Ch. 11
"Consequences"
Kansas University
Lawrence, Kansas
September 1, 2006
Professor Quinn Powers sat at his desk. It was a busy day, and he had to prepare for tomorrow's class. The window behind him showed a beautiful sight. The setting sun glistened off the dew on the lawn, making the appearance of the ground covered in crystals.
He looked at his computer. He was about finished with his lecture when his pocket vibrated. Pulling out his cell phone, the professor answered it.
"Hello?"
"Are you having a pleasant evening, Powers?"
Prof. Powers looked at his watch. It shone six o' clock.
"It has been very productive for me," he replied.
The man on the other end voiced his agreement. Powers waited for the man to speak. His superior never called for a chat, and whenever he began in a jovial manner, Powers knew that he was about to be given important orders.
The man began to talk. Powers nodded as he received his instructions. Clicking on the envelope button, he accessed his mail program.
"I got it," said the archeology professor.
A file loaded up on the screen. A picture showed up too. The photo was of a man. His cowboy hat covered his bald head. His grey eyes seemed to pierce the viewer. An ugly scar stretched from his chin to his left ear.
Prof. Powers studied the file, taking in the information quickly. He looked at the name.
"Judas Regal?"
His superior answered. "Yes. He is a known murderer. Ever since he escaped from an asylum, he has killed ten people. This is only the confirmed number. There are rumors that he has more victims."
Powers continued to read the file. "He's heading here?"
"He's after a student that attends the college." The man continued to relay his information.
Powers nodded and said, "He's safe then. I sent him to you a few days ago."
"Then bring Regal in." There was a click, then Powers shut his phone.
§
Middle of Montana
September 1, 2006
There was a buzzing in his ears. Lucas tried to identify the sound.
A fan. Definitely a fan. But where am I that a fan is on?
Lucas Blaise opened up his eyes and stared at the cement ceiling. A cellar then. But why?
He sat up. He was in a cell. The whole thing was made from cement. So it wasn't a cellar, but he was surely underground. He was sitting on a stone bench. There was an alabaster toilet in one corner. To Lucas's right was a large glass window. It must be used as a barrier for interrogation, he thought.
Walking to the window, he noticed that there were other cells like his. The one across from him held someone too.
It was Ace.
"What's going on?" called Lucas. Ace just shrugged and shook his head.
So he doesn't know either.
Suddenly, Lucas heard footsteps. Someone was coming. Perhaps they had the answers Lucas needed.
The footsteps grew louder as the person came closer. A man came up to the window. He wore a black jacket and jeans. A pair of sunglasses covered his eyes. Yet Lucas instantly recognized who it was. The doctor they had aided earlier, Jack Hansen.
Jack looked at him and Ace. "I'm sorry that you had to be put in here. But these were the only available cells. Be glad that you're not in the vault. I've heard that is a horrible place to stay."
Lucas looked at him. "What is going on? Why are we in here?!"
Jack answered his questions. "Well, you see, it's for your own safety. The man I now work for, he has an interest in people like us. He can help you. All you need to do is let him test you a little."
Ace glared at the ex-doctor. "Testing?! No one is going to test me. And I don't want his help. I want outta here. Now!"
Jack just shrugged. "It doesn't change things. You really have no choice in the matter."
§
Somewhere
September 1, 2006
Natalie woke up. The jarring had disturbed her, preventing her from sleeping. Jarring?
She looked around. She was in a van of some sort. It resembled an ambulance. There were two cots on each wall. A small hole that must be for relieving yourself was in the far corner. As Natalie could see, there was no way out, except for the two doors at the back.
Max was pacing back and forth. He looked up at her. "I'm glad you're awake."
Natalie looked at her watch, but it wasn't there. "What time is it?"
Max looked at her steadily. "More like what day it is. We've been out for almost three days."
Three days!
Max looked at her. "It's time we find out what's going on."
§
Unknown Facility
Montana
"You traitor!" yelled an enraged Ace. "You betrayed us? When I get out of here I'm going to find you and slit your throat. I promise you that."
Jack stared at him coolly. "People have tried. It never turned out too well for them."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a cell phone. He talked briefly, then hung up.
"Well, it looks like I have to go. I hope you will see reason and not put up a fight."
Jack walked down the hall. Lucas watched as a man he had saved abandoned him.
§
The Van
Natalie fell to the floor as the van slowed to a stop.
Max helped her up and said, "Now we take our leave."
He raised his arm, his hand upright, the palm facing the doors. He closed his eyes and breathed.
