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

by Jacqueline Druga

  “You plan to bring this virus before its time. Deliver it on the people of Beginnings.”

  “Really? Thanks for the prophecy. Now, leave.” Dean shut off the light and shoved Moses as he walked. “Out. Out.” He led him to the hall and pulled the door closed. Then doing something Dean hadn’t done in a long while, he locked the lab door. “Goodnight.” Hearing Moses still mumbling bible quotes, Dean, not showing his agitation, walked down the hall. How Moses was permitted to live in Beginnings was beyond him. And the confrontation would warrant--no matter how painful it was--a mentioning of it to Frank.

  ^^^^

  It was so quiet with only the sound of turning pages and an occasional click of the keyboard emanated into the tunnel from the cryo-lab. Silently Ellen stood in the door, watching Henry. He sat on a stool in front of the only computer that was on. Three or four text books spread out before him. With a thermos tucked under her arm and a cloth covered plate, Ellen walked softly into the lab. She cleared her throat so as not to startle him too much. Standing right behind him, she leaned over, resting her chin on his shoulder. “How’s it going?”

  Henry sighed. “It’s sort of like the first date syndrome in that getting to know it phase.” He lifted the chip with tweezers. “My date.” He smiled. “My companion in quarantine while you and Dean are playing with germs.”

  “You aren’t going to sleep with it are you?”

  “Oh, yeah. I’m bringing back cybersex.”

  Ellen snickered. “Good one. Anyhow, I was just gonna stop by and see how things were. But knowing you and how you put your mind to things, I went home first to stock you up.” She laid the thermos and plate before him. “Sandwiches and tea. See how special you are Henry. That is made with the tea I brought back from Nebraska.”

  “Thanks, El.” Henry looked up with a smile. “But I really don’t plan on being here all night. Honest.”

  With a smirk, Ellen nodded. “Sure you don’t.” She ran her hand down his back then folded her arms. “I’ll let you be. Don’t work too hard. And eat something.”

  Spinning on the stool, Henry faced Ellen. “El, thanks a lot. It really means something to have someone just care where you’re at and that you ate. I haven’t had that at all in a long time. I’m really, really glad you’re my roommate.”

  “And I’m insulted, Henry. I’m more than that. I’m your friend.” Ellen waited until she received Henry’s embarrassed look. “Besides,” she sighed out and moved to the door, living with you is safe. It keeps me from prematurely choosing the wrong side of the fence.”

  “El.” Henry’s voice was soft. “You can get mad at me for saying this but . . . Frank’s your husband. There isn’t a choice.”

  Ellen nodded. “I know. I just have no one who understands. I can’t go to the women. They’re all into this two men, understanding thing. And even if Frank and Dean would agree to that.” She shook her head. “I wouldn’t let it happen. No understanding. It’s an easy way out for a problem I’ve had long before understandings happened. I just hope you never to choose between two people you love. It’s bad.”

  Slowly Henry looked up. “It can’t possibly be as bad as having no one to love.”

  Ellen’s eyes closed and she folded her arms tighter. “Humbled. I’m sorry.” She started to leave, but stopped. “Henry? I know it’s not the same thing. But . . . I love you.”

  Though it had a hint of sadness, Henry smiled.

  “Night.” After one more flash of a smile, Ellen walked out. As she stepped into the tunnel she saw the odd sight of John Matoose walking down the tunnel. Following him at the same quick pace, Ellen wanted to call out but opted for a loud dramatic gasp instead, a gasp that caught his attention as he tried to climb the ladder.

  John released the rung. “Ellen.” He spoke her name with annoyance.

  “John?” She folded her arms walking to him. “Are you . . . are you spying on Henry?”

  “Why would you even ask such a stupid question?”

  “Because you’re a stupid man.”

  “And you’re an annoying woman.” He reached for the rung again. “And just so your Harriet the Spy mind doesn’t take off somewhere, I was finishing my rounds.”

  “Oh sure you are. I believe that. Since when does security make rounds in these tunnels? Frank never makes rounds in these tunnels.”

  “Then Frank doesn’t do his job.”

