Glistening Haven: A Shape Shifting Dystopian Boxset

by Jill Cooper

  And then as if they were all on the same rhythm, all operating by the same brain wave, they lowered their heads back down and the forks began to spoon imaginary peas from their plates into their mouths.

  Jenna backed up right into Dirk and she felt ghostly pale. Almost faint.

  “What the hell is going on here?” Dirk whispered to her.

  She shook her head and her voice was a hush whisper. “Get the chief over here. I need answers.”

  Chapter Eight Jake

  Monroe Farm,

  Rural Saskatchewan Territory of the Canadian State

  When Jake arrived at the farm there were loud voices coming from inside the farmhouse. He charged up the front steps and through the swinging doors and saw everyone was gathered in the living room gathered around the television. Victor’s face was flushed and his father, Jeff Monroe, was equally heated. The two men squaring off as everyone in the room stared at them.

  “Did you know this was going to happen? Answer the question, Victor!” Jeff pointed a finger directly into his face.

  Victor took a deep breath and gently pushed the finger waggling in his face to the side. “I support your son. You know I only want what is best for the glistenings so how can you charge me with this crime? Of course I didn’t know. If I knew, I would have reported it to Jake immediately.”

  “But you were in favor of it, weren’t you? I heard what you said last night to Jake. You thought this opportunity was staring us in the face. So now you expect me to believe this is some sort of coincidence? I may be a simple man, but I’m no idiot.”

  Marie was perched on the armrest of the sofa, her face stricken with thick tears. At the sight of that, Jake’s blood pressure dropped. He hated seeing his sister upset. Victor, his father, should have known better. Hadn’t she been through enough already?

  “Enough.” Jake’s voice boomed as he pushed past his friends to get in the center of the circle. “Victor. Dad. Settle down. Whatever this is.”

  “Jake.” Marie said softly and her hand reached out for him.

  “It’ll be okay.” Jake murmured and squeezed her fingers like his life depended on it.

  Victor huffed and put his hands on his hips. “What this is about is while you were off playing school with Ms. Nuefeld it happened. The humans killed five hundred glistenings. Just like that.”

  “I saw the news.” Jake said quietly. “But we don’t have all the facts.”’

  The others murmured. “They’ll come for us now. They’ll never stop looking.”

  Another spoke. “If they find us, we’re dead. We should pack up and leave.”

  “But where would we go? Where?”

  “You said this wouldn’t happen.” Marie said quietly wiping her face. “Jake you promised the humans wouldn’t exterminate us.”

  “They won’t.” Jake said with certainty but it was met with more head shaking from his friends.

  “Jake,” Meghan said without angst, “we need to do something. If we don’t, we’re sitting ducks.”

  “They. Did.” Victor countered, his chest puffed up. “It’s time we took a stand.”

  “And what?” Jeff asked. “Go to war? Risk our kids. Risk everything to wage a battle we can’t win? They have arms. Bombs. Tanks. What do we have?”

  “Real strength.” Victor clenched his fist. “They rely on technology. Machines, but when we are in glistening form, we have real power and they’ll never see it coming.”

  Jake couldn’t believe what he was suggesting. Some around him began to talk, nodding their heads in agreement. “It’s suicide.” Jake said to each of them, his head sweeping around to address him. “We can’t hope for peace, to be allowed to live among people if we wage ware to kill them.”

  Victor sneered, his brow furrowing. “Allowed. Listen to yourself. Like they are in charge of us. Like we are the lesser species and why? Because some glistenings decades ago surrendered their power to them when we are the dominant species?”

  “The glistenings had a lot to be sorry for, Victor.” Jake said calmly with a puff of air. “It was the only way to stop the bloodshed. Why can’t you see that violence isn’t the beginning or the end to our problems?”

  “We can win.” Victor said. “If we stand together, if we organize our attack, we can take back what is ours.”

  “And then what?” Jake asked. “We kill them all? Put them in the bubbles?”

