Jenna kept her eyes closed and moaned. All the stress and tension was floating away, but she was still so worried about Travis. True, her mom was resourceful, if there was a problem there was no one else Jenna would trust to take care of that baby.

  “I think I can go a little while longer without eating.”

  “Oh yeah?” Dirk’s voice was hushed, low and his breath blew against her neck. With gentle force he pushed her against the wall and Jenna gave him a sensual grin, her eyes low. Their lips met with a rush of urgency, their fingers cla
sped and his hot breath against her skin caused her to shiver.

  “Good thing,” Dirk whispered as he caressed her body, “because I don’t think I can wait one more minute to have you.”

  Her heart leapt in her chest and Jenna’s fingers played with the clasps of his bullet proof vest. She yanked them open, her teeth pulling at the skin of his neck. A sharp intake of breath meant Jenna had been a little too rough, but so what? She throttled the intensity her tongue lashing out against his skin.

  Dirk hoisted her up on his waist, Jenna wrapped her strong, muscular legs around his middle and her arms draped over his defined shoulders. If you were away from your kid and locked inside a bubble community with no chance of escape, might as well make a date of it.

  ****

  Burgers were long consumed. Empty plates with dredges of ketchup sat on the end tables. The white bed sheets were strewn about half on the floor while Dirk perched himself on top of his wife, kissing her in slow, sensual strokes. His arms held himself up, muscles rippling in his back while her long graceful finger pulled on his hair.

  Her shapely, muscular leg was wrapped around his waist, pushing his lower back further against her. Jenna tilted her head back and moaned, feeling every stroke as he deeply filled her. If Dirk noticed her slightly thickened abdomen, he certainly was keeping his thoughts to himself.

  His warm hand gripped her upper thigh, pulling her leg up higher, closer, and gripped it. His breath was rushed and when Jenna knew he was about to let loose, she moaned and bit his neck. She held him close, squeezing him in a crushing hug, driving him further inside her.

  Dirk groaned and his breath quickened, his eyes closed, but with a look of satisfaction, peace all over his gentle features. Jenna studied them and felt a great pang of guilt, for not telling him. For keeping secrets. She didn’t know how much longer she was going to be able to keep it up.

  One time lying to him was second nature, but she didn’t want to be that Jenna anymore. She trusted him. She loved him more than anything. There was just so much fear because she knew what he’d say; they should try to keep the baby.

  But what if she died? What would become of him?

  Travis?

  Dirk was staring at her and Jenna realized she had been lost in space again. “Penny for your thoughts?”

  Jenna forced a smile, biting her lip. “I just…need to take my medicine. Not feeling that great.” Which was true. Since the burgers and the sex, she was lightheaded and her vision was dancing like it had just finished doing the Macarena.

  She gave him a soft kiss before she wrapped the sheet around her body. Sauntering over to the bathroom she could hear Dirk making himself comfortable on the bed. “What’s with the modesty? You’ve never been big on it.”

  Jenna closed the bathroom door almost all the way shut, but open enough to give her some light. “Maybe I just started being the blushing bride a little bit late. There’s a lot to say for modesty.”

  Popping open her purse she found her pills, nearly a full bottles worth and placed two pills under her tongue. She turned on the tap and took a few draughts of water from her cupped palm. Taking a deep breath, Jenna could make out swirls of colors and patterns in the darkness.

  When something assaulted her. Something powerful in her gut. Jenna groaned, gripped her belly with one hand and her other hand gripped the sink basin. Her mouth fell open, frozen in pain and she tried not to call out. Tried not to make a scene.

  “Jen? You all right?”

  “I’m fine.” Jenna cringed, still hunched over. Her body racked with spasms she couldn’t control. The pain was so intense it constricted her mind, unable to form any logical thoughts. When it passed, she took a deep breath, stood up, and turned right into Dirk.

  His face was set in stone.

  “Just a cramp.” Jenna said and pushed past him. She picked up her jeans off the floor and wrote off the pain in her stomach as just a twinge. “Maybe we should go for a walk, check this place out.”

  “We were told not to go out and you’re changing the subject.” Dirk crossed his arms. “You were doubled over in pain. What’s going on?”

  “Menstrual cramps.” Jenna slipped on her jeans, but stopped short of buttoning them. She turned and dropped the sheet to the floor. “What, you don’t believe me? It’s rougher than usual this month. My breasts are swollen too.”

  “I can see that.” Dirk’s jaw was set tight. “I know you have something you want to tell me. Why not just tell me now?”

  Jenna shrugged and grabbed her black lace bra from the top of the lampshade. “It’s not important. Let’s go for a walk. I need the fresh air. Do me good to stretch my legs.”

