The Quixotic Faction: (Above Top Secret Edition)

by T. D. Kohler

  “I knew you were English, that accent of yours was always exciting. When did you come to the States?”

  “I’m not sure when. I was brought to the States when I was young.” She nudges St. Clair “Well what you waiting for?”

  “You are absolutely right, let’s get going.” Grinning, he shifts in gear and steps on the gas, spinning the rear tires as the truck peels out to catch the Lexus.

  Selenia screams out. “Whoaaaa! I want to get there in one piece!”

  “Relax, Chatter. We are just going to get back ahead of them before they get lost and end up in New Orleans.”

  Reaching in the center console, St. Clair pulls out an iPad and hands it to her. “There’s an icon labeled Fox and Hound. That’s Nika’s phone and where we need to be.”

  She brings up the program, and after a few moments she confides with St. Clair in a dreamy far off voice. “You know I have been clean for four years now; ever since they partnered me up with Grunt. My thoughts have been clear, and I have not even felt any sense of withdrawals.”

  “I know when we parted ways you was in a bad spot. You know I didn’t have a choice.”

  Gently putting a hand on his hand, she says, “I know, big guy. I know you had to leave.” Taking a second to look at him, she continues, “The whole time we knew each other you have never asked about my past before. Why didn’t you, and why the sudden curiosity?”

  Feeling her gaze, St. Clair gives her a quick-acknowledgement glance. “I always figured that your past is your past, and you would tell me when you was ready. But you never said a word, so I thought I’d ask.”

  “Fair enough,” she says as she gives him a subtle shrug then turns her attention back out the window. Her thoughts ramble, causing her to rub a temple and close her eyes. She thinks of the first day she was introduced to Grunt. “Grunt is a good man, and I know, somehow, that he knows what he does for me. Just sometimes I sense that it is his job to keep my head clear and calm.” Setting the iPad on her lap she looks out the scenery fly past.

  Seeing the Lexus as they approach the town of Oberlin, he smiles as he notices they are stopped at a light just passed the twenty-six turn off. Taking the turn, while keeping an eye on the Lexus, he sees them hit the gas and whip into a U-turn. Trying not to laugh, he shifts gear and steps on the gas again. He settles in on the smaller road when the iPad chirps up, letting them know they are closing in on the location. Reaching out he takes Selenia’s wrist and softly kisses her hand.

  “You good now, we can let the past be the past.”

  Softly smiling, “You’re right, I know. It is just without the medication or Grunt by my side my brain goes into overload, and my emotions go into overdrive.”

  St. Clair lets out a quick burst of laughter. “Oh yeah, I remember those nights. You knocked a coil loose one time with that vase.”

  “Yeah, that night is a little fuzzy, even for me.” Selenia smiles as the iPad chirps again. “Saved by the chirp, looks like we turn up ahead on the right.” As they slow to make the turn off, she sees the Lexus pull up behind them. “And it looks like the gangs all here.”

  Taking the turn, a dirt cloud immediately fills the air and crows take flight in front of the truck. St. Clair grips and re-grips the wheel. “Whoa, what kind of alternate universe are we heading in? This is something out of an Alfred Hitchcock novel.”

  * * *

  Inside the Lexus Nomi looks shocked as they watch the truck slow then pick up speed, sending dirt and rocks towards her car. “This had better not be payback. That is all I am going to say.”

  Bringing the car to a stop to wait for the cloud to settle, she looks over at Grunt. “So handsome, what brings you here? And what can you tell me about that dish you’re with?”

  1982

  Cannock Chase Forest,

  Staffordshire, UK

  July 16, 1950 hours

  It’s a cool evening and a full moon is lighting up the forest as Deborah Hinkley is hurrying through the woods. Carrying a bag, she sees her friends off in the distance. Before she can raise a hand and whisper out, a long-eared owl hoots, stopping her dead in her tracks to look around for the owl. Losing a sense of time, she watches the trees for movement or a repeat of the owl. A light tapping on her shoulder causes Deborah to jump out of her skin and take a sharp intake of air.

