Disclaimer: I can do this, I can do this…(tears start welling up) I can do this…(breaks down crying) It's not mine! It's not mine! Oh it's not mine! (Curls into fetal position and starts sucking thumb)

Rating: This chapter is a PG-13.

Summary: We discover what the e-mail was all about, and find out more about some of the other character's feeling at the moment.

!!!Authors Note!!!: This chapter is going to be written in first person. I'd like some reviews to tell me whether you'd like me to keep it or not.

Feedback: (Shadow Elf is now exploring this new realm. She's standing on a large catwalk that is miles up from the ground. She's in a strange area, and there are tons of different aliens around her.)

   [Looking down] "Wow. This place is weird."

   (She doesn't see the rogue speeder that comes up behind her and rams into her back. She goes flying off the catwalk, screaming as she falls. When she lands, she crashes on the top of a table)

 [She clutches her head and moans] "I'm going to feel that one in the morning…" [She then looks up, and a man in a white suit of armor is glaring down at her through his mask]

   "Heh, heh. I'm really, really sorry. I didn't mean to spoil your lunch, so if you'll excuse me I'll just be going now…"

   [He unhooks a blaster and aims it at her head]

   "O-o-o-o-h-h-h crap."

Quote:

"Maybe this world is another planet's Hell."

- Aldous Huxley

***********************************ShadowElfBard***********************************

12:05 PM, Monday

Blue Cove, Delaware

The Centre

Mr. Parker's Office

(Broots)

I hold my shaking hands in front of me, as sweat dampens my forehead. God this is terrible. I've imagined a lot of horrible things at the Centre before, most of them happening to me, but never would I have imagined this.

   Quite simply, I've been fired.

   No, no, not that type of fired. I don't get to salute my goodbye and march home, throw Debbie in the car, drive to the airport, fly to Hong Kong and live out the rest of my life under a new name at a new job in freedom from the Centre. (By the way, that stuff right there? My personal dream.) Nope. It's never that simple for me. It's never simple for poor Broots. No, I've been fired from my job on the pursuit team.

   Now I know what you're thinking. Hell, I've been thinking the exact same thing ever since I was "offered" my job at the Centre.

   It doesn't make sense.

  Why would I be fired from my job on the pursuit team? If I've been fired, why am I not dead? So far, from the convenient little e-mail they sent me, I know that I was fired because they believe that the current failure with Jarod is my fault. Why they would think that, is something only their psychiatrists can answer. As to why I'm still living, well, I am in what is so kindly and positively referred to as the Dead Zone. (You'd think that the people who were creative enough to fake deaths could have come up with their own name rather than stolen the one off of a Stephen King novel.)

   The "Dead Zone", quite simply, is where you are when you're sitting on the middle of a seesaw. If you slide down one way, you are killed and the Centre makes it so you never existed. If you slide the other way, you get to live a bit longer and are put to work somewhere else within the Centre.

   Hi-ho, hi-ho, I hope it's off to work I go.

   The secretary in front of me, a woman who could be Bridgett's twin, pops a bubblegum bubble and then points with the tip of her pen towards Mr. Parker's office.

   "The Director will see you now." Her voice has a strange, almost nasal accent.

  What is it with this man and blondes who have accents? He's obsessed! Definitely took a different turn from his original wife. Though maybe that was his intention…

   "Are you just going to stand there or should I open the door for you?" the secretary asks me in an annoyed voice. 

   "N-No, I'll be fine. Thank-you." Geez, sorry for having to make you actually do your job lady. 

   She just rolls her eyes and goes back to reading whatever magazine she has in front of her.

   I go and walk towards the director's office, gaining a bit of revenge in knowing that she probably won't be at the Centre much longer. I then curse myself for feeling sympathy at the thought.

   I enter the room, and see Mr. Parker sitting behind his desk, his hands calmly folded in front of him. He appears to have just been in a meeting with someone, and as I open the door fully I see Lyle and Raines off in the corner, barely acknowledging me but for a casual gaze in my direction. Which personally, I'm extremely grateful for. Raines still hasn't forgotten the episode in front of the T-board, and still refuses to acknowledge the fact that it actually worked to his advantage. The blind corpse. He should have been six feet under years ago.

   Whoa. Where did that thought come from? I must be hanging around Ms. Parker too much.