  “Obviously if you’re still walking the streets of Beginnings. You know what I think?” Ellen moved even closer trying, though not succeeding, at looking intimidating. “I think you’re worried about what Henry is doing in the cryo-lab.”

  “I could care less about Henry in the cryo-lab.”

  “Then why were you spying on him?”

  “I was walking my rounds! And I’m not arguing over it with you. You don’t know anything.” He began to climb.

  “I know that you were in on it with George.”

  “Ellen . . .” John paused in his climbing. “Fuck off.”

  Giggling and thinking how much fun her confrontations were with John, Ellen waited until he was up and far away and then she climbed to the top also.

  ^^^^

  Lee-Curtis Mansion

  Arlington National Cemetery

  A grumble and a shiver accompanied Elliott’s entrance into the mansion. He pulled the front door closed, stepped over the three sleeping men in the entrance hall and turned left to the sitting room. He cleared his throat.

  The Captain turned from his stand by the fire. “Hey, Elliott.”

  Elliott stepped inside. “Night watchmen are all secure.”

  “Good. I’m going to be up all night if you want to go to sleep.”

  “Sleep sounds good. I’m sure I’ll squeeze in somewhere.” Elliott walked closer. “Reading the Caceres Society newsletter?”

  “Yes.” The Captain grinned. “Talk about luck. I go to get more info and there’s a town meeting.” He laughed. “Of course, Hadley is an asshole and the men are stupid if they believed what he said. A lot is bullshit, some is truth. He made valid points. But you’ll be glad to hear we don’t need to go in for any more information.”

  “Why?” Elliott asked. “You said the meeting wasn’t that informative and what you have isn’t that much.”

  “What I had. Look what I have now.” The Captain reached down and pulled up what looked like a log book. “Steward Lange’s person entry diary.”

  Elliott’s eyes widened. “I can’t believe you took that risk.”

  “Yeah, it kind of was. But it was worth it. I was thinking.” The Captain paced some. “I’m not really wanting us to leave a trail of bodies anymore. Not for a while. I’m not wanting the society to get pissed and go after us full force before we’re ready.”

  “Ready? Ready for what?”

  “I’m working on a plan.” The Captain held up a finger. “But for now, any infiltration or diversion we make, we should use gas.”

  “Gas would work, but where are we . . .” Elliott saw the Captain’s point to a small green knapsack. “Let me take a wild guess. Gas courtesy of the society? As a child did you find yourself getting into a lot of trouble?”

  The Captain smiled. “Never. You do know we have to go into Quantico at least one more time.”

  “For?” Elliott asked.

  “Hating to do it…food. Right now they’re our only resource until we make it back home and we have a lot of mouths to feed.”

  “And keep warm,” Elliott said. “Not that this charming haunted house won’t do, but it’s not safe. Too much movement in DC.”

  “You’re right. And I have thought of that. In fact I’d like to make plans to move by dusk tomorrow.”

  “You’ve thought of a place already?” Elliott said pleased.

  “Absolutely.”

  Worry hit Elliott at that moment when he saw the look on the Captain’s face. “I’m gonna hate it, aren’t I?”

  The Captain grinned wide. “Absolutely.”

  ^^^^r />
  Former Quantico Marine Headquarters

  From the small bathroom adjacent to his bedroom, Steward Lange stumbled in his insomniac frustration. Hair tossed about from fanatic finger rampaging, he made his way to his small personal desk in the corner of the room.

  He sat down in the chair that squeaked and turned on his desk light. He needed something boring to do or at least something that worked his mind. Placing on his glasses, Steward opened his left hand drawer and while grabbing a pen, he reached blindly into the drawer. He expected it to be there. It was big enough that his hand wouldn’t miss it. Steward would have thought he left it in the office had he not pulled out the small slip of paper that was in the empty drawer instead of his personal log diary. A note that simply read ‘Thanks for the log!’.

  He didn’t have to think too hard to know who took it. Steward knew exactly the culprits. And knowing that, along with wanting to save face and any extreme verbal lashing from the president, Steward ripped up the note. As far as Steward was concerned, he never had a log diary and he wasn’t about to let George know he had one that was stolen, especially one with such vital information in it.

