The Big Ten: The First Ten Books of the Beginnings Series

by Jacqueline Druga

  “Which is?” Frank waited.

  Calmly Ellen let out a breath and walked to her desk. “Joe got his information wrong. It wasn’t my idea. It was all . . . Dean’s.” With her high pitched last word, Ellen plopped pleasingly into her chair and grinned when Frank blasted out of the office. Smiling, she grabbed her radio from her desk, leaned back in her chair and kicked her feet up. She selected a channel, depressed the button and very calmly spoke into it. “Hello, Dean . . . run.”

  Dean heard her message. At first he shook his head and laughed. Then with a turn of seriousness, he remembered their last conversation. “Shit.” He raced to the lab door and stepped into the hall. Too late. Frank was running in. “Shit.” He quickly locked the lab door and went back to his work.

  “Dean!” Frank knocked on the glass of the door. “Dean, let me in.” He turned the locked knob.

  “I can’t, Frank.” Dean sat before a microscope. “I’m very busy.”

  “Dean!” Frank’s voice yelled louder, shaking the door handle more. “Let me in!”

  Dean shook his head.

  “Dean, I’m fuckin' security. Do you think you can lock me out?” With a smile, Frank raised his humongous set of keys and dangled them up.

  The look on Frank’s face, almost gloating as he bit his bottom lip and turned the knob, sent more than waning signals off to Dean, it sent immediate survival thoughts racing through his mind. After initially thinking ‘I’m killing Ellen’, Dean realized in the particular ‘Frank versus Dean’ situation at hand, Dean had the size advantage.

  The moment the lab door burst open, and Frank stood there in an ape lunging manner, Dean power blasted his small body across the lab. The partial baseball slide he did to make it under Frank’s arms, sent him sailing into the hall. After rolling into a stand, and figuring he’d find Joe somewhere in his mission to live, Dean took off running. But not without Frank . . . chasing right behind.

  ^^^^

  The day before had been the preparatory phase. The set up. The back room of the lab was cleaned out to be utilized to hide the supplies when they were working on the virus. And the far back counter was cleared for work space. A work space that to the laymen would look like any other lab set up.

  Across the counter lined up in racks, were test tubes. Sitting there waiting, all of them to be filled with different variations of ingredients, Dean believed in the right combination would be the solution and the new hope. But how many combinations would it take until he and Ellen nailed it, was the question. When he looked at it mathematically, the odds were greater that he would have hit the lottery in the old world than hitting the right combo. But Dean couldn’t think that way. He actually had an advantage. At least he could look at the combination he tried, see what worked, what didn’t work and build from there.

  But still, it was a lot of work.

  It was pretty late, and Dean knew it, but he wanted to get started. Everything was ready to begin and a part of him just couldn’t shut down for the night without trying something. Settling at the counter, papers before him that told him what they had tried and what they didn’t, he heard the flapping sound. It struck him as odd, but he didn’t pay much attention to it until it became steady. Turning slowly in his stool, his eyes caught glimpse of it. A simple white cloth emerged through the door and waved fanatically about.

  Trying not to make a sound, and staying close to the wall so as not to be seen, Dean crept to the white cloth, and quickly he reached out of the door with a loud ‘ha’ as he grabbed the hand of the person surrendering.

  Ellen shrieked, then laughed. “Is it safe?”

  “Get in here.” He shook his head and gave a tug. “I ran for an hour you know.”

  “Great exercise. Sorry about today.” Ellen walked behind him.

  “We’ll say we’re even.”

  “Oh, look.” Ellen hurried to the lab space. “You have it waiting for me.”

  “Not really.” Dean moved to the counter. “How were the kids tonight?”

  “Tired.” Ellen began to review the papers on the counter. “So where were you at in the work when I came in?”

  “Actually. I was getting ready to shut down. I was in that debate phase. Go home. Stay. You know.”

  “Oh.” Ellen’s voice dropped.

  “You sound disappointed I’m not working.”

  “No. Well. Yeah. I am. I was hoping to work.”

