NOTE: the events here take place BEFORE the show. Also, feel free to comment on this. Feedback is welcomed and asked!
Heroes: The Others
Book 1: Revelations
Ch.1
“Get down!” Bullets whizzed by his head. Diving for cover behind a car, the soldier reloaded his M-16. Leaning past his cover, he aimed at his enemies. Men ran behind him, firing into the buildings. Bursts of machine gun fire erupted from the soldier’s gun. Screams of pain echoed around the deserted town. The voices of both soldiers and insurgents cried out in their anguish. A body thumped down on the dirt next to him. Blood oozed onto the ground from the dead man’s chest.
Ignoring it, the man leapt from his position and fires his guns into the shadows. Diving to the ground, he pulled back and tossed a grenade into the building. The hovel exploded, sending terrorist bodies into the air. The soldier rolled into the ruins and stood up.
Suddenly, he saw he had made a mistake. There were still two Iraqis left. They aimed their guns on him. At that moment, the solider dropped his gun. His hands felt like they were on fire. His enemies lowered their guns and watched, awe etched on their faces. A bright, blue light was shining from the tares and slash marks in his gloves.
Immediately, his palms grew extremely hot. He looked down at them. Unable to sustain the pain anymore, he opened his hands, palms upwards. Bright, burning light poured out of them. The light consumed the room. The man could see the terror on his would-be killers’ faces. There was a blinding flash, and more fiery pain coursed through his body. Then everything went dark.
§
August 24, 2006
His eyes snapped open.
Lucas Blaise looked around. He was still in the same hotel room he had checked into earlier. The clock glowed 11:57 p.m. He got up and walked to the window. Gazing out at the city, he marveled at how bright Chicago was even at night.
Lucas had spent his last eighteen months in Iraq, serving in the army. He had decided to join up when he finished college. At twenty-three, he left for Iraq.
Now, with his term of service over, he was glad to be able to rest. After spending some time here in Chicago, he planned to visit family down in Topeka.
He ran his hands through his hair and thought. Lately, he had been having a recurring dream. It was a memory of when he last saw combat. He remembered the shooting and the bodies falling down all to clearly. He remembered jumping into the ruined house. But then it all became blurry. He remembered seeing a bright, blue hue on him. Then a great light swallowed the room.
Then his mind went blank. Anything after that, up to the moment when he was found by a patrol, was gone. Whatever happened must’ve been too terrible, and his mind locked it away. He was glad, but he still felt intrigued by that light.
Lucas went back to his bed and crawled in. With one last look at his hands, he went to sleep. It was 12:00 a.m.
§
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas
Earlier in the day, August 24, 2006
“Be careful with that,” said an exasperated Mrs. Wells. Natalie handed her the book. “Sorry,” she apologized. “It was exactly what I needed.” The librarian dusted it off. “You’re majoring in Archeology, yes?” Natalie grinned. “Trying to, at least.”
“Well, it seems everyone always finds our oldest copy. We do have newer ones in the back. I’ll get one for you.” Mrs. Wells walked off, shaking her head.
Natalie smiled to herself. She was told the librarian was, well, a little eccentric.
As a freshman, Natalie had been looking around the campus when she spotted the library.
Walking up and down the aisle, she found a book that caught her eye. Picking it up she studied the cover. She suddenly looked up. She wasn’t in the library.
She looked around. It looked like she was in a dorm. Still clutching the book, she walked around. Noticing a calendar, she walked over to it. It said the 23.
“No, it can’t be.”
She turned around. Two men burst into the room. They were exchanging punches, when the bigger one threw the other into the wall.
Natalie looked at her watch. It was the same as it was in the library, and said the date was the 24th. There was a yell, and the girl looked up. The man on the ground had drawn a gun from his pocket. He aimed at the other man and fired. The bigger man fell to the floor. Blood began to make a puddle on the carpet.
Natalie screamed, dropping the book.
Suddenly, she was back in the library. Looking down at the book, she began to cry. She turned and ran out. Natalie ran straight to her room. She locked the door, and then sunk to the floor. Tears trailed down her cheeks.
“It’s happening again.”
Natalie didn’t know how much longer she would have to bear this curse.
§
Lucas watched the landscape as the train sped past. He had brought a ticket earlier today, and was almost in Missouri. Rain pelted the window. Suddenly, the train began to slow down. Standing up, Lucas wondered what was going on.
With a sudden stop, he was thrown into his seat. The lights flickered, then went off.
“Hey what’s going on?” said people around him.
Suddenly, Lucas saw a light illuminate him. “Hey buddy, turn off your flashlight. The lights should be on soon,” said someone. Lucas had no idea what they were talking about.
Then he looked at his hands. They were glowing. The light was coming from him. Thrusting his hands into his coat, Lucas looked down at his feet.
“What is going on with me?”
As the lights came on, no one noticed an extra passenger.
§
July 14, 2006
Six weeks earlier
Texas Prison for the Insane
A nurse burst into the room. “Doctor, hurry, it’s an emergency!”
The doctor followed her out, with two guards behind him.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
As they walked down the hall, she replied, “It’s 114, sir.”
The doctor looked ill. “Good Lord, what has he done now?”
They walked up to the cell. Looking in through the viewing glass, one of the guards asked, “Who is he?”
“Judas Regal.”
The man inside the cell was slamming his head violently against a wall. Despite the padding, he was starting to bleed.
“We have to stop him,” said the nurse. Opening the door, the four entered Regal’s cell.
The doctor spoke first. “Judas, please stop.”
The man called Judas paused and looked at him. The man was of average height, and was well built. His face was pretty normal, except for the scar that reached from his chin to his left ear. He was bald. He looked quite sinister with a thin line of blood trailing down his forehead.
“Room! Room to be free where the white border’d sea,” he muttered.
“What did he say?” said a guard. The doctor edged closer. “It’s poetry.”
The patient continued. “Where the buffalo come like a cloud on the plain, pouring on like the tide of a storm-driven main.”
Suddenly, he leapt straight at one of the guards. He tackled him, and seized a taser. Leaping back into a corner he started to mutter to himself.
“Are you ok?” asked the nurse.
As she helped the fallen man up, the doctor got closer to Judas and said, “Come on man, hand me the tool.”
Regal turned the taser on and struck himself. Once, twice, three times did he strike his body. “What the-“yelled the doctor. The patient threw the tool to the guard’s feet. Standing up, he said, “Now my good doctor, I’ll take my leave.”
“No you won’t,” said a guard. The two of them rushed at him, tasers ready. Thrusting the weapons at him, they expected the shock to incapacitate him. Yet he stood there, without a scratch.
“Sorry,” he said. “But those don’t work on me anymore.”
As quick as lightning he seized their throats and squeezed, choking them to death. The nurse fled from the room as Regal advanced on the doctor. “This is for all you’ve done for, whoops, I should say to me,” cackled Judas.
Taking a syringe out of his sock, he grabbed the doctor and plunged it into the man’s neck, injecting the deadly fluids. The doctor’s face contorted.
“I loved this stuff. Glad you like it too. Now I think I’ll check myself out, doctor,” he said as the doctor fell to the floor.
When the nurse returned with more men, there was no sign of Judas Regal. Only his victims were left.
Full Version: Heroes: The Others
Ch. 2
August 25, 2006
Lucas cupped his hands under the faucet and let the water collect. He splashed it on his face, and grabbing a towel, dried it off. Looking into the mirror, he studied himself. His hair was a light brown, cut short except for a few strands that hung down, and complemented his light blue eyes. He was well rounded in the ears, nose and chin department, or so he thought.
He was fit and athletic, fruits of his time in the military. He was above the average height, at 6 foot 1. All in all, he looked like the decent young man he was. Yet he noticed some changes. In his eyes was a reflection of loss and hard times. Lucas had seen many men die, some his own friends, and the horrors he witnessed had strengthened his view on life. He now respected life greatly, not only his own but other’s too. No mater what, to him all life was to be cherished, as Lucas had seen how it could end in an instant.
Leaving the washroom, he strolled down the train car. Reaching down, he pulled a letter out of his pocket. He scanned it, and began to reflect on it. It was sent to him when he was in Chicago. The letter was from Professor Quinn Powers, an old friend of the Blaise family. Powers had asked Lucas to come and visit him when he had the chance. The professor was teaching archeology down at KU in Lawrence. Lucas smiled at the many memories of Powers’ visits. The old man had shown him many wonders of the ancient world as a boy.
Folding the letter up, Lucas headed for the dining car, wondering about the quality of a dinner on the train.
§
Sitting down at a table, Lucas looked around. There were a good number of people in the car. From old men playing cards to some kids fighting over a dessert, activity and life buzzed in the dining car.
Looking out the window, Lucas watched as the land passed by. Trees passed by in splendor as they were bathed in the colors of orange and gold, signs of the season. The grasslands changed to fields of wheat and other products, as the train sped by some farmland. White clouds were scattered across a deep blue sky.
Suddenly, a man sat down across from him.
“You wouldn’t mind if I joined you?” he asked.
Noticing that the man was already comfortable, Lucas replied, “No, go ahead.”
A waiter came and took their orders. When he left, Lucas studied his companion. Lucas had no idea where he came from. He was certain he would have recognized him at the train station.
The man was of average height, and was well built. He wore a cowboy hat that shaded his eyes. His chin was a little pointed, and there was a scar that ran from it to his left ear. He wore a jacket and jeans. The man also spoke with a slight twang, suggesting to Lucas that he was from the South somewhere.
“Do you enjoy literature?” asked the man as he broke the silence.
“I do actually. I’ve spent a lot of time reading.”
The stranger fiddled with his coat and asked, “How about poetry?”
Lucas was bewildered at this conversation, but replied politely, “I actually never really had affection for it.”
The man looked slightly shocked. “You mean you’ve never read the great epics? Have you not enjoyed the adventures of the Iliad? Or what about the beauties of Shakespeare? You mean to tell me you have never dabbled in the wonders the pose?”
Lucas was amazed at this man’s passion. “I’m sorry. The only poem I’ve ever read was Paul Revere’s Ride, back when I was a kid.”
The man shook his head and said, “‘Woe is me’.” He then turned and looked out at scenery.
The two sat in silence when the man turned, a gleam in his eye, and asked, “Hypothetically, what would you say if I told you there are those out in the world who happen to have certain abilities, no, powers?”
Lucas looked up.
The man continued.
“What would you do if you had powers? How would you react? Would you accept them as a blessing and relish them? Or would you look on them as a curse and fear what you became?”
Lucas was speechless. Immediately, the waiter came back with their meals. He placed Lucas’s on the table, and was to hand the other to the strange man when he slipped and fell. Lucas’s companion watched as his dinner clattered to the floor.
The waiter got up and was embarrassed. “I’m sorry sir. I’ll go get you a replacement. It shouldn’t take long.” He walked away quickly, desiring to flee from the fury etched across the man’s face.
Lucas barely noticed the episode, and so didn’t hear his companion mutter an apology and leave. He was still contemplating what the other had said.
§
The strange man walked down the corridor. He had been wronged, and vengeance was his. He twiddled a fork in his hand, a souvenir of his conversation with Lucas.
He followed the waiter out of the dining car. Catching the man between cars, he asked, “Why?”
The waiter whirled around in fear, and answered, “Sir?”
“Why did you see the need to wrong me? Everyone feels that they can go and hurt and abuse me. But I’m tired of it. Vengeance is Mine says the Lord. And today, I am the Lord.”
With that, he grabbed the man and shoved the fork in his ear. Twisting it, he yelled into the wind, “What’s mine is mine, and I do so to it as I wish!”
He then tossed the man off the plank, and watched as he was crushed beneath the train. Bending down, he wrenched the mechanism free, detaching the dining car and all that followed it from the rest of the train. He then turned and headed towards the engine.
He opened the door and approached the conductor.
“You’re not supposed to be up here!” he yelled.
“I’m sorry. I killed all others to come all the way up here for nothing.”
The startled man took a shovel of searing coal and flung at him, screaming, “Monster!”
The stranger caught in the air, with no sign of it burning him. “I spent all night with my hand in flames in case this happened. This little rock is lukewarm compared to what I went through.”
He then rushed the conductor, and picking him up, threw him into the engine. The man screamed as he was burned alive.
The stranger dusted his hands, and then played with the levers and knobs, not caring what they did. He then opened the door and jumped off the train. He landed on the ground and watched as the train derailed off the tracks and crashed into the earth.
“Perhaps the rest of the train will be luckier,” he said. And with a grin, he walked off.
§
KU Campus
Lawrence, Kansas
August 25, 2006
Natalie Crain stood atop the roof of one of the campus buildings. She was ready to end her life. She had spent the whole night writing a letter explaining her curse and how much she went through.
But Natalie had enough. She could not see a happy future, cursed as she was. She put one step forward, when a voice, an old man’s voice, called out to her.
“Natalie, don’t do it! This isn’t the way. I found the note. I know what you’re going through.”
Natalie didn’t turn around to face the man. With tears in her eyes she yelled, “How can you say you know what I’m going through?! No one is cursed like this! I’m afraid to touch anything!”
The man took a step forward and said, “You’re not alone, Natalie. I went through something similar, though perhaps not as graphic.”
“You see,” he continued. “I have powers too.”
August 25, 2006
Lucas cupped his hands under the faucet and let the water collect. He splashed it on his face, and grabbing a towel, dried it off. Looking into the mirror, he studied himself. His hair was a light brown, cut short except for a few strands that hung down, and complemented his light blue eyes. He was well rounded in the ears, nose and chin department, or so he thought.
