Chapter 15

Quinton walked over to Phin's workshop the next day to check in. He had seen that the lanterns had been lit all night. He hated to give him this one but he did need a younger subject and this one wasn't going anywhere any time soon. Sides that, if he could do what he claimed he could, he would stand to make thousands on these men. Men with no memory that did as you told them. He smiled at the thought as he walked inside.

"Morning, Phin. Any closer?"

"Almost."

"Again, heard that one before."

"No, this time, I'm close. So close."

Quinton walked over to look at the boy on the table. He had his head turned on its side staring at the wall. His mouth was open. Quinton watched the drool run out. He shook his head.

"Looks dead to me."

"He isn't. I have to let this last one wear off but I think I have it. I really do." Said Phin smiling.

"How long before you know?"

"Just a few. That's the fifth trial. I'm thinking the sixth will be the last. I know I've got it."

"Well, what is it?"

"I'm not stupid, Quinton. Tell you what's in it so you don't need me anymore. Not going to happen."

"The boy going to last through all this?"

"I don't know but if this last one works, I'll grab one from your group. A fresh one to try it on then I'll know for sure. It doesn't matter with this one anyway if he lives or dies. He still has sickness in him. He ain't no good."

"Well, you keep him here alive. If it doesn't work, I am not giving you another one to try these things on. Money is to be made my friend not given away so make sure he lives for your testing's sake."

Jimmy moaned as he turned his head. Quinton turned to watch him try to move around.

"He's coming around. Any minute now."

"Mind if I watch the show?"

"Not at all. Have a seat."

Phin went back to his table and took his little bowl. Quinton watched him drop whiskey into it and roll the crushed minerals into a ball. The man was brilliant.

Jimmy moaned and shifted around again. He blinked a few times. As his eyes began to clear, he noticed the big man sitting in the corner. His head hurt so bad that he had to close his eyes again. He rolled his head and opened them. Phin was standing over him.

"Don't." Whispered Jimmy.

Phin smiled as he pushed in another wad and put his hand over Jimmy's mouth. He felt the flood of taste on his tongue. He laid his head back staring up as suddenly all the colors in the room got more vibrant. Everything stood out. He stared ahead.

"One fourteen?"

"Who?"

"Do you understand me?"

"Yeah." Jimmy said his eyes darting around the room.

"How do you feel?"

"Different."

"What's your name and where are you from?"

"I. I don't know. I don't know." Jimmy kept repeating.

Phin spun around and ran back over to his little book. He wrote and wrote while Quinton waited.

"Well, Phin?"

"It's working! It's working!"

"He just looks drunk to me."

"No, no trust me. I just have to check the blood."

"Quiet now." Said Phin to Jimmy.

Jimmy stopped mumbling. He looked all around confused.

Phin hurried back over and cut Jimmy's arm again. He took the blood over to his scope to look at it. He walked back and watched the blood seep from the incision.

"What are you doing now?"

"Checking to see how much he bleeds. Some of my tests make them bleed too much which is a failure."

"Looks like he is bleeding pretty good to me."

"Not really."

Phin moved closer and watched as Jimmy's eyes followed him. He checked his heart beat then went back to the cut that he had just made.

"Get me a fresh one."

"Phin, you got it? Really?"

"I think so. Get me one."

"I'll be right back."

Phin stood and watched the man on the table. He had it. Now he had to figure out the right dose to make them completely forget everything without killing them. Quinton came back with a man dragging a younger boy. Phin motioned for the two with him to hold the boy down. He brought over the wad that he made and shoved it in the boy's mouth. They all watched as the boy stopped fighting. He started looking around the room.

"Let him go." Said Phin.

They did and the boy just stood looking around.

"Where am I?"

"Home. You are home my friend. You work for us. Are you ok?"

"I'm fine. I feel different."

"Quinton." Said Phin motioning to the boy.

"Come on. I need help moving some things."

Phin smiled wickedly as the boy moved around and did everything that Quinton told him to do. He sent the boy back to the room with the man that brought him. He walked willingly away.

"By God, you've done it! Phin!"

"I told you."

"Will it last forever?"

"No, a few hours at best. I have the right ingredients now I need to find out how much it will take to clear their minds for good without making their hearts stop."

"Do it. If we lose a few along the way, the profit off of one would make up for the loss of three. I'm going to send out the word to my buyers."

"Good. I'll try more on this one once it wears off. I'll figure it out."

Quinton left to head back to his office. Phin watched him go. He closed the door behind him. He turned back to Jimmy as he laid there. He didn't tell Phin about some of the effects that could happen when this wore off but for now, he knew he wasn't going anywhere. His place here was safe. He got his book and pulled a chair to sit. He jotted notes as he watched Jimmy lay there. He watched as the blood slowly started to run from his nose down his face. This would take days to happen on one dose alone but still he needed to figure how to stop it.