Shine: Season One (Shine Season Book 1)

by William Bernhardt

  “You’ve got twenty times as many Shines at Mordock.”

  “But you’ve got Aura.”

  Yes, it always came back to her, didn’t it? “She’s cooperating with the tests.”

  “As if she has any choice.”

  “My point is, we’re getting what we want. And in about two weeks, we won’t need her any more.”

  “You mean we won’t need her biological samples any more.”

  She was getting pretty tired of this line of thought, too. She knew the Chief was smart. But all the smart in the world was no substitute for twenty-four hours in the field. “Aura is strong-willed. Even when she believes you have her mother, there are some things she will never do. Even if you torture everyone she’s ever known or loved, there will come a point when she draws a line in the sand.”

  “I am aware of that,” the Chief said. “I don’t plan to force her to work for me. I plan to convince her that she wants to work for me.”

  “Well, good luck with that. You’re talking the impossible.”

  “I can manage the impossible. That’s why I’m sitting in this chair, right? Giving orders to you.”

  True enough. Irritating though it might be. “If there’s nothing else—”

  “Your report indicates that Aura has engaged in some suspicious behavior.”

  “She does have a predilection for hanging out in the blind spots between surveillance cameras. And there aren’t many of those.”

  “So it can’t be coincidence.”

  “Anything’s possible.”

  “I’ve read some of the transcripts you’ve provided, Agent Coal. Some of her dialogue with her roomies is gibberish. Incomprehensible.”

  “I think it’s some kind of hip slang.”

  “I think you’re underestimating Aura. Again.”

  “I don’t follow.”

  The Chief’s arms spread wide. “She knows she’s being watched so she avoids the cameras. She knows she’s being heard, so she talks gibberish. Can you not see the obvious?”

  “She’s a teenager?”

  “She’s planning something.”

  Coal frowned. She supposed the Chief had a point. And she should have been the first to see it. “What do you think she’s planning?”

  “I don’t know. But I know what I’d be planning if I were in her situation. And we can’t allow that to happen.”

  “She’s not going anywhere. It’s not possible. She’s on an island, remember? Surrounded by a big tall fence.”

  “We need to complete the tests. We need to own her heart, mind, and soul.”

  “Surely we could survive without—”

  “Have you read the latest reports? I don’t mean the crap we give the press. I mean the real deal.”

  “I still get classified reports.”

  “Up to your security clearance level. But that should be enough. You have a general idea what’s happening overseas.”

  “Like, we’re losing on almost every front?”

  “And sadly, that’s the least of our problems. Did you read the report from Reykjavik?”

  She did. Chilling. There had been earlier outbreaks, equally mysterious and bizarre. But this one affected an entire village. And no one had any idea why or how it was being done.

  Except, presumably, the unknown entities who were doing it.

  “You still believe something big is coming.”

  “I know it is. And we have less time to defend ourselves than we imagined.”

  “And Aura is going to be your savior.”

  “No.” The Chief swiveled around, a sure sign this conversation was nearing its end. “She’s going to be my pawn. But a necessary pawn.”

  “A dangerous pawn.”

  “Granted. But in every chess game, there’s an opening gambit. Aura is our opening gambit. And if all goes according to my plan, we’ll use her—then discard her.” The Chief paused. “There will come a time when we don’t need her any more. But first we’re going to suck her dry. And when our mission is complete, I’ll let you have the pleasure of discarding the remains. Any way you care to do it.”

  35

  “Did you stepfather the treasure chest?” Aura asked.

  “Like pond water in the bear trap,” Gearhead replied.

  “Air freshener in kosher salt?”

  “Lobster tails in marmalade.”

  “Razor.”

  It hadn’t taken 4B long to grasp the fundamentals of Harriet’s language. The word substitutions were logical—once you understood the scheme—but unfathomable—when you didn’t. Still, they tried not to overuse it when they were in public or anywhere electronic eavesdropping was likely. Someone overhearing this conversation might not know exactly what they were talking about, but might still suspect that something secret was brewing.