He was fit and athletic, fruits of his time in the military. He was above the average height, at 6 foot 1. All in all, he looked like the decent young man he was. Yet he noticed some changes. In his eyes was a reflection of loss and hard times. Lucas had seen many men die, some his own friends, and the horrors he witnessed had strengthened his view on life. He now respected life greatly, not only his own but other’s too. No mater what, to him all life was to be cherished, as Lucas had seen how it could end in an instant.
Leaving the washroom, he strolled down the train car. Reaching down, he pulled a letter out of his pocket. He scanned it, and began to reflect on it. It was sent to him when he was in Chicago. The letter was from Professor Quinn Powers, an old friend of the Blaise family. Powers had asked Lucas to come and visit him when he had the chance. The professor was teaching archeology down at KU in Lawrence. Lucas smiled at the many memories of Powers’ visits. The old man had shown him many wonders of the ancient world as a boy.
Folding the letter up, Lucas headed for the dining car, wondering about the quality of a dinner on the train.
§
Sitting down at a table, Lucas looked around. There were a good number of people in the car. From old men playing cards to some kids fighting over a dessert, activity and life buzzed in the dining car.
Looking out the window, Lucas watched as the land passed by. Trees passed by in splendor as they were bathed in the colors of orange and gold, signs of the season. The grasslands changed to fields of wheat and other products, as the train sped by some farmland. White clouds were scattered across a deep blue sky.
Suddenly, a man sat down across from him.
“You wouldn’t mind if I joined you?” he asked.
Noticing that the man was already comfortable, Lucas replied, “No, go ahead.”
A waiter came and took their orders. When he left, Lucas studied his companion. Lucas had no idea where he came from. He was certain he would have recognized him at the train station.
The man was of average height, and was well built. He wore a cowboy hat that shaded his eyes. His chin was a little pointed, and there was a scar that ran from it to his left ear. He wore a jacket and jeans. The man also spoke with a slight twang, suggesting to Lucas that he was from the South somewhere.
“Do you enjoy literature?” asked the man as he broke the silence.
“I do actually. I’ve spent a lot of time reading.”
The stranger fiddled with his coat and asked, “How about poetry?”
Lucas was bewildered at this conversation, but replied politely, “I actually never really had affection for it.”
The man looked slightly shocked. “You mean you’ve never read the great epics? Have you not enjoyed the adventures of the Iliad? Or what about the beauties of Shakespeare? You mean to tell me you have never dabbled in the wonders the pose?”
Lucas was amazed at this man’s passion. “I’m sorry. The only poem I’ve ever read was Paul Revere’s Ride, back when I was a kid.”
The man shook his head and said, “‘Woe is me’.” He then turned and looked out at scenery.
The two sat in silence when the man turned, a gleam in his eye, and asked, “Hypothetically, what would you say if I told you there are those out in the world who happen to have certain abilities, no, powers?”
Lucas looked up.
The man continued.
“What would you do if you had powers? How would you react? Would you accept them as a blessing and relish them? Or would you look on them as a curse and fear what you became?”
Lucas was speechless. Immediately, the waiter came back with their meals. He placed Lucas’s on the table, and was to hand the other to the strange man when he slipped and fell. Lucas’s companion watched as his dinner clattered to the floor.
The waiter got up and was embarrassed. “I’m sorry sir. I’ll go get you a replacement. It shouldn’t take long.” He walked away quickly, desiring to flee from the fury etched across the man’s face.
Lucas barely noticed the episode, and so didn’t hear his companion mutter an apology and leave. He was still contemplating what the other had said.
§
The strange man walked down the corridor. He had been wronged, and vengeance was his. He twiddled a fork in his hand, a souvenir of his conversation with Lucas.
He followed the waiter out of the dining car. Catching the man between cars, he asked, “Why?”
The waiter whirled around in fear, and answered, “Sir?”
“Why did you see the need to wrong me? Everyone feels that they can go and hurt and abuse me. But I’m tired of it. Vengeance is Mine says the Lord. And today, I am the Lord.”
With that, he grabbed the man and shoved the fork in his ear. Twisting it, he yelled into the wind, “What’s mine is mine, and I do so to it as I wish!”
He then tossed the man off the plank, and watched as he was crushed beneath the train. Bending down, he wrenched the mechanism free, detaching the dining car and all that followed it from the rest of the train. He then turned and headed towards the engine.
He opened the door and approached the conductor.
“You’re not supposed to be up here!” he yelled.
“I’m sorry. I killed all others to come all the way up here for nothing.”
The startled man took a shovel of searing coal and flung at him, screaming, “Monster!”
The stranger caught in the air, with no sign of it burning him. “I spent all night with my hand in flames in case this happened. This little rock is lukewarm compared to what I went through.”
He then rushed the conductor, and picking him up, threw him into the engine. The man screamed as he was burned alive.
The stranger dusted his hands, and then played with the levers and knobs, not caring what they did. He then opened the door and jumped off the train. He landed on the ground and watched as the train derailed off the tracks and crashed into the earth.
“Perhaps the rest of the train will be luckier,” he said. And with a grin, he walked off.
§
KU Campus
Lawrence, Kansas
August 25, 2006
Natalie Crain stood atop the roof of one of the campus buildings. She was ready to end her life. She had spent the whole night writing a letter explaining her curse and how much she went through.
But Natalie had enough. She could not see a happy future, cursed as she was. She put one step forward, when a voice, an old man’s voice, called out to her.
“Natalie, don’t do it! This isn’t the way. I found the note. I know what you’re going through.”
Natalie didn’t turn around to face the man. With tears in her eyes she yelled, “How can you say you know what I’m going through?! No one is cursed like this! I’m afraid to touch anything!”
The man took a step forward and said, “You’re not alone, Natalie. I went through something similar, though perhaps not as graphic.”
“You see,” he continued. “I have powers too.”
Ch.3
August 25, 2006
Lucas sat at his table. He had just notice that his dining companion had left. It must’ve been ten minutes since he saw him last. Lucas was about to go and find him, when suddenly he felt the train shake.
“Hey! The train is slowing down! What’s going on?”
Lucas wondered that too, as he noticed the definite decrease in speed. Someone then yelled that the dining car and the cars behind it were detached from the rest of the train. Lucas ran to the front, looking out the door. Far ahead was the rest of the train. As he gazed out at it, he thought he saw a man tip his hat to them.
People all around him began to freak out as the train slowed to a stop. A few men took charge of the situation and had everyone settle down. When the train finally stopped, they had everyone depart from the cars and assemble outside.
Lucas jumped off the train and landed on the ground. People were all gathering in front of the man who was in charge. When everyone had gathered, he began to speak.
“All right. As everyone can tell, the train has been split. We don’t know how. Now, it’s going to get dark soon, so I propose a plan. A group of us go out and get help. Hopefully there’s an interstate around here that we will find. Now, I need four others to go along with me. The rest will stay here and wait. Luckily someone found a lot of food, so no one will go hungry.”
He looked around at the crowd.
“You, and you,” he said picking two men out. “You’ll come with me. You and you also, come on.”
Lucas was one of the men picked and came up.
“You’re from the army right?” asked the man.
“Yes, how could you tell?”
“Your backpack says so. I’m Chin by the way.”
“Lucas,” he said as he shook the man’s hand. The man was big and strong, and obviously was use to being in charge.
“Once we get some supplies together, we’ll head out.”
Lucas looked out at the horizon. The sun was setting. The wind picked up, a foreshadowing of a chilly night.
Lucas got his stuff together, then followed the rest of the group.
§
The five men decided the best route was to follow the tracks, with the hope that the rest of the train wouldn’t be far ahead.
Lucas looked over the rest of the group. Aside from Chin, there was a tall, muscular man named Trevor. Trevor and his brother Tyler, another from the group, were lumberjacks in Alaska, and had been journeying across America for vacation. The last man in the group was Alex, who had been an accountant in Chicago. He was very quiet and didn’t talk that much.
As they followed the railroad, the sky grew dark. Stars began to shine, and constellations began to form. They traveled on through fields of hay and corn, and continued along the track for an hour.
Chin called the group to a halt and announced that they should go in a more northerly direction. With this change, they soon found themselves navigating a dense forest.
The sun had finally set, so the men pulled out their flashlights. Using this light, they eventually came out of the woods and onto a dirt road. They followed the road for another hour, when Trevor said he spotted a car on the side of the road and they went over to it. The flashlights began to flicker.
Alex then asked what was on all their minds.
“Did anyone bring extra batteries?”
Chin shook his head. “There were only enough for five flashlights. We’ll have to make do and hope we find help soon.”
They approached the car. Suddenly, they heard a growling. Jumping out from behind the car was a pack of wild dogs. They attacked Trevor and Chin. Tyler was beating one with a branch, and Alex had thrown his flashlight at another.
Lucas pulled out his handgun and shot all of the dogs.
He put it away and they thanked him.
“It was nothing. I’m glad I had this in hand though.”
They then searched the car. They found nothing but a map.
“We’re in luck,” said Tyler.
They all gathered around it. Suddenly their flashlights died on them, pitching them in darkness.
§
The men began to moan about the loss of light. Lucas looked at his hands and decided what he had to do. Focusing, he willed his hands to glow.
Immediately, light came out of them. The others noticed and asked what as going on.
Before Lucas had time to answer, Trevor spoke up.
“It must be some new, high-tech glow glove. I read about them in a science magazine. Uses the same principal as a glow stick.”
The others seemed to be content with that. Lucas, though relieved that he didn’t have to explain about his powers, had no ideas what Trevor was talking about. As far as he knew, there were no such things as glow gloves. Lucas made a mental note to ask him later about the article.
The group led on, with Lucas leading. His hands provided enough light for them to see their surroundings. The followed the dirt road when Chin stopped them.
“I think I hear cars.”
They went onward and found a highway. A few cars were in the distance, but none were heading their way.
Tyler pulled out a cell-phone and said he had service. The others looked at him incredulously.
He grinned sheepishly and said, “Well, I didn’t have it back at the train.”
“You had a cell phone?!” said his brother. Trevor snatched it away and slapped Tyler on the head. He handed the phone to Chin, who dialed 911.
Soon they had contact with the highway patrol, and were told that they would be on their way shortly.
The men waited for half an hour, when they heard the sirens. Lucas forced his hands to stop giving off light.
Help arrived, and the five men joined the officers in their cars. They took the dirt road and after an hour of driving, came across an obstacle.
Getting out, they realized it was the rest of the train. Lucas went over and looked around. The whole thing was demolished. It had derailed by its appearance. It looked like there had been flames, but they were put out.
Lucas smelled charred flesh. He walked over to the engine and stumbled across the burnt body. He suddenly had a flashback. He remembered getting up out of the ruins back in Iraq. He had looked around and saw the two Iraqis dead on the floor. They were burnt all over. Even the stone house he was in had burn marks.
An officer called to him. Lucas went back, thinking about these events. His powers were on his mind mostly. He didn’t understand how he got them, but he began to come to terms with having them.
I can help a lot of people with this, he thought as they reached the rest of the train. I already have. Maybe it’s like what that man said. This may be a blessing, instead of a curse.
His thoughts then turned to that strange man. He wasn’t one of the passengers back at the train. And he wasn’t one of the dead they had found. Lucas began to wonder if there was more to the man then there seemed.
Getting in a car, he was told they were heading to St. Louis. As they drove away from the train, Lucas looked out at the stars, wondering what was going on.
§
To the west lay the little town of Pickeville. A circus had stopped and was performing at the moment. Away from the main tent, a small side tent flapped open. A man in a cowboy hat walked away. As the opening flapped open, the tent revealed a gruesome scene. Lying on the ground was the body of a clown. He had been stabbed in the chest a few times. Its mouth was open, and lying upon the tongue was a silver coin.
Etched into it by knife point were the initials J.R.
August 25, 2006
Lucas sat at his table. He had just notice that his dining companion had left. It must’ve been ten minutes since he saw him last. Lucas was about to go and find him, when suddenly he felt the train shake.
“Hey! The train is slowing down! What’s going on?”
Lucas wondered that too, as he noticed the definite decrease in speed. Someone then yelled that the dining car and the cars behind it were detached from the rest of the train. Lucas ran to the front, looking out the door. Far ahead was the rest of the train. As he gazed out at it, he thought he saw a man tip his hat to them.
People all around him began to freak out as the train slowed to a stop. A few men took charge of the situation and had everyone settle down. When the train finally stopped, they had everyone depart from the cars and assemble outside.
Lucas jumped off the train and landed on the ground. People were all gathering in front of the man who was in charge. When everyone had gathered, he began to speak.
“All right. As everyone can tell, the train has been split. We don’t know how. Now, it’s going to get dark soon, so I propose a plan. A group of us go out and get help. Hopefully there’s an interstate around here that we will find. Now, I need four others to go along with me. The rest will stay here and wait. Luckily someone found a lot of food, so no one will go hungry.”
He looked around at the crowd.
“You, and you,” he said picking two men out. “You’ll come with me. You and you also, come on.”
Lucas was one of the men picked and came up.
“You’re from the army right?” asked the man.
“Yes, how could you tell?”
“Your backpack says so. I’m Chin by the way.”
“Lucas,” he said as he shook the man’s hand. The man was big and strong, and obviously was use to being in charge.
“Once we get some supplies together, we’ll head out.”
Lucas looked out at the horizon. The sun was setting. The wind picked up, a foreshadowing of a chilly night.
Lucas got his stuff together, then followed the rest of the group.
§
The five men decided the best route was to follow the tracks, with the hope that the rest of the train wouldn’t be far ahead.
Lucas looked over the rest of the group. Aside from Chin, there was a tall, muscular man named Trevor. Trevor and his brother Tyler, another from the group, were lumberjacks in Alaska, and had been journeying across America for vacation. The last man in the group was Alex, who had been an accountant in Chicago. He was very quiet and didn’t talk that much.
