The Road to Round Mountain: The Betrayal by

by C. G. Roberts

  I can’t remember getting this many clothes all at one time. The jacket was a denim with pockets on the side and in front, and fit perfectly. All of this activity reminded me that I no longer had any clothes at home since I didn’t have one to go to anymore. Plus the fact that in a couple of weeks my Mother would have been taking me to get a couple of new items for the upcoming school year. I didn’t need much but

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  thinking about it made me sad.

  Nurse Mattie sensed that my mood had changed. “Are you doing okay, I know that this is a lot to absorb in such a short period of time, but things will get better”. I knew she was right but it still hurt and I’m sure it would for a while. “You can put all your extra stuff in this tote bag, everything is vinyl so you there’s no metal to worry about. You about ready to get out of here”? I got up from the bed, stashed the remaining clothes in the bag, put on my new jean jacket and replied, “Not really, but let’s go”.

  I was going to start walking but was stopped by a wheelchair with a very pretty driver. Nurse Mattie pulled her phone out of her pocket, stating, “I’ll meet you downstairs I need to pull my car around front”. I nodded, but her message was lost due to the fact that I was staring at Jennifer Harrison. “Hi”, that’s all I was able to get out. “Hello yourself”, I’ve been appointed to be you’re personal driver, I hope that’s okay”? Was it ever, “That would be great; it’s good to see you again. I was hoping that I would before I left for the old Coast Guard base”. She smiled as I made my way into the wheelchair.

  “The old Coast Guard Base, that’s where you’re going to be”? It was so nice to see her and hear her voice again. As we approached the elevator I replied, “Yeah I’ll be there for about six weeks, until I turn 18. Do you think you might be able to stop by sometime for a visit”? I knew there was no way in hell she would, but what did I have to lose. “Of course I will, I was just going to ask you if I could”. Wow, an older woman wanted to see me, well not that much older; I don’t think.

  The elevator opened up and Jennifer pushed me inside.

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  As she turned the wheelchair around she reached over to

  press the first floor button. The doors swooshed shut and we began our decent when she reached over and hit the stop button. “What’s the matter, did we”…... she held up a finger to her mouth. “Listen closely, I’ll have to be quick. That lady that’s been taking care of you, I think she’s out to harm you. “Oh please, she already told me about the FBI guys in the van, and how they want to run dangerous tests on me”. Jennifer had a concerned look on her face, “Trust me Billy, I was taking my break downstairs yesterday, when I overheard her conversation. Whatever she told you has to be a lie. I heard bits and pieces of what she was saying, but what I heard loud and clear was, and this is a direct quote, killing him will accomplish nothing”. I wanted to trust her, and my intuition told I should, so I did. “Are you serious, I thought she was supposed to protect me from those other FBI guys”?

  “I think that whatever her motives are, she’s not doing this of her own accord, so promise me you’ll be careful. I don’t want anything to happen to you”. She reached down and took my hand in hers, then realizing that like me she was also wearing gloves. I smiled at her, “I will be careful, and I hope that you’ll come see me more than once”. “I most definitely will, and here is my cell phone number if you have any problems or just want to talk, okay”. Jennifer took the slip of paper she had in her hand, folded it, and put it in my front jacket pocket

  She reached over and pressed the button again, and we started going down again. “Just so you don’t think that I’m a jerk, but I don’t have a cell, and electronic things don’t work too well around me”. “Don’t worry, if I remember correctly,

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  there’s a payphone at Fultano’s pizza, just a couple of blocks down the road from where you’ll be, and as long as you where your gloves, I think it’ll be okay”. She held her finger up to her mouth, kissed it, then planted her finger gently on the side of my face. “Maybe someday we can figure out a way around this little inconvenience”. I just smiled and enjoyed the moment.

