Blink of an Eye: Beginnings Series Book 8

by Jacqueline Druga

  “I don’t mind at all,” Frank said very seriously then quickly changed. “But ... this serious talking shit is gonna stop.”

  “I’ll agree to that.”

  “How about a little friendly competition?”

  “Sounds good,” Dean agreed.

  “Scrabble?”

  “Nah, you cheat too badly at that.”

  “Battleship?”

  “You’re on.”

  “I’ll get the boards.” Frank stood up and headed toward the kitchen.

  “Frank?” Dean called out to him. “Thanks.”

  Frank give Dean a nod and a smile then began to leave again. “Oh and, Dean? I’m ...”

  “I know this one, Frank. You’re smiling.”

  “Fuck no. I’m flipping you off.” Giving yet another unannounced smile, Frank left the room to get the game.

  <><><><>

  Loud cries of anguish-filled moans came from the room on Ellen’s right. They were coupled with banging, steady and heavy against the wall. One SUT, Harold, did that. He was so restless. Didn’t he ever sleep? If Harold frightened Ellen, it was nothing compared to the SUTs that were de-programmed in the room on her left. How many did Joe have in there? Why were they banging also? The last Ellen recalled, they were silent and immobile, but now they were moving about and into the wall, loudly too. Souls of the damned are what they sounded like with their crashing, steady thumping, and banging.

  Ellen, shaking, sat on top of her bed in the dark, unable to go back to the sleep that the SUT noise awakened her from. Her knees were brought close to her chest, her arms held them tightly as she rocked back and forth. Feeling that the SUTs knew she was there, sensed her, visions of the movie Night of the Living Dead played in her head. That near final scene when suddenly all the walking dead crashed through the walls of the house as if it were paper, played over and over in Ellen’s mind. She feared that scene would happen soon if the SUTs hit those thin walls any harder. She saw them in her mind, going after her, hungry, stopping at nothing.

  As she reached her final straw of the scared point, Ellen wondered why she sat in the dark so she reached out for the lamp on the table. With a turn of the switch came a popping sound and the light bulb flashed out. She was in darkness again. “Fuckin great.”

  So afraid, Ellen jumped from the bed and raced to the door. She hesitated before bringing her fist up. “Please. Please,” she whispered to herself then knocked. “Henry? Henry, are you still out there.” There was no answer. “Shit.”

  “Uh ... No, El, I’m in here.”

  Startled, Ellen spun to the close voice in the room. “Henry?”

  “Hey, El.” Henry turned on a flashlight. “Don’t be mad.”

  “When did you come in here?”

  “While you were sleeping. Please.” He stood up. “Please don’t ask me to leave.”

  “Henry ...”

  “No, El.” He stepped to her. “It’s scary. These things are scary. I don’t want to be out in that hall by myself.”

  “They ... they are pretty frightening.” Ellen took a step to him.

  “Oh my God and they are so loud too.”

  “They sound like zombies.”

  “I hope they’re not cannibals.”

  “Henry.” Ellen’s eyes widened. “You don’t think they’ll get in here, do you?”

  “I hope not.”

  “Henry, you should just go home. It’s safer there.”

  “What, and leave you here alone? No way.”

  “You put me here.”

  “I didn’t mean to. I swear to you, El, if they would have told me it was you, I wouldn’t have done anything. I swear.”

  Ellen stared at him for a second then grabbed the flash light that was still in his hand and pointed it in his face. “How’s the eye?”

  “Sore.”

  “I’m sorry about punching you. That was wrong.”

  “No, I deserved it, El.”

  “Henry!”

  “What!”

  “Hurry! Shine the flashlight on that wall.” Ellen pointed.

  Henry spun around. “There?”

  “Yeah.” Ellen stood behind him. “Shit. Is that wall breaking?”

  “Oh my God!”

  Ellen shrieked. Henry shrieked and they both charged for the Holding door.

  “Henry, hurry!” Ellen saw him fumble with the keys. “Get us out of here.”