  Victor didn’t say yes or no. Jake couldn’t believe it or the glare of anger in Victor’s eyes. He knew they saw things differently, but he hadn’t realized how much malcontent there was between them.

  “I’m surprised in you, Victor. I thought we wanted the same things. I didn’t realize you hated the humans as much as they hate you.”

  Victor’s mouth foamed as he lashed out his words in a verbal attack. “And you, I expected more from. But I suppose we all know you harbor love for the humans. Were in love with one, so why did I expect you would stand with us? You probably wish you were one of them. Weak. Meek. You have the real power, so why wouldn’t you use it? Stop cowering and lead us like you were supposed to.”

  “Hey,” Jeff said angrily, “it’s because of Jake we were able to take human form again. If it wasn’t for him, we’d still be out there feasting on any man we could find. It’s because of Jake the government didn’t bomb us.”

  “And maybe we should have.” Victor’s chest expanded with defiance. “Maybe then we could have brought the humans to their knees and they would see what we really are. Dominant. In control.”

  Jake looked upon Victor with fresh eyes. “I can’t believe I’m hearing all this. That’s not control. That’s out of control. Animals. That’s not us.” He looked to everyone. “You are not animals. Don’t be fooled. Let’s not prove to the humans that we’re everything we feared because then it’s the end of us and the glistenings still living in the bubbles.”

  “They need to be freed.” Victor said. “If we’re not animals then glistenings need to be released from their cages.”

  Jeff shook his head and Marie covered her ears like she was getting ready to go manic and explode. “Everyone please,” Jake said calmly. “We need to take a breath. Step back. And come up with a plan. Dad, please take Marie and get her something to drink.”

  He nodded and took his daughter by the hand and led her away.

  “No offense to you, Jake. You saved us. You brought us together here where we could regroup, but we’ve been waiting for you to come up with a plan for too long. Your inaction caused this to happen.” Victor said.

  “You’re scaring everyone, Victor.” Jake said and splayed out his hands. “Everyone is already afraid, this is a bad situation, but you’re making it worse to get what you want.”

  “To open your eyes.” Victor corrected. “. Maybe it’s time you step aside. Let someone else lead. Or by God listen to our advice. We don’t want to hide. We want our brothers, our sisters, freed from their prisons. We are stronger than the humans. We don’t deserve this treatment!”

  A few others nodded.

  “Survival of the fittest.” Said Tom Franklin. “We’re stronger. Faster. So how did we lose?”

  “We felt bad. We were weak. But now it’s time to prove we are strong.”

  Jake shook his head, his heart sinking. “Killing them isn’t the answer. We need peace. Real peace. Please, give me time.”

  “How much time? Weeks? Months?” Victor’s eyes flashed with anger. “How many more of us have to die before you’re willing to see that the humans don’t care about us at all?”

  “Two days.” Jake said. “Give me two days to set something in motion. That’s all I ask.”

  Victor took a deep breath and relief washed over his face. “And if you do nothing, if no progress has been made?”

  Jake gritted his teeth. He knew people needed to see resolution. He had to show them he was the man for the job. “Then I’ll listen to you. Then we’ll find a way to free the others.”

  Victor’s face was sto
ic. Until he sucked in his bottom lip and extended his hand to Jake. He heartedly pumped it “This my friend,” Victor said, “is the start to something wonderful. You’ll see.”

  He wished he could believe that and wished there was time to talk to Marie, but he had to make tracks if things were to be resolved. No matter what he said, going to war was wrong. He just had to make sure other people understood what glistenings were really about. Victor didn’t really want war. He wanted life and was frustrated. With time, his friend and ally would soften and see the truth.

  Humans weren’t enemies. They were the same.

  Jake stood outside in the wheat field. He took off his shirt and tossed it to the ground when he heard Jeff calling him. “Son!” Jeff screamed when he found him. “What are you doing?”

  “I need to do this, Dad. I need to make contact.”