   "Y-You wanted to see me sir?" I ask nervously, unable to keep the tremor from my voice. Usually, the nervous and always-afraid act is just an act. Usually. But when you're standing in front of a man who could make it so that you'd never been born, well, your acting tends to turn a bit more real.

   He gives one of his famous politician smiles. "Ah yes, Broods." The desire to live is all that keep my eyes from rolling. "I was just in a meeting, but since this is such a trivial matter I suppose it couldn't hurt to take a few minutes to settle this."

  Of course you were in a meeting, I think glumly. Those two psychos never leave. And, of course, they'd be here just when I don't want them to be.

   Mr. Parker turns to his computer, and my eyes widen as I scan over his system. Wow it's a beauty. Looks brand new too… I suddenly see the packaging the computer came out of in the corner of the room. Oh. It is new. The man probably gets a new system every time there's an update in computers. The lucky dog…

   Mr. Parker frowns at the monitor. "Hmm, that's strange. I can't find your file. I typed in your name…"

   "Try spelling it correctly." I mutter before I can stop myself. My eyes bulge and a hand flies to my mouth. Oh crap!

   Mr. Parker, thank the lord, didn't hear me. Though from the slick smile that Lyle gives, I can tell that he heard it perfectly.

  "Hm?" Ms. Parker asks, raising his head. "Did you say something?"

  I clear my throat, and try to ignore Lyle's evil grin. "Yes sir, I suggested that you, uh, try spelling my last name with a 'T'."

   He raises an eyebrow but then tries it. "Well how about that! It worked! Huh. Strange spelling. Computer must not be working properly…"

   Now both Raines and Lyle hold back snickers. I just try to keep my gaze on the floor.

  Mr. Parker than goes over the information that he's called up. "Well Broods, I have good news. There have been several bids made."

   Try as I might, I can't keep a dumbfounded, "huh?" from slipping out.

   Mr. Parker looks confused at my response. "What do you mean, 'huh'?" 

    "I, I'm sorry sir I just thought you were going to tell me what was going to happen to me."

    "That is what I'm telling you."

    I deadpan.

    Mr. Parker sighs. "Really Broods, don't tell me that after all this time at the Centre you don't know what happens when one of the lower employees is removed from a job?"

   "It's uh, never happened to me before sir."

   He gives an almost sympathetic look that only baffles me further.

   "Broods, they're auctioned."

   I can't hide my horror. "They're what?"

   "Yes. Well, you know how we usually deal with employees who are fired." He gives a grin that makes me sick to my stomach. "And we can't just keep hiring new people. It isn't cost effective. So, the lower employees are posted on a specially set up corner of the Centre website that includes their picture, their name, their last employment in and out of the Centre, their special skills, etc. Then the higher-ups on the different floors bid. The highest bidder gains a new employee. Simple as that."

   Simple. Yeah, right. This is simple and logical, and I'm seven foot four and a body builder. These people really do have a thing for owning things don't they? I'm glad that I never stumbled across that 'corner' in any of my searches on the Centre mainframe. It sounds like the E-Bay from hell. I shudder at the thought of what happens to those who aren't bid on. Hey. Wait a minute. I forget, was I bid on?

   "So, uh, Mr. Parker, have I been." I swallow back saliva and manage to say the word. "Bid on?"

   He nods. "Yes Mr. Broods. Thirteen different higher-ups bid on you."

   I allow myself a small, mental smile. Wow, I'm flattered. I guess they have noticed my good skills. I wonder how high the bid wen- Whoa! Bad thoughts! Bad thoughts! Someone at the Centre interested in you is a bad thing! A very, very bad thing!

   Mr. Parker clicks on something that only he could see on the screen, and then leans back in his chair. "Well, we'll only have to wait a few more seconds before we find out your new job." There's a soft 'ping' and he leans forward again and then begins scrolling up a list.

   "All right Mr. Broods, the highest bidder was…" He raises his eyebrows in mild surprise. "Why Dr. Raines, I didn't know you were searching for a private technician."

    I think my heart just stopped.

   Raines gives a grin. "Well I didn't know that such a…useful technician was up for grabs." He gives me a scrutinizing look and I hold back my breakfast as it threatens to reemerge. "I believe I can make good use of him."