As they followed the railroad, the sky grew dark. Stars began to shine, and constellations began to form. They traveled on through fields of hay and corn, and continued along the track for an hour.
Chin called the group to a halt and announced that they should go in a more northerly direction. With this change, they soon found themselves navigating a dense forest.
The sun had finally set, so the men pulled out their flashlights. Using this light, they eventually came out of the woods and onto a dirt road. They followed the road for another hour, when Trevor said he spotted a car on the side of the road and they went over to it. The flashlights began to flicker.
Alex then asked what was on all their minds.
“Did anyone bring extra batteries?”
Chin shook his head. “There were only enough for five flashlights. We’ll have to make do and hope we find help soon.”
They approached the car. Suddenly, they heard a growling. Jumping out from behind the car was a pack of wild dogs. They attacked Trevor and Chin. Tyler was beating one with a branch, and Alex had thrown his flashlight at another.
Lucas pulled out his handgun and shot all of the dogs.
He put it away and they thanked him.
“It was nothing. I’m glad I had this in hand though.”
They then searched the car. They found nothing but a map.
“We’re in luck,” said Tyler.
They all gathered around it. Suddenly their flashlights died on them, pitching them in darkness.
§
The men began to moan about the loss of light. Lucas looked at his hands and decided what he had to do. Focusing, he willed his hands to glow.
Immediately, light came out of them. The others noticed and asked what as going on.
Before Lucas had time to answer, Trevor spoke up.
“It must be some new, high-tech glow glove. I read about them in a science magazine. Uses the same principal as a glow stick.”
The others seemed to be content with that. Lucas, though relieved that he didn’t have to explain about his powers, had no ideas what Trevor was talking about. As far as he knew, there were no such things as glow gloves. Lucas made a mental note to ask him later about the article.
The group led on, with Lucas leading. His hands provided enough light for them to see their surroundings. The followed the dirt road when Chin stopped them.
“I think I hear cars.”
They went onward and found a highway. A few cars were in the distance, but none were heading their way.
Tyler pulled out a cell-phone and said he had service. The others looked at him incredulously.
He grinned sheepishly and said, “Well, I didn’t have it back at the train.”
“You had a cell phone?!” said his brother. Trevor snatched it away and slapped Tyler on the head. He handed the phone to Chin, who dialed 911.
Soon they had contact with the highway patrol, and were told that they would be on their way shortly.
The men waited for half an hour, when they heard the sirens. Lucas forced his hands to stop giving off light.
Help arrived, and the five men joined the officers in their cars. They took the dirt road and after an hour of driving, came across an obstacle.
Getting out, they realized it was the rest of the train. Lucas went over and looked around. The whole thing was demolished. It had derailed by its appearance. It looked like there had been flames, but they were put out.
Lucas smelled charred flesh. He walked over to the engine and stumbled across the burnt body. He suddenly had a flashback. He remembered getting up out of the ruins back in Iraq. He had looked around and saw the two Iraqis dead on the floor. They were burnt all over. Even the stone house he was in had burn marks.
An officer called to him. Lucas went back, thinking about these events. His powers were on his mind mostly. He didn’t understand how he got them, but he began to come to terms with having them.
I can help a lot of people with this, he thought as they reached the rest of the train. I already have. Maybe it’s like what that man said. This may be a blessing, instead of a curse.
His thoughts then turned to that strange man. He wasn’t one of the passengers back at the train. And he wasn’t one of the dead they had found. Lucas began to wonder if there was more to the man then there seemed.
Getting in a car, he was told they were heading to St. Louis. As they drove away from the train, Lucas looked out at the stars, wondering what was going on.
§
To the west lay the little town of Pickeville. A circus had stopped and was performing at the moment. Away from the main tent, a small side tent flapped open. A man in a cowboy hat walked away. As the opening flapped open, the tent revealed a gruesome scene. Lying on the ground was the body of a clown. He had been stabbed in the chest a few times. Its mouth was open, and lying upon the tongue was a silver coin.
Etched into it by knife point were the initials J.R.
Ch.4
KU Campus
Lawrence, Kansas
August, 25, 2006
Natalie looked down at the ground below. The sight was dizzying. Her body wobbled as she cried.
The man called out to her again. “Natalie, please, I can help you.”
“Let me help you,” he pleaded. “I know it’s rough. But believe me, you can get through this.”
Natalie turned around. Standing ten feet away was her archeology professor, Quinn Powers. She took a step forward, then fell to the rooftop, crying.
Prof. Powers went to her, helping her up and comforting her. “I promise you, I will do all in my power to aid you. You have my word.”
He took her off the roof and down into the building. He didn’t stop leading her until they reached his office. Taking her to a couch, he had Natalie sit down. Pulling up a chair opposite her, he waited until she calmed down.
Natalie dried her eyes with her sleeve and looked at the man in front of her.
Prof. Quinn Powers was probably in his late fifties. He had a kind face, and his grey hair was cut in military fashion. He wore an eyepiece over his left eye. He was a tall man, who had been fit when younger, and still kept his body in a somewhat good condition.
Natalie had found the professor interesting. Many times he would start rambling about the treasures of the ancients, and if you weren’t careful, you could be talking with him for hours. Prof. Powers also had an uncanny sense of discerning what was troubling a person, though Natalie now suspected it might have to do with his earlier confession.
“You….you have powers?” she asked.
The professor looked at her. “Yes, I do. I happen to be an empath. I have been credited with finding out what troubles a person the most. That is due to my ability of knowing peoples’ feelings.”
He offered her a tissue, which she gratefully accepted. She blew her nose, then asked, “How did you….how did you know about me then?”
He looked down at his feet, as if to think, and then looked at her again.
“I have another power. I can also sense others’ abilities. When I first met you, I knew you were special. What your power is, I can not divine. That is what you must tell me in order for me to help you.”
Natalie closed her eyes and breathed deeply. “I don’t want this….this ‘power’,” she said.
“My dear, you are among the few gifted. To reject such a gift is a terrible decision. I can teach you how to control it. To harness it. Natalie, with our powers, we can help others in need. We can change the world if we so desired.”
He chuckled, and said, “But my sole desire is to help you. I gave you my word, and I plan to live up to it.”
She looked at him and said, “Well, professor, I don’t know what I do.”
He motioned for her to continue.
Natalie breathed as she realized she wouldn’t be able to avoid telling him.
“Sometimes, whenever I touch something, I know, well no, I see what has happened to it. I see its past…details.”
Prof. Quinn nodded. “So you’re afflicted with postcognition, or more accurately, you are a psychometric.”
“A psycho-what?”
“A psychometric. You have the power of psychometry. You can discern the past details of events, things, even people I’m guessing. A quite useful ability.”
Natalie shook her head. “You might thin it’s useful, but I’ve seen bad things, people getting hurt, people dying. That murder that happened two nights ago, I saw it, when I touched a book.”
The professor was alarmed. “That murder! Were you able to see the culprit’s face?”
“No, I couldn’t see it. His face was all black, like it was covered in shadows,” she replied.
“Hmmm…..so when did your powers first manifest themselves?”
Natalie thought about it. “It was only three months ago. I picked up a shirt, and saw myself wearing it the night before.”
“And there have been other times too. I saw a fight over a toy, and some others, but I don’t want to talk about them. They were….too terrible.”
Powers nodded his head. “We’ll begin our lessons immediately then.”
§
Two hours later.
The professor left the room. Pulling out his cell phone from his jacket, he began to dial a few numbers.
He looked over at the young girls in his office. She was of average height, and was slender. She was also quite beautiful, her eyes green and her hair a light blonde. Powers felt sad that the girl had to deal so long with what she thought was a curse. He would be true to his word though. He would do all he could to aid her.
Yet he also had to honor a commitment that was far more pressing than this.
He held the phone to his ear while he waited for it to be answered.
“Yes, it’s me.”
He listened to the speaker. “I’ve got some good news for you,” said Powers.
“I’ve made contact with another. The girl...…yes. She’s a psychometric.”
He paused, then replied. “I understand. I’m on it already. All right.”
He hung up his cell, and put it back in his pocket. He then walked back into the room.
§
St. Paul’s Regional
St. Paul, Minnesota
August, 26, 2006
The halls of the hospital were quiet. Not many people were up at this early in the morning.
Suddenly, a nurse rushed down the hall. She turned left and entered an emergency room. A team of five doctors were struggling to save a man’s life. He had an attack, brought about by his illness.
The man began to go into seizures, his body jerking erratically.
The doctors began to yell, fearing that they didn’t have the equipment necessary to save him.
The man settled down. The machine next to him went blank.
“No,” said one of the doctors. “We’ve lost him.”
The others hung their heads. They despaired that they couldn’t save this poor soul.
Except for one. He was younger than the others, but was respected by them. He looked to see if anyone was watching him. No one was.
The young doctor took off his glove and looked a t his hand. He placed it on the man’s chest, and closed his eyes. Suddenly, the machine began to noisily record the patient’s heartbeat.
The doctor yelled that he was still alive. The others rushed to the table, ready to do all in their power.
“He’s good. He’ll live,” said one.
The young doctor left the room. “I need rest,” he said.
A nurse met him halfway down the hall.
“Doctor Hansen, the patient. Is he…”
Doctor Hansen looked at her and gave a smile. “He’ll live.”
“It’s a miracle then,” said the nurse.
Dr. Jack Hansen walked over to a bench. Sitting down, the young man breathed deeply. He was a handsome man, with neat black hair. His gray eyes gazed out at the wall opposite from him. His body, kept fit from running, was suffering from fatigue.
That took a lot out of me, he thought. Never have I done that. He was near death!
The young doctor looked down at his hand, and grinned. A miracle, heh.
§
KU Campus
Lawrence, Kansas
August 28, 2006
Natalie walked down the hall, pausing for a second to look at the sunset. She received an urgent message from Prof. Powers, asking her to come quickly.
As she headed for his office, she reflected on the lessons he gave her.
After helping her to understand her powers, he had her test them out. He had her relate to him the details of everything in the room. He then explained to her how to handle it. After hours of work, he thought she had a fine grasp on it.
“Practice will only help you. The best way to learn to control it is to use it.”
The next day, he had her relate to him everything that had happened to a pen over twenty-four hours. They had discovered that she could only relate details of a day ago. She wasn’t able to ‘see’ anything longer then twenty-four hours.
Natalie reached the office door. Opening it up, she walked into the room. The professor was sitting at his desk.
He looked at her and motioned her to close the door.
“I have some bad news,” he said, his voice grave. “Someone was murdered last night.”
Natalie cringed at this.
He looked at her, his eyes reflecting the seriousness in him.
“Natalie, I need your help.”
KU Campus
Lawrence, Kansas
August, 25, 2006
Natalie looked down at the ground below. The sight was dizzying. Her body wobbled as she cried.
The man called out to her again. “Natalie, please, I can help you.”
“Let me help you,” he pleaded. “I know it’s rough. But believe me, you can get through this.”
Natalie turned around. Standing ten feet away was her archeology professor, Quinn Powers. She took a step forward, then fell to the rooftop, crying.
Prof. Powers went to her, helping her up and comforting her. “I promise you, I will do all in my power to aid you. You have my word.”
He took her off the roof and down into the building. He didn’t stop leading her until they reached his office. Taking her to a couch, he had Natalie sit down. Pulling up a chair opposite her, he waited until she calmed down.
Natalie dried her eyes with her sleeve and looked at the man in front of her.
Prof. Quinn Powers was probably in his late fifties. He had a kind face, and his grey hair was cut in military fashion. He wore an eyepiece over his left eye. He was a tall man, who had been fit when younger, and still kept his body in a somewhat good condition.
Natalie had found the professor interesting. Many times he would start rambling about the treasures of the ancients, and if you weren’t careful, you could be talking with him for hours. Prof. Powers also had an uncanny sense of discerning what was troubling a person, though Natalie now suspected it might have to do with his earlier confession.
“You….you have powers?” she asked.
The professor looked at her. “Yes, I do. I happen to be an empath. I have been credited with finding out what troubles a person the most. That is due to my ability of knowing peoples’ feelings.”
He offered her a tissue, which she gratefully accepted. She blew her nose, then asked, “How did you….how did you know about me then?”
He looked down at his feet, as if to think, and then looked at her again.
“I have another power. I can also sense others’ abilities. When I first met you, I knew you were special. What your power is, I can not divine. That is what you must tell me in order for me to help you.”
Natalie closed her eyes and breathed deeply. “I don’t want this….this ‘power’,” she said.
“My dear, you are among the few gifted. To reject such a gift is a terrible decision. I can teach you how to control it. To harness it. Natalie, with our powers, we can help others in need. We can change the world if we so desired.”
He chuckled, and said, “But my sole desire is to help you. I gave you my word, and I plan to live up to it.”
She looked at him and said, “Well, professor, I don’t know what I do.”
He motioned for her to continue.
Natalie breathed as she realized she wouldn’t be able to avoid telling him.
“Sometimes, whenever I touch something, I know, well no, I see what has happened to it. I see its past…details.”
Prof. Quinn nodded. “So you’re afflicted with postcognition, or more accurately, you are a psychometric.”
“A psycho-what?”
“A psychometric. You have the power of psychometry. You can discern the past details of events, things, even people I’m guessing. A quite useful ability.”
Natalie shook her head. “You might thin it’s useful, but I’ve seen bad things, people getting hurt, people dying. That murder that happened two nights ago, I saw it, when I touched a book.”
The professor was alarmed. “That murder! Were you able to see the culprit’s face?”
“No, I couldn’t see it. His face was all black, like it was covered in shadows,” she replied.
“Hmmm…..so when did your powers first manifest themselves?”