  “I’m hurrying, El. It’s this ...” Henry lowered the keys. “Wait a second. The walls are aluminum. We’re OK in here. It’ll just be loud, that’s all.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Positive.” Henry walked to the wall and banged his fist. He hit it hard once. The pounding stopped and a single bang came back. Henry hit the wall twice. The same sound, same speed knock, repeated back to them. “We’re fine.”

  “Oh thank God.” Ellen grabbed her chest. “I thought they would eat us.”

  Henry walked back to the door, reaching up the keys.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Letting you out. This is stupid. You can’t stay here.”

  “No, Henry.” Ellen pulled his hand away from the lock. “You made the decision so you have to keep it. As a person who runs this community, for respect, you can’t change it. People will never take you seriously if you back down.” Ellen walked from the door. “It’s getting quiet now. I’ll stay.”

  “Then let me stay here with you.”

  “Henry ...”

  “No, El, listen to me.” He walked closer. “I’ll sleep on the floor. We don’t have to talk. We don’t. Just let me stay with you. See, I feel badly. None of what happened today would have ever happened if it wasn’t for me. I started the ball rolling.”

  “You can say that again.”

  “I started the ball rolling.”

  Ellen looked up at him and cracked a smile.

  “Let me stay, El. Your punishment should be my punishment too.”

  Taking a slow breath, Ellen looked at the floor and then at Henry’s sleeping bag lying there. She listened to the slowing thumps around her. “Goodnight, Henry.” She turned from him, walked over to the bed, and got in.

  Dropping his shoulders in relief, Henry stood watching Ellen until she pulled the covers up over her shoulder and closed her eyes. “Goodnight, El,” he whispered, smiled, and returned to his sleeping bag. He felt better since the SUTs quieted some, but most of all, he felt better because he was in the room with Ellen.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  AUGUST 5

  Ellen didn’t wait for Henry to leave Holding with her. Cleaned up and waiting for that five a.m. ‘OK’, she raced from the room and out of Holding as fast as she could to the clinic. Knowing Dean was having his surgery first thing before the hecticness of the clinic day began, Ellen had to get there to see him. She had too.

  The clinic was so dead that the only sound heard was the tapping of the soles of Ellen’s shoes as she ran down the hall toward the operating rooms. She could hear the whispers of Jason, Johnny, and Andrea in the OR as they prepared. How much Ellen wanted to be a part of that surgery, to be in there when it all happened. But she couldn’t. Not because she wasn’t permitted but because in her mind, God forbid something went wrong, she would lose it.

  Dean looked as if he were waiting, lying on the cart waiting to be wheeled into the OR and wearing that fashionable printed hospital gown. He was prepared; an IV had already been placed in his arm and a small one-inch-square section of his hair had been shaven at the temple.

  “Dean,” Ellen called his name as she ran in out of breath.

  Dean gave a nervous smile. “You made it.”

  “Of course I did. I had to wait to be freed.” She walked over to the cart he lay on.

  “I didn’t think I’d get to talk to you before I went in there.”

  “You wouldn’t wait?”

  “I couldn’t, El. It’s scheduled.”

  “Dean. It’s not like there’s this big surgery agenda. This is B
eginnings.”

  “I know.” Dean felt Ellen grab his hand. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  “I had to be here and I will wait here until I know you’re gonna be fine. Then I’m heading home to get cleaned up and do my hair. I want to look good for you when you open your eyes and see me.”

  “El, you can look like you did when you had that flu two years ago and I wouldn’t care.”

  “Gee thanks, Dean.” She kissed him on the cheek.

  “Can you uh wear that little miniskirt I missed?”

  “I will wear it, Dean.” She gripped his hand tighter. “Good luck. I’ll pray for you.”

  “Don’t.”

  “Why?”

  “El, we really don’t know how good of terms you are on with the big guy.”

  “Oh you’re right.”

  “Ellen.” Dean softened his voice and brought his other hand down to cover their joined hands. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

  “We are.”

  “No seriously.”

  “Dean, I don’t want to talk seriously.”

  “I do.” He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it. “El, if something should happen to ...”

  “It’s not.”

