“Jamie, we were in an accident and I think we’re OK. But, there’s a batty lady after us. This guy has a place to hide us, but we gotta go now.”
Her eyes darted from the truck to Bucky, to me, and to the men outside our car. Her hands began to shake, not from a seizure, but shock as the situation dawned on her.
“Can I help you over?” I held out my hands. She couldn’t speak. Instead, she held out her hands and started crawling over the seat.
“Right over here,” one of the men called out from the far side of the truck. I sprinted around the corner of the car, Jamie in tow. The soccer mom rounded the corner just as we slipped behind the side of the truck. The man opened a hatch, and I peered into the small space. The odor of a thousand dirty diapers rushed out and nearly made both Jamie and I lose our dinner.
“We’re going in there?” Jamie found her words.
“Yeah,” I said slowly and crawled in. The triangular space behind the compactor measured only a few feet tall and a couple wide, but extended the width of the truck. Jamie climbed in after me, just as the van stopped near Bucky. We lay on our sides, Jamie in front of me. I held her close, feeling the rapid beat of her heart. She pinched her nose and started breathing through her mouth. With my heightened sense of smell, the odor made me lightheaded to the point of almost passing out.
“Tell her we ran away, nothing else please,” I whispered before he closed the hatch. The darkness and odor enveloped us.
“Where did they go?” the woman yelled out, slamming the door behind her.
“I’m not sure; he got outta here in a hurry.”
“Did he have a girl with him?”
“Nah, didn’t see a girl.” Nice, very nice work. I searched in my pocket for the cellphone, hoping it still functioned. I wriggled it out of my pocket and flipped it open. The light from the screen blinded me momentarily before my eyes adjusted, and I dialed the number the Doña had given me.
“Hola,¿Qué necesita?” Stefan answered.
I spoke in whispered Spanish, “We need help. We had an accident and are now hiding in a garbage truck. The police are on their way, should be here in a few minutes, if not sooner.” I told him the cross streets and about the soccer mom.
“Stay put, I’ll make a few calls to my friends on the police to buy some time. We’ll be there in five minutes. It’ll be only Aedan and me since we sent the men home.”
“That’s fine, I trust you,” I said and he hung up.
“Well, I’m not going anywhere until the police come,” the lady called out to the men.
“Suit yourself, lady. But I gotta move this truck, so back up.”
Someone jumped in the cab of the truck and radioed to his dispatch about the accident. He then turned the ignition. The sound of the engine roared in the metal compartment, vibrating our chests. The truck inched forward with a loud screech of metal grinding on metal. Bucky finally let go of the behemoth, or, rather, the other way around. The truck jerked forward, and Jamie and I banged against our metal confines.
“Ughhh,” Jamie let out with the impact. Gratefully, the roar of the engine squashed any sound waves coming from our little compartment. “Coyle, I can’t do this. This place, I’m, I’m gonna—” She buckled forward and vomited, spraying the goop onto the metal wall in front of her. The vomit them slipped through the cracks and spilled onto the asphalt below.
“Oh, Jamie, I’m sorry.” I blindly wiped some vomit from her face.
“Damn it!” I yelled. Everything I did brought pain and suffering to this girl.
“Which way did he run?” the lady yelled to the garbage men.
“What?” one of the men yelled back. “Can’t hear ya.”
Excellent. Stall guys, stall. I wondered what Stefan and Aedan had up their sleeves to rescue us. Bucky wouldn’t be driving anytime soon; that was for sure.
The garbage men kept the truck on, probably thinking the engine sounds would muffle our own in case we freaked out.
Jamie stopped heaving and rested back onto me. “What happened to me, Coyle? Back there on the road? I felt funny like someone else was inside me.”
“Somatotech took control of you through that implant. It must have a cellular receiver inside or something. Once we were close enough to the tower their signal communicated with the implant. You just about jumped out of the car.”
Jamie began to sniffle. I gently wrapped my arm around her shoulders and lifted her off the metal floor. I leaned back, allowing her to rest onto me.
