Shine: Season One (Shine Season Book 1)

by William Bernhardt

  “Because you remember everything you read. The first time.”

  Mnemo shrugged.

  “I think you should be leading this outfit, Mnemo. You must be off-the-charts smart.”

  “True. But you’re our leader.”

  “I’m not very good at coming up with plans.”

  “That’s what you have me for. And Gearhead and execute and Tank can fight. But you stood up for Shines—and yourself—from the start. Everyone remembers that. Sure, we’re girls, so we’re gonna fight and argue and act rude to one another. But you looked the man in the eye and said, This is wrong. You gave us a cause.” Mnemo smiled. “A resistance movement can’t survive without a cause. But with one—there’s no telling what might happen.”

  “You’re making too much out of me, Mnemo. I’m not the strongest or the smartest. I’m not sure some of the girls even like me. And this is never going to work until I can get their…if not affection, at least respect.”

  “Give it time. We don’t have to move immediately. I’m still working on my blanket.”

  Twinge jumped back into the convo. “Blanket? You taking up crochet?”

  “The feds have a lot of ways of finding people that aren’t public knowledge. Because they probably aren’t constitutional—though after the PA2, who knows what the Constitution means anymore? It certainly doesn’t protect us much.”

  Twinge blinked. “You lost me at blanket.”

  “I’m talking about electronic surveillance. Monitoring the airwaves. Looking for heat signatures. Scanning with satellites.”

  She cut in. “I told the girls no texting.”

  “They got it. But I want to create a dampening effect. An electronic blanket that will block all kinds of detection or surveillance—without creating a void that would attract attention.”

  “Have you ever done anything like this before?”

  “No. But I’ve read several books by people who think it’s theoretically possible. I’ll need some specialized equipment. Gearhead thinks she can get it.”

  “Procurement seems to be her specialty. One of them.”

  “Did I hear my name?” Gearhead entered the dusty room. “In connection with a proposed criminal act?”

  “I won’t ask you to do anything that goes against your principles.”

  “Well, before you could do that I would have to acquire some principles.”

  “Be careful. It’s pretty obvious there are people who want to kill us.”

  “You think it’s the SSS?”

  “That’s a distinct possibility.”

  “I’ll keep my eyes open for freaks in white.”

  “Just be careful.” She walked through a door to the other part of the basement. Which they called the “living room.”

  Tank was in the corner bodybuilding—lifting enormous stacks of hardcover books into the air. Dream sat on a dilapidated sofa staring at a blank wall. Was she imaging a television? And where was Harriet?

  She plopped down in an empty spot on the edge of the sofa. “What’s on?’

  “My favorite websoap,” Dream replied. “But I’m not watching it. Because I’m here.”

  Guilt trip received, thank you. “Did they let you watch it in rehab?”

  “No. But Harriet kept me up to date.”

  “She can do that?”

  “Without even trying hard. Intercepts the whole show and summarizes the plot. Which doesn’t take all that long.”

  “That’s amazing.”

  “It could be more amazing. I wish we could hook that girl up to the cloud.”

  Yes, that would be the highest and best use of her powers. Streaming third-rate entertainment. “Dream—can we talk for a minute?”

  “If we must.”

  “Back when we were fighting the soldier dudes…you read that guy’s dream and gave us useful intel.”

  “Useful for about a second.”

  “I can see the potential for your Shine being even more helpful in the future. But I thought you only read dreams. Like, when people are asleep.”

  “Dreams leave residue. Often in fragmented form. But they lodge in short-term memory. Even when people think they don’t remember their dreams, a part of their brain does.”

  “And you can read that?”

  “Till it fades.”

  “Even when people are awake and walking around?”

  “Yes.”

  “So basically—you read their minds.”

  “I wish. That would be useful. There’s only so much you can get out of a dream. Read Freud’s Interpretation of Dreams?”

  “No. Mnemo probably has.”

  “Freud has fallen out of favor with many therapists. But when it comes down to the central concept of that book—that dreams have meanings that can provide insight into the dreamer—he was dead-on. But I don’t always know how to interpret the dreams.”

  “Any chance I could persuade you to do more reading on the subject?”

  “Know where I could find any books?” Dream grinned. “That was a joke.”

  “After library hours, I’ll send Mnemo up to find some appropriate reading material.”

  Dream pushed herself up off the sofa. “Not as much fun as staring at the wall. But I’ll have to make do.”

  Twinge plopped down in the vacated seat. “Got anything for me? I’m getting antsy.”

  “Haven’t thought of anything yet. But give me a minute.”

  “Hard to come up with any use for this revolting power of mine, I know.”

  “Hey, your revolting power saved our butts out there. Tank would’ve gotten drilled if it hadn’t been for you.”

  “She’d probably have survived.”

  “Maybe, maybe not. She’s tough, but—”

  “She’s useful. That’s what she is. So are you. So is Mnemo and Dream and for Gandhi’s sake, even Harriet. Everyone’s useful but me.”

  “That’s not true.”

  “It is.” Twinge pressed a hand against her forehead. “I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to inflict a pity party on you.”

  “I don’t mind.”

