What Next?

Chapter 9

The door opens about an hour later and I’m taken to a holding cell. On instinct alone I start looking for a way out, when I notice someone else in the cell with me. “I thought you’re one of their agents?” I don’t look at him but pace around trying to find the weak spot.

“I am, but the General thinks you might try something foolish if you were left alone in a cell.”

I look right at Damon, lying on one of the cots, “You been briefed or what ever it is you do?”

He looks at me and for the first time in two years, I see the cop who gave me Tiffany’s file. “When we get dropped off we have four days to find out the info the agency requires and I’m just supposed to point you in the right direction.”

I look away and go stand by the cell door. “I came for you to teach at Sera’s dojo, and now I find out you can’t do it. When this is over I need to find a new teacher for them.” I say without looking at him.

“Already taken care of. She’s giving a demonstration as we speak.” Good one less thing to worry about. “So had enough of these walls yet? Or do you want to stay a bit longer?” I turn round to look at him and see he’s holding a key.

This seems too easy, “How did you get that? Oh wait let me guess, we break out of this cell, escape this building and get the information your superiors want. And we make it look like it wasn’t pre-planned by messing up the lock. Nice try Damon, but if you want to leave lets just go.” I need to make sure Sera is okay.

He gets of the cot and joins me at the door, “Cool, then lets get going. The sooner we get the Intel the sooner I’m out of your life.” Please god let that be true. He puts the key in the lock, twists it, and the door opens. “Ha, Houdini eat your heart out.” We head out of the cell area and go straight out the back door into the car park. “Which car you wanna ‘borrow’? Me I say we take the Subaru over there.” He points to the one in the corner next to an Evo, but I’m looking past it at the bikes.

“You take which ever car you want, I’m using that 996 behind it.” I walk over and take a good look at it. Helmet and leather jacket left nearby with the keys sticking out of the pocket. Far to easy. This has all been planned out. Well I only need the bike till I can get mine back. I put the jacket on, start the engine and pick the helmet up when Damon comes over. He gets into the car and hotwires it; they must have thought he’d come with me on the bike. “I’ll meet you back at the hotel, I’ve got something I need to do first.” I yell to him before getting on the bike and moving between the cars and racing off.

…………………

It takes me nearly two hours to get back to the city, and another ten to get to the office. I walk in and see no one, I look at daily calendar on Jennifer’s desk and she’s already changed it for Monday. She only does that on a Friday evening before she leaves. The bastards kept me locked up for nearly a day? Damon when I get a hold of you, I’m going to wring your neck. If it is the weekend then the person I need should be in her office. I walk to my desk first and turn on my computer. I sit down and while it’s loading, I grab a pen and start jotting notes down on a piece of scrap paper. I look back at my computer and insert my password, when I hear movement coming from down the hall. I knew she’d be here; she uses Saturdays to catch up on her paper work and check for complaints made against her workers, mainly me for not being more detached.

I head down the hall and knock on her office door, “Julie, it’s okay its just William, you got a few minutes?”

“Come in William. I’ve received a complaint about you again.” How? I’ve not been working this week. I open the door and the office looks like its been turned upside down. “Came in twenty minutes ago and found it like this. Don’t know how they got in or why, but the only files I’ve found missing so far contain everything on you.” She’s standing there in a pair of blue jeans and a tight t-shirt with her dyed hazel hair up in a ponytail. She actually looks attractive like that

“I’m sorry, I was only coming in to check on a supposed complaint made against one of my carer’s. Let me give you a hand.”

We spend the next hour sorting out all the files and putting them back where they belong. Julie was right, the only files missing were the ones about me. My disciplinary hearings, complaints lodged against me, everything. It takes all my self-control not to just leave and go kill Damon.
When we finish I lead her out of her office and over to my desk so she can see who lodged a complaint against one of my carer’s. I only have a few so it’s a shock to her. I pull up my personal file and see it has also been wiped clean. Now they’ve gone to far. “William, how come everything about you is currently missing?” she asks. Yea like I’m going to tell the truth. Seems like McKay wants me to disappear.