“Oh, Coyle. I’m so tired of all of this.” Her tears slipped from her cheek and dripped on my face.
“I don’t mean to bring this crap on you. I promise.”
“It’s what’s happened to you, to me, to my family, to your family. It’s all so dark. I feel it deep inside, the demons I never thought I’d have in my life. Everything changed the moment I …” She held back.
“The moment you met me,” I said, almost choking on my words.
She remained silent, and the sting in my heart grew. I knew it was true, which made it hurt even worse. Jamie would’ve lived a great life without me. Comfortable, secure, happy. There were plenty of good guys out there chomping at the bit to date her. Any of them would’ve been better for her than me.
“I just wish things were different. I wish I didn’t have to worry about whether my parents are OK, whether I’m going to be OK. I’ve got problems, Coyle. Do you remember when that jerk kissed me at homecoming?” She didn’t wait for me to respond. “I felt like he had violated some unspoken agreement between girls and boys. He haunted my dreams after that night. I never told you because I knew you’d be upset. But now, Coyle, your clone haunts me every moment of the day and night. I laugh now when I think I felt violated from a simple kiss.”
“He’s dead, Jamie. He’s dead.”
“The terror isn’t though, Coyle. It just continues, alive and terrible.” She slammed her fist against the metal wall in front of us.
I couldn’t respond. The pain in my heart stayed my tongue. I just needed Stefan and Aedan to get here and end this. As if on cue, I heard two cars approaching. One of the garbage men turned off the truck’s engine. Two car doors opened and closed.
“Finally! That kidnapper got away! If my tax dollars actually did something, you would’ve come when I called the first time. I’m ready to give a statement, and you better start a search around here,” the soccer mom said with an annoying shrill.
“Ma’am I’m going to need you to step over here,” Stefan called out from his car. My heart nearly leaped out of my chest to hear his voice.
“Why?”
“For your statement, of course. Is there anyone else in your vehicle?”
“No, why?”
“Just standard questions, ma’am.” He paused. “You two gentlemen, could you please stand by your truck?”
“Sure thing, officer.” Stefan must’ve pointed to the side of our compartment because I heard them move close.
I heard the woman walking toward Stefan’s car, then ruffling of clothing. “What in the hell are you doing?” She was struggling with him.
“We received a report that you were harassing a teenager and his girlfriend. Many witnesses state you tried to run him off the road. Do not resist!”
“This is nuts! Let me go.” I heard a slap and then more scuffling. Something banged up against the car.
“Ouch, that had to hurt,” said one of the garbage men.
“She’s out,” said the other. I heard a car door open and Stefan struggling with something, I imagined it must’ve been the woman and then the door slammed shut. A knock came at the compartment. “I think y’all can come out now. Coast is clear.”
The compartment opened with a creak, and I gently lifted Jamie out. She grabbed a helpful hand to step down, and I crawled out.
“Will you please come with me?” Aedan in full police uniform yelled out to us from his car. I nearly lost it. Officer Aedan. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
“Take care of her, man,” said one of the garbage men.
“I’ll do my best.” We walked toward the “police” car, Jamie under my arm. Did I believe that I could keep her safe always? No, not always. I knew that now.
We got into the back of Aedan’s police car and buckled in. Aedan peeled out and whipped the car around. Stefan wasn’t far behind.
“Hey! Wait!” the garbage men yelled.
I looked back at my crunched car, our Bucky, and couldn’t help but think that mine and Jamie’s lives were just like it. Crushed. Never to be the same.
19 Daddy Two
Jamie fell asleep on the ride back to the Hacienda, overcome with what had just transpired. We reached our new home, and I gently carried her in. The Doña waited for us in the hallway and sent us into a room near the front. I laid her down on the bed and, with one exchanged look with the Doña, I left, knowing she would take care of her. I glanced at the clock, 9:30 p.m.
