The Genesis Illusion

Chapter 58

"Are you all right?" Carlson said, bending over to help Maria. Sprawled on the concrete floor, she took Carlson's hand steadying her as she sat up. "The micro-array?"

"It's lost somewhere on the floor," Maria said, brushing herself off and getting back in her chair. "A good thing I shielded my eyes with my other hand. I didn't even think about the array on my finger." She opened her case again to mount another micro-array on her latex covered finger.

Paul had to do something to prevent being drugged, so he thrashed his head and upper body violently side to side. Although Carlson held him in the chair, the extreme convulsive-like jerks made it impossible for Maria to apply the injection array.

"You, come here," Maria barked at a nearby stagehand. "Hold his head still."

The young man hurried over. She motioned for him to grasp Paul's head. His strong grasp anchored Paul's head so Maria could apply the drug, but he didn't stop fighting. He kicked his unrestrained legs, making Maria move to one side. Then he freed his arms from Carlson's hold. Wildly flailing his right arm he grazed Maria's face causing her to lurch back to avoid another strike.

"That's enough," Maria shouted at no one in particular. "I command you to strike this man with all your strength." Waiting nearby for instructions, a somewhat bewildered muscular man rushed to Maria's side. He stood over Paul motionless for a moment, then launched his fist driving it forward using the strength in his legs. The force of the blow drove Paul's head back into the chair despite being gripped by the two other men.

A warm liquid trickled from Paul's lip. He felt its distinctive taste when rivulets found their way into his bruised mouth. Pain wasn't the first sensation, instead it was the force and his head reeling backward. Several moments of nothingness passed before his fierce battle continued. Another even more powerful blow rendered Paul limp and temporarily unresponsive.

Maria squeezed her fingers around Paul's now stationary earlobe. Carlson, the young available worker, and the obedient physical enforcer, released their now unnecessary hold. Paul slumped motionless in the chair as Maria removed the finger cot before leaving to attend to her departure plans.

"Load him into the van," Maria shouted to her entourage. She glowered at Carlson to ensure he would supervise her demand. "When he comes to, order him to sit still. He can't resist our commands now, but lock him in the truck, anyway." Carlson nodded and followed the others dragging Paul toward the backstage loading dock.

Dizzy and nauseated Paul clawed through a swirling black shroud to regain consciousness. What's this place? He sat on the uneven metal van floor his back leaning against the side. The links of a chain circled his ankle digging into his flesh with each movement. The van double doors were closed but he could see Carlson and a few others through the rear windows. As he became more aware the throbbing bruises on his face stole his concentration.

The chain around his ankle drew his attention when shaking the restrained leg sent a sharp pain causing him to grab it in response. A combination padlock? The computer catalog in his mind instantly found the familiar mathematical solution. In seconds his hands flew pulling on the lock hasp and turning the dial. That's the third number. Now divide by four. The remainder... add four until the highest number found on the dial. The next number... Now try all of those combinations.

The van sliding side door screeched open letting in the confounding chatter of several people speaking at once. Carlson, Lim, and Wong filed into the bench seat directly in front of him. Carlson peered over his shoulder at Paul who sat quietly chained on the floor. An unknown man slipped into the driver's seat and Maria took the front passenger seat. It was a confusing madhouse in the van with everyone shouting.

Maria left her drug satchel on the table backstage so she told the driver to wait and opened her door allowing a distant warble to drift into the van. She halted her exit, and the others stopped talking. Now! Paul reached for the door latch leaping out tumbling with a thud to the pavement. His unlocked chain dangled from the back of the van.

The warbling sirens sounded much closer.

"Leave him," Maria said, climbing back into the van and slamming the door.

Paul struggled to his feet bruised, scraped, and battered, he hurried away from the van toward the sound of the sirens. Behind him the van engine roared and its tires squealed while making its getaway.