   "Oh darn. I'd had bids on him too. Well, you win some you lose some." Lyle says with an almost wistful sigh, and though I can tell that though he's sincere it also seems to hold a bit of mean spirited teasing meant to scare me further.

   Well, it works.

   I believe I can officially say at this point, that I have never been more terrified in my entire life than I am at this current moment. I'm only surprised that I haven't wet my pants yet. God. Raines bid on me, Lyle bid on me… Who else bid on me? Satan?

   I swallow roughly, and then look with almost pleading eyed towards Mr. Parker, who I believe, is one of the only sane people in this room, and he totally ignores me and issues his orders. Typical.

   "I think that now would be a good to go get your things packed Mr. Broods."

   I nod, still not entirely aware of all that's happening to me, praying to god that I'll wake up and this will all have been just a horrible nightmare, but when Raines' smile sends shivers down my spine, my hope screams in pain and withers into a twisted, black, and disfigured form.

   Raines is clearly taking some personal revenge out of my reaction. "Be in my office in fifteen minutes. We'll discuss what you're new job will include then Mr. Broots."

   Huh. How about that. The evil, sadistic, malevolent, wicked, child torturing, demonic, walking corpse who is about to make my existence the very embodiment of a living hell, got my name right. Well what do you know?

   I leave the room calmly, and start walking down the hall.

   I hate my life.

2:45 PM, Monday

Pensacola, Florida

Shopping Center

Grocery Store

(Jarod)

I stroll down the candy aisle of the grocery store, a place called Fresh Farm, and my eyes lit up at all of the treasure on the shelves. It's the mother load, the jackpot. There's enough candy here to keep a kid happy until Halloween.

   And I have a MasterCard.

I immediately start reaching for various bags of goodies, grinning from ear to ear, and my eyes widen in unhidden delight as I see several variety packs of PEZ. There are even some containers for sale. I pick out a few, a yoda, a bugs bunny, and an odd old man with a pointed gray hat. Then I go back to ransacking the candy.

   An older woman walks past, but then stops and gapes at me, her mouth hanging open at the rapidly filling basket of candy.

   I shrug and look at her kindly. "My son's birthday party."

   Then she smiles and nods her head in understanding before wheeling her cart past me.

   I let out a sigh and then look down in my basket to see what I've picked out. Well, there's the Pez, the bags of Reeses, the Hershey bars, the Snickers, the gumballs, the M&M's, and the Christmas candy that's been set out for the upcoming holiday.

   I look at the sweets with fondness, and then start heading towards the counter to pay for the goods.

   There are just some things that, even when on the run, you can't do without.

   I get into the lane, and when it comes my turn I carefully place down each individual bag. The clerk rings it up, giving me a look or complete bafflement before bringing up the total to the small amount of ninety-three dollars.

      What can I say, I love candy.

   I just grin and hand her my credit card, happily thanking the Centre for being so kind as to provide me with the money I need to squelch my sugar craving. The bagger hands me the plastic bags full, and as I leave a little boy, sitting in his mother's shopping cart, gapes with a mouth wider than the Potomac at my mound of sweets. I pass him a Hershey bar, and wink at him before strolling out.

   I take in a deep breath of the fresh air before I start walking back in the direction of my hotel. The place is actually pretty nice, though it may just seem that way because of what I'm used to. But anyplace that serves free breakfast can't be bad right? Especially if they provide cupboards for me to store all of my candy in.

  I begin walking down the sidewalk, looking around at the various shops and people. Maybe coming out will do me some good. I have to get over this paranoia; it's dangerous to keep around. Being afraid is healthy, and keeps you on your toes, but as with everything, it's not healthy in excess. But perhaps I'm coming over it, slowly but surely. I know that I need to. After all, I haven't seen any sweepers in the past month or so. I shouldn't needlessly worry myself over something that's not going to happe-

   I freeze as I spot a man at the end of the sidewalk, coming my way, looking around while wearing a black suit and dark glasses, with a phone pressed to his ear.

   Oh my god it's a sweeper.

   I quickly run to a small alley between two shops. I press myself against the wall, thinking of ways I can get past him. I've got a million ideas and questions running through my always-active mind, and I hear him coming closer. I think I know how to get past him, but I wonder whom he's talking to. If I can find out if the pursuit team's here or if it's just a sweeper team then I can better plan my escape.

