by Dave Welch
Lockley was still ranting in the background as if he couldn’t hear us talking about him.
We entered the main lobby, which was quite unique in nature.
-So much for secrecy.
Lockley strode to reach my ear with his complaints.
“Are you listening to me?” He quizzed.
“Nope.”
“Well, you better if you want to live.”
Ohhh, he shouldn’t have said that…
I stopped in my tracks, and my eyes twitched with rage.
We had approached the elevator, and my first thought was to unload on this cat. I uttered with a grimace tone. “Are you…”
“No, no. All I’m saying is, this is no game,” he interjected. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”
I was dead in his face as he spoke. The elevator doors opened, and Agents Woods stepped in.
Lockley and I stood outside of the elevator, staring each other down. The doors began to close when Woods stuck his arm out to hold them open.
I effectively continued my freighting gaze of a hellcat.
“Thank you, please, but I can easily take care of myself,” I said most politely.
I stepped into the elevator as Lockley followed behind.
“Tell me about it,” Woods added as he lowered his arm.
The doors closed slowly as the calming; melodious music charged our ears. The sounds had no care in the world.
I felt myself drifting. My soul fled into the ceiling as I tuned in. I felt free. Free from the accursed crime waves that relentlessly plagued our nation.
“We will begin your briefing tomorrow. Tonight, we’re going to show you how to use some of this stuff,” Woods embellished.
I looked with intrigue.
“Cool,” I smiled. “But about this figure, this ninja. Why is it after me? What did I do?”
The questions brought me back to my irrefutable reality.
Lockley propped his arm up on the wall as the innocent elevator music flourished, tapping gracefully against our eardrums.
“That’s what we’ve been trying to figure out. Good thing we got to you before they did,” Lockley boasted.
Now, this was unexpected and out of the norm. Lockley? Pretending to be concerned about me?
Whatever…
I still don’t like him.
“I believe it's more of them.” Woods declared.
The elevator crept to a halt.
“You mean more than one?” I quizzed with speculation.
The elevator stopped just as the bell rang.
“Yes, but we’re not sure,” answered Lockley.
The doors inched open to a hall full of agents. They were all dressed in black and well-groomed. They stood still as an effigy, wearing the same indescribable poker face.
“We do know one thing. The Bomb King has a list, and with the aid of these assassins, he’s working his way to the top.” Woods confessed.
“With a task to A-ssas-a nation,” Lockley attached.
A risk of unease shot through me.
“So… am I on this list?” I asked.
“Maybe, maybe not. It’s more likely someone you’re close to, or maybe someone you know,” Lockley noted.
“You said you saw one on your roof?” Woods asked.
“Yeah, I think so,” I replied.
“Well, they obviously could’ve killed you then. The fact that they didn’t raises a host of other questions. As advanced as we believe this group to be, I wouldn’t doubt that they already know we’re here.” Lockley stressed.
As much as I hated to hear his voice of vomitus gargle, I honestly must admit. He was right.
I now invited the thought of taking out these so-called assassins. I smiled in delight.
“That’s reassuring,” I cheered.
I looked down to my key just in time to notice that I had reached my room. I stopped and inserted the key into the doorknob.
I opened the door as Agent Woods announced.
“Madam, your staying quarters.”
From the outside, this room was way smaller than I had anticipated. Yet, the suite expanded with glorious detail.
My jaw dropped, and my eyes stretched to gather the sighting.
We stepped in, and I flipped the light switch on the wall.
The room was marvelous. I gasped gently, panning across the setting.
“Nice,” I whispered.
The room had a separate kitchen, a hallway, a dining room, a living room, and a gorgeous balcony, revealing an even more alluring view of the city. This was the whole nine yards.
Lockley sat the hefty duffel bag on the coffee table close to the computer desk. He unzipped the duffle bag and unloaded a throng of weapons onto the table.
“No time to waste, so listen up,” Lockley noted.
I was still wandering through the amazement of my living quarters. I wasn’t listening to him at all.
“I wish Rosie could see this,” I chuckled.
Damn! I need somebody to feed her.
“Canieya!!!” Lockley yelled.
I turned to see him standing with one hand on his hip and the other hand holding an assault rifle.
“Hey, man. Let her breathe, huh?” Woods hinted.
Lockley sneered and sighed, flopping ferally into the chair. He propped the butt of the rifle on his knee.
“She’s a smart girl having a rough day. I’m sure she can figure this out.” Woods gestured.
Lockley unwillingly reverenced Wood’s authoritative nature. But then, he just glared at me.
“Yeah…but who’s Rosie?” he mumbled.
Agent Woods shook his head as he sat the other duffel bag on the living room table next to a bowl of fruit.
My anger subsided in the glow of this room’s beauty.
I took a green apple from the bowl of fruit. I bit into it and headed down the hallway. As I passed, Agent Woods pulled an odd, shaped device from the duffel bag. It sort of looked like a thumb drive.
“What’s this?” He wondered aloud. He shrugged and sat the drive on the table next to the fruit bowl.