  Jennifer wheeled me out of the elevator and headed for the front doors as I asked, “Do you mind if I ask you something before I go”? “Not at all, you ask me anything”, she replied. “You know that I’m not 18 yet, but how old are you”? “I’ll be 22 September 12th”. “You might find this hard to believe, but I’ll be 18 on September 12th, maybe we can celebrate our birthdays together”. I looked up at her and was relieved to see that she was still smiling. “Well then it’s a date”. She rolled me to the curb as Nurse Mattie pulled up in her vehicle. “I’ll call you soon”, I said as I stood from the wheelchair. “You better, and by the way, I like your hair” she replied as she turned and went back in the hospital.

  Yeah, I definitely like her, and for whatever reason, she seems to like me. It is hard for me to believe that after fum-

  bling my words around every time I was around a girl, that I actually have a date. Danny’s going to have a hard time believing that one, I can’t wait to tell him.

  My jaw hung open at the sight of what pulled up beside me. Nurse Mattie got out of a Black Lincoln Navigator, never in my life did I think I would ride in such luxury. Even for such a short ride to The Coast Guard base, I was going to enjoy this. Nurse Mattie came over to the passenger side and opened the door for me stating, “I’ll help you in and get you

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  buckled, I don’t need you touching anything by accident, and mess up this vehicle, it’s not mine so be careful, okay Billy Speer”. “I thought that this was yours’, so whose is it”? She gave a bit of a frown. “This is FBI issue, for my work, that’s why I don’t claim it as mine, even though I seem to spend more time in it than I would like to admit”.

  Curiosity satisfied, but still, what a hunk of machin-ery. Our 15 year old Subaru couldn’t hold a candle to this Navigator. Our car used to be forest green, but now it’s a kaleidoscope of colors due to various fender benders throughout the years. Gazing around my luxurious sur-roundings, I couldn’t help but notice the computer screen that was where the radio normally is. As Nurse Mattie got me buckled in got herself situated, “Is this thing the radio”, as I pointed to the computer screen? She smiled, “Well in a way, it’s a GPS, with blue tooth enabled, and I have a direct line open with the FBI, and on occasions I can pick up a good classic rock station”.

  I needed to get a hold of my emotions, I was enjoying being in this vehicle a little too much. Remembering what Jennifer had said, made me curious and a little cautious around Nurse Mattie. I thought if I would be able to trust anyone, that it would be Nurse Mattie, after all she took care of me, kept me fed with various junk food, all of which was on my approved junk food list. I wasn’t quite sure what to do with this latest bit of news, except to go with my heart and trust Jennifer. There was no ulterior motive for Jennifer to say this, as there was for Nurse Mattie to get on my good side with all the food and favors. I’ll have to be cautious with my actions around her, and try not to be obvious about it.

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  I hadn’t even noticed that we were already in motion, cruising along Business 101, or marine drive, depending on what direction you were going. I subconsciously tapped my right front pocket, just to make sure Jennifers’ number was still in there. “Oh crap, I forgot my tote bag”, I exclaimed. “It’s in the backseat Billy Speer, I put it back there when you were getting situated. So just settle down we’re almost there”.

  I had too much on my mind to even pay attention to where we were going. I could see the weather worn Coast Guard sign coming up on my right. I suddenly felt a little nauseous, probably from the realization that I wasn’t going home, but to someplace new with people I didn’t know. Thi
s could prove to be a long six weeks.

  Nurse Mattie turned right on to the gravel road lead-ing up to what I could guess was the main building. As it turned out there were only three buildings total. She pulled up alongside of the building and put the Navigator in park. “So here’s what’s’ happening, I’m going in with you, basically to discuss your situation and what they will need to know. As far as they are concerned I’m just a nurse with the Hospital, dropping you off”. She handed me a slip of paper. It’s a good thing I have multiple pockets. “That’s got the days that I will be here so you and I can get some testing done. They are fairly liberal about you leaving the complex, as long as you’re with an adult”.

  Plopping along with my walking boot, and my tote bag in hand, we headed for the front door. The outside of the main building was of cinder block construction, and paint-ed an ugly shade of brown. All of the windows were dingy and almost impossible to see through. The shingles on the

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  roof were weathered and covered with moss, not an unusual sight around these parts. I can’t wait to see what the inside looks like.

  Inside the building greeted us with a musty smell of a combination of armpit and rotten shoes. Those type of smells would normally accompany me around, according to my Mother. Perhaps three days of industrial strength hospital cleanliness sharpened my sense of yuck. The interior boasted panel siding and hardwood floors that have seen better days. It looked like a big recreation room, with a ping pong table in one corner, A TV in the other corner with a couch and a few chairs sprinkled about. On the far side was a dart board and a foosball table. The last corner was where the action was

  at. A card table with four chairs, all occupied, with a radio playing away on a shelf situated between the foosball table and the card table. From the sound of cursing surrounding the table, my best bet was a poker game of some type. There were five others watching the four seated players.

  Nurse Mattie got my attention and motioned for me to come inside the office of whoever was in charge of this place, so I did. Nurse Mattie introduce me to Mr. Watkins, who has been in charge of this facility for the past four years. The office was small, maybe 10 foot by 10 foot, an old metal desk, an even older file cabinet, and three padded wooden chairs. The smell did not improve any inside the office.

  “Am I to understand that William Speer was struck by lightning”? “I go by Billy”, I quickly corrected. “I take it there are some medical concerns after such an incident”.

  Nurse Mattie looked at me and then back at Mr. Watkins, “None really, He should be able to stop using the walking

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  boot in a few days, but what I was referring to is for the safety of the others that live here”. Mr. Watkins curled his eyebrows in an inquisitive manner. “I don’t understand, why the safety of the others, he’s not violent is he”, as he pointed at me? “No he is most certainly not, but since his accident he has retained a rather large amount of electricity, and just by him walking past someone talking on the phone for example, well let’s just say the phone will no longer be functional. Mr. Watkins looked at Billy and immediately pulled his phone from his shirt pocket and tossed it in the bottom desk drawer.

  Nurse Mattie continued, “My main concern is that ev-eryone is made aware of his condition, and you’ll notice that we are both wearing the surgical rubber gloves”, Mr. Watkins nodded. “If he is touched by someone not wearing gloves, they will get a rather violent shock”. Mr. Watkins added, “That may be easier said than done, we have three trouble makers here, but only two of them will go out of their way to provoke a fight, we do have three ex marines on staff that can handle anything those others might try”. Satisfied with his answer Nurse Mattie turned to me, “You’ll be just fine Billy Speer, I will be back on Wednesday so we can conduct some more tests”. Mr. Watkins replied, “What tests are you referring to”? “I’ll be taking him back to the hospital for more x-rays on his foot, then some physical therapy”, she winked at me. “Thanks for all your help Mr. Watkins”, she stated as she made her way back outside, leav-ing me at the mercy of those who feed on the new kid on the block. Mr. Watkins was not an imposing figure, maybe 6 foot tall but his lean build was still able to boast muscle

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  definition, evidenced by his tee shirt, with his biceps filling his shirt sleeves and his chest spreading the fabric to an almost too tight fit. His short dark hair and brown eyes gave him a bit of a European look. I definitely would not be getting in his way.

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  mr. wAtkIns brought me just outside the office door. “This is basically our entertainment area. We have two other buildings here, one houses the kitchen and dining area along with some of our storage. The last building is where you guys sleep, there’s 12 beds and there is now ten of you, so you can still get a choice of bed if you so desire. You’ll also find the showers and bathrooms in the area behind where

  the beds are located. So, are you ready”? I doubted that I ever would be but, “Sure I guess”.

