by L T Anderson
Krystal zoned on the burn barrel. “How could you guys lose tabs on Curtis?”
“So you wanna talk about Curtis?”
She looked up again. “He had more sense than any of you. Hell, he had more sense than me. I could’ve not showed up for the acid test. I knew I’d fail, but I still showed up. I never thought the Punks would want to kill me.”
Ryker turned to face the wind and retied his bandanna. “We had a rule, Krys. We’d been killing Changers with a bullet to the head for so long it was instinct. Winter just reacted.”
Krystal frowned. “Yeah? So did Curtis. Thank God for that.”
“He loved you.”
Krystal knew it would happen—she didn’t try to stop the tears trickling down her cheeks. “And I loved him, Ryk.” She looked away. “I still do.”
Ryker shoved his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket. “We’ll find him.” His eyes moistened. “I promise.”
“My skin is so smooth. I’ve never felt anything like it.” Curtis ran his hands over his head, his cheeks and down his chest.
“Slippers on the feet. And put this on,” the female attendant ordered.
Curtis stepped into a pair of heel-less satin slippers and turned around as the Changer helped him slip his arms into a heavy satin robe. He welcomed the warmth the garment provided against the cool room temperature. His skin tingled as he tied the sash at his waist. He smiled at the attendant. “This is nice.”
“Right this way, sir.” Her monotone voice matched her deadpan demeanor. She led Curtis to a door at the side of the room and pressed a button on the wall. When the door clicked open, two security guards strode in and stood next to Curtis.
“The subject has been sterilized.” The female looked at her tablet. “Orders state he is to be delivered to the War Room.”
The lead guard nodded. “Ma’am.”
The security guards each grabbed a bicep and guided Curtis out the door into a narrow hallway. The pace was slightly faster than his usual gait. He struggled to keep the slippers on as the guards shuffled him to a wide, brightly lit corridor. He was thankful the swift walk to the elevator was short. The guards retained their grip on his arms as they entered the large cubicle.
When they turned to face the doors, Curtis looked up at the lead guard. “So, what level are we on now?”
The emotionless Changers remained silent.
Curtis felt a downward rush as the elevator descended. All business, I guess. After the sterilization process, a good portion of his modesty had left him. He felt more at ease.
The doors opened a fraction of a second before the elevator glided to a stop. Four additional security guards met the trio in a short passageway. At the opposite end of the hall was another door. Two of the guards from the hallway led Curtis and his escorts toward the stainless-steel portal. The other two fell in behind. A quick palm swipe by one of the guards opened the shiny silver door.
The group walked into the familiar computer-filled War Room and stopped in the center of the main aisle. The lead guard walked to the alcove and stepped up the short platform leading to Levi’s conference room. When the conference room door opened, he turned around and motioned to Curtis and the other guards.
The guards hurried Curtis up the steps and released their grip on him.
Curtis stood in his satin robe and slippers and stared at the Changers around the conference table.
Johnny Logan stood and walked to the door. He smiled. “Welcome back, my friend! Come on in and sit with us.”
Curtis chose one of the plush executive chairs at the end of the table opposite Levi. He folded his hands on the table in front of him.
Angelica DeMone and Dr. Rasmus gazed at him from either side of their leader while Johnny seated himself next to the doctor.
Levi stood and looked at Curtis. “So, you want to become a Changer.”
“Is this a private party?” Dion strode up to the burn barrel and stopped opposite Krystal and Ryker. He held three open bottles of beer.
Ryker glanced sideways at Krystal.
“Nah, we’re done.” Her eyes softened. “Is one of those for me?”
“You bet.” Dion handed her and Ryker each a bottle.
“Damn cold,” Ryker said. “You can smell winter in the air.”
“Speaking of.” Krystal nodded toward the Depot. “Here she comes now.”
Ryker glanced behind Dion. He squinted into the darkness. Dim lights from inside the Depot outlined four silhouetted figures approaching the trio. “Who’s that with Winter and Jim?” He shielded his eyes from the fire. “Is that the two Changers?”
