Acceleration

by Lin Larson

  CHAPTER 42

  “Susie, it’s Sam.”

  Susie sat on the bar stool perched near her kitchen counter in her designer condo. She held onto her phone tightly. “Oh, thank God. You’re not dead! I knew it couldn’t be true. Where are you?”

  “How about on the corner. I borrowed this cool kid’s phone. Say hello to Susie, Jose.”

  Jose giggled. “Hi, Susie.”

  Susie smiled broadly. “Jose, hi, and thanks. Tell Sam to come up.”

  Jose handed back the phone to Sam. “She say to come up. I like her. Is she pretty?”

  “Susie, dear Susie, I’m coming.” Sam said and turned to Jose and handed back the phone. “Thanks, buddy. She’s very pretty.”

  Susie threw down the phone and ran to the window. Seeing him walk towards the building, she bounded down the stairs in her bare feet, with her long dark hair flying about her slim shoulders.

  Sam reached for the bell when the door flew open. He drank in the sight of Suzanne, his Susie. Even in shorts and tank top, she was a classy and beautiful lady. He hoped she still felt something for him. He needed to see her. Sam still wasn’t sure if it was love. It was not the same as what he’d shared in his brief times with Caroline or Alex. But Susie was special too, and he cared about her deeply. He also needed her badly. He could finally let down his defenses from the last months and feel hope again for happiness.

  But he needn’t have worried about Susie’s reaction to Sam, the disheveled old boyfriend with the long shaggy hair.

  “I look a mess,” he blurted out. “The other passengers on my flight were more than happy to see me depart. I hope you don’t agree.” He said nervously. “I’ve missed you. May I come back?”

  Susie pulled Sam inside and then sobbed with joy. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him passionately. She suddenly interrupted the kiss with the emotional words, “I’m so happy to have you back, Sam.”

  Suddenly she broke away. “Do you know what you put me through? I never knew if you were alive, and everyone tore your reputation apart on the news. They hounded me for months on who was the real Sam Stone and was he a killer. Now you’re a damn hero. Couldn’t you trust me to tell me anything?”

  She looked so young and vulnerable to Sam. He sat her down on the side of the bed. “I’m sorry,” he said earnestly. “I didn’t want to get you involved or hurt.” Sam said as he lowered himself beside her. He stared ahead into space, seeing the awful memories. “I was usually running blind. I had no idea if it would ever end.” His voice grew almost inaudible.

  Susie touched his shoulder, and they relaxed. Sam pulled her down onto the bed, kissed her gently, and lay beside her, with her head resting on his chest. “This is nice. I would like to retain this moment forever, if I didn’t feel so grubby. Do you think I might clean up in your place?” He looked around for the first time and frowned, “Did you remodel or repaint?”

  “Both,” she said happily. “Do you like it?”

  “You must like orange and purple now. You always liked white walls before. It looks, ah- very royal and happy.” The walls and coverings were awash in the colors.

  “You don’t like it?” she pouted.

  “It’s just so different from before. It’s great.” Sam kissed her gently and stood up. “A shower and razor would be a gift from heaven.”

  “Then you have been blessed,” she laughed. “There are both in the bathroom. Go. It’s been waiting for your return. Give me your clothes, and I’ll toss them in my mini washing machine in the kitchen. I added it since your last memorable visit. I must have had déjà vu that you’d return as a mountain man.”

  “Do you have anything I can wear in the interim?” Sam asked.

  “There are towels.” Susie answered innocently.

  “Oh, thanks. You asked for it!” said Sam as he tried not to laugh.

  “I know,” she flounced onto the bed. “Hurry and get clean. I’ll be right here.”

  “I’ll just do that. I’ll be back shortly.” Sam sprinted for the shower.

  #

  “Hi, darling,” Sam said as he joined Susie in the bed. He noticed that she had fallen asleep. He looked around at the wall colors and his stomach turned over. He couldn’t stay in this bed and look at those walls. He hated those colors and the death that they brought. He hoped Susie’s paint job was just a silly coincidence. She couldn’t possibly be under the Acceleration drugs. The drugs are over and gone now. Weren’t they? He stared and felt the fear. He got up and walked to the couch in the living room, lay down, and slept fitfully

  #

  “Hi,”

  “Hi to you,” Sam said as he pulled Susie down on the couch next to him.