Natalie thought about it. “It was only three months ago. I picked up a shirt, and saw myself wearing it the night before.”
“And there have been other times too. I saw a fight over a toy, and some others, but I don’t want to talk about them. They were….too terrible.”
Powers nodded his head. “We’ll begin our lessons immediately then.”
§
Two hours later.
The professor left the room. Pulling out his cell phone from his jacket, he began to dial a few numbers.
He looked over at the young girls in his office. She was of average height, and was slender. She was also quite beautiful, her eyes green and her hair a light blonde. Powers felt sad that the girl had to deal so long with what she thought was a curse. He would be true to his word though. He would do all he could to aid her.
Yet he also had to honor a commitment that was far more pressing than this.
He held the phone to his ear while he waited for it to be answered.
“Yes, it’s me.”
He listened to the speaker. “I’ve got some good news for you,” said Powers.
“I’ve made contact with another. The girl...…yes. She’s a psychometric.”
He paused, then replied. “I understand. I’m on it already. All right.”
He hung up his cell, and put it back in his pocket. He then walked back into the room.
§
St. Paul’s Regional
St. Paul, Minnesota
August, 26, 2006
The halls of the hospital were quiet. Not many people were up at this early in the morning.
Suddenly, a nurse rushed down the hall. She turned left and entered an emergency room. A team of five doctors were struggling to save a man’s life. He had an attack, brought about by his illness.
The man began to go into seizures, his body jerking erratically.
The doctors began to yell, fearing that they didn’t have the equipment necessary to save him.
The man settled down. The machine next to him went blank.
“No,” said one of the doctors. “We’ve lost him.”
The others hung their heads. They despaired that they couldn’t save this poor soul.
Except for one. He was younger than the others, but was respected by them. He looked to see if anyone was watching him. No one was.
The young doctor took off his glove and looked a t his hand. He placed it on the man’s chest, and closed his eyes. Suddenly, the machine began to noisily record the patient’s heartbeat.
The doctor yelled that he was still alive. The others rushed to the table, ready to do all in their power.
“He’s good. He’ll live,” said one.
The young doctor left the room. “I need rest,” he said.
A nurse met him halfway down the hall.
“Doctor Hansen, the patient. Is he…”
Doctor Hansen looked at her and gave a smile. “He’ll live.”
“It’s a miracle then,” said the nurse.
Dr. Jack Hansen walked over to a bench. Sitting down, the young man breathed deeply. He was a handsome man, with neat black hair. His gray eyes gazed out at the wall opposite from him. His body, kept fit from running, was suffering from fatigue.
That took a lot out of me, he thought. Never have I done that. He was near death!
The young doctor looked down at his hand, and grinned. A miracle, heh.
§
KU Campus
Lawrence, Kansas
August 28, 2006
Natalie walked down the hall, pausing for a second to look at the sunset. She received an urgent message from Prof. Powers, asking her to come quickly.
As she headed for his office, she reflected on the lessons he gave her.
After helping her to understand her powers, he had her test them out. He had her relate to him the details of everything in the room. He then explained to her how to handle it. After hours of work, he thought she had a fine grasp on it.
“Practice will only help you. The best way to learn to control it is to use it.”
The next day, he had her relate to him everything that had happened to a pen over twenty-four hours. They had discovered that she could only relate details of a day ago. She wasn’t able to ‘see’ anything longer then twenty-four hours.
Natalie reached the office door. Opening it up, she walked into the room. The professor was sitting at his desk.
He looked at her and motioned her to close the door.
“I have some bad news,” he said, his voice grave. “Someone was murdered last night.”
Natalie cringed at this.
He looked at her, his eyes reflecting the seriousness in him.
“Natalie, I need your help.”
Ch.5
Colombia, Missouri
August, 27, 2006
The train picked up speed as it rounded the bend. Lucas stood at the platform, watching it go by. He had just got into the station when the train began to leave.
“I can’t believe this,” he said.
He stared as the end passed out of sight. People were walking around, waiting for their own trains. Lucas envied them.
He thought about his day. His train had stopped here, and the next one wouldn’t leave for another two hours. So Lucas had two hours to do what he wanted, or so he thought. First he went to get some food. But when he paid, his was told his card wasn’t working. So Lucas had to call and set things straight.
After washing dishes as his payment, he saw he had half an hour left before his train left. So he called home, only to find more aggravation: his family wasn’t home. In fact, they had left on their trip to Europe, which Lucas had been hoping to accompany them on, without them.
A message was on the answering machine: “Sorry, but the Blaises are touring Europe. And if this is Lucas, we’re sorry we left, but we thought you would appreciate the time at home by yourself. Hope to see you soon!”
So after this twenty minutes of frustration with his family, Lucas realized he had to get to the train station. He was late.
Lucas walked out and sat on a bench. Cars drove by.
Now I’m gonna have to rent a car, he thought. The next train won’t leave for four hours, and by then I could be home, if I drove. But thanks to those idiots at the credit company, I have no money, except for a little cash, and that’s nowhere enough to pay for a rental.
A bus pulled up beside him. The train station was also a joint bus stop. He walked over to see the fares. Good, I have just enough to get a ticket home. He looked at the times. Again, the next bus to Topeka wouldn’t leave till that evening.
Lucas sighed and started to walk away. He was in a financial situation he dreaded, his family had left to another continent without him, he had been struck with bad luck wherever he went, it seemed.
Oh, and I have these glowing hands. Super powers are just the thing I need at the moment.
He eyes roamed the street. There were small buildings all around the station. He watched as another bus pulled up. He looked down at the passengers waiting to get on. Suddenly he lost his breath.
He recognized one of the awaiting passengers. Lucas had met the man in the army, back in Iraq. He couldn’t remember his name, but he did remember something more important. This man was one of the group that Lucas had been in. The group who were witness to the Incident, as Lucas called it. The Incident that Lucas kept dreaming about.
Lucas made a decision. No one was at home expecting his arrival, so a little detour wouldn’t hurt. And this man may have answers Lucas needed. Answers as to what happened, and maybe, what was going on with him.
He ran to the booth and bought his ticket. The bus was headed for Montana. He boarded the bus. Taking a seat in the back where he could observe the man without being seen, Lucas prepared himself for a long trip.
§
St. Paul, Minnesota
August, 27, 2006
Jack Hansen looked at his watch. It was noon. He left his desk and gathered his things. He had a thirty-six hour shift, and he was dead tired after it. He grabbed his coat and his bag, and left his office. Despite it being the middle of the day, Jack wanted to sleep.
He left the hospital and reached his car. Throwing his things in the trunk, he got in and drove home. It was a twenty minute drive, but Jack wished he lived closer.
He pulled up onto his street. Despite being tired, he immediately noticed something was wrong. There were too many cars parked. At this time of day there was rarely more than five. He slowed down and parked in a driveway seven houses down from his own. Getting out, he approached his house. The small, grey New England styled house was shaded by large oak trees. Jack peered at his home.
The house was surrounded. Jack could count at least twelve men in the front and sides, and he guessed more were out in the back. Whoever they were, they were waiting for him.
Jack hurried back to his car. His cell rang. It was his friend from the hospital.
“Hey Jack, some men are asking for you,” he said. “And Jack, I’m betting it’s them.”
“Thanks, Marc.” Jack hung up. He drove away from his home. Once again, he was on the run. If Marc was right, and Jack was sure he was, he needed to get out of the city fast. He reached the highway and went south, determined to escape.
§
Rochester, Minnesota
Later that day
Jack paid for his clothes then headed for his car. He had been driving for some time when he realized he had only the clothes on him. He decided to buy some news ones, as a doctor’s coat would attract too much attention.
Jack pondered his decision. He had done this thing before, leaving his house and town abruptly. It was a good thing he had not ties in St. Paul, except for Marc. Marc was a friend, and knew what was going on. He could be trusted to not say a word.
He reached his car and threw in his bags.
Suddenly, Jack something press against his back.
“Hello Mr. Hansen. You’ll come with me, or I’ll have to shoot you.”
Jack puts his hands in the air and turns around. The man in front of them held a gun leveled with his heart.
“You’re a tricky man to pin down, Jack. How many times have we been through this? You really should settle down in one place. And don’t think of trying anything. The rest of us are prepared to shoot you. Oh, I do remember last time.” The man pointed to his neck, where there was a burn mark.
“Now, let’s go, shall we?”
Suddenly, people began to shout. A crowd was gathering over near them. Someone yelled that a person had a heart attack.
Jack looked at the man. “Please, I’m a doctor. Let me help.” The man raised an eyebrow.
“I promise I’ll go with you after.”
The man nodded, but said, “We will be watching you.”
Jack ran to the crowd. He pushed his way through. He reached the old woman, and explained he was a doctor and could help. He looked the woman over and checked her pulse. Not good, he thought.
Placing his hand over her heart he closed his eyes. He gently pressed down, and focused. He suddenly felt tired, as the woman gasped for breath. He could hear sirens as the ambulance came. He got up, and looked at his hands.
A thought occurred to him. If I can heal, then maybe…..
He left the crowd. The man with the burn mark grabbed his arm. Jack didn’t resist as the man pulled him. Placing his own hand on the other’s arm, he began to concentrate. He focused on the man’s heart.
“What are you do….” the man began to say. He crumpled over onto the ground, clutching his chest.
Men began to yell as Jack ran. He dove behind a car as gunfire spattered the ground behind him. Bystanders began to scream as the gunshots rang out. Rolling behind another car, Jack jumped up and ran towards his car. Wrenching the door open, he dove in and started the car. The other men had surrounded their companion, while others began to head towards him. Bullets shattered his back window.
Stomping down on the gas peddle, Jack drove out of the parking lot. He raced down the streets and onto the freeway. When he was a good half an hour away, he slowed down. He was lucky that no cops had tried to follow him. He looked at the broken rear window. He would have to get a new car soon.
He raised his hand in front of his face and stared at it.
He had just stopped a man’s heart.
Colombia, Missouri
August, 27, 2006
The train picked up speed as it rounded the bend. Lucas stood at the platform, watching it go by. He had just got into the station when the train began to leave.
“I can’t believe this,” he said.
He stared as the end passed out of sight. People were walking around, waiting for their own trains. Lucas envied them.
He thought about his day. His train had stopped here, and the next one wouldn’t leave for another two hours. So Lucas had two hours to do what he wanted, or so he thought. First he went to get some food. But when he paid, his was told his card wasn’t working. So Lucas had to call and set things straight.
After washing dishes as his payment, he saw he had half an hour left before his train left. So he called home, only to find more aggravation: his family wasn’t home. In fact, they had left on their trip to Europe, which Lucas had been hoping to accompany them on, without them.
A message was on the answering machine: “Sorry, but the Blaises are touring Europe. And if this is Lucas, we’re sorry we left, but we thought you would appreciate the time at home by yourself. Hope to see you soon!”
So after this twenty minutes of frustration with his family, Lucas realized he had to get to the train station. He was late.
Lucas walked out and sat on a bench. Cars drove by.
Now I’m gonna have to rent a car, he thought. The next train won’t leave for four hours, and by then I could be home, if I drove. But thanks to those idiots at the credit company, I have no money, except for a little cash, and that’s nowhere enough to pay for a rental.
A bus pulled up beside him. The train station was also a joint bus stop. He walked over to see the fares. Good, I have just enough to get a ticket home. He looked at the times. Again, the next bus to Topeka wouldn’t leave till that evening.
Lucas sighed and started to walk away. He was in a financial situation he dreaded, his family had left to another continent without him, he had been struck with bad luck wherever he went, it seemed.
Oh, and I have these glowing hands. Super powers are just the thing I need at the moment.
He eyes roamed the street. There were small buildings all around the station. He watched as another bus pulled up. He looked down at the passengers waiting to get on. Suddenly he lost his breath.
He recognized one of the awaiting passengers. Lucas had met the man in the army, back in Iraq. He couldn’t remember his name, but he did remember something more important. This man was one of the group that Lucas had been in. The group who were witness to the Incident, as Lucas called it. The Incident that Lucas kept dreaming about.
Lucas made a decision. No one was at home expecting his arrival, so a little detour wouldn’t hurt. And this man may have answers Lucas needed. Answers as to what happened, and maybe, what was going on with him.
He ran to the booth and bought his ticket. The bus was headed for Montana. He boarded the bus. Taking a seat in the back where he could observe the man without being seen, Lucas prepared himself for a long trip.
§
St. Paul, Minnesota
August, 27, 2006
Jack Hansen looked at his watch. It was noon. He left his desk and gathered his things. He had a thirty-six hour shift, and he was dead tired after it. He grabbed his coat and his bag, and left his office. Despite it being the middle of the day, Jack wanted to sleep.
He left the hospital and reached his car. Throwing his things in the trunk, he got in and drove home. It was a twenty minute drive, but Jack wished he lived closer.
He pulled up onto his street. Despite being tired, he immediately noticed something was wrong. There were too many cars parked. At this time of day there was rarely more than five. He slowed down and parked in a driveway seven houses down from his own. Getting out, he approached his house. The small, grey New England styled house was shaded by large oak trees. Jack peered at his home.
The house was surrounded. Jack could count at least twelve men in the front and sides, and he guessed more were out in the back. Whoever they were, they were waiting for him.
Jack hurried back to his car. His cell rang. It was his friend from the hospital.
“Hey Jack, some men are asking for you,” he said. “And Jack, I’m betting it’s them.”
“Thanks, Marc.” Jack hung up. He drove away from his home. Once again, he was on the run. If Marc was right, and Jack was sure he was, he needed to get out of the city fast. He reached the highway and went south, determined to escape.