Krystal looked at the four. “They’re Rogues. They ditched the Changers, so they’re called Rogue Changers.”
“Is that what they call you?” Dion asked.
“Yep.”
Ryker looked at Krystal. “Even though you’re not a Changer anymore?”
Krystal shrugged. “I don’t make their rules. Might as well call us all dead as far as the Changers are concerned.”
Winter and Jimbo stepped up to the burn barrel next to Dion. Fred and Thomas walked around and stood on either side of Krystal.
Jimbo held his hands over the fire. “We need another barrel, guys. Temp’s dropping big-time.”
Winter motioned to Fred. “Gimme a hand?”
“Sure,” Fred said.
He followed Winter across the compound where another barrel sat next to a concrete bench. The barrel was about half full of partially burned wood.
“This’ll work,” she said.
The two grabbed opposite edges of the barrel and shuffled it over the concrete walkway to the others. Winter shoved her boot against the bottom of the cold container and wedged it against the other barrel.
Jimbo dropped an armload of logs into the container and held a small branch out to Dion. “Light ’er up.”
Dion flipped his Zippo lighter open and lit the small end of the branch.
Jimbo strategically placed the sapling into a crevice between two larger pieces of wood in the cold barrel. He shoved his hands into his jeans pockets and looked at Dion. “Well, boss. Here we are.”
Fred shivered. He breathed warm air into his hands and held them over the fire. “You guys always have your big meetings out here? It’s damn cold.”
“Not always,” Ryker said. “We just need to regroup and give our minds a break.”
Winter eyed Krystal and the other two. “We like it. We’ve had too many formal, around-the-table meetings inside lately. We’re tired.”
“Yeah,” Jimbo agreed. “This is our element. Punks do their best putting on a strong front for the public. But we hurt, too.”
Fred glanced at Thomas. “We’re not doubting that. And we’re not questioning your feelings. I know the Changers really did a number on you guys.”
Ryker took another swig of beer. “We do what we have to do, Fred. On the outside, Punks are fighting their asses off protecting themselves and others. But times like this…” He looked around his circle of friends. “Whatever toughness you think you see, every one of us is crying inside.”
“Well, we’re here to do whatever we can to help,” Fred said.
Dion looked over the fire at Krystal and the other two Rogue Changers. “Krys. You said you were going to contact the doctor in the Underground. Was he able to give you any information about what the Changers are up to?”
“His name is Dr. Felix Yaz. And, yes, he gave me some solid intel.”
Winter frowned. “Can I say something first?”
Dion looked at Winter. He lit a cigarette and clinked is lighter shut. “Shoot, Win.”
“I’m not totally sold that she’s not a Changer anymore. I mean, she failed the acid test, man.”
Krystal stiffened her stance.
“We could always acid test her one more time,” Jimbo said. “Put everyone’s mind at ease.”
“She’s not a Changer.” Fred
looked at Thomas. “A Changer can recognize another Changer by looking into their eyes. Thomas and I both checked her. She’s one hundred percent human.”
Krystal tossed her beer bottle into a nearby recycle bin and turned to face Jimbo and Winter. She stood tall, feet apart, shoulders squared, hands in the pockets of her duster. “I’m not a Changer. And right now I can’t say exactly what’s going on with those bastards. But I can tell you one thing that’s not going to happen. No one…no one is going to acid test me again. Ever.”
Curtis savored the plushness of the high-back executive chair in Levi’s conference room. The room temperature was perfect. His Mohawk notwithstanding, the absence of hair over his entire body felt good. The sterilization chamber had invigorated him. He felt strong but relaxed.
Angelica looked up from her tablet. “So, Mr. Dyer. I can’t stress the importance and permanence of the position in which you’re placing yourself. You understand that once you undergo the Change, you are indebted to our organization?”
Curtis’s vision blurred as he looked across the table at Angelica. Every thought he’d had since the acid testing at Punk headquarters was interlaced with Krystal Peterson, the Changer. Every move he’d made began and ended with thoughts of Krystal. At this moment he wondered if he was in love or obsessed. Fuck it. I love you, Krys. He committed. His eyes focused on Angelica DeMone. “Yes, ma’am. I understand.”