  Aura tugged Gearhead to the south side of the kitchen. There was a blind spot here on the south end—someplace the powers-that-be probably never expected the inmates to congregate. That gave them a meeting place—and a useful one, apparently, since Gearhead had insisted on access to the freezer.

  “Are you sure about this?” Gearhead asked quietly.

  “Positive,” she whispered back.

  “I’m not.”

  “You think they’re just going to let us walk out of here?”

  “No. I think we’re taking a huge risk.”

  “Revolutions aren’t won by faint hearts.”

  “I know, but—I saw what you looked like after they worked you over.”

  “I had an accident.”

  “Don’t chainmail a chainmailer. I don’t want that to ever happen again. To be blunt, I especially don’t want it to happen to me. Or Mnemo. Or any of the others.”

  Couldn’t blame her for that. “All the more reason this escape has to work. The first time.”

  “Right.” Gearhead opened the immense freezer compartment beneath the fridge and removed a jar pushed back behind several bags of frozen food. She unscrewed the lid. “See that white crystalline material at the bottom? That’s the AP.”

  “Associated Press?”

  “Acetone peroxide.”

  “And you made this?”

  “You mix acetone and hydrogen peroxide, which I lifted from the garage and the infirmary. Stir well and freeze for a few minutes. Then add muriatic acid.”

  “Where on earth did you get that?”

  “From the cabana. They use it to clean the pool.”

  “Isn’t the cabana locked?”

  “Not from me. Never saw a lock I couldn’t open, given enough time. So I mixed in the acid and froze it overnight. Ta-da! Acetone peroxide.”

  “Do you…light it?”

  “Don’t have to. It’s highly volatile. Shaking and throwing it will be enough.”

  “How highly volatile?”

  “We need to be careful. If you like your body the way it is now.”

  “I don’t, but that’s not how I want to make the alterations. How did you know how to make this stuff?”

  “I didn’t, but Mnemo did. She reads a lot. And remembers every word of it.” Gearhead reached back into the freezer.

  “How much of this stuff have you got in there?”

  “As much as I could stash without attracting attention.” She withdrew what appeared to be a six-pack of Coca-Cola cans.

  “Is that some other weapon of mass destruction?”

  “Pretty simple, really. Strips of computer paper soaked with underarm deodorant.”

  “Ick.”

  “You stick them in the open can and let them soak a day or so. Then you heat the bottom of the can and you’ve got the diversion you wanted.”

  She nodded. “I really appreciate your contributions.”

  “I guess it’s like those counselors say,” Gearhead replied. “You can’t get cured until you’ve hit rock bottom. But this place really is rock bottom. So let’s cure ourselves of it.”

  “That’s the spirit.”

  “Even if I didn’t like the w
ay you said it, one thing you said at the last group session hit home with me. I don’t think I should be locked up for something I was born with.”

  Of course, according to Dr. Patrick, she wasn’t. But there was no need to explain that now.

  The corner of Gearhead’s mouth turned up. “Besides, there’s nothing good to steal in this joint.”

  “Let’s get back to our rooms,” she said, closing the freezer door. “See you at midnight.”

  36

  The instant the second hand touched the twelve, Aura slid out of her bed. She had not slept at all. Probably just as well. Easier to stay awake. She wasn’t tired, and fitful sleeping would not have left her alert. Right now, she felt as wired as if she’d just downed a triple latte.

  She was pleased to see she didn’t have to rouse the other girls. They’d all feigned sleeping, just in case someone was watching. But they were on their feet a second after she was. Dream, Twinge, Harriet, all in dark clothing, ready for a little rock and razor.

  She cracked the door open. Down the hall, she saw Tank doing the same from 4B.

  All seven girls entered the corridor. Both Gearhead and Tank carried backpacks. They looked heavy.

  She whispered her instructions. “We have to assume someone is watching, or recording, or will be soon. So let’s not waste any time. If we move quickly, maybe we can avoid interference.”

  Unlikely. But it was best to start the mission on a note of optimism.

