Acceleration Page 9

  Sam settled back behind the orange boxes and watched. He then shifted to behind the huge black pile, before he was noticed.

  The men moved quickly, despite the spitting and coughing. Sam had to stifle a laugh at the absurdity of these villains and their stinky chew tobacco.

  When they had finished, the orange cartons were gone and mountains of black boxes stood in their places. The “mole” men then returned to their holes in the ground and slammed down the trap door.

  A dense quiet wrapped up the room. Sam broke the trance that held him, and stood. He hadn’t realized how cramped he’d been ‘til he stretched.

  He paced. I should follow them, he thought. I also should wait for Jensen. Maybe I can snoop around for just a short while though; I think I have time. After that, Jensen can take over. If they capture me and I disappear, I’ll know that Jensen will still investigate and look for me. I’ve got to learn more now. Sam paused for only a second, then opened the trap door into the floor. He quickly climbed into the hole and disappeared.

  Silence again permeated the building like nothing had occurred. Only those black boxes seemed to ominously stare back.

  Sam climbed quietly down the ladder and emerged near the piles of oranges boxes and a maze of vats and tubes. Bright colors blazed on the walls. A motor hummed amidst the voices of Gravel and Squeaky in the distance. They seemed to be back to chattering about the brands of chew. Then their voices faded.

  Sam crouched in the gaudy room. His foot brushed a dirty book of matches. He gasped. Well, thank you, person who dropped it, he thought. Could it work? he wondered. His eyes drifted up to the fire alarm switch above his head. Destroying acceleration could start here. He didn’t need to wait for Jensen. But he couldn’t kill everyone outright; maybe some haven’t realized the monstrous group they were part of. He’d warn them. His eyes burned with intensity as he yanked down the alarm switch.

  The room filled with voices and screams of terror. People erupted from the corridors as if their puppet strings had been violently pulled. Lights changed quickly to emergency red. Workers swarmed and smashed into each other.

  Finally, it eerily grew still, except for the incessant whining of the siren. The people had disappeared into various exits. He didn’t know where they were. He only knew his exit, back where he had come from.

  Now the climax, Sam was determined. Time for fire, fury, and destruction; His adrenalin rose as he pulled out the laces from his shoes and tied them together. He draped one end over the edge of a vat. He lit his little fuse and ran. He doubted the results would be simple, however.

  The explosion wrecked its havoc; it’s force hurled Sam against a hot vat. He could feel his skin burn. The fire was raging now. Sam stumbled painfully towards the exit ladder. He cringed as his hands touched the heat of the ladder. He tore off his shredded shirt and wrapped it across his hands furiously. He’d make it if he could just hold on to the ladder’s bars.

  Sam propelled himself up painfully, rung by rung. His hands stung unbearably through the cloth, and he smelled the scorching rubber of his shoes. But he managed to continue his climb. Suddenly a hand reached out and grabbed onto his as he mounted the last rung. It vaulted him over and into the room. It dragged him away through the choking smoke.

  Sam had no idea if his benefactor was friend or foe. He only knew that the pain in his hands was awful, and that he could breathe again and wasn’t dead. Suddenly a final explosion hit, blew out the trap door in the floor and tossed his rescuer and Sam into the air. They slammed down onto the concrete floor with violent force. Sam felt nothing more. He was out.

  #

  Sam groaned as light blinded him. He squinted up into the face of Squeaky chomping his chew. He wanted to laugh at the craziness of seeing him, but his face hurt and a solitary gasp escaped in its place. “Hey, man, you just made it. They never told us this stuff could explode. We are lucky sons of bitches. “We sure are. You saved my life, Mister. That was some explosion.” Sam pushed the flashlight from his face and sat up painfully. “I thank ya.”

  “Shucks, it weren’t nothin’.”

  “It were a big somethin’.” Sam really was grateful. “You’re my hero.”

  “Aw, wow. That’s cool. I ain’t never been a hero before. I gotta tell my lady. Maybe I’ll get me a little more somethin’ in bed tonight, you think so?” Squeaky said as he stood up.

  “Yep. I think so,” Sam smiled weakly through his soot and stood up slowly beside him.

