Thanks, Holly, for your feedback. Thanks to rockstarhobbit-I love that name- for the reviews! You are very kind to encourage me, and I am dedicating this chapter to you. So if you don't like it, oops! LOL
Thanks to SARAH are in order. Many, many thanks! I wanted to let you know that Shawn is, even now, clutching his moose. I think he has named it-I hope you won't be insulted, I daresay I don't know it's gender! I will stop calling it "it" because that is insulting. You are not the only one with gifts! Since Shawn has spent so much time in the woods of late, he braided some fresh bark into a very unique belt. Thefastener is comprised of polished acorn. You sort of have to pull it through a hole in the bark, sounds weird but proabaly works pretty well. Er-just don't wear it if you really need to hold something up. Decoration only? ( : I am very thankful for your reviews and your friendship. You always brighten my day, Sarah. ALWAYS.
Disclaimer: Hey, this is serious. If you don't like reading stories with errors, then don't read ANY futher. PLEASE take my advice so I don't have to listen to it later. Okay? Thanks ( : For the brave, please proceed. No, after you.
TWELVE
The night seemed to ooze around them, gnarled branches twisting through broken moonlight. It was a forest of scepter like shadows, clawed hands reaching toward the sky. Out here, the continual screeching of cicada's was a bare minimum. The chill wind kept most insects silent tonight. Shawn pressed his back against the rough tree, straining to catch a sound. Twig snapping. Dried weeds crunching underfoot. But there was nothing save the gentle sighing of the wind in the tree tops. The returnee stifled a shiver, goose bumps rising along his bare arms.
How long was five minutes? Three hundred seconds. They'd be fine for three hundred seconds.X
Tom Baldwin spared a cursory glance in his nephew's direction. Good. The kid was calm, scanning the forest. Even though they'd taken shelter in a moonless patch of ground, the agent's experienced eye could piece out Shawn's expression.
It was a good thing the returnee was wearing a navy blue tee. Holding his weapon ready, the agent held his breath in concentration. Car approaching.
The vehicle rounded a curve, headlights bouncing off the trees. Baldwin hissed "Down," slinking against the trunk. But the vehicle never slowed, creeping into the night with winking red tail lights.
"Was it one of them?" Shawn's voice was barely audible. He hadn't turned to direct his question, but stared into the encasing blackness.
"I don't think so. Somebody heading home." He wished it were that simple. Tom hefted his weapon, hoping that's all the compact car portended. The most important thing was to keep Shawn calm. Panicky people made mistakes, and mistakes could get you killed.
"I should have trusted you."
"No regrets." Baldwin nudged his nephew with a knee. "Time for that later." Something vibrated against his skin.X
Uncle Tommy was speaking, clipped phrases that didn't make much sense. The older man scanned the road, cell held tight against his face.
The damp ground was starting to penetrate Shawn's jeans, but he didn't dare shift position. Ignoring the tickle of spiders on his neck and dirt grimed clothing. It had to be Carter. This was almost over.
"How long?" Baldwin's voice rose slightly. "I need-"
Shawn blinked to clear his vision. Adrenaline was starting to recede, leaving him tired and shaky.X
"We need to get out of here." Uncle Tommy was touching Shawn's shoulder, urging him up.
"Isn't-"
"No questions. We have to strike through those trees, find someplace to lie low. This is much worse than I thought."
"Maia-"
"Diana hasn't made it in yet." The older man caught the look of hopelessness that crossed the returnee's face. "She's good. Diana can take care of herself."
"What is this?"
"All out purge. Been building for a while-someone's stirring things up."
"Just the 4400's? No one else is being targeted-"
"Your mom will be okay."
"Can't NTAC-"
"We're doing what we can." Not allowing Shawn to voice his fears. "But things are out of control."
They'd barely crossed through the patchy forest when Baldwin grabbed his nephew's arm. "Stay close to me. If something breaks, do whatever I tell you. Exactly. You hear me?"
Shawn nodded, wordless.
"All right. Stick close to the trees."X
The field spread like an imaginary world before them. Silver clover and flowering weeds, the bare outlines of windswept grasses in the moon light. Walking close together, struggling to hasten through the knee deep plants and tripping occasionally.
"It's going to rain."
Prompted by his uncle's statement, the returnee glanced toward the sky. It was still twinkling with crystal stars, pale yellow orb and vast blackness.
"We've got maybe an hour. By that time, we'll be gone." Tom searched the space behind them.
"Where are we going?"
"Away from this road. Carter said it's crawling with people. He's going to try and pick us up the next one over."
"So we're heading for another road?"
Baldwin nodded, pointing.