  “Why didn’t you sleep with me?” She said as she plopped beside him.

  “You were sleeping so soundly. I hated to wake you…Tonight,” he said.

  “Good. Oh, I forgot to throw your clothes in the dryer.” She started to climb out of Sam’s arms.

  Sam pulled her back. “I already did. Don’t go just yet.”

  “Well, if you insist,” Susie teased as she circled his face with kisses. She pulled down the light blanket that he had found in her closet and used for the night. She gazed at his body in delight, and then her face became grave as she noticed the scars. “Are you okay, Sam?”

  “I’m fine.” Sam said. He felt her explore his body lovingly. When he could lay there not one minute more, he pulled her gently beneath him. It was like the best of old times, maybe even better. They were not the same confused people from their past. That was good.

  Later they settled back on the couch. Sam clicked on the television.

  “I haven’t heard the news since the tidal wave was coming. What happened to the coastal cities?” he said.

  Susie snuggled against him. “They survived.”

  Sam hit the remote button and turned up the sound on the news.

  #

  “This is Betsy Mallory from Washington. We seem to be weathering the destruction well. The colossal wave has caused an estimated hundred million in property damage, but there have been no reported deaths.”

  Sam felt relief as he listened further.

  #

  “Roger Elliot, reporting here from Boston. The boats in historical Boston are now shelved like children’s toys about the streets and foyers of businesses near the harbor.”

  Sam felt a morbid fascination, but decided to change the station.

  #

  “John, was this more of the Quint-Jensen tragedy?

  “Yes, David, we think so. It seems the missiles’ guidance system was activated from an aircraft and then altered to ditch the bombs in the ocean. It ws undertaken by an amazingly clever technology. We think the missiles were headed for Washington and Moscow as Silas Jensen and President Quint had originally planned. The aircraft is rumored to have been sabotaged at the last minute and crashed into the mountains near Denver.”

  “John, could Sam Stone be involved again? He supposedly left the hospital in Idaho with government men and hasn’t been heard from since.”

  “Yes, that’s true. Whether he went down with the plane or not is unknown. We thought the guy was dead once before, however.”

  “This has been a nerve-racking couple of days for the news people. We wonder, like everyone- Is it finally over now?”

  “Boy, I sure hope so. We have footage of the demolition of the laboratories and hospital in Utah where Jensen and the Mekka Corporation propagated their conspiracy and produced the mind-altering drugs.”

  “John, it feels like we’re watching the downfall of the Nazi death camps in Europe. Too bad Stone can’t see this.”

  #

  “He can,” Susie said softly as she gripped Sam’s hand and turned off the television.

  Sam stared intently at the blank screen. “I need to return to the family cabin. Will you go with me?” Sam said quietly.

  “Of course,” She said. She didn’t ask why. He had his reasons; she was just glad to be a
part of his life again, regardless how small the part was.

  CHAPTER 43

  “You like these mountains, don’t you?” Susie said, as she sat beside Sam as he drove her car and rested her head upon his shoulder. “It’s nice, being here with you.” She bent over to turn on the radio. There was only static. She felt her pocket. “No romantic music on the radio, and I forgot my cell phone in my other purse in the trunk. That’s what I get for bringing two purses. I forget things lately. It must be from worrying about you. So we have no accompaniment. But I still have you.”

  Sam took one hand off the wheel so as to bring her hand over. He kissed it gently, and then caressed her soft dark hair. “We don’t need music. I like this, riding with you again. I actually have been without a phone for so long that I forgot to bring my new one also. We’ll rough it.” He laughed. “It’s like the old days, feels good. No outside world, just you and me and nature.”

  Susie laughed. “Yeah, just you and me and lots and lots of trees.

