| 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 Revelation The Centre - Simlab “Jarod!” He felt relief when the pretender
looked up at him, his eyes confused, his demeanour
bewildered. "You had me worried. You
seemed to be catatonic for about two minutes." "I know who has Miss
Parker." Lifting his eyebrows, he crossed
his arms while he waited for his prodigy to explain his find. ************ Ten miles
outside Blue Cove Harry couldn’t believe the
scene that met his eyes. He was a tall black man in his mid thirties and has
been a paramedic for ten years. A big town car lay on its roof, nearby a very
dead deer had been dragged to the side of the road. Getting out of the
ambulance he went ahead to assess the situation while his partner grabbed the
gear. “There’s one alive
here.” The doors were jammed and he had
to clear the glass from the side window before he could grab the first man.
There was nothing to be done about this one. His neck was broken. Pulling him
out the window, he allowed Steven to take the body and lay it next to the
overturned car. The next guy was the one he had
been after. He had heard the moan that had escaped his lips. Cautiously, he
felt the neck and back for any contusions. The old guy seemed to be breathing
fine and that made him optimistic. In most cases age counted against accident
victims and shock was a real killer. Grabbing the stretcher from his
partner, he carefully slipped it underneath the body. Slipping the straps
across, he felt surprise when a hand gripped his arm. Looking into the eyes of
the old man, he saw fear and confusion. Before he could hope to gain some
information the eyes slid close again. Making sure he had a pulse, he continued
with securing his patient. ************ The Centre Jarod wheeled over towards where
the table had been set up. Moving his notes around, he cleared a space for him
to work in. "See, the words he left on
the mirror was not only for Miss Parker. He left it for me. He knew that Lyle
would bring me back here and that I would be forced to do the simulation. He
wanted me to feel what she felt, to experience her panic and fears." Looking at "I follow what you're
saying, Jarod, but why?" "Because he wanted me to
know that I was playing his game. His rules. Why put
something as great as love next to something as devastating as destroyer. So that we focus on the whole sentence and not the words.
The one thing that binds Miss Parker and me is …" Glancing at the camera, Jarod
knew that "There is one person who
knew that. He taunted me once about losing the most important thing in my
world." ************ The Centre
– Parking garage, level six The dark saloon entered the
level, coasting to a standstill next to where the blond haired man stood. A
door opened, revealing the Albino. “I trust nothing else
went wrong on your way here.” “No, Mr Lyle. If not for that unfortunate accident you would have had both. I
will check on the local hospitals to see if anyone did survive. From where we
sat, it didn’t look very promising.” Lyle eyed the backseat. The boy
seemed to be unconscious. Raising an eyebrow, he turned towards Mr White. “He was drawing attention
so I had him silenced. He was distraught over the accident and was ignoring all
other attempts to calm down.” Motioning to the sweepers to
bring the boy he grabbed the albino’s arm. “I want the major brought
back here, even if you have to steal him from the mortuary. Don’t fail me
again or your payment may arrive posthumous.” Lyle and the albino stared each
other down, each warning the other silently of what they are capable of. The
tension rose, becoming unbearable till one of the sweepers cleared his throat.
