Fathom by Mikel Parry

CH – DARK HORSE

As light shattered his darkness, Demo’s body shot straight forward. But it was out of neither shock nor surprise, but pure anger. He had collected his thoughts together into one vengeful conclusion; he would make Roslin pay for this. They had all been deceived by him, who had assured them a safety net that Dem now knew was gaping with massive holes. Lies, murder, and betrayal—a common recipe for evil—and it now appeared that no one was beyond using it as a means to an end. He leapt of the table and threw all of his weight into an unsuspecting Roslin. As they crumpled to the floor, the room burst into action.

“Get that crazy lunatic off of him! He’s going to kill him!” Jo pitifully pleaded.

Demo’s eyes darted violently back and forth as if still caught up in a dream. But the feeling of Roslin’s neck struggling to breathe beneath his grip was real enough for him. There was a darkness surging in him that beckoned him to press forward, end it, and cleanse the world of one less deviant. This darkness gorged itself on his soul. A small part of Demo took pleasure in thinking about killing Roslin inside his own security blanket of a building. It would be poetic.

“Liar, liar, murderer!” Demo screamed frantically.

“Let go of me! Let go of me!” the choked words slipped from between Roslin’s purple lips as he desperately tried to pry Demo off.

“Demo, get a hold of yourself!” screamed Bob Cat, grabbing him from behind.

Bob Cat’s words stirred a deep feeling of sorrow in the utterly enraged Demo. As the sadness grew, his grip loosened from Roslin’s windpipe. Taking his shot, Bob Cat’s snatched Demo up into the air like a kite on a string. Demo’s feet kicked wildly with unchecked fury.

“What the hell is wrong with him, man? He tried to kill Roslin!” Jo muttered, back-peddling out of the room.

Bob Cat continued to subdue Demo into complacency, throwing a menacing glance at Roslin who was struggling to get back up.

“What’s he talking about? You’ve got some explaining to do!”

Roslin stood up defiantly, straightening himself back into his model of professionalism.

“I said, what is he talking about? Those aren’t words my boy throws around lightly.”

Roslin shook his head while looking away.Demo’s sudden change in allegiance had him baffled. His head dropped to his chest.

“Is it even possible?” he whispered under his breath.

Bob Cat growled, “I said—”

Roslin sharply cut him off this time. “I know what you said! I know what he said! I know all of it! Don’t you get it? I always know everything! I’ll be damned if I take orders from some no name team of losers! It’s best you remember your place, do you hear me?”

Bob Cat released Demo, who was standing on his own finally, but still barely keeping it together. He took an aggressive bound directly towards Roslin, who stood his ground firmly.

“I’ve had enough of you! You chose us, remember? If you think you’ve got all the answers then why even bother?”

Bob Cat looked coiled and ready to strike like a venomous serpent. But a pacifying hand landed on his shoulder and pulled him back. The hand belonged to Demo who was marching past Bob Cat on his way towards Roslin again.

“I’m his new test rat, haven’t you heard? I’m a lot like his old one, Anthony Dredge.”

At the mere mention of the name Roslin’s demeanor changed from powerful and stoic to crumbling and shaken. Bob Cat turned his attention to Demo.

“Anthony Dredge? Who’s that?”

Demo pointed one of his fingers directly at Roslin.

“Why don’t you ask him? In fact, why don’t we ask all of them; Jo, Roslin, and this whole bogus organization? They’ve been telling one lie after another to cover up even more. This wasn’t just about solving a case. This was about the Fathom program. It always has been. You lied about everything. It’s already been tested on one of your own, Anthony Dredge. Now he’s locked away forever inside that sick freak’s head. I sure hope his loss was worth the price of admission!”

Roslin grabbed a chair and flung it against the wall where it splintered loudly into pieces.

“I did what I had to do! Anthony knew what the dangers were, and he still chose to follow through with it! You can’t put this on me when I’m the only one standing between you and a really ugly world, a world you have no idea even exists. A world filled with such evil it’d make you drop down to your knees and beg for mercy! Did I know that Anthony was still inside? Did I know that you’d find him? Does it really matter? Think of the possibilities a machine like this has to offer! This thing is bigger than you, me, or even Anthony!”

Bob Cat spat out some vicious comments in return.

