Impact (Book 1): Regenesis
Page 50
Bryce opened his eyes and saw that he hadn’t taken a step from where Twelve left him in the alley. The young men and their victim still didn’t see him, Bryce was fine, and Twelve returned to his side and repeated, “Show me what you’re made of.”
Bryce walked forward, with beads of sweat on his forehead, as he slowly grabbed his gun, took aim at one of the boys, and barked, “Drop the gun and the knife, now!”
The two whipped around, the one with the knife didn’t relent and his comrade with the handgun only took aim at Bryce again. Neither of them made a single move though. Bryce repeated his order and midway through the last word of his command the boy shot him in the head.
Bryce opened his eyes and saw that he hadn’t taken a step from where Twelve left him in the alley. The young men and their victim still didn’t see him, Bryce was fine, and Twelve returned to his side and repeated, “Show me what you’re made of.”
“What am I supposed to do damn it?”
Twelve didn’t answer though. He only repeated, “Show me what you’re made of.”
“What do you want from me?”
The two boys heard him and shot him for a third time.
Bryce opened his eyes and saw that he hadn’t taken a step from where Twelve left him in the alley. The young men and their victim still didn’t see him, Bryce was fine, and Twelve returned to his side and repeated, “Show me what you’re made of.”
Bryce finally retrieved his gun, walked over to the young men, and pressed his gun to the back of the gunner’s head and told him to drop his piece. “I swear if either of you screw with me now I’ll blow your damn head off.”
He opened his eyes and found himself back on top of the sky scraper with Twelve, who looked at him sideways and asked if he really would have killed the young man.
“Wasn’t that what you wanted?”
“I didn’t want anything other than to know how much you love this city.”
“Then why didn’t you just ask?”
“I did, twice actually.”
Bryce looked away from him and asked who he really was. “How the hell do I know you’re not Cladis or that you don’t work for him?”
“I would have killed you by now and been on my merry way.” Twelve looked Bryce in the eye, “I’m not your enemy.”
“Then why are you so damn secretive?”
Twelve gripped his cape tightly and muttered that things weren’t as safe as he’d originally thought. “You need to watch yourself too. Don’t mention these meetings to anyone.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m Deep Throat and you’re Woodward,” he told him. “Things aren’t what they seem and I don’t trust everyone.”
“Then why do you trust me?”
Twelve looked him in the eye and said he knew he was incorruptible. “I need someone like you to keep things in perspective.”
Bryce only looked at him, perplexed.
Twelve returned him to the street, resumed his guise as a beggar, and vanished into an alleyway.
---*---
7:32 PM
Bellevue, Washington
Mizuno trained Nick, as it was the final opportunity to do so before their mission the following day. Mizuno cut their session short though, which Nick believed was to allow enough time for him to make it to Drake’s house for the small gathering Drake had planned.
They walked out to Mizuno’s car and Nick’s motorcycle where Mizuno stopped him. “Do you think you’re ready Nick?” he asked.
Nick only shrugged and asked if Mizuno thought he was.
Mizuno didn’t say. They only continued on in silence until they arrived at the car and motorcycle. Nick was ready to leave without another word, but Mizuno stopped him and asked, “What are your thoughts on all of this?”
“All of what?”
“What are your thoughts about the plan to counter the Dáfù tomorrow?”
Nick said the mission sounded fine to him.
Mizuno rubbed his eyes and muttered that it wasn’t. “The plan, the original plan I pitched to the group was flawed, and I knew it. I wanted you, or David, or Kyle, or anyone for that matter to realize that it was a terrible plan and to at the very least voice some concern, if not offer a better plan. None of you, with the exception of Bruce, could manage that.”
“What’s wrong with your plan?”
“The whole plot Nick! I mean, how the hell are we supposed to remove, carry, and transport over two dozen nineteenth-century paintings without damaging them, causing wide-spread panic, and alerting the Dáfù to our presence? And even then, how were we supposed to return to the museum dressed in costumes and ‘apprehend’ or kill any of the terrorists that did show up? They wouldn’t be waiting outside dressed in anything that would give them away; they’re too intelligent and ambiguous to do something that stupid.”
“Then why waste our–”
“Because it was a test Nick, and you failed.”
“What were you testing me for?”
“To see whether you would question me or if you would simply fall in line blindly.”
Nick glared at him and muttered that he had voiced his opinion. “I told you I wanted to go out with Amy and you said no.”
Mizuno swore and told him to forget about her. “She has absolutely nothing to do with this. She’s a distraction and a waste of your time. You’ve known her for less than two months and you act as if you’re soul mates Nick. She’s nothing but a damn hindrance and you can’t see it because you’re so strung out between being here, with her, and mourning over your dead brother to realize that she is going to leave you. Eventually she will leave you.” Mizuno looked him in the eye and told him he needed to move on. “All she’s doing is holding you back and jeopardizing–”
“What?” Nick stopped him. “Your grand mission?”
“Yes!” Mizuno yelled. “I’m trying to help you Nick and all you’re doing is moping around, complaining, and making me do everything for you. You want to catch your brother’s killer so badly, yet you’re completely unwilling to listen to the one person who can and will help you find him.”
