The Iso-Stasis Experiment (The Experiments) (43 page)

It would become his nightly routine. Jake would make rounds through the building, checking all doors, armed and ready at every corner he turned. He was now armed with something besides a gun. Hooked to his belt by the yellow trigger was a squirt bottle that once held window cleaner but now was filled with John’s cologne. Always near Cal, Carlos and Rickie were similar items. They were ready for the beast when it returned. They had their plan. It was gone over constantly, embedded in their minds.
 
They would lead it outside and draw the attention of the wolves. Jake knew it wouldn’t be long before it would attack again.

Jake raised the ladder to the roof and lowered the hatch. He had stepped up there to listen. He couldn’t see anything; the moon wasn’t full enough to cast enough light. Returning from the roof, Jake was somewhat disappointed that couldn’t hear it. That noise, that call couldn’t be heard, but Jake sensed he was there. He could feel it deep within his bones.

Jake didn’t like to be gone, especially if Cal was sleeping, but he knew she was still up so he allotted himself a few more moments. Jake turned when he heard quiet unexpected footsteps coming to join him.

“Hey.” Cal, her arms folded, approached him. “You should be inside. It’s cold.” She rubbed her arms. “What are you doing, thinking?”

“Watching and waiting,” Jake said and pulled Cal close. “I’m hoping, too.”

“Jake . . .” She raised her head to look at him. ”Not to be a damper and all, but . . . I don’t think we’re going to be able to trap him. He’s smarter than that.”

“Why do you say that?” Jake asked.

“He’s hunting us.” Obviously deep in thought, Cal looked out again. “He’s bigger than us and stronger. He knows he doesn’t go down that easy. If this is a game to him, a hunt, then why doesn’t he go after us all at the same time?” Cal spoke with confidence knowing what she was saying held frightening truths. “I think it’s too easy. He wants to make us sweat. He needs that thrill. He’s the hunter . . . and we’re his prey.”

“Cal! Get to the roof, now!” Jake shouted to her over the loud cries of the creature as it stood arms extended in attack mode facing Jake. Holding his shotgun, he kept Rickie safely behind him. “Hurry with that door, Rickie.”

“Right away, Sarge.” With a window cleaner bottle under his arm, a rush of excitement and fear, Rickie raced to the front door, prying off the two by fours. “One . . . second.”

Jake backed up leading the thing into the gathering room. “Come on,” he said, baiting it. “Come on. Look at you. Get me.” Jake kept moving at a steady pace. With a fury the thing swung forth and Jake threw his head back, giving it a taunting laugh. “Ha! Look how slow you are you stupid mother fucker.” He felt the blast of cold air on his back. “Come on!”

The beast stopped, seeming to know it was being lured, and turned around to go back in.

“Carlos, now!”

Seeing the creature heading toward him, Carlos used a lighter and Jennifer’s can of hair spray to throw a long flame at the thing causing him to squeal and turn back toward Jake.

He was close enough that Jake could poke him with the shotgun and step back. “Rickie, you get back out of the way.” Jake moved through the doorway with the angry beast following. The smell of the thing was soon overshadowed by the scent of cologne as Rickie began to blast him the second he went by.

Feeling the hard ground become a soft snow, Jake used his own trigger bottle to blast away at the thing that used to be Griff.
 
He watched the door to the building close. He knew it would be seconds before Rickie and Carlos were on the roof. Jake led it further outward, but not so far that he couldn’t leap to the safety of the rope dangling from the roof. “A little further,” Jake called, beckoning it. He raised his eyes and saw Cal perched on the roof which gave him a sense of security.

The thing groaned louder, the misty white breath coming from his foul mouth making a cloud around him.

Cal’s heart beat faster. She was ready. “Jake, now?”

Jake shook his head, moving in circles not letting it go anywhere. He shifted his eyes. “Cal, fire into the hillside and start them moving. We can’t wait.”

Cal fired a single shot from her rifle and the rumbling began.

Jake avoided the swipes of the huge hands that he knew could tear him apart. He moved toward the rope, feeling the ground vibrating with the heaviness of the approaching wolf stampede.

Cal aimed at the thing. Her breathing grew heavier the closer the wolves drew. “Jake?”

“Not yet!” Jake cried and pumped his shot gun moving ever closer to the rope.

The wolves were so close to Jake, one leap was all it would take and they would be on him. Cal knew there were too many to take out if they went after him instead of the thing.

The beast glowered as it noticed Jake’s attention was no longer on him. With a loud cry the beast stepped toward Jake and prepared to lunge with the wolves no more than fifteen feet away.

“Jake!”

“Now!” Jake yelled and began to fire with Cal. The beast’s body shook with every hit it took, but still did not go down. Ceasing fire, Jake leaped out and grabbed the rope and clung to it as the wolves launched themselves at him. They slammed against the building, missing him as he flew up the rope. Climbing up to a safe distance, Jake paused and watched as the wolves surrounded the creature, barking, growling and pulling at him.

The beast struggled to his feet fighting off the pack that was growing in numbers around him. He ran, pulling those who had hold of his flesh along with him.

