by C. S Luis
“Bryce, are you certain? You know Jack, he usually turns up when we least expect it. He never plays by any rules but his own.”
“Yes…but for now, it must be treated urgently and with caution. The Minder is priority and if he has information in regards to her whereabouts, then he must be brought in at once.”
"Could the Minder have anything do with his disappearance?" John curiously asked.
Sanders wasn’t at all careful, he was sloppy. That’s what concerned John, he could get himself killed. But it was information he was almost sure Bryce could not possibly offer.
"It’s unclear, he’s an insubordinate reckless fool.” Bryce stared over at John.
“Exactly my point,” John said.
“Regardless, you must bring him back at any cost." Bryce seemed to be ignoring the obvious and he was certain it had to do with the big-wigs. Of course, no one leaves The Company. Bryce had to report to them, and they accepted no excuses. Yet that was not what bothered John, but the fact that he had never been assigned to retrieve one of his own. This was unusual; didn’t they usually let him wander back on his own? The importance was obvious, the Minder. It wasn’t a surprise why he had been chosen. And if he wasn’t aware of it already, The Man in White was delighted to give him that detail.
“You know him well. If anyone can find him, it will be you. I’m sure he’ll make contact soon.”
“I doubt it,” John uttered, trying to discourage his hopes. But The Man in White didn’t seem discouraged at all.
“Bring him in when he does,” Bryce added. He wrinkled a slim lip over at John.
John glared over at him then nodded.
“The Minder, of course, is the priority-but find Jack and I’m sure you’ll find her.”
How was he so sure of that? Or how had he even known such a thing? But his boss’s knowledge of certain things didn’t surprise him anymore. He knew things that others didn’t. How, he wasn’t sure. But he knew never to question them.
“Should I be concerned about your loyalty?” Bryce suddenly asked the troubled John.
“My loyalty should not be in question, sir, this is a job and nothing else. My loyalty is with The Company and you, sir. No one else,” John firmly answered.
The Man in White said nothing else and John had clearance to leave immediately for Mexico.
John pulled on a pair of black alligator boots and arrived at a place he had never heard of. But for all his dress wear, it didn’t earn him the help of the locals.
It was so typical of Jack to be in this type of place. His pal was an old-fashioned cowboy, with the appearance of one to match; the cowboy hat and the alligator skin boots, the dark leather vest, and black jeans. Jack was bad, bad when he wanted to be and as bad as they got. But lately, he had been sloppy, so John could very much understand Bryce’s concern. Jack knew too much and, in the wrong hands, the information was valuable. The Company’s secrets were top-dollar.
There were no phones, no intelligent life, and indeed, no Jack. The locals had known a man matching his description; in fact, they called him ‘El Loco'. It sounded just like Jack, John thought. Jack reminded him a little of his boss, Bryce Nicholson, because he could be so arrogant at times. He was rebellious too. Not a good combination.
John hit the local bars, talked to the townspeople and a few drunken men, but no one had seen El Loco or where he had gone. It was almost as if he had disappeared from the face of the Earth. John knew just how easy that could be for someone in his line of work. They were pros; Jack would not be found unless he wanted to.
Perhaps that's why Bryce had sent him. After all, they had been close friends at the academy. If he would trust anyone, it might be him. But why? What was Jack up to? What point was he trying to make now? His disregard for authority and his lack of discipline were no secret. He had never been much of a team player, one of the reasons they didn’t work together. What was he up to now? He often spoke of leaving, but John never believed he was serious. He did more talking. Enjoyed defying Bryce in every sense of the word. Trying to convince John to do the same, to join in his rebellious nature. He hadn’t changed since they were kids; he had only gotten worse and far more rebellious.
It was not their place to question; he had always believed that, up until meeting Claudia, then things got a little gray. He knew every good ADA agent had his own reasons for doing what they did. And up until Claudia, he didn’t believe he had a reason himself.
He hadn't found Jack in Mexico but a few leads had sent him back to the States. El Paso and New Mexico, but they were all dead ends. Another lead said Jack was in Texas. Texas, that sure sounded rewarding to return to the same place he belonged. Texas was a place he could surely find Jack kicking back.
The gravel beneath his feet woke John from his troubled thoughts and he began to walk up to the building. Around him, the sun was very slowly going down over the horizon and he knew it would be dark soon. He wasn't sure if he was ready to face them again. After all, it had been he who left them. But it had always been to protect her, he assured himself, to protect his girl. He couldn’t write, phone, or visit. It would defeat the purpose of him leaving.
After a few nights of being away, he couldn’t stop thinking of her. What could he tell her? What did she think he was doing?
The days had slipped by quickly, but Bryce's continuing requests for his source disturbed him as did Jason’s warning and the fact that The Company, his bosses, had murdered her family. Would she forgive him if she ever found out this was the same company he worked for? But then whose idea was it to return? The plan had been set into motion upon his return from Mexico a long time ago. The alien’s absence had bought him some time, and protected her from Bryce’s further search for it. No alien, no source Claudia would be safe.