§
Rochester, Minnesota
Later that day
Jack paid for his clothes then headed for his car. He had been driving for some time when he realized he had only the clothes on him. He decided to buy some news ones, as a doctor’s coat would attract too much attention.
Jack pondered his decision. He had done this thing before, leaving his house and town abruptly. It was a good thing he had not ties in St. Paul, except for Marc. Marc was a friend, and knew what was going on. He could be trusted to not say a word.
He reached his car and threw in his bags.
Suddenly, Jack something press against his back.
“Hello Mr. Hansen. You’ll come with me, or I’ll have to shoot you.”
Jack puts his hands in the air and turns around. The man in front of them held a gun leveled with his heart.
“You’re a tricky man to pin down, Jack. How many times have we been through this? You really should settle down in one place. And don’t think of trying anything. The rest of us are prepared to shoot you. Oh, I do remember last time.” The man pointed to his neck, where there was a burn mark.
“Now, let’s go, shall we?”
Suddenly, people began to shout. A crowd was gathering over near them. Someone yelled that a person had a heart attack.
Jack looked at the man. “Please, I’m a doctor. Let me help.” The man raised an eyebrow.
“I promise I’ll go with you after.”
The man nodded, but said, “We will be watching you.”
Jack ran to the crowd. He pushed his way through. He reached the old woman, and explained he was a doctor and could help. He looked the woman over and checked her pulse. Not good, he thought.
Placing his hand over her heart he closed his eyes. He gently pressed down, and focused. He suddenly felt tired, as the woman gasped for breath. He could hear sirens as the ambulance came. He got up, and looked at his hands.
A thought occurred to him. If I can heal, then maybe…..
He left the crowd. The man with the burn mark grabbed his arm. Jack didn’t resist as the man pulled him. Placing his own hand on the other’s arm, he began to concentrate. He focused on the man’s heart.
“What are you do….” the man began to say. He crumpled over onto the ground, clutching his chest.
Men began to yell as Jack ran. He dove behind a car as gunfire spattered the ground behind him. Bystanders began to scream as the gunshots rang out. Rolling behind another car, Jack jumped up and ran towards his car. Wrenching the door open, he dove in and started the car. The other men had surrounded their companion, while others began to head towards him. Bullets shattered his back window.
Stomping down on the gas peddle, Jack drove out of the parking lot. He raced down the streets and onto the freeway. When he was a good half an hour away, he slowed down. He was lucky that no cops had tried to follow him. He looked at the broken rear window. He would have to get a new car soon.
He raised his hand in front of his face and stared at it.
He had just stopped a man’s heart.
Ch.6
Omaha, Nebraska
August 28, 2006
The bus slowed down as it approached the city. Lucas looked out the window and watched as the plains became an urban town. The bus passed buildings and houses. It was about 7:00, and Lucas was dead tired.
Yet I mustn’t forget why I’m here, he told himself. A few seats ahead of him sat the man. Lucas had been following him for over a day. At every bus stop, Lucas made sure he was on the same one as his target. He had kept an eye on him as much as possible. Though, Lucas was sure the man had seen him and was on to him. Lucas didn’t care; he just wanted answers, and he believed this man to have them.
Lucas had finally remembered who this guy was. He was called the Ace, and had been stationed in Iraq with Lucas. Though they were in different squads, most people knew about the Ace.
The Ace was a sniper, and was one of the best. He had an uncanny ability to see where his targets were, and shoot them dead on.
There had been an incident back in Iraq. The Ace was supposed to go on the strike with Lucas’s company, but didn’t. Instead he was held at the base with MPs guarding him.
It seems that the Ace had made a bet with some other soldiers. He was supposed to shoot a target from 30 yards away. Ace won. The others were furious and had ganged up on him later that night. There were five of them. One had a broken arm, three were hospitalized due to serious injuries, and one was dead. Lucas knew he was dealing with a dangerous man, and had kept his gun loaded and ready, just in case things turned ugly.
§
Lucas stepped out of the bus and onto the road and walked to the bus station. He stopped and looked around. He had missed Ace when everyone departed, and now Lucas couldn’t find him. Across the street was an old motel, its vacancy sign flickering on and off.
So this is Old Omaha, he thought. Suddenly, movement caught his eye. Turning to his left, he saw old office buildings. There was barely any light over there. Straining his eyes, Lucas thought he saw something go into the alley.
Lucas walked over cautiously. Thanks to his military training, he expected an ambush here. He entered the alley. Taking a few steps, he noticed he couldn’t see a thing. He took a step forward.
Click. Lucas recognized that sound. It was a gun being cocked. The noise had come from behind him.
“Don’t move,” said a voice. “I’ve seen you on the bus, so why are you following me?”
The voice belonged to the Ace. “Don’t try anything either. I see the gun. I can also see any movement you make. Try something, and I’ll shoot you. You’ll be dead before you can take a breath.”
Lucas was quiet. He didn’t know how this man could see the gun. It was pitch black, and he had just drawn it from his pocket.
Ace took a few steps forward. Lucas could feel his breath on his neck. He closed his eyes and focused. He flicked his hands up. Light burst from them, blinding Ace. Lucas elbowed him and twisted the gun out of his grasp. It fell to the ground. Lucas kicked the man to the ground.
Lucas looked down at the man. There was just enough light for Lucas to see him, and distinguish his features. They were about the same height, he judged. Ace was muscular. His nose was slightly curved, and his black hair was short, but wild. He had olive colored skin, as he was Korean.
Lucas looked at his hands. Despite being clenched into fists, light still illuminated them, though it was noticeably dimmer then when his palms were showing.
Ace got up and looked at Lucas’s hands, and grinned.
“So, you have powers too.”
§
As Lucas had gotten out of the bus, a car was speeding down the highway from the opposite direction. Jack pushed the car to its limits. Those thugs from Rochester had been following him since yesterday, and were catching up on him.
Not only that, but the police were chasing him too.
The car swerved as Jack drove through an intersection. Speeding through downtown Omaha, Jack looked for a place to hide. The police everywhere and Jack had no doubt that they would get his sooner or later.
Making a sharp right, Jack sped down into the older part of the city. A bus sign flashed by.
A bus stop. Maybe I can take a bus. Just have to get there in time.
Suddenly, there was a loud crack. One of the wheels had gone flat. At this speed, the car went out of control. His car spun down the street and crashed into a light post only blocks away from the bus station.
§
Lucas and Ace faced each other.
“I was expecting the light, but nor worries. My eyes have already adjusted to it.”
Suddenly, they heard screams. There was a crash, and then an explosion. Sirens could be heard in the distance.
“People are hurt. They might need help,” said Lucas.
Ace pulled out another gun. “Make one move and I’ll shoot.”
Lucas was stunned. “Don’t you care about those people? They could be hurt or dying! We need to help them.”
Ace shrugged. “Not my problem.”
Lucas was disgusted. He was about to reply when shots could be heard. Lucas stopped the light coming out of his hands. The alley went dark.
§
Kicking open the door, Jack crawled out. The pole fell onto the car, wrecking it even more. Jack ran a few feet and fell. He was hurt. He touched each of his injuries, healing them. Getting up, he ran away from the wreck.
The car burst into flames, then exploded. Jack continued to run. Suddenly, shots rang out. A bullet grazed his arm.
“No!” he cursed. They had found him. He continued to run when a flash of light caught his eye. It had come from an alley. Jack ran into it. It was completely dark. He hit something and fell. He hit the ground, and heard cursing.
Immediately, light poured into the alley. Jack looked around. He had run into a man, and another was standing nearby. There were two handguns on the ground.
Lucas blinked as the sudden light blinded him. Looking around, he saw Ace on the ground, and another man was lying next to him. Ace had dropped his gun, and now both were on the ground. Lucas looked up. At least twenty guns were aimed at them. They were surrounded.
Omaha, Nebraska
August 28, 2006
The bus slowed down as it approached the city. Lucas looked out the window and watched as the plains became an urban town. The bus passed buildings and houses. It was about 7:00, and Lucas was dead tired.
Yet I mustn’t forget why I’m here, he told himself. A few seats ahead of him sat the man. Lucas had been following him for over a day. At every bus stop, Lucas made sure he was on the same one as his target. He had kept an eye on him as much as possible. Though, Lucas was sure the man had seen him and was on to him. Lucas didn’t care; he just wanted answers, and he believed this man to have them.
Lucas had finally remembered who this guy was. He was called the Ace, and had been stationed in Iraq with Lucas. Though they were in different squads, most people knew about the Ace.
The Ace was a sniper, and was one of the best. He had an uncanny ability to see where his targets were, and shoot them dead on.
There had been an incident back in Iraq. The Ace was supposed to go on the strike with Lucas’s company, but didn’t. Instead he was held at the base with MPs guarding him.
It seems that the Ace had made a bet with some other soldiers. He was supposed to shoot a target from 30 yards away. Ace won. The others were furious and had ganged up on him later that night. There were five of them. One had a broken arm, three were hospitalized due to serious injuries, and one was dead. Lucas knew he was dealing with a dangerous man, and had kept his gun loaded and ready, just in case things turned ugly.
§
Lucas stepped out of the bus and onto the road and walked to the bus station. He stopped and looked around. He had missed Ace when everyone departed, and now Lucas couldn’t find him. Across the street was an old motel, its vacancy sign flickering on and off.
So this is Old Omaha, he thought. Suddenly, movement caught his eye. Turning to his left, he saw old office buildings. There was barely any light over there. Straining his eyes, Lucas thought he saw something go into the alley.
Lucas walked over cautiously. Thanks to his military training, he expected an ambush here. He entered the alley. Taking a few steps, he noticed he couldn’t see a thing. He took a step forward.
Click. Lucas recognized that sound. It was a gun being cocked. The noise had come from behind him.
“Don’t move,” said a voice. “I’ve seen you on the bus, so why are you following me?”
The voice belonged to the Ace. “Don’t try anything either. I see the gun. I can also see any movement you make. Try something, and I’ll shoot you. You’ll be dead before you can take a breath.”
Lucas was quiet. He didn’t know how this man could see the gun. It was pitch black, and he had just drawn it from his pocket.
Ace took a few steps forward. Lucas could feel his breath on his neck. He closed his eyes and focused. He flicked his hands up. Light burst from them, blinding Ace. Lucas elbowed him and twisted the gun out of his grasp. It fell to the ground. Lucas kicked the man to the ground.
Lucas looked down at the man. There was just enough light for Lucas to see him, and distinguish his features. They were about the same height, he judged. Ace was muscular. His nose was slightly curved, and his black hair was short, but wild. He had olive colored skin, as he was Korean.
Lucas looked at his hands. Despite being clenched into fists, light still illuminated them, though it was noticeably dimmer then when his palms were showing.
Ace got up and looked at Lucas’s hands, and grinned.
“So, you have powers too.”
§
As Lucas had gotten out of the bus, a car was speeding down the highway from the opposite direction. Jack pushed the car to its limits. Those thugs from Rochester had been following him since yesterday, and were catching up on him.
Not only that, but the police were chasing him too.
The car swerved as Jack drove through an intersection. Speeding through downtown Omaha, Jack looked for a place to hide. The police everywhere and Jack had no doubt that they would get his sooner or later.
Making a sharp right, Jack sped down into the older part of the city. A bus sign flashed by.
A bus stop. Maybe I can take a bus. Just have to get there in time.
Suddenly, there was a loud crack. One of the wheels had gone flat. At this speed, the car went out of control. His car spun down the street and crashed into a light post only blocks away from the bus station.
§
Lucas and Ace faced each other.
“I was expecting the light, but nor worries. My eyes have already adjusted to it.”
Suddenly, they heard screams. There was a crash, and then an explosion. Sirens could be heard in the distance.
“People are hurt. They might need help,” said Lucas.
Ace pulled out another gun. “Make one move and I’ll shoot.”
Lucas was stunned. “Don’t you care about those people? They could be hurt or dying! We need to help them.”
Ace shrugged. “Not my problem.”
Lucas was disgusted. He was about to reply when shots could be heard. Lucas stopped the light coming out of his hands. The alley went dark.
§
Kicking open the door, Jack crawled out. The pole fell onto the car, wrecking it even more. Jack ran a few feet and fell. He was hurt. He touched each of his injuries, healing them. Getting up, he ran away from the wreck.
The car burst into flames, then exploded. Jack continued to run. Suddenly, shots rang out. A bullet grazed his arm.
“No!” he cursed. They had found him. He continued to run when a flash of light caught his eye. It had come from an alley. Jack ran into it. It was completely dark. He hit something and fell. He hit the ground, and heard cursing.
Immediately, light poured into the alley. Jack looked around. He had run into a man, and another was standing nearby. There were two handguns on the ground.
Lucas blinked as the sudden light blinded him. Looking around, he saw Ace on the ground, and another man was lying next to him. Ace had dropped his gun, and now both were on the ground. Lucas looked up. At least twenty guns were aimed at them. They were surrounded.
Ch. 7
Omaha, Nebraska
August 28, 2006
Lucas looked up. At least twenty men had their guns trained at them. Ace rolled onto his back and looked at the sight. The other man rolled and groaned.
A voice called out from above them.
“Well Jack? You know what we want. If you comply, then we’ll let your friends go.”
Lucas looked at the guy on the ground and figured he must be Jack. He also knew that even if this guy did do what the attackers wanted, Lucas and Ace would be far from ‘left alone’.
Ace and Jack stood up. Jack placed his hand on his arm. Ace starts to brush dirt off. Lucas watched him. He followed his gaze. It was on his gun. The weapon lay three feet away from them. Another gun was a few feet past it. They would be shot before they ever got within a foot of them.
