by Jill Cooper
Dirk held a finger to his ear. “Package has been delivered.” They walked Jake down a long hallway adjourned with maple paneling on either side. There were pictures hung above of past Senators, presidents. It was a place of honor and history unlike anything Jenna had ever been inside before.
“Ten minutes.” An officer said to them as he walked by.
Jenna nodded her thanks. “You can use this room to freshen up if you want.” She opened the door to a small office. Going inside first she checked under the desk, in the closet, and behind the drapes to make sure it was safe. “We’ll wait right outside.”
Jake nodded. “Thank you.” He took his duffle bag from his shoulder and unzipped it. The suit jacket he pulled from it was a little wrinkled, but it would serve its purpose.
Jenna gave him a sarcastic grin. “Don’t you think it would be better to go in as a glistening? You have that big boom in your voice.”
“I have other plans. Besides,” Jake smiled, “I wouldn’t fit through the door.”
“Five minutes.” Jenna said with good humor and her and Dirk stood outside the room. Dirk pulled the door closed.
“We’re still going through with this?” Dirk asked.
Jenna stared him down. “We have our orders.”
“Yeah, but we have complications. And I saw that look on your face in the car.” Dirk nodded his head toward the door. “In that office. If you’re planning to deviate from the plan, to go renegade again, you need to tell me. I need in, Jenna.”
Jenna raised her eyebrows and leaned in to speak in a hushed voice. “And then what? We get Jake to safety. We elude capture. He’s free. Then what do we do? What does that mean for Travis, our…baby.” The word shouldn’t have put such a sour taste in her mouth.
“We’ll be one of them, Dirk. We’ll be aiding and abetting monsters. A direct violation of our oath.”
Dirk’s eyes narrowed. “I just wanted to be sure. Seems like a crummy thing to do…to the father of…A real crummy thing.”
Jenna nodded. “Just add it to the list of the crummy things I do on a daily basis. After this let’s get bagels. I really need a bagel.”
His hand rested on her waist. “The world needs this, for the glistenings to all be brought in. No more rebellions. No more reminders of what happened to this world. This country. We need a final hold on this, Jenn. If not…what’s the answer? Another war?”
She didn’t think the country could handle that. “And me?” Jenna asked. “Travis? Does is really matter that we’re only half?”
Dirk didn’t answer. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. Jenna knew that he loved her. That he didn’t view her as a monster and that was the problem. Not everyone would be so likely to agree.
Tears in her eyes, Jenna glanced at her watch. “Let’s get this show on the road.”
****
Timidly, Marie walked into the packed restaurant. Her legs were moving, her hand swept a piece of hair from her nose, but the body didn’t feel like hers. Since flying across the country, her human form felt foreign. Fake.
She ached to stretch her wings, reach up into the sky and feel the wind against her again. But the city was packed. There was no where she could transform without drawing attention to herself. And Marie’s stomach was growling. So hungry, it felt like an empty cavern.
Marie scouted over to the bar and sat on a stool not because she wanted a drink. Her limbs shook and she didn’t think she could stand a moment longer. Her eyes cast down at the glossy bar as someone stepped up, wet dishrag in hand to wipe down the counter.
The sopping wet towel seemed to take forever to drag across the bar. The lips on the woman opened slowly, like in slow motion as she asked Marie a question. “What can I get you?”
Everything about being human was mundane. Boring. Marie didn’t like being in the form any two words more than a bird would want to be an instinct. “Uhh,” Marie said the first thing that popped into her mind, “iced tea?”
The bartender didn’t bat an eye. “Sweetened?”
Marie nodded. Sugar might be the only thing that would help. “Sure.”
She waited quietly while the woman went off to get her drink. The bar was crowded, but you could hear a pin drop. Glancing around, Marie saw that everyone was transfixed on the television hung on the wall.
Marie could see why. It wasn’t a sports game, but the news. Coming from the heart of DC, only ten minutes from Marie’s location.
The images were in front of the Congress building where Jake was escorted. He probably was inside now. There was a gathering of people shouting outside, throwing their fists in the air. Some of them carried picket signs that read GLISTENINGS ARE NOT PEOPLE. Others, WE ARE NOT FOOD! KEEP SEGREGATION ALIVE!
DO NOT BOW DOWN TO THE MONSTERS.
Monsters?
It stilled Marie’s heart. Victor was right; humans would never allow glistenings to live among them. No one would ever accept them, but Jake was too kind, too forgiving. He would never see the truth, not until it was too late. That’s why it was Marie’s job to force their hand. Marie needed to make the humans see the truth.
Glistenings weren’t monsters. They were people and they were stronger than the humans. They would never give up this fight.
She unzipped her backpack and kept it close to her chest so no one saw. The location kept changing, but the rules stayed the same. Stay hidden. Keep to yourself. Head down, and no one will know what you really are. Now it was time to stand up.
Time to change the game.
Gazing so intently at the content of the bag, Marie jarred when someone sat beside her. Shaken, she hugged the bag to her chest. The guy who sat down was young, and gawking at her with a funny grin on his face.
He gave her a wink.
The bartender returned with Marie’s iced tea. “Harvey,” she sighed, “why don’t you call it a day.”