  “Guys”, Mr. Watkins shouted, and what a loud voice he possessed. “This is Billy Speer, he’ll be with us for a while, make him feel at home, and don’t start any shit”. Well said if I do say so myself. The guys at the card table stopped what they were doing and just stared until one of them spouted, “Hey look guys Pepe le pew is coming to stay with us”. Here we go, five seconds in the mist of my new bunkmates and I’m already being ridiculed for my Lightning enhanced hairdo. The rest of them followed suit with a round of what seemed

  to be never ending laughter. Oh well, be it ever so humble, there’s no place like crap.

  Mr. Watkins shook his head at the reception I was just given, “Grab your bag and come with me, and we’ll get you settled in”. He held open the front door for me as I shuffle stepped my way out. He took a quick left as we exited the main building, passed a long row of bushes that at one time

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  had been green and actually alive. Just passed the tumble weed bushes we walked passed another building. All of the buildings were of the same construction, all had only one floor, all had massive moss built up on the roof; all were depressing. “This building on the left is our kitchen and dining room”, Mr. Watkins stated. “The hours for Grub are posted on the door”. As we passed the grub hall, we came upon another replica of the other two buildings, only this one seemed in better repair than the other two.

  “And here’s where you sleep, new doors and two new windows were put in last week, after another fight broke out”. That didn’t set my mind at ease at all, but it did explain the more modern look of this building. We went inside and I took maybe two steps before the stench set in. I thought the entertainment building, as Mr. Watkins calls it, was bad. I guess I found the source of the stench for the; I’ll call it the rec room, and it was coming from in here.

  Mr. Watkins pulled a padlock out of his pocket and handed it to me. “What’s this for”, I asked? He pointed towards the beds in the middle of the room, “That’s for your locker, each bed has a locker just to the right of each bed. Chose which bed you want and stow your gear”. He checked his watch, “Damn, I guess this thing needs batteries”, he looked up to the clock on the wall, “In twenty minutes lunch will start, no big fanfare, just walk in an follow the others”.

  I looked around the room for a moment, “Okay thanks”, I didn’t want to remind him the reason for his watch mal-

  functioning. I could hear the door close as Mr. Watkins was leaving. The room consisted of twelve beds, six down each side with a locker next to each, and the middle of the room

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  was open to traffic, quiet times, drug deals, and whatever else might be happening here. I was still trying to figure out what stowing your gear meant. If he meant put your stuff away, why didn’t he just say so? I found an empty bed with no name tag attached to the frame and the adjoining locker was empty, so I took that one. It was second from the front of the room, so I could make a quick escape if it ca
me to that.

  I sat my bag down on the bed and opened the locker. It was your standard grey locker like you would find in school. The locker was pretty clean considering its’ age. I put my bag in the locker and took the lock that Mr. Watkins had given me, pulled the key out and stowed my gear by god. I heard the door close behind me; perhaps Mr. Watkins forgot to tell me something. I turned and saw one of my new roommates. He was about my size and like me, he’s not going to impose his will on anyone. “Hey”, I said. “Hey yourself”, he replied. He looked about the room for a moment; I guess he was quiet around people he didn’t know. Finally breaking the silence he said, “I’m Gordon, Gordon Sisler, just wondering if you needed any help with anything before lunch starts”.

  “Well Gordon I’m Billy Speer and not Pepe le Pew like some of the others seem to think”. That got a chuckle out of him. “I overheard what that lady said about you, did you really get hit by lightning”? He must have Vulcan like hearing, everybody was across the room playing cards and being rather loud; I’m impressed.

  “I really did get hit and I have eight toes to prove it”, as I pointed to my walking boot. Gordon came a little closer to my bed, “Wow, what did it feel like”? “I don’t remember feeling anything, it knocked me out and I woke up two days later

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  in the hospital”. Gordon looked down at his feet, “Yeah, I can relate to that”. I wasn’t sure what he meant by that until he got a little closer. I could now see some cuts on his neck and the remainders of a black eye. I noticed that his black rim glasses kept sliding down his nose, he kept using his index finger to continually push them back up, temporarily at least. His red hair was curly and looks like it hadn’t seen a comb in quite some time. With my current state of hairdo, I was in no position to judge.