Lucas squinted up at the intense light. If only I could reverse it……
He knew what he had to do. Closing his eyes, he focused on his powers. Now, more then ever before, he needed them. His palms began to tingle and grow hot. This feeling soon covered his both of his hands.
The voice called out. “Are we gonna have to come and get you?” Six men dropped from the roof, repelling on the walls.
Now! Lucas opened his hands. An intense, bright light flooded the alley. The gunmen cried out as they were blinded. Lucas threw his hands up so that it blinded the men above.
Ace dived for his gun. The kid had given him the distraction he needed. He looked around, his vision perfect despite the glaring light. Aiming at the men, he shot three, instantly killing them. Gunfire began to rain down. Ace rolled for towards his second pistol and began to fire at the sky, taking out targets with ease.
Lucas heard the shots and grabbed Jack. He ran to a stack of crates. As he ran, the light from his hands began to dim rapidly, so that when he reached cover it was gone. Drawing his gun, Lucas fired at the remaining men. Out of the six that were grounded, only three were alive. Lucas shot one a few time in the chest, killing him.
Where are they? And where’s that guy, Jack, he thought. To his left was Jack, with two of the attackers grabbing him. Lucas aimed, but didn’t shoot. If I fire, I’ll hit him.
“Arrgh!” A stray bullet hit Jack in the leg. He fell to the ground in pain. The men grabbed him. Lifting him up, one of them punched him in the stomach. Glaring at them, Jack grabbed each. He focused on their nervous system. A flood of power channeled through him and into the two thugs. Instantly, their nervous system shut down. Throwing them off him, he limped to Lucas.
Ace fired his last shot. Throwing his guns down, he ran. Jack was ahead of him, and wounded.
“Come on! Help me with him!” Lucas had reached the man and was helping him get out of the alley. Ace ran over and grabbed Jack’s arm. The two carried him out and over to an abandoned building.
The room was dark when they entered it. Setting Jack down, Ace shut the door. He then began searching the room for anything to prop against the door.
“Here, let me,” said Lucas. He held his palm out, a little light shining from it. He swept his hand around the room. There were no windows, luckily for them. Crates and boards were scattered across the floor. Ace began grabbing them and setting them against the door.
Turning around, he asked, “What was that back there?”
Jack was sitting on the ground. He was ripping his pant leg off. Blood covered his leg. He inspected the wound.
“Good, the bullet went through. And to answer your question, they have been following me since I left St. Paul. I’m a doctor there, so I have no idea why they are gunning for me.”
Ace looked at him. He was certain that this doctor was either holding information back or lying, or possibly, and very likely to him, both.
Jack motioned to Lucas. “Can you shine it over hear.”
Lucas compiled. Jack took a look at the wound. Placing his hand on it, he closed his eyes. Ace and Lucas watched in amazement as the wound began to heal. A slight green aura was around it. Soon, the bullet hole was gone, and all that was left was a slight scar.
Lucas was amazed.
“You have powers too.”
Jack nodded. “I can heal with my hands. But I hurt as well.”
Ace nodded.
“Those men you grabbed. They fell down. That was you, wasn’t it?”
“Yeah. I shut down their nervous system. Didn’t mean to, but it killed them,” replied the doctor.
“So we all have powers,” said Lucas. He held up his hand. It was slightly illuminated.
“Light.” He looked at Jack. “A healing touch.”
Jack pointed at Ace. “And his would be?”
Ace stared at them, his arms crossed. “I have amazing vision. In any kind of light.”
“Now, if you wouldn’t mind breaking up this powwow of ours, it’s time to go.”
Lucas doused the light.
Ace removed the boards from the door as Jack got up. The three walked out when, light shone upon them.
“Hands in the air. You are under arrest!” called a voice over a megaphone.
Not again, though Lucas.
Lucas looked at Ace. Their eyes met. A silent agreement passed between the two. Jack nodded slightly when Lucas looked over at him.
Lucas raised his hands and closed his eyes.
§
The police officers watched as three men walked out. These must have been the ones who caused all the damage a few blocks down.
“Put your hands in the air or we’ll shoot,” called the captain.
One of them lifted his hands in the air.
Suddenly, an intense, glaring light blazed from his hands. The officers backed away, instantly blinded. A few minutes passed. They opened their eyes as the light faded away. As soon as their eyes adjusted, they noticed something was horribly wrong.
The men were gone.
Omaha, Nebraska
August 28, 2006
Lucas looked up. At least twenty men had their guns trained at them. Ace rolled onto his back and looked at the sight. The other man rolled and groaned.
A voice called out from above them.
“Well Jack? You know what we want. If you comply, then we’ll let your friends go.”
Lucas looked at the guy on the ground and figured he must be Jack. He also knew that even if this guy did do what the attackers wanted, Lucas and Ace would be far from ‘left alone’.
Ace and Jack stood up. Jack placed his hand on his arm. Ace starts to brush dirt off. Lucas watched him. He followed his gaze. It was on his gun. The weapon lay three feet away from them. Another gun was a few feet past it. They would be shot before they ever got within a foot of them.
Lucas squinted up at the intense light. If only I could reverse it……
He knew what he had to do. Closing his eyes, he focused on his powers. Now, more then ever before, he needed them. His palms began to tingle and grow hot. This feeling soon covered his both of his hands.
The voice called out. “Are we gonna have to come and get you?” Six men dropped from the roof, repelling on the walls.
Now! Lucas opened his hands. An intense, bright light flooded the alley. The gunmen cried out as they were blinded. Lucas threw his hands up so that it blinded the men above.
Ace dived for his gun. The kid had given him the distraction he needed. He looked around, his vision perfect despite the glaring light. Aiming at the men, he shot three, instantly killing them. Gunfire began to rain down. Ace rolled for towards his second pistol and began to fire at the sky, taking out targets with ease.
Lucas heard the shots and grabbed Jack. He ran to a stack of crates. As he ran, the light from his hands began to dim rapidly, so that when he reached cover it was gone. Drawing his gun, Lucas fired at the remaining men. Out of the six that were grounded, only three were alive. Lucas shot one a few time in the chest, killing him.
Where are they? And where’s that guy, Jack, he thought. To his left was Jack, with two of the attackers grabbing him. Lucas aimed, but didn’t shoot. If I fire, I’ll hit him.
“Arrgh!” A stray bullet hit Jack in the leg. He fell to the ground in pain. The men grabbed him. Lifting him up, one of them punched him in the stomach. Glaring at them, Jack grabbed each. He focused on their nervous system. A flood of power channeled through him and into the two thugs. Instantly, their nervous system shut down. Throwing them off him, he limped to Lucas.
Ace fired his last shot. Throwing his guns down, he ran. Jack was ahead of him, and wounded.
“Come on! Help me with him!” Lucas had reached the man and was helping him get out of the alley. Ace ran over and grabbed Jack’s arm. The two carried him out and over to an abandoned building.
The room was dark when they entered it. Setting Jack down, Ace shut the door. He then began searching the room for anything to prop against the door.
“Here, let me,” said Lucas. He held his palm out, a little light shining from it. He swept his hand around the room. There were no windows, luckily for them. Crates and boards were scattered across the floor. Ace began grabbing them and setting them against the door.
Turning around, he asked, “What was that back there?”
Jack was sitting on the ground. He was ripping his pant leg off. Blood covered his leg. He inspected the wound.
“Good, the bullet went through. And to answer your question, they have been following me since I left St. Paul. I’m a doctor there, so I have no idea why they are gunning for me.”
Ace looked at him. He was certain that this doctor was either holding information back or lying, or possibly, and very likely to him, both.
Jack motioned to Lucas. “Can you shine it over hear.”
Lucas compiled. Jack took a look at the wound. Placing his hand on it, he closed his eyes. Ace and Lucas watched in amazement as the wound began to heal. A slight green aura was around it. Soon, the bullet hole was gone, and all that was left was a slight scar.
Lucas was amazed.
“You have powers too.”
Jack nodded. “I can heal with my hands. But I hurt as well.”
Ace nodded.
“Those men you grabbed. They fell down. That was you, wasn’t it?”
“Yeah. I shut down their nervous system. Didn’t mean to, but it killed them,” replied the doctor.
“So we all have powers,” said Lucas. He held up his hand. It was slightly illuminated.
“Light.” He looked at Jack. “A healing touch.”
Jack pointed at Ace. “And his would be?”
Ace stared at them, his arms crossed. “I have amazing vision. In any kind of light.”
“Now, if you wouldn’t mind breaking up this powwow of ours, it’s time to go.”
Lucas doused the light.
Ace removed the boards from the door as Jack got up. The three walked out when, light shone upon them.
“Hands in the air. You are under arrest!” called a voice over a megaphone.
Not again, though Lucas.
Lucas looked at Ace. Their eyes met. A silent agreement passed between the two. Jack nodded slightly when Lucas looked over at him.
Lucas raised his hands and closed his eyes.
§
The police officers watched as three men walked out. These must have been the ones who caused all the damage a few blocks down.
“Put your hands in the air or we’ll shoot,” called the captain.
One of them lifted his hands in the air.
Suddenly, an intense, glaring light blazed from his hands. The officers backed away, instantly blinded. A few minutes passed. They opened their eyes as the light faded away. As soon as their eyes adjusted, they noticed something was horribly wrong.
The men were gone.
Ch.8
KU Campus
Lawrence, Kansas
August 28, 2006
Natalie stared at Professor Powers.
“I need your help. You may be the only one who can do this,” said the professor.
He opened a desk drawer and began rummaging through it. He told Natalie what happened while he looked.
“Just this morning, the body of a young woman was found in a dumpster. They couldn’t discern the identity of her, but they did find blood a few feet away.”
“She was young, about your age.” Natalie shivered. Another murder? Here? Is there some psycho running about campus?
“This case isn’t connected to the earlier one. The victim of that one had his head cut open and, quite disgustingly, his brain removed.”
Natalie looked like she was about to throw up. The head cut open? Brain removed?
Natalie sat down on a chair. Professor Powers got up out of his chair. He had found what he had been looking for.
“A friend of mine was able to…..well, loan it to me.”
In his hands was a gun. He gave it to her and said, “What I need you to do is use your powers. This here is the murder weapon. It was found in the suspect’s room. He says he didn’t kill the girl. Look back and tell me if you can find out if he is telling the truth.”
Her hands shaking, Natalie grabbed the gun. Holding it in her hands, she stared at it. Suddenly she wasn’t sitting down. She was still in the professor’s room though. He was holding the gun and placing it in the drawer.
This isn’t what I need, she thought.
Blinking, her vision grew cloudy. She felt a slight twinge, and then the fogginess cleared up.
She was in a dorm room. Someone had their back to her. The man walked out. The gun was lying on the table. Natalie blinked.
She felt the twinge, and instantly she was outside. A man ran by her, carrying the gun. He was moving frantically, as if he had to get away from something dreadful. This had to be the real killer. Natalie looked closer, but couldn’t tell who it was. It was too dark outside. She blinked once more.
There was the man, with the weapon in his hand. He was shaking. There, lying before him on the ground, was the girl. He didn’t tell me she was shot in the face. A massive hole was in the center of her face. The wound was so grotesque that there was no way any would be able to identify her.
Natalie looked over at the killer. His face was still in the shadows. She blinked again.
She was standing by the dumpster. She heard some shouting. Turning around, she saw the victim and her killer. She watched as the two yelled at each other. It looked like their argument was going to turn deadly. Natalie focused on the girl.
She gasped. The murdered woman was her friend, Michelle. Why would someone kill Michelle?
The yelling grew in volume. Suddenly, Michelle slapped the man in the face. Blood dripped off his lip. Pulling out the gun, the killer fired at Michelle, point blank in the face.
Natalie screamed. She couldn’t stand to watch her own friend murdered. She wanted to stop this. The sight of Michelle lying there, and blood covering the ground and wall behind her was too much.
But I can’t stop. I have to find out who the killer is. For Michelle.
The young freshman focused on the killer’s face. His features began to become distinguishable. Natalie looked closer. She was shocked.
The killer was her friend, and Michelle’s boyfriend, Kyle.
Kyle did this? Why? Why?
She dropped the gun and began to cry. She was back in the professor’s study.
“Well?”
She wiped her eyes. “I know who was killed. My friend, Michelle Lee was the victim.”
The professor’s eyes softened. “I’m so sorry. And the killer?”
Natalie shook her head.
“So no then. I see. Well, it’s late, and you need rest. Go back to your room.”
Natalie got up and left.
She closed the door behind her and ran down the hall, tears in her eyes. Turning the corner, she bumped into someone.
“Oh, are you all right,” he asked. Natalie continued down the hall. The young man watched her go.
Natalie stopped running. She was at the top of the flight of stairs. She looked down them. She knew that she just withheld information about a murderer, but she couldn’t believe that Kyle would kill his own girlfriend.
Natalie knew what she had to do. Walking down the stairs, she took the first right she came too. She had reached a decision. She was going to find out why Kyle was a murderer.
§
She knocked on the door.
“Hold on, I’m coming.”
Kyle opened the door. Natalie stood there crying. “They found out who was killed. It was Michelle, Kyle. Someone killed Michelle!”
He pulled her close and gave her a hug. Taking her into his room, he closed the door and locked it.
Natalie stood looking out the window. Kyle was behind her. Turning to face him, she asked, “So when did you see her last?”
“Yesterday night, why?”
Natalie looked straight at him. “So you were the last one to see her alive?”
Kyle was shocked. “What are you saying?”
Natalie approached him. “Why’d you do it Kyle? Why did you have to kill her? Was it because of the argument?”
Kyle backed away from her. Her words reached his ears, and he grew angry. “How did you know,” he growled.
“You’re in over your head, Natalie,” he said as he advanced. Natalie backed away.
“She loved you!”
