BURNING THE PICKET FENCE
Part 3 – Nightmares
FBI Academy
Quantico, Virginia, June 26, 2000
For his entire life, Luke Ramirez dreamed about being an FBI agent like his father, and his grandfather who reported directly to J. Edgar Hoover. When he was accepted to the academy, he was confident his dreams had come true and committed himself to being a success. He immediately shot to the top of the class in all phases of the training.
However, it was his temper and arrogance that often got him in hot water. He was always let off with a warning. But they were watching him.
That final morning, he was working out in the gym.
"Hey Ramirez! Napp wants to see you in his office."
"Yeah, I'll be right there." Luke answered as he continued lifting weights.
"I didn't get the impression this was a request." The cadet shouted at him. "If I were you, I would get my ass in gear and get in there now."
Luke looked up taking a deep breath. "I can't wait to find out what the fuck I did now." He thought to himself standing up.
He put on his gray FBI t-shirt and blue warm up pants with the white stripe along the side and began the short walk across the campus. He came to a stop in front of a door at the end of a long hallway. Taking a deep breath he rapped on the door.
"Common in!" The voice of Captain Roy Napp called out.
"You wanted to see me. I'm here." Luke spoke confidently as he entered his office.
"Yeah, sit down Ramirez." Luke took the seat across from him staring intently at him. Napp finally looked up. "There is no other way to say this. I am not recommending you to continue with the program."
Luke's face dropped as he stared at him stunned. "What?"
Napp leaned forward staring at him straightforwardly. "You don't have the mentality for the job. Your over-confident. You have a problem with authority, and you have no respect for people as a whole. I'm sorry, but if you are going to be a g-man, it takes a extraordinary human being. And as impressive as your grades and skills have been, that ain't you."
Luke stood up raging. "This is fucking bullshit! My grades are the best in the class! I am the best sharp shooter. I am a squad leader for crying out loud! They don't elect chumps to that position!"
Napp shook his head staring up at him. "And you have a short fuse. Again, not agent material."
Luke turned around with his hands on his head, then pivoted around slamming his fists on his desk. "This has nothing to do with my skills and you know it!" He sneered through clenched teeth.
Napp took a deep breath speaking evenly. "As I said, it has nothing to do with your skills. It is my job to evaluate our cadets and I do not feel that you have what it takes to move on. I'm sorry."
"This is fucked!" Luke shouted.
"Again Ramirez, I am sorry." Napp replied. "You will have two hours to clean out your locker and your dorm room. On your way out turn in your gun."
Luke put his hands on his hips shaking his head. He turned around and walked out the door, slamming it behind him.
He angrily stomped out to the parking lot, pulling out his security badge and throwing it against the outside brick building. As he approached his car, he pulled out his keys.
"Mr. Ramirez." He turned and saw a tall man wearing a black trench coat and sun glasses leaning against a black SUV. "May I have a word with you?"
Luke stared at him for a moment, then warily walked toward him. "Look whoever you are, this isn't really a good time."
"Actually, I'm here to make your day." The man smiled peering at him over the rim of his glasses.
Luke laughed spitefully. "Are you shitting me? Who are you, my fairy godfather?"
"Why don't you give me twenty minutes of your time and find out." He handed Luke a business card then got in his vehicle and left.
Later than night in a small coffee shop, Luke sat across the table from the same gentleman. He listened intently as he spoke.
"My name is Thompson." He began. "The company I work for has had our eye on you for a long time, Mr. Ramirez."
Luke stared at him coolly. "Why?"
Thompson looked around then leaned forward. "I don't know if you are aware, but there are people walking around among us that possess special abilities. The company I work for observes and protects these people."
Luke began to laugh. "You're kidding, right?"
Thompson leaned in looking at him intensely. "Do I look like the kind of guy who has a sense of humor?"
"Ok." Luke shrugged. "What kinds of abilities?"
Thompson took a sip of his coffee then folded his arms in front of him. "Invisibility. Telekinesis. Super strength. Flight. Tissue regeneration. And that's, as they say, the tip of the iceberg."
"So I ask you again…why me?" Luke asked distrustfully.
"Because our agents fit a personality profile." Thompson told him. "And you are the classic example of what we are looking for."
"And what is that?" Luke asked folding his arms across his chest.
"Morally gray." He grinned slowly. "Not good, not evil. Just walking the line in the middle of that gradient. That combined with your kick ass skills gives you the edge."
Luke nodded appreciatively. "Ok, so what would I have to do?"
"Basically live a secret life and not tell your friends and family what you really do." Thompson half-smiled. "We don't have a graduation ceremony where your mom and grandma can take pictures of you wearing a cap and gown. But we can offer you a rewarding career. And we only take the best. And you, Mr. Ramirez, are the best."