  Dean laughed. “You work?”

  “Stop that.” She smacked him with the white cloth she still held. “Yeah. I want to work on this virus. This is gonna sound odd, but . . . even with all that we went through, you and me. Working in this lab, with you, I like it. It’s like, tension free.”

  “That’s because we have ...” Dean reached around her and lifted a test tube. “Great . . . Chemistry?”

  Ellen chuckled and shook her head at the joke. She took the tube and replaced it. “That was bad.” She raised her eyes and when she did, she caught Dean’s. She shifted her views from his eyes to his smile, then let out a breath. “I’m sorry. I’ll leave and let you get home. We’ll work tomorrow.” She stepped away and turned.

  Dean reached out, stopping her. He closed one eye and tilted his head. “You know what. How about we work into tomorrow. Go all night.”

  The corner of Ellen’s mouth rose sneakily. “I don’t recall you ever going all night.”

  “Nice.” He nodded, and grabbed the cloth from her hand as she snickered. “You start on those previous tests, review them and I’ll go in the back and get what we need. Sound good?”

  “Sounds great.”

  “Good.” He smiled and stepped back. “Because . . .” Rolling the cloth, he snapped it at her. He tossed the cloth back and walked away speaking as he did. “We have a virus to beat.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  December 24

  George saw the light to Dean’s laboratory was on as he took his pre-dawn walk. It wasn’t unusual for him to get up at five in the morning, he had his entire life. He tried to eat up time before venturing out but he got bored and antsy with that. He felt like Henry. Henry was in a pacing frenzy the night before. George heard his screen door opening and closing all night. It unnerved him. Which was probably why George hid until he saw Henry go into his house. Something was strong on Henry’s mind, and George wasn’t in the mood to listen to his theoretical ramblings. He just wanted to take his walk and start his work for the day, so he could finish--like everyone else--early to start the celebration of Christmas Eve. Christmas was a holiday in Beginnings, that no matter how bad the world outside of their walls got, it was celebrated with the highest of traditions.

  It was cold and perhaps Dean’s light invited him in to the warmth, but more likely it was the curiosity of what Beginnings’ superior mind was up to. The clinic was quiet when George walked in. “Burning the midnight oil a little late, or are you getting an early jump on things?” He called out to Dean.

  “Oh.” Dean took off his glasses as he lifted his head from a microscope. “The later. The twins stayed at Ellen’s last night and I wanted to work before all hell breaks loose at the clinic. Which will happen with everyone wanting out for Christmas.”

  “Am I bothering you?”

  “No come in.” Dean sat on a stool and pulled one up for George. “What brings you here?”

  “I was out taking my walk. I didn’t sleep very well last night. Henry had me up. I could actually hear him outside my window going in and out of his house.”

  “I know, I saw him when I came in this morning.”

  “Did you speak to him?” George asked.

  “How could I not? You know Henry, when he has something on his mind, he has to tell someone.”

  “What did he tell you?”

  “Oh he’s excited about it being Christmas. His wireless is done.” Dean shrugged. “He’s calling it his community gift of extra security. And he was going on about getting back to something else. I don’t know, my mind wandered at that point.”

>   “He didn’t say what it was, did he?”

  “Nope. He may have. I didn’t listen. My mind is cluttered with this work.”

  “The virus?” George asked. “How’s it going?”

  Dean smiled, he had too, he was making progress. “A couple days ago. We hit thirty percent.”

  “Thirty percent cured? Wow that is great. How long till you cure it completely.”

  “Never. It can’t be cured completely.”

  “I don’t understand. You said . . .”

  “Let me explain.” Dean said. “We, meaning you and I, are predestined to be immune to the virus in whole. Any way, shape or form of it. It’s in our genes. But if someone is not immune, they don’t have that in them. We can cure them of the present form. However, they can still die from it even after I’ve cured them, so to speak, if let’s say they catch an altered version of our virus. And the chances of that happening are slim to none. I mean, who is going to alter our virus?”