Kyle glared at her. “No she didn’t. She was going to break up with me. So I thought, if I couldn’t have her, then no one could.”
He lunged at Natalie and grabbed her. “Stop Kyle!” she screamed.
He grabbed her neck and began to squeeze. “You shouldn’t have come here.”
Natalie felt the air escape her lungs. She swung her leg and kicked him in the groin as hard as she could. He fell down.
“You little…” he growled. Kyle got up and shoved Natalie to the floor. He grabbed a lamp on the table next to him and raised it up.
Suddenly, the room door flew off its hinges and sailed across the room. Kyle turned to look. A man had entered.
“Enough,” he said and raised his hand. Kyle was thrown against the ceiling, stuck there.
Natalie got up and ran for the door. The man snapped his fingers, and the killer flew down, and then into the wall. Kyle crumpled onto the floor, unconscious.
He turned toward Natalie. It was the same man whom she bumped into earlier.
“Did you get his confession on tape?” he asked.
Natalie was stunned. “Yeah, but how’d you know?”
He smiled gravely and said, “I just know things.”
They left the room. The man paused and raised his hand. The door shook, then hovered back over to the frame. The man drew a breath as the door wobbled, and then fell to the floor.
“Come on, we need to leave,” said Natalie. The two then turned and ran down the hall.
KU Campus
Lawrence, Kansas
August 28, 2006
Natalie stared at Professor Powers.
“I need your help. You may be the only one who can do this,” said the professor.
He opened a desk drawer and began rummaging through it. He told Natalie what happened while he looked.
“Just this morning, the body of a young woman was found in a dumpster. They couldn’t discern the identity of her, but they did find blood a few feet away.”
“She was young, about your age.” Natalie shivered. Another murder? Here? Is there some psycho running about campus?
“This case isn’t connected to the earlier one. The victim of that one had his head cut open and, quite disgustingly, his brain removed.”
Natalie looked like she was about to throw up. The head cut open? Brain removed?
Natalie sat down on a chair. Professor Powers got up out of his chair. He had found what he had been looking for.
“A friend of mine was able to…..well, loan it to me.”
In his hands was a gun. He gave it to her and said, “What I need you to do is use your powers. This here is the murder weapon. It was found in the suspect’s room. He says he didn’t kill the girl. Look back and tell me if you can find out if he is telling the truth.”
Her hands shaking, Natalie grabbed the gun. Holding it in her hands, she stared at it. Suddenly she wasn’t sitting down. She was still in the professor’s room though. He was holding the gun and placing it in the drawer.
This isn’t what I need, she thought.
Blinking, her vision grew cloudy. She felt a slight twinge, and then the fogginess cleared up.
She was in a dorm room. Someone had their back to her. The man walked out. The gun was lying on the table. Natalie blinked.
She felt the twinge, and instantly she was outside. A man ran by her, carrying the gun. He was moving frantically, as if he had to get away from something dreadful. This had to be the real killer. Natalie looked closer, but couldn’t tell who it was. It was too dark outside. She blinked once more.
There was the man, with the weapon in his hand. He was shaking. There, lying before him on the ground, was the girl. He didn’t tell me she was shot in the face. A massive hole was in the center of her face. The wound was so grotesque that there was no way any would be able to identify her.
Natalie looked over at the killer. His face was still in the shadows. She blinked again.
She was standing by the dumpster. She heard some shouting. Turning around, she saw the victim and her killer. She watched as the two yelled at each other. It looked like their argument was going to turn deadly. Natalie focused on the girl.
She gasped. The murdered woman was her friend, Michelle. Why would someone kill Michelle?
The yelling grew in volume. Suddenly, Michelle slapped the man in the face. Blood dripped off his lip. Pulling out the gun, the killer fired at Michelle, point blank in the face.
Natalie screamed. She couldn’t stand to watch her own friend murdered. She wanted to stop this. The sight of Michelle lying there, and blood covering the ground and wall behind her was too much.
But I can’t stop. I have to find out who the killer is. For Michelle.
The young freshman focused on the killer’s face. His features began to become distinguishable. Natalie looked closer. She was shocked.
The killer was her friend, and Michelle’s boyfriend, Kyle.
Kyle did this? Why? Why?
She dropped the gun and began to cry. She was back in the professor’s study.
“Well?”
She wiped her eyes. “I know who was killed. My friend, Michelle Lee was the victim.”
The professor’s eyes softened. “I’m so sorry. And the killer?”
Natalie shook her head.
“So no then. I see. Well, it’s late, and you need rest. Go back to your room.”
Natalie got up and left.
She closed the door behind her and ran down the hall, tears in her eyes. Turning the corner, she bumped into someone.
“Oh, are you all right,” he asked. Natalie continued down the hall. The young man watched her go.
Natalie stopped running. She was at the top of the flight of stairs. She looked down them. She knew that she just withheld information about a murderer, but she couldn’t believe that Kyle would kill his own girlfriend.
Natalie knew what she had to do. Walking down the stairs, she took the first right she came too. She had reached a decision. She was going to find out why Kyle was a murderer.
§
She knocked on the door.
“Hold on, I’m coming.”
Kyle opened the door. Natalie stood there crying. “They found out who was killed. It was Michelle, Kyle. Someone killed Michelle!”
He pulled her close and gave her a hug. Taking her into his room, he closed the door and locked it.
Natalie stood looking out the window. Kyle was behind her. Turning to face him, she asked, “So when did you see her last?”
“Yesterday night, why?”
Natalie looked straight at him. “So you were the last one to see her alive?”
Kyle was shocked. “What are you saying?”
Natalie approached him. “Why’d you do it Kyle? Why did you have to kill her? Was it because of the argument?”
Kyle backed away from her. Her words reached his ears, and he grew angry. “How did you know,” he growled.
“You’re in over your head, Natalie,” he said as he advanced. Natalie backed away.
“She loved you!”
Kyle glared at her. “No she didn’t. She was going to break up with me. So I thought, if I couldn’t have her, then no one could.”
He lunged at Natalie and grabbed her. “Stop Kyle!” she screamed.
He grabbed her neck and began to squeeze. “You shouldn’t have come here.”
Natalie felt the air escape her lungs. She swung her leg and kicked him in the groin as hard as she could. He fell down.
“You little…” he growled. Kyle got up and shoved Natalie to the floor. He grabbed a lamp on the table next to him and raised it up.
Suddenly, the room door flew off its hinges and sailed across the room. Kyle turned to look. A man had entered.
“Enough,” he said and raised his hand. Kyle was thrown against the ceiling, stuck there.
Natalie got up and ran for the door. The man snapped his fingers, and the killer flew down, and then into the wall. Kyle crumpled onto the floor, unconscious.
He turned toward Natalie. It was the same man whom she bumped into earlier.
“Did you get his confession on tape?” he asked.
Natalie was stunned. “Yeah, but how’d you know?”
He smiled gravely and said, “I just know things.”
They left the room. The man paused and raised his hand. The door shook, then hovered back over to the frame. The man drew a breath as the door wobbled, and then fell to the floor.
“Come on, we need to leave,” said Natalie. The two then turned and ran down the hall.
Ch. 9
KU Campus
Lawrence, Kansas
August 28, 2006
Natalie and the stranger ran out the door and across the lawn. It was late, around 11:00 p.m. and no one was out. The grass had gained a silvery hue, due to the light cast down from the full moon.
“Where to?” asked the young man?
Natalie didn’t know. Where could they go? Then it hit her. “We’ll go to Professor Powers.”
He looked over at her incredulously. “The old, archeology teacher?”
“Yes,” she answered. “He’s a friend of mine.”
The man seemed to accept that. “We should walk then. No use running. The guy isn’t going anywhere tonight,” he said, a shadow of a grin playing on his lips.
Natalie silently agreed, and the two slowed down. She was breathless from the run, and the adrenaline had already started to leave her system.
The two students walked on in silence. A slight breeze blew, rustling a few branches overhead. The night was unusually cool for August.
“So, I guess I should thank you for saving my life,” said Natalie, wanting to break the silence. The young man grunted. He was tall, about 6’2”, maybe 6’3”, judged the girl. He had slightly long blonde hair, and his eyes shone a grayish blue, as moonlight caught his face. He was handsome, she thought, his skin tanned due to his heritage. He was skinny, though not overly so, and had long legs. A runner, she decided.
“I’m Natalie Crain by the way.” The man looked at her, then glanced quickly away. As attractive as she was, he couldn’t look at her for long. There was something in her eyes that gave him the chills. She has a secret, a dark one I’m guessing. But who am I to judge? I too have some things I’d rather have kept hidden.
The man looked at her and introduced himself. “I’m Max. Max Hernandez.”
“So you’re a….”.
“A junior,” he said, finishing her sentence.
In the distance, a siren could be heard. The noise reminded the two of the gravity of their situation. They hurried to their destination.
§
Natalie opened the door. There was the old professor, looking out his window. He was talking on a cell phone.
“It will be done,” he said and hung up. He turned around and saw them. “Oh, come in. What is it.?”
Natalie rushed to him, tears in her eyes, the strain of the night getting to her. Max stood by the doorway.
Powers held the sobbing figure. “There, there.”
“I know who did it. It was Kyle Pinkerton. He killed his girlfriend, my friend,” she cried. The Professor sat her down and dried her tears. He looked up and noticed Max standing there. “Have a seat too, uh…”
“Max,” he said quietly. “And I’d prefer to stand.”
The professor raised his eyebrows. “All right then. Why don’t I fix you two something to drink. Water?”
The two nodded. Natalie related the events of the night, though excluded Max’s sudden, and strange arrival. She handed him a tape recorder, saying Kyle’s confession was on it.
Powers gave the two their glasses and asked Natalie some questions, concerning her health. During all this, Max sipped his water. He was about finished when a soft buzzing filled his head. He looked at the professor. The old man glanced at him and mouthed one word. Powers.
Something was wrong. Max looked at his glass, and noticed a slight residue on the bottom. He felt heavy all of a sudden. Something was definitely wrong.
Natalie was sitting, and just finished her glass. “Natalie, run!” yelled Max. The urgency in his voice caused her to jump out of her seat. She looked at the professor. Powers was smiling at them, and pointed a finger at her. She felt sluggish.
“The water is tainted,” said Max. He raised his hand and pointed at Prof. Powers. Nothing happened. “What’s going on? I can’t…” Max fell to the floor, unconscious.
Natalie screamed and ran for the door. She tripped and fell to the ground.
“I’m sorry, Natalie, but it had to be this way. I knew you wouldn’t cooperate, though I am quite glad you brought a guest. He’s special too, isn’t he?” The professor approached her. “It’s for your own good.”
Natalie looked at him, and blacked out.
§
Omaha, Nebraska
August 29, 2006
Lucas looked out the window. After last nights events, the three men had decided it was best to lay low. They chose a small hotel, guessing that the police wouldn’t look here, and would expect them to be somewhere on the highway. They had slept through most of the day, and now it was getting dark.
Ace sat on his bed and flipped through the channels. “Nothing is on. We should’ve got a room with HBO.”
Jack looked up from his chair, a newspaper on his lap. His two companions were strange. All he knew was that both were in the military, either right now, or at one time. He also knew that they had known each other. Those were their only two similarities. They were completely opposite, Lucas kind, but quiet, always thinking and moving, and the fellow called Ace restless and stern, with a selfish attitude.
Jack knew that these two were his only ticket out of this city. He would’ve preferred to be alone, for he didn’t want anyone questioning his past. So far they hadn’t, but the doctor knew that it was only a matter of time before one of them spoke.
He guessed they had secrets they didn’t want to share, but he knew what was on their minds whenever they looked at him. Why was a doctor being chased by hit men? Jack knew he would never be able to tell them; his reasons were his own, and if explained would lead to other questions, like his powers, or why he didn’t seem to have a problem with hurting, and possibly killing.
Once again, the doctor looked at his hands. He was glad he had these powers, and even gladder he could defend himself with them. Jack had a certain liking of power, which led him into this mess. Yet he had power, and nothing would stop him now.
Lucas moved away from the window. Recently, he found himself wishing he would immediately have answers. So much has happened, and Lucas barely had clue as to what was going on. His powers were on his mind quite a lot, and now he shared a room with two others like him. The young soldier knew that these thoughts would just lead to more frustration, and he sat down and closed his eyes.
Ace threw the remote onto the floor looked at Jack. “Newspaper, now.”
Jack looked at him and threw it. The pages fluttered to the floor. “I was done with it anyways.” He walked to the door, coat in hand, and said he was heading to the bar downstairs.
Ace watched him go, then walked over and grabbed the remote. Laying back down, he turned on the tv, silently cursing the management there for having horrible selection.
§
Jack stepped out of the elevator. Walking over to the bar, he ordered a beer and sat down at a table in the corner. He sat there for awhile, watching the other customers, glad to be hidden in the shadows.
A man over at the bar turned and looked at him. Jack grew wary. The man wore glasses, a style which Jack could only describe as horn-rimmed. His hair was short, and he was tall. A glass was in his hand. The man walked over to him and sat in the chair opposite Jack.
“Mr. Hansen, it’s good to finally meet you,” said the man. Jack about jumped out of his seat. How did this man know him? And more importantly, was he with the police?
The man smiled. “I know much about you. Your name, your recent occupation, your problems with certain…..individuals. And your special….traits.” Jack just stared at him. This man was dangerous, and Jack didn’t know what to do.
The man in the horn-rimmed glasses raised his glass and said, “I have a proposal I think you’d like to hear.”
KU Campus
Lawrence, Kansas
August 28, 2006
Natalie and the stranger ran out the door and across the lawn. It was late, around 11:00 p.m. and no one was out. The grass had gained a silvery hue, due to the light cast down from the full moon.