Turning from the albino, Lyle walked away, leading the sweepers who carried the
boy into the Centre. ************ The Centre "Why did he send the
angel?" " "Why did he send an angel
without a face?" "To show me that he can
change her views; maybe even change her completely. He is busy moulding her into his image. With one last stroke, "Jarod,
who has Miss Parker?" Jarod didn't want to say the name
out loud. That would make this nightmare seem more real, more bizarre than it
already was. His nightmares of their previous meeting still haunted him when he
closed his eyes to sleep. Words that collided, forming their
own storm centres inside his mind, winds of taunts
buffeting his sanity. Truth was turning subjective to what he knew of
him and his family and he wondered how much of what was uttered was to do
precisely that. Gradually, he let calm to sooth the wandering winds, allowing
some respite. Facing his mentor he allowed the
name to flow from his lips, hoping that the taint of it wouldn't stain his
lips. "His name is Alex." ************ VA Medical
Centre Harry went to check on the old
man he had brought in earlier. Beside him, the only other person that survived
was the other big guy that had sat on the other side. He was in surgery to
repair a torn spleen and muscle-tear to the abdomen. Entering the recovery room he was
glad to see that the man was more lucid and seemed to be conscious of what was
going on around him. Grabbing the chart, he checked his vitals before moving to
the side of the bed. “I’m glad
you’re here, man. You had me worried.” Smiling, he watched as the
patient turned towards him. Dr Ross had asked him earlier about this one. It
seemed that there was a lot more bruises present that the patient could have
picked up in the accident. To the doctor it had looked like he had been beaten
more than once over the course of the past few days. Seating himself gently on the
side of the bed, he took the old man’s arm in his hand, checking his
pulse. Although fast it was strong. Letting go, he kindly asked, “Can you
tell me your name?” Concern etched into his features
when the old man shook his head. To him it didn’t look like the guy had
lost his memory. It seemed more like the guy didn’t want to identify himself and he once again wondered about the circumstances
that this man had been in. Dr Ross had phoned the local police station because
of the abuse that seemed evident. The sergeant on duty had promised to send a
detective in the morning to substantiate the doctor's views. "Its ok if you don't want to
say. I have to go and fill in my reports but I'll come back later, if you
want." With the nod of assent he left,
hoping that whatever that had scared the old man wouldn't stop him from telling
the detective what had happened to him. ************ The Centre J felt like his head would
explode. The punch that had left him unconscious had also left him with one
killer headache. He didn’t want to open his eyes. He didn’t want to
face what might have happened to his dad. He didn’t want to face where he
was. His eyes flew open in shock when a hard hand connected with his face. “Hello Gemini.” He felt his anger rise. Here was
the man who was responsible for bringing him back, for separating him from his
dad, for everything that had happened in the past twenty four hours. Though his wrists were still
cuffed, he made a fist with both hands and lashed out. The other man stumbled
back in surprise and the boy rose, feeding his anger with all the simulations
that Rains had him perform on assassinations. He attacked viciously, his bouldered fist connecting with the other's body. He was
still drawing his foot back for a kick to the unprotected ribs in front of him
when the electric shock of a taser gun flipped him to
the ground. He turned on his side, his muscles twitching sporadically. The
anger still lingered and he allowed it to fester, hoping that somehow he would
find a way out. ************ VA Medical
Centre – 20:00 Harry had returned to John Doe
after his shift change. He felt a sort of kinship with the older man. He
reminded him of his dad, strong and stubborn. Dragging a chair closer, he
handed him a packet of candy he had brought from the vending machine. The eyes conveyed their thanks,
but he still couldn’t get the old man to speak. He started a monologue on
the adventures he and his dad had before a heart attack had laid claim to him
last year. He had found that sometimes with older patients that had survived
something traumatic, that just to hear mundane everyday life stories helped
them to unwind and reveal what had happened. He was just getting to the part
where his dad had helped him out of the pond he had fallen in when he noticed a
change in the older man. He was staring past him to the corridor. Turning, he
noticed a man standing and speaking to Dr Ross. There was something funny about
the man and it took him a moment or two to realise
that the man was an albino. His attention was drawn back to John when his arm
was held in a strong hold. “Get me out of here.” Looking back at the albino, he
found the other man staring intently at him. He felt a shiver run down his
spine. John’s pleading gaze was still on him, another whisper followed,
“Please.” “Ok, just hold on. Walking
towards the door, Harry saw Dr Ross and the albino walk towards the
nurse’s station. Returning to the major, he quickly helped him put on the
dressing gown the hospital provided. Removing the IV drip, he put one arm
around the older man’s middle and helped him stand. Together they moved
down the corridor as fast as they could. ************ Undisclosed
vicinity Miss Parker was seated on what
she had come to accept as her bed, the pillow cushioned behind her. Her head
was leaning tiredly against the softness, her right hand fingering the
notebook. She had eaten a tin of baked beans earlier when she had woken from
her grief exhausted sleep. Her left hand rose and she took another sip from the
bottle. She had kicked of the slippers;
they lay messily next to mattress. It is funny how many things taken for
granted are the first things you miss when you're denied it. At this stage she
wished she had a blanket to wrap around her. Even if it was old and had holes.
That and a good meal with Sighing, she put the bottle down
next to the bed. Picking up the book, she mentally braced her emotions,
steeling them to accept the inevitable. Turning to the first page, she gently
traced the letters on the first clipping. Carpenter found shot at
lover's home She remembered his face, the way
his body had felt beneath her hands. His calloused hands that
traced her skin. The way his eyes crinkled when he smiled that special
smile just for her. She remembered the warmth of his embrace and the way it
made her feel safe, feel special and loved. And she remembered that day. When her whole world had fallen inward to break into shards that
had not stopped hurting. They still cut and penetrated her defences. Even now, three years later. That reminded her unpleasantly of
her present situation. She had no idea how long she had been in this hell-hole.