“Go, buddy!” Johnny said.
Levi looked at Dr. Rasmus. “Have this man prepped for the Change. Program his knowledge base for level three security and access. We will upgrade based on his performance through the first thirty days. I expect him to be a valuable commodity, so I want to move quickly but cautiously.”
Dr. Rasmus nodded. He tapped the electronic tablet in front of him. “Consider it done.”
Butterflies fluttered in Curtis’s stomach. He didn’t hide his elation. “Thank you, sir.” He smiled. “You won’t regret this.”
Angelica twirled her stylus slowly through her fingers. “Oh, we’re not worried about regretting our decision, Curtis. We will be in complete control.”
The conference room door swished open, and two security guards entered with two medical attendants dressed in white.
One of the attendants spun a wheelchair around and settled it beside Curtis. “Please move into the chair, sir.”
Curtis pushed his executive seat back and sat in the wheelchair. He gazed at the backs of the two security guards leading him out of the conference room and through the War Room. As he entered the wide sterile hallway once more, he wondered if his rank in the Changers’ organization would be above that of the guards that walked before him. He wondered about Krystal’s rank in the organization. He smiled and sat back to enjoy the ride. Guess I’ll find out soon enough.
Chapter 14
Video on Cell
Nico met the Three Amigos at the city limit sign on the highway leading west out of Tremayne. He pulled his BearCat off the road in front of Will’s and switched off the ignition. The steel driver’s door felt cold and wet on his hand as he pushed it closed. He strapped his left arm to his side and walked back to meet the trio.
Will, Adam and Joey stood in a tight circle at the rear of Joey’s idling truck.
Joey motioned to Nico as he walked toward the three friends. “Get back here by the exhaust where it’s warm.”
Nico bumped fists with the three. “Long day today, guys.” He puffed fog with each word. “I can’t wait to get back to headquarters and give Dion the scoop on everything that happened in town.”
“Yeah,” Will said. “We still have three hours on our shift. Looks to be an easy night.” He glanced toward Tremayne. Lights reflecting off the moist evening air cast a halo over the city. “Things seem to be getting back to normal since Dion lifted the alert.”
“Finally.” Nico turned around to warm his backside from the vehicle’s exhaust. “But I’m talking about earlier with all those kids.”
“That was weird,” Adam said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Joey rubbed his hands together. “Whadda you guys figure they were up to, anyway?”
“I don’t know, man.” Will shrugged. “Why is it every time something goes wonky I automatically assume the Changers are up to no good?”
“With young people, though?” Joey said. “I’ve never seen ’em mess with kids.”
“Yeah,” Adam agreed. “But you’re not talking about those little twerps being Changers, right? I mean, all the Changers I’ve ever heard about are adults.”
“They wouldn’t be setting a good example.” Nico grinned. “Not for recruiting purposes, if you know what I mean.”
“C’mon, guys.” Will frowned. “You’re just throwing out random comments. We’re smarter than this. Let’s say this activity by these weird kids has something, anything, to do with the Changers. What’s the deal?”
Adam stared at the PUNK SECURITY decal on the side of Joey’s truck. His eyes narrowed. “And did they attack that lady in the alley, or was it someone else?”
Joey tipped his chin at Nico. “You went to the hospital to see her. What did she have to say?”
Nico shook his head. “She was unconscious when I was there. Probably sedated. Dion sent Winter and Lace, though.”
“Did they talk to her?” Joey asked.
“Nope,” Nico said. “That was a couple hours ago. She was still out of it.”
Will looked at Joey and Adam. “We should see if we can get in and talk to her before we leave town.”
“Good idea.” Nico stepped out of the circle. “I’m gonna head back to headquarters. Catch up with me when you get back.”
“You got it,” Will said.
The Three Amigos watched Nico as he sauntered back to his BearCat.
