Disclaimer: This original story is not authorized or endorsed by Warner Bros, ABC, Lors Thornwald Inc, Edelson Productions, William Schmidt, or anyone else having rights to "Prey". It is not intended infringe on any rights or copyright and is not written for profit. Any characters not recognizable from the series "Prey" belong to the author.
Tom had vague memories of the next few days - Steve freezing him to death with more alcohol baths, the inevitable escorted trips to the bathroom, although he had long ago given up caring who was in there with him, and the endless procession of injections and pills that were forced on him day and night.
Then, one morning, he woke up and knew something was different. He was ... better. He could sense it. And that heavy feeling in his chest was finally gone.
"Well, you going to stay in bed all day, sleeping beauty, or are you finally going to get up and join the living." Steve stood over him, with an armful of clean clothes. "Why don't you get up and shower and then join Alex and I for breakfast in the restaurant. You've got to be as sick of this room as I am."
For the first time in a long while, Tom was glad to be alive and feeling like he could actually eat something more substantial than the soups Steve had forced down him. He smiled as he got up, although he was still a little shaky, and took the clothes. "I'd love to get out of here."
"Good, I'll run over to Alex's room and see if I can pry him away from the TV. We'll be over in about fifteen minutes to get you. Is that enough time to get ready?"
Tom was sure that it was more than enough. Steve let himself out and Tom climbed into the shower and reveled in the feel of hot water, instead of cold, on his skin. He held the bar of soap to his nose and gloried in its scent. Ahh, something other than the smell of alcohol.
Once he was done, he wrapped his towel around himself and stepped out of the shower. Tom leaned on the counter and began to study his face in the mirror. He was still a little pale and his eyes looked tired, but other than that he didn't look too bad. Certainly better than he expected. He bent closer to the mirror and stuck his chin out for a better view of the light beard that was there. Tom's beard grew slowly, like many of his species did, and he was fortunate that he didn't have to shave it daily as most human males did. But he'd been in bed for the better part of a week, long enough to form a short growth.
Once, he had actually toyed with the idea of growing a beard, something like Lewis', but it took too long for it to come in and his assignments always called for him to be clean-shaven. This was the longest he'd seen his beard and he thought he looked pretty good in the d'Artagnan look, despite the fact that it was still too sparse. He wondered what it might look like in another two weeks and was tempted to let it grow. But, he doubted whether the unshaven look would've been well-received at the Ambassador's. No, he sighed, it would never do. So, like most good things, this too would have to end. Tom took one last wistful look at his almost-beard and then pulled out the electric razor from his toilet kit and said good-bye to another daydream.
***********************************
The menu was open and Tom's head had been buried in it for quite a while.
"Come on, Tom. What do you want to eat? Steve glanced around the room, trying to spot their server. "The waitress will be here in a another minute."
"I don't know," he sighed. Then, he stuck his head up from the menu, grinned, and said, "Everything."
Alex laughed. "That's what I say! Let's go for it, Tom."
"Enough, Alex, he doesn't need that much encouragement. Besides, I'll never be able to explain how twenty some-odd breakfasts were charged to my expense account in one day." Steve tugged at Tom's menu. "Just order something, and we'll take it from there. If you're still hungry, you can get something else. I know Alex will."
Tom closed the menu reluctantly. "It all sounds so good."
"Well, pick something. The waitress is on her way over."
"Coffee all the way around?" asked the waitress, who had three empty cups in one hand and a large pot of coffee in the other.
"Yes," Steve answered as he saw the other two heads nod their agreement. He watched as she placed a cup in front of each of them, then filled each in turn. "Why don't you leave the pot, while you're at it."
"Sure." She put the coffee pot down in the center of the table and placed a handful of half-and-half containers next to it. "That should get you going until I bring back a pitcher of cream and a full pot." Then she pulled her pad and pencil out of her apron pocket and asked, "What'll you have?"
After each had given their order, she gave them all a flirty smile and stuck her pad back in her apron. "That's what I like to see. Men with good, healthy appetites. It won't be too long, so don't you boys go away." She gave Tom a wink, and added, "Especially not you, honey."
Tom's brow furrowed as he watched the waitress walk away.
"Well, Romeo, not one day out of a sickbed, and already you're attracting the women. And to think a few days ago, you thought you were going to die. If you start looking any better, we'll have to get Alex here to fend off all the women that will be flocking to you."
Tom scowled at him. "Women do not flock to me. And, even if they did choose to 'flock', as you so colorfully put it, they'd be wasting their time."
"Ahh-h, yes, Sloan. Well, I don't blame you. She is quite attractive, ... and strong. Pulled you right away from death's door when nothing else could."
"Smart, too, for a human." said Alex. Then he added, "For anybody."
Tom smiled at Alex's remark. Apparently he had been thinking about what Tom had told him concerning Sloan and Ed's work and was duly impressed. Hopefully, Alex would begin to hold himself in higher esteem as well. For that, though, only time would tell.
Steve looked back and forth between Tom and Alex and could only imagine what they had talked about the morning they had spent together. Neither one had chosen to share any of the conversation with him but he knew, afterward, that things were different between them. He could only wonder at what that change would mean for Alex, and subsequently, for himself.
Soon, the waitress returned and placed a folding stand down near the table. Then she came back carrying a large tray and set it on the stand. She took the empty coffee pot away as well as the empty creamer containers, and replaced them with a fresh pot of coffee and pitcher of cream. Then, returning to the stand, she picked up the largest platter from the tray, walked over to Alex and placed it in front of him.
"Let's see, the Hearty Breakfast Special should be yours. Bacon, sausage, corned beef hash, three eggs over easy, home fries, white toast, large orange juice, and a tall stack of pecan pancakes with extra butter and syrup on the side. Right, good looking?"
Alex nodded and grinned from ear-to-ear. At that moment, he wasn't sure which made him happier, the large plate of food in front of him or the attention he got from the cute, little waitress. But soon, the aroma of his breakfast overcame him and he reached for his fork, although his eyes did follow her as she went back to the food tray. Maybe he'd think about the waitress later.
The waitress selected another plate from the tray and put it down in front of Steve. "OK, you ordered the Ham and Egg Surprise. Grilled ham, eggs sunny-side up, hash browns, small orange juice, hot biscuits with butter and jelly, and our own special surprise honey-mustard sauce. Can I get you anything else, handsome?"
"No," Steve smiled, "This is fine. Thank you."
"My pleasure." She gave Steve a wink before retrieving the last plate.
"And this one has to be yours," the waitress smiled at Tom, as she placed his food in front of him. "The Good Morning Special. Bacon - crisp, eggs over easy, whole wheat toast, home fries, large orange juice, and a chocolate brownie. Correct? Now I hope you enjoy every bite of that."
"Thank you," said Tom who had been sitting straight back in his chair, waiting for her to be done. "I'm sure I will."
She bent closer to his face and said, "My name's Debs and you call me if you need anything else, OK, honey?" Then she smiled with a twinkle in her eye. "Or, you can just call me, period." Again, she gave Tom a wink before gathering up the tray and moving on to her next table.
Tom exhaled and leaned over his plate and spoke to Steve. "What is with that woman?"
Steve laughed. "She likes you."
"How does she know she likes me? She doesn't even know me. If she did, she wouldn't waste her time."
"She likes what she sees and she's willing to take it from there."
"Well, I wish she'd take it somewhere else." Tom scowled as he grabbed for a piece of toast.
"Oh, lighten up. She probably flirts with all the guys. Don't take it so personal." Then Steve looked around the dining room and saw her leaning over a table, teasing two older men who apparently loved the attention more than Tom. "See, Tom, over there ..."
Tom glanced in the direction Steve indicated.
"Now she's hitting on those guys. It's just a game she plays. She knows a lot of men like the attention and she probably thinks it might get her a larger tip." Then, Steve looked at her a little longer and leaned closer to Tom. "I'll give her a larger one myself. She is sort of cute. Later on, I just might check her out."
"Hey!" Alex piped up between mouthfuls.
"What? Don't tell me you like her?" Steve acted surprised.
Alex just grinned and nodded his head, trying to swallow his last bite.
"Well, far be it from me to stand in the way of true love. Go right ahead, Alex. Tom and I are going out later anyway and you're free to do what you want."
At the mention of Steve's plans, Tom picked his head up from his meal and asked, "Where are we going?"
"For a walk. I think you can use some fresh air and it's a beautiful day out."
Tom nodded his agreement. He hadn't been outside the hotel for days and he'd enjoy a change of scenery. "Fine. When?"
"It doesn't really matter. How about right after breakfast?"