“You haven’t done anything for me,” Nick murmured.
“I haven’t?” Mizuno stopped and reminded him of the physical change he built up in Nick, of how he helped remove Nick’s stutter, how he stood up to his stepfather and gave Nick the courage to do so as well, and introduced him to his own unique ability. “Do you want me to continue?”
Nick shut his mouth and looked away.
Mizuno’s eyes flashed. He retrieved his own set of car keys, unlocked the driver’s door, and told Nick he’d talk to him again once the mission was over. He left Nick there in the parking lot to think about what they’d talked about while he headed toward Seattle to have a final meeting with the rest of the group.
Nick remained where he was in the parking lot, bitter about what Mizuno said.
---*---
8:14 PM
Bothell, Washington
Jordan sat on Drake’s sofa while he played an advanced copy of Creeping Darkness 2. Three pizzas were on their way and Jordan was halfway through a bag of barbecue potato chips when he commented on Nick’s tardiness, though Drake only ignored him. Drake’s phone went off and Jordan asked if it was Nick.
Drake checked and said it wasn’t, “No, it’s Hiromi.” He answered and spoke in Japanese, “
“
He looked at Jordan as he was entranced with the game and said he was free.
“”
“
Jordan chuckled, “Dude, she’s your girlfriend. Don’t make it sound so official.”
Drake left him there as the door opened and Nick finally joined them. Jordan paused his game, looked over the ba
ck of the couch, and said he wasn’t sure he was going to show up. Nick just took a seat and didn’t respond. Jordan noticed his attitude and asked if everything between him and Amy was alright.
Nick rubbed his eyes and admitted that he was unsure. “I hope so…Work’s just constricting my time.”
“Well you had tonight off, why didn’t you just bail on us and hang out with her?”
“She’s in Oregon this weekend.”
“Oh.”
“No it’s fine, considering I’m working all day tomorrow.”
Jordan laughed, “That sucks.”
Nick asked about his new job, but Jordan told him he just quit. Drake rejoined them a short while later and asked how Nick was. Nick said he was fine. Jordan turned his game off and the three of them quickly decided on playing one of their favorite games that Drake introduced to them, Phantasy Star Online Episode I &II.
The evening felt rather alien to the boys though, as they usually played the game as a quartet. The silence was foreign too, seeing as they usually laughed, joked, and acted as if there wasn’t a care in the world. Instead Drake and Nick were off in other worlds that Jordan wasn’t blind enough to ignore.
“It’s not the same, is it?”
“What do you mean?”
“With Ian gone, with Nick working, our senior year, the death of your brother and Drake’s dad…” Jordan regretted mentioning the last bit, but continued nevertheless, “It isn’t the same anymore, especially with the drastic changes in our lives.”
“It was bound to happen though,” Drake admitted. “Life’s always in constant motion…you cannot avoid change.”
Nick frowned and said he wished it wasn’t so abrupt though.
“Life’s that way though,” Jordan told him. “You don’t realize what’s happening until it’s over.”
The doorbell rang and Drake told them it was their pizza. He paid the deliverer, tipped him quite well too, and brought their meal into his kitchen and told them to serve themselves. Nick had a pepperoni and mushroom pizza, Drake ordered a supreme, and Jordan had a cheese pizza.
Drake retrieved three bottled root beers from his fridge and a few napkins out of one of the drawers next to the refrigerator and handed a set to each of his friends. They ate at the counter for a moment before Jordan asked to see Drake’s ability.
“Later, okay? We’re eating.”
“I know, but it’ll only take a second, right?”
Drake rolled his eyes and told him he’d show him later.
Jordan finished his first slice, wiped his mouth off, and asked Nick what sort of power he’d want to have if he could have any ability at all.
Nick only told them he didn’t have any idea.
“I’d want something cool like that guy from London.” He stopped to recall his name but failed to do so.
“It’s Ilion,” Drake filled in.
“Who?” asked Nick.
“He’s London’s newest hero,” Jordan reported. “He can fly, manipulate fire, and lots more.”
“Oh…”
“You don’t watch the news that much, do you?” Jordan asked.
Nick frowned, “Not really, I’m too busy with work,” he said as he resumed their game.
“What is it that you do again?” Jordan asked.
Nick told him he worked at a department store in Mukilteo.
They returned to their game for a short while before they grew tired of it and decided to simply watch a movie and talk. Drake elected that they watch the Seven Samurai, which was one of his favorites. Jordan whined at first, but once Drake told him it was a samurai film he kept his mouth shut; Nick didn’t utter a word of disagreement.
Jordan couldn’t withstand the uncomfortable silence, got up from his seat, and wandered around and examined Drake’s living room. “Do you still collect those sweet plastic robot models?” he asked Drake.
He nodded, (though Jordan couldn’t see him), “I do, why?”
“No reason.” He looked around the room and noted that nothing changed since Drake’s father died. “Why don’t you display them out here or something?”