  “I’m sure you have more important things to do. I’ll just go…help someone digest their food or something.”

  Twinge started to leave, but she pulled the girl back. “Can I ask you something?”

  Twinge shrugged.

  “You know, when I first moved into 4A, I was sure you didn’t like me.”

  “When you first moved in, you were probably right.”

  “Can I ask why? I’m not fishing for compliments or trying to put you on the spot. I just—everyone keeps acting like I’m the leader. But not long ago I didn’t even think anyone liked me.”

  “Not inconsistent. People rarely like their commanding officer. That’s why they command respect.”

  “I’d rather be liked.”

  “Sweetie, we don’t need another princess. We’ve already got one.”

  “But still. Why didn’t you like me?”

  “I notice you’re using the past tense. Are you sure I like you now?”

  “No.”

  Twinge swatted her on the shoulder. “You crazy sister. How could I not love you? You’re the wacko who got us into this insane clownfest.”

  “But before. Why didn’t you like me?”

  “You might as well ask why I didn’t like anyone.”

  “Okay, why?”

  Twinge stared at her for a long time. “Because first, I’d have to like myself.”

  59

  Dr. Coutant pushed away the brush, stomping a path all her own through the scorched rubble of Antolina Island. “This is unacceptable,” she muttered. “Completely unacceptable.”

  “It’s only a matter of time before the authorities find them,” Mark Maddox said.

  “I do not find your unbridled optimism remotely comforting.”

  “They’re teenage girls, not undercover agents. How long can they remain hidden? How long can they survive on their own?”

  “Given their s
pecial skills, I fear a long time. Much too long a time. They seem infused with a new maturity and dedication. I don’t think they’re going to be caught buying a skinny latte or getting their nails done.”

  “But they will be caught. Eventually. And who knows, maybe this little adventure will do them some good.”

  She whirled around. “Do some good? Mark, do you recall that people died in that explosion they caused?”

  “We don’t know that—”

  She pulled a tree branch back, then released it as she passed, slinging it into Mark’s face. Take that, irritating smitten therapist. “Who else would have committed such an atrocity? They obviously created the explosion to cover their little jailbreak. The first escape attempt failed, so they tried a more violent one. Using Shine, the most dangerous weapon on earth.” The first attempt failed, she reminded herself, because their mole tipped her off. So why didn’t she get the same intel this time around?

  “Someone evacuated most of the TYL staff. And it wasn’t the girls. I have a hard time believing that was a coincidence.”

  “So word leaked out and someone tried to save people. That doesn’t make those girls any less culpable. Are you seriously defending them?”

  Mark drew up his shoulders. “We did have this principle in America. Once. We called it presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

  “Their guilt is staring us both in the face.”

  “There are other possible explanations.”

  “Shine disasters are not new, Mark. Are you going to say the same thing about Seattle? And Santa Monica?”

  “Well…”

  He almost did, she noted, though he bit it back at the last moment. Why was he questioning her? Because he was crushing on the pretty girl with the wacky blue bangs? Or was there more? She’d picked up on hints that he suspected TYL didn’t just want to rehabilitate Shines. Fine, she could use that. His conflicted feelings would make him easier to manipulate. “Your feelings for that Shine blind you to the obvious.”

  “Dr. Coutant, it is possible for someone to have an opinion that differs from yours without engaging in inappropriate or unprofessional behavior.”

  She pulled herself over a boulder and climbed till she stood at the apex of the mound. “I’ve been reading people for a long time, Mark. Neuropsychiatry—it’s what I do. I’ve seen the weird, the fantastic, the completely deranged. Nothing fooled me. And neither do you.”

  “No inappropriate behavior has occurred between me and any of my clients.”

  “I’m not suggesting that it has. Yet.”

  “I can assure you that I will maintain my objectivity.”

  She cast her eyes toward the horizon. “Did you know I used to have a drinking problem?”

  His expression made it clear that he did not.

  “Horrible mess. Binge drinker. Pathetic. I came to work drunk. I hid bottles under sofa cushions. In a moment of desperation, I drank cooking wine. I even drank rubbing alcohol once after straining it through white bread. Like I said. Pathetic.”

  “I had no idea.”

  “Most of my friends gave up on me. My family left me. I engaged in dangerous and inappropriate behavior that led to—well. Never mind.” She hesitated. “I lost so much. Everything that mattered. I haven’t admitted this to many people, but at one point, I considered giving up. I didn’t think I could quit. And I knew if I didn’t, I’d die. So why not just cut to the chase? To be or not to be, right? I decided not to be. Almost killed myself. Till I finally had my epiphany, one dark day. Came to me like the proverbial lightning bolt. All at once, I could see how ego-driven and self-pitying I was. And that’s when I started to get better. I was lucky I was able to pull out when I did. The only key to recovery is that you genuinely want to get better. And I did.”

  “You should be congratulated. You’ve done more than just recover. You’ve helped others find a path to recovery.”

  “Yes.” But that was a different story, wasn’t it? Just when she’d put her life back together again, someone hijacked it. Forced her to take a direction she didn’t choose and never wanted. And one step led to another, until at last she was doing hideous things. Abominable, unforgivable things. And telling herself it was necessary.