"Yes. After breakfast." Tom agreed as he finished what was on his plate, mopping up the last bit of egg yolk with a piece of toast. Pushing the plate aside, he reached for the smaller plate that held his chocolate brownie. His eyes had been bigger than his stomach and he was already quite full, but, the brownie looked too good to pass up. He refilled his coffee cup and then took a bite of his brownie, letting the chocolate dissolve slowly in his mouth. If he had a vice, it was chocolate and he would have to blame Sloan for that. Well, there were worse things to get hooked on, he thought, as he took another bite of the thick, rich pastry. He had no idea why, but chocolate just seemed to make him feel better.
Once everyone was done eating, Steve motioned for the waitress to bring the check. Tom excused himself to use the rest room as he saw her approaching the table and Steve laughed at his cowardice. Tom just gave him an annoyed look as he talked away.
"Well, you boys were certainly hungry. Looks like you polished off everything in sight. Are you sure I can't get you anything else?"
"No, just the check." Steve replied as he pulled his wallet out and dropped a hundred-dollar bill on the table.
"Uh, I was thinking of having a little something else."
Steve shot a look over at Alex and shook his head.
Where did Alex fit it all? Then he said to the waitress, "Add what ever he wants to the bill."
Alex gave Debs his order - a piece of coffee cake, with plenty of extra crumbs and a large glass of milk. Debs smiled at him and said, "Right away, sugar," and left to get his food.
Steve handed Alex the money. "Pay for the check with this and be sure to give Debs a big tip. If you want her to remember you, that's one way to do it."
"Sure, boss." grinned Alex.
Steve bent down and poked Alex in the arm. "I told you to stop calling me that. I am not your 'boss'! That's it, no more gangster movies for you." With that, Steve stood up and went to catch up with Tom in the rest room.
**********************************
The grounds surrounding the Ramada were beautiful. In addition to the well-manicured lawn and giant shade trees, there were small gardens and bushes everywhere, even a jogging path and bicycle trail for the more adventurous guests. Tom and Steve chose to walk along the picturesque path, enjoying the crisp, invigorating Fall weather. Tom took deep breaths of the sweet-smelling air and felt his lungs clear with every inhalation.
Although it was chilly, the sun was shining as bright as any summer day, and its rays reflected off the profusion of colorful autumn leaves. Tom zipped his jacket up a little more and stuck his hands in his pockets. It was still a little cold for him but not enough to make him go inside.
"You warm enough? Steve asked. "Don't want you getting sick all over again."
"I'm fine. I'm enjoying just being out of that stuffy room."
"Well, why don't you really enjoy it, then?" Steve asked.
"Uh, ... what do you mean?"
"Why don't you let your guard down a little and take in the surroundings the way they should be taken in. I'll still be on duty, so to speak." Tom just stared at him. "Oh, go ahead, do it. You know you want to."
Yes, Tom would like to do just that. He never allowed himself to relax enough to enjoy the world around him but now would be the time to do it, with Steve walking nearby. He closed his eyes and felt his guard slip away.
As his shielding fell, Tom opened his eyes and saw the autumn colors begin to transform and intensify right before them. The red and gold leaves took on a translucent, almost shimmering quality and everything around him got a little bit brighter. He became aware of the twitterings and chirpings of birds calling to one another from high in the trees and looked up as he heard the honking of a flock of Canadian geese flying in V-formation, as though pointing the way south. Oh, his senses may not have been as clearly defined as they were on the day he was human, but they certainly were giving him a far more brilliant view of the world than he usually received. He drank in every detail of color and sound around him until his own instincts began to force him back into his normal survival mode.
Tom closed his eyes and drank in one more deep breath from the quickly fading brilliance that had surrounded him. Then in another heartbeat, the clarity was gone as his instincts once more took over. He opened his eyes and turned to Steve. "Thank you." was all he could manage to say.
Steve had been quietly walking next to Tom during the experience, hands stuck in his pants pockets and a slight smile on his face. When Tom finally spoke to him, he replied, "Glad to do it. I thought you might like that after our conversation in the car."
Looking around, Steve saw a grassy patch off to the side of the path, surrounded by hostas, yellow mums and blazing red bushes. "Why don't we sit down over there for a while and talk."
Tom looked at Steve and asked, "What do you want to talk about?"
"Oh, I don't want to talk. I want you to talk."
"Me? What do you want me to say?"
"Well, now that we've determined that you have a problem, I thought today might be a good time to start working on it." Steve sat down on the ground and crossed his legs. "Come on, Tom." He patted the ground next to him, "Have a seat."
Reluctantly, Tom sat down but kept his knees pulled up to his chest, holding his arms tightly around them.
