Phantom Shift-Blastema

This is Part Three in a series. You can read Part One and Part Two here.

Cling, cling, the bell rang as Raul exited Haberdashers. BUMP!

“Oh, sorry, excuse me,” Raul said as he bumped into Alexis.

“Aw, fuck!” Alexis exclaimed looking down at the hot coffee spilled on her hand. “It’s fine, man. Thanks for getting the door.”

Thunk, thunk, thunk, the sweet Virginia rain tapped gently on the window as Mariam sat quietly contemplating what just happened. She was sure the man that just left was Jason.

Why would he say, “call me what you like, but they call me Raul.” Why Raul? Why would you pretend to be someone else, when it’s obviously you, Jason? You even have the same scar from Jason’s time in Caracas. That stupid U-shaped scar from a Kalashnikov under folding stock just below his hairline, on the right side of his forehead. He always tried to cover it with his hair. But it never quite worked, because the scar went slightly up into his hairline, making an unnatural part. Jason, I don’t know what is going on with you. Or why you don’t seem to remember me, but I hope you come back to me soon.

Alexis continued over to the counter, where she saw Mariam in a dejected state. “Hey, what’s got ya down bud?”

Mariam always found it enduring that Alexis called everyone she was friendly with bud, regardless of gender. For a long-time, she thought it was a holdover from Alexis’s old life. But, as Alexis had explained, it was something she had picked up from her granddad, and it just never went away.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN, WHAT’S WRONG!? DIDN’T YOU SEE WHO THAT WAS?” Mariam snapped at Alexis.

“Naw, sorry, I was distracted by the scolding hot liquid dripping down my sleeve. Anyone I know?” Alexis responded as she unwound the paper towels from behind the counter.

“It was Jason,” Mariam said with a rasping voice.

“Are you sure? He’s been gone for a while. I know he usually tells us when he’s going to be out of town, but it’s not the first time he’s ghosted the club. Besides, didn’t smell like him,” Alexis said as she wiped the coffee from her hands and coat.

“Didn’t smell like him?” Mariam responded in a perturbed tone. “What the hell do you mean?”

“That man I passed smelt like a poor attempt at covering the smell of dank wood and dirt. Like he’s been sleeping in the woods for a while and thought a single shower would wash that all away. Trust me I know that smell. It’s how I used to smell after a field op when I was a Ranger. Jessica would always let me know. Oh the irony of her teaching me how to take care of myself. Anyway, what’s in the boxes?”

“I don’t know, haven't opened them. It’s only been me here today. It’s been slow, but I’m also working on my thesis. I know they’re our gun and outdoor magazines, Omega is our main distributor for those,” Mariam responded as she wiped the dirty chai latte dripping from the side of her cup.

“Oh, sweet. Do you mind if I pop one open? Hell, I’ll even stock them,” Alexis asked as she tapped on top of one of the boxes.

“Go for it. I can probably talk Bob into letting you keep one you like for your trouble,” Mariam said as she sipped her drink, “anything that lets me focus on this. Thanks for the coffee by the way. Sorry I was in a shit mood when you got here.”

“It’s cool. I know you just want to see your beau again. What are you getting your master’s in again?”

“Astronomy, with an emphasis in deep space telemetry,” Mariam responded as she cut the top box open, “it’s been hell coming up with an interesting, unique title in a field that almost requires you to have the most milquetoast title.”

“Yeah, that’s why I took the smart route and stopped at my bachelor's. Hell, I don’t even use my degree, it just got my foot in that security management door. Well, that and being a Ranger for 8 years didn’t hurt,” Alexis said as she pulled a stack of magazines from the box, “you can’t tell me Doctor Mariam Dehghani isn’t going to sound nice when you’re done.”

“It will. Then again, if my parents have their way, I’d be Doctor ‘Whatever my Husband’s Last Name is,’” Mariam responded.