  “No one. Thank God.” George stood from his stool. “I know you’re busy, I’ll let you go. Good luck and keep me posted.”

  “I will.” Dean waved and placed on his glasses again. He appreciated George’s interest in his work. He enjoyed sharing his work with him especially. Because George had been, at one time, the president of the United States, and there was some prestige in that.

  ^^^^

  He may have been a man of average height and build, but at that moment, Max looked small. The hand that came pummeling down in a grip to his shirt, crashed into his sternum making Max feel like he had a heart attack. But he knew his death was imminent when he was lifted from his feet, and brought face to sneering face with Frank, moments before he sailed backwards across the crowded skills room.

  His back smashed into the wall and Max dropped to the ground, rolling in fear of the barging big man.

  Joe’s interception of Frank was Max’s saving grace. “Enough!” Joe blasted bodily blocking Frank. “Knock it off.”

  “I’m killing him!” Frank glared passed his father.

  “You will do no such thing.”

  “Then I will personally lift his skinny ass and carry him out of Beginnings myself.”

  “That is not your decision.” Joe argued.

  “Then council better make it. And make it now.” Frank ordered. “This is the eighth time in two weeks. I want him out. He crossed the final line.”

  Max, shook as he backed himself in a corner pleading out. “No-no. I swear I didn’t mean it. I swear. I didn’t start it. I’m changing. I am. I’m learning the bible.”

  Frank took a step, and in his stride, bent down and ran his fingers across the floor through the red droplets. “You see this?” He held up his hand to Max. “My wife’s blood. My wife’s! Now whether you hit her on purpose or she got in the way of a fight you were in. Doesn’t matter!” Frank blared. “She got hurt.” He stepped back. “She goes out on a limb for all you fuckin' people and this is what she gets.” He swiped his hand on his pant leg and spun to face Joe. “I want a decision. Oust him.”

  Had Joe not stepped out of Frank’s way he probably would have been knocked over when Frank just barged right out.

  ^^^^

  The ointment was cold and soothing to Ellen’s just stitched eyebrow. Dean swabbed it gently, standing before her in the lab.

  “Done.” He tossed the swab and lifted the ointment jar. “It’s not bad.”

  “Aren’t you gonna blow on it like you do for the kids.”

  He blew, causing her bangs to fly up and Ellen to giggle. “El, did you see you have a Christmas gift?” He pointed to the counter across the lab.

  “For me? No way.” Ellen flew over to it. “I was caught up with being punched in the head. Oh, look.” Her hands set upon the box covered in a cloth. “From you? You are Mr. Gift.”

  “Me?” Dean chuckled and put the ointment away. “I gave you enough. It’s from Henry. He said something about telling you, since it’s wireless day, he doesn’t need the batteries as much.”

  Curiously, Ellen pulled the cloth from the box. She opened the flaps. “Oh!” She shrieked. “He fixed my tape player. And look Dean, batteries so it’s mobile.” Moaning in awe, her hand swept across the old player as if it were gold. “Now we can have music when we work. I have a whole box at home.”

  “Swell.” Dean shook his head and walked across to the center counter.

  “Oh, look. There’s a tape in here.” Another squeak of delight came from Ellen. “Journey! Frank’s favorite.”

  Dean saw her hand getting ready to press. “El, no. Don’t play . . .” It was too late, the song started to play. Dean whined. “Journey.”

  Elbows on the counter, chin in her hands, eyes closed, Ellen listened to the song as if each word of it were a treasure. And they were, because the song just made her see Frank. Not the Frank she was married to. But the Frank she met on that first day of school nearly twenty-years before. It made her smile. She could still see him walking into anatomy the first day of classes. He was so awkward, so out of place. His black hair in a crew cut. To Ellen he was the tallest, skinniest, gawkiest, guy in that class. So out of place, so quiet. She probably would have never have spoke to him if he hadn’t did what he did that very first day of school. The song that played faded to the back of her mind and her first Frank encounter jumped forefront . . .

  The campus bookstore, who would have thought.