“Because I hate having to explain the differences between all of them and what their respective anime series are,” Drake told him. “Besides, it’d make this house look like my bedroom and I like the décor how it is now.”
Jordan shrugged and muttered, “I’d redecorate if I was you.”
“You’re not though.”
“True.”
Drake watched his friend wander around and told him to take a seat. “You’re distracting me.”
“Haven’t you seen this a dozen times already?”
“Yes, but it’s a classic nonetheless.”
Jordan reclaimed his spot on the couch and only kept quiet for a moment before he started up another conversation with Nick about his work. As much as Nick wanted to sit quietly and simply watch the movie, he knew Jordan wouldn’t let him.
“It’s fine.”
“What do you spend all of that money on anyway?”
“Groceries and gas mostly,” he told him.
Jordan apologized and said he wasn’t thinking.
“It’s okay.”
They watched a short scene before Jordan asked when the last time either of them spoke to Ian was. Drake and Nick exchanged exasperated looks and told him to relax and watch the movie. It took Jordan two more sodas, half of his pizza, and a few pills he popped without the others’ knowledge before he managed to do so. Drake felt the movie was a poor idea, as Nick and Jordan were not overly interested in it. Drake wanted things to remain as they were before Ian left, but he knew that time in their lives was over.
Drake sighed and asked his friends how school was for each of them.
---*---
Chapter 22
September 22nd, 2029
10:49 PM
London, England
Suzy Castell stood in the background of a nearly vacant stage with a well-worn copy of a loose adaption of Franny and Zooey. There were only a few actual parts in the entire play and she was somehow fortunate enough to portray Franny, though she imagined it was simply because out of all the ladies who auditioned, she was not only the right size for the part, but she knew how to smoke about as much as Franny did in the novel. Suzy was also a closet Salinger fan and read the novel her instructor formed his play around four times prior to signing up for the production. However, she felt out of place and unnecessary onstage, as the rehearsal for the evening focused around Zooey and his mother’s discussion during his bath; Franny wasn’t a part of the act.
“Well, since we’ve just finished the second act I’d say we can call it a night,” the director called out. “We’ll pick things up tomorrow and really focus on how we’re going to set the stage. So actors, please keep practicing your lines, and as for all of my engineers, we’ll talk tomorrow afternoon. Good night everyone, and keep up the good work.”
Suzy only rolled her eyes and stowed away her script in favor of her carton of cigarettes. She lit it and took a drag before heading for the door. She stopped however, when she came across a familiar face. “Jason? What are you doing here?”
He smiled and admitted he wasn’t there for the performance. “I have a few questions and I wasn’t sure I would have been able to ask them at dinner the other night.”
Suzy kept her cigarette between her lips for a moment and tried to read his expression before she relented and asked him to follow her. She took her bag from one of the nearby seats and led him out into the chilly night.
Jason scanned the area and cleared his throat. “What play was that?”
“It’s not really a play at all,” she started. “My professor just thinks he’s brilliant and wanted to disgrace something he loves.”
“Excuse me?”
Suzy shook her head and told him to forget about it. “Is Audrey here with you?”
“No, she’s back home putting the finishing touches on one of her projects.”
“
Then are you trying to hide this from her?” she questioned him. Suzy took a step in front of him, turned on heel, and looked him straight in the eye. “You’re not keeping something from my sister are you Jason?”
“It’s–” he paused for a moment and glanced away from her. “It’s nothing like that Suzy. Listen,” he shook his head and forced himself to focus on their discussion. “This is about those girls you said were missing, kidnapped. I hoped I might get some more information from you.”
Suzy dragged on her cigarette once more before she dropped the remainder on the tarmac walkway beneath her feet. She didn’t bother to stamp it out. “Why are you so interested in this Jason? What compelled you to drive out here on your own to ask me rather than just read the papers or the story online?”
Jason took a shallow breath and tried to compose his response, though Suzy immediately recognized his façade and told him to be truthful. He let out a breath and told her to walk with him. Jason continued to glance around for a quick minute until he seemed certain they were alone, and then he began, “What you said about the two girls missing seemed to resonate with other kidnappings and killings in Richmond. I have looked into things, at least as far back as I can trace the murders, though all I’ve managed to find is that there have been four abductions which eventually led to someone locating a mutilated corpse. The first was an accountant named Edward Park who turned up in Ham missing a liter of blood with only a few minor wounds to his skin. There are a few theories that the blood was surgically removed. This was on the eighteenth of August. Emma Thompson went missing on the seventeenth and was discovered on the twenty-first, missing a kilogram of skin, mainly taken from her back, which was also surgically removed. Emma Thompson was located near the Municipal Offices in Twickenham. And then there was a lull,” he continued. “The next abduction wasn’t until the thirty-first of August. Her name was Jeanette Smith and she wasn’t found until September third.”
“And she was missing her lips and tongue,” Suzy finished. “I heard about that one from a friend. What are you getting at Jason?”
He hesitated momentarily and told her he believed he’d found a trail that could lead to the killer. “He’s been working his way through Richmond and I believe he’s here somewhere in Roehampton.”