Focal Point

The Third Test

                Pilot Mandez made his way silently through the crowd of people, searching. Searching for the right place, the right moment and the right person. He would know them when he saw them. He wasn’t afraid of that, he was afraid they would get scared and not show up at all. He couldn’t have that, He needed them. Whoever they may be. 

                His dark eyes scanned the park and came to rest on a blonde, short, pixie like girl with a huge smile.  She had the right build, but he didn’t feel like she was the one.  He turned around and locked eyes with a tall, dark skinned beauty. She could be the one. She started moving towards him and he subtly noticed she was being flanked, she couldn’t be the one. He turned his back and then his eyes got wide when he realized what a bad thing that was.  He flipped around but not before he felt the sting of the bullet plunge into his shoulder.  As he fell he heard people screaming and felt someone bumping up against him whispering something into his ear. His logical brain reminded him that a bullet to the shoulder wasn’t fatal. But man, it hurt like hell.

                He was taken by his good arm and lead through the throng of screaming people, he was walking in a daze and he didn’t know who was leading him and he didn’t have the strength to resist. The person was strong though. His brain kept up its constant stream of helpful and slightly annoying possibilities, but the pain in his shoulder was beginning to tune it out.

                He was put rather gently into a van and the door pulled shut engulfing him in absolute blackness.

                                                ~                                             ~                                             ~

                “What did you give him?” an angry female voice brought Pilot out of unconsciousness. He tried to open his eyes but they seemed to be stuck, he lay silently listening to the conversation.

                “Just a little morphine, okay? Its fine. I didn’t kill him.” 

                “If he doesn’t make it, Banjo will have your head.”

                Banjo, Pilot thought. He knew that name. What was it? His oh-so-helpful brain couldn’t bring up any recollection and he soon forgot all about it. His nose began to itch and he started to move his arm to scratch it, forgetting completely he was trying to gather information about his surroundings and to feign unconsciousness. But when he tried to move his arm he found that he could not and an immense pain shot up it causing him to grunt.  

                The bickering shut off immediately.

               “Pilot, can you hear me?” A soft voice spoke close by his ear.

                If they knew his name they might be on his side, he thought. He tried to nod his head and open his eyes a crack, he succeeded and a tiny sliver of light broke through and seared his retina.  

                “Ugh, shut off the lights.” He mumbled. But it came out less than understandable, so he cleared his throat and tried again. “Water?” he croaked out.

                A glass was pushed against his lips and cold water rushed down his throat quenching his thirst.

                He spoke again and he opened his eyes a little more. “What happened?” and it that moment he remembered. Remembered the dark skinned beauty, turning his back on her, and the pain of the bullet ripping through his flesh. He remembered the screams of the people around him, and struggling to stay conscious. He remembered that it was her that helped him. And then his logical brain analyzed this girl sitting in front of him and he blurted out.

                “Its you!”

                She looked at him with a-you-are-speaking-nonsense look. And he tried to rewind and say something that would actually make sense.

                “I was looking for you before I got shot. And…I did get shot right? I know what that feels like and I must be in some sort of shock because I can’t really feel any pain at this exact moment. Or maybe my mind is retreating into a place of comfort because I was threatened and my mind is creating this imagery before me trying to convince me that I am fine, when in reality I am being tortured and forced to give up the truths and secrets of the operation…OWW!” he yelled, “Why did you pinch me?”

                “My name is Echo. And I pinched you to prove that this is real and not part of your brain. And to shut you up! You talk like non-stop.”

                “Ahhh.” He replied tapping his temple. “You’re the famous Echo.”

                She raised her eyebrow. “So I’ve been spoken about? Well it better have all been lies.”

                “It was…What..? Why lies?”

                She looked at him and up at her companion. “Is he serious?”

                Her companion shrugged his shoulders. “How should I know? I’ve never met him before. I didn’t know what to expect.”

                “You are Pilot Mandez, Correct?” she asked.

                “Yes.” He said confidently. “Why?”

                “The Pilot Mandez, the most brilliant mind in this whole operation?”  She asked again, disbelief hanging of every word she spoke.

                He got the biggest grin on his face. “That’s what they say about me behind my back? My, how flattering.” He looked down and started adjusting his buttons on his shirt.

                “This is a joke.” Echo sighed standing up. “I don’t think it’s him, Damian.”

                “Oh, it’s Him, Kirra.” Pilot said sitting up. He rolled his shoulder and winced a little, “Fake bullets actually do hurt, a lot.” He turned to Damian, “thank you for helping me.”

                Damian didn’t say anything but just nodded his head.  Echo looked from face to face, confusion displayed openly on hers. Before she could speak Pilot spoke.

                “Congratulations. You have passed the Third Test.”

                Relief replaced the confusion on her face and let out a big sigh.

                Damian looked confused behind Echo and piped up. “What is the Third Test?” he asked.

                Echo turned and slapped him across the face. “Never ask about the Third Test.”  She warned, and then turned back around.

                “That could be considered abuse.” Damian muttered behind her as he rubbed his sore cheek.

                She rolled her eyes and looked at Pilot. “Well, this is where we follow your lead. What is next?”

                Pilot laughed. “My lead? Oh, Echo, what have they been teaching you since I’ve been gone?”

                Echo felt her heart fill up with fear when he finished with, “No, you’re the leader, and you’ll tell us what our next move is.”