“Where to?” asked the young man?
Natalie didn’t know. Where could they go? Then it hit her. “We’ll go to Professor Powers.”
He looked over at her incredulously. “The old, archeology teacher?”
“Yes,” she answered. “He’s a friend of mine.”
The man seemed to accept that. “We should walk then. No use running. The guy isn’t going anywhere tonight,” he said, a shadow of a grin playing on his lips.
Natalie silently agreed, and the two slowed down. She was breathless from the run, and the adrenaline had already started to leave her system.
The two students walked on in silence. A slight breeze blew, rustling a few branches overhead. The night was unusually cool for August.
“So, I guess I should thank you for saving my life,” said Natalie, wanting to break the silence. The young man grunted. He was tall, about 6’2”, maybe 6’3”, judged the girl. He had slightly long blonde hair, and his eyes shone a grayish blue, as moonlight caught his face. He was handsome, she thought, his skin tanned due to his heritage. He was skinny, though not overly so, and had long legs. A runner, she decided.
“I’m Natalie Crain by the way.” The man looked at her, then glanced quickly away. As attractive as she was, he couldn’t look at her for long. There was something in her eyes that gave him the chills. She has a secret, a dark one I’m guessing. But who am I to judge? I too have some things I’d rather have kept hidden.
The man looked at her and introduced himself. “I’m Max. Max Hernandez.”
“So you’re a….”.
“A junior,” he said, finishing her sentence.
In the distance, a siren could be heard. The noise reminded the two of the gravity of their situation. They hurried to their destination.
§
Natalie opened the door. There was the old professor, looking out his window. He was talking on a cell phone.
“It will be done,” he said and hung up. He turned around and saw them. “Oh, come in. What is it.?”
Natalie rushed to him, tears in her eyes, the strain of the night getting to her. Max stood by the doorway.
Powers held the sobbing figure. “There, there.”
“I know who did it. It was Kyle Pinkerton. He killed his girlfriend, my friend,” she cried. The Professor sat her down and dried her tears. He looked up and noticed Max standing there. “Have a seat too, uh…”
“Max,” he said quietly. “And I’d prefer to stand.”
The professor raised his eyebrows. “All right then. Why don’t I fix you two something to drink. Water?”
The two nodded. Natalie related the events of the night, though excluded Max’s sudden, and strange arrival. She handed him a tape recorder, saying Kyle’s confession was on it.
Powers gave the two their glasses and asked Natalie some questions, concerning her health. During all this, Max sipped his water. He was about finished when a soft buzzing filled his head. He looked at the professor. The old man glanced at him and mouthed one word. Powers.
Something was wrong. Max looked at his glass, and noticed a slight residue on the bottom. He felt heavy all of a sudden. Something was definitely wrong.
Natalie was sitting, and just finished her glass. “Natalie, run!” yelled Max. The urgency in his voice caused her to jump out of her seat. She looked at the professor. Powers was smiling at them, and pointed a finger at her. She felt sluggish.
“The water is tainted,” said Max. He raised his hand and pointed at Prof. Powers. Nothing happened. “What’s going on? I can’t…” Max fell to the floor, unconscious.
Natalie screamed and ran for the door. She tripped and fell to the ground.
“I’m sorry, Natalie, but it had to be this way. I knew you wouldn’t cooperate, though I am quite glad you brought a guest. He’s special too, isn’t he?” The professor approached her. “It’s for your own good.”
Natalie looked at him, and blacked out.
§
Omaha, Nebraska
August 29, 2006
Lucas looked out the window. After last nights events, the three men had decided it was best to lay low. They chose a small hotel, guessing that the police wouldn’t look here, and would expect them to be somewhere on the highway. They had slept through most of the day, and now it was getting dark.
Ace sat on his bed and flipped through the channels. “Nothing is on. We should’ve got a room with HBO.”
Jack looked up from his chair, a newspaper on his lap. His two companions were strange. All he knew was that both were in the military, either right now, or at one time. He also knew that they had known each other. Those were their only two similarities. They were completely opposite, Lucas kind, but quiet, always thinking and moving, and the fellow called Ace restless and stern, with a selfish attitude.
Jack knew that these two were his only ticket out of this city. He would’ve preferred to be alone, for he didn’t want anyone questioning his past. So far they hadn’t, but the doctor knew that it was only a matter of time before one of them spoke.
He guessed they had secrets they didn’t want to share, but he knew what was on their minds whenever they looked at him. Why was a doctor being chased by hit men? Jack knew he would never be able to tell them; his reasons were his own, and if explained would lead to other questions, like his powers, or why he didn’t seem to have a problem with hurting, and possibly killing.
Once again, the doctor looked at his hands. He was glad he had these powers, and even gladder he could defend himself with them. Jack had a certain liking of power, which led him into this mess. Yet he had power, and nothing would stop him now.
Lucas moved away from the window. Recently, he found himself wishing he would immediately have answers. So much has happened, and Lucas barely had clue as to what was going on. His powers were on his mind quite a lot, and now he shared a room with two others like him. The young soldier knew that these thoughts would just lead to more frustration, and he sat down and closed his eyes.
Ace threw the remote onto the floor looked at Jack. “Newspaper, now.”
Jack looked at him and threw it. The pages fluttered to the floor. “I was done with it anyways.” He walked to the door, coat in hand, and said he was heading to the bar downstairs.
Ace watched him go, then walked over and grabbed the remote. Laying back down, he turned on the tv, silently cursing the management there for having horrible selection.
§
Jack stepped out of the elevator. Walking over to the bar, he ordered a beer and sat down at a table in the corner. He sat there for awhile, watching the other customers, glad to be hidden in the shadows.
A man over at the bar turned and looked at him. Jack grew wary. The man wore glasses, a style which Jack could only describe as horn-rimmed. His hair was short, and he was tall. A glass was in his hand. The man walked over to him and sat in the chair opposite Jack.
“Mr. Hansen, it’s good to finally meet you,” said the man. Jack about jumped out of his seat. How did this man know him? And more importantly, was he with the police?
The man smiled. “I know much about you. Your name, your recent occupation, your problems with certain…..individuals. And your special….traits.” Jack just stared at him. This man was dangerous, and Jack didn’t know what to do.
The man in the horn-rimmed glasses raised his glass and said, “I have a proposal I think you’d like to hear.”
Ch. 10
Omaha, Nebraska
August 29, 2006
Ace gazed at the tv lifelessly. There was nothing on. Lucas was asleep in a chair to the right of him. The doctor, Jack, was gone. Ace didn’t really know where, except the man had said something about the bar. Ace didn’t really care. He disliked the doctor immensely. Yet he knew the man was needed, as all three of them were in this mess together, whether Ace liked it or not.
Suddenly, he heard a creak. He called quietly to Lucas. His eyes snapped open and he looked over at the sniper.
Ace mouthed, quiet. He pointed at the door. Lucas understood. He heard the creak too. Someone was at the door, and they were both sure whoever it was, wasn’t room service. The staff specifically said they didn’t have room service.
The door burst open. Men poured in, their guns ready. The lead police man walked in and looked around. The room was completely empty. The tv was on, and there was newspaper all over the floor, but no people. The window was smashed though. “Great.”
§
Lucas ran down the street. They had jumped out the window. The y were on the first floor, so nothing was damaged by the fall, though the two would have done it if the distance had been greater.
The two kept running. “What about Jack?”
Ace stared ahead as he ran. “They must’ve gotten him already. We’re on our own.”
Just as he said that, light flooded the street. A car’s headlights shone on them. Ace cursed under his breath. The car came closer, then stopped. A door opened, and out came Jack.
“Get in here, quickly.” The two ran over to him. “What the heck happened to you?” said Ace.
“A friend of mine helped me out.” Jack pointed to the car. “But first,” he grabbed their arms. A rush of swept through Lucas as he crumpled to the floor. Ace fell to the ground as well.
The window rolled down. “Are they injured?” asked a voice. Jack looked at them. “They’ll be fine. I just knocked them out.” He tied them with rope and place them in the back of the car. He shut the door and sat back in the passenger seat. “Let’sgo.”
The man set down his phone. Jack looked at him. “Anything wrong, Mr. Bennett?”
The man glanced at him. “It was just my little girl.”
§
Dallas, Texas
Dallas Police station
August 30, 2006
Four men stood in a small room. Two were detectives, one the police chief and the fourth was from the F.B.I. A table was in front of them. Pictures were lined up on the table. Each was a murder victim.
One of the detectives spoke up. “Each one of these was killed differently. Three stabbed, a few shot. Some were strangled. There is no pattern to these killings.”
“Except this.” He picked up a small bag. Inside it was a small silver coin. The letters J.R. were scratched on it.
“A coin like this was found on every single body.”
The other detective picked up another photo. “This is who we believe to be the killer.”
The picture showed a bald man, a cowboy hat in his hands, and a scar that reached from his chin to his left ear.
“This is Judas Regal. He escaped from an asylum here in Texas over a month ago. Notice the j and the r on the coin. We think they’re initials.”
The F.B.I. agent spoke up. “So what you’re saying is that this Regal needs to be found immediately.”
“Exactly.”
§
An old apartment somewhere
The light flickered on and off. Water dripped from the ceiling in the east corner. The whole south wall was covered in pictures of people. Some had big x’s through them, while others had knives sticking in them.
A man sat at the table, a cowboy hat upon sitting on it. The man traced his scar. Picking up a dart, he twiddled around with it. Looking at the wall of photos, he picked one out. With amazing speed he threw the dart. The weapon was stuck in the wall, dead center on one of the pictures.
Getting up, the man walked over and studied the photo. Grinning, he walked back to the table and grabbed his hat, then left.
The picture with the dart showed a young man with blonde hair and bluish-grey eyes. A name was written underneath it.
The name read Max Hernandez.
Omaha, Nebraska
August 29, 2006
Ace gazed at the tv lifelessly. There was nothing on. Lucas was asleep in a chair to the right of him. The doctor, Jack, was gone. Ace didn’t really know where, except the man had said something about the bar. Ace didn’t really care. He disliked the doctor immensely. Yet he knew the man was needed, as all three of them were in this mess together, whether Ace liked it or not.
Suddenly, he heard a creak. He called quietly to Lucas. His eyes snapped open and he looked over at the sniper.
Ace mouthed, quiet. He pointed at the door. Lucas understood. He heard the creak too. Someone was at the door, and they were both sure whoever it was, wasn’t room service. The staff specifically said they didn’t have room service.
The door burst open. Men poured in, their guns ready. The lead police man walked in and looked around. The room was completely empty. The tv was on, and there was newspaper all over the floor, but no people. The window was smashed though. “Great.”
§
Lucas ran down the street. They had jumped out the window. The y were on the first floor, so nothing was damaged by the fall, though the two would have done it if the distance had been greater.
The two kept running. “What about Jack?”
Ace stared ahead as he ran. “They must’ve gotten him already. We’re on our own.”
Just as he said that, light flooded the street. A car’s headlights shone on them. Ace cursed under his breath. The car came closer, then stopped. A door opened, and out came Jack.
“Get in here, quickly.” The two ran over to him. “What the heck happened to you?” said Ace.
“A friend of mine helped me out.” Jack pointed to the car. “But first,” he grabbed their arms. A rush of swept through Lucas as he crumpled to the floor. Ace fell to the ground as well.
The window rolled down. “Are they injured?” asked a voice. Jack looked at them. “They’ll be fine. I just knocked them out.” He tied them with rope and place them in the back of the car. He shut the door and sat back in the passenger seat. “Let’sgo.”
The man set down his phone. Jack looked at him. “Anything wrong, Mr. Bennett?”
The man glanced at him. “It was just my little girl.”
§
Dallas, Texas
Dallas Police station
August 30, 2006
Four men stood in a small room. Two were detectives, one the police chief and the fourth was from the F.B.I. A table was in front of them. Pictures were lined up on the table. Each was a murder victim.
One of the detectives spoke up. “Each one of these was killed differently. Three stabbed, a few shot. Some were strangled. There is no pattern to these killings.”
“Except this.” He picked up a small bag. Inside it was a small silver coin. The letters J.R. were scratched on it.
“A coin like this was found on every single body.”
The other detective picked up another photo. “This is who we believe to be the killer.”
The picture showed a bald man, a cowboy hat in his hands, and a scar that reached from his chin to his left ear.
“This is Judas Regal. He escaped from an asylum here in Texas over a month ago. Notice the j and the r on the coin. We think they’re initials.”
The F.B.I. agent spoke up. “So what you’re saying is that this Regal needs to be found immediately.”
“Exactly.”
§
An old apartment somewhere
The light flickered on and off. Water dripped from the ceiling in the east corner. The whole south wall was covered in pictures of people. Some had big x’s through them, while others had knives sticking in them.
A man sat at the table, a cowboy hat upon sitting on it. The man traced his scar. Picking up a dart, he twiddled around with it. Looking at the wall of photos, he picked one out. With amazing speed he threw the dart. The weapon was stuck in the wall, dead center on one of the pictures.
Getting up, the man walked over and studied the photo. Grinning, he walked back to the table and grabbed his hat, then left.
The picture with the dart showed a young man with blonde hair and bluish-grey eyes. A name was written underneath it.
The name read Max Hernandez.
As I have said before, comments, ideas, crticisms, and anything else you want to say is welcomed. I will get the next part, "Book 2:Exodus" tommorow. Enjoy!
Ok, I've read some of it - havent got time to read all of it now, but what I have read seems pretty good!
good work
....hopefully i'll get round to reading all of it sometime this week.
good work
....hopefully i'll get round to reading all of it sometime this week.
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If you're interested in joining, send an email to: imahero@burnttoastcafe.com
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