Apparent Power: DiaZem Trilogy Book One

by Dacia M Arnold

  News of her status spread amongst the hotel’s survivors. Some stared at her, others were afraid. No one had explained to them their genetic change and what that meant. They were trying to keep themselves together like she was. She still did not know what to say to them when the opportunity came. Valerie had little solace for herself, much less any to delve out to strangers. They had not even developed a plan moving forward from the funerals.

  One by one, the deceased were carried to the burial area. Others walked behind them holding candles and crying. A young couple followed a tiny silhouette hidden under a sheet. They held on to each other; heads hung while they walked. Valerie choked, imagining Caleb under the small covering. She closed her eyes to push the thought from her mind. Inhale, exhale. When she opened them again, three more bodies were carried to the area; American flags covered two of them. Once they reached their prospective plots, Major made his way to a central location. As the other services ended, those who had finished their respects gathered around. The same five-man detail began to fill the graves as the mourners dispersed to the final ceremony.

  “I thought retirement meant I didn’t have to do these anymore.” The corner of Major’s mouth frowned, and his chin quivered ever so slightly. He, too, took a deep breath and continued, “Edward Francis Griffin was my best friend. We started our careers in the same infantry unit a couple of decades ago at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He’s seen me at my best and my worst and stuck around. He helped me raise my daughter and was more like a brother to me than a friend. This stubborn guy walked one hundred miles without complaint. He came all this way to be with the woman he loved. Gia Murphy moved to Denver at Mike’s request to keep you and Caleb safe. Griff had a plan to move, too, after he proposed to her.” Major dug into his pocket and produced a ring. “He was bringing this to Gia. Yes, he wanted to be sure we were safe, but love kept him going. And no one deserved love more than these two.”

  Valerie got another chill, but not from the wind. From guilt. She felt selfish and ashamed. She had made the journey about her reunion with her family and had never considered that her companions had missions which were just as important. Major continued to talk about his friend and how Gia’s bright and contagious smile could light up a room. Valerie could not hold herself together. She shook with silent sobs remembering her friend who had fought for her son until the end. Who was far more loyal than she would have ever hoped. Valerie could never repay her, or even thank her.

  Jack took Major’s place in the center and retrieved a piece of paper from his pocket. His hands shook as he read from it, “Scott Michael Russell served in the U.S. Army from 2001 until about two years ago as an indirect fire infantryman. He completed four tours of duty, including Iraq and Afghanistan. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Valerie Russell, and their son. I met Scott on an occasion like this. He was a nice guy who loved his family. Those closest to him will miss him dearly.” Jack looked at Valerie.

  She nodded with her approval. Jack then nodded to Hyka who was accompanied by two others. Valerie stood and watched the ceremony, trying to forget why she was there. Hyka and Jack took their place at the foot of the fallen soldiers, and the strangers stood at the head. In unison, all four picked up their designated flag and began folding them. Hyka presented the folded flag that had covered Griffin to her father. Jack approached Valerie with the folded flag of her husband. She had attended military funerals in the past but never imagined she would be on the receiving end of the ceremony. She thanked Jack.

  He leaned in, kissed her cheek and said, “We’ll get him. What he did will not go unanswered.” He hugged her and returned to the front of the crowd.

  “Let us bow our heads,” Jack announced. He was quiet for a few moments before beginning his prayer. “Over the course of a week, we have come to question everything we know as humans. So, if there is a God orchestrating all this, I pray you take our brothers home to heaven. I also pray their family and friends find peace with their loss. Amen.”

  Storm sirens broke the moment of silence, though the skies were as still as they could be. The men who were filling the graves with dirt stopped and put down their shovels to take cover inside the resort. Hyka wrapped her arm under Valerie’s to help her walk back inside.

  They found the power restored to the hotel. A fountain sprayed water in a small pond in the lobby, soft music played overhead, and all TV monitors displayed the same message: “Please stand by for an important message from your district DiaZem.”