“No idea. My user details worked fine but now I’m pissed.” I search the database for any signs of when I was erased and cant find any, its like I was never here.

I lean back in my chair and see Julie has pulled one over for herself. I lean my head over the back and stare at the ceiling. “Do I want to know what your involved in? And does it have anything to do with those kids you signed out of the hospital yesterday?”

“No to both.” I wish I knew what I was involved in. “Here,” I hand her the piece of paper I was writing on when I first got in, “the address and directions for where I took the children. I can only give you a minute to memorize it I’m afraid. The owner is wary of visitors. After what those he takes in have gone through, he likes to keep things simple. All my special cases go there.”

She reaches into a pocket of her jeans and pulls a lighter out and sets fire to the paper, dropping it into my metal rubbish bin. She moves me out of my chair and sits down in it, and logs into her own account. She pulls up the complaint and moves to one side so I can read it.

I have just seen five children coming out of the woods and going into the old Stonewater hotel. The alarming thing is that one was carrying a bow and some arrows, while the others were definitely carrying hunting knives strapped to their belts. I know of the couple that live there and they are really nice people, but children should not be allowed to run around the woods doing who knows what, while armed with lethal weapons. I know one of your social workers works close with them, so could you please let him know what is going on.

(Anonymous call)

I finish reading it and shake my head. The call was only made a couple of days ago. “That’s a load of bullshit. All the weapons described were taken and disposed off. The bow was taken a year ago.” She doesn’t need to know the truth.

I sign it as having been investigated and proven false by Julie and myself. No sooner have I finished typing my name, the complaint disappears. I search the system for it and see nothing to prove it was ever there. “What the hell is going on? And why did you put my name on it? I never checked it out.” This is starting to freak Julie out now. McKay, when I see you again, you’ll regret entering my life.

“To prove a point. If you want out of knowing where the children are, simply forget what you’ve read. If you want to know what goes on at that hotel, wait here for me to come back and I will take you there myself.”

“No way, I’m sticking with you till I get answers!” The serious tone has returned to her voice, good.

I get up out of the chair and look at her. I can see she’s terrified, but I’ve known her long enough to know it won’t stop her. I simply nod and cock my head to the side, as if saying ‘lets go’. She walks in front of me out of the office and goes straight to her car. I walk over to the bike and leave the helmet and jacket sitting on top and put the key in the ignition. If they don’t come and collect it, I guess someone gets a new bike. I go back over to Julie’s car and she looks at me like I’m out of my mind. “Not my bike.” I say in reply, “We need to pick someone up first, I’ll drive.” She hands me the keys and gets in the passenger side. I get in the drivers side and pull off at speed.

…………………

It only takes half an hour before I pull up in front of the house. The ride over here has been silent the entire way. “We’re here. You can come in as I need to get changed and stock up on a few items I’ll need.” If she’s not here, I’ll swing by her dojo and see if she’s there before going to the hotel.

We get out of the car and I lead her into the house, “If you want a drink, the kitchens through there,” I point for her, “and the sittings rooms just in there. I’ll be back down in a few minutes.” I go upstairs and go straight to my room to find Sera asleep on my bed. I walk over to her and can tell she cried herself to sleep last night.

I change quickly and wake Sera up gently by sitting beside her. She opens her eyes and sits up to hug me, then starts punching me. “You promised you wouldn’t leave me again. You say you love me and you leave me.” I quickly move out of arms reach, so she gets out of my bed to continue throwing punches at me. I block every single one and pull her into me and hug her tightly. I don’t say a word and let her anger wash away.

The sound of the stairs creaking alerts her to someone else in the house, “Its okay Julie,” I shout, “I just woke my sister up and she’s grouchy in the mornings.” She pulls away and starts hitting me again. “Sera, dammit stop hitting me and go get dressed, we need to go immediately.” She stares daggers at me for a couple more seconds before she walks out my open door.

