Page 23 of Concluded
Dee was going to puke.That was what he felt like, anyhow, but he couldn’t seem to do anything but gape stupidly at the naked man writhing in front of him.The man—a Bureau agent—shrieked through a throat that sounded ruined, and his heavy muscles bunched and strained against his bonds.The metal fetters held, but Dee was seriously worried that the long, fresh-looking wound on the agent’s torso would reopen.
The torment seemed to go on forever.Ashley watched with a combination of mild interest and impatience, while Dee simply stood there like a nauseated statue.Eventually the pain must have receded, however, as the agent’s struggles subsided and he lay there, sweaty and panting, eyes closed.
“Are you back with us, Agent Spanos?”Ashley asked sweetly.“Or Achilles, I guess.I think we can be on a first-name basis now.”
Spanos cracked his lids, shuddered, and then opened his eyes more widely.“Water,” he croaked, barely loud enough to be heard.
Ashley seemed to consider this for a moment before shrugging.“In a bit.Listen up first.You too, Dee.”
Pretending not to notice the way Spanos glanced at him, Dee grunted a reply.
“Okay,” said Ashley.“Dee’s already heard a good chunk, and I bet the Bureau’s filled you in on their version of the situation, Achilles.So I’ll keep it short and sweet.There’s a contest going on, and my side’s gonna win because survival of the fittest and all that jazz.We’vebeenwinning for a long time already.But we want to speed things along and get to the finish line, so we’re recruiting folks who can help.Dee’s of special interest to us.”She patted Dee’s shoulder, making him shiver.
Then she continued.“But a Bureau agent falling into our laps, that could be a nice little bonus.One of my colleagues tried that last year and it didn’t turn out so well, but he was an idiot.Plus it turned out that the agent had some unexpected help.I’m way smarter, though, and you’re all alone here, Achilles.I’ll make it simple for you.Join us or die… verrry slowly, and praying desperately for the end.”
Spanos stared at her silently.Dee couldn’t read his expression.
When the standoff continued to an uncomfortable extent, Dee shifted his feet.“Why don’t you just use your power?Like you did on the bus driver?”
“Told you.I can’t make anyone do something unless they want to, somewhere deep in their heart at least.And my suggestions don’t last that long.”She tapped her chin thoughtfully.“I guess I couldwishfor him to make a sensible choice, but I’m not sure whether you could pull that off.It’s a lot easier to build a mansion or create snakes than to permanently affect human will.”
Affect human will.Dee was appalled at the idea of doing that.But a part of him was intrigued.Imagine the things he could accomplish if he could control other people’s thoughts and behavior.Especially if he could do it from a distance.He could end wars.Or start them.Of course, if Ashley was correct in her pronouncements, all of that was moot because soon there would be very few people left to control.
“Jesus,” Dee muttered.
Spanos huffed a broken laugh.
Ashley startled both men by slapping Spanos’s bare flank.“I have things to do.What’s it gonna be?”
After swallowing a few times and clearing his throat, Spanos spoke.“If I say yes, will you trust me?”
“I like the way you think, agent.That’s smart.And no, of course not.I’d need some proof.We can start with you sharing some Bureau info.Names and home addresses of other agents would be a good beginning.But actions speak louder than words, so I’ll need you to do some things a good little Bureau agent would never dream of.You know, like raping and murdering a few innocent civilians.”She rubbed her hands together gleefully.
Spanos swallowed again.It sounded painful.“Why don’t you join us instead?”
“Oh, comeon, Achilles!You’re not even trying.”
“Sure I am.Redemption.”
Ashley waved a hand dismissively.“You can redeem coupons, not people.And I’m perfectly happy right where I am, thanks very much.On the winning side.”
“You’re trying to convince yourself you’ll win, but you don’t really believe it.”
Her lips thinned and she wasn’t beautiful at all.In fact, for a split second she barely looked human.But then she put on her confident smile again, as if it were a familiar mask, and nodded.“I can see you need some time to ponder.Okey-doke.Just remember: this thing I’m about to do?It’s a playful tickle compared to what’s facing you.”She gestured and immediately Spanos started to thrash and scream.
“C’mon, baby,” she said, turning to Dee.She had to speak up to be heard over the noise.“Let’s have a drink.”
“But he’s?—”
“It’ll help him decide.”She took Dee’s hand and led him from the room.He went docilely, aware that she was probably influencing him to obey.Also aware that he truly wanted to get the hell out of there.
Even with the door closed, Dee could hear Spanos all the way down the long hallway.
* * *
The drinksthat Ashley had mentioned turned out to be a pitcher of margaritas for her and a glass of orange juice for Dee, both manufactured via wishes.She insisted they have them poolside on the patio as the afternoon sun disappeared behind the mountains.She didn’t seem to notice the chill settling into the air, even though she wore a flimsy sundress.
“I like the desert,” she announced.She reclined in a lounge chair, her legs crossed at the ankles and her margarita glass in hand.“Not too many people, so it’s cleaner.”