  “Thank ya again, friend,” I thought I was gonna die.” Sam said as they sat on the step outside the fire room.

  Squeaky was breathing hard. “Which section were you in? Didn’t you hear the alarm? I ain’t workin’ here no more. That was scary. I’m quitten” I don’t care how much they pay us. I ain’t eatin’ that stinkin chew anymore either.” He spit out the chew and pulled out a cigarette. He started to light it, but his hands shook and he couldn’t find a match. “You got a light for your rescuer, buddy?”

  “Yeh, but maybe just one. I been tryin’ to quit.” Sam pulled out one of his left over matches from which he had lit the inferno. He started to stand up, but he swayed with dizziness.

  “Mister, you don’t look good.”

  “I be fine, but I think I’m gonna leave this place too. It’s hard on the health,” Sam said as he coughed and cleared the smoke residue from his lungs and throat.

  “You sure ain’t kiddin’.” Squeaky continued. “Hey, I haven’t seen you around. You from the hospital?”

  “Yep, I just started today. I was at the hospital for too long. But this place might kill us,” Sam continued.

  “Hey, I heard stories about Mekka. He’s crazy now and ready for the ovens, I bet. It sure must be exciting over there. We get bodies, but you got to see them all baby-like.”

  Now Sam was feeling sick again. He no longer liked this guy. He was a sadist, but Sam knew he had to play along. “Yep, babies, and then they burn. It’s fun to see them all babble and then cook.” Sam was making himself sick. He felt like vomiting. “Friend, I’m sick. I gotta get out and away from here. Thanks for saving me.” Sam bolted for the trees and leaned against them. He was then very sick.

  After it was over, Sam lay on the ground and stared at the sky. He could still hear the fire crackling and exploding. He felt himself smile though. He had done the place major damage.

  People were huddled in groups about the lawn, but Sam just lay with exhausted relief by the trees. He felt better getting away from them. He still needed to return to Caroline, but he had to disappear here in the trees for a while and regain his strength. And where was Jensen?

  Sam dozed off but was awaken by the rumble of a steady stream of Army vehicles. Good, very good, he thought. Quite a show of power. They’ll really investigate. I hope Jensen understands my being late to talk with him. Sam got up and started walking towards the vehicles, but stopped suddenly and stepped back. Jensen was holding a cloth to the side of his face and shaking hands with Dr. Mekka. He was patting him on the back. Why isn’t he arresting him? Is he taken in by lies here? No. He couldn’t be. He’s a government official. He’s fighting for the people, isn’t he?

  Sam noted Jensen now had prematurely grey hair flowing down his back and a slight middle-aged spread. He didn’t look like a government agent, but it was the handshake that puzzled him. Maybe he was just trying to trick them for information before arresting them? Or maybe I have him all wrong. Sam frowned. And is that cloth to keep away the stench of death or is he burned. Was he there before his men?

  Sam’s mind raced. He moved in closer and grabbed a blanket from a pile in the medical trucks parked nearby. Jensen must have brought these trucks. He dropped the covering over his head and shoulders and blended in with the other casualties. The fire had left him pretty beaten up and singed anyway.

  Suddenly Sam saw Sean and his insides turned over. His brother that he loved was causing all this horror. He sauntered near Sean and bent to adjust his shoes, which moved clumsi
ly without laces. The voices were barely audible, but he understood the words.

  “Sean, where is that brother of yours? It will take us months to get on our feet again. You’ve got a big loose end. Fix it,” Jensen rasped.

  “Agent Jensen, your people have failed to adequately secure my project. I do not need to listen to your pouting and orders. You find my brother and execute him. My project must continue. I’ll need full security at the hospital now and new quarters. Arrange them immediately. Do it now!” Sean shouted and entered a vehicle.

  Jensen glowered with eyes blazing. “Damn scientists!” he hurls out the words. Then he snapped at his men. “Gordon, clean up this mess. I also want a detail sent over to the hospital. You need to watch for this man, Sam Stone, the brother.” He grabbed a picture from his aide’s hand. “Make copies and pass it out at the hospital. Then set up a command post over there.” Silas Jensen turned and steamed off to his limo.