“You dirty bastard! You had us testing out your new toy? What about all the innocent men and woman who’ve been victimized? We just gonna chalk them up, too?”

“I don’t need to justify progress! Without this machine even more innocent people would die! So what if one or two of us becomes collateral? This was never about us; it was about saving lives! Do I wish things could’ve been different? Of course! Do I wish Agent Anthony Dredge was still with us today? That goes without saying! But I’ll be damned if I let all the progress we’ve made this far fall apart over your weak sentimentality!”

Demo closed his eyes and recalled Anthony’s tortured words. He had paid the ultimate price for his hope; the hope that he could help finally bring decades of bloodshed to an end. What did it matter who was to blame for what? If the ferocity of the master puppeteer couldn’t be stopped, who knew what else would happen?

Bob Cat looked poised to launch a vicious assault against the arrogant Roslin, but was halted by Demo.

“Stop. He’s right. He may be a dirty, lying jerk, but he’s right. This is what he wants us to do. He wants us to fall apart, blame each other, turn on each other, and then waste our time while things are tidied up. We’ve all lied to each other. We intentionally kept each other in the dark. The sooner we accept that and get over it, the sooner we can get back to work and end this once and for all!”

Roslin looked at Bob Cat who stood only a few footsteps away now, panting heavily like a bear in case he had to swing into action. Roslin spoke up next.

“Anthony was a friend and a damn good agent. Losing him was like losing the son I never had. But he knew that it was for the greater good. Not a day goes by that I don’t blame myself for the losses here. If I could make it all go away, I would. But I can’t. I can’t stop evil from being evil, any more than I can stop gravity from pulling me down. But I stand against it. I choose to fight back! So it looks like we’ve all got a choice to make now. If you want to walk away and pretend none of this ever happened, you know where the door is. But don’t expect me to shed a tear for you.”

Demo gave Bob Cat a look of concern, and then responded to Roslin’s speech.

“He’s going to do something big soon. He knows us and knows what we’re up to. He’ll stop at nothing now to finish his work. I’ve been so blind, so blind to the obvious. I need a night to put things together. I need to solve this before anyone else we care about dies in some disgusting display of self-indulgence. I’ll also need you to have the Fathom ready for one last trip back to where I just came from. I don’t care how long it takes; it’s where I need to be.”

Demo looked directly at Jo, who quivered and nodded his head.

“Stressing Spencer out like that with constant probing . . . I don’t know if he can maintain. It’s not like he’s got a power cord I can just plug in. The man is, for the most part, human. We might just fry him and the machine if we drag this out too long. He’s been accessed so many times.”

Roslin interjected.

“He’s right; constantly probing him like this could have unwanted long term results.”

“Good thing he’s already dead then,” Demo stated, breaking from the group and beckoning

Bob Cat to follow him. The two walked away, leaving a dumbstruck Roslin and Jo behind.

Are they going to let us walk? Are they going to let us do this?

Demo’s head felt like a pound of cement was solidifying inside of it. But another part of him felt more at ease. He had proven his point. He had driven the nail as far in as possible. Now it just needed to bleed out Roslin’s otherwise impervious, icy heart.

“Where we going, Demo?”

Demo shook his head to clear it, realizing he had been so deep in thought that he had made it from the secretive building to the alley behind it with no memory of making the trip.

“I need to run home and look over some things. Do you have paper and pen on you?”

Bob Cat obliged him by fishing around in his pockets. As he did so a long, slender cigarette plummeted onto the cold, concrete ground.

“I wish you’d stop.”

“I wish I could,” Bob Cat answered, frowning as he picked it back up.

“What is it that you want me to jot down? You know we’ve got technology on our phones for this crap, don’t you? And you do remember we started a fire in that building, right?”

“Not anymore. Mine’s fried, lost it in the river. Who knows what else I dropped back there. And at this point, I couldn’t care less about my apartment. I just need to see it one last time. We’ll be careful and sneak around like we always do.”

Demo let out a sickening cough and a wheeze.

“Demo, you ain’t looking so hot. Maybe take the night to rest on it.”

“Can’t rest, Bobby; I can’t even sleep anymore. I don’t know how much more of this I can take but there’s no other option.”

