“Fuck, I didn’t think I was going to survive.”

  I let out a snort of laughter at Fry’s complaint. It hadn’t been busy today, but we had had a steady stream of customers and it could be overwhelming. I wouldn’t have minded myself, but I had been running the register with Fry and I hated interacting with humans that much.

  Fry pulled the elastic band out of her auburn hair as she stepped out the back door and out to what we had dubbed the ‘break room.’ It was just the back of the store, but we had added some make-shift chairs near the door, just far enough away from the large trash bin that we couldn’t smell it. At least they couldn’t. I could clearly smell the waste that had been sitting in there for nearly a week.

  “Don’t be so dramatic. It’s not like it’s the holidays, Fry. It’s just a busy day.”

  Fry turned around with a death glare and I quickly stepped out of the way so that Pete could get the full force of said glare. It was for him after all. I took up my usual spot against the building and lit a cigarette. I took a long drag and couldn’t help but sigh when the smell of the cigarette overpowered the smell of rotting garbage.

  “Gideon understands me, and don’t call me Fry. Only Gideon gets to call me that.”

  Fry punched Pete’s arm, and he raised his hands, taking a step back.

  “God, can’t you control your girlfriend?”

  I laughed and shook my head, black hair fell forward to cover my eyes and I was forced to comb it back with my fingers. It was getting long enough that I should cut it, but keeping it shaggy was a small rebellion even if I was the only one who knew that.

  The three of us were an odd bunch; a curly hair, glasses wearing, nerd, and a degenerate. Then there was me, Soren Valle, monster in hiding. We were all wearing the required khaki pants and dark blue polo shirts, though Pete had his tucked into his pants while Fry and I preferred to not look like dorks. I had been working at the grocery store with them for three years, two years longer than I would have normally stayed in one place.

  “I think I hear Mr. Meyers calling me, gotta go.” I move to the stack of crates that passed for a table and put out my cigarette in the ashtray.

  “Coward!” Pete’s eyes went wide and I could tell he was trying hard not to smile. I swear he purposely annoys Fry.

  The back door opened and Mr. Meyers stepped out, holding the door open. When you looked at him you couldn’t help but think of that one uncle that everyone likes, or what I assume that would look like. He’s in his early fifties with a vague santa claus figure. He’s wearing a ball cap advertising a local bait shop along with his uniform that matches ours. I’m pretty sure he’s bald under that hat. Not once in three years have I seen him without it. I just know he’s bald.

  “Gideon, there are some cops here that want to speak with you.”

  “What about?” Why would the cops want to see me?

  Mr. Meyers shrugged his shoulders, “They said it’s something about your father.”

  Shit… I shouldn’t have stayed so long. I could see the curiosity in the eyes of my coworkers. While I know everything about Fry’s tragic past, she knows bare minimum about mine. Pete doesn’t know anything about my past. It’s just safer to not talk about it.

  I knew they weren’t there to tell me that the bastard was dead, I’ve never been that lucky. Has he made his move without me? I gave a quick nod to Meyers and followed him inside. I could see them through the glass that surrounded my boss’ office. They weren’t just cops, they had more of a government feel to their dark suits. Meyers gave my shoulder a pat and walked away when we arrived at his office.

  I seriously considered just turning around and walking away. I didn’t want to deal with his shit, I didn’t want to deal with them. Two sets of eyes were on me when I opened the door and stepped inside. I let it close behind me as I stepped forward and plastered on my work smile.

  “Afternoon, gentlemen. How can I help you?”

  One of the men had a swimmers body; muscular but lean. His brown hair was slicked back and brown eyes coldly watched me. The other one was larger, it was clear that he lifted weights. I’d bet money on him playing football in highschool. He just looked the type, had the whole jock look with styled blond hair and green eyes that wore a mask of friendliness.

  “Soren Valle?”

  The blond-haired suit stepped forward. Fuck! I shook my head as I took a cigarette out of my pack and played with it.

  “Sorry, wrong person. My name is Gideon Harper, Sorell.”

  “Nice try. It’s been a while since we updated your information, but there is no mistaking you for anyone else.”

  Blondie raised an eyebrow but I just shrugged and turned away. No way was I staying around for this shit.

  “Your father blew up the lab in the building he was working at. We’ve been trying to find him for over a week now.”

  I placed a hand on the doorknob and tried to refrain from sighing. “None of my business.”

  “Whatever was in the lab is contagious. You’re the only one who might know where he’s hiding.”

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Bastard. Taking my lighter out I light the cigarette and take a long drag. I guess there is no point in being Gideon any longer. Time to pack that one up. I make sure to clear my face of any emotion before turning back around to make eye contact with blondie.

  “It’s been almost eight years since I last saw him. I don’t have a damn thing to do with him. Can’t help you.”

  Opening the door, I walk out without hesitation. I go to take another drag of the cigarette then remember that I’m inside the store and put it out on my left hand. Fucking bastard, why now? He shouldn’t have done anything with me missing.

  “Mr. Valle, I’m afraid you don’t have a choice. You’re coming with us.” Blondie said. I could hear them following behind me.

  “Why didn’t you just start with that?”

  I couldn’t help but roll my eyes and turn around. I seriously considered my odds of getting away before deciding I didn’t want to cause trouble for my boss. I’ll just ride this out for now, maybe give them a chance to convince me to stay. I toss the cigarette in the trash when I pass by one and head toward the registers where Fry is back at her station.