   I listen in as he nears me.

   "No Kevin…no, no! Look we tried that last week. The boss will have my head if we screw this project up and you know it."

   Project? There's a new project at the Centre?!

   "Oh come on. You have to be more creative than that. The boss says he has a lot riding on this deal, and if we do anything to mess it up..."

   Okay, now I'm just confused.

   I watch as he begins to walk past me and I'm about to sigh with relief when he suddenly stops and turns to me. I become frozen with fear. Do I run? Do I fight him off? What should I do?!

   He places his hand over one end of his phone. "Hey, buddy, you wouldn't happen to know the time would you? My friend and I are going to be late to a meeting with my boss and his clients, and we have to be there on time or the guy'll kill us. You know how these corporate deals are right?"

   All I can do is nod, dumfounded, and I read him the time on my watch. He thanks me and then walks off, continuing his conversation.

   I feel like slamming my head on brick wall I'm leaning against. It was just a guy. A plain old employee talking on his cell, who just happened to be wearing a black suit. Not a sweeper.

   This fear thing is really getting out of hand…

8:36 PM, Monday

Jessup, Maryland

Woods Behind Astrea's Home

(Astrea)

I gaze up at the nighttime sky, and my eyes shimmer with delight. I have to do this once in a while. Ever since I've been free, my animal side has been becoming more anxious, and more powerful as well. So I'll go out nearly every night, and I'll hunt. No, I don't mean what it is other people do with guns. That isn't hunting. Personally, I believe that it is murder. In a true hunt, it's all about survival. A true hunt has nothing to do with guns or weapons, only the predators' body. But I do not hunt like the true predators either, at least, I don't commit to the final act. I would never kill another creature, when I have food readily available to me that I can eat without having to end another's life. I'll hunt down a creature, usually a rabbit or smaller mammal, and I'll chase it, but I won't kill it.

   Right now, I'm wearing all black. Tight black sweatpants, and a tight sleeveless shirt. If I'm not able to blend in, the creature will be alerted to my presence before I have time to prepare. And I don't want that to happen.

   A bird cries out into the night and my pace through the thick trees of the woods quickens. Crickets chirp and sing to the silvery orb hung high in the midnight sky and add a tone to my traveling. The moon's ghostly white light streams over my face and I go fluidly into the darkness, moving as easily and freely as water. The shadows comfort me as I hunt, masking my presence with its deathlike blackness.

   My bare feet move soundlessly, snapping and bending neither twig nor blade of grass. My strong muscles move me effortlessly through the trees. The wind kicks up and my hair whirls and sways, becoming alive with each gust of air. My eyes, though now a pale green, burn with intensity, holding the fire of a thousand lava pools in their centers.

   Then a noise in the distance catches my attention and I move low to the ground. My slender elf-like strain to hear more and my heart beats faster with the prospect of the unknown. The thrill seems to calm my more primal side, and I become fully immersed within the pretend of the predator.

   The noise does not return however, and I once again feel it safe to move on. After a few more silent moments I reach a clearing and I move cautiously out into the open, my every sense on the alert.

   My eyes fix on something in the shadows stretched before me and a slow smile appears on my face.

   I take more time now, moving as though one with the earth and air around me, risking no sound from the unpredictable ground. I finally come within range of my prey and I crouch down slowly to the dampened grass, tightening and coiling my muscles for the sprint that's sure to follow

   My spotted quarry stops its nibbling and pulls its head up, swiveling its ears to detect sounds of movement. I hold my breath, knowing the hearing of this creature well. Its tiny ebony eyes catch mine and for a moment, a silent understanding of each other's purposes pass through us both.

   I stare a second longer and then my prey leaps up, and is off at a speed that makes it appear as a blur in the blackness, but I posses the sight of the predators, and I see each movement it makes clearly. I give chase, my pounding heartbeats muffled only by the sound of my feet on the rich brown earth. For a moment it seems I may actually win, that I might finally succeed where before I have failed, but alas a bush is found and my rabbit foe burrows deep into the sanctity of its own home.

   I finally stop then, realizing the futility of chasing further. But despite failure's cruel eye glaring down on me, I grin at the creature's cunning and respect my adversary's wit. It was a good run.

