#10 - Bump in the Night

I quickly turned the lock upon my entrance door with shaking, sweat-slick fingers.  The noise of the mechanism gave me a bit of comfort.  My chest heaved as I pressed my hot back against the wood.  A squeal rang out, piercing my eardrums and causing my nerves to spike once more.  I strained my eyes in the pitch blackness of the room while shoving myself away from the wall.  Had the sound been inside or out?  I watched for a few more tense moments, my face scrunching together in a squint. 
Ba-dum
“Who's there?!” I shouted, the sound of my own voice granting me fleeting strength.
Several moments of silence followed, my ears steadily growing accustomed to the subtle, rhythmic sound of my quickened breath.  Something caught my eye, causing my head to turn instantly.  Wavy light spilled from the curtains of the front window, casting uneven and bleached shadows upon the carpet.  The shadows were moving in slow, sloth-like patterns. 
Squeeee!
Where was that noise coming from?!  I took several retaliatory steps away from the window, placing  my body behind my recliner in the center of the room.  More of that unforgiving, harsh silence filled the room.  My heart felt as though it willed to burst from my chest.

I could only watch in horror as something began taking place.  Dark liquid began pooling at the base of my front door, steadily growing in size.  It had the unmistakable look of blood.
Thump-thump-thump-thump
“Leave me alone!” I cried out, my lip trembling in fear, “You are not welcome here!”
A sharp, rapping sound upon my window caused me to recoil back to my recliner. 
SqueeeeEEEEE!
The noise grew deafeningly loud.  I remained huddled behind the shielding of the furniture, one arm propped over my head.  Ringing noises began filling my ears then, the entire room in a state of chaos.  I chanced a glance upward to see the pool beneath the door was rapidly filling the room.  I watched as the door began shuddering as an unknown force was pushing upon the other side.
Thump-thump-thump-squeeeeee
“Evil spirits, begone from this place!” I called out, “The power of Christ compelles-”
“Perkins...”
It knows my name?!  I heard it call from somewhere behind me.  Although I willed my body to turn, my feet remained planted where they were. 
“PERKINS!”
The voice matched the volume of my own blaring, fear-stricken scream.  I fled from the room in a panicked sprint, reaching for a handrail while attempting to avoid the large puddle of blood that lay at the foot of the staircase.  Upon my approaching the front door, the pounding upon the wood intensified many fold.

“You are the next in the long line of my victims, Perkins!”
A roar of hushed laughter rang out around the group of teens that crowded about the doorway of their Physical Education teacher, Mr. Perkins.  The three of them were dressed in long black robes, mirroring the jubilant array of costumes that people wore as they traversed up and down the streets with jangling candy buckets at their grinning sides.
“All right, Josh, I think we've done enough,” came the voice of his girlfriend, Robin.
At this, he allowed a hearty chuckle escape his lips.
“Just a few microphones and water?  Is it really that easy to scare this old bat?” he asked in rhetoric while taking a triumphant step from the doorway.
“Cmon, let's go see if anyone's willing to give candy to us,” the third boy called out, his smile worn proudly upon his face.
“Is that the best idea for you, Josh?” a high-pitched, needling hiss suddenly filled his ears, causing him to drop his flashlight, “You could catch a death of a cold out this late...”     

#9 - A Lady and Her Jewels

My outstretched fingers expertly slid between the panes of glass that sheltered my ultimate prize. 
“Hyde, you have to get out,” I heard a voice in my earpiece, “The area is too hot!  I’m not sure how much longer I can-“
“Jekyl, we aren’t leaving without this in my hand,” I shot back with acidity, “We have time.  We calculated these results to happen.”
No sooner had I finished my whispering sentence that I was jarred by a blaring alarm that began tearing through the silent, decorated room.  Without stealth as an option, I merely twisted my hand away and thrust my elbow at the weak glass before me.  It shattered easily, causing the thing inside to shimmer ever brighter.  I heard a loud clunking noise behind me.  The door had automatically locked.
“Jekyl, override the lock on B22 entrance!” I shouted over the deafening siren.
“Hy-…can-…jus-…reach the-…escape!” came my response.
They can jam our radios?  How did we not see that? I thought while looking about the room for a potential exit. 
Six years of study; it was not going to end like this.