Demo grabbed the pen and paper from Bob Cat and jotted down a couple lines of info. His head felt like a thousand shards of glass were pressing into it. It was taking everything he had just to stay clear and focused, but he had to take this chance—his gut was telling him to— his gut also told him that if he was right, his days were numbered. It would all be coming to an end. Once finished, he carefully creased the note and slid it into one of Bob Cat’s coat pockets.

“Don’t you want me to read it?”

“Not now.”

“Then when?”

“You’ll know when.”

Bob Cat’s face looked like a maze of lines that formed then disappearing with each change of thought. But he went along with the charade . . . at least for now.

They arrived at Demo’s house in a hazy plume of frost bitten air and exhaust. By the time they made it to the room they looked like they were on the verge of collapsing. Exhaustion, frustration, and a cesspool of mixed emotions were sapping their strength into submission. Demo walked over and picked up an old photo that had been tampered with.

“It really was my fault, Bobby. I’ve got to face that. I’m a killer. With a gun or by pure apathy, I’m a killer. Mike didn’t deserve to die like that. He had so much going for him; a career, natural talent for saving lives, and a beautiful woman that loved him . . . I wiped all that out on that damned night.”

Bob Cat threw his hands in the air.

“So that’s why you’ve dragged us back up here? You want to take a trip down memory lane? What do you want me to blooming say? Yes Demo, it was all your fault you filthy piece of crap? Yes, Mike’s dead because of you? That the world would be better off without you? You guys had something special. You were a great team and you did great things, but dammit, Demo, everybody’s human! You’ve got to realize that and let it go!”

“But I’m not, Bobby! I’m not! I’m not human, I’m not special! All I am is lucky! That’s all I’ve ever been; just one lucky break after another. Don’t you get it, Bobby? This all started with Mike. I don’t have some sort of super power. Nobody likes me and nobody wants me around. I’m a freak; a freak on a chain that gets tugged on when they need me. I don’t even know what I want anymore. Why bother saving the very people who lie, deceive, and belittle you? I’m just some dark horse that succeeds occasionally and then is forgotten. What do I even have after this? Am I really going to spend the rest of my life solving cases for pennies on the dollar? I’ve got nothing, Bobby. Nothing!”

Bob Cat looked saddened by Demo’s remarks.

“You’ve got me and I’ve got you! And that’s all we’ve got now! Jacky’s gone, along with everybody else! But that arsehole Roslin is right! This isn’t about us, Demo. This is about everybody else that’s got someone or something to lose. It’s being taken from them, ripped right out of their bloody hands. I’ve known you for years, but for all your faults, I can say this; you’re a freak, yes! But a freak that’s going to save lives, a freak that’s going to give back to the people something they need—hope. You give them hope, Demo. You give us hope. Ain’t nobody else can do what you do. You may be a freak, Demo, but you’re also a bloody hero.”

Demo felt his emotions humming like a power line. He had never thought of himself as a hero. That would be narcissistic in every way . . . at least so he thought. Maybe Bob Cat was partially right, but he was no hero, of that he was sure. Heroes didn’t feel the way he felt; they don’t fall apart inside. Heroes didn’t let the people around them suffer so much. Heroes didn’t have to lie to everyone, even themselves just to get by. But then again, maybe the world didn’t need a hero right now. Maybe it needed a freak just like him. Demo started to say something when he was cut off by the buzz of the cellphone in Bob Cat’s pocket. He snatched it out and spoke. His eyes bulged in disbelief. Reluctantly he handed the phone to Demo who was completely bewildered.

“It’s for you. It’s Mars.”

“Mars?” questioned Demo, not believing what he had heard.

Demo placed the phone cautiously up to his ear. He was met by an emotional outcry from a very distraught Mars.

“Demo, is that you? You’ve got to get over to Judge Ridding’s apartment! Something’s wrong, something’s very wrong!”

Demo gasped. There were so many things he wanted to ask but he could hear by his tone there wasn’t time.

“I’m going there now! Please hurry. I’m worried about him! I tried to call the local police and they just said they’d look into it! What does that even mean? He could be in serious trouble!”

Mars is worried about Lyle?

The phone went dead.

“What’s that idiot want?” probed Bob Cat.

“We need to go to Lyle’s apartment. Mars is worried something’s happened to him.”

They rushed out of the apartment lightning fast. If Mars was this disturbed there was a reason. With screeching tires they sped off in the direction of the other side of the city.