“Find Jack; find the Minder,” Bryce had said to him. Now, here he was. But to find who?
* * *
John looked at the large doors before him. Had he the will to go through them now after all that had happened, all that he had done? Even though he was here now under different circumstances and for a different reason, did it matter? But was it different? Would she even recognize him or had she forgotten him entirely?
He didn't believe it when he first saw her. How she had captured his heart almost immediately. At first, he didn’t understand his attraction to her, didn’t even know what he felt. Didn’t want any part of it. But now he wanted her because he cared for her.
But what was his attraction to her? It was almost inhuman, like a powerful spell holding him under her will. He couldn’t explain it. Was he the subject of some crazy experiment, his DNA hijacked, changed to only want her? His mind and body said, “She is yours.” There was no denying that. No mistaking that feeling deep inside him. She possessed him like no other. He drank and ate her, he was addicted.
John smiled, recalling her in his mind, that slender waist, cascading locks of rich, brown hair, deep set brown eyes on that lovely bronze and golden skin. Had he mentioned he was a sucker for dark brown eyes and long brown hair? Not to mention bronze golden skin. He was in love immediately.
They became friends over that short time, closer than he had ever thought they could possibly be. Then, he just left her, breaking his promise to take her with him. Of course, it was a promise he could not keep. A dream he had long before she asked him to take her with him. So, when she had offered, it ripped him apart that he could not. Perhaps it had been stupid to not take her with him.
The question now was, would his girl hate him for it?
So why was he back? He loved her, yes, and he wanted her, yes, and hoped she would forgive him. So was that why he was back? No, but one thing that was certain was that he missed her. It was always for her that he did things that made no sense even to him. Was he trying to justify his reason for being there?
John hesitated by the entrance. It had been a year, the coldest month of the year, December. At least it should be cold, but this was Texas. He had left in Decembe
r and had now returned. There was no invitation for him this time. He had returned to be among the friends he had left behind. As he said, it was always for her that he did these things.
Inside, he heard the sound of Christmas music coming from the cafeteria. With a smile on his face, John Christopher Slater, once one of the best and top ADA Hunters in The Company, the Venators, walked into Milton High School yet again.
24
The Ghost of Christmas past
I assured everyone it was alright. I didn't realize how frightened they all were until I came into the hallway and they were all consumed with worry that Q had done something horrible to me. The two assistant principals, Mr. Claypool and Mr. Vasquez, were holding up bats and Mr. Cortez was getting ready to make a run for it, when I exited the cafeteria.
"It's alright, everyone," I softly said. Michael came over to me.
"Did he do anything to you? Are okay?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.
"Everything is okay," I assured him with a smile. He peeked into the cafeteria and caught sight of Q standing near the Christmas tree with his arms crossed and his back to him.
"Are you sure it's okay?" Michael doubtfully asked, gazing over at me. He lifted the necklace.
"We can do something now before it's too late," he suggested with the necklace in his hands.
"No," I immediately voiced. "He's not gonna hurt us. He just wants to make peace." I assured him.
They looked doubtful, even when they slowly entered the cafeteria and stood at a distance, observing Q. He grimaced back at them as the men entered and stood by a table set up near the doorway displaying desserts, Christmas cookies, and other goodies.
Michael moved forward until I stopped him.
"Please, Michael, you have to trust me. It'll be okay." He reluctantly nodded.
"I do trust you," Michael said with a warm smile. "Let's get started, shall we? It's getting late and time is being wasted." He glanced over at Q, who kept his back to them.
"Perhaps you should wear the necklace again. Just to be on the safe side, my dear," Michael suggested.
"I can't. Not right now," I said.
"Please, Michael, try to understand." I glanced in Q's direction; he stood alone by the Christmas tree. The light of the tree washed over his face and he just stood there unmoving like a pale statue of God. He seemed lonely but I knew that was far from what he felt. I could sense him, his warmth and his longing. He was calling for me without making a sound. I could hear his thoughts, as I could sense his desire. He felt closer by the second.
"I do, my dear," Michael answered; he had caught my eyes wandering. He put the crystal in his pocket. I knew he was afraid, afraid for me.
"It's alright…go on."
I left Michael’s side and came alongside Q.
"These humans don't like me," Q softly whispered as I came to stand beside him.
"Can you blame them?" I answered him. Our connection was intoxicating. I felt light-headed.
"This doesn't concern them. This is between you and me." Speechless, I felt my face warm all over.
"Q, you nearly destroyed this school. How are they supposed to behave after that?"
"I was merely taking what belonged to me," he said looking over at me.
"Why do you always have to say things like that?" I asked, unable to meet his eyes.
I felt him close in my head and in my thoughts, his voice, his breath, and his heart all like one person inside me. I felt suffocated, the overwhelming feeling of being lost, and then his ghostly image danced away, drawing back into the shadows.
"You know I speak the truth," Q answered, his voice was calm unlike before when I had challenged him.
I glared at him. It was when he said things like that, when he gazed at me with those beautiful glowing eyes, that puzzled me. Made me doubt whether it was love at all. He exhaled deeply, and I knew he was reassuring me.
