Love Bug

by Goodhue, H. E.

  Walking back through the double doors and into the Assembly House, Eldritch could still hear the crowd cheering. He momentarily felt a flood of pride before his Em-Pak chirped loudly and returned him to baseline. Before the implantation of his Em-Pak, a speech like that would have made Eldritch smile for days. Now, he was allowed a few fleeting seconds of pride before it was lost to the device’s influence.

  “Um, sir,” his aide hesitated, “the ERC Council phoned at the conclusion of your speech. They have requested your presence at their office, right away.”

  “Splendid,” Eldritch nodded. “Please ready the car. I’ll be going there right away.”

  “Splendid?” the aide repeated, confused. A request to appear before the ERC Council was many things, but splendid surely was not one of them.

  “Yes,” Eldritch nodded, “splendid, indeed. Now let’s not dawdle. Bring the car around and notify the ERC that I’ll be arriving shortly.”

  -9-

  Noises sounded softly throughout the forest. Remmy appeared unfazed by them as he carried a semi-conscious Xander over his shoulders. Cora, on the other hand, was overwhelmed. She had been to city parks, the best city parks, reserved only for those with money and political connections, but she had never experienced nature like this. She had heard dozens of birds sing, but had never felt their songs. Never had they resonated within her being, echoing to some long lost poetic yearning. Cora was amazed that such a few simple notes could create such a reaction.

  After a second time, tripping over tree roots, Cora decided that she had better find some way to focus or Remmy would be carrying her too.

  “Are you sure it’s okay to bring us back?” Cora asked. A strange tightness had wound itself around her guts after Remmy told them where he was taking them. She was unsure of what it meant, but could barely contain the onslaught of questions that filled her mind. “I mean, are you sure no one will get upset?”

  “Upset?” Remmy shrugged, eliciting a mumble from Xander, “I don’t know. Don’t really care either. There was no other choice. Everyone is just going to have to deal with it.”

  Was it really that simple Cora wondered? Everyone is just going to have to deal with it? Could it really be possible to live your life with little concern for the reactions of others? Cora had spent her entire life in the spotlight, in front of cameras, judged by everyone, especially her father. But Remmy was different. He appeared to care little for what others thought of him and it gave him lightness, a certain degree of freedom that Cora was beginning to desire for herself.

  “I guess so,” Cora answered. “But what about the ERC?”

  “What about them?” Remmy grunted. “It’s not like I haven’t lived my entire life hiding from them and looking over my shoulder. The ERC trying to kill Emos is not exactly news to anyone I know.”

  “They try to kill you?” Cora asked, suddenly realizing what her father’s use of the words “unacceptable” and “unsuitable” actually meant. It was true that all citizens knew that ERC patrols were trying to exterminate the threats posed from Emos, but Cora, like all those with an Em-Pak, had lacked the ability to feel compassion and empathy. Stopping, to think of the Emos as actual people, like Remmy, sent waves of nausea roiling through Cora’s gut. She stumbled and grabbed a nearby tree, trying to steady herself.

  “Cora?” Remmy asked, panic swelling in his words. “Cora, are you okay?” He set Xander down and rushed to Cora’s side.

  “I…I…think so…I’m not…” Cora’s words were cut short by a violent burst of vomit. She collapsed to the ground, her head swimming and the world appearing to spin. “Remmy,” Cora said weakly. “Remmy, something’s wrong?” Cora struggled to steady herself, but her body revolted against her.

  “Cora?” Remmy cried as she fell to the ground. Her eyes fluttered, her breathing slowed and Cora stopped moving. Remmy shook her shoulders. “Cora! Wake up, Cora!” Remmy quickly checked Cora’s breathing. It was shallow and slow, but still there.

  “Sorry, man,” Remmy muttered as he sprinted past Xander. The boy was slightly conscious. Remmy hoped he wouldn’t wake up in the middle of the woods with no idea where he was, but there was no way, Remmy could carry them both and surely no way, he could run with Xander on his shoulders.

