by Michael Todd
Now Charlotte knew the truth—the actual truth, not just the conspiracies. People in her profession went their whole lives without finding out the truth about their stories, especially since most of them were made up. Now that she knew that truth, it would be a struggle to acclimate back into the world that she had known.
She wasn’t that girl anymore, no matter how hard she tried to be.
The GPS directed her to take a left off the highway and down an old two-lane road she was pretty sure no one else would be using any time soon. She drove farther into the desert, finally seeing the top of a big tower in the distance. When she saw a sign she slowed down, reading it out loud to herself.
“Deviating from the path could get you killed. Explosion probable, blowing you into fifty-seven pieces or worse.”
Charlotte snorted as she started toward the base again. “I mean, what could possibly be worse than that?”
She slowed down again, reading the next sign.
“It could be fifty-eight. That would be worse.”
Charlotte rolled her eyes and shook her head, knowing they had put those signs there on purpose. At least they had a sense of humor.
She still didn’t know how they held it together like they did. She was pretty sure she would be a basket case if she became Damned and had to join a mercenary team, or whatever they considered themselves to be. Finally she got to a pair of wide metal gates with a watchtower in the center. There was no one there, but the righthand gate slid open as she approached. She noticed the blinking of a small camera as she passed.
“Good cameras.”
She drove to the center of the base and parked her car with the team’s SUVs. She wasn’t sure where the parking lot was, but she figured if they were parked there, she could too.
Charlotte put the car in park and got out, shielding her eyes from the sun and looking around the compound. She could tell from the new cement and the smell of roofing tar and fresh paint that they had put some serious work into the place.
It was nice, and actually looked like a real military base. She turned when she heard a door shut and waved at Korbin, who was walking toward her, shielding his face from the blowing sand.
“Hey!” He shook her hand when he approached. “Let’s go in the tent behind you and get out of the wind.”
“Okay.” Charlotte nodded, catching a mouthful of sand.
They walked into the tent and Charlotte looked around, watching the shadows created by the wind and sand beating against the tent. There was a small table and some chairs, so she followed Korbin over and sat down.
“You want a water?” he asked, reaching into the cooler to the left of the table.
“Sure,” she replied, crunching sand in her teeth.
“How was your drive?” He handed her a cold bottle.
“Not bad,” she told him. “I came from San Diego this time. I went home to take care of some stuff there while I was waiting for you to be available.”
“Sorry about that.” He nodded, opening his water. “This construction is taking up most of my time. I’m either here working, or I am in my office at the other base in the middle of the night trying to finish up the planning. It’s definitely been an eye-opener, but in the end we will have a safe and secure place.”
“I’m sure.” Charlotte nodded. “I’m sorry about your other place. I heard there was a fight?”
“Yeah.” Korbin sighed. “It was definitely rough, but most of us made it through. Now we are rebuilding stronger and better.”
“That’s all you can do,” she offered.
“So anyway,” Korbin replied, sitting up straight. “Tell me what you’ve learned, what you’ve heard, and anything and everything you’ve picked up.”
“It has been a challenge, since I’m not Damned,” Charlotte admitted. “The possessed know I’m not, the non-possessed don’t care who I am, and all the people that I need to follow have shining red circles in their eyes. It has taken some serious reconnaissance.”
“Hold that thought for just a second,” Korbin said pulling out his phone and holding it in the air. “I want Katie and Calvin here for this…if I can get a damn signal.”
Korbin made a note to have Derek install a signal booster—communications would certainly be critical in attacks—then stood up and walked to the opening of the tent. He finally found a signal and calling in the others. Charlotte sat quietly, entranced by the whipping of the wind against the white canvas walls.
She wanted to go home, but until she helped get this infestation under control she was destined for the bunker.
5
“Sorry it took me a second to get over here. We were putting in the last of the guns,” Calvin offered as he walked into the tent. “Charlotte!” He went over to her, opening his arms wide. “It’s so good to see you. How have you been?”
“Oh, you know, doing some black ops shit.” She laughed as she gave him a hug.
“Charlotte was just about to tell us what she had learned from all her hard work.” Korbin smiled. “She has been working harder than any of us.”
Charlotte blushed. “I doubt that.”
The three greeted Katie as she came in and grabbed a water.
“So,” Calvin flipped the chair backward and sitting down, “hit us with it.”
“Well, one of the things I found was a plot to infiltrate humans,” Charlotte began, pulling out pictures of the demons she overheard. “I was chasing down a politician in Arizona and happened to be standing in the right place at the right time. They were having a little meeting about it. It’s going to take place out there. That’s all I could find out, but I’m pretty sure if I go back I can find out a hell of a lot more, and maybe even get us into the event.”
“Well, that sounds promising.” Korbin rubbed his jaw, thinking. “That’s great work, Charlotte. I would appreciate it if you did go back out there and see what you can dig up.”
“Not a problem.” She nodded. “I already packed a bag. Everything else I found out is old news to you guys. New to me, but that doesn’t do you much good. I didn’t realize this issue was getting so big, at least not until I heard about your base and what happened there. Then this news of the incursion, and my head began spinning a bit.”
