Free Confabulation by Ronald Thomas Page A

refused. Marginal talent, a category that was sent back into the world. A group of people blessed with better than average intuition, but little else. Not enough to bother training. Not dangerous enough to warrant repressions.
    And not powerful enough to be good fuel. Fuel. The group that drove Jackson to his decision. The poor souls in the middle, who were strong enough to serve a purpose. They were brought in, given a fake job, and subjected to a constant mental bombardment that left them unaware, and drained. Their abilities consumed and transferred to those who had to find others in the world. Jackson was assured it was necessary.
    He believed it. For a few years. Over time, he found he could not repress his own disgust. He raised the issue. Spoke to superiors. Was sent away. Told he could do his job, or choose repression. He’d been trained. His life revolved around his abilities. It would be like both blinding him, and taking away any chance he had to earn a living.
    He kept his position. Kept evaluating others. As he left the office, he was more sure than ever that he’d made the right decision. Not that day when he took the cowards way out. No, he made the right choice when he decided to bring the company down.
    He waved to security as he walked out of the building. Next to security was compliance. The group with the job to make sure all those that were trusted did as they were told. The group responsible for making sure he didn’t do what he was doing.
    The group he knew had noticed something.
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER 17
     
    "Henry. That’s enough. I’m going."
    "But, I just wanted to spend the day with you."
    "Look, Henry. This is a very important case. I need to go to the office and meet with Danny about our strategy. End of discussion."
    Henry gritted his teeth. More plans out the window. Work intervened again. Made his job tougher.  Put her in imminent danger. Threatened to take her where Henry couldn’t get to her in time. He pictured Kelly, alone in the office. Surrounded only by people who might want to kill her. One of them who certainly did. If only he could remember which one.
    Maybe it’d be Danny. They worked together all the time. He could see Danny attack Kelly for no reason. He knew no one would be there, and that he could hardly be inconspicuous on Labor Day, when no one was at work.
    "Kelly, please."
    Kelly shut her car door and rolled down the window as she backed out. "Why don’t you just go to a bar, get drunk, pass out, and I’ll wake you up when I get back."
    Henry stood with his mouth agape as she drove off. He’d been drinking, that much was true. He needed something to take the edge off. He hadn’t gotten any rest in a week without passing out. Sleep was just an excuse for his brain to think up even worse shit that could happen to Kelly.
    He didn’t mind the insult. He’d called himself worse things. But, he knew that if she began to mistrust his motives, he’d be unable to stay close enough. She’d begin to plan time away from him. End up getting herself killed.
    Henry knew the risks, but he couldn’t leave her alone.
    He waited a few minutes, and headed out. Drove to his usual spot outside the building that housed Kelly’s office. He didn’t have a plan. He couldn’t just wait outside. She was inside, and he knew what had to be done.
    He exited the car. Entered the building and pressed for the elevator.
    Headed up to her office.
    The door opened and Henry stepped out and turned left to Kelly’s office. The door was locked, but Henry stooped down and looked under the doors. He could see Kelly’s skirt flash by in one of the offices. "There she is."
    He stood there for several moments. Watching her walk back and forth. Her motions seemed casual, not indicating any type of struggle. "Everything seems okay." He kept watching as Kelly dropped a pen to the floor. "Hah, she’s always been a bit clumsy." Henry closed his eyes for a moment to enjoy the