“It’s good Dion put that guy in charge of security in Tremayne,” Will said.
“Yeah,” Joey agreed. “He’s got a cool head, and he’s tough for only being eighteen.”
“He’s a good leader,” Adam said. Joey flinched when Adam feigned a punch to his friend’s stomach. “We just need to get him to start believing it.”
He shoved his hands into the pockets of his parka. The paper! He pulled out the wad he’d found in the alley and uncrumpled it. “Hey, guys, check this out.”
Will tipped his chin up. “What is it?”
Joey took the paper from Adam. “Looks like a receipt.” He shrugged.
“Flip it over,” Adam said.
“Hmm…it’s hard to read.”
Will held out his hand. “Lemme see it.” He examined the back side of the crinkled paper. “It is kinda hard to see.” He held the receipt next to the red glow of the vehicle’s taillight. “HELD NIDEQ OH CELL?”
“What the heck’s NIDEQ?” Joey said.
Adam snatched the paper from Will. “Pretty sure it says ‘HELP. VIDEO ON CELL.’”
“Well, that makes sense,” Will said. “Who do you s’pose wrote it?”
Adam shook his head. “Hard to say. I found it in the alley right before I discovered those stupid kids throwing rocks at that lady.”
Joey shrugged. “So, maybe she wrote it?”
“I don’t know.”
“We still have to talk to her.” Will tightened his bandanna and zipped up his parka. “Let’s head to the hospital.”
The Three Amigos turned and trotted to their vehicles. Will made a wide U-turn and headed toward Tremayne. Adam and Joey followed like a train, perfectly distanced and tracking in sync with Will’s BearCat.
Nico braked his armored vehicle at the main gate to the Punks’ compound a mile from the Perimeter Wall. As he pulled slowly toward the entrance, a Punk dressed in all black exited the guardhouse.
Nico rolled down the driver’s window. “Hey, Ace.”
Ace slung his AR-15 behind him. “’Sup, Nico? You look like I feel after an all-nighter.”
“Long day, man.”
&nb
sp; “Heard you had a little skirmish with some kids or something.” Ace jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “Radio was going crazy for a while there.”
“Yeah.” Nico scraped his hair behind his right ear. “Weird stuff.” He stared ahead toward the Perimeter. “I gotta update Dion. I’m sure you’ll hear the details eventually.”
“Bad shit?”
Nico squinted. “I don’t know what to make of it. I thought things were strange before the Chybrid attack.” He shook his head. “But now…”
Ace motioned to the guardhouse. “Well, get home, man. I can tell you need a break.”
The boom arm swung skyward as Ace backed away from Nico’s truck.
Nico left his foot on the brake, his right hand draped over the steering wheel. “Hey, Ace?”
Ace stepped back to the driver’s window. “What is it, man?”
“You ever feel like we bit off more than we could chew?” Nico stared at his left hand lying limp in his lap. “Like no matter what we do, the Changers are gonna have their way?”
A gust of wind pushed Ace’s collar against the back of his neck. “Like the Punks should surrender, or just stop trying to defend ourselves against the Changers’ insanity?”
Nico looked at Ace. “I don’t know what I mean. They practically wiped us out. If it wasn’t for Krystal, everyone at the Perimeter would be dead right now. Then where would we be? Could what’s left of us survive?”
Ace placed his hand on Nico’s shoulder and squeezed. “Krystal had help, man. There’s help on the inside—inside the Changers. A lot of them don’t like what’s happening to this country, same as us.”
Nico took a deep breath. “I’m sure you’re right. I better go. I’ll catch you later.”
“Chin up, dude.” Ace pounded his fist on Nico’s shoulder. “We’re Punks. We always find a way.” He backed away once again.
Nico left the driver’s window open. The rear tires chirped on the wet asphalt as he accelerated through the checkpoint and headed toward Punk headquarters.
The Three Amigos parked parallel on the curb outside Tremayne Medical Center. Nearly every parking stall was occupied. The heavy mist in the air was gradually turning into an irritating drizzle.