  And then reality struck. Before they even got outside the building.

  “Oh. My. Gandhi. Is this a slumber party? Why wasn’t I invited?”

  Judy. Looking just as bouncy as she did every other moment of the day, even though it was after midnight. Was it possible this woman was actually a robot? There was definitely something inhuman about all that perkiness.

  “Are you going to play games?” Judy continued. “Do you want to make brownies?”

  “Uh…no, thanks. We’re just getting some air.”

  “You’re going out? I didn’t get notice of any authorized outings after lights out.”

  “We’re not actually going anywhere,” she stammered. “We’re just…”

  “Meditating,” Twinge said. “We need some fresh air so we can find our inner purpose.”

  “In the middle of the night?”

  “It was recommended by Dr. Coutant,” Dream said. “She thought it would be easier for us to forget the outside world when it was too dark to see anything and too quiet to be distracted by ambient noise.”

  “I guess I’m always the last to know anything, right?” Judy giggled. “Maybe I should make a thermos of cocoa. After I get this cleared by the front office.”

  “But—I thought we were BFFs. Don’t you believe me?”

  “Puh-leese! Of course I do, you silly willy. We just have to obey all these goofy rules. Can we play Truth or Dare? I’m dying to know how you got that blue streak in your bangs, Aura. I think it looks awesome.” Judy dug her cell phone out of her jeans pocket.

  She had to stop that call before it happened. “I don’t think Coutant will appreciate you interfering with her diagnosis.”

  “Oh, I know! She can be such a grump sometimes. But still. Rules.” Judy kept punching buttons.

  She tried not to let her desperation show. “Really, Coutant seemed totally pissed today. If you wake her in the middle of the night, don’t blame me for what happens.”

  Judy hesitated, a long pink-painted nail poised over the phone. “Good point.”

  “Yeah. I’d hate to see that woman when she’s mad. She’s bad enough when she’s happy.”

  “True.” Pause. “Still…I’ll take my chances.”

  Judy pressed Call on the phone.

  And Tank hit that skinny woman like a linebacker, knocking her into the wall. Judy fell hard on her nearly nonexistent butt. She let out something between a cry and a gasp of surprise. “But—I was going to make cocoa.”

  Tank dove toward her, fist raised.

  And a split second before the fist connected, Judy ducked, whirled around on one foot, and sprung away, tripping Tank in the process.

  Tank tumbled down head first. And did not get up.

  “Stupid girls.” The pitch of Judy’s voice dropped several octaves. “Did you really think they hired me to be your keeper just because I was outgoing?”

  Judy leapt forward, feet first, in what looked like a cross between a jujitsu flying kick and sliding into home plate. She knocked Aura to the floor and sat on her.

  “So you’re the leader, huh? The least of them shall lead.”

  She did her best to dislodge their once-perky floor supervisor, to no avail.

  Gearhead came up behind them and wrapped Judy in a headlock. Judy reached behind and grabbed Gearhead’s left hand. She pressed a thumb down into the soft part of the palm till Gearhead screeched.

  “Stop that!’ Mnemo cried. “You’re hurting her.” Mnemo rushed forward and poked Judy hard in the chest.

  Judy just smiled. “Nice try. Going for the solar plexus, right? I can tell you’ve read a lot of books about fighting. But you’ve never actually been in a fight, have you?” Judy grabbed Mnemo’s neck and threw her down hard. Mnemo cried out and tumbled to the floor.

  Judy stood, kicking her in the process. “Oh, sorry, Aura. Didn’t mean to gut my BFF.” She whirled around again, this time knocking Dream over with a kick so fast the eye could not follow it. Dream fell to the floor.

  Harriet crept up on the side.

  “Really? Seriously?” Judy grabbed Harriet’s arm and flipped the girl over her back. Harriet hit the floor hard and slid across the room.

  I’ve got to stop this. They’re counting on me. But how?

  “So,” Judy said, wiping her hands, “can I make my call now, Aura? Or would you like me to embarrass you a little more? Gandhi, the world thinks you Shines are so damn scary. You suck!”