Whether it was day or night outside; was it raining, cloudy or clear. Closing
her eyes, she almost hoped to feel the rays of the sun on her face. Opening
them again they were greeted by the same glaring light bulb that shone without
end. She had put the light out once to get some sleep and had woken in panic
when pitch black darkness surrounded her. Since then, she had kept the light
bulb shining. Without provocation, her fingers
moved over to the next page, as if reading her mind and knowing her memories
was changing, evolving to what stood next to her saddest day. Tracing the
letters, they trembled slightly. She didn't want to believe it. If she did, she
would go mad. It would mean her one constant will have disappeared. The anchor
that had held her steady, kept her sane in the asylum called the Centre. That
had provided guidance in dealing with her mother's supposed suicide, her death.
That had helped her deal with her grief for Tommy. That had always given her
unconditional love and acceptance. The one that knew who she
really was. Her eyes travelled over each
letter, willing them to fade in her glare. To change into something that
pronounced miracles and not death. Ignoring her ice cold gaze, they glared back
announcing to all who could understand. They seemed to jump from the page and march in front of her, mocking her weakness. Closing her eyes
they shouted with glee to echo in her mind. Unknown benefactor found shot
in park A man known only as Jarod was
identified… Maybe, just maybe she was the
destroyer of love. ************ Parking lot,
VA Medical Centre Harry helped the major into the front
seat of his old Ford sedan. He was worried about the condition of the old man.
He was breathing shallow, his features pasty and glistening with sweat. Closing
the creaking door, he hurried to the other side. Getting in, he started the car
with a bang. Moving into the slow moving traffic towards the exit, he kept an
eye on his rear-view window for any sight of the albino. Breathing a sigh of
relief when he finally exited without any shouts of recognition, he turned
right into St James' Avenue. "Don't go home. He probable
knows your life history by now," came the tired
voice. Glancing at the major, he was met
by clear eyes that kept his attention. Turning into a broken-down garage, he
parked the car next to some rusting bins. Turning to face the major he dreaded
the answer but asked it anyways. "How would he know where I
live? That information is confidential." Ignoring the question, Major
Charles tried to get in a more comfortable position. Closing his eyes briefly
he instead answered with another question. "Do you have any family at
home? If you do, you need to phone them and tell them to go someplace safe only
you and they would know about." Harry couldn't believe what he
was hearing. His safe world was turning into a nightmare. Distracted by the
clank of cooling iron he answered vaguely. "Ah, no,
no one else. Since my
father died last year I have been living alone. My work, well, the hours
….you know." He couldn't believe this was
happening. He felt completely out of his comfort zone and he had always thought
that because of the kind of work he did he would be able to handle any crisis.
Now he felt lost. "I have a safe-house we can
go to. It's not far from here. We can work on a rescue plan from there." Harry decided to listen to what
the old man had to say. At least it gave him a starting point of where to drop
him off and leave him if he thought things were getting too much out of hand.
Starting the car he followed the directions from the tired Major towards a
possible safe place. ************ The Centre
– SL 27, A1 J sat stonily on the edge of the
bed, his hands cuffed painfully behind his back. He watched Lyle dab his lip
again, scowling when his hands still came back with blood. Taking a
handkerchief out of his pocket, he held it to his lip. J knew that Lyle will
make him pay for the blows that he had managed to land. He was slowly
retreating to the safe place he had created whenever Raines had punished him
for not performing to his specifications. Keeping his eyes locked on the blue
ones of Lyle he was grateful when a phone interrupted their silent battle. He
watched the chairman's son turn away from him, exiting the room before
answering his phone. "This better be good." Gripping the phone tightly, Lyle
dropped the bloodied handkerchief into his pocket. "I lost the major. He
escaped with the help from one of the locals. We've been to his residence and
they are not there. We are trying to determine whether the Major has a place
somewhere close by." "Be careful, Mr White. Failure to find the major will lead to the
termination of our contract. You have twenty four hours. If I don’t hear
from you within that time period I will assume our contract to be null and
void. Understand?" Silence greeted him before the
phone disconnected. Throwing his phone against the wall, Lyle felt his anger
rise. Everything was working so well and now this. His timetable will now have