  Oh my, a limo, Jensen. You’re getting rich off this. I wonder, how and who pays you? Sam mused. His thoughts then began tumbling, as he clutched his blanket more closely and made his way to an empty van. He suddenly forced himself to calm the pounding of anger in his head. Okay, think. Car keys. He looked under the mat. None. He felt under the dash for the ignition wires and hot-wired the car. He chuckled sarcastically to himself. His old teen years, spent working part-time in an auto shop, weren’t a waste. Slowly he started the motor, just as Squeaky lumbered up to the window.

  “Hey, you got room for me? I’m supposed to go on duty at the hospital now. I didn’t quit. You too?”

  “Nah, I’m still here too, but I got orders to hurry back to pick up more supplies, like fast…Sorry, pal. I can’t take you with me.” Sam didn’t dare tempt fate any further and drive near the hospital. He still might get caught.

  Squeaky’s ruddy face dissolved into anger. “Sure, right, you say so. You ain’t my friend no more.” He slammed his fist on the car.

  “Friend, it’s just my job, I’m sorry. The boss said he’d dock me if I don’t hurry,” Sam said in his most regretful manner, then pulled away.

  Well, what’s another enemy? He thought. At this rate he won’t have any friends left at all. His face became glum but determined as he drove quickly away.

  Sam was going to finish this mess and bring Caroline out somehow, even if it meant by himself. He was overwhelmed, however, at how big this conspiracy was. How many important Washington people are involved in this mad plot? What do they want to accomplish? And who’s paying all the bills for this? Someone always pays. Is it the FBI? Or has Jensen gone rogue? And how is Caroline doing? I have to stop getting side-tracked and go for her now. Is she still alive? I’ve taken so long. I can’t depend on Jensen now to help in her rescue. It’s all up to me.

  CHAPTER 17

  Sam wasn’t sure how to find the hospital entrance by the road, but if it led to it, no problem. If there was a turn off, he’d have to go blind and trust his hunches. But the road led only to one place. Sam slowed as he saw the lights of the hospital. He pulled off and into the brush. He quickly doused his car lights.

  This was going to be a seat of the pants mission. He hoped to get Caroline out and back to the car, but he wasn’t sure they’d survive. Oh Caroline, he missed her. Was she changed now and would she come? He wished that he had just tried to carry her out from the beginning, but he felt deeply that they wouldn’t have made it. He had to stop doubting himself. He just hoped that if they got out, that she would be able to get good medical treatment and get well. As for Sean, Sam doubted he’d ever have his brother back, and he didn’t want what Sean had become. Was his brother still buried inside the egomaniac or was he lost forever? Sam ached at the thought. He suddenly looked down at his raw hands. They had been gripping the wheel so tightly that he felt pain at removing them. “Move it, soldier. Get Caroline out now.” he said grimly as he got out of the car and tore off pieces of his shirt. He used the pieces to bind his shoes so he could run. He really missed those laces.

  He headed for the lights. First, he’d get Caroline out, and then destroy everything, including Sean and Jensen, if possible. He doubted the fire alarm bit would work again. He’d have to play a different card this time, and he’d show no mercy. It was too late for that.

  Sean saw a sentry guard and came up behind him. His adrenalin was pumping now. He grabbed the guard from behind. He squeezed his neck but hoped he hadn’t actually broken it. He may be just an innocent guard, but he couldn’t take a chance now of the guy alerting someone. Sam pulled the man behind a bush and stripped him of his uniform and shoes. The pants and shirt fit satisfactorily, but the shoes were another matter. They were painfully too small but would have to do. He was happy to donate his own torn, raggedy pants and floppy shoes to the man on the ground. He dropped them onto the man’s chest. Well, at least the poor guy will have something to wear when and, regretfully, if he awakens.

  He stayed at the fellow’s post for a few minutes and then strolled purposefully towards the entrance. He’d walk right in. Why not? Hell, who’d expect Sam to come from the front?

  It all seemed to be working. He mingled with the crowd of guards in the front and then passed through. Next Sam found the stairs and made his way to the sixth floor. He remembered that Caroline was there. He nervously watched as the floors passed by. Then six. Slowly the door opened into a crowded corridor. Patients were being led down the hall to another elevator, and then he gasped in shock. There was Caroline! She was smiling as she took the arm of her young guard. Her face shown with immense energy and gayety.