  “Eventually I attracted the attention of Bristow Genetics. I was invited to be part of an extra-special, super-secret project. That led to my involvement with Shines. And TYL.”

  “It shows how much they trusted you. Handing you such a critical responsibility.”

  “It shows something, but I’m not sure that’s it.” She pulled a stray dandelion out of the ground, then blew on it, watching the fuzzy bits of white disperse in the air. “Pretty soon I went from being in a rehab to running one. And from running a rehab to running a de facto prison. Guantanamo for Shines.”

  “We never waterboarded anyone.”

  She gave the therapist a long look, but said nothing. “And I found myself unable to resist.”

  “Meaning what?”

  She picked up a rock and flung it into the air. “Shines aren’t the only people who can be locked up in Mordock.”

  “What?”

  “Can you not see the obvious? Today, anything is possible. Once we infringe the rights of some, we endanger everyone. The powers-that-be are driven by fear and desperation. Now we have a Shine prison break. And this bizarre plague at the Getty? I’m sure you know what the uninformed ignoramuses who post anonymous comments on Internet bulletin boards are saying. They blame the Shines, of course. How else, they argue, do you explain the fact that the plague only strikes men?”

  “There are many possible immunological explanations.”

  “That’s not what most people are seeing. The government has created an enemy. Very effectively. And now people want that enemy contained. Or destroyed. There’s nothing they wouldn’t approve. And no one they wouldn’t be willing to punish.”

  “What do they do in there? At Mordock.”

  “Believe me, you do not want to know. And I do not want to experience it first-hand. Which is why it’s so critical that you help me find those girls.”

  “Me? Aren’t the police looking?”

  “Among others. But so far, they’ve had no success. These girls are proving more resourceful than anyone imagined. And I rather suspect that has to do with your little sweetheart.”

  “Aura is not remotely dangerous.”

  “Find her, Mark. Find all of them.”

  “Why would you think I could do what the police can’t?”

  She peered deeply into his eyes. “Because you know Aura better than anyone, don’t you?”

  A painful moment of silence followed.

  “So do it. Before the whole country looks like this scorched hill. Find those irresponsible girls. So we can deal with them once and for all.”

  60

  AMERICAN SOCIETY ONLINE

  “CLIMATE OF TERROR” LEADS TO PASSAGE OF MORE ANTI-SHINE LEGISLATION

  Washington, D.C.

  In an after-hours session last night the House of Representatives passed the so-called “Baby Shine” bill by an overwhelming margin. A slightly different version of the bill is expected to pass the Senate later this week.

  “This is a triumph for the people,” announced Reverend Algernon Trent, president of the Shine Surveillance System. “The climate of terror created by these irresponsible, out-of-control girls is about to be brightened by the sunshine of God-fearing people and common sense.” He spoke to a large assemblage of cheering SSS members holding a candlelight vigil outside the Lincoln Memorial. “From every corner of the globe, the call has gone out for good men and women to stand up and prevent another Seattle or Santa Monica. We will preserve our species and see it move forward by normal healthy means, not genetic abominations.”

  Regardless of their position on Shines, few could deny the effectiveness of the SSS as a lobbying organization. Just as with the previous bill known as the PA2, the well-organized and well-funded SSS spearheaded this bill through Co
ngress in record time with few dissenters.

  Commentators around the world seemed generally supportive of the bill. A resolution of support was passed by the United Nations General Assembly and approved by the Security Council. “We must not allow our desire for safety to overcome our desire for common sense,” said Representative Beth Holly (D-Minn.), one of the few to consistently vote against the SSS’s anti-Shine initiatives. “America is the land of the free and the home of the brave, not the enemy of evolution and the sanctuary of the sanctimonious.”

  Once fully implemented, the bill would require all newborn babies to be tested for the 47th chromosome, a genetic abnormality associated with Shines. Such testing would be mandated by hospitals or medical personnel involved in the delivery of newborn babies…

  61

  Reverend Trent whooped in jubilation. He danced a little Snoopy dance around his desk.

  “We won!”

  The bald man in the blue baseball cap glanced up. “Lakers?”

  “No, idiot. Congress. The bill passed the House.”

  “The early-screening bill.”

  “Wasn’t even close. Once I got that jellyfish Sharpe on board, we were halfway home. This business on Antolina Island was the clincher. Shines on the loose? Blowing up buildings and killing people in the process? How could anyone doubt the threat these freaks pose now? SSS membership is soaring. We’re opening branch offices all across the globe. People are running scared.”

  “And when people are scared, they are easily manipulated.”

  He cast his eyes down. “I would have used the word ‘led.’”

  “Same thing.”

  He could’ve argued the point, but he had more pressing concerns. “The Senate should be a breeze. Senator Cobalt threatened to put a legislative hold on the bill, but that won’t last long. Not with people dying in the streets. Not in an election year. The American people are demanding results. They want an end to this flagitious terror in our midst.”

  “So you get universal screening for Shines at birth. Wonderful. What do you do with these baby Shines when you find them?”