  The woods blurred as Remmy pushed his legs to move faster and faster. He dodged rocks and sprang over downed logs, never slowing down or stumbling. Cora was all he could see. What was it about her? She filled his mind’s eye, allowing his brain to focus on nothing but thoughts of her. Cora’s image willed him to move faster, and ignore the burning in his legs and lungs. He just needed to keep going. He needed to save Cora.

  -10-

  The ERC had numerous offices, but none as imposing as the central headquarters located in the Stele. Most citizens gave the gray stone building a wide berth, rightly choosing to avoid contact with ERC officers and officials. Windows, tinted silver, adorned the higher officers, watching over the citizens like flat rectangular reptilian eyes. Heavy metal doors and a handful of ERC officers guarded the front of the building, but both currently stood to the side to allow Assemblyman Eldritch to enter.

  The early chaos of the virus created a power vacuum. Governments crumbled and were trampled under the feet of the Reds. Many politicians, fragile creatures that they were, succumbed to the virus and tore one another apart. People were in a state of panic, fearing that the world was quickly coming to an end. In those times, free of Em-Paks, people had the ability and common sense to feel afraid, and feel worried, but also the arrogance to ignore the true root of the virus. Across this frothing, turbulent sea of blood, a light shone, a beacon of hope. Perhaps more importantly, it was a solution that required no accountability or personal responsibility. People were told they were victims and that nature had simply turned against them and unleashed the virus. Their way of life, their selfishness and disregard for their fellow man had plowed the fields in which the virus’ seed took root, but it surely was not their fault. Surely, there had to be some explanation that pointed fingers somewhere else. The Em-Pak cured humans of all of these concerns.

  With the removal of one’s emotions, there no longer remained a reason to question one’s actions, especially those of the past. With no sense of the past, all that remained was for someone to articulate a clear vision of the future. The ERC emerged to fill this void. Crippled governments yielded to the ERC, trading power for Em-Paks and security.

  Eldritch had been summoned to appear before the ERC Council very few times, which was probably why he had been allowed to climb such lofty political heights. What he had just done, the speech he had given, flew in the face of everything the ERC stood for. He had been tasked with giving a speech to remind citizens of why they needed the ERC, why they needed to be compliant. Eldritch’s words were intended to inspire fear, or at least what passed for fear where Em-Paks were concerned. He felt fairly certain that this meeting was not going to go well, but found strength in the fact that he had placed his family at the epicenter of this new threat. He made himself, his kidnapped children and his dead wife the symbols behind which citizens could rally. Even the ERC couldn’t ignore that or squander the opportunity.

  “Sit,” a voice boomed as Eldritch walked into the room. Shadows obscured the members of the ERC Council. Their mission was more important than a single person was. It had been decided that, all members would remain hidden, thus eliminating the citizen’s urge to choose one leader over another. Priority was given to none, but power secured by all.

  The room was lit only by a large spotlight, shining directly into Eldritch’s eyes, preventing him from seeing much of anything. It communicated the ERC Council’s desire to let all citizens know, even Assembly members that they were being watched at all times. Eldritch lowered himself into the high backed leather chair. The red leather and brass fasteners shone under the intense light, providing a stark contrast to the bland grayness of the room. Eldritch knew that even this was intentional, another ERC ploy to make the
person feel singled out. His Em-Pak remained silent.

  “Assemblyman Eldritch, you were provided with an ERC approved speech for this event,” the voice echoed, “were you not?”

  “That is true,” Eldritch nodded.

  “Yet, you chose to disregard this speech and improvise,” the faceless members of the ERC accused. To improvise was to employ independent thought, to make a decision that may not be in the best interest of all citizens. Independence was dangerous and rooted in self-motivating emotions. These insidious and traitorous actions would not be tolerated, especially by a figurehead the likes of Eldritch.

  “That is also true,” Eldritch admitted. He knew they thrived on fear, pushed citizens to incriminate themselves. He was going to give them nothing. They would have to ask for his reasons.

  “And would you care to tell us why?” a member of the ERC Council demanded, her words soaked in venom.

  “The citizens have become complacent,” Eldritch said coolly.