  “Thank you, kind Sir,” she laughed as she flirted with the young recruit.

  Sam joined the march and swaggered up beside the guard. “That’s a pretty lady you got there, young man,” Sam winked.

  The lad nodded with delight. “We’re going to meet the leader. I’ve been doing a good job. He’s proud of me and the other guards here. I think he’s going to praise and reward us. You too, I’m sure he wants to see this lady also.”

  Caroline stared with confused at Sam, as she walked.

  “You go ahead. I’m assigned to bring Miss Caroline.”

  “Are you sure. I actually like bringing her. She’s so nice and beautiful,” the youth stammered.

  “You’ll see lots of pretty girls up there and you are getting rewarded, just remember that kid. You’ll probably see her later. Now hurry and catch up to the others. You’re falling behind,” Sam said curtly.

  “Yes, I suppose you’re right,” the youth spurted forward and caught the elevator.

  Caroline stopped walking as the boy left. “Do I know you? Are you, Sam?”

  “Yes, honey. I am.” Sam looked around. “Duck in here.” Sam guided her into a small closet.

  Caroline smiled, “I’m on medication, but I know you now. Sam, you came back for me. I’m so happy to see you.,” Suddenly she closed her eyes and went limp.

  “Oh, no, Caroline, this is all we need!” Sam pulled over a pail and turned it upside down. He sat and cradled her in his lap. “Baby, wake up, you gotta walk with me.”

  She looked so frail now. Her long blond hair caressed her pale cheeks. She was so lovely and helpless. He kissed her once gently. He shouldn’t have left her. Now they were back where they started. “Okay, honey, now wake up,” Sam shook her gently.

  Caroline opened her eyes slowly and blinked repeatedly. “Sam, I don’t think I feel well.”

  “I know, baby, I know. Come on, we have to get out of here before they realize you’re gone.” He took her arms and helped her up.

  Caroline leaned on him precariously for a minute and then stood firmly. “Let’s go, before I slip back…Oh, Sam, I love you, you know.” She beamed and quickly kissed him.

  “Wait a minute, we’ve got time for one more. And it may be our last.” Sam caught her up into his arms and kissed her passionately. Suddenly he broke away, “Wow. I love you too.”

  Caroline started to laugh but then covered her mouth. “I gu
ess I should be quiet. I’m so happy with you. All right. I’m ready to move. Where? Down the elevator?”

  “Sounds good.” Sam grinned and kissed her tenderly again. “Now we can travel.” And they did.

  #

  It was all too simple. He was afraid of that. Why? They had gone down two floors on a stairway, when they heard voices above on the steps.

  “Oh, no!”

  “What?” whispered Caroline.

  “Trouble. Out of the stairway, fast!” Sam grabbed her arm and pulled her through the

  doorway.

  “Fourth floor. Quick, in here,” Sam said anxiously. They ducked into a room.

  Caroline and Sam relaxed.

  But suddenly, they felt it. There was something in this room. And Caroline was trembling beside him.

  “I’ll get the lights,” said Sam.

  Sam reached out and flicked on the light. Caroline froze. Sam gasped at what he saw.

  There sat Sean. But he had changed. This man had a brain that had grown and broken through the bones of his skull. Attached to his head were wires that stretched across the room to a wall of computers which hummed ominously.

  “Let’s get out of here, Caroline,” Sam reached out for the door handle, but Sean’s computer voice stopped him.

  “Sam, you don’t want to leave.” Sean boomed out. “I’m glad you came to see me. “I’m powerful.” Sean waved his arms, “I’ll never die and I’m brilliant.” His eyes glistened. “I keep evolving further and further. It’s incredible. Surely you must see the benefits.”

  “No,” Sam replied nervously, “I see danger. Sean, you’ve become selfish and cruel. You’ve lost your humanity.”

  “NO!” Sean’s voice boomed. “You’re jealous. I am a genius. It’s what all people want to be.”

  Sam felt suddenly calm. “Not me. I don’t want to be you. I was afraid of you, for a while, but not anymore. Now I’m afraid for you. This place you’ve made and you are terrifying. You can’t see what you’ve become. We’re leaving.”