“Yeah, in case you can’t tell, I’m not one for tradition. I don’t remember where I got it from, but one of the greatest things I’ve ever heard is that ‘tradition is just peer-pressure from the dead.’ Aw, sweet!” Alexis exclaimed at the sight of the next stack of magazines.

“What?” Mariam inquired.

“The latest issue of Ballistic has a review of the FM-15,” Alexis responded.

“FM-15? Is that some kind of plane?” Mariam asked.

“No, it’s this new rifle from Foxtrot Mike. It’s an AR with a forward charging handle and folding stock. Do you know what I would have given to have one of these in Iraq? It’s hell trying to shoot or exit a vehicle with a fixed-stock, full-size rifle. That’s why we liked carrying the AK under folders we would pick up on ops. Well, one small step forward at a time. Anyway, you better get to work girly, before the rest of the club gets here,” Alexis said as she pointed at Mariam’s computer, “also, Bob would be very disappointed if you were sitting on your ass for nothing.”

“You’re right. Let me get cracking. Wouldn’t want to leave the group hanging?” Mariam said as she wiggled her mouse to wake her computer.

******************************************************************************

7:00 pm, the Veteran Writers of Washington began their meeting. They began their meeting in the usual manner, word games of course. Followed by a few rounds of round-robin discussion where everyone presented their current project. Then the group critique of each author’s last submission, and the last thirty-ish minutes always degraded into a series of jokes and the general clamor of friends before parting ways. Toward the end of the meeting, Les, an aging Vietnam vet approached Mariam.

“Hey sweetheart, Alexis told me a bit about what happened. Take it from an old-timer, sometimes men are idiots. I should know, I’ve been one for 80 years,” Les said with his smile.

Mariam always wondered how a man that had lost half of his teeth to a bullet, before spending 8 months in a Viet Cong POW camp could stay so cheerful. Suppose once you’ve been through hell, you either grow bitter or embrace the joy of being on the other side.

“You’ve been what for 80 years? A man? An idiot?” Mariam said jokingly.

“Yes,” Les responded with his usual wink and grin, “I know it hurts now, but take it from me, time heals all wounds.”

“I know, Les. And thank you,” she said as they hugged goodbye.

“Mariam, Mariam, my dear, why don’t you go home early. I’ll clean up,” Bob said, as he carried two arms full of folding chairs.

“I’m fine, Bob. Besides, I can’t let you pick this all up on your own,” she responded, as she snapped the lid back onto the appetizer tray.

“I can stay, and help Bob. I’m still on my med leave remember? Besides, I think your stress is getting to you. We all miss Jason. But I think between school, and you worrying about him, your brain is overloaded. Go home, sweety, we got this,” Alexis said with a reassuring touch of Mariam’s shoulder.

“Uh, yeah, I guess if you’re all insistent on it. Thank you, guys. Bob, I’ll see you tomorrow. Alexis, be good for Bob, I got him to agree to one magazine. Don’t let anything else walk out of here while he’s here,” Mariam said as she reached her arms around Alexis.

“Will do. Stay warm, and have a gudden,” Alexis said, as she squished Mariam goodbye.

******************************************************************************

8:55 pm. Bob and Alexis began to close the store.

“Sir, the store will be closing in five minutes,” Bob told the man near the back of the store.

“No, problem. I think I found what I’m looking for,” the man responded, as he pulled a small black book from the shelf, and headed for the front.

“Have a goodnight,” Bob told the man as he turned to head to the front.

The man continuously checked his surroundings as he made his way to the front. Just as he was he cleared the last bookshelf near the front, he slipped the book into the inner pocket of his coat. But Alexis could see the bulge on the left side of his coat.

“HEY, WHAT’RE YOU DOIN’?” She screamed at him. Catching the sight of her coming towards him, he bolted for the door. FUCK! She thought as she saw him break for the door. She sprinted after him.