  “Listen. If something should happen to me in there, if when I come out something is wrong with me, brain damage and such, I want you to do something for me.”

  “What’s that, Dean?”

  Dean reached up and pulled Ellen closer whispering. “I want you to give me two cc’s of Tripolithimene.”

  “Dean ...”

  “Ellen, exactly two cc’s. Any less will make things worse. Anymore, if I can feel anything, I’ll suffer. Two cc’s and I’ll go into a deep sleep then finally respiratory arrest. I have a DNR. They won’t revive me.”

  “Why are you asking this of me?”

  “Because you ...” Dean clung to her hands speaking emotionally, “you are the strongest person I know. You are the only one I can trust to help me and stick to their word. Promise me you will. Promise me you not let me live the rest of my life a shell of a man.”

  Ellen brought her lips to their joined hands. “I promise you.” She rubbed her cheek against his knuckles. “But I don’t have to worry about keeping that promise because you will be fine, I know it.”

  “I feel it.”

  “So do I.”

  Andrea walked silently into the room, clearing her throat lightly to get their attention. “Dean, it’s time.”

  Ellen shivered and clenched his hands tighter. “Oh God.”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  “I know you will.” She moved in closer to him when she saw Andrea near. Placing her hands on Dean’s face, Ellen brushed her lips lightly to his as she spoke to him. “I love you, Dean. I love you very much. Know that. Please, please know that.”

  “I do. I love you too.” Sliding his hand up to the back of her hair, Dean gripped Ellen and pulled her to him, kissing her. For the longest time after that kiss, their closed mouths stayed together. Tenseness and fright filled that moment and then Andrea began to wheel Dean away.

  Not wanting to let go, Ellen held on until Dean slid from her. “I’ll see you in a little bit.”

  “No, El. I’ll see you.”

  How much longer could it possibly take was not the question on Ellen’s mind. How much longer would it seem was the one that got her. Watching the dark sky turn bright, feeling tired but not giving in, Ellen paced the waiting room. Joe stayed with her the entire time. Worried also but he tried not to convey it. Like Joe, he was trying to be strong, but Ellen knew him too well.

  There wasn’t a person who didn’t stop in for a progress report, staying longer than they should have, all hoping that they would hear something on their visit.

  Sudden fear struck Ellen when Frank came back to the waiting room, told Ellen he had received a call from Johnny and that he was to summon everyone involved in the project. Within minutes of Frank’s arrival, Robbie, Danny, and Henry showed up as well.

  Henry cautiously approached Ellen who held onto Frank. “You doing OK, El?” he asked as he laid his hand on her shoulder.

  Ellen nodded, tapped his hand, and leaned more into Frank, who kept his arms around her.

  Watching the two, Henry backed up and stood by Danny.

  “Look.” Danny held out his hand to Henry. “Could I possibly bite my nails any lower?”

  “Yeah,” Henry told him, “they could be as low as mine.”

  “Ew.” Danny shuddered. “I’m glad I’m not ...” He reached up and lightly smacked Henry on the side of the head.

  “Ow! What was that for?”

  “Quit it,” Danny told him

  “Quit what?”

  “Staring and ... get that longing look off your face. Ellen doesn’t strike me as the type of woman to feel sorry for someone, just annoyed with them.”

  “You’re right. Should I look mean at her?”

  “Might work. Try it.”

  “OK.”

  Ellen lifted her eyes to Frank. “Frank? Why is Henry giving me dirty looks?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Such an asshole. He’s not helping his cause in us talking, is he?”

  “El, I told him to watch what he does. Obviously he doesn’t listen.”

  “Something’s happened in there hasn’t it, Frank?” Ellen spoke so scared.

  “No.”

  “Then why did Johnny call you guys?”

  “We’ll find out.” Frank turned her to the door where Andrea, Jason, and Johnny walked in. Their solemn faces conveyed more than anything at that moment.