Thompson stood up taking out his wallet then throwing some money down on the table. "Think about it for a few days and give me a call."
"What if I decide after a while it's not for me?" He asked.
Thompson looked around, approaching him cautiously. "Once you're in, there's only one way out. I think you know what I mean." He turned and walked out of the coffee shop.
Luke sat staring at the card for a moment. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes exhaling.
New York City
Somewhere In the Not Too Distant Future
Luke zipped his pants back up while Elle sat demurely with her legs crossed on top of the lock box. Luke looked over his shoulder at her while he buttoned up his shirt.
"Wow!" She laughed. "That was amazing. I don't know why my sister isn't beating down your door every night begging for you."
"Your sister and I are history." He half-smiled. "She's made it crystal clear she's not interested."
Elle looked in the mirror as she buttoned up her dress then fixed her hair. "Well, you know she went to my father and asked for a new partner, don't you?"
"I'm not surprised." Luke shrugged.
"So, why do you think she's so fascinated with that serial killer?" She smiled inquisitively. "There's something weird going on there."
He turned and looked at her. "What do you mean?"
"Oh, common!" She laughed. "You must see the looks that go on between them."
Luke turned looking coolly at her. "Your sister has a thing for bad boys. She always has. You know that."
"Especially the tall, dark and sexy variety." She said pulling her shoes back on. "I think I will be paying him a visit myself one of these days."
"Well be careful." Luke warned her. "The guys bad news."
"Maybe I like bad boys too." She narrowed her eyes mysteriously.
"Yeah, sure." Luke chuckled. "Then why would a guy like Peter Petrelli make you cream your panties?"
"Oh God, that boy scout?" She scoffed. "Boring!"
"Well, I would love to sit here all day discussing this, but I have a lot of work to do." He quickly kissed her as she gave him a jolt. "I could get to like that." He grinned.
"Come by anytime." She smiled.
As Luke opened the door Bob was standing there with his arms folded. "Well Ramirez, you just can't keep your pants zipped, can you? You can't keep your mitts off of Agent Noonan, a girl I practically raised. And I'm sure you know how I feel about you banging my daughter." He narrowed his eyes leering at him. "In my office! Now!"
Luke rolled his eyes and looked at Elle who was smiling and giggling to herself. She held her thumb and pinky to her ear giving him the symbol to call her. He shook his head and headed to Bob's office.
"Sir, I'm sorry." Luke began. "It was a momentary lapse in judgment…"
Bob put his hand up stopping him. "Luke, I know how enticing and insistent my daughter is. I'm not excusing your actions, but you aren't the first and you certainly won't be the last. But regardless, that is not what I brought you in here to discuss."
"It's not?" Luke sat down staring at Bob astonished.
"I brought you in to tell you that you are being transferred to the Odessa office." Bob told him firmly. "You will leave tomorrow."
Luke was taken aback. "You mean just like that? Just go? No time to get used to the idea?
"Bob leaned forward in his chair frowning. "What is there to get used to? When you accepted your position with this company, you knew about our policies. You can and will be moved at any time. So I suggest you go home and pack your bags immediately."
Realizing he had no choice and considering the alternative, Luke sat forward sighing heavily. "So what time does my flight leave?"
"You won't be flying, you will be driving." Bob replied writing something on a piece of paper. "You will be pulling double duty actually. You and Agent Noonan will be transporting a prisoner back to Odessa. Sylar."
Luke sat up straight swallowing hard. "Sylar." He took a deep breath. "So your sending me on a cross country trip with the reason I am being transferred in the first place and a bloodthirsty maniac? This should be fun."
Bob stood up extending his hand. "Good luck to you, Ramirez."
Luke nodded as he grabbed his hand. "Thank you sir." He stood up and exited the office.As he shut the door behind him, he leaned his back against the wall clutching his hair. "Shit!" He muttered under his breath.
Sarah opened the door to Sylar's cell. She leaned against the wall, her arms folded. "Pack your bags! We're going on a road trip."
Sylar sat up on his cot rubbing his eyes. "Just the two of us?" He smiled groggily.
"No. We'll be joined by my partner, Agent Ramirez." She replied half-smiling.
"That's too bad." He stood up circling her longingly. "Well, as long as we get to bunk together, I think I can live with the company."
"You will be rooming with Agent Ramirez." She answered looking up at him composedly. "And you will be wearing shackles at all times."
"Ooooh…kinky." He smiled wiggling his eyebrows at her.
"Too bad you'll be dancing with yourself." She patted him on the side of the face and started to walk out.
"You're not the slightest bit curious how I knew you were watching me the other night, are you?" He asked her in a slow whisper.
Sarah stopped walking and turned around, folding her arms across her chest. "Actually, you did kind of catch me off guard. That doesn't happen very often."