    Trying to calm myself after the exertion, I gaze up to the sky and watch the gray strands of clouds float lazily by, trying not to think, just feel. I look over at my prey's escape once more and then I head back to my own home.

   But as I walk back a thought worries me. Something is going on inside of me, I can feel it. I'm not sure what it is, though I have many theories, and it frightens me. I've always known that no matter how old I became the fact that I'm a feral pretender would cause some trouble for me. But these past few days…  I am nearing an equilibrium. Before, my human side was always the more dominant, and I controlled my other half with an almost ease. But now it's nearing a balance point, and after that point is achieved, I'm not entirely certain that my animal side won't keep taking control and eventually overpower me.

   I shudder, and look up to see that I'm already near the house.

   Perhaps I'm wrong. It wouldn't be the first time. Pretenders are human also, they are fallible, and it's plausible that I'd be afraid. Maybe I'm just worried.

   I suppose I'll find out in the morning, but right now I need to rest. Somehow I sense that the quiet days I've been experiencing are going to come to an abrupt halt.

8:49 PM, Monday

Just Entering Utah

On A Bus

(Lia)

 I yawn and awake slowly, smiling at the person who shook me from my sleep in thanks. I stand up with the rest of the passengers, and shuffle my way into the line that's being formed to head off of the bus at the pit stop we're making.

   After I step off and notice that we've stopped at a bus stop near a McDonalds and an electronics store, I quickly make my choice as to which one I'm heading into.

   The electronics store is nearly empty, and besides me, a man, and two women near the back, there's no one shopping. It's probably because it's so late, but really, an electronics store nearly empty? That's strange on my list. 

   I head directly to the music aisle, and start scanning the rows of CD's. I'm looking for a particular artist, the only one I really listen to. I suddenly see the nametag I'm looking for, Jewel. I don't care that what she sings about is not considered 'in' or 'cool'. So she doesn't sing about love in every single song, so what? I like that she sings about life, and society, and how people need to help each other more. I love how soothing and energetic the music is at the same time.

   I grab one of her CD's that I don't have, and before leaving also add onto my purchase a CD containing Celtic music.

   I had towards the checkout counter, and am nearly knocked over by a man carrying some computer add-ons.

   "Oh, dear me I'm so sorry, I didn't notice you there. Are you all right?" he asks politely, putting out a hand to help me up to my feet.

   I quickly nod as I'm pulled up, and notice from his reaction and the vibes I'm getting that he is genuinely sorry. I then flash a quick, almost nervous smile and nearly run to the checkout counter, a little weirded out by him.

   After the things are paid for, I head back out into the parking lot and hear the three honks from the bus that signal that it's time to board.

   I climb on, and after getting back into my seat set out to the task of opening the packaging that enwraps my new Jewel CD.

   I insert the sick into my portable player, and close my eyes, letting the music flow over me.

If I could tell the world just one thing it would be

We're all okay

And not to worry cause worry is wasteful and useless in times like these

I won't be made useless

Won't be idled with despair

Hold myself around my faith

Which lights the darkness most fear

These hands are small I know

But they're not yours they are my own

But they're not yours they are my own

And I am never broken

I get so wrapped up in the music that I hardly noticed the person beside me until I'm tapped on the shoulder.

   I quickly push stop, and then take off the headphones and look to see who was trying to get my attention.

   "I don't mean to disturb you, but there are no other seats, may I take this one?"

   It's the man from before! The one in the electronic store! He seems to make the same connection I do and nearly blushes.

   "Oh, I'm sorry, if you don't want me to sit by you…"

   I vigorously shake my head no and move my backpack off the empty seat beside me and scoot it under my chair, moving over the window seat as I do so to make room for him to sit down.

   He grins and takes a seat, and I notice that all he's brought with him are a black suitcase and a black laptop carrying case, along with a plastic bag carrying the supplies he'd bought in the store.

   "Thank you for letting me sit here." Then he rolls his eyes upward at his own words. "Oh listen to me, where are my manners." He gives a smile and sticks out a hand. "I'm very pleased to meet you. My name is Mr. Cox."

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Hey, hey, hey! Getting good huh? So how did you like the chapter? Do you like where the story is heading? Do you want me to stick with first person narrative or switch back to third person? Please send feedback and tell me!

   PS: You have no idea how much fun it was to right the segment with Broots. Was that funny or what?

             Talk to you soon!