"Why don't you loosen up a little. I'm not going to give you the third degree, you know. Just relax and we'll talk when you're ready."
Tom released his knees and stretched his legs out in front of him. "How do I know when I'm ready? Tom asked. "I don't know how to do this, you know."
Steve laughed, "Well, that makes two of us."
"Hey, I thought you were a psychiatrist?" Tom frowned.
"Only in your imagination, I'm afraid. But, I have helped one or two friends work out their problems, so I don't see why I can't help you now. Why don't you just lay back in the grass and just enjoy looking at the sky for starters. When you feel more relaxed, we can start."
Well, at least the first part of this is easy, Tom told himself, as he laid back on the ground, arms under his head. He couldn't ever remember just lying back and looking at the sky but he could see why people enjoyed doing it. The slow, steady shifting of the clouds, coupled with the sound of leaves rustling in the soft breeze, was absolutely delightful. Tom lowered his guard just a bit to get a better feel for it and he saw Steve smile to himself as he picked up what Tom had just done. He got caught up in watching the clouds change from sailing ships, to medieval castles, to a herd of wild horses. No wonder Sloan encouraged him to develop his imagination. It was truly a wonderful thing indeed.
"Well, you look pretty relaxed," Steve finally commented. "Are you ready to talk?"
"About what?"
"About your experience. About being in the cage, about being interrogated by the woman who ..." Steve stopped as he saw Tom's eyes grow dark and ominous at the mention of the cage and Walter's boss. "Or, maybe not. Maybe something that you remember outside the cage, without her. They did take you out from time to time, didn't they? Other than for interrogation?"
"Yes. Occasionally. To stretch my legs and get washed up."
"Then tell me about that. Who let you out of the cage?"
"The guards. A group of them. They always came in a group. They had guns drawn and several had rifles. One guard, a tall man with a scar on the side of his face, ..." Tom reached up and touched the side of his face and drew a line with his thumb from the corner of his right eye to the middle of his cheek, " ... was in charge. His name was Capt. Joe Ruffo. He carried the keys to my cage and to most of the other locked rooms at the facility. He always warned me to step back before he'd unlock the door and I'd hear all the weapons cock at the same time. Then he'd order me to come out and, when I did, he'd restrain my wrists - in case I tried anything - he said. Then they'd escort me down the hall and into a large room so I could walk around. Once in a while, they'd let me take a shower in the bathroom off the room."
"That's good, Tom. Good. See, you can remember things. Just keep reminding yourself that you're not there anymore and that you're safe. So, did they walk you anywhere else for exercise?"
"No, only that room and the shower." Tom thought a little more, "But once, ..." His voice trailed off.
"'But once'... " Steve encouraged. "What were you going to say?"
Tom continued to stare at the sky and suddenly one of the clouds looked like a guard who had showed up at his cage one day. Without realizing it, Tom's mind slipped back to that time and he was no longer in the park, but back in the facility.
*******************************************
"OK, Daniels, get out here," the guard ordered.
Tom stepped out of the cage and felt his joints crack as he stood up straight for the first time in twenty-four hours. "Where's the other guard, the captain, the one with the scar?" he asked as the guard locked his wrists in front of him.
The guard reached up, grabbed Tom around the throat, and rammed him into the cage, the bars leaving red stripes down his bare back. "You don't ask questions, you hear me?"
His throat hurt but Tom managed to nod his head and say, "Yes." His eyes, however, sent his true feelings to the guard and earned him another smack in the head.
Roughly, the guard pulled him upright and leered at him. "But, as long as you asked, Joe and his team are on leave for the next month or so. I'm Sergeant Nick Starkey. Me and my boys are in charge of you while your regular guards are away. And, oh, just so there's no mistake, we'll be doing things my way from now on."
With that, he shoved Tom in between his men and they escorted him down the hall. Tom instinctively stopped outside the exercise room, only to be pushed ahead by a gun barrel.
"Not here. There's a special place we're going today."
Tom felt the hair rise up on his neck. One thing that he had learned in here was that change was definitely not a good thing. The group rounded the corner and one of the guards, shoved Tom, face first, into the wall as the sergeant unlocked the door to the new room. Then the guard grabbed Tom and threw him into the room so hard that he fell to the floor. Several of the guards pulled him to his feet and held him upright between them. Tom watched as Nick gave his gun to another man, and then walked up to Tom and roughly grabbed his face with a cigarette-stained hand.
"You know," he said, breathing on Tom's face, "A pretty boy like you shouldn't have to go it alone in here. You get a couple of guards as protectors and you'll do all right."
