Here's the latest installment of my current dark scifi project. This is chapter 33. 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.
After finding out Greg's room number, Jo and Tom darted away with a vague promise to catch up with the group later. In the privacy of their own room, they quickly shed their clothes and forgot everything but each other. Afterwards, they dressed again in a daze. "We really should get back," Jo said finally.
Leaving the room, heading up to Greg's suite, Tom laughed. "You know, I think I might be wearing one of your socks," he said.
"Yeah," replied Jo, smiling. "Hope we didn't miss too much."
Anabelle answered Greg's door. Horace was crashed out, while the rest of them were talking and drinking tea or coffee, which Anabelle was delivering.
"You've arrived just in time," said Greg.
"In time for what?" asked Jo.
"To tell us your parts in the plan we're making," said Greg.
"What've you got so far?" asked Tom.
"Horace has decided to go on a speaking tour," said Greg. "Special Agent Weaver's daughter Lucy will sublet his apartment and take over his responsibilities at the building where he lives. Bonnie will set up her yurt in case he needs to go off the grid at any point."
"A speaking tour?" said Jo. "I don't know much about the situation, but that does raise concerns for Horace's welfare. That kid needs serious rest."
"Weaver and I will be with him every step of the way," said Dr Winston. "If I detect an issue with his physical or mental health, I'm perfectly qualified to address it. Strike 25 is paying for the whole thing. Horace's schooling will have to be put on hold, but safety concerns have unfortunately made that inevitable."
"I'm still trying to piece together what exactly is going on," said Tom. "Big picture, I mean."
"Horace is the only surviving witness to an attempted bombing of incarceration industry profiteers," said Dr Winston. "All nine suspects were killed in federal custody. It's unclear whether Horace is also a target, so we have to proceed as if he is. He's been cooperating with authorities, which could also make him a target, particularly after the media begins publicizing his involvement."
"Shit," said Tom. "I know exactly what I'm supposed to do here."
"Oh yeah?" asked Jo.
"Isn't it obvious?" asked Tom. "I've got to tell this story on the Gazette, and I've got to get Hunter Domino involved."
"Hunter Domino?" asked Bonnie. "Shouldn't we be trying to find that young man more stabilizing influences than that maniac?"
"Domino's mania is mostly for show," said Tom. "And his organization is used to handling media and security for big, chaotic events. Plus, he supports Strike 25, and I'm sure he knows who Horace is. I don't know how he can help, but I'm sure he'll be able to."
"Don't worry," said Peter. "Domino always has at least three FBI agents around him, posing as his media production crew."
"Where did you hear that?" asked Weaver, who knew the statement to be true, though it should have been a secret to everyone but senior agents like himself.
"Mystical vision," said Peter, shrugging. "But it's true, isn't it?"
"It's a secret that shouldn't leave this room," said Weaver.
"Wait," said Jo. "If the suspects were killed in federal custody, does that mean the FBI is compromised?"
"Unknown," said Weaver. "There are agents that I'm in contact with who I know I can count on, but I'm not trusting anyone outside of this circle for the time being."
"So, just to clarify, you're saying that people tried to assassinate prison industry officials, but the government stopped them, then murdered them all?" asked Jo.
"The targets were all executives handling investments for companies involved in the incarceration industry," said Weaver. "At this point, it's too early to say whether it was government employees or contractors or other agents that actually killed the suspects in custody."
"Okay, so no offense, but why should we trust you?" asked Jo.
"Assume everything you say to me will end up in a report," said Weaver. "And please don't implicate yourselves in any crimes."
"Sorry if this isn't the place, but I want to know more about the soul group," said Anabelle. "What does it mean to be in a soul group. And like, how can we tell that we're in one?"
"I'm so glad you asked," said Greg, smiling broadly. "On one level, all it means is that we have important work to do together here on Earth. Work that benefits our individual paths and shared purpose equally. It's possible to be a part of more than one soul group, they form for many different reasons, but the group we've gathered together here is of special significance, at least to me."
"I feel that," said Bonnie. "The sense of significance. It started the day I first decided to help you, Anabelle. It started with you and led me here and now I feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be."
Anabelle teared up. "But I don't know what to do!" she said quickly.
"You could sing," suggested Peter quietly. "Maybe that new song you wrote."
Normally, with all eyes on her, Anabelle would have went to find a corner to sit in until she felt less self-conscious. But today, she just opened her mouth and let her new song come out. Losing herself in the music, Anabell felt something shift within her as she sang, as if an unfamiliar part of her both came alive and settled into place. When it was over, she looked around the room, expecting to see judgment or boredom or dismissive glances. Instead, she saw love and wonder and tears rolling down a few cheeks.
"Well, someone's been practicing," said Bonnie eventually. "That might be the most beautiful thing I've ever heard."
(Feature image from Pixabay.)
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