  “Suck this,” Twinge murmured.

  All at once, Judy doubled over, clutching her lower abdomen. “What—are you doing?”

  “Projectile vomiting was out, since you’re apparently too worried about your skinny little ass to eat. So I kicked your stomach’s digestive enzymes into overdrive. And since they have no contents to digest—it hurts.”

  Judy whipped back upright. “You. Dirty. Little. Bitch.” She kicked Twinge in the gut. Then again in the chest. Twinge went down.

  Aura scrambled to her feet. She had to do something. Even though it looked hopeless. If her powers were going to evolve, this would be a good time.

  She felt a hand on her shoulder. “Aura. Let me.”

  Tank was back on her feet. She tackled Judy, and the two girls skidded across the floor. They hit the far wall with a thunderous impact.

  Tank grabbed Judy by the hair.

  “Be careful, you stupid monster. I just got my tips frosted!”

  Tank slammed her head back against the door.

  Judy slumped flat on the floor, unconscious.

  “What the hell was that?” Dream said, brushing off her clothes. “What the flick, Aura? You never said anything about being attacked by a homicidal sorority girl.”

  She ran to the wall to make sure Judy still breathed. “I don’t know what that was. But I hope the whole staff here didn’t train at the same dojo.”

  “Sorry,” Tank mumbled, her head hanging down. “I know you wanted to keep this on the down low. She took me by surprise.”

  “No need to apologize,” Twinge said. “You just saved our collective butts.”

  Tank grinned. “What you did was pretty cool, too. You gave me an opening.”

  She grabbed Judy’s phone. The call didn’t go through. Good.

  Tank dragged Judy back into her office. She hid the woman’s phone in a desk drawer, then closed the office door.

  “I don’t think she’ll be unconscious long,” Tank said. “Maybe ten minutes, max.”

  “Do we have ten?” Dream asked. “Someone in the main building might’ve heard
all the racket.”

  “Agreed.” Aura led them toward the door. “If we’re not off the island in ten minutes, we’re dead.”

  37

  Aura led them out the back door, past the porch and pool, toward the massive front gates. The fence—really more like a wall—surrounding the complex was made of stone and was at least a foot thick. But if they could just get to the other side, they could run down the curving road to the dock and hijack a choppercar to the mainland.

  Mnemo, Dream, Twinge, and Harriet stood in a semicircle, as if waiting for her to tell them what to do. Tank and Gearhead dug around in their backpacks.

  “Got the grappling hook?”

  Gearhead pulled out an iron anchor they found in a rusted boat behind the Zen garden. “It’s strong enough to hold. But about ten times heavier than anything you ever want to throw very hard.”

  “Let me do it,” Tank said.

  The anchor was tied to a long length of rope, frayed in places, but holding together. For the present.

  “The rope came out of the shed,” Gearhead explained. “I gather if we’re here long enough, we have to do a ropes course.”

  “Another good reason to get the hell out.” Aura checked back toward the complex. Still no sign of activity. But that wouldn’t last long. “Tank. Go.”

  Tank hoisted the anchor into the air, twirling it like a lasso. The strain showed. Her thick muscles rippled. But she kept it up. Eventually, she swung it around enough times to get some momentum going.

  “I think that’s fast enough, Tank. Let ‘er rip.”

  The anchor swung up into the air with impressive speed…and came right down again.

  The girls scattered. Dream let out a yelp. The anchor thudded into the grass.

  “Okay, nice try,” she said, trying to keep everyone’s spirits up. “Next time, angle outward a bit. Aim over the wall.”

  “And quickly,” Harriet said, her voice quiet but insistent. “Someone in the main office has noticed we’re not in our beds.”

  “Give it another try, Tank. Quickly. We’re right behind you.”

  Tank gritted her teeth and yanked the anchor out of the soil. She hoisted it up into the air and swung it around several times. This time, when she released it, she leaped up at the same time, hurling it over the wall.