Glistening Haven: A Shape Shifting Dystopian Boxset

by Jill Cooper

  “No more time for games. I get it.”

  Jenna was glad. Heading into the back of the van, she glowered at Dirk as he worked at a computer station. She was so angry with him for forcing an emotional response out of her. Stupid men and their tricks. What else was new?

  “I opened that secure line you asked for.”

  She knew an apology when she heard one, but ignored him. Instead she took out her phone and used her speed dial function. Jenna set her comm to private, so Dirk and Jameson wouldn’t be able to hear the rest of the conversation.

  “I need to speak with Rebecca Seers. Tell her it’s an emergency.”

  “I’m sorry, ma’am. She’s not taking calls.”

  “Tell her I know she has Wendy. I know she has Wendy and something is coming for her. For her and that bastard baby of a glistening.”

  “Straight to the point,” Dirk shrugged.

  “We don’t have time for anything else,” Jenna said while she waited for Rebecca to pick up. Finally her comm clicked, but it was the voice of Rebecca’s secretary.

  “I’m sorry, she’s in a meeting.” Her voice was strained in an obvious lie. “Can I get your number and take a message?”

  Jenna gritted her teeth. “Tell her she’ll have to answer for this and soon.” Jenna ended the call and peered over Jameson’s shoulder. “Make a course for Rebecca Seers and her little organization. I’m making a house call.”

  “It’s going to take hours to get there. Hours we might not have.”

  “We don’t have a choice.” Jenna slumped into a seat.

  Chapter Twenty-One Jeff Monroe

  “Go upstairs,” Jeff closed the blinds in the front window. Behind him came Marie’s hysterical cries. She cradled her waist like she had the stomach flu and her pale face was streaked with tears. The happy girl, the one they named after his wife, was shimmering blue before his eyes.

  “Marie!” Jeff snapped. “Go upstairs. Lock your door.”

  “She’s dead.” Marie whispered. “Mom—”

  “Upstairs, sweetheart. Please.” His voice begged her to move. Jeff knew it wouldn’t be long until the police entered their home, but he didn’t want Marie to see. She was just a kid. He had to hope she’d be spared. He had to pray that she wouldn’t be treated the way Susan was. The way he was about to be treated.

  Susan, the light of his life, was dead.

  Jeff blinked his eyes and watched as Marie rushed up the stairs. When he heard her door slam, Jeff turned back to the window. Fear lodged in his throat and he peered through the blinds. Outside, more police arrived. On the grass, beneath a black plastic sheet, was his wife’s body.

  What she did, Jeff thought, was impossible, but he witnessed it with his own eyes. It was like a nightmare playing out on his lawn. He saw how scared Susan was and how they cornered her like she was a wild animal. Never before had Jeff seen someone take glistening form. It scared him when he saw Susan change and he was surprised at her strength and horrified at her lust for blood. He saw it in her eyes and in the thirst with which she drank.

  Movement outside caused Jeff to move away from the window. Footsteps drew up his front steps. Jeff stood in the darkness of the living room. He waited for them to come to him.

  The rustle of footsteps and heavy shouting rushed him like a moving wall of sound. There were many bodies charging him, all in heavy cavalier suits with breastplates and protective helmets. “Freeze! Do not move, Monroe! Hands up!”

  “Hands up!” Multiple voices screamed at him and Jeff couldn’t focus on just one. Trapped in a whirlwind where multiple storms pelted him at once, he didn’t know which way to look. His arms trembled as he lifted them.

  They were wrenched behind his back and he was forced down onto his stomach and handcuffed.. Jeff struggled to lift his head and his body was hit with an electrode stick. Electricity entered rushed up his back, into his limbs, and chattering teeth. He lost control of his body, convulsing like a suffocating fish on land. His head rocked and a scream of pain and loss left his mouth.

  He stared at the grouping of boots all around him. Footsteps charged up the stairs and a door was shattered. Jeff cried, gagging on his vomit, and heard the screams from Marie.

  “Daddy! Daddy!”

