| Disclaimer: All characters and events in this story are fictitious, and any similarity to a real person,living or dead is entirely coincidental and unintended by the author. "The Pretender" is a protected trademark. Any other characters is trademarked by the author. by Whashaza Concession Jarod For Centre use only The expanded room was divided
into two sections. Darkness ruled the one side, occasional movement noticeable
as vague forms shifted stances with breathing the only noise heard. Light
spilled from the other side where a lone figure stood,
unaware of the focus. One of the forms shifted, moving
slightly towards the light seemingly to reach toward a dream. Silently the
movement draws attention as the focus draws closer. Watching,
recording. Words flow and are caught, only
to be set down where it can never be lost. Almost silent, the words are given
life in one gentle question. “Jarod?” The lone figure draws in another
life giving breath and seems to hold it for eternity. Refocusing, the silhouette
becomes the only point of contact. Another slow breath is taken. The stance
changes, the tall man seeming to shrink into himself. Slowly, almost
imperceptibly he straightens again. The silhouette seems to mirror the
transformation, becoming slimmer and almost more feminine. Gradually the light is invaded. One step. Then another is taken painfully. Hands touch the
bed, feeling the smooth texture of the silk. The body tired, stretches out and
lies down. The hand finds the safety of the gun under the pillow. The back
faces the darkness, unaware of the tenseness of the forms. Dark hair spread on the pillow
and with eyes closed, the right hand moves toward the phone. Touching air, the
eyes open. “I am tired, Unhurriedly, the one form shifts,
concentration flowing from every pore and enveloping his being. “Why?” The body shifts, the forms
relaxing slightly as the empty hand leaves the pillow. Sitting on the edge of
the bed, the figure holds its head. Drawing a deep breath the answer comes swollen
with a hidden ache. “Someone had been phoning,
interrupting my sleep. My head hurts. My body is exhausted.” “Jarod, I need you to
concentrate. What did Miss Parker do when she woke up?” Once again, the focus is drawn
back to the light. Another breath, another change in emotion. “I threw the phone against
the wall. I am angry now. I just want to be left in peace.” Shifting, the figure stands.
Balancing, the hand reaches and touches the dent. Feeling and inspecting the
crescent shape carved into the wall. The words almost got away. The lips formed
them so quietly; they seemed to barely whisper their meaning before they
disappeared. “I just want to be left
alone.” ************ The ranch – 14:30 “Son, I need you to wake up
for me, ok.” J whimpered as a calloused hand
lightly slapped his burnt cheeks. His eyes opened and focused on the kind face
of the rancher that had picked him up on the highway. Green eyes looked back at
him, the worry in them very obvious. “Can you drink this?” Nodding, J took the glass and
sipped at the cold water. He had never tasted anything better and he had to
stop himself from gulping it down. Keeping silent, he shifted
slightly on the worn out couch he had lain on. His skin seemed to have a life
of its own. The heat waves from it seemed to warm the air around him. Looking
down he watched as the rancher removed his shoes. He saw him flinch. His feet
were stuck to his socks, the colour forever changed
to a red brownish tint. Shaking his head, the rancher got up and moved out of
J’s sight. Coming back, he put a basin
filled with water by his feet. Gently he took one foot and slowly started to
soak it. J’s grip tightened around the glass, the burning sensation of
his sweat dried body overtaken by the open blisters. Silently, the rancher gently
soaks his feet till the socks are loose enough to be removed. ************ Jarod For Centre use only The figure was leaning against
the wall, one hand caressing the dent. Looking up, his hand drops and he turns
towards the darkness, facing it head-on. “I cannot do this One of the forms takes an
aggressive stance. The other placates before refocusing on the lone figure in
the light. “Jarod, open yourself to
her feelings, to what she experienced. We need to do this to find her.” Closing his eyes, the body once
again become still. Nothing seemed to stir the air as the focus drew closer and
closer on the face. Eye lashes quivered. A lone tear escaped, travelling downwards before gravity pulled it to the floor. The focus widened again as the
silhouette moved from the wall back to the bed. Swallowing, the face darkened
before another deeper breath was taken. “I went back to sleep, “That’s good Jarod.
Keep it up.” The forms watched as the
pretender lay back on the bed. This time the hand did not stray to the pillow.