"I can tell." He grinned.
She stood in front of him looking up at him smiling furtively. "So, are you going to enlighten me?"
He shook his head incredulously. "You really don't remember, do you?"
She looked at him directly. "I think you're going to have to refresh my memory."
"Odessa Texas, fall 2006." He stood closer to her. "You used to come in and read my brain waves every night. While you sat next to me, we used to talk. Remember?"
"No." She looked at him icily. "But how could we talk? You were a turnip."
"You talked to me every night." He whispered touching her face. "You told me everything. All about what makes you…special. I learned about your dreams, your fears. You told me everything. Your deepest darkest secrets. I heard you crying inside your heart. I heard your screams in the pit of your soul." He leaned down so his lips were against her ear. "I know all about you, Sarah."
Sarah abruptly pulled away from him staring up at him defiantly. "You know nothing about me!"
Sylar laughed. "Oh, but I do Sarah. And on some level you remember too."
"What are you talking about?" She asked him icily.
"I saw you looking at me the other night when they brought me in." He grinned arrogantly. "You couldn't take your eyes off of me."
"What can I say? I'm a fan." She replied nonchalantly.
"You want my autograph?" He whispered moving closer to her lips. "Or can I interest you in something a little more…stimulating."
She backed away staring at him unemotionally. "We leave tomorrow first thing. Don't forget your toothbrush." She threw an iPod on his cot, then turned and walked out of his cell slamming the door. As he watched her walk away he put his hands over his face laughing at her cheekiness.
Later that night Sarah sat in her living room. Her dark hair was pulled back into a loose braid. She wore a Columbia University sweatshirt, with a pair of cropped ankle pants and bare feet. She sat curled up with her yellow lab Butterscotch lying across her lap.
She sat intently in front of the TV watching a game show. "Take the deal! Take the deal, you fucking idiot!" She shouted at her TV.
There was a knock at the door. She jumped up to open it, finding Luke standing there leaning against the door frame, his arms furiously crossed in front of him.
She half-smiled at him. "I take it you talked to Bob."
"Yeah, I talked to Bob." He abruptly replied brushing past her in the door.
"Um…common in, make yourself at home!" She shook her head disbelieving. "Prick." She uttered under her breath as she shut the door.
He turned around, his hands on his hips. "Why Sarah?"
She took a deep breath and approached him. "Look, let's get something straight right away. I only went to Bob to ask for a new partner. I had nothing to do with his decision to transfer you. That was all his doing."
Luke nodded sarcastically. "Great! I feel better already!"
Sarah closed her eyes to keep from getting angry. "Luke, after what happened, it is impossible for us to work together. Especially after you told me you love me." She shook her head sadly. "Dammit! Why did you have to fall in love with me! You know I can never love you back!"
"Yeah, I'm beginning to see that." He whispered angrily. "Sarah, I look in your eyes and all I see looking back at me is darkness." He put his hand on her face. "My God…I don't know what has happened to make you this way, but whatever it was must have been horrific."
"What made me this way?" She shook her head. "How would you like to live with knowing that all you have to do is think you want somebody dead and they die? Do you think I wanted to be locked up as a child? Luke, I can't love you! I am not capable of loving anybody. Don't you understand?"
"Maybe I don't." He said flatly. "But apparently that psycho killer does."
"He has nothing to do with this." She replied softly.
"I see the way you look at him Sarah." He shook his head whispering. "There is something in your eyes I have never seen before."
"I'm fascinated by him." She insisted reservedly. "There is more to him than what meets the eye and I for one would like to know how he operates."
"And it doesn't hurt that he's a pretty boy, does it?" Luke scoffed at her.
"Fuck you, Luke!" She seethed at him.
Luke stepped closer to her caressing her face with his hand. "Sarah Noonan. The pretty girl who doesn't kiss." He shook his head. "But she has no problem spreading her legs when the need suits her."
Her dark eyes raged as she reached out slapping his face, knocking him to the floor. He sat up smiling at her with blood dripping from his nose and lip.
"Get out of here." She whispered furiously.
He smiled arrogantly as he walked to the door. "Well, I guess I'm going to go home and pack. I'll see you and your new boy toy tomorrow. Nite, sugar."
As he walked through the door she slammed it behind him.
Sarah sank down on the floor closing her eyes beginning to shudder. She clenched her fists. Her face began to turn red. Blood came out of her nose.
Her eyes widened and she began to hyperventilate. "Stop it Sarah! Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!" She told herself as tears came out of her eyes.
She turned on her stereo and crouched in a corner her knees pulled into her chest rocking back and forth.