  “Seriously?” Hyka said.

  As they made their way to the French restaurant, people watched and whispered as Valerie passed. They knew she was a DiaZem, but soon they would all find out who was in charge at the facility. Valerie had her suspicions but prayed she was wrong.

  After fifteen minutes, the sirens outside fell silent, and the hotel’s occupants waited in the restaurant area for the pending announcement. Valerie dreaded hearing anything from the CDC, but she was anxious to see who the other DiaZem was. The lights dimmed, and the screen began to countdown:

  3 . . . 2 . . . 1. . .

  “Greetings. My name is Dr. Lucas Jarrett, and I am the former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and former administrator for the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. I say former because these organizations no longer exist. I have been reassigned as the Head of Research in the Rocky Mountain Region. I am also the region’s DiaZem. I am addressing all of you this evening to do some much-needed explaining.

  “Five days ago, a natural event occurred, waking a gene in one-quarter of the world’s population. This gene was otherwise dormant in humans over the past few thousand years.” As he spoke, graphics filled the screen illustrating his explanation. “Characteristics of this gene revolve around conducting, storing, and releasing electricity. Every human being carries a small amount of electricity in their body to maintain their heartbeat, enable their metabolism, and send information from the nerves to the brain. Your abilities are not so limited. Although your new gift might seem quite the hindrance, causing you to live without power, society is all about to change for the better.

  “As you are collecting energy, a DiaZem such as myself can draw stored energy from you and use your power to do a multitude of things. I am responsible for your ability to watch this message. I have returned power to the city of Denver and surrounding areas—although, due to downed planes taking out key infrastructure, conventional means of power are currently impossible in some places. I apologize for having withheld this energy, but as one DiaZem, I am limited in my capabilities. However, there are other DiaZem who cannot control their abilities at all and are a danger to you. I understand last night many people lost their lives in such an incident. Men, women, and children who were not protected by the gene were taken from you, and I want to offer my deepest condolences.”

  Lucas bowed his head in a convincing gesture of empathy, but his show of remorse did not fool Valerie. She knew he was behind the attack. She scoffed and stood up to leave, but one look at Jack’s face told her something was wrong. He stood behind her with his hand over his mouth, stroking his blonde beard.

  “We have built a community for the survivors of this tragedy. We converted the Denver International Airport into a refuge city capable of supporting 2 million people. We have clean running water, medical capabilities, food and, of course, electricity.”

  “There are a handful of these mega-cities in the world. Two DiaZem govern each city: a male and a female.” Lucas’ slimy smile returned. “Ms. Valerie Burton has refused my many invitations to join me here at our facility for proper training on her abilities. This has been at the cost of so many lives, including her husband’s. She may try to blame us here at the facility; either way, she is dangerous and needs to be taken into custody and brought to me as soon as possible.”

  Lucas continued to talk, but his voice was drowned out by the group at the restaurant. Major moved to Valerie and picked her up without the courtesy of a warnin
g. He took her up the stairs and to her room with a slur of curses under his breath. Lucas continued his announcements on the television mounted on the wall across from her bed.

  “I knew that SOB was going to pin those deaths on you from the second his greasy face showed up on the screen. He sent a lynch mob for you.” Jack paced back and forth as Major sat Valerie in the chair. Jack stopped and looked at her. “Val, are you alright? You look green.”

  She was in shock. Valerie could not think or speak. Her hands were shaking, and she felt sick.

  “Can,” she said. “Trashcan.”

  Major grabbed the closest wastebasket to him and threw the bin in front of her just in time. The contents of her stomach emptied into the container. Hyka combed the hair out of Valerie’s face and held a handful behind her head.

  “Dad, can you get a cold washcloth? Jack, grab a bottle of water from the mini-fridge. They’re free. I asked,” Hyka joked. “Let me know when you’re good to move; I’ll help you to the bed. Maybe you can use some of your voodoo magic and fix your sick.”