Lockley continued to stare at me. I could sense the texture of his covetous green hands, fumbling through my essence.
I bit my apple again just as I approached the hall closet.
My eyes lit up as soon as I opened the doors.
“Yep, all size eights!” Woods yelled from the living room.
I gripped the apple with my teeth and dug into the closet. Then, I looked at the closet floor.
“Are these my shoes, too?” I hummed, clenching the apple with my teeth.
“We figured we would have to change your wardrobe, seeing that you do have a change in identity,” Woods expressed from behind.
“I almost forgot,” he added, reaching into his coat pocket.
He walked over to me as I kneeled into the closet.
I looked up to him when he passed me another set of keys.
“Your new car is parked on deck B,” he smiled as the keys dangled in front of my eyes, briefly hypnotizing me.
Woods won me over. I felt a broom sweeping me off into the wind. He had a charming way with women. My stomach dropped, and the only way I could combat this was to eat. I bit a mouthful of my apple as I refused to give into cupid’s silly game of love.
“Is it red?” I sassed while chomping into the apple.
“Yep,” he nodded.
Damn it! I should punch him in the face for getting to me like this. I almost hated him more than Lockley, but in a good way.
“Does it matter, Lieutenant?” Lockley shouted from the coffee table.
Damn…
I stood abruptly, snatching the keys from Agent Woods.
“Excuse me?” I roared as he gestured in an ‘after you’ fashion.
I trampled in my clearing towards this ass! I had reached that point. I saw myself snatching Lockley’s ears off.
I let him have it!
“What’s with yo’ bitch ass? Huh?
You haven’t said a damn encouraging word to me yet!” I bubbled in anger. “Are you some kinda' woman basher? You need a girlfriend or something? Huh?” I screamed.
Lockley stood to his feet, still holding that assault rifle.
“I wish a muthafucka’ would!” I hollered, stepping in front of him.
“You know what I think? I think you don’t like me,” I snapped.
“No, that’s not it,” he implied.
“If you don’t like the way I do things, then you don’t like me!”
He dropped his head as I continued my storm.
“Have you ever heard of constructive criticism? Or what about just shutting the fuck up? Douchebag!” I whaled.
I pointed at him like I was about to chop something.
See my dour expression?
“Looks to me like you want people to work the way you want them to work—old and traditional. I’m a totally different person.” I shouted as tidbits of apple flew from my abusive tongue.
Agent Woods walked in as my neck got involved with my denigrating speech.
“I tried to tell you about your boundary issues,” Woods quietly inserted to Lockley.
I glanced over to Woods as he leaned against the wall.
“I didn’t know I was gonna have to deal with this shit! I should’ve stayed in London!” I said with a booming howl.
“No…” Woods cried.
I threw my hand up in despair as the juice from my apple slapdash on my arm.
“I ain't gotta fool with yo’ stupid ass. You either accept me, or I’m out. I walk!”
Lockley wiped his mouth as Woods shook his head, putting his hands in his pockets.
“Okay, I understand,” Lockley said in dismay.
“Oh, I don’t think you do,” I responded. “I was attacked by a group of hoodlums while your ass was off eating milk and cookies.”
“I will accept you and your actions, but I will not be responsible for them,” Lockley answered.
“I’m not asking you to be responsible for my actions!!” I yelled. “I’m responsible for my own shit. I’m a grown ass woman! I’m asking you to find a corner to shit in. You fucking mutt!!”
I hadn’t realized it, but I was standing dead in his face.
Woods folded his arms and stared at the floor.
“I’d really appreciate it if you got off my back,” I said.
“Fine,” Lockley replied.
“Fine!!!” I repeated at a louder volume. I bit my apple fiercely. “Now, if you'll excuse me.”
I hurried to the kitchen cause I saw myself stuffing the rest of my apple up his ass and leaving it there for him to shit out.
Agent Woods followed behind me, rubbing his hand through his hair.
I zapped the apple pass him.
Bok!
“Whoa!” He shouted as it burst against the wall.
“…Agent Lawson, I think you should get some rest. We’ll continue your briefing tomorrow,” he said.
I turned around to open the stainless-steel refrigerator.
“How’s eight o’clock?” He asked.
“Make it nine,” I mumbled while slamming random objects around in the fridge.
He walked out of the kitchen slowly.
I stood upright as he beckoned for Lockley.
“Excellent, nine it is,” he responded, picking up the apple.
He dumped it into the trash and opened the front door.
“Oh, and next time, leave your dog outside,” I requested, slamming the refrigerator.
Agent Woods held the door open as Lockley exited.
“Will do,” Woods replied. “I’ll leave the gear. You can familiarize yourself with them whenever you want.”
I walked over to the door and propped my shoulder up against the wall as he finished talking. His calm voice was working. I leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.
“That’s for you,” I whispered.
He stumbled back.
“Oh, and what’s your name again?” I hollered to Lockley.
He turned to face me. And with a smile, he bellowed-
“Agent Lock-”
“-It doesn’t matter what your name is!” I jeered in disruption. “Yo’ mamma should’ve put a lock on her fucking cunt! You fucking! Jackass!!!”
