Free Confabulation by Ronald Thomas Page B

pleasant memories.
    When he opened them, he could see Kelly’s eyes. "Shit."
    He spun around and headed for the stairs.
    Ran down the hall.
    Shoved the doors open to the stairwell.
    Squeezed between two men at the landing.
    Didn’t recognize them. He hoped they didn’t know him.
    He listened for sounds of being followed while trying to slow his heart. Once he felt sure that he wasn’t followed, he quickly descended the steps. He hoped he wasn’t seen. Though he peered into her eyes.
    He wondered why she didn’t follow him.
    Maybe she didn’t need to. She had all the answers she needed when she saw him there. No, he was sure she didn’t see him. He must have imagined it. She didn’t even call his name.
    Still, she was in there. Alone with someone. .
    Henry stopped and started back up the stairs.
    Something wasn’t right. He’d forgotten something. Something about what he’d heard. Something about the office. No, not the office. They didn’t plan on killing her in the office. Someplace else. Was he sure? Yes. Yes, he remembered.
    He went back to his car. Stayed there. He was sure she was safe inside, but he still felt certain the time was soon. Maybe today. Maybe Danny. He had to keep watch.
    He watched for hours. No sight of Kelly. He waited. The sun rose to its noon height with no sight of her. It had fallen back again over the horizon before he saw her pull out of the garage. With a heavy sigh, and a yawn, he started his car. Followed her home from a safe distance. Watched her pull into their development.
    Turned around.
    He needed to have an excuse for not being home. Figured a cake was good enough reason so he headed to the bakery. Hoped they were still open.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER 18
     
    “What’s the big deal, Jackson?”
    Jackson Gray walked past the short man, eyed the man behind him, in the corner. The loudmouth was useless. A runner they converted to their cause. Jackson didn’t care much for runners. Sure, he was sick of the abuses by the organization, but that didn’t mean he supported a group of people who selfishly put others in danger.
    This one, Errins was his name, at least Jackson was pretty sure it was. This one was noisy and selfish. Not worth his time. The man in the back was different. Had some training. Knew what he was doing. And he’d screwed up.
    “Peter, why don’t you tell your henchman what the problem is?”
    Errins bumped into Jackson. “Hey, you don’t talk to me like that. I…” Ennis fell to the ground. Grabbed the sides of his head.
    Jackson looked at him. Shook his head. So much potential wasted. It was a simple thing. Just a flood of random thoughts and images. A simple attack. Taught in the early stages of training. The defense taught soon after. And here was this arrogant bastard, so loud, and now in so much confusion and pain.
    “Enough.”
    Jackson glanced at Peter. Sneered. Released Errins. “Keep your apprentice under control, Peter. We don’t have the time or the luxury of secrecy in this work.
    Errins moaned and rolled on the ground.
    Jackson walked away. “He’ll be fine soon enough. Maybe he’ll learn something.” He sat in a chair against the wall nearest the door. “Now, I’ll ask you again. Did you follow my instructions to the letter?”
    He had been careful. The candidates had some ability. Had gone through his office for evaluation. He’d used his influence to have them labeled on releasable. They should have been held as fuel. They had enough ability to serve a purpose, but not to make trouble. Just enough to make his plan work.
    Peter sat next to Jackson. “In instructed them all to suggest emotions only. Let their minds form the memory that suited the emotion.”
    Jackson sighed. That was the plan. Simple emotional suggestion would go unnoticed if, no when, compliance came to check. They checked all the released that were borderline. Make sure they didn’t manifest any ability and need to come in. Also to make sure