"And I suppose you want to be my protectors?" Tom sneered at him.
"Ooo, smart ... and pretty! You give us what we want and we'll do right by you."
"And what exactly do you want?"
Nick ran his tongue over his cracked lips. "You," he said as he traced Tom's face with his finger.
Oh no, not this, Tom thought. He'd been expecting it ever since he'd been brought to the facility, but, up to now, the guards had been somewhat honorable. They did their jobs, maybe a little rougher than necessary, but nothing Tom couldn't handle. Finally, he had stopped thinking about it at all. Until now.
He felt Nick grab him around the waist and pull him toward him, as the other guards increased their holds on him. Tom's head began to spin and then everything was a blur.
***************************************
Tom was now sitting straight up, face ashen and his eyes fixed on a scene only he could see. He was sweating as he hyperventilated, clenching and unclenching his fists at the same time.
"My god, Tom, I had no idea ..." Steve was horrified at the scene that Tom had just described to him. He put his arm around Tom, to assure him that it was all in the past, when, suddenly, Steve found himself lying on his back, pinned to the ground. Tom was straddling him, his hands around his throat and his eyes threatening to bring certain death if he all but moved a muscle.
"Don't touch me!" Tom growled through clenched teeth. "Never touch me like that again. You hear me? Never!"
Steve nodded as his eyes all but bugged out of his head. Slowly, he felt Tom release his grip and fling himself off of Steve. Steve rubbed his throat and looked over at Tom who was back to sitting upright, gripping his knees in front of him, and rocking back and forth with a slow, steady rhythm.
Steve pushed himself up and sat there, just watching Tom rock and he could sense Tom's mind was trapped somewhere between today and a year ago. Steve felt Tom's memories gradually loosen their grip on him and he began to return to normal, or at least, what was considered normal for Tom at this moment. Only then, did Steve try to speak to him again, this time though, without making the mistake of touching him.
"You OK?" he asked hesitantly.
Tom turned his head away, but nodded in the affirmative.
"I'm sorry, Tom. It must've been horrible for you. I can't even imagine what it was like for you in there, having that forced on you everyday. I wonder what I would be like today, if it had happened to me."
"Well, it didn't." Tom responded.
"I know it didn't happen to me but that doesn't mean I can't understand how you feel."
Tom turned and frowned at Steve. No, I mean, it didn't happen everyday. Actually, it didn't happen at all."
"OK, now I'm confused. If it never happened, what was that scenario I just saw you act out?"
Tom shifted his body and sat on his knees, finally looking Steve in the face. "That part happened, but they never got to finish what they had planned for me." Tom inhaled a few times before he continued. "I wasn't sure what the outcome was going to be but I was determined they weren't getting me without a fight. Somehow, I managed to snap my wrist restraints and I started swinging. I was pretty bruised when it was over and woke up in the infirmary. But, from what I was told, some of them were worse. While they were out on sick leave, other guards came to replace them although Nick Starkey remained in charge." Tom's face filled with an evil smile. "After that incident, they never tried to attack me in that way again. However, they did have another way to get even."
Tom stopped again and Steve waited to see if he would continue. He did.
"They put stronger cuffs on me, but the guards were warned not to inflict that sort of behavior on me again ... something about there being rules against that type of treatment. But, apparently beatings were not against the rules and they made sure I got a full dose of those." Tom unconsciously started to rub his stomach as he spoke, his body still remembering the feel of their blows.
"I couldn't break my cuffs this time and they took turns pounding me. There were more guards on the team than before, and it seemed like the line to take a swing at me was endless. They used their fists, clubs, wire, anything that struck their fancy, on me. And when I collapsed on the floor, they continued to kick me into unconsciousness. I would say that I spent as much time in the infirmary as I did in the cage for that next month. If it wasn't for the fact that I healed fast and it took more to break a bone than what they could dish out, I'd probably be dead or crippled by now," Tom laughed ruefully, "although it was still bad. But I guess the beatings were a blessing after all. They were, at least, one way for me to get out of the cage.
"When Captain Ruffo returned and heard what happened to me, he came to the cage alone one night and just shook his head when he saw me. I must've looked pretty gruesome. After that, he gave me extra time in the bathroom and actually let me soak in the tub until the bruising started to fade and my muscles stopped aching so much. His team used to rough me up a little, although nothing like Starkey's gang, but even that stopped. I didn't get to exercise with the captain's team everyday. Sometimes I was scheduled for ... other things. But, when I did get to go, I came to appreciate his treatment."