  They forced him up, carrying him outside where the sun still shone. The flowers wafted in the breeze and Jeff wondered how a thing was still possible. The light in his world was gone; things would never be the same.

  He was forced to a paddy wagon; when they opened the back, Jeff saw his neighbors and friends shackled inside. A quick glance showed a record number of officers on his street. And in front of each house, a paddy wagon waited to be filled.

  What would become of them? What would become of New Haven?

  Chapter Twenty-Two Wendy

  May 20th, 11AM

  Crane’s Cabin, Summerset

  “I won’t be argued with,” Thomas Crane said with a level eye. “Neither of you are taking this situation as serious as it is. Before it’s too late you both need to listen. Both of you, sit down.”

  Jake and Wendy sat on the sofa with the look of chastised children on their faces. The pretty dress she got to wear for the first time was now the farthest thing on her mind as Thomas went on.

  “This isn’t a game. You are not playing house. Understand? Jake, as far as the world is concerned, you are a monster. A monster that must be quarantined. You being out here is about the same as a lion escaping from the zoo. If people suspect, they will have you arrested, or worse. And you,” Thomas glared at Wendy, “pretty dresses and making pound cakes—”

  “You told me to look respectable.”

  “Keep your mouth shut when I’m speaking to you. You still act like a child. If you were my kid and pregnant I’d be worried, and I’m talking a human child. But this? You have any idea the undertaking you’ve decided on? That kid is what this entire country is afraid of, and that makes them dangerous. They’ll be afraid and not just of your baby, but of you. How am I supposed to protect either of you while you’re going out on dinner dates?”

  “He’s my boss.” Jake argued. “But we’ll do what you say when we’re there. Promise.”

  Wendy shot him a look. He was always so agreeable, always ready to listen to orders.

  Thomas nodded. “Good. Follow the script and everything will be fine, but step out of line and we’ll have no choice but to move you.”

  Wendy didn’t want that. She was happy in Summerset. She wanted to raise her baby here away from prying eyes. Until it was older and everyone could know the truth. Maybe the world would come together.

  They promised to be careful. Then, hand in hand, they headed out to the car while Thomas watched through the blinds with Sally at his side. For a split second his hand grazed her ass. “You have any idea how bad this is going to get?”

  “I do.” Sally answered.

  “She doesn’t.”

  “Surprise!”

  Wendy yelped as the small crowd of people leapt out from their hiding spots behind the sofa and loveseats. The room was decorated in blue streamers and balloons. She covered her mouth and fought back happy tears. Beside her Jake clapped his hands together and Wendy realized he was in on it. A baby shower for her.

  Her, and her half-glistening baby.

  “I can’t believe you did it all this,” Wendy whispered as he gave her a light kiss.

  Jake grinned. “Oh, it was hard to keep it a secret, but we wanted to do something nice for you.”

  “That we did,” John gave her a warm hug. “Welcome, Claire. And congratulations. Babies are a blessing.” He gave her a wink.

  Wendy smiled and greeted people for what felt like an hour. Her head spun as she was handed some punch and a plate of food. She saw the towering table of gifts wrapped in light blue paper and a wave of grief washed over her. Wendy knew her parents should be there and would be if the situation were different. She wished it were, but she loved Jake so much. Wendy was glad it was his baby, but knew ho
w much her mom would love to have thrown such a shower.

  And that it came from a bunch of strangers who didn’t even know her real name made Wendy so sad. She felt like a phony, but she smiled through her tears and thanked everyone as she made herself comfortable in an oversized blue paisley chair.

  The afternoon was filled with laughter, conversation, and present unwrapping. There were bags filled with delicate outfits and bundles of soft blankets. Sheets, towels, and bottles; Wendy got everything she would need for the baby’s first few months. She was so grateful for everything and didn’t know how to express it. Jake was there with support and hugs. His eyes were a mirror to her own.