"Q…" I softly said, watching him. His eyes found mine. Reading me with their clusters of light. I thought of what he had said about the reaper coming for him. If there was a way to save him, I wanted to find it. The light in his eyes danced for a moment, the iris expanded and the color lit, making me feel discomfort, and I wanted to change the conversation and distract his eyes away from me.
"Maybe there's a way to make another deal with the reaper? I mean…" Before I could finish, he grabbed me and stared deeply into my eyes.
"You make no deals with him, do you hear me? You run from him! You can't trust him!" He declared angrily.
I screamed, trying to break away as his grip tightened. Then he released me and spun away with his back to me. I caught sight of Michael motioning slightly at his pocket but he froze at my direction.
"Q?"
"Promise me, my pet. You will make no deals with him. Promise me you will stay away from him!" He turned around again and grabbed me when I didn’t answer. His gaze furious and heartbroken. Frightened, I didn't utter a word. He then pulled me close and held me tightly in his arms.
"Promise me, my pet. I can't lose you-Not to Him…"
I felt his warmth and heard his heart against my ear. I closed my eyes and whispered into his ear, pressing him closer.
"I promise."
25
The Principal of Milton
Michael
Dr. Michael McClellan squeezed the crystal tightly in his hand, observing as Claudia and Quentin stood near the Christmas tree in conversation. He didn't trust the alien even if he did look like an ordinary young man. He trusted him far less because of that. He didn't believe he had come in peace and worried about the trouble that awaited them now that he was back. And John, where was he now? Was he also watching, protecting them, as he had vowed to do? Would they ever see him again? If he was still out there, keeping their secret as he had promised to. Of course, he also feared the people John knew, feared they would come any moment to break down the school doors in search of what they wanted. And find Claudia.
John's abandonment perhaps had been the reason he had so easily agreed to let Quentin return. With John Slater’s absence, Claudia had fallen into a deep depression. She asked each and every day whether he had written; prowled the mailbox pigeonholes desperately hoping to hear any news from him. Michael felt that she had a slight crush on the man but it was understandable, she was young and impressionable. But it made him angry that John didn’t write to her. He had to know Claudia adored him.
So, was this his reason for allowing Quentin's presence? Had it been the right answer?
Quentin glared at him from his spot by the Christmas tree. Was he reading his mind?
Michael moved forward uneasily, when movement from the side door caught his attention. As he turned to look back, John Slater stepped through the cafeteria's large doors, wearing a dark blue suit jacket and dark tie. He flashed Michael a grin. Did the man think so highly of himself that everyone would be happy to see him after he abandoned Claudia? Michael couldn’t offer him the same smile. After a year of absence, he had come wandering into their lives again. Possibly with bad news.
26
Trouble is My Middle Name
John Slater
Had Michael thought trouble just walked through the door of Milton once again? John wondered. He didn't blame the old man for being unhappy to see him. John was trouble and he had come to learn that the hard way. As always, he had come bearing bad news and no doubt they wouldn't be happy. Yet, he couldn't let a little hostility dissuade him from seeing his girl, the one who had changed his feelings about the world and about himself.
At 6’ 2”, with light honey-brown hair, and bright green eyes, John stood at the very entrance of the cafeteria in his nice blue suit and dark tie. He caught sight of Claudia standing by the Christmas tree as he took a step forward. She was just as beautiful and lovely as he recalled. She hadn’t changed at all.
He took a breath. Claudia was dressed in a daisy-patterned top, dark fitted jeans, and a pair of mid-calf Doc Martens. Her long brown hair, as
always, cascading down her backside. She looked lost, lonely, and in need of him. It was time to get back that part of his life he had longed for and lost. It was time to take his place beside her again.
Only, when he looked a second time, he also caught sight of Project X, standing right alongside her. Before even words could escape his lips, he rushed inside toward them. He grabbed Claudia's arm, pulling her beside him, and pointed his gun directly at the being's face. Not missing a beat.
The trigger clicked, loaded and ready, but even he knew a gun would have very little effect on the creature now facing him. He searched his pocket for the crystal but to no avail, a gun would do for now.
Claudia broke away from John and came around to block him.
"Claudia, get out of the way!" John ordered, grinding his teeth. He grabbed Claudia again, pushing her behind him.
"You made a big mistake coming back, Project X!" John yelled with the barrel of his gun pointed directly at Quentin.
“His name is Quentin!”
John doubtfully glared over at her, it had a name?
“I don’t care what his name is. I don’t like him or the idea of having him here!” His eyes were glued to Quentin.
"I can say the same about you." Quentin echoed John’s response.
He looked tame for someone whose stature intimidated, whose mere presence demanded acknowledgment, John thought. The alien had never really frightened him. It’s what he wanted that scared John, the possibility of losing Claudia to that creature. He recalled the measures the alien had taken to acquire her, taking Michael captive, using him to get to her. Trying to stop him, John Slater, from reaching her in time by sending creepy human puppets into the hallways of Milton to kill him. They had kicked the shit out of him. They certainly had history.