  Ellen had purchased just one book, she should have gotten more, but she hated the thought of parting with her cash. In her teenage mind she had it all planned out. Tell her parents she got robbed, hold on to the cash and let them buy the books. Ellen made her first mistake walking out of the bookstore with that cash in her hand. As she folded it to place it in her purse, a hand snatched it from her, along with her purse. “Hey!” She screamed at the man wearing black who ran past her. Before she could scream anymore, before she could chase him herself, a fast moving blur passed through her peripheral vision. As quickly as her assailant took her purse, that was how quickly he was on the concrete. That tall skinny kid from anatomy was soon lifting the guy to his feet, grabbing Ellen’s belongings, then decking the man once sending him back down to the side walk. Ellen stood open mouthed as she watched.

  “Here.” He handed her stuff back.

  With a deep breath, she turned to the voice who shoved her purse gently towards her. “Wow.”

  His thin face, still graced with acne, turned a slight shade of red as he smiled and began to walk away.

  “Wait.” Ellen called to him and chased him, grabbing his arm to stop him. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

  “You’re welcome, you’re welcome so much.” He began to walk again.

  “Do you always step in, save the day, then bolt?” She kept up to his fast moving stride.

  “You’re embarrassing me.”

  “I’m sorry. It’s just that I never seen anyone do something like. You don’t mind if I walk with you do you?” Instantly Ellen knew she liked this soft spoken guy. Besides the fact that he just saved her money.

  “Not at all.” His pace slowed down.

  “My name is Ellen. We’re in anatomy together.”

  “I’m Frank, Frank Slagel. Yeah, I know.”

  “Are you in nursing too?”

  With a loud laugh, Frank stopped. “Hardly. I’m majoring in criminology. Anatomy is one of my courses.”

  “So you wanna be a cop?”

  “No. I plan on joining the military after graduation. Get into military intelligence.”

  Ellen knew at that moment that was the reason for the hair. “Military intelligence. Wow, you must be pretty smart.” Little did she know back then.

  Frank shrugged. “I think I am.”

  “Are you headed back to the dorms? Wanna go with me to the . . .”

  Ellen’s memory came to a halt when the music on the player stopped playing. She looked to the hand that nearly covered the small player. She knew instantly by the abundance of dark hair
on the forearm, it was Frank. She slowly followed her vision up to his face. He was staring down at her. “Frank, I was listening to that. That’s your favorite . . .”

  “I’m glad one of us can have a relaxing day. Must be nice.”

  Ellen blinked in confusion. “Did I . . . Did I do something to you?”

  “Why didn’t you call me?” Frank asked strongly.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “You know exactly what I’m talking about! When there’s a problem at containment. You call me! Not one of my men! Especially when you get hurt.”

  “Oh.” Ellen waved her hand. “I didn’t want to bother you.” She turned to go back to the tape player but the loud ‘Bullshit’ he hit her with made her jump and spin around.

  “That’s my job! You’re my wife!” His voice was loud and frightening. “If you ever, ever fuckin' go . . .”

  “Frank.” Strong and demanding Dean’s one word halted him. “Don’t you dare talk to her like that again.”

  “Don’t even tell me you’re threatening me.” Frank glared at Dean.

  “I’ll threaten you Frank. I don’t care. Don’t you ever talk to her like that again. Not in my lab, not in my presence, not ever. I don’t care what the hell you have on your mind, she’s not to bear the brunt. Now get out of my lab.” Dean stared hard at him. “Now.”

  Frank looked over to Ellen who just stared forward, eyes wide, biting her bottom lip. “Fine.” Frank’s hand cut through the air and he stepped back. “You were right this time, Dean. But don’t think I won’t pounce on the moment when you’re wrong.”

  In the seconds after Frank stormed out, the silence in the lab was so strong that it rang. Then it was broken when Dean’s knees buckled, his hands hit the counter and he groaned in relief at the same time Ellen burst into laughter.

  “That . . .” Ellen walked to Dean, laughing. “Took balls.”