  Major cleared his throat and shook his head, indicating Hyka’s last comment might have been inappropriate. Valerie swished around the water Jack had given her, spit into the can, and gave Hyka the thumbs-up to move.

  “Search and rescue parties cannot proceed until Ms. Burton is brought back to the facility. Until she arrives, provisions are limited to the immediate area around the airport. When she is delivered, power will be restored to the entire region, a five-hundred-mile radius. Let me stress again, she is not to be harmed, and her crimes will be handled by the standing government here at the facility.

  “We must come together in this time of great loss. We must rebuild what was destroyed and pick up the pieces. We must protect all we have left: each other. Looking or going back is not an option anymore. We must move forward and evolve to our new way of life. Please join me in rebuilding this great region. Our gates are open to all.”

  The screen went blank, and the lights dimmed to nothing. Valerie powered a small light in the bathroom.

  “Why? What more does he want from me? What does he get if everyone blames me?” Valerie yelled in frustration, embarrassed at her physical state.

  “You can’t raise a rebellion without followers. He’ll do what he can to ruin your credibility so no one will fight for you,” Hyka said while setting up an IV in the dark.

  “I don’t think those are helping much. You’re wasting supplies on me. I’m fine. This is just stress.” Valerie tried to rationalize her condition more for herself than the others. Though they did not say it, she could tell they were growing more concerned about her health.

  “Valerie, since this started no one has even twisted their ankle or coughed once. Aside from Major’s multiple gunshot wounds, we walked a hundred miles without training or preparation. I don’t think this is a stress reaction. I think something is wrong. We need to get you help, but unless you can power a vehicle long enough to get to the airport, we are going to have to carry you for ten miles.” Jack had stopped pacing and sat in the chair across from the bed. He jumped back to his feet when someone knocked on the door.

  Major opened the door to a young, dark woman and her tiny baby.

  “May I speak to the deity?” she asked, meek and reverent.

  “Mrs. Russell is tired and is not seeing anyone,” he answered in a stern, authoritative voice.

  “Let them in, Major. Fear breeds hate. Let them ask their questions or point their fingers. Whatever they need to do to heal.” Valerie was growing weak, but she wanted the people to know the truth rather than see her hiding away like a criminal.

  The woman entered the room holding her sleeping baby. She walked to the bedside, kneeled, and bowed her head. “Holy Being, I hope you understand my language. I have come from Ghana with my child to America for a better life. I walked here from the airport and stayed hidden to keep my daughter safe for fear they would take her from me like they did to other mothers. I know your heart is good and you did not hurt anyone. Please accept my deepest sorrow for your loss.”

  “Your English is excellent. What is your name and your daughter’s? She is beautiful.” Valerie smiled and welcomed her kindness.

  “I am Alma, and this is my daughter, Fatima. And my language is Twi. You speak, and I understand. I speak, and you understand. We are connected.” Alma held a hand to Valerie’s heart. She had a sweet, genuine smile. She bowed again, stood, and left the room.

  “Okay, no more visitors. Rest,” Major said pointing a finger at Valerie, commanding her.

  Valerie nodded in agreement, rolled over, and fell asleep for a short while. When she woke, Jack was still sleeping in the chair. Major and Hyka were gone. Valerie pulled back the blanket as slow and quiet as she could, keeping an eye on Jack, making sure not to wake him. She walked out of the room onto the balcony. The night was still and dark. The only light was given off by the half-moon which broke through the cloudy night sky and shone through the skylight over the central atrium. Across the building on the opposite balcony was a young man leaning against the rail with something in his hand. He was looking at her, expressionless. She smiled and walked down the hall to find more privacy.