  Jeff shook his head. “They’ll kill you. You know that. We’re wanted dead or alive. You can’t go and just leave us. Victor is blood thirsty. He’ll drive us all to extinction.”

  “Not everyone will kill me.” Jake looked up to the sky. “Keep Victor in line. Don’t let him out of your sight. And Dad, do me a favor.”

  Jeff nodded. “Anything.”

  “Keep him away from Marie.” Jake took a deep breath and just saying her name made his body race with adrenaline. He wanted to protect her. “We can’t trust him and I don’t want him anywhere near my sister.”

  “But you said we’d go along with his plan if you fail.”

  “I had to say something.” Jeff admitted. “But I won’t fail. I have friends, human friends. And one of them, owes me. She big time owes me for everything that happened.”

  “Be careful.” Jeff clasped his shoulders. “I wish I could come with you.”

  “This is what I have to do. Take care of Marie. Tell her I’ll be back soon and keep her chin up.”

  Jeff nodded. “She’s far more fragile than she should be. After witnessing everything with your mother…”

  Jake knew. God how he knew. “Go inside.” He said as he kicked off his shoes. “I don’t like it when you see me like this.”

  “I know it goes without saying, but I love you, son. I do. I wish we could have given you a normal life.” Jeff said.

  “The curse didn’t start with you, Dad. I know that.” Jake said and waited for his father to head back. Besides, Jake thought, normal people don’t get to fly like I do.

  Anger was the key to any good glistening transformation. Anger used to be hard for Jake, but now he needed to just picture one woman’s face; Wendy. Picture her in pain, struggling, and ultimately dying. Sure, he hadn’t witnessed her death but that just made it worse. Did she call for help? Was she aware that she was slipping past the veil?

  Jake shook his fists and screamed, his face contorting. His head thrown back. And he could feel his bones shifting, breaking as they grew and morphed. His skin began to shimmer and his front arms turned into giant flapping wings. With a horrible screech of pain, he howled like a dragon, pushed off on his powerful hind legs and soared through the night sky.

  ****

  Marie was a simple, plain girl.

  By no stretch of the imagination was she beautiful, but she was pleasing to the eye.

  And as she sat at her vanity staring at her reflection, her long brown hair flowing behind her, Victor thought despite all of this she might be perfect.

  He stood behind her and picked her golden hairbrush up. With simple strokes he brushed her long hair, watching it fall into place as he finished. Smoothing it down with his hand, it shimmered shiny like she just stepped from the salon.

  “Your brother needs you, Marie.” He said simply and studied her face in the mirror. “He has hard, hard decisions and if anyone can convince him that we need saving, it’s you.”

  “Me?” Marie’s face scrunched up, but she sat unmoving. Almost like she was put into a trance. “Why me?”

  “He loves you. More than anything, I see it when he looks at you. He lost his mother. His human lover. Who else does he wish to protect more than anything? You. If anyone can move him toward the decision he needs to make, it’s you.

  “You’re a good person, Marie. I know you don’t want any of us to suffer. You want a better life for all glistenings.”

  After a long pause, Marie nodded. She studied her reflection in the mirror before she smoothed down the ends of her hair. “I want to help you. I will do as you ask.”

  Victor went in front of her and took both her hands. He kissed them, lovingly putting the palm to his cheek. “It will not be easy, my darling. But no glistening will ever forget you. You will be remembered forever.”

  A small smile cracked through her hypnotic state as she leaned forward. Victor gave her a simple, brief kiss, caressing her face. “And my mother? I will see her again?”

  “Soon.” Victor promised. “And her sacrifice will be vindicated.”

  Her face beamed with pride. “Just tell me what it is you need me to do.”

  ****

  The Sears Home

  Alexandria, Virginia

  Late at night, Rebecca was curled up on the plush recliner in her study beside the French doors that overlooked her pool, illuminated by spotlights. The walls were lined with bookcases and in the center was an old rich mahogany desk. But it was uncomfortable and too rigid for late night work.