  “AYY! Bloody hell! You two nearly frightened me out of my britches.”

  Maddison Wilkshire, the shorter of the two friends, tries to control her laughter and puts her hands on her hips. “So that’s what it takes to get you out of those.”

  “Very funny, Maddi. You should know better than to sneak up on someone, and Meradeth you are not much better egging her on.”

  Meradeth waves her off, pointing to the bag Deborah is carrying.

  “Oh, relax, Debs. Did you bring it?”

  Smiling, Deborah steps back and holds up the bag. With one hand holding the top of the bottle and the other ripping the bag away, revealing a new bottle of English Harbour Rum.

  Meradeth puts her arm around Maddi. “We are so out on the piss tonight!”

  With a shocked expression, Deb pulls the bottle in close. “Meradeth!”

  With that the three look back and forth at each other and hold their breath before busting out laughing, as they take off deeper in the woods laughing.

  At a small clearing of trees, they gather to catch their breath. Grasping the top of the bottle, Deborah attempts to open it, the bottle slipping through her grip. Meradeth walks over and reaches for the bottle from her red-faced friend.

  “Let me have it, you already look buggered. Are you sure you have not, what do the American’s call it, pre-gamed?”

  Maddison is wide-eyed and holding her mouth giggling. Deborah does her best to show a shocked expression as she hands over the bottle to her friend. The shocked expression causes Maddi to snort trying not to laugh out loud, making everyone laugh. Holding the bottle, Meradeth manages to remove her shirt, wrapping the bottle in it and using it to help with the grip. Hearing the snap of the seal and the paper surrounding the bottle top, she looks up at her friends to see them gawking at her breasts.

  With a genuine expression of shock, Deborah raises a hand to her lips. “Girl you are crackin’.”

  Maddi looks down at her much smaller attributes cupping them with her hands. “Don’t look ladies, it’ll be alright.”

  The three look at each other again and start laughing. After a quick moment they look at each with a somber understanding. Meradeth lifts the bottle to toast, and says, “To the next stage of our lives,” and takes a drink of the rum.

  “Absolutely!”

  “Charge on!”

  Handing the bottle to Deborah, she says, “Your turn.”

  Taking it, she lifts it and looks at her friends. “May we excel at our Uni’s and take over the world!” she says and takes a drink of the rum.

  “Right oh!”

  “Cheers!”

  Passing the bottle to Maddison, she says, “You’re up.”

  She takes the bottle as a sense of seriousness takes over. “Ladies, I don’t want to do this.”

  “What are you talking about? We sneak off for a pint from time to time.” Deborah looks to her friend.

  “It’s not the rum,” Maddi tells them. “I know we are eighteen now, and in a month or two we are all heading off to our respective universities, but I don’t want to split up. I want this night to never end.”

  “Blimey me.” Slapping her forehead, Meradeth shakes her head. “Don’t be such a wanker. Why do you have to get all mushy?” Reaching for the rum, she says, “Here, give me the bottle.”

  Maddi turns her body to shield the bottle. “Hey, it had to be said.” With that she holds the rum up and with a mischievous grin she says, “To the bottom of the bottle!” and takes a huge drink.

  “That’s what I am talking about!”

  “You go girl!”

  “Help me!”

  Meradeth reaches over, and takes
the bottle, causing some of it to spill out on the ground. “Don’t be greedy,” she says and steps back and takes a drink.

  Deborah watches her topless friend take a long drink. “You really are a dish.”

  Bringing the bottle down, Meradeth wipes her mouth with her forearm. “Debs, you are going to make me blush.”

  Turning visible shades of red, Deborah reaches for the rum. “Don’t be cheeky, and just give me the bottle.” As they all start laughing.

  Maddison walks up next to Deborah while she is taking a drink. “Does this mean we are all going to start snogging now? If so, I think two of us are overdressed.”