I see a red door and I want it painted black
No colors anymore I want them to turn black
I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes
I have to turn my head until my darkness goes
I see a line of cars and they're all painted black
With flowers and my love both never to come back
I see people turn their heads and quickly look away
Like a new born baby it just happens every day
I look inside myself and see my heart is black
I see my red door and it has been painted black
Maybe then Ill fade away and not have to face the facts
It's not easy facin up when your whole world is black
No more will my green sea go turn a deeper blue
I could not foresee this thing happening to you
If I look hard enough into the setting sun
My love will laugh with me before the morning comes
Her breathing slowly returned to normal as the tears began to fall abundantly. Turning off the stereo, she walked to her bedroom then lying down on her bed, she pulled her covers around her tightly, curling up into a fetal position crying silent tears.
Sylar sat on his cot listening to the iPod Sarah left in his cell. From the corner of his eye he could see his cell door open. He took off his headphones and looked at the man standing in front of him staring him down.
"Can I help you?" He asked his visitor.
"I just came to see for myself." Luke replied condescendingly. "So you're the brain eating watchmaker from Queens. Frankly, I expected more."
Sylar stood up. He gave a smirk as he stood over him. "Now why are you under the impression I eat brains? And what were you expecting? A two-headed beast with sharp fangs? I take it you are my other traveling companion."
"I am." Luke stared at him directly. "And we're going to be roommates."
"Well, your partner is prettier than you are." He scoffed. "I would rather have her keep me warm at night, but I guess I'm stuck with you."
Luke's smile faded. "You stay away from her. If I catch you anywhere near her, I'll kill you!"
Sylar slowly began to laugh. "What are you afraid of? That I'm going to satisfy her in bed better than you ever could?"
Luke angrily grabbed Sylar wrapping his arm behind his back, shoving his head against the wall. Sylar continued to laugh. "Did I hit a nerve?"
Luke felt a jolt of lightening against his back. "Son of a BITCH!" He shouted.
Sylar looked up seeing a pretty young woman with blonde standing by the door. "Let him go!" She shouted.
Luke let go of Sylar and started to walk out of the cell. Before leaving he turned around looking at him again. "I'll see you tomorrow." He sneered at him.
"I'll be here." He smirked. "And I'll bring my condoms…size extra large."
Elle snickered to herself as Luke stormed out.
Sylar turned and looked at her. "So you must be the sadistic Skipper doll I keep hearing about."
"That's me." She smiled proudly. "I take it my sister has been telling you all about me."
"She told me you would be paying me a visit." He smiled down at her. "She was right. You are hot."
Elle cocked her head looking at him confused. "She said that about me? You're kidding."
"That was of course after she assured me she wasn't into women." He grinned.
"And what about you?" She sauntered up beside him, her hands behind her back. "Are you into women?"
"I am." He replied flatly. "I'm more partial to brunettes. No offense."
Elle's smile faded. "So, you're into my sister."
"She intrigues me." He nodded half-smiling. "So did that lightening storm come from you?"
"Indeed it did." She smiled proudly.
"Well, you're lucky I don't have my powers." He narrowed his eyes inexplicably. "Because yours would be quite tasty."
"Well, if you're hungry, I have lots of other treats to offer you." She began to rub his arm.
Sylar looked down at her contemplating. "As tempting as it sounds, I'll pass."
Elle scoffed disbelievingly. "You're kidding, right? Do you think you're going to get a better offer from my sister? Trust me honey, you'd have better luck scoring in a convent."
Sylar smiled at her sardonically. "What can I say, I like a challenge."
"Ok." She shrugged. "Your loss. Well, nice meeting you finally. I really am a big fan of your work."
"Flattery will get you almost anywhere." He grinned.
"Except into your pants, right? Sweet dreams."
"Likewise." She left his cell closing the door behind her.
Sylar lay back down on his cot plugging his headphones back in. He closed his eyes as the music filled his dreams.
I can't escape this hell
So many times I've tried
But I'm still caged inside
Somebody get me through this nightmare
I can't control myself
So what if you can see the darkest side of me?
No one will ever change this animal I have become
Help me believe it's not the real me
Somebody help me tame this animal
(This animal, this animal)
I can't escape myself
(I can't escape myself)
So many times I've lied
(So many times I've lied)
But there's still rage inside
Somebody get me through this nightmare
I can't control myself
Sarah tossed and turned that night in her sleep. She could hear their voices inside her head. "No. Please stop. Go away." She whispered in her sleep. "Leave me alone!" Her voice became louder.
And in her sleep, it began to take her over. Like an unseen force. It came at her overwhelming her soul. There was no stopping it.
She put her hands over her ears as the screams filtered through her mind.
And the red eyes that came at her out of the darkness.
"NO!" Sarah sat up in bed screaming in a cold sweat. She looked around her room panic stricken, but she was alone.
She pulled her pillow around her face and began to sob violently.
--END--