He snatched away in humiliation. I could see the shock on his face, even from behind his head.
“Well… Good night guys.” I urged with tender kindness.
“Likewise,” Woods replied as he walked out into the hallway.
I slammed the door in irritation, but I could still hear them talking through the walls as they left.
“God, she’s hot,” expressed Woods.
“I think she likes me,” Lockley mumbled.
“Oh really?”
“You didn’t see the way she was looking at me?” Lockley whispered.
I immediately whirled around and yanked the door open.
“Hey!!” I screamed, stomping out into the hall.
They stopped without turning around.
“I can still hear you,” I hissed with a nagging tone.
I noticed that all the other agents had left when the lady across the hall cracked her door.
I snatched over to see a piece of her head sticking out into the hallway.
I charged over screaming.
“What the fuck, bitch!!”
She shut the door fast, locking it with tremendous speed.
I turned around and stomped back into my room, slamming the door behind me.
Hours passed before my raging wind subsided.
I took a long bubble bath, still cursing out loud to myself.
I just wanted to relax my nerves, but my curiosity for the gear buried me in spellbinding fancy. However, my aesthetic sense had yet to finish marveling at the beauty favoring my resting area.
I finished my bath and dried myself off as I approached the walk-in closet within the master bedroom.
I looked through the hundreds of dresses, shirts, and blouses.
“This is almost too much,” I said.
I kneeled to notice another array of shoes.
“Oh, stilettos, my favorite. Someone really knows me,” I chuckled.
I then slipped into a silky white nightgown and tied my hair before venturing back into the master bedroom.
I picked up the TV remote, but I didn’t see a TV. I tried pressing the power button and suddenly, from the wall, jutted a large rectangle. Camouflaged in form, the large panel flipped over, revealing a TV on the opposite side.
I dropped the remote.
The TV then came on. I was again engulfed in splendor.
I walked cautiously up to the TV.
Was it suspended in midair?
It pivoted and turned with me; wherever I would walk, the TV would reposition its center like a motion-tracking camera.
“Nice,” I said.
I waved my hand between the open space of the wall and the TV. Then I wiped my hand under and above the TV. Even so, no brackets or mounts… Just nothing.
I stepped back from the TV, bemused beyond reasoning.
“What the hell….” I mumbled.
A ghostly feeling toyed with my soul, fluttering like paper in the wind.
There truly was no explanation for this.
Magnets maybe…
I ogled at the TV for a while. Then, I turned back to the massive bed behind me. The silk spread looked very inviting, leaving my curiosity piqued.
I walked out of the master bedroom and into the living room. I stood over the coffee table, gazing into the duffel bag of weapons. I took a few of them out. And from my surveyance, I could tell that they had never been fired.
I assembled and loaded a few of them, testing the aim and weight as I was taught. Then, I put the larger ones back into the duffel bag on the floor beside the living room couch. That’s when I noticed the device sitting by the fruit bowl on the coffee table.
I walked over to the table, and I picked the devi
ce up.
I studied over the drive while walking to the computer desk. Then, without taking my eyes off the device, I reached back for the rolling chair. I turned the chair towards me and took a seat, then scooted up to the computer desk.
Booting the computer up, I looked at the device again and tucked it into the small pocket of my nightgown. As the computer powered up, I grabbed a bottle of Bottega Gold Prosecco from the cooler next to the computer desk. I stripped the tab off and removed the cage.
Then, I grabbed a rock glass from the kitchen cupboard. I rinsed the glass out while glancing over to the computer. I sat the rock glass next to the sink.
Then I took a towel from the kitchen drawer to remove the cork. I draped the towel over the bottle, and I held the cork in place. While twisting the base of the bottle, a portion of the cork crumbled away. I tossed the towel on the counter and sat the bottle next to the rock glass.
“Where are you?” I pondered, foraging for a corkscrew.
I looked at the computer desk, and I searched about the living room and then the kitchen.
Suddenly, the computer sounded.
My search ended as I rushed back over to the computer.
And there it was, sitting on the desk.
The corkscrew…
I picked it up while loading the odd device into the computer tower. The computer immediately recognized the drive.
“That was fast,” I noted.
A cool breeze washed through the room as I glanced over to the balcony door.
It was cracked.
The curtains flapped about the windy gust as I trekked over slowly.
“I thought this was closed,” I said, sliding the door shut.
The computer sounded.
I locked the door and sprinted over to the computer, sitting the corkscrew back on the desk.
Tons of files had been copied onto the device. I mean, there was shit all over the place. There were folders and folders of stuff and documents that I don’t think I was supposed to see. I saw diagrams of spaceships, bikes, vessels, and computers made from light. I even saw a PDF document containing instructions and images about the floating TV that I just saw in the master bedroom.
What the hell was this?
I was glued to the disparity of the (more than expected or futuristic) data that had now become a discreet pile of blitzing information. My recent findings truncated the room’s opulence to a mere nullity.