  The gifts loaded in the truck, Wendy sat and visited with the ladies while she waited for Jake to get back. She was eating another piece of cake because it was her favorite, chocolate. The men sat in the living room watching CNN. The way they were studying the screen, it seemed they were very into politics, or whatever was going on. Wendy’s dad was the same way, and made her think of him.

  Mary followed her gaze. “Oh, men. It’s either world events or sports, isn’t it? John’s been obsessed with that channel since news broke about what’s going on in New Haven.”

  Wendy’s heart skipped a beat. She put her plate of cake down. “We don’t have a TV at my uncle’s cabin. What’s...going on?”

  Barbara rolled her eyes. “Something to do with those beasts. I try not to even think about them. They nearly destroyed the world and we just keep them in those plastic things. I won’t even come within ten miles of one of those bubbles. Disgusting.”

  Wendy bit her lip. She didn’t know what to say.

  “It’s not about them. It’s about the chief. Everyone’s heard by now. There was an explosion. There’s talk that it was an inside job, but I think it was the monsters. Only about time they’d kill them.”

  “Where?” Wendy asked, her voice cracking. “Which New Haven?”

  “Forty-six or fifty-six. What’s the difference?”

  Mary ignored the question. “Congress will be reconvening to vote on a new bill that was just drafted. To get rid of the glistenings. Forever. I’m not saying I agree, but this could be life-changing. Maybe finally the world will be free of the HI police force.”

  One of the women snorted. “Global police, they like to call themselves? More like career criminals who think they are above the law. Going anywhere. Stealing anything in the name of justice. Worse than the CIA.”

  Wendy felt sick. Her hands had begun to shake so bad that her fork rattled against her plate. She put it down. “I really would like to know, which New Haven.”

  Everyone’s eyes were on her. “Are you feeling okay, Claire? You look kind of pale suddenly. Let me get you another glass of punch.”

  Wendy shook her head. She didn’t want punch. She wanted answers! Throwing her napkin down, she slid her chair backwards and marched into the living room. “Which New Haven?” She demanded of the men. “Which one?”

  John startled, blinking his eyes at her. “Fifty-six.”

  “What?” Wendy’s hands shook as she pushed her hair from her face. “And, the chief, his family?”

  “Dead.” John said simply.

  Wendy backed up, a shriek of a sob lodged in her throat. Everyone was watching, everyone saw, but she couldn’t help herself. Why didn’t anyone tell her? Why—

  “Well, it took a pry bar, but I finally got everything into the back of the truck—” Jake stopped as his eyes laid on Wendy. “Claire, what’s the matter?”

  “My father’s dead.” Her words sputtered out of her mouth. When horror crossed his face, but not surprise, Wendy grabbed his shirt and shook him. “You knew? And you didn’t tell me! How could you keep this from me!”

  Jake looked like a deer trapped in the headlights. “We thought, in your condition—”

  Wendy laughed, tears rimmed in her eyes. “My condition is exactly why you should have told me. Damn it, Jake!”

  Slowly John stood from his armrest.

  Jake eyed him with fear. “I’m sorry. We’ll just be going. She’s not usually so upset by the news.” He took her by the arm, trying to lead her toward the door, but Wendy swatted him away.

  She yanked her arm, her eyes widened and her lip snarled. “I’m not some hysterical pregnant woman.” She pointed her finger at him. “You should have told me.”

  “I think maybe she should sit down,” John said, getting between them. “Maybe you can both explain to me why she keeps calling you Jake, and why’s she so upset about Chief Reynolds.”

  Realizing what she had done, horror set in Wendy’s belly. She felt torn up into knots and felt the frantic movements of her baby, feeling her anxiety. “I—uh.” Wendy swallowed. She felt so dizzy and lightheaded that she didn’t know what she was saying, or doing. “I think I should go home and lie down.”

  “I’ll take you.” Jake extended his hand and begged Wendy to take it with his eyes.

  Wendy reached for his fingers as someone turned the volume up on the television. Her eyes went to it without meaning to.