"God, Tom, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Steve just kept shaking his head. For once, he was out of words to say.
Tom winced again at the memory. "My eyes were beaten shut, but I could still hear their voices. Do you know what I heard?"
Steve shook his head. "No."
"Laughing. They were laughing as they beat me senseless. I couldn't figure out how they could do that. They actually enjoyed hurting me, ... watching me suffer. It bothered me for a long time after that. You know, as a chameleon, I've done a lot of things I didn't like, although most of it was due to programming. But, I never laughed. I never enjoyed inflicting anything hurtful on others, for any reason. I think that's why I broke my programming. The chasm between what I was programmed to do and how I felt inside became too wide and I think I cracked." For a moment, Tom stopped talking and was again lost in thought.
Steve watched as Tom dropped his head and hugged his arms around his chest. Slowly, Steve got up and gingerly held his hand out and touched Tom ever so lightly on the shoulder. Tom flinched slightly but did not act out against Steve as he had earlier. Steve then kneeled in front of him and let Tom's head just barely touch him, as he put his arm around Tom's shoulder.
As Steve looked at the landscape in back of Tom, he tried to digest everything he had just relived with him. If anyone had a right to crack, it was Tom Daniels. But, these experiences were only the tip of the iceberg of what he had to endure. Tom still had a long road to travel before he'd get through this.
Speaking of roads, Steve suddenly sensed two people approaching on the path. He felt Tom stiffen also and knew he had picked up the same thing. Neither of them moved as they mentally scanned the area. The people were two young women, out for a short morning run. The two women, dressed in jogging suits, passed their location and continued down the stretch of road but Steve and Tom's sharp hearing picked up what they were saying and Steve turned around slightly to look at them.
The taller of the two women had just sighed. "Now, that's why I don't have any dates!" she said to her companion. The other girl gave one last glance behind her at the men and agreed. "What a shame. It's always the really cute ones, too!" Both then gave each other a knowing look and then disappeared around the curve in the path.
Steve started to smile at their comments when he felt Tom starting to shake. He immediately pulled his arm off Tom's shoulder and braced himself for another attack. That was probably the last thing Tom needed to hear after he just finished reliving his experience with the guards.
The attack never came but Tom was still shaking. Steve ventured a question.
"Are you OK?"
Tom finally looked up into to Steve's face and then started to laugh. "They think we're gay!" Tom hadn't been shaking with anxiety. He had been fighting down his laughter. "I told you not to touch me before!" he smirked before rolling on his back laughing. He needed the release and laughter was just the thing.
"Well, I guess our reputations with the ladies have just taken a beating. Maybe we could jog down to them and attempt to change their minds?"
Tom stopped chuckling long enough to send Steve a frown.
"Or, maybe not." Steve quickly added. "I just hope word of this doesn't reach Debs."
"Debs?" Tom replied.
"Our waitress. Debs. Remember? I'd hate for her stop giving us all that extra personal attention because she thinks we're more interested in each other than in her. And think of poor Alex. I think he likes her but he'll be 'guilty' by association." Steve laughed again. "Well, it would servehim right for all the hard times he's given me."
At the mention of Alex's name, Tom sat up. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"What is it between you and Alex? I can't quite figure out the relationship."
"What's to figure out? He's my thorn in the side and I'm his."
"Exactly. But why?"
"I don't know if I want to talk about this now." A slight darkness seem to cloud Steve's eyes.
Tom, though, was now more intrigued than ever. "Look, you just pulled out of me something Ididn't even want to remember, let alone talk about. I think you might benefit from doing the same."
"Well, it was bound to come out sooner or later. Alex can be so indiscreet at times." Steve sat back and crossed his legs. "Alex is my brother."
"Your brother?" Tom thought about that. Now that Steve mentioned it, there was sort of a family resemblance. Steve and Alex had the same sandy-colored hair, although Alex's was shaved into a crewcut, while Steve's was just a little longer than Tom's. And, they had almost the same nose. What threw you off, though, when you saw them together, was Alex's broader face and bulkier build. But he could really see the resemblance now that he knew the relationship.
"Yes," continued Steve, "He's my brother but, as I'm sure you've noticed, he isn't quite ..., well, let's say he isn't exactly like you and I."
"I know what he is and it's OK. Please, go on."
"I've had to protect him most of the time when we were young. I suppose you heard about the genetic cleansing that they tried to implement years ago."
Tom nodded.