  He blinked and shook his head. “We were told not to.”

  She touched his chin and brought his face back to hers. “Since when do we listen? Everything we went through, fought for, went into this place. Our sweat and tears. Let’s just take a stroll. That’s all. What is the worst thing that can happen? I don’t even have my gun.”

  “All right.” Dirk sighed. “If it’ll make you feel better.”

  “It will.” Jenna smiled and did her best to make sure it would sparkle. She swung her arms around his neck and gave him a kiss. Picking up his shirt, she threw it at him. “Besides, it’ll keep my mind off of little Travis. God knows every free moment I’ve had, I worry something’s going wrong.”

  “I’ll make sure you don’t have many of those moments then.” Dirk rubbed her hair and kissed the top of her head.

  Jenna pulled her black fitted t-shirt on. Once her long red hair was pulled back into a ponytail they headed outside. It was still light out, but the sun was starting to set. It cast a blue shadow on everything thanks to the bubble, kind of like the inside of a lava lamp.

  A squad car drove by and through its blazing horn a warning was issued. “One hour to curfew. One hour. Any glistening caught outside without proper papers and authorization will be dealt with swiftly and harshly. Fifty-nine minute warning.”

  Jenna took a deep breath. She wasn’t sure if this made things better, not for the glistenings. But for the humans, it brought them comfort. She saw that whenever she turned on the television. Why she was sympathizing with glistenings now, she didn’t know. Hell, she just killed five hundred of them with a simple switch. So why did she care if they had to be home and in bed before six?

  She did. And to say she didn’t wish there was another way out alive, well Jenna wished there had been. Those glistenings, while not innocent, hadn’t asked to be released into the ‘real world’ and become freedom fighters.

  Hand in hand they walked down the street past the two story residential streets. A few kids were on the sidewalk playing hopscotch in their cute outdated clothing. And around their necks were the kill harnesses that they would never get off. They would be with them until their dying day.

  And if they didn’t listen, if their parents rebelled, well that moment would come just that more sooner.

  Walking past another house with a stone fence, Jenna heard crying. She found a girl huddled on the other side of the fence. Her knees were pulled into her chest and her arms were wrapped around them tightly.

  “Jenn.” Dirk warned.

  Jenna held her hand up to him to silence him as she shifted into police mode. She went down on bended knee. “What’s the matter?”

  The little girl with blonde pigtails sniffled and her chin quivered against her knees. “Daddy’s mad.”

  Jenna’s eyes narrowed. “Why is he mad?”

  She swallowed hard “Mommy forgot the peas.” She said simply and went back to her crying.

  Jenna straightened up and eyed the front door to the girl’s home. She started toward and it Dirk pulled her back. She yelped.

  “Whatever you think you’re going to do, Jenn, reconsider.”

  “This girl is upset about peas. I’m just going to go talk to her father, that’s all.” Jenna walked up the pathway with Dirk chasing after her.

  “We don’t work
here or even belong here.”

  She put her hand on the front door like she hadn’t even heard him. “It’s unlocked.” She said and pushed it open. Jenna was greeted with the smell of roast beef and hot warm gravy. After her dinner of burgers and bacon she was surprised how hungry the smell made her.

  “Police.” She said with a light rap of her knuckles on the door. Stepping inside, Jenna’s hand automatically went to her hip on instinct for her gun, but it wasn’t there, already seized by Outpost when they first reported in for medical attention.

  She crept inside, the sound of silverware clinking against a plate leading her footsteps. There were no voices, just an eerie calm present over the house. The living room was empty so Jenna turned into the formal dining room.

  A grand oak table took center stage. A crystal chandelier was hung just above it. Around the table was a handsome man, some teenagers respectfully dressed and one other couple. None of them were talking. Instead they were quietly cutting their beef and sipping their liquefied cow organ juice from crystal stemware.

  Jenna stepped into the room and her foot stepped onto something. When she looked down she saw its blonde hair. Belonging to what she suspected was the mistress of the house, in a blue dress with white polka dots. Her waist was cinched with a razor thin white belt and peekaboo white shoes were still on her perfectly manicured feet. The woman’s face was frozen in a perfect state of bliss from her curled eyelashes to her ruby red lipstick.

  Her face was so peaceful that the pie server sticking out of her chest seemed almost laughable. Not horrible at all, except it was. Anger and fear bubbled up in Jenna’s chest. “What the hell is going on here?”

  Jenna cast her eyes over the diners, but they still went along their business like nothing was happening. Like the host wasn’t dead.

  “I demand answers.” Jenna said with stronger authority.

  The green light on their harnesses blinked. Each in turn they looked at her without putting down their forks. The man in the v-neck sweater answered for the group. “She forgot the peas.” He said simply.