  Andrea looked at Johnny then Jason and stepped closer to the awaiting group. “We called all of you here because we thought you may want to know together. We believe ... we believe that the operation and the implantation was a success.” She smiled at the loud sigh of reliefs. “We think the chip was implanted correctly. There were no problems during surgery. Dean handled it well and we’re going to keep him sedated for a little bit. We’ll start to bring him out of it in eight hours so there really isn’t any reason to stay.”

  Henry raised his hands. “Should we program the chip while he is sleeping?”

  “No.” Andrea shook his head. “Let him rest in every aspect. Now if you’ll excuse us, we have some cleanup.” She gave another smile to everyone and left the room.

  Squeezing Frank, Ellen was so relieved. “Frank, I was so worried.”

  “I think we all were, El.”

  “Will he wake up all right, Frank?”

  “I believe he will.” Frank hugged her more.

  Wanting to interrupt, Henry approached them. “Frank? Can you meet me and Danny at your house in two hours? We’re gonna try the first reprogramming.”

  “Um ...” Frank looked at his watch, it rested on the arm he had around Ellen. “Sure, I’ll bring Robbie.”

  “Thanks.”

  Frank kissed Ellen on the cheek. “I’d better go. I’ll check back with you later or do you need me to walk you.”

  “No, go on. I’m going to stay here for just a little bit more.” Waiting for everyone to leave the waiting room and continue on in their day, Ellen sat on the vinyl couch. She planned on staying a little while longer so she could sneak in and see Dean. But while she waited Ellen did something other than wait. Though she promised Dean she wouldn’t, Ellen prayed. She prayed that even if the program failed, she needed Dean to awaken as Dean. Praying at that moment—whether she was on good terms with The Big Guy or not—was the best option for comfort Ellen had.

  <><><><>

  Crunch. Crunch. Hearing this, Henry, annoyed, turned his head from the computer screen. Crunch. Crunch. Again, Henry turned his head. He ignored it. “OK. Danny, do you have the aural piece copulated with the system yet?” His eyes shifted harshly to Robbie’s snickering. “What is so funny about that?”

  Robbie snickered again. “What does oral copulation have to do with what you’re doing to this SUT or are you just weird
, Henry?”

  “I said ‘aural’ not ‘oral’ ass.” Breathing out so as not to shout, he looked back at Danny. “Do you?”

  “Ready and waiting for insertion.” With Robbie’s laugh, Danny laughed also.

  Henry tossed his hands up. “I give up on you ...” Crunch. Crunch. “Robbie! Will you knock off the eating in my ear? Go stand over there if you’re gonna eat those things.”

  “They are potato chips. Josephine made them. They’re actually ...”

  “I don’t care!” Henry shouted. “This is a very important experiment and you’re munching in my ear.”

  Robbie grinned then opened his mouth wide. Placing that mouth close to Henry’s ear, he stuck a chip in his mouth, and bit down as loudly as he could.

  Henry rolled his eyes. “So immature. Where is your brother? He’s supposed to be here. I told him two hours.”

  Robbie tossed his hands up. “Maybe he’s busy. I wish he would get here. He’s the only that can calm you down.”

  “I don’t need Frank to calm me ...” Henry sniffed then sniffed again. “Aw! Did that thing go again?”

  Robbie leaned to the SUT and smelled. “Yep.” He ate another chip.

  Henry gasped in disgust, holding his nose, and speaking nasally, “I wish Frank would hurry.”

  Danny just shook his head. “Henry, what is wrong with you? How do you change your kid’s diaper?”

  “He doesn’t,” Robbie answered.

  “You don’t?” Danny questioned.

  Henry’s fingers moved across the computer program. “Not on purpose, I don’t. This is finally ready. Now where is Frank?”

  “Here.” Frank walked into the basement. “Man, it stinks.”

  “You’re late, Frank,” Henry griped. “I want to run this program. The SUT had another accident. He smells really bad.”

  “Get over it. Now let’s work on that SUT.”

  “OK, Frank.” Henry edged Frank to the table containing the computer. “Hook him up, Danny.”

  “Got it.” Pulling the long wires that were attached to the ear piece, Danny placed it in the ear of the SUT. “Ready.” Danny saw the SUT struggling at the earpiece. “Robbie, can you?”