I sit back down on my bed and rub my eyes, and my temples, trying to think what I need to tell her and what I don’t. A gentle tapping on my door brings me back and I see Julie standing there. “Your housemate always this pleasant, or did I just catch her on a bad day?”

“A bad day. She’ll be coming with us. Would you mind waiting downstairs please?” The car ride to the hotel with Sera in this mood is going to be hell. Wish my bike was here instead of there.

Julie turns around and walks away and I wait till I hear the creak of the stairs, before I open my wardrobe and grab one of my wrist-mounted needle holders and put it on my left wrist, as well as my pine sword holder box. I put the box down on the floor and lift the lid to look at the first katana I ever received. I pick it up and slide it out of the scabbard to find the blade is still sharp. I put it back and carry it downstairs, to find Julie waiting at the doorway of the kitchen. I put the box down and walk past her into the kitchen and get three bottles of water from the fridge. I go sit down at the table and wait for Sera. Julie comes in and is obviously uncomfortable so I simply push a chair out for here and put one of the bottles down for her. She sits down without saying a word. She picks up her bottle as I see Sera at the door, wearing black combats and a plain black long sleeved t-shirt like I am. “Time to go!” I say.

“Do I have to ask where we going? Bearing in mind you left me there yesterday.” Sera asks.

“I’m meeting Damon there and Julie wants regular reports on the new twelve, and to check on a complaint made a couple of days ago.”

Sera can see Julie is uncomfortable as well so starts to play nice. “Hi I’m Rachel. So what’s he like at work, as much as a pain in the ass as he is here?” She scratches her head, “No I don’t think that’s possible.” Thank you Sera. I forgot that Rachel could see the good in everyone and have a joke with them.

I’m out the door before I can hear the reply and pick my box up and place it in the back off the car. I get into the drivers seat and honk the horn, and they both come out laughing, Sera holding my bottle of water. Sera gets in the back and Julie sits up front, “William, you should have told me you were hiding this lovely girl away.” No, don’t get along. I look in the rear view mirror and see Sera roll her eyes; thank god she’s faking it.

I start the engine and pull off at speed again. I may have to pay for some new tyres at this rate.

…………………

We pull up to the hotel and as soon I stop the car Julie is out of it. I know I drive fast but I didn’t think I was that bad. I get out of the car and look at a certain Subaru parked next to my Ninja. I walk over to it and just stroke it. A small cough reminds me I’m being watched so I go bang on the hotel door. While I wait for it to be answered I go back and grab my box off the back seat. Julie is looking around with amazement and Sera is on edge. I don’t blame her, I am as well.

“WILLIAM YOU’RE HERE!” I know that yell.

“Hello Rain. How’s the family doing today?” I hear a gasp and know that can only come from Julie. She read all the reports on Tiffany Solomon when she was reported missing, presumed dead. It must be shocking to see her alive and well, with a new hairstyle and hair colour. We gave her coloured contacts for a while but she stopped wearing them.

“Everyone’s fine. Honestly you sleep for a few hours during the day round here and you miss everything. Twelve newcomers being brought in by you, Helen getting stabbed at the hospital and armed personnel outside cause of the guy who came with you.” She looks at Julie, “why is she staring at me like that? Does she know who I used to be?”

I laugh a little, “Rain, a lot of people know who you used to be. Well… those that saw pictures of you a few years ago anyway. She’s my boss.” She simply nods her head in understanding and leads the way inside.

We walk through the door and I put my box down by the cupboard door and follow everyone to the common area. I stand at the door and it’s almost like I never left yesterday, everyone moving around and music blaring from the stereo. “Well Julie, welcome to sanctuary. Their name, not mine.” I walk over to the stereo and turn it off, which makes everyone realize I’m here. “Morning guys. Everyone doing okay this morning?” Bad idea, they bombard me with questions all at once. “Okay, chill. I’m fine and obviously you all are. I’ve got to go away for a few days, so my boss may be popping in from time to time. Be nice.” I give the hawk stare around the room and let it linger for a few seconds on Archer. I turn the music back on and go back to the door where Julie still hasn’t moved from. “Come on, I need to introduce you to David.”