  ^^^^

  Beginnings, Montana

  Ellen checked her hair to see if it was still damp from her shower. Laying in her bed waiting for it to be dry enough for her to go to sleep without risking total pandemonium bed head, Ellen sifted through the pile of old tabloids she had saved. During the past hour she had looked at the pictures in every one of them. Thinking maybe she might break down and read an article, she blindly reached for one from the middle. Mid grab, she decided she didn’t want to be literary. A little uncomfortable, bored and not to mention chilly, she walked to her dresser for her sweat pants. Stepping into them and pulling them on, she heard the sound of the front door opening slowly. Henry. She thought with a smile. Though she didn’t expect him home, Ellen was glad he arrived. She was going out of her mind being alone. Hearing a rummaging, and the sound of him bumping into the lamp table, Ellen snickered and stepped from her room. “Henry?” She called out. “Henry.”

  She didn’t get an answer.

  “Henry?” She moved closer to the stairs and she heard the footsteps, the floorboards of the stairs creaking slowly as they were ascended. “Henry, answer me.” Still no response, the footsteps continued. Thinking quickly, Ellen stepped back speaking loudly. “Frank, I think someone is downstairs, can you get up and check?” Suddenly the footsteps stopped and the sound of running back down was heard, followed by the slamming of the front door. “Shit.” Ellen grabbed her chest. “Oh shit.” She breathed heavily and her heart raced. “Shit.” Frantic, she searched for her shoes and placed them on. “I have to find Frank.” Walking in a quick stride into the hall, Ellen took a deep breath. She counted to three then with everything she had, she charged down the steps, ran out the door, closed it and took off, top speed all the way to Frank’s house.

  With the burst of the front door and a flick on of the light, Ellen called out in a whisper as she raced into Frank’s house. “Frank! Frank!”

  Robbie grumbled and sounded muffled as he lay on the sofa, half on his side, wearing only his boxer shorts with his blanket across his feet. “Aw El.” He covered his face with the pillow.

  Ignoring him, Ellen called up the steps. “Frank.”

  “El, shut the light out. I’m trying to sleep.”

  Ellen waved her hand at him. “Frank!” She called out in that whisper again. “Robbie, is he here?” She walked to the back of the couch. “I need to . . . and cover up or something. I can see right through the front opening of your boxer shorts.”

  Robbie dropped the pillow to the floor. “Who cares, Ellen? Why are you looking at my crotch anyhow?”

  “It’s right there.”

  “Can I help it impresses you?”

  “Ha.” Ellen laughed and turned back to the steps. “Please. You’re a Slagel remember? Big men plus large egos equals the Slagel curse.”

  “Thank you for that,” Robbie said with sarcasm, rubbing his eyes. “Why are you here?”

  “Not to see your crotch.” Ellen saw Frank come down the steps. “Frank.”

  “El.” Frank stepped to her. “What’s wrong?”

  “Frank.” Ellen sounded frantic. “Henry is working all night. I heard this noise.”

  “A noise?” Frank asked. “What kind of noise, like an animal?”

  “No, a person.” Ellen stated. “Whoever it was, was sneaking up the steps.”

  “Like a prowler?” Frank laughed. “El, we’re in Beginnings, there are no prowlers.”

  Ellen shook her head at him. “Fine, laugh at me but it scared me.”

  “You’re serious, aren’t you?” Frank asked.

  “Yes, Frank very,” Ellen told him. “I heard the door open. I heard whoever it was walk into the table lamp and then they walked up the steps. They wouldn’t answer me when I called. And when I pretended you were with me, they heard that and ran out.”

  Frank looked to Robbie who was pulling on his pants. “Robbie?”

  “I know. I’m on it.” Robbie tossed on his shirt then slipped his feet in his boots. He began to lace them. “I’ll check it out.” Stomping to adjust his foot, Robbie stood up.

  “Get back to me,” Frank told him.

  “You got it.” Robbie grabbed his coat from the chair. “I’ll let you know what I find.”