  “Fry, let the boss man know that I’m taking the rest of the day off.”

  She looked at me curiously and nodded. I’m sure it’s killing her being in the dark.

  “Don’t slack off too much.”

  “Eh, you know I excel at slacking off.”

  I give her a salute as I walked through the sliding doors, the two suits followed behind me. They led me to a black car parked out front. I give the front tire a tap with my foot and make a point of looking at the yellow line that is under the car. Someone wanted their car keyed.

  “Someone skip the parking part of the driving skills test?”

  I opened the door to the passenger seat and give Mr. Greasy a smirk when he shoots me a dirty look. If looks could kill, I’d be a puddle of blood and guts with the way he looked at me. I can still feel his stare after he gets comfortable in the back seat. I turn to blondie and give him my best smile.

  “So, do I get the privilege of knowing your names? Or do I get to make up names for you?” I have them all ready.

  “I’m Agent Issac, and that’s Agent Gill.” Blondie spoke up, thumb jerking back to the agent in the back seat. Agent Gill scowled back but stayed quiet.

  “FBI?”

  “Something like that. Mind putting your seatbelt on?” Agent Issac turned to look at me as he started the car, eyebrow raised.

  Ignoring him, I pulled out my cigarette pack and tap it against my leg. Agent Issac let out a sigh and pulled away. I suppress my smirk as I pull out a cigarette and put the pack away. I go to light it but pull back when Agent Issac reached out like he was going to take it away.

  “No smoking in the car, company rules.”

  “Sure.”

  I put the lighter away but keep the cigarette out, playing with it. It’s a bad habit to have, but it gives me something to focus on when I’m struggling to stay calm and it blocks out the things I don’t want to smell. Like the intoxicating scent of prey that is currently surrounding me.

  I stared out the window during the ten minute drive. I was creating escape plans and tossing them out like a kid with candy on Halloween. I still wasn’t certain if I wanted to run far away or stay and help. If he’s already put things into motion my re-emergence won’t change anything. Except that now I’m strong enough to stop him. Maybe. A part of me was still that five year old who was afraid of their father.

  Knowing you’re strong and going up against the monster that’s tormented you your whole life are two very different things.

  Our destination was a pharmaceutical company named Monarch Industries. It was in a five-story building set at the corner of the block. Agent Issac pulled into the parking lot to the left of the building and parked near the back.

  “Nice place.”

  I take my time getting out of the car, not in any rush to make things easy for the agents. Agent Gill kept glancing at me, his left hand clenched tight enough that it had turned white. I shoot him a smile as I walk by, following Agent Issac.

  The main floor had the appearance of an ordinary business. There were people who wore suits and those casually dressed in white lab coats. I could easily tell the difference between those who were civilians and those who were government trained; more than half were government trained, including a few wearing white lab coats. There was something about the way they observed the world around them that made them stand out. They did not smell any less like prey than the civilians.

  We made a beeline to the elevator behind the receptionist’s desk and Agent Issac pushed the button to the third floor. The third floor was more like a government building. There were only a handful of people walking down the hall, and they were all wearing suits. There were no pictures, no decorations, but it had enough cameras to stock an electronics shop.

  Agent Gill left us so I continued to follow Agent Issac. He led me to an interrogation room that was just as bare and sterile as the rest of the floor. The only furniture was the metal table in the center of the room with three chairs; a chair on one side and two on the other. On one side of the room was a two-way mirror that took up most of the wall.

  I pulled a chair out and made myself comfortable, playing with the cigarette that I was still holding. A moment later, Agent Gill came into the room and dropped a file on the table before sitting down next to Agent Issac.

  “Go ahead, take a look.”

  I leaned over and pulled the folder closer. The file was filled with incident reports, witness statements and pictures of crime scenes.The pictures cataloged every bit of blood and gore with a body torn open and missing a big chunk of it’s flesh at the center of most of the pictures.

  A week ago, the lab that my father had worked in for the last twenty-odd years had blown up, though the building itself was relatively unscathed. There were signs that it had been intentional, and the current theory was that my father, Fabian Valle, had caused it.

  Two days ago, the survivors had become violent and unpredictable. One day ago, their physical state had begun to deteriorate. Their eyes were bloodshot, and the pupils had started to change colors. These changes prompted the government to pull everyone in for observation.

  Just that morning, they had gone to retrieve one of the survivors. Their senses had been assaulted by the smell of blood and decomposition the moment they had stepped into the house. In the kitchen, they had discovered the survivor, a lab assistant. His appearance had changed into that of a dried corpse. A living mummy. He had been kneeling over the body of his wife and was eating her.

  I make sure to keep my face blank as I look through the folder. All it did was confirm my suspicions. He had gone forward with his plans without me. He had drilled it into me for years that this was all for me, that I was a vital part of it all. I didn’t believe him then and I still don’t. It was the justification of a madman and nothing more. After I’ve looked through everything I close the folder and look up at the agents when I place it back on the table.

  “Showing me this isn’t going to change my answer. The only places my father ever went were home and work. I seriously doubt that it changed any in the last eight years.”

  I sighed and leaned back. The last thing I wanted was to deal with any of this. I had been free of my father and his insanity for eight years. Eight years of peaceful paranoia, but freedom nonetheless. All these government officials wanted to do was drag me right into the middle of my father’s shit. Didn’t they understand how much it smelled?