Aedan changed out of the uniform a few rooms down. He had just thrown on a T-shirt as I entered the door.
“Don’t take it off! That uniform suited you.”
“Yeah, like oil on water,” he said, rolling his eyes.
“Wanna go for a ride?” I showed him the cell phone.
“Heck yeah.”
We checked out another cell phone from the map room while Stefan pulled out a gray Toyota Camry from the garage. I went to the driver’s side, but Stefan remained in the car. He rolled the window down.
“Mind if I tag along this time?”
“Not at all.” And I really didn’t, especially with what had just gone down. It wasn’t wise to travel less than two deep anymore. Somatotech knew I was back at it and would be coming at me however they could. They were probably combing over the Castle Rock area minutes after we escaped the accident. The accident! The woman! Stefan took her in his car. What had happened to her?
“What happened to the soccer mom?” I asked.
“Patched her up and delivered her to a friend.”
“I’m hoping this friend didn’t get rid of her.” I slid my finger across my neck.
“Ha! Coyle, remember I’m not Manuel.” He grinned. “My friend is a paramedic; he’ll take good care of her. Relax, my friend. Hop in.” Aedan and I did.
“Good to hear.” Things were different with Stefan. “As for that relax stuff, I’ll relax when we’re all truly safe.”
“That may be awhile my friend.”
“Where are we headed?” I asked, looking around at the terrain I wasn’t familiar with.
“Roxborough State Park. The rocks provide excellent cover, and there’s cell service.” He looked in the rear view mirror to Aedan. “Aedan, can I give you some advice?”
“Sure, dude,” he said, leaning forward.
“Your mom will be emotional to hear from you, and I imagine you’ll be, too. It’s easy to give out too much information during emotional highs. I recommend practicing in your mind what you will say. Avoid locations, times, plans, people. Be very general. It’s better to assume your enemy is listening and will analyze every syllable.”
“Sounds like excellent advice for me as well,” I said.
“You’ll do fine.” He looked to both of us.
We drove to the backside of the park and turned onto a narrow dirt road with the headlights off. Only the light from the moon shone on our path. Stefan parked the car directly under a towering rock formation.
“OK, let me scout the area and then we’ll make the calls. Stick to the car.” He removed his 9mm from his waist and stepped out of the still-running car.
“Wow, that dude is all business.”
“He’s just being careful,” I said and peered out the window to try to track him. Every few seconds I would see a faint light from his flashlight, but I couldn’t see him. Dang, he’s good, I thought.
We waited for five minutes before he came back and turned off the ignition. “Coast is clear. I know you’ll want your privacy, but don’t go too far. You’ll only have five minutes to talk and then less than five to get out of here.”
I walked to a grove of tall bushes and found a log to sit on. Aedan walked the direct opposite direction and plopped down on a rock. I pulled out the phone to call the Andersons. My fingers trembled as I pressed the buttons and then paused before hitting send.
“Anderson’s residence,” the pastor answered.
“Pastor?”
“Coyle!” He immediately recognized my voice.
“Are you OK?” I asked.
“Where is Jamie? We’ve been searching day and night since your…visit!” he yelled, the first time I had heard him raise his voice.
“She’s safe. I can’t tell you where she is now; for all of our safety.”
“Is she OK?”
“She is physically healthy, but… she experienced things at Somatotech, things that changed her,” my voice wavered.
“What are you talking about?”
“They drugged her and… someone, my other, he…”
“What? What happened?” he yelled into the phone.
“He tried to force himself on her. She is still shaken.”
The pastor went silent.
I continued, “And Somatotech put an implant in her in an attempt to control her. It’s messed with her brain and caused seizures.
“Oh dear Lord, please help us,” he exclaimed and went silent for a moment. “Coyle, who’s this other?”
I ignored the question and continued to explain, “We have a doctor here, and we’re hoping he can extract it. Maybe, once it’s out, she’ll stop having seizures. My dad’s got one as well.”
“Somatotech is pure evil, Coyle. This has to stop.”