  Quickly bending over, trying to keep the rum in her mouth and not drop the bottle, Maddison snatches the rum away. “Easy peasy.”

  They all begin to laugh again.

  “Help me!”

  Meradeth walks up to Maddison and reaches down to grab her hip, pulling them close together.

  “Why, Maddi, I never knew. Perhaps it’s the rum on a full moon, but I like where your mind’s at.”

  Reaching the bottle around and embracing her friend and allowing her to be pulled closer, Maddison looks up and seductively smiles.

  Deborah drops her smile and looks into the forest. “Did you gals hear that?”

  Without turning to their friend, Meradeth keeps her attention on Maddison. “Debs, you are ruining the moment.”

  “Shush! And listen!”

  “Help me!”

  Goose bumps immediately form on all three ladies. As everyone separates from each other, taking steps back, Maddison tries not to move as she looks around. “Please tell me that was one of your long-eared owls.”

  “Help me!”

  All three snap in the direction of the plea. Deborah steps, crossing between her friends towards the quiet voice. Kneeling, she squints to try and minimize the moon reflections off of the trees when she sees a young figure standing in the distance. “I don’t believe it. It is a young girl.”

  “I can’t believe it.” Maddison gasps

  Meredith scoffs, “What’s a girl doing in the woods at night?”

  Taking off in a run, Deborah heads towards the girl, as she appears to be running away from them. Just before she reaches her, she trips on a root and stumbles out on to a dirt path. Looking up she sees the young girl who is standing just on the other side of the path. She turns and looks directly at Deborah, causing her to shuffle back on her butt away from her.

  The young girl’s eyes are completely black with no trace of white as she leans towards Deborah.

  “Help me!”

  The girl turns and runs into the forest. Deborah is unable to move as she watches the young girl effortlessly maneuver through the forest.

  Her friends catch up to her while she is staring off into the trees. Breathing heavy, Maddison drops next to her friend and places her hand on her shoulder. “What the bloody hell was that?”

  St Andrew’s Church,

  Birmingham, UK

  July 30, 0738 hours

  An elder gentleman tends to the prayer candles inside an old cathedral. The light of the morning sun beams through the stain glass windows, decorating the large wooden crucifix with brilliant shades of red, blue, and green light. Behind him is a young couple sitting in one of the pews. A woman is trying to hold back tears while her husband is consoling her and providing support. Stepping back from the candles the gentleman clasps his hands, looks up at the crucifix, takes a deep breath, and closes his eyes. After a few moments of listening to the consoling, the older man turns and patiently exits the main hall.

  He stands, taking another deep breath, and waits for his eyes to adjust to the bright lights. Hearing muffled, familiar voices, he smiles and heads towards the murmured conversations. Stopping in front of a large window, he looks in to see Sister Katheryn teaching a small group of kids. In a corner of the room is a young girl with dark-auburn locks of hair wearing a ball cap and blackened swimming goggles.

  Sister Elli appears next to him. “Monsignor, she really is a gift from the heavens.”

  In a solemn tone, Monsignor continues to watch the young girl, and says, “You are correct. We truly have been blessed, however, we have reached our capacity to raise her.”

  Wringing her hands, Sister Elli catches her reflection on the glass. Noticing the wrinkles around her eyes as her reflection seems to surround the young girl. She reaches up to touch the glass and caresses her reflection and the young girl.

  “We cannot keep her hidden much longer. We found her outside again last night. She needs to grow, but I cannot see our lives without her.”

  “You are correct once again. And I am saddened to that realization as well.” Closing his eyes he takes a deep breath as he turns towards Sister Elli. “I have made arrangements.” Turning back to watch the young girl, he says, “They should be here momentarily.”

  They are interrupted as a young man is hurrying towards them. With a concern in his voice he says, “Sir, there are some people here to meet with you.”

  Reaching out, he places a hand on the shoulder of the younger man. “Peter, it is okay. Can you please escort them to my office? I will be there shortly.”