"He was about ten years old when they came for him. 'We just need to run a few tests on him' they said, but I knew what that meant. Alex wasn't coming back."
"What about your parents? Didn't they try to protect him?" interrupted Tom.
"Yes, for a while. That's why he was older than most when they finally came for him. But, my parents couldn't stand against the leaders of the movement forever. The movement had a set timetable for the removal of all undesirables and they were determined to stick to it. They were just too strong at the time and my parents were at their mercy. Besides, my parents had other children to protect. It had been threatened that if they failed to comply with the order to give up Alex, they would eliminate our whole family line."
"How could they come to that decision? It goes against everything I've known about our species and their view of the sacredness of procreation." Tom asked.
"Don't you mean to say the sacredness of 'genetically desirable' procreation? Well, anyway, they reasoned," Steve continued, "if my parents had produced one like Alex already, who's to say if they wouldn't produce more? It was even suggested that the 'normal' children in our family might also be tainted in a way that might show up later in life or in future off-spring. Of course, it wouldn't be necessary to go that far if my parents gave them Alex. Their gesture of cooperation would prove that my family were true and loyal members of our species. So, to save the rest of us, my parents finally agreed to turn Alex over to them in the morning." Steve took in a breath before continuing.
"I had been standing at the top of stairs, listening to the whole thing. It was then that I realized that I had to do something. So, I formulated a plan they very moment. I already knew that Alex had many qualities that made up for his lack of other abilities and that he could be useful to our society, if only given the chance." Steve bit his lip. "And besides, ... I loved him."
Tom closed his eyes as he tried to imagine what Steve and Alex had felt as this was going on. His species could be so cruel and all in the name of survival. He hated that part of them. "So, how did you save him?" Tom finally asked.
"I woke him up and explained that I was taking him someplace where he would be safe. I made him write a note saying he was running away after he overheard their plans that night.
"He was understandably afraid, you know. They sent chameleons out to hunt down any runaways and once they caught up with them, they executed them on the spot. Up until that time, no one had been successful in escaping. But, I gave Alex my word that I could hide and protect him, if he listened and did everything I said. He agreed. What choice did he have?
"So, I helped him pack a bag with clothes and some food that I sneaked out of the pantry. We took off into the hills and I hid him in a cave that I had found one day years before. I used it as my 'special place', when I wanted to be alone, and never told anyone about it. I knew he'd be safe there for a while. I told him not to go out until I came back, which would probably be in a few days."
"Wait a minute." Tom was puzzled. "I can understand why they might not be able to track Alex so easily, but couldn't they sense that you were responsible for his disappearance? Couldn't they even sense you listening on the stairs that night?"
Steve smiled. "No, and that was the best part. Ever since I was young, I had this natural gift.
was able to mask myself at will, without any special training. As soon as I found out I could do it by myself, I practiced everyday. Believe me, it got me out quite a few scrapes with my parents after the pranks I used to pull. No matter how much my parents scanned me, I kept coming up innocent. I think they started to catch on, though, when my mother actually saw me put cayenne pepper on my sister's cereal. Yet later, when she quizzed me about it, I came up clean." Steve winced at the next memory. "I can still remember the beating my father gave me after that one! 'For all those times you didn't get caught", he had said. Well, I guess I deserved it. But my parents never said anything about my ability and, after that, they were careful to mask any of their thoughts when others were around just in case. I think they were afraid that I would be taken for research and possible training myself. Lewis was just starting to make a name for himself with his successful chameleon program, especially due to its effectiveness in the genetic cleansing movement, and they were sure I'd be pulled for it if they said anything about my 'gift'. Their silence is what saved me and Alex from discovery."
"So, how did Alex continue to live once you had him hidden away? You didn't secretly make him live in a cave all that time?"
"Well, I know he acts like a 'caveman' at times, but, no, I didn't make him live there. Actually, he stayed in the cave only for a short while. After I brought him there, I used the next few days to learn about the human foster care system. Then I had Alex walk into one of their agencies, stating that he'd been abandoned. I hid myself and observed where they were going to send him. They put him with a nice family who had lost a son in the Vietnam war a few years earlier and who treated Alex very well. I was glad for that, at least. Anyway, on his first night with them, I stole into his room to talk to him. You see, even if he wasn't considered too bright by our species, he was a genius by human standards. Once he showed some intelligence, they'd test
him and, in time, who and what he really was would come out. His life depended on not rousing their suspicions. Anytime he was tested, he made sure he failed or scored just enough points to classify himself as 'special'."