Sera makes her way into the chaos as I lead Julie over to the office but can hear raised voices already arguing. “…HE’D MEET ME HERE SO STOP TELLING ME TO CALM DOWN AND FIND OUT WHERE HE IS!” That can only be about me.

I open the door, “DAMON,” I shout but quickly lower my voice, “I’m right here. David this is Julie Walker, my boss and your new case worker for a few days.” He gets out of his seat and comes over to shake Julie’s hand. I look back at Damon, “Come on, I’ve got just over four days to sort out your mess.” He comes out of the room and I shut the door behind us.

We get four steps away from the door before he turns round and shoots me a dirty look. “You told me Tiffany was dead!”

All right lets get this over with. “The girl your on about is dead. The girl you saw is now called Rain. Deal with it or work without me.” I’ll still find out who’s pulling strings without you. I want whoever was keeping Solomon from me. He’s the reason I now walk this dark path and will never truly be with the woman I love.

“Fine, she can call herself whatever she wants, just don’t lie to me again, got it?” I knew you’d come around. He starts walking to the front door while I start going for the stairs. He looks around and sees me, “Where are you going? We’ve got to go see people!”

I don’t acknowledge him and go upstairs to the bedroom that I need. I walk in and go to the bathroom and find what I’m looking for. Peroxide. Time to bleach my hair back to its unnatural colour. I turn around and Damon is standing in the doorway, “This bathroom is for when they decide to dye their hair.” He looks confused but I don’t have time to explain. I pour the solution into a smaller bottle and lean over the bathtub and start pouring it over my head with my eyes closed. I can hear the shower being turned on and water hitting my head and it hitting the tub, thanks Damon.

We stay like this for a few minutes until Damon turns the shower off. I stick my hand out and feel a towel being passed to me, my head feels like its on fire but I ignore it. I’ll have to shave my head later anyway. I dry my head off and look in the mirror, perfect white hair that I haven’t seen since I was ten. I look at Damon and he seems to be in shock. “My natural hair colour is white.” I tell him, “Always has been. I don’t know why. I dye it so I can fit in easier.”

I put the bottle back and grab a pair of hazel contact lenses and put them in, I want to scare the shit out of anyone we meet. We go back downstairs to find Sera waiting for us at the front door. She looks at me in amazement, “Sensei, what have you done to yourself?” Even her tone is shocked.

“Damon and I are going to get some information out of people and I want them to be afraid.” I decided earlier not to tell her what I know about her father. “Go do whatever you would normally do and try to forget about the past couple of days, this is not your fight and I wont let it be.”

She steps in front of me, “Not without me your not. You’re not breaking your promise again. I can handle whatever your doing, you trained me too well to just sit on the sidelines.”

“Yes I did, but I swore to myself to keep you out of this life. I’m only a part of it because of my job. If I hadn’t found Rain in the state she was in I wouldn’t be involved in it myself. I can no longer go back but you still can.” That and if you come with me you will no longer be the woman I fell in love with. She stands there with tears in her eyes but I wont cave in.

“We got to go, if they’re still there we wont have much time before we lose them and have nothing to go on.” Damon tells me.

“Come on then.” I give one last look at Sera, “either go home or go to your mothers. That’s an order.” I pick up my sword box, and follow Damon out the door, with my heart breaking.

We make it to the car before he asks the question I know has been bugging him from the little scene he’s just witnessed, “If she’s your sister, what is with all that tension between you? And ordering her not to come along? You’re a brave man pissing a woman off like that.”

I don’t answer him and get in the passenger side of the car and put the box on the back seat. He gets in and starts up the engine, “First stop, one of my old stomping grounds.” I remain silent. All I can think about is what I’ve done to Rachel. Training her to be as skilled as I am yet refusing to teach her weapons and powders, only calling her Sera, falling for her then leaving her and now going on a potential suicide mission for a cause not of my own.