The Reincarnation

John woke up. He heard a familiar scurrying noise, but not being able to place it, disregarded it as he looked out the window. It was still daylight. He showered and toweled off. Naked, he spilled his package from the pharmacy onto the counter. Applying the makeup he had bought to his face and hands, he saw he wasn’t very good at it and it showed. He didn’t concern himself with it, convincing himself he would become better at it in time.

Splashing on some cologne, he figured he would go back to the Lab once it was night, once he could be reasonably sure he would be awake for a while. Why did he flee? Why didn’t he calmly search the rest of the Lab? He panicked, that’s why, he castigated himself. Panicked like a frightened rabbit. Where’s your confidence, boy?

Realizing he couldn’t alter the events of the night before, he decided to go on. Sure, they might be more cautious tonight, but he would be more careful. He went to the bed and checked his pistol.

He would be very, very careful.

Victor Grey acted quickly. He knew the make, model, and year of the car the man was driving. He knew what kind of gun he carried. He knew what kind of boots he was wearing, what size they were. He acted quickly.

“David?” Laura beckoned him. “We’re almost to the border. Wake up.”

David shook off his nap. Hannibal was purring on his lap. “Canada?” he asked, not thinking he had been asleep that long.

“Yes, my sister lives not far from the border. I think we’ll be safe if we stay there for a while.”

“Okay. We can finally get some real sleep. And some real food.” He was famished.

“I’ll call her once we’re close enough. We’ll have to ditch this car and have her pick us up.”

“Good idea. Let’s not take any chances.”

“She lives in a cabin by a lake. It’s very pretty there. I think you’ll like it.”

“Anything is better than what we just drove through, Laura. Anything.”