Now all they had to do was wait. Again.X
"Hold on. We're going to be just fine."
Diana peered down the street, making out the too busy figures crossing in front of their hiding place. Instead of settling down, it was as if the city had come alive. There were people everywhere.
Maia scrunched in the seat next to her, looking small and scared in the enveloping jacket. Diana hoped she wasn't going to regret taking the returnee into her home. As much as Maia hated it, she would have been saferwith NTAC.
"We're going to wait here for a little while longer. Just until my back up arrives." Hoping no one would notice them. The roads were scattered with countless vehicles and piled debris, an attempt to keep anyone from escaping. The localized 4400 murders had turned into a full blown riot.
"What about your partner? Is he coming?"
"No, I think he's going to see that Shawn makes it in okay."
"They're waiting, just like us."
Diana studied the delicate face. "Do you know something about Tom?"
"Just that Shawn's waiting for someone."
"Join the list." Diana stifled a sigh. "I think we could be a little more organized."
"Why do people want to hurt us?"
Assuming the little girl meant the returnees, Skouris shook her head. "Maia, there are a lot of bad people in the world. They're scared, angry, upset and they do horrible things. But I'm not going to let them hurt you. Understand?"
"All right." The blond wriggled closer. Her reply was faint. "I wish I was never on TV."X
The shape of a barn loomed before them, clefting the night sky. Shawn stared at the building, not quite believing his eyes.
"What's going on?" Strains of a rock band accosted the agent's ears, a dozen, two dozen people moving about in the deserted yard.
"That's Gade's Barn."
"Meaning?"
"I guess it's still popular." Shawn's mouth curved into a subconscious smile. "This is where we liked to hang out and listen to loud music."
Baldwin frowned. "Make out."
Shawn shrugged. "I was more interested in the beer."
"You bring Kyle here?"
"He brought himself." The returnee shrugged away, resenting the fingers around his elbow. "He wasn't an innocent, Uncle Tommy."
"Corrupter of the innocent-" the phrase jumped into Shawn's mind with enough intensity to hurt. "Oh."
Baldwin was starting down the field slope, ignoring his nephew's quiet exclamation. The returnee hurried to catch up, feet responding automatically. He remembered something. Kyle and Shawn, beside the lake. Drinking alcohol, emptying the bottles and swapping jokes. They were-were-
Trying to remember cut through Shawn's head like a knife. The returnee grasped at the fleeting memory, straining to recall the rest of that evening. Night. It had been night-the water was cold, lapping against their fingers. Shawn was wearing his jacket, the denim one he had left behind today. Kyle-his red vest-
Pressing his fingers into his eyes did no good, but it helped ease the ache. White, something bright had blinded them. Kyle was calling for help-
"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" Baldwin's rough shove drove the last remnant of the scene into blackness. Shawn tugged away from that touch, the low, angry voice. He had almost remembered. Almost.
"Uncle Tommy, I-"
"We have to get to the road. I can't be tied up trying to get you to safety, I have a job to do."
"I-I think I remembered-"
"Later."
Shawn shook his head, seeing the blankets and flashlights, the roaring bonfire. He wondered if any of his friends were down there, singing along.
"It was the summer of '69-"
They skirted the circle of light, making for a copse of trees beside the asphalt. Shawn felt himself drawn toward the voices, the laughter. Normality.
"We'll wait here." Baldwin's voice came as if from a great distance. Shawn realized his uncle thought he was losing control. He nodded, just to keep the agent happy.
"How's your ankle?"
Funny. The returnee hadn't even noticed it, until now. "Okay."
"Stay here. I'm going to check things out." Baldwin slid into the shadows, almost invisible. Not giving his nephew a chance to protest.
Crouched against the thin branches, hearing the leaves rustling. Now that he was upwind, Shawn couldn't catch more than a brief snatch of music. Sweat from the fast paced trek dried on his skin. The returnee ran a hand through his damp hair, trying to relax.
"Be careful!" A voice broke the late night silence. It couldn't be-
Shawn drew himself against the cloaking trees. There was no sign of Uncle Tommy, and the fire was still burning in the distance. Weeds clung to his shirt,scratchy and uncomfortable. He was aware of this, and of the dull ache in his side from running. The strains of another song...and hurried footsteps coming steadily nearer.
The approaching person was loud, not cautious. It sounded as if someone was tearing recklessly through the field, maybe two or three of them.
"Don't go so fast!" The second voice was softer, feminine. It was oddly familiar.
Shawn struggled forward, moonlight splashing on the two figures with clasped hands. "Danny!"
The girl back stepped, uttering a scream at the returnee's low exclamation.