“I don’t know if we can; they’re ramping up production of…” I wasn’t sure if he was ready for the truth, that Somatotech created clones. “I’m just happy you’re OK.”
“I’m fine, but you died! I saw it on TV. You were in prison and, and someone poisoned you. Is this some sick joke they’re playing on us?” he said, voice trembling.
“No joke, pastor. That Coyle did die; at least we believe he did.”
“What do you mean?”
“Pastor, I need to tell you something, something I need you to keep to yourself for the time being. Somatotech did a whole lot more than try to cure Coyle’s cancer. They cloned him. Not once, but twice. I’m one of those copies, and I had a carbon copy. They, Somatotech, used him to kill Dr. Strayer and get to Jamie,” I said with more fortitude now, I had come to grips with it all.
“Why are you saying they tried to cure Coyle’s cancer? They did; you’re alive. Besides, cloning of a human is still years out.”
“Well, fast forward the clock, pastor. I’m alive, but I’m not Coyle.”
The pastor went silent. “That’s impossible,” he whispered.
“The impossible has become possible, likely due to the army’s support. So you knew Somatotech was working on it?”
“Not exactly, but it is a natural extension of some of their work. But, I still don’t believe they’ve done it. Coyle you’re confused, you’ve been through a lot.”
If only he knew. The blood, death, and pain. All the crap I’d gone through may confuse some people but not me. I now know who I truly am. I decided to change the subject rather than try to convince him; there would be time for that. “Again, I’m glad you’re OK,” I said while pulling back the phone to see how long we had spoken. 4:30.
“A few days in the hospital, a couple chest tubes, and a lot of pain killers and I’m back with my congregation. The doctors were impressed with your handiwork.”
“I’m sorry it went down like that. I honestly had no idea…”
“Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.' Paul Boese. It is time to move forward. My wife will forgive, and I forgave her and you long ago.” He paused and then spoke quietly, “Can you bring Jamie home now
?”
“Pastor, I’m sorry but you don’t understand. Jamie can’t come home; none of us can, at least not for a while. This goes way deeper than just Somatotech. If she went home, she’d be going home to the slaughter.”
“Coyle, don’t you dare say that!” he raised his voice; I had never heard him with that much fire behind his voice.
“Pastor Anderson, I’m sorry but I’m just trying to get this through to you. She can’t go home now; I can’t tell you where we are. Jamie will call tomorrow, and after that, our calls will be pretty infrequent. I’ll find another way we can communicate, I promise.”
“Coyle, is she safe?”
“Where we are, yes. Out there? Most definitely not. None of us is, including you. There will be a couple of men watching you and your wife, just to make sure you’re safe.”
“Who is with you? Who are these men?”
“The less you know about my companions, the better, at least for now.”
“How can I help? I’ll do anything,” he pleaded.
“I’m not sure at the moment. I’ll contact you, though.”
“Keep her safe, Coyle. I’m trusting you.”
“Good bye, pastor.” I closed the phone just as it ticked to five minutes.
By the time I made it back to the car, Aedan and Stefan had sat inside waiting for me.
“How’s your mom?” I asked after I shut the door behind me.
“She wasn’t home,” he said, disappointment in his voice.
“Ah man, sorry dude. Was your sister home?”
“Yeah, she was there. She basically yelled at me the entire time.”
“Why’s that?” I asked; surprised anyone could yell at their lost brother.
“She’s pissed I’ve been away. I guess my whole house has gone to crap again. My mom’s gone off the deep end. Sis said she hadn’t seen her for days.”
“When the men get back, our first operation will be finding her,” I said and placed my hand on his shoulder from the back seat.
“I’ll call some men now. Aedan, please describe her,” Stefan volunteered.
“Thanks,” his voice choked up. He described his mother in great detail, even the cluster of freckles on her nose. His voice wavered a few times as he did. After he finished and wiped a tear from his eye, he turned to me. “How’s the pastor?”
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