to be extended another day. Looking through the one way mirror, he watched the
boy shift on the bed. Motioning to Sam, he gave instructions regarding the
treatment of the clone. He wanted to stay and watch but he had other priorities
that required his immediate attention. He watched Sam close the door behind him
before he reluctantly turned and left. ************ Simlab – 22:00 "Jarod, I think that's
enough for today." Bleary, bloodshot eyes looked at "No, you need to declare
that before widening the search pattern." "S…sorry." Broots stammered as his fingers flew over
the keyboard, trying to correct the basic mistake he had made. He wiped his
eyes; the screen seemed to waver for a second or two before it settled back
into normality. To "Jarod,
please. You'll only
make yourself sick. You need rest, sleep. How do you think you'll help Parker
if you can't function properly because you ignored your body's messages?" Jarod still stared at the screen,
trying to follow the code. They seemed to dance in his mind and he only barely
heard what his mentor said. "No, I'll be fine. We need
to find Miss Parker and…" "and
Willie will take you to your room." Jarod led out a growl of
frustration and he tried to push Willie's hand from his brakes he had set when
he parked the wheelchair. When the dark man effortlessly pushed him forward to
cuff his hands, he surrendered in defeat. His angry gaze met Lyle's. "I am close, please. "What do you plan on doing
with him?" Lyle put his best innocent face
forward; a slight smile in his voice. "Nothing." Seeing the unbelieving look on the
psychiatrist's face he continued, "Really, "Lyle, I won't allow you to
take Jarod. I'm supposed to look after his needs." "Well, "You never had anyone's best
interest at heart but yourself, Lyle. Please don't insult my intelligence with
your supposed concern over Jarod's wellbeing. I will not let you take
him." The wheezing voice of Raines
interrupted Lyle's angry retort he was about to start. "…Enough…" Both turned towards the Chairman,
both assuming firm stances, both laying claim for Jarod's soul. " ************ The Centre Jarod was slightly surprised when
Willie pushed him into his cell. With his hands still cuffed behind his back,
he leaned forward in the hope that Willie would take them of. Instead the dark
man grabbed one bicep and dragged him onto his bed. He could here Lyle’s
clothes rustling as his captor took something from a pocket. His view was
blocked by Willie and he tried to twist his body to see what his captor had in
store for him. With a command from Lyle, he was pushed onto his stomach, the
dark man’s body pushing down on his, keeping him still while he gripped
the elastic of his pants. Jarod felt panic engulf him as he struggled beneath
the weight of the other. With his view clear he could see what Lyle had in his
hands. “No, please. Lyle, no.” He felt his pants pushed down,
leaving him naked and vulnerable. “You need your rest, Jarod.
This will ensure you’re cooperation.” “Please, I promise
I’ll sleep.” Jarod watched anxiously as the blond man stepped
closed. Slowly, aware of Jarod’s eyes on him, he uncapped the syringe.
Jarod bucked, trying to dislodge Willie from him, his heart rate increasing, his breathing audible and frightened. “Please. I…please,
no” Jarod felt Willie shift, pushing
him further into the mattress, making sure the pretender was under control. He
watched the spurt as Lyle released the air bubbles, his smile evil. “Nooooo!” Jarod pushed his face into the
bedding, his screams of frustration and anger muffled by the sheets as the
sharp point of the needle punctured his skin. He felt the coolness as the
liquid entered his gluteus muscle. He swore he could feel it burning upwards;
enveloping his body till every part seemed to be on fire. He felt Willie get
off, pulling his pants back up. Tears of frustration filled his eyes, his hands
forming fists, his arm muscles rippling as he tried to free them. All he
managed was to open the cuts he got this morning and create new deeper grooves,
the blood smearing his wrists red. He felt his bed dip as another body seated
himself on it. Turning his head sideways away from him, he faced the wall,
counting the stains to try and get some calmness to settle over him. He
flinched when Lyle’s hand slowly began a soothing backrub before manipulating
his shoulders in a firm massage. “Just let the medication do
its work. There’s nothing you can do to change it, Jarod.” Jarod could feel the sedative
relaxing his muscles. He tried to deny its effect but he could feel his eyes
closing. Forcing them open, he wanted nothing more than to… Lyle watched with satisfaction as
the pretenders eyes closed, his breathing slower and deep. Pulling
Jarod’s hair from his face he made a note to get Sam to cut the
pretender’s hair. Getting up, he waited as Willie released the bindings
from Jarod’s wrists. The dark man turned the prodigy to a more
comfortable position on his back, making sure there was nothing that would
smother the drugged man. They left him to a dreamless drug induced sleep. TBC |