“When a pretty thing like this shows up in my bar? Not a chance.”
Marie sipped her drink. The sweetness and the ice hit her palate and it helped stabilize her. “Oh, this is your bar?”
“No,” the bartender said dryly. “He just spends all his time here drinking.”
“It’s not like that and she knows it.” He slipped his arm on the bar and leaned on it. “Are you from out of town? I haven’t seen you around here.”
“Something like that.” Marie said. “But DC is pretty big. You can’t know everyone.”
“A pretty one like you, I’d remember. Your eyes are striking.”
Marie laughed and iced tea snorted up her nose. She rubbed at it. “Your pickup lines are sweet, really, but I’m taken.”
“Oh,” Harvey said with disappointed eyes. “Well, I guess then I’m wasting my time.” He leaned in close to her and his breath smelled of alcohol. The kind Marie’s dad was always pretending he wasn’t drinking in the morning. “Or, you can forget the guy and come with me.”
“You don’t even know my name.”
Harvey shrugged. “Do names really matter? If people have a connection, who cares what their names are.”
Marie smirked. “And we have a connection.”
“Oh, definitely. And I want nothing more than to connect with you, sweetheart.”
“Thanks,” Marie cringed as she stood up. “But I’ll pass.”
Harvey blocked her movements. Behind them the bartender called for him to relax. “Ladies don’t just walk out on me.”
“This one does.” Marie’s nostrils flared and defiance rolled into her eyes. “So unless you get out of my way, I’ll make you regret it.”
“Regret it? A little thing like you?”
Marie reached inside the front pocket of her bag and pulled out a small syringe—one of two she had with her just in case. Now she was glad Victor had to foresight to give them to her.
“Your eyes…” He scowled. “They’re changing. Your eyes.”
“I told you to get out of my way!” Marie shrieked and drove her heel down onto his foot. Her ha
nds shook as she jabbed the syringe into his neck and gave him a kick backwards. Adrenaline surged through her body at the assault.
Eyes squeezed shut she put on her backpack. Footsteps rushed toward her from all sides. “Harvey!” The bartender screamed.
Marie made way for the door. People screamed, “stop” but she didn’t. She charged out onto the street and ran through the old cobblestone roads. All the way aware someone was chasing her. Aware even as her mouth filled with saliva and pointed teeth
Chapter Fourteen Jake
“I’m ready.” Jake stepped out from the private room never so nervous in all his life. Things were about to change and nothing could prepare him for this moment.
Jenna nodded. Jake was sorry they exchanged heated words. He saw how they affected her and that wasn’t how he wanted the conversation to go. But sometimes you had to do things you didn’t want. If anything, Wendy taught him that lesson. Lord, it was the only lesson she really taught him.
But he would like to think she would be proud. Like to think this was what she wanted. Wendy loved glistenings and Jake never felt like a monster when he was with Wendy. Boy, did he wish she was there.
They took him down a hallway toward a closed chamber room. The doors were heavy wood and they were some of the biggest Jake had ever seen. The officers at the door opened it for him.
Jake’s pace slowed and he took a moment to breathe. Inside he could see the circular stadium style room was filled to capacity. Officers guarded every level of the floor from the senators up to the balconies were a reduced number of observers were allowed.
“Let’s go, Mr. Monroe.” Jenna said quietly.
He blinked out of his reverie and started his way down the long aisle to the center. Dirk and Jenna never left his side. He could still see the senators. The disgust on their faces, the horror, and he pictured the radical thoughts going through their minds. Jake pushed the thoughts away best he could. That was no way to start his speech. He had to get past the hate.
Jake pictured Wendy and her smiling face.
It was the only thing that could keep his spirits up.
“To the podium, Sir.” Jenna gestured to it and when they turned in, Dirk took up the rear to make sure everything was as it should be.
Jake’s eyes swept over the crowd. The speaker was sitting in his chair, his face drawn together like he tasted something sour. Just then did Jake realize what he was doing and feel the weight of his decisions.
He opened his mouth to speak into the microphone as someone on his right stood up. “Again I would like to protest his being here. It undermines everything this country stands for. Fights for. Is trying to do.”
Rebecca Seers stood up and Jake was grateful. “It’s already been agreed upon. It’s already been voted. Sit down and let him speak.”
“Why?” He sneered. “Because you called in a few favors? You give senators a bad name and that’s saying a lot.”
Her face ran hot. “Should we not try to avoid war? You show him disrespect.”
“Like his kind showed us when they gutted us like pigs?”
Jake’s face ran hot and he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He knew emotions would be running high but he hoped some would at least have an open mind; be willing to hear what he had to say. He swallowed hard as the speaker gestured to him
“Let him speak. Go ahead, Mr. Monroe.” He said his name with obvious distaste, but at least he was gentlemen enough to pretend.
He made eye contact with Jenna. She nodded and he was strengthened by her glance. Jake took a deep breath as silence fell over the crowd. All he could hear was his racing heart and his dry lips as he smacked them together.