  “Complacency is not a problem, Assemblyman,” a faceless Council member snapped. “A complacent population is a docile one. To inspire fear is to create chaos. Chaos breeds insurrection and allows the virus to return. It will not be tolerated.”

  “I respectfully disagree,” Eldritch smirked. “Chaos is not something the citizens are accustomed to, but complacency is. Allowing the citizens to remain complacent is dangerous. It gives them time to think, but more importantly, time to forget. Time to forget why they need us, and why they need you.” Eldritch’s words were tantamount to heresy, but he had weighed the risks and he knew how to play this situation to his benefit.

  Muffled voices communicated behind shielded microphones.

  “Continue,” the ERC Council commanded. Eldritch couldn’t help but smile. The ERC Council members knew he was right. They saw his rationale. Now, all that remained was to drive his point home and secure his future position.

  “As I was saying,” Eldritch continued, “the citizens have been allowed to feel too safe and that is dangerous. If they forget what they need us to protect them from, then they may very well begin to feel that they no longer need us. We will see a dramatic rise in emotional treason and ultimately a resurgence of the virus and the Reds, the likes of which we have never seen. Now I realize that I gave a speech that was not ERC approved, but I felt it prudent to act before news of my family reached the populous. We needed to ensure that we controlled the distribution and spin of this bit of information to ensure that the information could be used to strengthen our position, not to weaken it.”

  “Is this why you called off the ERC recovery team?” the Council boomed.

  “I called them off because they would have done their job too well and recovered my children,” Eldritch admitted. “They would have brought them back and this entire incident would soon be forgotten.”

  “You’re willing to sacrifice your son and daughter to the Reds to make this point?” The ERC Council’s words held no accusation, rather were simply a point of clarification.

  “We all must be willing to sacrifice for the greater good,” Eldritch nodded. “Of course, no sacrifice should be made without note.”

  “Of course,” the voice responded. “So what exactly do you propose we do to ensure that the citizens are kept aware of their need of us?”

  “Nothing,” Eldritch grinned. His Em-Pak chirped, correcting his smug sense of self-satisfaction.

  “Nothing?” the ERC barked.

  “Exactly,” Eldritch replied. “We have done too much already, have spoiled the citizens. I propose that we allow the virus and Reds to creep back, just ever so slightly into some of the outer cities, just enough to remind the citizens that they are only safe because we make them such. Once that point is driven home and the citizens have been properly educated regarding the new threat posed by the Red and Emo collaboration, we will have total control. Emotional treason will cease and the herd will be ready to be led once again.”

  “This can be controlled?” the ERC asked.

  “Of course,” Eldritch smiled. “I’ll personally oversee a team of ERC officers that will ensure the situation never gets out of hand.”

  “And your children?” the ERC asked, not out of concern, but more so to clarify Eldritch’s motivations.

  “If they’re recovered,” Eldritch shrugged, “then we’ll use them as the new mascots for this campaign, as something the citizens can rally behind.”

  “And if they are not?”

  “If they’re not recovered,” Eldritch paused, “well, then they’ll become martyrs, examples for all young citizens to follow.”

  “This is…” the ERC Council paused, “acceptable. You may leave, but do not make the mistake of acting without our approval again.”

  “Of course,” Eldritch bowed slightly, “never again.” His Em-Pak beeped three more times before he reached the door. He had gotten exactly what he wanted. Now with a small army at his disposal and the ERC appearing to have allowed the virus to return, Eldritch could begin to lay the foundation of his new kingdom. He had once thought that leading the ERC was the highest he could hope to climb in his political career, but as he relaxed in the plush seats of his limo, he decided that it would be far more satisfying to replace them.

  -11-

  People had already begun frantically to pack their cars as Remmy tore into the middle of the camp. His disappearance and now frenzied reappearance led the other Emos to believe that the ERC couldn’t be far behind.

  “Remmy!” his mother cried as he collapsed against the side of the family jeep. “Where have you been? Are you okay? Was it the ERC? Remmy? Do we need to go? Answer me right now!”

  “I would,” Remmy panted, “if you ever stopped to take a breath.”