“It’s ok.” Calvin leaned forward, putting his hand on hers. “And if it ever gets to be too much, just tell us.”
Her eyes opened in surprise. “Are you kidding me? I’m all about this.” She laughed. “This is exactly the kind of reporting, minus the actual article, that I’ve wanted to do my whole career.”
“Good.” Katie stood up, waving her goodbye. “Then I wish you luck, and we will see you soon. I’m sorry to listen and run, but I have to get back to helping Derek before his head explodes.”
“Me too,” Calvin agreed. “But not Derek. I tried that IT stuff; not my cup of tea.”
“Thanks, guys.” Charlotte watched them walk back out of the tent.
She turned to Korbin. “I guess I’ll hit the road then. At least get close before I have to stop to sleep.”
“Before you go, I wanted to give you this,” Korbin told her, pulling a thick manila envelope from under the table. “I’m sorry it’s in cash, but we don’t really have checking accounts.”
“What is this?” Charlotte asked, cautiously accepting the envelope.
“It’s ten grand,” Korbin replied. “It’s a bonus for all the hard work that you do for us. You have brought us, and continue to bring us, intel that is priceless, and it’s not the safest job in the world. In fact, I guess it wasn’t a job until I paid you. Think of it as hazard pay, but be careful how you spend it. I wouldn’t put it in your bank account.”
“Why not?” Charlotte looked at him.
“It’s a red flag to the government,” Korbin explained. “The government…they ignore the team’s spending habits, but they won’t ignore you. You are a subcontractor of sorts, and not on their radar. I think it would make things more difficult for you if you were. We don’t wor
k for them, but they like to act as if we do. Being technically deceased, we can get away with giving them the finger, but they can take you for all kinds of things.”
“Yeah, I don’t need that.” She laughed. “Especially since this is my sole priority right now.”
“Good. Just spend wisely. They won’t really notice if you aren’t writing checks or using credit cards. I mean, how would they?”
“You’d be surprised what they can find out,” she answered, putting the envelope in her bag and rolling her eyes. “They probably know when I sing too loudly in my car.”
“Um, good point,” Korbin agreed, standing up. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
“Thank you.” She followed him out of the tent and back to her hatchback.
He looked down at the young reporter. “I really want you to be careful out there, Charlotte,” Korbin told her. “I don’t like that you aren’t protected.”
“I am pretty good at sneaking around.” She shrugged. “But still, I appreciate your worry. I feel like I’m actually contributing to something doing this, and it just feels right. Plus,” she gave a flash of a smile. “you helped me find my family.”
“I’m glad you feel that way.” Korbin opened her door. “Now go on, and report to me at least every other day—even if it’s just to tell me you’re okay.”
“Will do,” she assured him, climbing into her car.
Korbin closed the door and waved as she pulled out and left the base.
He really hoped he heard from her again.
Why on earth are you up so early? Pandora groaned as Katie climbed out of bed. The sun was barely up.
Because we have a new vehicle to buy, Katie told her cheerfully.
Oh yeahhh, Pandora cooed, acting as if she had forgotten. What are we getting? A Mercedes? An Aston Martin? A new Ferrari?
None of those. Katie grabbed a tank top off her bed. We are getting a Ford F-150 Raptor.
We’re what? Pandora asked, confusion evident in her voice.
Just hear me out, Katie replied. This truck drove the Baja races through the sand, the rough terrain—everything. It was an 830-mile race, and when they were done they drove it back to base. They had stock tires on it, a stock engine, brakes…everything. The only thing they changed was adjusting the shocks slightly, because they had to put a roll cage on it for the race.
Are we turning into racers? Pandora asked. Because if we are, I’m making sure your zipper busts at the finish line.
No, but we are now going to be living in the middle of the desert. And heaven forbid your brother decides to portal his ass back in. We will have a vehicle in which we can scream across the sand and knock him into the pits of hell without sending the truck along. Plus, we are saving a shit-ton of money by buying it. It’s like less than fifty grand, and it will give us more power than any of the other cars we were looking into.
I don’t know, Pandora griped. It’s a truck!
Yep, Katie agreed, pulling on a sweatshirt and jeans. And I bet we can drive one home today.
Okay, I’ll look at them, but if I hate them we will revisit this, Pandora said reluctantly. It was my prize.
It’s a deal, Katie replied, just glad her demon didn’t completely shut the idea down. I really think you are going to like it, and there is no guarantee that one of those sport’s cars would last, with the amount of sand and dirt blowing around on the new base. It would have sand in the engine the first day we pulled up.
Well, take me to them, then, Pandora directed. I won’t know until you sit your pretty ass down in one.
Katie left the compound before anyone else was awake, not wanting to give away what she was doing.
They took an SUV and headed to the dealership, seeing the Raptors all lined up nice and pretty on the lot. They pulled up just as they were opening, and a salesman came right out. This was definitely a different experience from Ferrari, but she liked the more down-to-earth crowd anyway—even if Pandora didn’t.
“How are you?” the salesman asked. “I’m Tom, what can I help you with?”
