Into the Light

Chapter 19

Chapter: 19

"Freedom is what you do with what's been done to you."

Jean-Paul Sartre

The living rise with anticipation of the day as fear and hope balance each other. Juli stays with her brother until he tells her to go home and the doctors verify that he will be discharged soon. She leans over Archie and kisses him on the forehead.

Blake feeds Tyger but the scorpion does not even come out of his nest in the little house, so he clicks on the TV. No traffic problems in Midtown. Clears skies abound. Minor delays at the airports but there always are.

Juli and Blake reach the rotating door to their office building at the same time.

"Hey, how's Archie?"

"Better and I tried to call but..."

"I was away."

"Really?"

"Last minute."

New guards meet them at the security desk but the two glide through and in moments are at the doors to Milton Communications. Blake pushes the door open for Juli. The buzz of gossip and worry bellows out. People on the floor shoot tense looks at each other. A few policemen are set up in the conference room. As Blake and Juli walk in, they are separated and taken to offices. Johnny Tragen waits for Blake. He stands behind a desk as Blake enters the room and points to a flat backed chair. A tired smile, regretting its curl, rises on his face. Blake sits and grabs his knees tight. An officer with a notepad stands in the corner of the vanilla painted room with no books on the bookshelf.

"Blake, we have some horrible news. Mr. Garew was murdered and the office cameras show suspicious activity after shutdown. We wanted to tell you that there maybe a disgruntled employee around. Now, you must be especially careful. The orders went in yesterday for your promotion. Congratulations. Please do not mention this to anyone for your own safety. Oh yes, almost forgot, your new pass codes will be delivered in a few minutes and you will have full access to R.O.M.E. And if you hear anything suspicious, let me know and I will alert the police. Well get to work."

"Thank you, Mr. Tragen," Blake says.

Blake exits with a wrinkled smirk on his face. He straightens his yellow tie as his black suit feels like it transformed into a flowing gown flapping in the breeze but there are no drafts in the office. He thinks it is all a trap. They pretend to promote me to keep an eye on me.

Juli comes out, tears blot the ruffles on her thin white blouse, and she goes directly to Blake's cubicle.

"You heard what happened?"

"Of course."

"What did they say to you?" she asks.

Blake turns on his computer.

"Not much," he says, clicks on his web browser and chooses an internet radio station.

A news flash comes through. "An earthquake in Concepcion, an out break of Ebola, many lives lost. The top story Congressman dating Hollywood Starlet. Can these public people survive the pressure of the press."

Blake snaps the volume back and turns to Juli. Her face is worn hard with worry.

"I got a promotion," he says.

"What?"

"Keep it quiet. They don't want me to tell anyone," Blake says.

"Oh. They asked me if I knew about anything suspicious. Did you see anything?"

"Nope,"

"I can't believe that happened."

"It's New York. Crazy shit happens everyday."

"I'm going to lunch early. Want to join me?"

"No, sorry. I have errands to run. Thanks though."

"Okay. Talk to you later."

Four hours later, Blake takes lunch and goes to the local branch of his bank. He gives the order to transfer all of his savings to his checking account. He wonders if he should call the cable company and cancel his subscription. No, the cable, the phone company and his ISP can go to Hell.

The move out the city of windows will be soon and they can come and find him if they want. No more technology to spy on him.

He gets back to the office and finishes up the day in relative quiet. He waves to Julia s she takes off to see her brother and Blake gets out of the building without speaking to a single person and strolls home after grabbing some hotdogs from a street vendor. He stops by the pet store to get supplies for the trip.

"Little Pink Houses" echoes down the stairwell and Blake reaches his floor. It's Ms. Braque singing and sweeping. He takes a deep breath and takes a bold step forward hoping she will not transform again. She spots him out of the corner of her eye, stops singing and shoots him a smile. All Blake sees is her face narrow like it was being squashed in a vice. He waves.

"Hi Ms. Braque. Got to hurry. Lots of chores to do."

"They never end," she says.

"Bye."

"Bye," she says and clears her throat.

The keys do not fumble in his hand and the door gives no resistance.

In the messy apartment, Blake scatters books across the floor and opens drawers. His clothes packed, Blake tears the rest of his place up. He grabs a razor from the bathroom sink. The blade slices across his forearm and blood drips down onto the floor. After the wound clots Blake wraps it in sterile gauze and gets back to his deception. A small piece of duct tape is placed on the ground and Blake drags his heals across the floor to make marks.

"One more employee from the same company attacked will be the headlines. Glad I didn't cancel my utilities. It adds nicely. All right Tyger. Time to move but some fun first. "

Blake sits on his couch, opens his laptop and sends a message to the bookie that reads: I'm not paying. Come and get me shithead. He thinks this will help complete the ruse and shut the laptop closed. With a hop to his feet, Blake goes to gather his scorpion into a plastic travel case with a green snap on lid. TYGER IS DEAD.

The doom is set.