  Sam was lost in his memories. “I used to come here with my brother and Dad when I was a kid. I thought I was quite the Boy Scout. Sean and I got lost once due to what I thought was my superior sense of direction and pride. Ha! I refused to admit that I was totally confused and scared. I had bent back branches to mark the trail. Then when we’d started back, we left too late and all the branches looked alike. I couldn’t tell Sean that his big brother was lost, so we roamed for hours in the dark. When I got totally frightened and started running like a rabid animal, Sean caught up and told me to go slowly, and that I would find the route… I followed his advice. I knew he was right. Finally, about midnight we stumbled back to the cabin.”

  “Dad went crazy. He was frantic and started hollering at me, but Sean jumped forward and said that he had gotten lost and that I had rescued him. Dad was taken aback but praised me. Then he began chastising Sean. Well, not to be outdone in the honesty department, I piped up and told the truth. Dad was totally bewildered; he didn’t know who to believe. He just sat down suddenly at the old wooden table and shook his head. He said, “You guys are too close. Don’t worry me so much next time.” Then he hugged us both. He never did that before. He wasn’t usually demonstrative. I never saw him kiss our mom. He didn’t even hold her hand or arm when they walked together.”

  Susie ran her hand over his chest and slid it under his shirt. “Unlike you.”

  Sam clasped her hand and kissed it again. “Unlike me.” The cabin’s just around the bend. Maybe I overcompensate for my dad.”

  “Definitely not!” A lovely smile played on Susie’s fragile features.

  “Is that so?” Sam eased Susie’s bright orange T-Bird next to the old cabin. I should have taken my car, if I could have found it.”

  “You don’t like my classic car?” She pouted teasingly.

  “It’s …cute. It’s made for petite women. When did you go for aggressive colors You used to be into white in your cars. I seem to remember a new white vehicle each year. You said it was to keep you innocent.”

  “Ah! I grew up.” She winked seductively and sprang from the car. “This is it?” Susie shivered in the cool post winter air and turned back for her jacket. Suddenly she stopped, and her hands flew to her head. “Gee, I’ve got one angry headache.”

  Sam joined Susie on the pathway and put his arm around her waist. “Sorry, honey.” He guided her to the cabin and pushed open the door.

  “No key?” she said.

  “I left in a hurry.”

  “Damn!” Susie jerked and clutched her temples. “I just hope I remembered my medicine.”

  Sam pulled her back and held her in front of him. “What medicine?” He scanned her lovely but drawn face which abruptly cleared of its pain. ‘

  “It’s gone now. Comes and goes. The doctor said it was stress, from knowing you. Silly, don’t worry. I’m fine.” She dug into her purse. “I have it; here it is, good old modern chemistry.” She opened a plastic vile and popped a couple of colorful pills in her mouth.

  “I’ll get some water for them. Sit down in here,” Sam said as he guided her into the room.

  “Water is not necessary; they are chewable.” Susie beamed and tucked her long hair behind her ears. She threw back her head and laughed gaily. “I feel great now!” She tossed her arms around Sam’s neck.

  Sam looked at her in amazement. “What is that stuff you’re taking? It works fast. Let me see it.” He untangled her limbs and reached for the bottle that Susie had thrown back into her canary yellow shoulder bag that swung from her shoulder.

  “Hey! Get your hand out of my stuff,” Susie’s eyes flashed and her face darkened. “Do I go through your personal items? No. Do I ask you a lot of questions? No!” Her voice rose shrilly. “Just because you’re some hero, that doesn’t mean you can boss me around. I know more than you. You are just a damn stud to me.”

  Susie instantly cooled her fury. She toyed with her raven curls. Calmly she said, “You thought I couldn’t live without you, Mister Big Time. Well, I learned. You were replaced.”

  Sam was confused. “Susie, I’m sorry if I hurt you.” Sam regained his senses. “This isn’t you talking. What are you taking? Who is your doctor? I’m going to go to call him.”

  Susie grabbed his arm and pulled Sam back. “No, you don’t! He’ll take my pills, and I need them.”

  “Susie!” Sam pried off her hand and held it. “Let me…” He never completed his plea.

  Tearing her hand away, she yelled, “Don’t touch me!” She ran to the sink and grabbed a large butcher knife suspended from a peg on the cabin wall. “You can’t hurt me; I’m special!”