“I wanted to look at the Raptors,” she told him. “I am moving to a really sandy area, and I want to be able to travel anywhere I need to, even on sand and high ground.”
“Well, the Raptor is definitely a good choice for that.” He smiled. “We have eight in stock right now.”
He walked Katie across the parking lot to the Raptor section. She wove between the different-colored trucks, finally opening a door and sitting behind the wheel. She definitely fit a lot better in the Raptor, and it felt safer than the vehicles she had tried out to that point.
Tom got the keys and they took it for a test drive, and Katie fell in love with it immediately.
What do you think? she asked Pandora.
I guess it will do. She sighed. But you better show me one hell of a time out there on the dunes. I want to be peeing in your pants with fun by the time you’re done.
Yeah, maybe I should rethink this. Katie chuckled. Or get some Depends.
“What do you think?” Tom asked as they pulled back into the lot.
“I love it.” Katie stroked the steering wheel and turned to him. “Do I need to order it, or can I buy one off the lot?”
“We have several with all the bells and whistles,” he assured her. “Just depends on what color you want.”
“Hmmm,” Katie mumbled, thinking to herself. “How about dark red? That way they can’t tell if it’s bleeding.”
Katie laughed to herself, but the salesman just stared at her with a blank expression. He didn’t seem to get it, but then, he wouldn’t. She cleared her throat and got out of the truck.
“Shall we?” she asked, glancing back at Tom.
He shook his head and lifted his eyebrows as he caught up with her. She smiled awkwardly at him as he held the door for her. He took her to his office and sat her down.
“Man,” Katie mumbled to herself. “This is a tough crowd.”
Tom looked at her. “The race red has almost all the upgrades, including the heated seats and steering wheel, the rearview assist package, sprayed bed lining and bed cover, plus the Raptor logo on the rear. The seats are plain leather, but we can get some with orange accents if you would like?”
“Ah, no,” Katie replied. “Wow, boosted that to seventy thousand. Ok.”
They went through all the normal paperwork, dotting the Is and crossing the Ts. Finally, she opened her briefcase took out a small pile of bills, setting it aside before she slid the case across the table to him.
He lifted an eyebrow and opened it, trying to keep from gaping.
“I don’t like to use banks.” She shrugged. “It should all be there.”
“Right.” He looked at her, then back to the cash. “It’s Vegas. Not like this is the first time someone has won big, then bought a car.” He looked up. “Which casino?”
“Aria,” Katie lied.
Pandora snickered. Wow, that lie rolled off the tongue like it was greased.
I’m already lying, with my completely fake ID, I imagine it isn’t a large penalty on top of that, all things considered.
Whatever. Pandora sniffed. I’m just pointing out I haven’t lost my touch.
Tom interrupted their conversation. “I’ll take this to the manager.”
Katie had guessed they were going to check up on the money in the briefcase, but she didn’t care; it would come back legit. When he brought her the keys she arranged to pick up her SUV later, and he showed her out to her new race-red Raptor with a dark shadow tint. It was all gassed up and ready for her to drive off the lot.
It still had some beads of water from their car wash.
She smiled and waved at Tom as she drove away, thinking about how he was probably happy to be rid of her.
She didn’t blame him all that much. She knew she was slightly strange; even stranger to those outside her inner circle.
Katie drove straight over to the Pinkbox donut shop to celebrate their new purchase. She knew
Pandora had been wanting to try their new cupcake donuts.
When they got inside Katie ordered her normal dozen, and two cupcake-flavored ones. She bit into one and decided she liked it.
Pandora sighed.
What’s wrong now? Katie asked.
It tastes like cake, Pandora told her. I don’t like it. If I wanted cake, I would eat cake. These are just lumpy round cupcakes with hard shells.
I know. That’s why it’s great! Katie laughed. Well, we have one left. Waste not, want not, and all that. I’ll eat this one, then we’ll switch over to our normal donuts. Is that okay?
Yeah, I suppose. She sniffed. I mean, people want to eat donuts, right?
Yes, Katie replied.
Then why do they make donuts that taste like other things?
I don’t know. Katie chuckled. That’s a good question. I guess we are all trying to make eating things like cake acceptable during breakfast.
Sheeiit. Pandora scoffed. If I ate cake for breakfast I would not be ashamed.
I know you wouldn’t, Katie griped. It would be a little embarrassing for me.
Get over it! She laughed. Being embarrassed is life-limiting in the worst way.
Pandora, can I ask you a question?
Sure, she said, forcing Katie to pick out the crème filled chocolate-covered donut from the box.
Why does it seem like you want to avoid going back to hell at all costs? Katie asked. I mean, it’s your home. You’ve spent centuries there, and while as a human I wouldn’t want to go there, I do know how nice it feels to go home.
Oh, you mean other than the whole dying part? Pandora asked.
I mean, I’m not really sure how you would die, Katie replied.
Oh, it can happen. Pandora chuckled nervously. Typically it’s a heavenly host and a sword you can’t even see, but it can happen. They don’t play fair in those situations, but at the same time, if you’ve got a heavenly host after you, you have done something far beyond the normal demon/devil mischief. You’ve obliterated an entire race, o…or…