There was a slight noise, then the doors swung open violently. The two ran towards the opening and jumped out.
They were in the middle of a street. They ran to the sidewalk and mingled in with the crowd. It was nighttime, and the city they found themselves in was busy.
The walked pass a sign when something caught Natalie's eye. She stopped and stared.
Max noticed her not next to him and walked back to her. "What is it?"
She breathed in deeply and replied. "We're in Denver, Max. Denver."
§
The Unknown Facility
Montana
Lucas looked across at Ace. The man was pacing his cell like a caged animal. Lucas had to admit to himself that he pretty much was a caged animal. Suddenly, Ace flung himself at the glass, pounding it. Nothing happened. Lucas walked back to his bench.
Looking at his hands, he tried to use his powers. No light came. Not even a tiny shimmer. Wherever they were, they now couldn't use their special abilities, the abilities that got them here in the first place.
Suddenly, the ground shook. It was followed by a low rumble. Lucas looked around. Immediately, the deafening roar of an explosion tore through the structure. The cell shook, and Lucas was thrown off his feet.
Cracks formed on the walls. Alarms began to sound, their piercing whine cutting deep into Lucas's skull. The lights flickered. Overhead, a speaker sounded.
"High radiation levels in containment area: Vault. All personal clear out. Repeat: High radiation levels in containment area: Vault."
The lights went, plunging everything in darkness. The speaker went off too.
Lucas glanced about. He couldn't see a thing.
Flexing his hands, he waited. A small hue covered them, beginning to glow. The brightness grew, until both hands emitted a bright light.
Lucas grinned. He had his powers back.
There was a thudding to his right. Outside was Ace, banging on the glass screen. He had managed to get out. Lucas walked over to his cell door. Then he understood. The locks were electronic. When the explosion cut the power, the doors automatically unlocked.
Lucas pushed the door open and walked out.
Ace grinned at him, noticing his hands. "I see you are back to normal. I see. Heheh," he chuckled at his own pun.
The two ran down the hall, Lucas's light flooding it and illuminating the area. They reached the cellar door that Jack had passed through earlier. Ace pushed against it. It wouldn't budge.
"The door is manually and electronically locked here. All that's keeping us is one large bolt," explained Ace as he examined the door.
"You don't have automatic door unlocking powers do you?" joked Lucas.
Ace stared at him. "I'm a sharpshooter. I kill for a living, not safecracking."
Lucas shrugged. Man could this guy not take a joke!
Then Lucas remembered. There was radiation contamination at some place called the Vault. And Lucas guessed that the ventilation system was connected. At this moment, radiated dust particles were filling up the vents, and it wouldn't be too long before the contaminated air would reach this hall.
They were trapped.
Minutes before
Jack closed the door. He turned the wheel as the bolt locked into place. The electronic system locked by itself.
Jack headed for the elevator. The door opened, and he stepped in.
These two were captured because of him. They had saved his life and he betrayed them. Ace was right; he was a traitor.
No! I owe them nothing. I could've handled those hitmen by myself. I have the power too. They are nothing to me. They won't get in my way.
Jack rested against the bar. He knew that he was now under orders from a dangerous man. This man he worked for could erase his existence. Not by killing him. Jack had seen that there were other methods. The silent man was enough to make Jack know where his allegiances were.
Mr. Bennett had offered him a choice: work for him in attaining other special people and he wouldn't be troubled by his past mistakes any longer. Or face jail time, and certain death. Jack had taken the former. Even though he was now subject to certain authorities, Jack felt the power that this proposal had given him. Bennett could help him with his powers. Perhaps even expand and increase them.
The elevator door opened. Jack walked out and stood there for a moment. Canada. Another person with powers awaited him there. That was his orders. Find the kid, and bring him back. Canada. Jack wondered if it had changed.
Then the explosion rocked the building.
§
Somewhere in the mountains
Northern Kentucky
The forest was dark, and nothing stirred, save for a few fleeting shadows. Suddenly, birds took to the air as something crashed through the underbrush.
That something was human.
The man ran on, his breath visible in the chilly air. The barking grew louder as the dogs closed in on him. The man continued on, despite the fear that invaded him. He had to escape. He had to get out of there alive.
Suddenly, a sharp pain exploded through his leg. He had been shot, he told himself as he crumpled down on the ground. The pain was excruciating.
Light flooded over and around him, blinding him as well. A man stood above him, a flashlight pointed at the escaper's face.
Others held the dogs back, keeping tight grips on the leashes.
The man with the flashlight peered down at the injured one.
"You aren't escaping from us again, mate."
Then the world went black.