The Vulgus Chronicles

Vulgus Chronicles - Chapter 10

10

Manny shuffled through the basement. Light from the grimy windows was enough for him to see his path ahead. It got dark by the furnace room, even darker as he approached the hidden locker.

He pulled a tarp back that hid a low tunnel through the large pile of junk. Dweasel had helped him move things around so the newfound locker was entombed in the old furniture and boxes. The only way in was through this tunnel. Hannah used a saw and cut a similarly low and obscure hole through the locker door.

Manny felt around inside the chamber for the lantern. He switched it on. The remaining stack of twenty-five computer based units were against the wall providing ample room for a work area on the floor. He touched the clear screen. It darkened first, and then the picture of the boy's academy showed.

Manny preferred to work alone in the locker room. When Dweasel and Hannah were in there with him, it was too cramped and became suffocating.

A wire led from the base unit and screen to a power converter that stepped down the voltage and amperage to keep the devices fully charge from the solar panels on the roof.

Manny went straight to the document he was writing based on the copious news articles chronicling the arrival of the Carthenogens and their subsequent rise to power.

He reviewed his latest document.

He heard a shuffling sound as Dweasel came through the tunnel on hands and knees.

"What are you working on?" Dweasel asked as he came in and sat with his knees in front of his chin.

"More writing about what the Carthenogens are up to."

"What are you going to do with all that?"

"I'm not sure. But it makes me feel good, mostly."

"Then what?"

"I don't know, Dweasel. Just let me be."

"I need to use that."

"For what?"

"To figure out how to wire in the fridge."

Dweasel had already worked out how to run power from the solar panels and get the water pump working. And, of course, how to recharge the computer.

"Can't I have one of my own?" Dweasel asked.

"No. We talked about this. I don't feel safe having one of these anywhere but here. If the troopers come around again, they'll confiscate it and kill us. This is all illegal."

Dweasel scowled, looking unconvinced.

"You wouldn't want Cookie to be killed, would you?"

Dweasel hesitated and rocked. "No."

He turned to exit the room.

"Wait! Maybe you can help me."

Dweasel stopped and turned back toward the screen.

"I need to call this something."

"Manny's crazy, stupid stuff." Dweasel said.

"Come on, man. Help me."

"Manny's waste of time."

"Come on... it's gotta be something meaningful, but I can't give away who or where I am."

"Legless crazy, stupid stuff."

"Nice try, but that's a dead giveaway."

"Nobody knows you're here."