  Sam controlled the despair rising in his throat. “I don’t want to hurt you. Give me the knife, Baby.” He held out his hand. “Give me the knife, handle first. Or lay it on the counter. Please, I trust you. We love each other.”

  “You never loved me!” Susie screamed and slapped the blade of the knife across Sam’s hand.

  Sam yanked back his hand as blood sprang from a gaping slice. “God, honey, what are you doing?” Sam tried to reach for the knife, but she hurled it at him and caught his head. He stumbled backwards as Susie plunged forward. She clawed at his face. Sam grabbed her thin arms and pitched her away. She rebounded with a strength defying her delicate frame. Susie hurled her purse and sprang for the open doorway. Sam batted the purse away, and its contents clattered about the bare floor. A myriad of pill bottles rolled to a stop, and Susie was gone.

  Sam breathed deeply and tried to understand the chaos that had exploded upon him so suddenly. His gaze took in the stillness, the small pill bottles, and the blood that spattered from his hand onto the dusty floor. He moved slowly to the sink and pulled an old towel from the drawer. He wrapped it haphazardly about his injured palm.

  Sam stepped slowly towards the door, as if in a waking nightmare, where real time stood still. He then walked towards the car and stopped. He opened the trunk and searched Susie’s other purse for a phone. “No phone. That’s bad news. I can’t call the doctor or anyone for help. Stupid of me. I should have brought a damn phone.” He searched the road and clearing. Nothing. He must find her. She was running like a wild wounded animal. She would get hurt, he felt it. He had to find her. Couldn’t he just help one person that he loved? Must they all suffer and die?

  Sam tensed. He knew now what had happened. Jensen had thought that Susie would help capture Sam, so she was unwittingly pulled into the conspiracy. She didn’t even know what she had. Damn you Jensen! Even in death, your evil lives. Sam slumped to the ground in grief. He was like the young boy of long ago that was so very lost.

  Then Sam jerked up. He must think like that cocky young scout. He began to carefully move about in the trees. His eyes roamed for a sign. The minutes passed. His vision caught the sight of the crushed bit of leaves and the tilt of a broken branch. He had found the trail. He had learned his lesson from the past. He only needed to be calm and determined now. He moved forward silently into th
e forest.

  The skin on Sam’s arm tingled. Something had changed. “Susie!” he called and began plunging ahead quickly. He didn’t see the drop ahead. He guessed she hadn’t either, but Sam was lucky. He had felt the ground disappear from beneath his feet. He grabbed out frantically as he fell, only to jerk to a stop in midair. His hands clung to the tangle of shrubs. Sam clawed at them. He shook off the bothersome towel from his cut hand and managed to solidify his hold. Sam was safe, for the moment. He began to yank his body over the top, and succeeded. He then lay gasping for air on the cold grass.

  Sam’s body shivered as he dismayed over his lack of a jacket. He wanted to go back. Why had he come to this cliff? Sam’s mind had shut itself off. Tears welled up in his deep eyes. Why should laying here bring such sadness? He was alive. Sam closed his eyes and absorbed the motionless surroundings. Was it only a brief time ago that he was hurling through this jungle of wilderness to reach…to reach…? Then it came.

  “Oh, God, Susie.” He yanked open his eyes and crept to the edge of the overhang. Sam forced himself to look down into the ravine. It was about twenty feet down, and he knew the bright orange glow that flashed in the sunlight below. It was Susie, Susie’s jacket. It was like a brand, Acceleration’s symbol of conquer and extinction.

  Sam rested his face on the rocky edge and then jerked his head up. He squinted up at the sun’s radiant attempt to beat the cold cruel earth. Why? His mind screamed out in anger. He fiercely rose to his knees and then swung his legs back over the ledge.

  Going around would take too long. He had to get to her. She was not dead; he willed his thoughts to believe this. His shoes slipped briefly; they were far from climbing boots. His mind exploded with memories now. He thought about his escape from the hospital that first time, after the drug had worn off. That cursed drug had made hell out of his life. He began to climb down now with a vengeance. The footholds held, and he made it.