  “Damn it, Remmy,” his father snapped. “Where the hell have you been? You don’t show up for school and disappear for the half the day. We thought the worst.”

  “I got trapped in a tree,” Remmy said, slowly catching his breath, “but that doesn’t matter. I saw a huge group of Reds attack a car. It crashed and I pulled two kids from the wreck, but they’re hurt and out in the woods.” Remmy knew that he was leaving out the part about the car being an ERC vehicle and the kids being fitted with Em-Paks, but he needed people to act. Cora’s life was depending on him. ERC or not, Remmy could tell that Cora was a good person.

  “Children?” Remmy’s mother gasped.

  “A group of Reds?” his father asked. He reached into the back of the jeep and pulled out his old hunting rifle. “That makes no sense. They never travel in groups of more than two or three.”

  “I know,” Remmy answered, “but I’m telling you, Dad, that there were at least forty of them. They attacked the car, like they had planned it or something.”

  “Planned?” Remmy’s father repeated. That made no sense. The Reds were wild, operated on instinct. True, they would set crude traps to snare Emos, but they had never been organized.

  “It was planned,” Remmy said adamantly. “They came at the car in two groups. The one from the back chased the car towards the group in the front. Most of them were ripped up in the crash, but they had a third group coming in. I had to pull the kids out quick, before they got there. No one else was left. We were chased, so I had them hide in a tree. I had to silence two Reds.”

  “You silenced two Reds?” Remmy’s father asked, his face a mask of concern. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah,” Remmy said quietly, remembering what he had done. “I’m okay. I didn’t have a choice.” He would do what was required to protect people, but he still struggled to rationalize taking a life.

  “Of course not,” Remmy’s mother added, pulling her son into a bear hug. “You did what you had to do. Now get in the jeep and go get those children. We can’t just leave them out there. I’ll tell the others to get the doctor.”

  Other Emos gathered close to hear Remmy’s story. The idea of a pack of Reds sent fear coursing through each of them, but the thought of two injured children
, alone in the woods galvanized their resolve. Four cars, loaded with Emos, rolled out of the camp in a tight line. Remmy and his father led the way in the jeep.

  Remmy gripped the dashboard and quietly willed his father to drive faster. He knew what was wrong with Xander, that was obvious, but Cora had seemed fine and then suddenly just fallen ill. Could she had been injured in the crash and not realized it? Could it be something worse? Remmy hoped that whatever it was, the doctor would be able to help her. He had just met her, just learned that she existed could she really be taken away so soon? That seemed so cruel, so unfair. If life had taught Remmy nothing else, it was that, yes, she could. Life cared little for what was fair.

  “Dad?” Remmy asked, his voice raw.

  “We’ll get there, Rem,” his father replied and pushed the gas pedal closer to the floor.

  -12-

  The Eldritch house was empty. The servants were sent home early, and a dinner left to cool in the oven slowly. Assemblyman Eldritch had always insisted upon a tidy, shipshape home that operated with the precision of a Swiss watch, but now it seemed empty, completely silent and hollow. It was, in one word, perfect.

  Moving from room to room, Eldritch marveled at the silence. At one point in his early life, a house like this would have been disconcerting, a reason for alarm. Now though, Em-Pak firmly implanted, Eldritch found the house absolutely wonderful. There were no distractions; no little daily duties that required his attention. All he was left with were his thoughts and plans. The Em-Pak truly was an amazing invention. It was a shame that his father had been taken by the Reds before he could have furthered his invention, found some way to make it even better. But that was the puzzle left for Eldritch to solve, simply another piece to fit into his plan.

  Spreading his father’s notes across the polished mahogany dining room table, Eldritch poured over the neatly written handwriting in the margins, pondering the bits of half-finished thoughts that his father left for him to piece together. He had previously attempted to find some answer in these papers, some scrap of unrealized greatness for him to grab, but there had always been the demands of the ERC and family. Neither required his emotional investment. Those days were long since buried by his Em-Pak, but they still ate large amounts of his time. Now, with the ERC in his pocket and his family little more than a politically valuable memory, Eldritch was free to spend time as he saw fit.