Here's the latest installment of my current dark scifi project. This is chapter 15. If you're just tuning in, consider starting with chapters 1 and 2. Be advised that this work considers difficult subjects, including suicide. If you're in crisis, please seek help. Help is available here.
Sitting in the backseat of the blue sedan that had been following him, Horace looked out the window, seeing only a dark brick wall. The alley they'd pulled into was deserted. Agent Weaver was looking back at him from the front passenger seat. "You don't know what this is about, do you?" asked the Agent.
"Not really," said Horace.
"We're investigating the network that freed you from 321 Syndrome detention," said Agent Weaver. "Putting together an organization chart. I'm hoping you can fill me in on names and clandestine communication methods."
Horace chuckled. "I'll send you an invite to the Telegram group," he said. "Everyone will know that you're FBI, but you can ask all the questions you want. Oh, and Strike 25 has local leadership groups but no real leaders. So your chart might not be happening."
"What about the money?" asked Agent Weaver. "What can you tell me about that?"
"Every local group has a fund that accepts donations and pays out legal and other expenses," said Horace. "Beyond that, it's all individuals' business, not Strike business. Why? You thinking of freezing our accounts?"
"I can't reveal details of the investigation," said Agent Weaver.
"Yeah, no surprise there," said Horace.
"What about your trip to DC?" asked Agent Weaver. "Who exactly will be covering your expenses?"
"Some group called Americans for Equitable Housing," said Horace. "AEH. But like, you must know that already. Why not just ask about what you really want to know?"
"You're a sharp kid, Gomez," said Agent Weaver. "Who is your point of contact with AEH? Did they give you an itinerary for your trip?"
"I forget the contact's name," said Horace. "I know they want me to be part of a group that's visiting Kansas Rep. Andy Bandon to talk about rent control legislation or something."
"Do you favor rent control legislation?" asked Agent Weaver.
"Maybe fifty years ago," said Horace. "Or maybe in Kansas, since they're probably living in the past."
"Say more about that," said Agent Weaver.
"More laws, more problems," said Horace. "So like, passing rent control just means more shady landlords doing even shadier shit to get your money. Here in Chicago, we're doing some stuff with voluntary rent control. Voluntary. That's what broke our stalemate between landlords and renters. Not some law that just pisses people off."
"We know there's a faction of Strike 25 called Strike Zero that's advocating for a total nationwide rent strike," said Agent Weaver. "What's your take on that faction? Are they gaining ground?"
"Plenty of folks were interested in their ideas when it looked like no one was making any progress," said Horace. "But groups like that lose their audience when people start actually solving problems instead of just shouting about them."
The driver leaned over and whispered something into Agent Weaver's ear. "You're livestreaming this?" the Agent demanded.
"What?" said Horace. "You think I'm talking to the feds without letting everyone know exactly what's up?"
"Alright," said Agent Weaver. "Guess we're bringing you home. I'll leave you my card to contact me directly if you ever run across something I need to know. And you may be contacted by me or another agent at some point in the future."
Back at his apartment, Horace had an hour to kill before Domonique got home. When she got there, she found him lying flat on his back on the living room floor, staring at the ceiling. "I caught your livestream," she said. "You okay?"
They talked about Horace's eventful night over food from Domonique's restaurant. Looking at Horace's social media accounts, they found dozens of hateful comments calling Horace a rat and worse. Together, sitting at the kitchen table, they replied politely to each comment, in keeping with their Strike 25 communication policy. Afterwards, in the long silence that followed, Domonique sighed. "There's something I need to tell you," she said.
"Tell me anything," said Horace.
Domonique started to cry. "I'm sorry," she said. "It's just, I don't think I can do this anymore."
"What do you mean?" asked Horace slowly.
"You know how much I love you, but this thing, it's taking too much from you," said Domonique. "Too much from us. You're all fucked up about it and you barely even talk to me anymore. Now you're getting jumped by Strikers and talking to the feds? Honey, you need help. I think you should talk to someone. Maybe Dr Winston. Maybe the people doing GSGs. All I know is that the support I have to give isn't enough for what you need."
Horace felt his jaw tense, like he was about to argue. Then he slumped in his chair and felt tears on his cheeks. "God, you're right," he said. "This whole time I've been trying to be strong for you. Strong for us. But what do I know? The truth is that I have no idea what I'm doing, and this thing keeps getting bigger and bigger."
"Okay, so what do you think is going to happen when we go to DC?" asked Domonique. "This shit's only going to get more intense. I think you should call Dr Winston. Like, tonight."
Unable to argue, Horace called the doctor that had sprung him from lockup. Surprisingly, Dr Winston picked up. "Horace," he said. "I had a premonition you'd be calling. Normally I'm in bed at this hour."
"So you saw the livestream?" asked Horace.
"No," said Dr Winston. "Did something happen?"
"Yeah," said Horace. "My girlfriend told me I need to reach out for support, so that's what this is."
They talked for an hour while Domonique took a bath. When the call was over, Horace put a stupid comedy movie on and watched it curled up with Domonique on the couch. "It's a good start, but it's not enough," she said quietly after the movie ended. "Before we go to Washington, I need you to have a rock solid support network."
"I'm gonna need your help with that," said Horace. "I mean, I barely know what you're talking about. People to talk to? People to call if I'm in trouble? What kind of support?"
"Support of you, silly," said Domonique. "You need to be cared for and protected from your enemies. It's like you don't even get how big of a deal you're becoming! Horace Gomez, hero of the people. Well, heroes of the people have targets on their backs. Especially ones that aren't afraid to have public conversations with the opposition."
"Okay," said Horace. "I still feel like just a regular guy, but you're probably right. Let's get this figured out."
(Feature image from Pixabay.)
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