Jake spoke without notes and with little preparation, but instead his heart guided him. “Barbeques, long walks, dinners with your family and friends, laughter as you gather together at the park, the movies, or around the television.” His voice was strong, unwavering as he spoke. “These aren’t things that humans love. These are the things that glistenings love. We are not the monsters of yesterday who wanted nothing but blood, to control the human population and hunt them to extinction.
“We are glistenings. People with a dark, dangerous past. But we have evolved into a group who loves family. We cry over the loss of a child. We recoil in the face of evil and violence. We want to protect, to love and we want what you want. Freedom from fear. Freedom to live our lives without terror. We believe in hope that one day we can work together toward a better future.
“One where glistenings and humans can live without fear and repression of the other. One where we can call each other friend. Our differences may appear great, but they are superficial. We are a people of love just like humans are. Humans built this great country on the hope that our differences would join us together. Glistenings only want to be part of that dream.
“I’m not expecting this all to happen today. I have no illusions that New Haven will open its doors and glistenings will rush out. But together we could work together and ensure it does happen. One community at a time. Glistenings need to prove themselves to you. I know that, but we haven’t been given a chance.“
“I knew a girl once.” Jake’s throat swelled with a sob. He fought it off and held it at bay, remembering his mother. Trying to be strong. “A human girl and she was the kindest and sweetest I had ever met. Until then I had been afraid of humans. I thought they were bullies and cowards. But getting to know Wendy proved to me how wrong I was. She was a gentle soul and like a budding flower. Someone that should have been nourished and protected. She and her family were killed because of me. Because she dared love me. I think humans are better than this. “
“We are all better than this.” Jake paused for a moment to take a sip of water. “Being with her showed me how alike we were. How if we treat each other as equals we could all get along. And maybe learn a thing or two from each other in the process. We have a lot to give this country, our communities, if we are given a chance.
“Love, respect, honor, these are the things glistenings hold dear. I am proud to be a glistening and I humbly stand before you and ask you to give us a chance. Give us the chance that my ancestors did not give you. Be the great and powerful nation I know you are and let. Us. Live.”
Jake pounded the podium with his fist and the senate floor erupted with shouting of proclamations. Jake couldn’t differentiate one voice, one sentence from the next, but he could read the disgust. The loathing and venom in their eyes as if his words attacked them. When in truth meant the exact opposite.
The speaker brought order back to the floor. “Forgive us Mr. Monroe if we don’t take your word for face value. Some of your people attacked us and let us not forget the assault on humans in New Haven 56.”
He nodded, dialogue was healthy. Strong. This was what he needed. “We’ve been caged and treated like animals. If you can start to give us credit, if you can start to loosen the restraints than we can promise to uphold your laws. Currently we have no rights. We don’t even have the right to live. How you can expect us under these circumstances to behave like citizens of your fair country?
“But I wish to change it. And those on the outside follow me. They want more than to just exist and survive. They want to live.”
“And you can see to that, can you? Make sure they fall in line?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“And when the communities up rise, don’t want to share a town with you, sit in a booth at the local restaurant beside you, what will your glistenings do then? Will they go to war?”
His eyes narrowed. “We will be examples of tolerance. Acceptance. It won’t change in a day, but I hear Athens wasn’t built in a day either.”
“Rome.” Jenna coughed into her fist.
“Rome.” Jake corrected himself.
“And to facilitate this, you would stay in our custody, out of good faith? I’m sure you know boy, we cannot just let you be.”
Jake had prepared himself for this eventuality. He puffed up
his chest and gave a nod, making sure to keep his eye contact direct. “I will accept this if it means my friends, my family do not have to go to war.”
Jenna put a hand on his shoulder. Jake wanted to believe if that was the plan all along, to take him into custody, that Jenna would have warned him. Would have said something, but he knew where her loyalties laid. He had no illusions, but he hoped for more. The bitterness of disappointment was like the taste of metal against his tongue.
“And you can guarantee your people will wait until they hear from you? Until we release our plan for a vote?”
Could he? Not really, but Jake knew there were those that would wait for his word and those people would keep Victor in line. “Yes.” The certainty of his voice surprised him.
“Well then. We will meet tomorrow, Mr. Monroe. And I thank you for your courage and your foresight to put yourself on the line like this.”
Jake nodded. “God bless.” He said and it drew a gasp from some in the balcony. Could a glistening not believe in God?
He took another sip of water and noticed something red shining on his jacket. Odd, Jake thought and he tried to brush it off. It wouldn’t budge and now it was shining on his hand, like the laser pointer some teachers used in school.
Turning to Jenna with his mouth agape he didn’t get time to speak. “Duck!” She grabbed him by the shoulder and forced him to the ground. Jenna’s body pressed up against his as the podium exploded under a rain of bullets.
Chapter Fifteen Marie
“Stop! Stop!”
The cop chased her. Out of breath, Marie glanced over her shoulder, her hair lashing at her mouth to see the cops still behind her. Her feet kicked up as she pounded into a puddle and turned the corner down an alley way.
It smelled like rotten food, decomposing in the hot sun. Outside a restaurant? Marie looked for a doorway. Her hands beat. She pounded against the metal door until her hand slammed into the knob. With a deft twist she opened the door and snuck inside.