Prototype

Paul’s phone call led Reggie and Nathan to his apartment. They stopped nowhere; they wanted to keep the police involvement to a minimum so Nathan would investigate this case “alone.” Reggie and Nathan could handle this on their own, or at least they hoped.

Paul was genuinely glad to see Reggie was safe and sound, and that she was being protected now by an officer of the law – even if she could easily take care of herself. He led them both into his small studio apartment.

“Why don’t you two take a seat,” Paul suggested. “I’ll get you two something to eat.”

“That would be great,” Nathan said.

“I have not eaten in a while,” Reggie added calmly.

Paul brought them each a sandwich and a bottle of water.

“Thank you,” Reggie said.

“Of course,” Paul confirmed. “I’m grateful you have a friend in law enforcement to help you.”

Nathan agreed, “Things could have been much more complicated”

A storm raged outside and disabled the power. Paul stumbled about the kitchen, searching for matches and for candles. He hit his knee against a cabinet, bumped into a small table, and still couldn’t find what he was seeking.

Behind him, two lights concentrated where he was searching. He looked back to see Nathan was using the flashlight on his weapon and Reggie was using a flashlight to illuminate the way for Paul.

“It’s really creepy how much you two are alike,” Paul mentioned passingly while he lit two candles, leaving one in the room, and taking the other with him into the other room.

“We have very similar training,” Nathan said.

“I need access to another firearm whenever you can assist me,”Reggie added quietly.

“I have one in the trunk of my car,” Nathan replied.

“Have you given any thought to what your next move is going to be?” Paul asked as he was setting up candles in the rooms around his apartment.

“As you told me before, Dr. Granat needs to be stopped. We will need to find sufficient evidence against Dr. Granat,” Reggied answered. “We have a limited amount of time before the police learn Nathan is involved.”

Interacting with normal people outside of NexGen’s walls was still unfamiliar ground, but she was beginning to understand the world around her. The outside world contained the same violence, the same primitive drive for gratification and self preservation. The game was a little different, but the rules were the same.

“Is there a way for you to access the information in my microchip and scramble the signal to all others except yourself?” she added.

“Absolutely,” Paul said. “I have the software here, I just need to program it all into another head set for you.”

“How soon can you have Shelby back online?”

“Whose Shelby?” Nathan asked.

“Battery is fully charged, so an hour, maybe two.”

“NexGen can’t track me anymore, correct?”

“No, I’ve scrambled their harddrives for just your GPS data.”

“Guys, another person here,” Nathan tried again.

“We’ll have to ensure everything is properly documented for the police,” Reggie insisted.

“I’ll get it done, but for now, Reggie, you need to take a shower and get some rest. You’re covered in blood and you look exhausted,” Paul insisted.

“Guys?”

“I know where you should start,” Paul said quickly, “NexGen used to own a psychiatric hospital outside of city limits. There’s no documentation on what NexGen used it for.”

Paul led Reggie into the bathroom with a kerosene lamp so she could see. He handed her a few towels, washcloths, and face towels. She looked up at him with confusion; she was used to much different hospitality.

He wondered what her life was like until now. She must have never seen anything other than hard work. With all her experiences, she was yet to experience family, joy, and happiness.

“The water heater is gas, so it’ll work even with the power out,” Paul started.

“Thank you,” Reggie responded thoughtfully. She took the towels he brought her, not sure what to do with so many, and thanked him with a smile.

He left her alone in the bathroom where she obediently took a shower. Paul came back into the living room as the power flickered back to life in the apartment and down the street. The storm continued to brew outside, but at least now there was power.

“You’re taking a serious risk helping us. I can’t tell you how grateful we are. I shouldn’t speak for Reggie, but still,” Paul told Nathan.

“I’m off duty,” Nathan told him, “And it looks like NexGen has gone without punishment for too long. If I can help Reggie get the evidence she needs so Dr. Granat can see justice, I’ve accomplished what I became a cop for.”

“NexGen representatives will show up here soon since I perform all their security network maintenance,” Paul told him.

“You, too, are taking a serious risk helping Reggie,” Nathan told him.

Reggie came out of the bathroom and found the place Paul set aside for her to sleep. She rested her weight on the floor, pulling a single blanket on top of her and falling asleep almost instantly. Her main hesitation in falling asleep was allowing her breathing to slow and her eyes to close.

Paul and Nathan both were surprised when they noticed how quickly she was able to fall asleep.

“What life must have been like for her,” Paul said while sadly looking at her. “I can’t imagine how much she’s suffered.”

“She is a strong one,” Nathan said. “I envy her strength; I saw that crow bar stab wound. She kept fighting with it sticking out of her side.”

“She was stabbed… with a crowbar?” Paul asked in horror.

“That’s what happened to her when I found her on an autopsy table,” Nathan confirmed. He took a moment to explain the call he received and what he unintentionally walked into.

Nathan told Paul about when he met Reggie, and what she told him about her life up to that particular moment.

“How long have you known Reggie?” Nathan asked.

“Maybe a month. But I’ve been looking out for her for a long while,” Paul informed him.

“So, why are you helping her?” Nathan inquired.

Paul looked over at Reggie. “She doesn’t know why yet,” he started. “I can’t get over how much she looks like her mom…”

“Come again?” Nathan asked.

“Reggie’s my little sister,” Paul said simply.

Wow, Nathan thought. This shit just got even more complicated.