The body seemed to relax, the breaths deeper as if asleep. ************ The Ranch J watched while the last of the
bandage was wrapped around his feet. They felt better already. His face was
glistening from the burn relief that the man had put on. It felt cold and good. “Mind telling me why I
picked you up on the highway with no water and heatstroke?” J’s brown eyes met the
rancher’s as he tried to determine how much he could tell the man. “Please don’t lie to
me. I was in the war and I know what a hunted human looks like.” Deciding, J started his tale with
regular sips from the glass of cold water that sat next to him. ************ Jarod For Centre use only The figure on the bed shifted,
stretched. Arms slowly retracted, one hand sliding under the pillow. “Something is not right, “My gun is gone. My heart
rate is increasing. There has to be someone in the house.” Furtively, the body shifts to a
sitting position. Hands reached down and seemed to grab something. “I need to find a weapon. I
grab some clothes to put on, something that will give me some freedom in my
movement.” Standing painfully, the head
moves slowly, searching the room. “I don’t see anyone.
My door is closed. I’ll check the bathroom first; it is the best tactical
move for the moment.” Slowly, two painful steps are
taken, a hand reaching toward the door to swing it open completely. Another
step before the figure stops. The head lifts and the body becomes sculptured,
every muscle edged to a standstill. ************ Secondary Safe house –
16:00 Major Charles sat on the bunk,
his eyes on his cuffed hands. They had dropped him in a cell with a guard. He
had no idea where he was or what the Albino’s next move was going to be.
He only hoped that they would leave J alone, though he knew that it was a
fool’s hope. Mr White was in the next room with a huge
map of the “The person who picked up
the boy has to be a local. I want teams of four to search these indicated
farms. Be aware that the boy is hurt so be on the lookout when you’re at
the farms for any first aid rubbish. We have two day leeway to find the boy.
Make sure you do.” ************ Simlab - The Centre Jarod’s eyes through Miss
Parker’s met the words. It seemed to be the only thing that he could
focus on for the moment. They seemed to have a life of their own. He felt her
chest constrict, her breath stolen away by the pulsating words. They seemed to
lift from their mirror image in a violent tornado. She become the centre of the
eye as they seemed to swirl around her body, teasing and bullying her senses
till all he could do was cry for refuge. His words seemed to be assimilated in
the whirling clamour that seemed to be all around,
deafening him. He wasn’t even aware when his body hit the ground, curling
tight on itself in an effort to protect himself…herself. He didn’t
know who anymore as his cries kept on coming. Then he felt arms around him,
arms that he knew well. His head slipped familiarly into the crook of his
mentor’s neck while he was rocked as if a child. The clamour
slowly died down, the words reluctantly returning to their place. Jarod felt
safe as ************ The ranch J awoke to voices from outside.
He felt his sides clench when he heard the familiar voice from one of the
sweepers that had hunted him. He stayed where he was, hoping that they would
leave. Hearing the slam of car doors, he relaxed as he heard the cars drove
off. His door opened to reveal the rancher. “I told them that they had
better leave before I called the sheriff. I guess they don’t want any
involvement with the law.” “Thanks.” “Tomorrow morning
I’ll drive you to the city. My brother should be able to help us.” J was grateful. After he had told
the man of his escape he had agreed to help him. They were going to try and
find where his dad was being kept. With the resources he had he hoped that he
would be able to come up with a plan to save his dad while keeping out of the
clutches of the Centre. ************ Simlab - The Centre After a while, “Jarod?” he asked
softly, his concerned gaze settling on the pretender’s ravaged face. Nodding, the pretender tried to
burrow deeper into the warmth of “I need to know what you
saw.” The older man watched with
concern as Jarod shook his head. He looked for a moment like the frightened
little boy he had consoled once. Loosening his grip further, he softly said, “Jarod, remember why you
are here. I need you to concentrate. I will be with you the whole time.” The pretender seemed to close his
eyes for a moment. He answered with a hoarse voice, “The words on the mirror
frightened her. It was the reason it was put there. To
terrify and inflict pain. It was the reason that he could sneak up on
her. He hit her with some solid object. She didn’t see his face. She, oh
Sydney, I…I feel lost.” “Jarod, you did well. I am
very proud of you.” Jarod felt his heart lighten when
he heard the words. Hugging Raising unhurriedly, mentor and
prodigy kept hold of each other. Turning from the darkness they faced the
mirror. The jagged words stayed where they were; as if they knew that their
power is broken. Jarod saw his reflection between the words, split by the
malevolent red markings. To Miss Parker those words must have burned and
pillaged her already vulnerable soul. He could only hope that she would survive
intact. Moving from his broken image he once more gave his attention to the
menacing markings. Slashed, ugly they stood and glared back, saying: Destroyer of love TBC |