"Who's there?" The shorter Farrell pushed his companion behind him. "Get out here where I can see you!"
"Danny, it's me." Dumbly. He didn't know what to say, standing in the midst of purple clover heads.
"Shawn?"
"It's Shawn?" Nicki stole the moment, peeking from behind her protector's back.
"What are you doing here?" Danny was eyeing his brother's disheveled appearance.
"I-I was-" the returnee shook his head. "You've grown up."
"You have, too." Danny pulled the blond into the open. "Behold Nicki."
"Nicki?" Unable to keep the admiration from his tone. "You're just a kid."
"Was." Her manner altered subtly, becoming coy. "Do I look all grown up?"
"You look amazing."
"Excuse the interruption, but what are you doing here?" Danny tapped the returnee's shoulder. "It's not safe tonight."
"Tell me about it." Shawn spared a long glance behind him. "I'm waiting for someone."
"Uncle Tommy?"
"Ya. We're heading into town, I've got to get to NTAC before someone finds me."
"I just heard." Nicki touched the returnee's arm. " About the 4400's. Your mom called."
"We have to get back." Danny motioned toward the barn. "Mom said things were getting nasty, someone threw a rock into the front window."
"Because of-" Shawn let the question die. Because of me. "Do you have a car," instead.
"We came with friends." Danny started away. "Come on!"
"I can't-" Shawn hesitated. "Did she call the police?"
"The place is a full blown riot. They don't have time for every call. I heard they're mostly protecting 4400's." There was no disguising the bitterness in that answer.
"You can't take Nicki back there."
"We don't have much of a choice."
"She's safer out here."
Danny sighed. "Look, we were hanging out, and things started going down. Some of us figured it'd be better to wait till things calmed. Then mom called. She's scared."
"What about-" Shawn couldn't help asking questions-" Gifford?"
"Dad?" Ignoring the returnee's wince. "He's out of town for the week."
"I promised Uncle Tommy-" Shawn was torn, hoping to catch a glimpse of the agent, but all was still. Flowers sighing in the wind, Green Day fading in the background.
"Mom needs you."
When had little brother become so scornful? Shawn nodded. "Okay. Okay."
The trio broke onto the party scene amidst equal murmurs of shock and disbelief.
"It's Shawn!"
"No way!"
"What's he doing here?"
Trying to shut out the voices, friendly and antagonistic alike. The returnee followed his brother through flickering fire light, air laced with the scent of hot dogs and wood smoke. Shawn avoided empty beer bottles, catching hold of Nicki when she stumbled.
"Right here." Danny hurried them inside the car, glancing about the sea of scattered faces. "Here he comes."
Shawn sat beside Nicki, heart hammering erratically against his chest. Maybe things would be so crazy no one would recognize him. No. The best thing to do was fetch Uncle Tommy, he would know how to protect Susan. They had to use their heads.
"Danny, wait a minute-" Shawn's exit was interrupted by a tall form.
"Who's this?" The newcomer's smile was vaguely familiar, darkness casting most of the face in shadows.
"Let me out-"
"Shawn, don't worry." Nicki's eyes conveyed her puzzlement. "It's just Colin. He's your-"
"I know who he is." The returnee wrested himself past the mocking stranger.
"Why the hurry?"
Shawn ignored Colin, pinning his brother with his eyes. "Danny, I'm going to get Uncle Tommy. He'll know how to handle this."
"We don't have time to wait around."
"He's better at this than we are. We're just going to get somebody killed if we go barging in. And I think you should let Nicki stay here. For now."
"What? I can take care of her!"
"Danny, calm down. Uncle Tommy will know what to do. He can even send help-"
"It won't get there in time. We have to get mom out now."
Shawn stood his ground. Curious bystanders had formed misshapen groups, listening to the confrontation. Their pale faces ringed the returnee in. "Danny, we have to wait for Uncle Tommy."
"Shut up." Colin butted in with the diplomacy of a goat. "Shut up and get in the car."
"No." Shawn back stepped, clearing the group. "I'm sorry, Danny, but this is stupid. I just got out of there, you don't realize how hard it's going to be without some help."
"For you, maybe." Gifford let his glance trail over the returnee. Insolently. "After all, you're the whole reason this started."
"I don't have time for this." Shawn's mouth firmed. "Danny, come on."
"You're not my boss." The younger Farrell looked toward Colin for support.
"Danny. I can't believe this." Shawn's frown turned regretful.
"Get in the car, freak." Colin. Holding the door with one hand, motioning toward the spectators with another.
Shawn was torn, casting Danny a sad smile. When he moved, it was completely unexpected. Barreling through the gawking bystanders, the returnee was half way past the fire before any of them even realized what had happened.
