Chapter 28

ID: 1762291   (Rated: 13+) Artifact Man  A thriller, new age, sci-fi novel about a strange man found in the desert. by Hyperiongate

ID: 1813235   (Rated: E) Chapter 27  This is the start of Part Two. Simon joins the story. by Hyperiongate

An eternity has passed since I’ve locked myself, irrevocable, into my room; my key long since destroyed. I still have the remnants of the small golden tool. Now it lies in a far corner of the room. I pretend to ignore it lest it taunt me yet again.

I am not without knowing, in spite of my isolation. I know because that is who I am. It is what I do. I know. And right now, I know it’s time for me to be released. The pain has long since dissipated and, against all odds, I’ve survived. Now the time is come for me to rejoin – myself.

There is only one problem. I’m locked in a room with a key that no longer works because I broke it. At the same time, there is only one way to get that door open. I must do it myself; from the outside.

I’m warden and prisoner; both by my own design.

It’s time to reach out. I hope I’m strong enough to survive the reunion. There is too much at stake should I fail.

Saturday, April 3rd, 7pm
Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada

Annie brought JD11 dinner; steak and a baked potato. It wasn’t anything special but there was no need to try and impress JD11. He accepted her as she was; and she him. He loved that she wanted to cook for him. He could feel the joy in her as she tested the potato to make sure it was just right.

Of course, Annie knew what he felt. She felt it as well.

It seemed as if they had been together, here in Lanier’s underground base, for weeks, instead of the few days since the attack at the hospital. Not that Annie minded. She could think of nothing better than being with JD11, no matter where that might be.

Of course, the colonel had gone to great lengths to make sure they were comfortable. They had a 3-room suite, complete with a full kitchen, bedroom and living room. They also had “supervised” access to the bases modest recreational facilities.

To an neutral observer, they were pampered guests. From the inside looking out, they were animals in a fancy zoo; under constant, yet unobtrusive observation. They knew were being studied; more specifically, JD11 was being studied.

“I hope you like your steak well done,” she said as she took her seat across from him.

JD11 took a bite and smiled. “It’s perfect,” he said.

The carried on with the small talk even though it was unnecessary. To the outside observer, and there were many, they appeared to be a normal couple carrying on a relationship that was going from serious to maybe something more permanent.

The reality was that they had long since passed through those first blushing stages. Mingled minds had a way of doing that. There was no need to impress or judge or posture when they were together. Nothing could be hidden so there was nothing to hide.

At first, Annie had been surprised to find that JD11 could see into her thoughts. There was so much shame mixed with secrets and insecurities. She was certain he’d recoil and turn from her as soon as he saw the truth that was her.

Instead, he’d embraced her as she was. He made her realize that there need never be shame or low self-esteem. He’d taught her to toss aside any feelings that didn’t bring her joy; that didn’t inspire contentment and love. All else was a waste.

Then he let her into him mind as well. She could feel the invitation; surprised to understand that he assumed she could do what he could do. But the first time she tried to reach out to him on some unseen plain she had no comprehension of, she had instant success.

At first, Annie couldn’t believe the beauty of her partner’s mind. He was so pure; so innocent. She couldn’t help but love him as she’d never loved anyone.

Then she saw it. There was a place inside of him that was off limits. She thought he might be hiding something from her. She said nothing, but continued to examine this “forbidden” place. It took on form and soon she came to see it as a small cottage in a forest. It had been there for a very, very long time. Vines covered the outer walls and the path to it had long since been reclaimed by the surrounding forest.

Through the vines, she could make out the edges of a door.

“JD, what’s inside?” she thought into his mind.

“I’m not sure,” he thought back. “I have a feeling that it’s important.”

“If it’s so important, why do you keep it locked up?” Annie thought.

“I also have a feeling that it is dangerous. I can feel it calling to me; luring me to open the door and join together with it. I’m not sure that’s a good idea. The only thing I am sure about is that whatever is in there knows where I came from and why I am here.”

That had been four days ago.

“How was your meeting with the colonel?” Annie asked across the table conversationally.

They did this regularly. They knew they were being watched. They also knew that those watching had behavioral expectations. They expected to see young lovers interacting. Anything that failed to meet their expectations would bring closer scrutiny.

JD11 and Annie had decided early on to play their game. While they didn’t feel as if they had anything to hide, they felt it best not to lay all of their cards on the table. The more normal they appeared, the sooner they were likely to be released.

JD11 felt it first.

Smiling calmly, he reached across the table and held Annie’s hand.

“Don’t be afraid,” he thought.

“What do you mea…” Annie stopped abruptly as understanding washed over her.

“They aren’t going to let us go!” she thought to him in a panic; all the while maintaining a sweet smile for the “watchers.”

They could both feel locks being locked and guards being doubled up. Something had happened.

JD11 reached out with his mind in search of answers. In less than a moment, he had them.

“Annie,” he thought. “I’m not sure what happened, but the colonel is afraid of something.”

But, JD, what could he be afraid of. Colonel Lanier seems to always be in charge. He’s got us sequestered her in an underground base, undoubtedly heavily fortified and guarded. What is so frightening that even the great Colonel Lanier is afraid?”

JD11 searched for the answer then said, “He’s afraid of me.”

Neither said anything for a moment as both tried to measure what this implied. Annie was the first to realize what would happen. If the colonel was afraid, he’d strike out at the source. They were in danger!

“We have to get out of here, now!” she thought, trying to keep the fear out of her face.

“It’s too late,” JD11 thought with a casual look to the door that had only just then been locked.

“I’m afraid,” Annie said out loud, bursting into tears.

“There’s no need to be afraid, Annie,” he said, also out loud. Then, looking directly into what was until that very moment what was considered to be a hidden camera, he said, “Colonel Lanier will let us go very soon.”

Lanier stood looking back at the image of JD11 as the young man made his assertion. The colonel knew now that he couldn’t let that happen; he couldn’t let JD11 leave – ever. In the same moment, he knew he would fail in his attempt to stop him.

Lanier was not accustomed to failure. However, his unfailing intuition told him that JD11 was right – he would be out in spite of the Colonel’s decision to keep that from happening.

ID: 1828613   (Rated: E) Chapter 29  Jack tells of his near-death experience. A fortune teller surprises someone. by Hyperiongate