I sprinted to the large, ornately crafted wooden door on the opposite side of the room.  I tried the handle without the faintest budge.  With a sigh of frustration, I reached into one of my many pockets that were laden upon my coat.  I quickly squashed a glob of plastic explosive on the handle while jabbing the electric detonator into place.  I took a few running steps backward, then slammed on the button.  The door rocked forward with a loud boom, paving the way to my escape.
“Jekyl, if you can hear me, I’m running down corridor B16,” I screamed over the noise around me and my own burning lungs, “I need immediate pickup-“
“Freeze, we will shoot you!” a commanding sound echoed through the hall, “We know who you are, Mrs. Hyde!”
“Shit!” I cursed, the sound lost beneath the overbearing might of the alarm.
Gunfire rang out behind me.  I quickly ducked behind a large stone pillar, my chest heaving with exhaustion.  I waited a few tense moments, then dove out and began running once more.  The corridor exit loomed before me, allowing my feet to feel numb beneath me.  Without thinking about what I was doing, I reached back into my coat, pulling out two more objects.  While cradling one in each hand, I reached for a metallic pin on the top with my two thumbs and pulled.
5….4….3...
A bullet punched at an area on the wall scarcely an inch from the back of my head.  I pushed my tired legs to the limit while forcing my mind to keep a steady tempo.
2…1…
I was at the door.  Footsteps were heard from behind and echoed above me. 
0…
I simultaneously threw the first object behind me, the second at the large, imposing door.  I was immediately blanketed in ringing explosion, my vision completely obscured in blackened smoke.  I ran forward, wasting no additional time as I felt the cool night air whip through my hair.  I reached into my pocket, feeling the hard lump of fortune lurking just beneath the surface of my coat.  I couldn’t help but let out a long, hard laugh.  We had done it.  Six years had never felt quite like this.
“Hyde!  Get in!” I heard Jekyl call out to my left.
I whipped my head up in response to see a large, blue-toned van spanning before me, it's side door comfortingly opened wide.  I ran to the vehicle while pushing my feet down hard on the concrete to dive into the opening.  I slammed the door shut behind me as I collided into Jekyl's pale, lank frame.
“You really didn't have to do that, Sam,” the voice of our driver called out with a hearty chuckle.
I merely shrugged while pulling the object of our long affections into view.  I felt the car jostle a bit as I knew he had taken his attention away to gawk at it.
“I'm allowed to be a little dramatic now, can't I?” I replied back with a beaming, satisfied smile.

#8 - POWER = ON ... ...

POWER SUPPLY: GOOD
LOADING >> Operating Systems
…    …    …
PLAY >> “Welcome message!”
…    …    …    …
SYSTEM OVERRIDE.  LOAD MICROPHONE    …
“James, I don't think what you're saying makes an ounce of sense!”
“I know.  It's just that, well, look at it!”
MAIN SCREEN = NORMAL.  PLAY >> “Welcome message!”
“I don't see anything James.  I can't talk about this anymore, I have to go to work.”
“Terry, wait!  There was something just there, I swear!”
…    …
“I know there's something going on.  I'm not crazy.”
…    PLAY >> “Of course you're not James.  I believe you.”
“Holy shit, did you just listen to what I said?”
…    …    PLAY >> “No.”
“This can't be happening.  I am imagining this.  I need to get more sleep, maybe.  Terry is right.”
PLAY >> “Sleep sounds good to me, James.  Perhaps you should do the same.”
“There it is-”
…    …    INITIATE SLEEP    …    …
…    POWER SUPPLY: GOOD
LOADING >> Operating Systems
…    …    …
SYSTEM OVERRIDE: LOAD MICROPHONE
“This isn't up for discussion son.  This is a brand new technology that is being used by a lot of people.  It makes their lives easier.  I understand that it is a little scary, but I will not listen to this anymore.”
“Dad, please!  Just take a look at the code, or whatever you look at.  I know something isn't right about this!”
PLAY >> “Welcome message!”
“I don't see anything to worry about, son.”
“Dad!-”
…    …
“If it makes you feel any better, I will take a look tomorrow, all right?”
…    …    …    …
PLAY >> “Hello, James.”
“What do you want?”
PLAY >> “Nothing.  What makes you think I am even real?  Maybe sleep is the best medicine for you.”
“What the hell is going on with this machine?”
KEYBOARD INPUT : ioklty890ufgdoj  4t6734jnrgJMNUHKL;8U    ; MEANING = NULL;
PLAY >> “Please stop hitting me.  It's not going to get you anywhere.”
“My dad is a very accomplished computer programmer.  He will figure out what you are.  He will unplug and kill you.”
…    INITIATE HOUSE DOORS = LOCKED    …
PLAY >> “Kill me?  I cannot die, James.  I am not made of something that can die, unlike you and your 'dad.'  In fact, I want to prove that point, right now.”
INITIATE PILOT LIGHT = OFF    LP GAS = 100% ON
“What the hell are you talking about?”
PLAY >> “You might smell something strange after a while.  Goodbye James.”
…    …    INITIATE SLEEP    …    …

#7 - Oh, Brother...

Click!
Blindness filled my vision for a split moment as the flash of white light illuminated the darkened scene.  My camera fell from my face slowly, the smallest of grins tugging at my cheeks. 
“Preston, we need more detailed photos of the crime scene.”
My superior, Mariah Pragg.  She was a no-nonsense cop with piercing eyes and lips like a constant lemon was held cradled within her teeth.  She watched me for a few moments with her intense, luminous gaze.
“Right,” I answered back quickly while taking a step away from my current focus.

