Then
The computer beeped, Danny set up straighter and opened the
email. The fluorescent light lit up his face, the lack of sleep had left his
features drawn and his eyes bloodshot. He scanned the email, his eyes going
wide and his mouth hung open. He wiped at his face unbelieving what he was
reading, he clicked on the attachment and sat unmoving as he watched the video
play out on the screen.
Four uniformed clad men sat around a large metal table, the
video was grainy and slightly obscured by someone’s clothing. It was obvious
the filming had taken place secretly but there was no mistaking the fifth
figure. It was not human.
The huge lizard like body, the claws extended on its hand
sat a foot taller than the men, its large head was round with an elongated
nose, and its large eyes watched as the others appeared to be in a heated
debate. The video lasted no longer, than
two minutes, Danny watched it over and over again until he fell asleep in the
front of his computer.
He awoke groggily, his neck stiff. He made some coffee
before sitting back in front of the monitor and read the information that came
along with the video. If what he had seen were true, the world as he knew it
was about to come toppling down and millions of lives would be lost. He quickly
typed out a message to his friend Steven and included the video. He sat back,
his stomach a flurry of butterflies. He needed to see Elise and tell her what
he had found.
It was an hour later when he rang Elise.
“Hey babe.”
“Hey-you okay?”
“Yeah yeah. Listen I have something to show you. You’re home
right?”
“Of course I am. Do you want to go out for tea or stay in
and eat?”
“We’ll stay in.”
“Are you sure you’re okay, you sound weird.”
“I promise I’m fine.” He replied trying to reign in the
excitement and terror both simultaneously.
“Okay I’ll see you soon.”
“See you soon.” He ended the call and kicked the bike into
life. He knew if anyone was going to believe him it would be Elise. He smiled
thinking about her, she had been such a huge part of his childhood that he had never
considered a relationship with her. They had grown up together and as they hit
their teens, they had drifted apart. A chance encounter at a coffee shop had
them sitting side by side laughing at their shared childhood memories. Fast
forward two months and they were now closer than ever, having stepped beyond a
childhood friendship into the beginnings of a relationship.
He put his helmet on, not seeing the black four by four parked
nearby; he pushed the bike forwards and roared off. Driving the bike made him
feel as if he was flying, the outskirts of his town quickly zipped passed as he
drove on.
The black Lexus followed Danny, driven by Sergeant O’Hannesy
on the orders of his Warrant Officer. Sergeant O’Hannesy had picked up Private
Collins, the young soldier had proved outstanding in his entry exam and the
Sergeant had plans for him.
“Private Collins, this is a training simulation. One that
you’ve been handpicked for.”
“Yes Sir.”
“Our orders are to follow the civilian Danny Stevens but not
to engage him. Do you understand?”
“Yes Sir.”
The young Private was excited, he had not been in the army
long and here he was with his superior on an impromptu mission.
The followed the man on his bike as he weaved his way in and
out of traffic, keeping one car in front so as not to draw too much attention
to themselves.
The traffic lights up ahead began to turn red when the car
in front started to slow, they watched as Danny hit the accelerator and dash
through the lights.
“Shit!” bellowed the Sergeant, instead of waiting for the
cars to slow he picked up speed and swerved around the car in front, other cars
stepped on their brakes causing a few vehicles to run into the back of one
another. The crunch of metal against metal was deafening. Danny slowed his bike
down and peered behind him.
He watched as the black four by four picked up speed and
swerve around the other cars gaining on him. His heart jumped into his mouth as
he realised they were following him. He knew it the information he had been
given had landed him with a target at his back, his only option was to try to
flee. He pushed down harder, almost willing the bike to take off as he tried to
shake his pursuers. In his effort to get away, he misjudge an exit, his front
wheel clipped the tailgate of a car sending him flying off his bike.
The Sergeant and Private watched in stunned silence as the
man flew through the air landing in the oncoming traffic. Those that saw what
happened tried to hit the brakes of their vehicles but it was too late, a
barrage of cars ran over Daniel leaving him dead.
The Private tried to open the door, his stomach began to
heave as he realised he and his SO had inadvertently killed the man they were
supposed to follow. His Sergeant grabbed his arm before he had chance to exit
the car.
“Private, this stays between us. Do you understand? If you
say one wrong word they will gives us either a dishonourable discharge or
worse, prison.”
Private Collins stared at him; he saw his own fear reflected
back. He nodded, not able to speak as he stumbled out onto the road and heaved
up his breakfast. The sight of the man thrown from his bike and crushed to
death by the other cars would be something that would haunt him for the rest of
his days. He began to wonder if he really could stomach serving in the army.