“COME HERE!” She screamed, reaching for him. But she managed only to grab his left lapel before the man turned. Turning into her outstretched left arm, the man began to draw the compact Sig from his waistband. But as he did, the man slipped on a patch of ice, forcing his arm to swing up. Alexis had also lost her grip as the man fell. As he hit the ground, he let off a wild shot. Yet, it was accurate enough to put Alexis on the ground, spraying blood through the air.

Sitting up, the reality of what the man had done shocked him out of the stupor of hitting his head on the ground.

“Oh god, oh god. No, no, no,” the man said, crawling over to Alexis’s body. The man threw up at the sight of her blood-splattered face.

“HEY, HEY. WHAT’RE YOU DOING?” A deep growling voice shouted from across the street. The large, looming figure of a man wearing a dark, hooded coat began running towards Alexis’s assaulter. He scrambled to grab his pistol and checked his pocket for the book before making a run for it.

“HEY, HEY YOU GET BACK HERE!” Was the last thing the man heard, before dipping into an alley. As he ran through the alley, the sound of sirens pierced the air.

It wasn’t supposed to go that way. If Jason hadn’t got the book by accident, they’d both still be alive. Fuck, this better be worth it. The man thought as he approached the wall to the bike path.

Reaching the wall, he gingerly lifted himself the three feet to the top and turned his feet to the other side. As he began to slide his body down the other side, he could feel the wall scrape his glutenous midsection. But he had to dangle himself as far down as he could, so he could make the six-foot drop on the other side without injuring himself. Dropping down into the mud, he felt his feet break the thin layer of ice, and sink into his ankles.

“DAMN IT!” The man exclaimed in frustration. No time for that now. Got to keep moving. He told himself, as he pulled his feet free of the thick Virginia soil. Making his way down the hill, he lost his footing again and slid the rest of the way to the bottom. Checking his pockets once again, he felt the emptiness in his right coat pocket.

“Fuck,” he whispered. Pulling his phone out, he turned on the flashlight. “Come on, come on,” he mumbled to himself, as he searched the mud. There it is, he thought as the silver of the Sig 1911 compact glinted back at him. Grabbing his weapon out of the earth, he shoved it back into his pocket.

This is why I was never a field operative. I didn't mean to kill Alexis. It just happened. She didn't have to grab me like that. I just wanted to scare her. I was stupid enough to have my finger in the trigger guard. And the ice just happened to be there. How will I ever look Jessica in the eye again? The man thought as he walked solemnly down the bike path.

He continued down the path for half an hour, before reaching his car. Approaching his car, he pushed the button to unlock his car. Approaching the driver’s side, he caught his reflection in the back passenger window. I can’t go home looking like this. Hell, I can’t even stop for anything without raising suspicion.

Settling himself into his front seat, he made a call. First, he hit the button on the dash for the roadside service.

“OnStar, how may I help you?” The voice on the other end of the line asked.

“Ugh, yes, I’m pulled over on the south side of the Arlington Memorial Bridge. I have a flat,” he answered.

“Okay. I see where you are. I’ll send a truck out right away,” the customer service rep replied.

The man sat quietly in his car for a few minutes, before opening his email, canceling the flat service, and deleting the email. Then he opened his rideshare app, and ordered a ride, marking his pick-up location as the convenience store across the street from the parking lot, and his destination as the nearest store that sold clothes at that hour.

Then, as he waited for his ride, he made another call.

“Hi, hun. How’s work?” he asked.

“Everything’s been good. Just a little busy with Alexis out unt—,” a long pause. “I gotta go. See you at home.”

“Okay. Lo—,” the call ended before the man could finish.

Well, it looks like I just gave myself more time than I thought.

******************************************************************************

09:15 pm, Georgetown

The paramedics wheeled Alexis into the emergency room of Georgetown University Hospital.

“Is this the gunshot wound y’all called in, Tom?” Audra, the lead ER, nurse asked.