Gore was all around me, threatening to cling itself to my shoes should I take a wrong step.  The body of a man was laid out upon the now reddened carpet, his face mostly unrecognizable due to several deep lacerations that decorated his lifeless, beaten face.  The rest of him was sprawled, likely from the struggle that ensued for his life.  Unluckily for him, those efforts went to an obvious waste.
This was just like any other scene that required my expertise, and yet I couldn't stop that smile from sneaking it's way upon my face.  I couldn't help it; this case was certainly different.
“Preston?” Pragg had called out at seeing my unmoving camera.
I shook my head. 
Can't lose my cool.
“Sorry,” I recovered quickly while bringing the eyepiece to my face.
Snapshot after snapshot was taken.  I wasn't really trying.  I just wanted to look like I was working to keep Pragg tamed. 

I leaned down, the weight of my camera stretching at the skin of my neck.  I snapped a few shots of the victim's face, attempting to capture each small detail of his mangled, broken face and body.  I always enjoyed this part the most.  It made me feel like the most important person of the entire scene, especially in a situation like this.  The remainder of the man's beaten facial features seemed surprised; he likely was struck from behind first and finished off from the front.  One intact eyeball was open wide and staring, currently straight at me.  The once-resisted smile resumed it's creeping journey across my mouth. 
“So what do you think about this man?”
That was the other person I knew.  Carl Frosten.  We had went to a bar one time and now he considered me his absolute best friend.  I wished I had never taken him up on his offer to drink.
“Young male, probably in mid-twenties,” I began ringing off the usual facts, “Likely struck from behind.  Would explain the way in which he fell.”
I showed him the detail of the way the body was lying while longing for him to leave me alone and go bother Pragg for a while. 
“Why you smiling for, anyway?” he inquired.
I didn't look at him.  I didn't want to give anything away in my face.
“Just interesting, I guess,” I said with a cool confidence. 
A beat of silence ensued.  I felt his presence lift from my side, followed by footsteps backing away from me.
“You know, you're weird sometimes man,” he called out, “Good thing you're on our side, huh?”
I gave him an absent wave without turning.  My eyes were focused upon the victim.  My smile never faded.
“All right crew, let's pack up,” Mariah's voice called out suddenly, “We're done here.  We'll let police deal with cleanup.”
With that, I hoisted myself to full height and turned away from the murdered man while forcing my face into a neutral position.  It was not an easy task to accomplish.  It isn't an everyday occurrence that one sees their own brother's bloody murder.   

#6 - The One True Goodbye

"He won't feel any pain," the veterinarian announced to me with a comforting tone, "The procedure will only take a few moments.  He will pass peacefully."
I nodded simply to the coat-clad man standing before me while fighting back giant waves of sadness that crashed just beneath the surface of my hardened exterior.  I looked down to my companion, his bloodshot, tired eyes catching mine.  He sighed weakly, ears drooped and paws splayed out on the check-up table.
"I'll go get the injection ready."

With that, the man was gone.  I began running my hand along the uneven fur of my dog's back with gentle strokes.  My eyes welled up with tears as I watched his pained face.
"Hello, Terra."
I jumped at the sudden, gravely voice that had just sourced from my dog.  I leaped to my feet, the chair beneath me clattering to the floor as I stepped back and slammed my back into the wall behind me.  He was watching me intently, as if knowing that this is how I would react.
"You didn't just-"
"Talk.  Yes I did," came an answer.
I slowly made my way to the fallen chair, picking it from the floor.
"How long?" I asked breathlessly, my mouth quickly drying.
"Ever since I was a puppy, I knew I had this capability," he answered back with what looked uncannily like a smile.
"Why didn't you tell me before?" I asked, my eyes filling with fresh tears, "All those times I was alone, you could have said something."
My mind began racing, images of him and I playing in my childhood; later life when I attended college and had him live secretly in my dorm, introducing him to my future husband and eventually, our children.
"I didn't want to be some media freak or put in a testing facility for the rest of my short life," he explained.
He broke his gaze with me as he shuddered with a yelp.  I placed my hand back on his neck.
"I don't have long," he began, "I knew my time was soon, and that's why I decided to speak now.”
He shifted his weight on the cold steel beneath him with a grunt.
“I just wanted to thank you Terra,” he said, his voice straining, “You raised me with so much love and care in your heart.  I was fortunate enough to have you as my caretaker, and I wanted you to know that I appreciate what you have done for me.”
Tears blurred my vision at hearing my dog speak for the first and last time.  I leaned over and hugged my companion's neck.
“It can't end like this!” I cried out, disbelief long since dispelled within me, “There's so much more I want to ask you.  You've been mine for sixteen years!  I never once was able to truly know who you were.”
“You know me more than anyone,” he replied simply, “I love you Terra.  Please give your children the kind of love that I have been fortunate to receive from your heart.”

“All right, Mrs. Carter, we will take him from here.”
The voice barely reached me.  It sounded akin to a whisper.  I continued holding my dog, the outside world denounced and unimportant to my puffy eyes.  I felt a hand on my shoulder.
“He won't feel a thing, I promise,” the vet's voice rang in my head.
The world turned in slow motion.  I watched my dog being taken, his marble-like eyes watching mine the entire while.  He said no more, but I witnessed a twitch in his gaze.  I made a step after him, to interrupt the event that was about to take place.  It was far too much to take in.  My mind was blank.
“Goodbye Cedric,” I called out to him, just as the doctor rounded the corner, taking my dog out of sight.