  In a stairwell, Valerie powered the red emergency lights to guide her way. Unsure of where she wanted to go, she decided the roof was as safe a place as any to clear her mind and mull over her next steps. She reached the top of the stairs and struggled with the heavy door. After much exertion, she opened the roof access wide enough to squeeze through. The night air was fresh and welcoming. She walked to the east side of the roof, where she could see the airport bright on the otherwise black horizon. Seeing the circus topped structure every day for the past year, she never thought the buildings were more than they appeared. She was thankful Caleb was with her father and not alone, but she was so anxious to see him.

  Despite the breeze, she found herself sweating again, and her hands shook. The journey up the stairs had caught up with her. She sat down to catch her breath. The door to the stairwell opened. A young man walked toward her, and she greeted him with a smile.

  “You look unwell,” said the young man she had seen on the balcony. His smile faded and his tone was less than concerned.

  “I am fine. This week has been stressful for all of us,” Valerie answered as she pushed herself up to allow for a more formal posture.

  “Does anyone know you are out here? May I help you return to your room?” he asked.

  She did, in fact, need help, but the order of his questions threw up a red flag. No one knew she was there. He had been watching her room from the balcony and followed her out to the roof. She kicked herself for being so careless. The CDC was no longer her only threat. Lucas had turned the people against her.

  Valerie tried to stand on her own strength but faltered. The young man bent down and appeared to be trying to help. She wanted to push him away, but he grabbed her wrist and yanked her toward him, burying a blade between her ribs on her left side. He removed the knife and pulled his arm back to strike again. Valerie knew he meant to kill her. She pulled his energy. All of it. Even the tiny bit keeping his heart beating. His grip released and the arm holding the blade fell away from her. She too collapsed on the asphalt roof.

  Valerie lacked the strength to move herself back down the stairs to find help. She tried to scream but realized her left lung had deflated from the injury and she could not take a deep enough breath. She tore her shirt open to fit her right hand over the wound and applied pressure. To delay the inevitable shock, she tried to slow her breathing and control her heart rate. She needed to signal to Jack where she was, somehow. Her eyes searched her surroundings for anything that could aid her in getting back to her room. On the corner, by the door she had used to access the roof, was a large speaker. Valerie tapped into the wiring of the intercom system and traced the power back to her room where Jack was still sleeping. She prayed a whisper would wake him. There were no other options.

  “Jac
k. Help me,” she said as loud as she could, which was still a low and raspy murmur. “The roof. Take the stairwell to the roof. Help me, please.” Valerie’s vision was fading, and she knew her chest was filling with blood.

  She was gasping for air when the door flew open. Her three friends jumped into action. She pulled their energy in an attempt to heal her wounds as she had done with Major, but nothing worked. Hyka taped a plastic bag over her injury.

  “I’m going to stab you with this needle to release the air trapped in your chest cavity. Your lung should then be able to expand.” Hyka pulled out a large needle and felt for space on Valerie’s chest below her collarbone and right above her heart. Hyka pushed into the space between bones to ensure she had the right spot. Valerie did not have the energy to fight or protest as Hyka stabbed her deep in between her ribs. She retracted the needle, leaving a plastic catheter in place. The catheter hissed, releasing the trapped air which had collapsed Valerie’s lung. She took a desperate breath and both of her lungs filled with air.

  “Valerie, look at me. Are you able to focus your energy?” Hyka spoke three inches from Valerie’s face to help her concentration.

  “I need water. I want to sleep.” Valerie’s consciousness was fading. She caught glimpses of the stairwell, the balcony, and her room. She heard the phone ring. She could not make out the words but knew Major was giving a few choice and angry words to whoever was on the other end.

  When she could open her eyes again, she heard another man’s voice. Not Jack or Major, but he was speaking to them. Her vision was blurry, but she knew the voice, warm, comforting, and familiar.

  “Scott?” She knew it was not her husband. She had left him in the cold ground, uncovered. Valerie tried to sit up. Someone needed to fill her husband’s grave. Lucas had interrupted the ceremony, and she had left him there.