  Her blonde hair was loose around her shoulders and she was wrapped in her soft gray bathrobe. Long and slender, her legs were tucked underneath her and on her lap was her newspaper vid. Somewhere between plastic and paper, the images on it changed thanks to the WIFI connection and the screen automatically updated from the news server for The United Chronicle.

  The headline read GLISTENINGS DECLARE OPEN WAR?

  The voice was that of the US’s lead investigative reporter Melissa Chang. Not always an ally, but she spoke the truth. Out of all the reporters, Rebecca trusted her newscasts the most.

  “The glistenings of New Haven 56 have been quiet since their escape, but earlier they caught all of our attention with their attack on a convoy transporting glistenings to the recently opened New Haven 57.

  “Some people blame the media for announcing the HI’s plans and route schedule, and this will be hotly debated for a long time to come. However, their aggressive attack was met with equal aggression by HI officer Jenna Morgan. After the loss of four armed officers, she barely made cover and was able to trigger the kill switch in the new glistenings destroying not just them, but their would be rescuers. No one debates that her actions saved the lives of countless American motorists.”

  “What is a concern is, what if she had been killed? How many more Americans would have been killed? As Congress convenes tomorrow, they are set to start asking tough questions again about the glistenings, their purpose, and if we can truly risk keeping them around.

  “Pest, foe, or something more? We’ll talk about it tomorrow during our Coffee Talk show.”

  Rebecca sighed and turned her paper off, sliding it onto the table beside her. Damn that Jenna Morgan, she thought as she picked up a cup of coffee and sipped it. She might as well have been a bomb herself for all the trouble and havoc she caused.

  It would have served Jenna right to be killed in that attack. Rebecca wished she had, but then Rebecca wouldn’t have been able to find out anything about that baby boy Jenna was raising. She would bet her life that it was Wendy and Jake’s ‘dead’ child. She couldn’t prove it. There was no evidence to say Rebecca’s suspicions were right.

  But there was no evidence that said she was wrong either.

  If she could just get her hands on it…

  The world needed Rebecca even if they didn’t know it. So did Jenna. Rebecca just needed to find a way to get the world to understand that glistenings weren’t monsters. They were the future.

  Her future.

  She took off her reading glasses and folded them up, sliding them to the table top. Picking up the small mirror she kept on the end table,
Rebecca studied her face. Her eyes were lined with crow’s feet and her mouth was peppered with frown lines.

  Her fingers delicately balanced against her skin and pulled it taught. Rebecca lusted after a younger, wrinkle free appearance. She sighed and slid the mirror across the table. “I have my work cut out for me.”

  At the door, a rustling came from outside, like a strong wind against the branches. But moments earlier the air had been calm. Rebecca turned her head; the water in the pool was still and then a giant crash, a crumbling of stone like a bomb had gone off. The pool water rippled, like an earthquake transpired just outside her home.

  She reached for the door frame to steady herself, peering out the window. Against the spotlights Rebecca made out a shadow, a figure beginning to approach her location.

  Someone was coming and she was frozen in place, terror swirled deep inside her. It gripped her, tearing her in two. Rebecca didn’t even think of running. There were no thoughts at all as something rounded near the glass from the side.

  A giant snout, like that of a dragon.

  It huffed its giant hairy nostrils and breath fogged up her patio glass. Dangerous, evil eyes came into view. They blinked slowly transfixed on her.

  Rebecca screamed and fell to her knees. She crawled away toward her desk and reached for her phone. Her hand searched for it blindly as the giant glistening used his snout to pry her door open.

  The phone fell to the floor and her finger shook so badly, she was barely able to get the phone open. Hurriedly she gasped for breath and dialed 911. The glistening had the door open enough to stick his head inside, behind him his giant wings flapped to get her attention. He was too big to get inside the house, but he wedged himself in her door, bending his head down around low to her position.

  “911 what is your emergency?”

  Rebecca was silent with terror, her mouth fallen open. She gazed into the face that was low beside her. The eyes….they weren’t evil like she thought they were at first. They were a warm brown.