When they arrived at the humongous luxury complex, they were immediately pounced on by a very agitated Mars.

“Where have you been? I’ve been waiting here forever! We’ve got to hurry!”

Bob Cat grasped Mars by the shoulder and shook him.

“Try and make some stinking sense! Just what the hell are you so wound up about?”

Mars looked pale and exhausted but completely wound up.

“The judge called to advise me on some things but while we were talking he suddenly stopped and said he thought someone was in his house. Next I just hear yelling and fighting. I don’t know what’s going on! What was I supposed to do?”

“Have you tried to get in?” asked Demo.

“No, I didn’t know if I should! What if I went in and he- was . . .”

“Don’t jump to conclusions. One thing at a time, okay? Let’s just get in there and see what’s going on.” Demo said trying to interject some calm into the situation.

Mars is a complete wreck. This is serious.

They hit the buzzer for the door.

“Well, hello gentlemen, may I—-”

“We need to see Lyle and it’s urgent that we see him now!” Mars screamed, losing his cool again.

“Please, ma’am, we need to make sure he’s okay,” added Demo quickly, looking at Mars with thinly veiled disapproval.

“I can assure you, gentlemen, Judge Ridding is doing just fine. He’s up in the loft enjoying his evening tea.”

“To hell with his tea! The man could be dead!” bellowed Bob Cat, letting his own frustration loose.

A long pause followed. For a minute it looked as if they weren’t getting in. But then the security door snapped open. They rushed into the building and elevator in comedic fashion. Their adrenaline was running high. Would they get there in time? Or would they find another murder scene?

Mars began pounding furiously on the judge’s office door.

“Lyle, are you okay? What’s going on?”

“Move aside!” growled Bob Cat lowering his shoulder.

With one football tackle aimed squarely at their obstacle, Bob Cat busted through the magnificent wooden door, sending fragmented splinters into the air. Once inside, they found what they feared most; a scene of pure chaos. Pieces of furniture were flipped over in the center of the opulent room. Broken glass mixed with thick blood splattered the floor. Following the trail through the apartment, they found the judge. . He sat limply tied tightly into a chair. His mouth was gagged shut and his hands and feet were carefully bound.

“He’s dead! Somebody’s killed the judge! I’m calling the police!” screamed Mars running from the room.

Bob Cat stepped up to the judge and felt his wrist.

“He’s alive. He’s got a pulse.”

Demo worked to bring Lyle back to consciousness. When he finally came to, he let out a shriek of pure terror.

“No, please don’t! Please don’t hurt me anymore! I don’t know anything!”

Demo placed his hands on Lyle’s shoulders pressing down on them firmly to assure him he was safe.

“It’s okay, Lyle. It’s okay, it’s Demo; the police are on their way.”

Lyle’s eyes rolled from the back of his head.

“Oh, thank you! Thank you so much! He was going to kill me! He broke through the window and attacked me! If you hadn’t have gotten here when you did, I don’t know what else he would have done to me!” .

Demo left the judge and sprinted to the bashed in window. The icy wind blew through it creating an eerie howl. Looking down, he saw that the fire escape ladder had been unfolded to the ground. A perfect entrance and get away from an otherwise impervious building.

“He must have used the fire ladder on the outside somehow! I don’t know what he wanted from me! He was going to kill me!” Lyle was now sobbing uncontrollably.

Bob Cat joined Demo at the window, peering out of like a hawk.

“Wherever that guy went, he’s long gone now. Good luck tracking that rat through the city streets.”

Demo nodded. It was true. If the man had been able to plan the assault this well, he would have been meticulous in his escape, too. The only saving grace was that they had gotten there in time.

“You’re gonna be alright, Judge Ridding. Help’s on the way,” Bob Cat assured him while he untied his limbs.

Lyle continued to gasp for breath. Tiny pieces of crimson stained glass riddled his body. A few well-placed cuts slashed here and there expoed the underlying muscle. They had made it in the nick of time.

Demo gazed back out into the icy streets of the city. As sirens echoed in the distance, something inside of him felt oddly disgusted; disgusted to the point of pure and absolute repugnancy. So many loose ends . . . Turning to Bob Cat, who was still helping Lyle, he spoke the only two words he could think of.

“Dark horse . . .”