  “—again the FBI working with the New Haven police force is issuing a bulletin for missing Wendy Reynolds. Missing since the night of the explosion, she may be kidnapped and being held under false arrest by whomever is responsible for the death of Chief Reynolds. Just released is a recent photo from her graduation photo taken earlier this year.”

  Wendy didn’t need to see it to know what was going to happen. She took Jake’s hand and they bolted for the door. Don’t look back, she willed herself as she got into the pickup. Even when she heard John scream, “Wendy!” after her, she never looked back.

  She cried all the way back to the cabin.

  ****

  Wendy didn’t want to look at Jake anymore. She didn’t want to look at anyone.

  So she packed her bags. She tore through her drawers, only taking what was necessary to survive. Thomas Crane would be happy with that, but probably not happy that she took a few baby outfits and baby blankets. They were so beautiful and the baby would need something.

  “Wendy.”

  She turned her head to see Sally in the doorway. Wendy busied herself with folding her clothes. “I don’t want to talk to you.”

  “I know you don’t want to. I know you feel betrayed. But we thought it was best not to upset you. I thought it best. Stress isn’t good for a pregnant woman, especially one with blood pressure problems.”

  “I don’t have a blood pressure problem. It was one reading.”

  “It wasn’t just one.”

  Wendy gave her a dirty look. “More secrets?” She slung her large duffle bag over her shoulder and headed down the hall.

  “We’re all in this together,” Sally said as she rushed after her.

  “Some of us are in it more than others. It’s growing in me, not you. It’s Jake’s head on the cutting block. Not yours.” Wendy stomped downstairs and saw the collection of bags at the front porch.

  Thomas Crane was in the kitchen, readying some rations for the road. “You’re right about that. I won’t lie to you, Wendy, we’re in a bad pickle. Your picture is everywhere. I didn’t think they would release it. In fact I was surprised they announced you were missing at all. Means one thing.”

  “What’s that?” Wendy asked.

  “They want you out in the open. They want to force us to run and catch us out there, off guard. It’s smart, I suppose, since they don’t know where you are. They are going to force others, like Jake’s boss, to do their work for them. We have no choice but to leave. Like I said, it’s a pickle.”

  Wendy scowled. “Are you saying...are you saying that the police, the people my Dad worked for, want me?”

  “Not so much you as that thing growing inside you. Until you have it, you’re worth more dead than alive. The New Haven police isn’t known for its tact or for following laws. With them, there almost are none. They will do anything to make sure glistenings stay right where they are.”

  His
words hit her with the force of a truck. “Are you trying to upset me? Because it’s working.”

  “No, I want you to be careful. On guard. What happened this afternoon can’t happen again.” His stare was level, intense, but not unkind. “We have a lot of ground to cover, so we best head out.”

  Wendy nodded and watched Thomas pick up her bags before she left the cabin, most likely for good. The little rustic home had been perfect, she thought, for raising her child with Jake. But she hadn’t known then that her baby got her parents killed. That the government would want to silence her. Maybe it had been a mistake, and nothing but a pipe dream.

  If the baby kept her on the run forever and kept her from friends and family, maybe Wendy shouldn’t have had it at all. Thinking those words made her heart sick with grief and as if to remind her of his existence, the baby kicked her hard.

  “I didn’t mean it,” she said with tears in her eyes, holding her belly. “I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean it.”

  ****

  Outside, John erupted from his truck and Mary followed close behind him. John grabbed Jake’s arm. “Whatever is going on, Larry, Jake, whatever your name is, we’ll help you. Just tell us.”.

  Jake didn’t know what to do as he sat in the driver’s seat of one of the blue pickup trucks in the driveway. He had to do what Thomas Crane and Rebecca Seers told him to, but he liked the Millers a lot. He liked living in town and having a job. He didn’t want to leave. But he was told there was no choice; the FBI was probably already alerted and someone would be on their tail. If they wanted to have their baby, if they wanted to be safe, they had to go.

  “I wouldn’t hurt her. That’s all you have to know.” Jake swallowed hard, relieved when he saw Thomas put the rest of the bags into the back of the truck.