"So, you trained him to act like he was 'slow', even by human standards. Therefore, nothing much would be expected of him and he could slide by until he was old enough to be on his own. That was quite a plan you devised at ten years old, Steve."
"Eight years old. I was eight when this happened. Alex is my older brother. Anyway, I kept tabs on him no matter what family he lived with. Because he was considered 'special', he wasn't expected to develop a lot of the social skills an average child would have. That's why he's sort of gruff and has nothing short of an addiction to television. That was the one thing he could entertain himself with no matter where he lived. Once I grew up and established myself in a career, I had Alex move in with me. He'd been in adult homes before that. But, believe me, he was a trial to live with. He can be a regular slob when I'm not on his back, as I'm sure you've noticed. He needed his own place before he drove me completely insane."
"How did he mange to live on his own?" Tom wondered.
"I encouraged him to get a job. He mostly took jobs in maintenance and other forms of manual labor to support himself. He also had his rent subsidized by the social services system, which helped him get by. Then one day, he filled in as a driver at one of his jobs, and he found that he had a special talent in that area. Good response time, good instincts, and so he drove light equipment vehicles, taxis, and then limos for a while. Once I joined the coexistence movement, I was able to bring Alex in. So now he drives for the Alliance, although I generally try to request him for myself." Steve looked at Tom. "So, there you have it. Our life history. What do you think?"
"Well, Steve, I think you did a wonderful thing with Alex. Really. He owes his life to you. It's unbelievable that someone so young came up with this plan and kept it going through all these years." Then Tom hesitated. "But ..."
"But? But what? Steve questioned.
"Nothing. It's really not my place to say anything." Tom looked away from Steve's quizzical stare.
"No, you're not stopping there, my friend, finish what you wanted to say."
"What I was going to say was that even though Alex owes you his life, isn't it time he got a life of his own? Isn't it about time you let him grow up?"
"What do you mean?"
"It seems to me that Alex has been playing dumb for so long that he believes he really is. I almost thought that myself. He looks up to you, relies on you, as though you were a parent and he falls into whatever pattern you've prepared for him. Don't you think that it might be time for him to start making his own decisions, apart from you."
Steve stared long and hard at Tom. "You know, you were right the first time. It really isn't your place to say anything. You weren't there all those years protecting him, masking yourself continually so you wouldn't leak out his existence."
"Steve, I'm not making light of what you did. You're right, I wasn't there. Anymore than you were in the cage with me, but don't you think I can help you and Alex just a little, the way you've helped me? I'm just saying that maybe you could let the leash slack a bit on Alex. Let him start making decisions more for himself than always looking to you to solve all his problems."
"Alex? Make decisions? He doesn't know how, unless it's deciding what movie to watch or what he wants to eat. Maybe he has been playing dumb so long he thinks he is, and maybe I've contributed to it, but it's what he's grown used to."
"And what you've grown used to? What about your life? Don't you want more for yourself than taking care of Alex? Maybe a family of your own ..."
Steve sent Tom a look that could kill and Tom held his tongue. The Steve calmed himself. "Look Tom, I know what you're saying is probably true. I've even thought about it a hundred times myself, that letting him go might be good for him ... and for me. But change is not so easy, not when the both of you have grown accustomed to the status quo. And I still worry about him. He's not used to making decisions on his own ... that's what I've done for him since we were children. Besides, what would he do without me? Where would he go if he quit this job?"
"I'm not saying he's got to stop seeing you or working with you. You're both fortunate that you still have each other and remember your life together and with your family. It's more than I have. Just give him a little more credit, that's all. If you start treating him as though he's smarter, he'll begin to act that way as well. After all, it worked the other way around, didn't it?
Steve nodded and thought about what Tom had just said. Well, he knew this day would one day come. Nobody stays a child forever. Maybe it was time to let Alex expand his horizons. They would still be bonded to one another, no matter what. "Maybe I'll give it a try, Tom."
Tom reached out and squeezed Steve's shoulder. "It'll work out. I know it will. Do it gradually and give it time. Alex may yet surprise you."
Then Tom sat back and shook his head. "It's hard to believe that our people could allow that kind of treatment of its own kind, labeling individuals as undesirable and then murdering them all in the name of genetic purity. What kind of person would even suggest such a thing?"
Steve look up at Tom's furrowed face. "Do you really want to know?"
"Yes." Tom said expectantly.
Steve eyes turned to steel as he remembered back twenty-six years. "Your mother."