“Yep. She’s one lucky gal,” Tom, the senior paramedic answered. “If her shooter had been more competent or sturdy, we’d be telling a different story. Then again, the plate in her head did a lot of the heavy lifting too,” Tom continued.

“She has a metal plate in her skull?” Ash, the newest addition to the ER’s night shift asked in a slightly confused tone.

“Yeah, she has a metal plate on the front, left of her skull. It starts just right of the middle of her forehead, and wraps around to the temple,” Tom continued as they pulled Alexis and her gurney into the emergency operating room.

“Thanks for letting us know, Tom. Well, use a CT scan and X-rays first. Thanks for all you’ve done. We’ve got it from here,” Audra assured Tom as he exited the Operating Room.

“Oh, I trust you guys. I know you got it from here. See ya later,” Tom said, as he gave the room a shaka sign on his way out.

Tom approached the front desk of the ER.

“Hey, Caroline, how’s your night going?” Tom asked the front desk receptionist.

“I’m good. I don’t think your new medic was ready for that though. He’s been in the restroom since you got here,” Caroline responded.

“Yeah, this was Flo’s first day. I don’t know what exactly he expected to see as a paramedic. He might just go back to being a dental tech. This life isn’t for everyone,” Tom said as he bit into the strawberry jam donut. “You gotta be able to stomach the worst the world has to offer and still find a way to leave it at work. Or here he comes,” Tom said as he mawed the donut. “Feel better, Casper?”

“Casper?” Florian asked.

“Yeah, you were white as a ghost the whole way over. Don’t get me wrong, you did everything right. But I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone turn that shade of pale without dying”

“Ugh, yeah, sorry,” Florian responded, still visibly shaken.

“It’s alright. Let’s get our supplies and head out,” Tom said, gesturing Florian down the hallway to the EMT supply room.

******************************************************************************

1100 pm, Arlington

The man quietly pulled into his driveway. He had already cut his lights a block up, as to not draw attention from the neighbors, as they would surely gossip or ask him why he was out so late. He only had room for infidelity against his country. But even in this, he had convinced himself that his deed was a noble cause. One that was necessary to keep the powers of the world in check. Watching the garage door open, he breathed a sigh of relief, got out of his car, threw his muddy clothes in the laundry sink, and began to rinse them.

Thank god he’s not home yet. I don’t know how to explain how I wrecked my shoes, or why I’m so scraped up. But at least I have the documents. Now, I just have to keep running Raul.

If Jason knew I was running Raul the whole time. If I could have told him that it was me that had sent the message that brought Raul, the document, and the device here, to our reality, things would’ve gone better. But I couldn’t let him in on that.

It would mean letting not only my crew but also the entire intelligence community know that Taiwan can send messages across to the other realities. Then I would have to explain that I have been working for them for the last five years. And not just collecting or passing on information, but actively recruiting an agent to bring the documents and a device across.

Hell, it took a lot to get Rodrigo to act like he was backing out. Raul didn’t know we needed to keep Rodrigo in place. Raul was just supposed to cross temporarily. We’d send him back with the cash, and technology he needed to bring the US back to par with the Brazilians.

But then it all went sideways. Then the Brazilians from his timeline broke Rodrigo faster than we could’ve ever expected. We knew they’d know the device and documents were gone. But Rodrigo cracked like a cheap glass. It was supposed to be clean. Now, I’m on the hook to help Raul create a new life. At least I’m not starting from scratch. It doesn't hurt that Raul’s Brazilians think he’s dead and already crossed back to their timeline. We have at least three years to figure out what to do about this.

Click, clack, thunk, shh, shh, shh. Shit, he’s home. Time to be “asleep.” I’ll figure this out in the morning. Good night my love. I love you. And hope you can understand what I did, one day.

********************************************************************** Continue to Part 4

_________________________________________________

Thank you for reading my work. If you enjoyed this story, there’s more below. Please hit the like and subscribe button, you can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and if you want to help me create more content, please consider leaving a tip or become a pledged subscriber.

More from this author: