A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing

by S. E. Meyer

  I'm running out of time.

  Lungs burning, Anna found the release and pulled the driver free. Pushing off the seat backs, while tugging the driver, she climbed to the exit window. Anna slipped through the opening, holding onto the driver's shirt collar.

  The last of the air in her lungs bubbled from her lips while she pulled the driver through the opening. Anna slid her arms around the man from behind, hugging him under his armpits. She kicked hard for the surface, eager to ease the fire in her lungs.

  The bus driver's pant leg caught on the window latch, halting Anna's ascent.

  She fought the urge to fill her lungs under water, knowing what that would mean. Anna held on, sinking with the bus and its driver.

  Shit. Oh God, please.

  Anna tugged and kicked with blurred vision. One solitary bubble escaping her left nostril as the front of the bus struck the soft river bed.

  The jolt freed the driver's leg.

  Thank God

  Anna kicked towards the surface with the last of her strength. She struggled to lift the driver, precious seconds ticking by as she flailed her legs, pulling the man towards the light above their heads and the life-giving oxygen only a few feet away. The light became brighter as she kicked with oxygen starved muscles; the urge to fill her lungs uncontrollable as the light's intensity grew.

  Absent of necessary oxygen, Anna‘s legs cramped, dangling like dead sticks.

  This is it. I won't make it.

  With a sensation of warmth enveloping her, Anna closed her eyes as she floated motionless below the river's surface, welcoming euphoria‘s embrace. The burning in her chest eased as the intensity of the light grew. A sensation of being pulled towards the light, tugged by an unseen force into its open arms, overwhelmed her soul.

  The burning in her lungs returned with a sudden vengeance along with an icy chill.

  With the feel of warm lips on hers, a skull-cracking headache erupted behind her ears.

  Anna opened her eyes.

  “She‘s coming around.”

  Heaving through the pain, Anna rolled onto her side, emptying water from her lungs, along with the contents of her stomach. She heaved again, coughing, sputtering water and bile onto the river's bank through blue lips. Tears flowed from the effort as her body shook.

  Technical Sergeant Duff knelt beside the paramedic. “You will be okay,” he said, staring into Anna's wet, bloodshot eyes. “You had us worried.”

  Anna tried to speak, but went into a fit of coughing. She made a second attempt through a cracked whisper. “The driver?”

  Technical Sergeant Duff nodded. “Yes, they're transporting him to the hospital, but looks like he‘ll be okay too.”

  Anna pulled in a fresh breath of relief, thinking how easy it is to take something so simple as air for granted.

  Two more paramedics arrived at Anna's side and they lifted her onto a gurney.

  The sergeant wiped Anna's mouth with a towel before wrapping a blanket over her. “What‘s your name, recruit?”

  Anna swallowed and took in another long breath. “Anna,” she replied, sliding the hair from her forehead with a trembling hand.

  “Well Anna, I have to apologize. I should have listened to you and checked the tires. It's my fault we all went in the drink. Because of me, we all could have died.” He snugged the blanket around her neck. “But because of you, we all lived.”

  He touched the back of his bandaged head, wincing. “We were lucky. An emergency medical team in an ambulance was driving on the same road and watched us go in. They're the ones who jumped in and fished you and Staff Sergeant Brandt out of the river. But what you did today was a miracle. You remained calm and made hard decisions under pressure. You have all the qualities of a leader, Anna. What do you say about being a squad leader when we get to base?”

  Anna balled her hands into tight fists and tucked them into the blanket. “I'll do whatever you want Technical Sergeant Duff.” She slowly shook her head. “As long as I never have to go back in the water.”

  CHAPTER I

  Four and a half years later.

  ANNA'S PRESENT

  A smile pulling at her lips, Anna drained a glass of fresh-squeezed vegetable juice and set it on the table. She swallowed the last of the pulpy froth, pushing the hair back from her unblemished cheeks before rising from her chair. Eating the food Lonewolf prepared for her over the last ten days took getting used to. They made everything fresh, and raw. The ache in Anna's jaw, sore from the need for incessant chewing, was her body's only complaint.

  For the first time since Anna could remember, she felt alive. Like being reborn, Anna supposed, fresh and rejuvenated. The clarity of thought she had not realized was missing, rushed in like a glacial torrent in tandem with her energy. Anna picked up her empty glass and floated across the vacant kitchen. She had not seen Jax and Lonewolf, except for meals. They spent most of their time pouring over the data from Anna's mother's smart drive.

  Anna didn't mind. She reveled in the peace, enjoying the time to herself.

  Almost like having my own place, she thought, humming to herself as she tidied up the counter and washed the breakfast dishes.

  As Anna finished cleaning up, Lonewolf marched into the kitchen with a bounce in his step. “How are you feeling?”

  “I feel fantastic!” Anna replied, whirling around to face him. “This is the best I've felt in a long time.” Anna's eyes widened and the smile that had been tugging at her lips all morning fledged into a broad grin.

  “Today's the day,” Lonewolf announced with a nod.

  “Oh.” Anna placed a hand over her mouth. “I almost forgot,” she said, leaning back against the counter and crossing her arms. “Are you sure you still want to do this?”

  Lonewolf pulled his shoulders back, extending his chin. “Positive.”

  “And you still think Cromwell will let you waltz right out the gates.”

  Lonewolf smiled. “I thought a Dervish whirl might be more appropriate.”

  Anna shook her head. “I don't like it, sending you to the other side.”

  “No need to worry. It’s all part of the plan, Anna.”

  The front door slammed shut, sending an echo down the long hallway. Lonewolf raised a scarred eyebrow.

  “Who could that be?” Anna asked before a bumbling cocoon barged into the kitchen. It lifted the knit hat from its head and unwrapped a red scarf from around its face, producing a flustered, and disheveled, Damarion.

  “How did you get in here?” Lonewolf demanded through gritted teeth.

  Damarion tossed a severed thumb onto the table.

  Anna winced at the gray digit.

  “So you did kill Mr. Stevens,” Lonewolf said. “Your betrayal is worse than I thought. He was a good man. He had a family.”

  “I didn't kill the reporter. That was Cornelius's doing,” Damarion argued. “I just ended up with his thumb.”

  “You also ended up doing nothing to stop his murder.”

  Damarion pressed his lips together. “Anna, can you leave us for a minute?”

  Anna left the dining room and entered the kitchen. She stopped a few paces from the doorway, trying to stay within earshot.

  Damarion lowered his voice. “What happened to Mr. Stevens was terrible, but he was going to ruin everything.”

  “He was only doing what I asked of him,” Lonewolf said. “He was our mole in the news industry, he was going to expose Cornelius.”

  “Exposing Cornelius was not what concerned me, he was going to expose Anna and you know the danger that puts all of us in.”

  Lonewolf raised an eyebrow. “How do you know that?”

  “He told me before he died. He thought the world should know.”

  With a nod, Lonewolf let out a breath.

  “It's time you tell her who she really is,” Damarion said.

  Anna cocked her head towards the kitchen doorway, straining to hear.

  Who I really am? What the hell does that mean?

 
; “Keep your voice down. Not yet, Damarion. It's still too soon.”

  “Fine, but we will have to tell her eventually,” Damarion whispered before turning towards the kitchen. “Anna can you come back in here?”

  As Anna entered the dining room Damarion pulled a file from inside his jacket and slapped it onto the table in front of her.

  “I thought you were filing it electronically,” Lonewolf asked.

  “I will. I wanted to make sure you had enough lead time. It won't take long for someone to inform Cornelius once I file it. I thought it was prudent to deliver it in person. All the paperwork you need, including the order to send you through the gates, is all in that file.”

  Lonewolf nodded. “Thank you for coming through for us, but I'm still not convinced I can trust you.”

  Damarion squinted, taking a step closer to Lonewolf. “I have never given you reason to think otherwise. I've tried to tell you. I had nothing to do with Margaret's, or anyone's death.”

  “Then why are you the only member of the group that's still alive?” Lonewolf asked. His jaw muscles pulsing below his ears.

  “You're still alive!”

  “Barely. I was lucky to have survived the fire.”

  Damarion maintained eye contact with Lonewolf. “You can still trust me implicitly. I am committed to the cause and our plan.”

  Lonewolf nodded. “I hope so Damarion. We need you.” He let out a breath. “I'll reinstate your ID at the door. And get rid of that thumb. It smells.”

  Damarion plucked the thumb off the table and slid it into a plastic bag before dropping it back into his pocket.

  Lonewolf shook his head while wrinkling nose. He turned to Anna. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes.”

  Anna lifted the file from the table. “Thank you Damarion. Will you be coming with us?”

  “No, I have other things to attend to. Good Luck,” he said, re-applying the scarf around his face before leaving the room.

  Anna took in a long breath as the front door slammed shut with Damarion's exit. She gathered her own jacket and scarf, attempting to swallow the lump in her throat.

  The wall.

  To Anna's surprise, between the conversation she overhead and their impending destination, the peace she had found during her respite drained from her. A shudder ran through her body as she wrapped the scarf around her face with trembling hands. She stuffed the file into her jacket and pushed herself to trudge down the hallway behind Lonewolf.

  Anna licked her lips, swallowing hard. Dragging her feet like concrete weights, she forced each foot in front of the other until she reached the door.

  God, I hate the wall.

  With clenched fists she filled her lungs and followed Lonewolf out into the ally.

  Jax met up with Anna and Lonewolf several blocks away at the car. He was carrying a large briefcase in one hand and an antenna in the other. Jax popped the trunk and set the items inside before the trio got into the car.

  “What's in the trunk?” Anna asked.

  “A test,” replied Jax, smiling while rubbing the stubble on his chin. “Here,” he said, handing Anna a phone. “I transferred your contacts. It‘s safe, untraceable, and undetectable.”

  Anna took the phone. “Are you sure?”

  Jax smiled. “I wrote the software myself.”

  “Is that supposed to make me feel better?” Anna teased.

  Jax shook his head and smiled.

  “Is everyone ready?” Anna asked.

  “All set,” Jax replied while Lonewolf nodded.

  Anna stepped on the gas, heading towards the other side of town. She dialed Jack's number from memory on the car's phone as they neared the police station.

  “Hello?” came the captain's familiar voice.

  “Jack, it's me.”

  “Anna? I‘m worried about you. No one has heard from you and the feds have been up my ass for the last two weeks. What happened at the hospital?”

  “Don't worry about that right now. I have to speak with you, in person. I'm almost to the station, can you meet me outside?”

  “Your voice sounds a little shaky, are you okay?”

  “Yes, I'm fine,” Anna lied, biting her lip.

  “What is so important?”

  “Jack, trust me here. I need you outside in two minutes.”

  “Fine, I'll see you in two minutes. This better be good,” Jack finished, ending the call.

  Lonewolf turned in his seat and handed Jax a pair of handcuffs. “Here, put these on my wrists. We should make it look legitimate.” He leaned forward, stretching his arms behind his back. Jax wrapped the cuffs around Lonewolf's wrists as Anna pulled up in front of the station.

  So much for facial recognition cameras now, Anna thought, pulling the scarf from her face as she exited the vehicle. Anna dashed to the other side of the car. She helped Lonewolf out of the passenger side as Jack limped through the front door of the police station. Anna gave her captain a subtle wave before leading Lonewolf up the steps towards him.

  “What's going on Anna? Who is this?” Jack asked as they arrived at the front door.

  Anna pulled the scarf from Lonewolf's head. “This is the Lonewolf,” she whispered. “I'm bringing him in.”

  Jack's eyes widened at the sight of the scarred man in front of him. He turned back to Anna. “What the- How did you- Where did-,” he stammered before throwing his arms up in the air. “What the hell Anna? I haven't heard from you in weeks. Last I knew you fled the scene at the hospital where you were being detained by the feds, and now, out of the blue, you bring me the Lonewolf?” Jack let out a whistle while shaking his head. “Nice work, Anna!” he added with a smile.

  Jack hobbled closer to Lonewolf. “So. You're the one who‘s been terrorizing my city,” he said with a furled brow. He took a minute to stare Lonewolf down. “You look familiar somehow. I can't quite place it, but...” Jack trailed off, unable to recognize Atticus through the scarring. He took a breath before continuing, dismissing the thought of familiarity. “I'll be happy to see you get what's coming to you!”

  Jack slapped Anna on the back. “I don't know how you did it, but nice work, Anna, really. You'll get your badge back for this. I'll make sure of that.” Jack gave Anna another smile. “Okay, well, let's get him inside and processed so we can-”

  “He has to go through the wall this morning,” Anna interrupted. “Right now. At this morning's wall ceremony.”

  Jack squinted. “That's impossible. This morning's ceremony is only a few minutes away. We need a signed order, and that takes a couple days. There are protocols to follow here, Anna, you know that.”

  Anna reached in her jacket and pulled out the file. She handed it to her captain and pulled her shoulders back. “I took care of that. All the paperwork, and the order to add Lonewolf to this morning's wall ceremony, it's all in there.”

  Jack eyebrows shot upward as he opened the file.

  Anna caught movement out of the corner of her eye. She turned to see Jax give them a thumbs up and then get into the driver's seat of the car.

  “That's the signal Anna,” Lonewolf said. “The clock’s ticking.”

  Jax backed out of the parking spot and drove east, away from the police station.

  “Where is he going?” Anna asked.

  “Doesn't matter right now. We have to get moving.”

  Jack looked up from the file. “Everything seems in order, but I still need all of this filed electronically.”

  “It has been. Check your tablet,” Lonewolf said.

  Jack closed the file with a scowl. “I don't take orders from a terrorist.”

  Anna took a deep breath. She looked her captain in the eye while pressing her lips together. “Look Jack, trust me here. Lonewolf is right, check your tablet.”

  Jack pulled his table from his hip while shaking his head. “This is all strange Anna. I don't even know what to say.” He touched the screen and let out a breath. “Looks like you're right. It was just filed.” Jack looked
back at Anna. “I don't understand what's going on here.”

  Lonewolf tapped his foot.

  “Like I said Jack, I need you to trust me. You have the Lonewolf. I have filed everything. We need to get him through the wall.”

  Jack let out a grunt. “I don't like this Anna. I don't like shit getting sprung on me. If it was anyone else, I wouldn't allow it.” He let out a long breath before nodding. “But, everything seems in order. There's one more criminal going through the gates this morning, a jumper from a few days ago. They should bring him down any minute.”

  “We're running out of time,” Lonewolf said.

  Two officers came through the front doors with a shuffling younger man in tow. Two more officers followed behind and the group stopped next to Jack.

  “We have another one going through this morning?” the officer nearest Jack asked.

  Jack turned to face the officer. “Yes, he's right here,” he replied, giving Lonewolf a slight shove in the officer's direction.

  The two officers bringing up the rear grabbed Lonewolf by the upper arm. “It's time,” the officer in the lead said, glancing at his timepiece.

  “About time,” Lonewolf said, still tapping his foot.

  As they were about to make their way down the steps to the street Jack touched Anna on the wrist. “I wanted to let you know, Charlie's been frantic trying to find you.”

  Anna spun on her heel while covering her mouth.

  Oh, my God. Charlie! The DNA sample.

  Lonewolf looked back towards Anna as the officers escorted him down the stairs. “We don't have time for this Anna. We have to go now!”

  Anna cast a glance in Lonewolf's direction. Running her hand through her hair she looked back at her captain. “Let Charlie know I'm here. I have to talk to him as soon as possible,” she said before following Lonewolf and the group of officers out into the street.

  The sidewalks swelled with onlookers as they made their way toward the gates.

  “Good turnout this morning,” one officer commented.