  Ellen smiled in relief at Robbie. “Thank you.”

  “Yep.” Opening the door, Robbie looked back before he walked out. “I want you to take note of how nice I’m being. And you insulted my penis too.”

  ^^^^

  Joe’s heavy thinking breath seeped from his hand that slid down his face. Still wearing his night clothes, he kept looking back to Robbie as he paced about Henry’s living room. “No mistake?”

  “None.” Robbie shook his head. “Someone was in here. Dirt tracks on the stairs, lamp knocked over.”

  “Do you . . .” Joe looked up to the loud thumps as Frank came down the stairs. “Anything Frank?”

  Frank laughed.

  “What?” Joe asked annoyed.

  “I can’t believe you still have those pajamas. Didn’t you have them when we were . . .”

  “Frank,” Joe snapped. “Anything upstairs?”

  Frank cleared his throat. “No. Of course Ellen said she heard the door close.”

  “Doesn’t mean they didn’t come back when she left.” Joe said. “Was it Henry or was it Ellen they wanted?”

  Frank decided to answer. “Seeing that Henry was in the cryo-lab and that Ellen called out and they still came up the steps, we’re thinking it’s Ellen.”

  Joe looked to Robbie. “A survivor from containment?”

  Robbie shook his head. “Greg’s on watch. I talked to him. Everyone’s locked down.”

  “Escape hatch?” Joe questioned.

  “Secured and padlocked.”

  Joe snapped his finger. “Maybe it was Mike the Dog. We do let him out.”

  “Nope again. We now put paper down in the men’s room.”

  “Oh my God,” Frank gasped. “Get rid of that animal. If he’s not house broken by now he shouldn’t . . .”

  “Frank.” Joe held up his hand with a wince. “What about taking a look at the people Ellen may have had confrontations . . . Never mind, we’ll be talking to the whole community. All right. This may have something to do with sex as well. Robbie, get together with Jenny Matoose. Ask her what men in the community haven’t been with a woman in a while. She keeps records of which of her women service who. And let’s watch Ellen, but keep this under wraps, especially from her. She’ll be running around accusing everyone. Got that?” He got an agreement from his sons. “And keep an eye out for anything strange.” Joe stopped before leaving. “And yes, Frank, I have had these pajamas since you were teenagers.”

  When the door closed, Frank looked at Robbie. “I knew it. He loved those pajamas.”

  “You know what, Frank? We should h
ide them like we used to.”

  “Oh. Excellent idea.” Frank smiled and gave a swat to Robbie’s arm. “And you know what the best part is. Hal’s not around to blame it on us, so we won’t get in trouble for doing it.” With a nod, Frank walked out, leaving his little brother laughing.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  November 29

  The dining room was loud, extremely loud, however, Ellen did her best to block out the noise while running in her mind what she had to do that morning. “Here.” She gave Brian a bottle, lifted the spoon from his bowl of cereal on the table, and shoved it in his mouth. “Good boy.” She patted him on the head. “Your turn, Josh.” She raced back in the kitchen and laid two bowls of cereal down for Billy and Joey.

  Billy whined. “I hate corn flakes.”

  “Tough.” Ellen poured the milk in his bowl, then Joey’s. “Alex, what are you doing?”

  Alexandra sat with a rice cake breaking it into tiny pieces and sticking it in a bowl. “Making cereal, Uncle Robbie taught me this.”

  “Remind me to thank your Uncle Robbie for the mess.” She brushed the crumbs off the table. “I saw that, Billy. Joey, eat your own food. And Josh, the food goes in Brian’s mouth.” Letting out a loud grunt of disgust, Ellen turned to the door when she heard the knock. “Who is that?” She raced to the door and opened it. Denny and his little sister Katie stood there. “Denny.”

  “My mom said to feed us. She didn’t have time.” Denny, holding Katie’s hand walked in.

  “Sure go on.” Ellen held her hand out. “I need my coffee.” Moving faster than the two young people in her living room, Ellen brushed by them.

  “Hey, Josh.” Denny, leaning in his walk, walked into the dining room. “Did you hear?” He sat down.