"Get him!" Colin's cry drove some of the fatigue from Shawn's brain. He crossed the grass trampled party zone, heading for the small cluster of trees. Hoping Uncle Tommy hadn't returned to find him gone.
It was hard going. Shawn's ankle kept giving out, but he kept on his feet. Wasting only one glance behind him. It was what he had feared- Gifford, tall and thin, leading the pack in hot pursuit.
He was stupid. Stupid, stupid. Evading out and out murderers only to fall in with prejudiced, intoxicated kids. Uncle Tommy was going to-
"Ugh!" The thought was driven out of his mind with the force of the blow. The returnee had run right into the arms of a dark coated figure. "Uncle Tommy-" he had barely the breath to gasp.
"Get him in the car! Go, go!"
Another shadow clad form emerged from the trees, evading Shawn's flailing fists.
"Hurry it up! That agent's around here some where."
He should never have left. Shawn wondered if Uncle Tommy would even know what happened to him. With his arms twisted behind his back, a second man on his arm-there wasn't a hope of breaking free. But if they planned to kill him, well then, he wasn't going without a fight.
"Hey!" Danny's yell pierced the pulse pounding in Shawn's ears. "Hey!"
"Get out of here," the returnee managed to shout, before the choke hold on his neck tightened.
They threw him into a car he couldn't even see. The clouds had blotted the moonlight, true to Baldwin's prediction. It was going to storm.
Shawn wondered, insanely, when they were going to kill him. It was hard to breathe with a heavy body half atop him.
"Shawn!" Nicki's scream penetrated the muffled interior.
Tires spun on loose gravel, the sharp reversal throwing the returnee onto the floor. His legs were pinched in the close confines, and he tried to straighten them. There was no time to think about Nicki. Danny. His mom.
"Hold still." Unmistakable coolness of a gun barrel against his temple. Shawn struggled to stay calm. If they were planning on shooting him, wouldn't they have just left him dead in the field? No, they had taken pains to bring him along.
"Quit-moving. I can't breathe."
Danny's faint voice chilled Shawn. Unbelieving, the returnee lie still, trying to pin point the sound. "Danny?"
"You're on top of me, you idiot."
"Oh, God. Did they take Nicki?"
"Colin had her. I was-" grunt-"trying to get to you. If you weren't so touchy-"
"Danny." Shawn paused, thinking how ridiculous this was to be having a conversation, sandwiched in a strange vehicle.
"This is all your fault." Groan. "Get off me!"
"I can't-" Shawn tried shaking the captor off his back. His struggle only served to hasten the efforts of the man who was trying to tie the returnee's wrists together.
"You two, shut up!"
"Shut up yourself!"
"Danny, please be quiet." Shawn gasped as the pressure on his temple increased. "What-what do you want?"
"Not another word. Either of you. One less 4400 won't shake the earth off it's axis."
Shawn hesitated. The speaker sounded young, perhaps a few years older than Danny. "Where are you taking us? NTAC is going to be all over you. I hope you're-"
A knee drove into the small of the returnee's back. The thrust in the kidney's had it's desired effect.
"You're going to be useful." Small chuckle.
Shawn hoped his brother had the sense to be still. It was obvious Danny didn't appreciate the seriousness of their situation. The returnee had been the one to experience a darker side to life; there was no way his sheltered sibling could understand.
Maybe, if there were but two assailants, they could take them. Gun or no gun. Shawn tried to control his breathing. There was a way out. Once he could get the guy underneath him somewhat-
As if on cue, the mocking voice spoke up. "This is going to keep you nice and quiet."
A hot flash of pain exploded at the base of the returnee's neck. As consciousness faded, Shawn's brain wouldn't let something go. Nicki had called to him, not her boyfriend.X
Danny heard his brother's slight exclamation of surprise, then the body partially atop him went limp.
Closer to the floor, listening to the tires spinning off asphalt. There was no way to tell where they were going. It was obvious to the younger Farrell that these men wanted something with his brother. Danny's immediate guess was hostage. Their uncle being NTAC gave unscrupulous men a perfect bartering chip. Not to mention, Shawn's face had been plastered all over the evening news, more than once.
Shawn didn't look to be in that gooda shape. Danny sighed. Better to take the path of least resistance, keeping his eyes and ears open. Better than getting knocked in the head.He couldn't believe these men would actually harm him, but then again...Uncle Tommy would come through. Good old Uncle Tommy. Feeling the security the sheltered often experience, Danny stayed calm. He'd have to watch over his brother. For a change. Being abducted had left Shawn a stranger. And scared.