  “Yes sir, I can do that.” Giving the Monsignor a quick nod, he turns and as quickly as he arrived, he departs.

  The Monsignor shifts towards Sister Elli. “It is enthusiasm like that that gives me great hope of our future.”

  “Yes, Monsignor.” The sister agrees and gives him a slight understanding smile.

  “Can you please work with Sister Katheryn, and take our young Eleadora into the viewing classroom, while I tend to our guests.”

  “Yes, Monsignor.”

  Closing his hands together, the Monsignor turns and heads towards his office. Keeping his ears tuned to the conversations in the classroom, he sends up a prayer, “Lord, forgive us for our weaknesses and grant us the strength to recognize them.” Taking a turn down the hallway towards his office, his stomach tenses up, stopping him in his steps. Wringing his hands, he lifts his chin and makes it to his door. Opening it, he sees two women and a man, all dressed in impeccable suits.

  “Good morning,” he says as he walks around to his desk, feeling their eyes watching his every move.

  One of the women reaches out her hand and says, “Good morning, Father Panagos. My name is Angela Watkins.”

  “It is Monsignor, and you are very prompt with your arrival.”

  With a slow, humble nod, Angela withdraws her hand. “Please accept my apologies, Monsignor. After I was informed, I knew we could not waste any time for the girl’s sake.” She gestures to the younger woman. “This is my daughter, Victoria.” And with a quick motion to the young man she says, “And this is Charles. They will see to her upbringing.”

  Sitting in his chair, Monsignor looks studies Angela and waits a few moments to let her words sink in. After watching her and her counterparts check their watches and look around he stands back up.

  “I have had the sisters bring her into an observation classroom. Perhaps I can provide you with some insight on God’s child.”

  Offering a warm smile, Angela glances at the two standing with her. “That is an excellent idea.” Waving a hand toward the door, she says, “We will follow your lead, Monsignor.”

  Making their way to the observation room the Monsignor stops with his hand on the door. “I must warn you, she is truly a special child.” Opening the door, he escorts them into a small room. On one side of the room is large window, on the other side of the window they watch a small child sitting at a table with Sister Katheryn.

  Putting his hands behind him, he faces to the window and watches the young girl. “We have raised her ever since she was gifted to us at our doorstep seven years ago.”

  Victoria gasps. “She’s a foundling? Wow, why would anyone want to abandon such a beautiful child.”

  Charles steps up closer to the window. “Why is she wearing those goggles? Is she blind?”

  “We will c
ome to that in a moment. Right now, I would like to show you the capacity of her intelligence.”

  Lightly tapping the glass, the sister turns and gives a quick nod. The three agents look at the Monsignor with concerned interest. Inside the room the young girl is handed a jigsaw puzzle box. They watch her look at the photo for only a moment, then open the box and the dump all the pieces on the table. Without any hesitation, the puzzle starts forming the picture as easy as turning over the pieces, never once going back to the photo.

  Victoria drops her jaw in amazement. “That is incredible. Can she do that every time?”

  “Yes, however, her knowledge is solely based on visual. If we were to give her a similar size puzzle and not allow her to see the photo, it would take just as long as it would you or I to put it together. She remembers everything she sees or hears; however, she lacks deductive reasoning.”

  Charles rubs his chin with equal astonishment. “So, she is not blind, Then why the blackened goggles?”

  “Well here is why we have reached our limitations to raise Eleadora. She is a very special child and needs more than we can give her.”

  Reaching up he taps the window three times. Inside the room, Sister Katheryn motions to the young girl. The girl finishes up the puzzle, reaches up, and removes the glasses.

  Putting his hands together, the Monsignor looks at the young agent. “You see, my son, those glasses are not really blackened.”

  Eleadora looks up at what she believes to be a mirror as younger agents take an immediate step back to avoid being seen. Angela and the Monsignor stand fast. The young girl’s eyes stare at them as if she can see through the mirror; her eyes are completely void of any white.

  2015

  Concrete Bunker,

  Dry Creek, LA