From the roof they watched as the beast disappeared into the moving blur of the wolf pack near the hillside.

Jake did not join in the celebration shouts of Rickie and Carlos who stood behind him jumping up and down. Jake merely stood near the edge of the roof with his focus toward the hillside. He listened for something that would confirm the end to the creature’s reign but didn’t hear it. What he did hear, he was certain no one else did. It wasn’t what he wanted to hear. What he heard was the distant painful yelps of the wolves as they fell, one at a time, until there was silence.
No.
Jake lowered his eyes, and then lowered his head.

“Jake?” Cal called out softly to him, moving closer. “What’s wrong?”

Jake shook his head.
No, maybe I’m wrong. Maybe it did fight back, but it can’t take them all. Not all of them. No way, there were too many. It’s quiet now. Maybe they got him
. “Nothing, it’s nothing Cal.” He reached his hand out placing it behind her head and he pulled her into him. He wasn’t going to say anything. Why should he, he wasn’t sure.

Cal felt his grip, the grip that didn’t want to let go. “You sure you’re fine?”

“Positive.” He brought his lips down to kiss the top of her head, his eyes never leaving the far off hillside. “That was excellent shooting today, Cal, excellent.”

“Thanks.” She stayed in his arms. “We unloaded a lot into him.”

Jake closed his eyes and let his heart sink. “Yeah, I know.” It was a reality he didn’t want to face. How much they continuously fired and how much was wasted. Yes, Jake had come prepared to protect himself, more so than anyone else, but even he hadn’t come prepared enough for what they now faced.

Aldo watched Stewart, Graison’s investor, more than he listened to Dr. Jefferson who was giving his opening comments at the meeting. Yet another investor was missing from the meeting. Running his finger down his mustache he wondered where Stewart’s mind was. Somehow he didn’t look quite as arrogant, cocky, as he did earlier. Still, he had that look of confidence on his face, a look that Ivan and Douglass, Rickie and Carlos’ investors, did not.

Aldo would have felt a little more confident, if he hadn’t been worried so much about Griff. He knew by the tapes that everyone thought they killed it, everyone that is except Jake. Aldo could see that look in his eye. Jake had something in the back of his mind and Aldo would bet his fortune it was Griff.

Maybe it was the drop in Dr. Jefferson’s voice that got Aldo’s attention, but more so he believed it was the word ‘metamorphosis’ that made him listen up. Shifting his focus, and his chair, Aldo turned his attention to Dr. Jefferson.

“The metamorphosis has made its way again to the far entrance of the controller’s tunnel,” Dr. Jefferson explained. “He did this for protection from the wolves and for a place to let his wounds heal, to rejuvenate himself. Our scientists tell us he sustained a lot of injuries and is now in a deep sleep stage. When severe rejuvenation is needed, the deep sleep could last some time. Our participants may have a Christmas break, so to speak.”

The comment ‘oh, that is so weak’ coming from Stewart’s mouth made Aldo see red. With a slamming hand he faced the scrawny little man. “What is your problem? Haven’t they seen enough to warrant a break? Let them celebrate the birth of our Lord for Christ’s sake.”

“Let’s have a winner and end this game!” Stewart argued. “It’s dragging on. Only one other experiment had this many people left after nearly five months. End it. It’s ridiculous.”

“You’re ridiculous,” Aldo said pointing at him. “And you’re getting on my nerves.”

Stewart didn’t a response for Aldo. He faced Dr. Jefferson instead and asked, “Does the stasis know what he’s doing?”

“Yes. He still has
Griff’s
mind and
Griff’s
ability to see things in his demented way.” Dr. Jefferson explained. “He is different than the last ones or the ones we have in the basement lab. Griff is brilliant. Most serial killers are. Not only was his body metamorphosed but also his mind. The DNA transformation is remarkable. Up there now we don’t just have an unleashed beast, we have a master hunter.”

Aldo, holding a pen, waved it at Dr. Jefferson. “Did you steal that from Cal? The other night on the tape she made a similar comment. Is she correct or did you just like her phrasing?”

“In essence, she is absolutely correct. They are being hunted. Only we feel it is more strategic. We believe the Stasis is hunting them one at a time, making them hold their breath between kills as he moves from weakest to strongest. We think he’s saving Graison for last. Realistically, if he eliminated Graison now, the rest would be too easy. The thrill, the challenge would not be there for him. Actually Griff knows it is a game. I guarantee you he wants to win.”

Slumping, Ivan looked up. “So who’s next? Obviously it isn’t Graison.”

Arrogantly Stewart answered. “Cal. It has to be.
 
He took her out once and she’s a woman.”

“Get the fuck out of here,” Aldo shouted. “She’s tougher than any of those men up there. It’s not going to be Cal.”

“We don’t think so either,” Dr. Jefferson said. “The observer’s poll has someone picked and we the scientists have to agree with them. We believe the next participant to meet their fate at the hands of the Stasis will be . . . Rickie.”

Douglass dropped his head.

Jake had given it a lot thought over the past couple of days. It stayed forward in his mind along with the creature Jake hoped had met its demise. It had been quiet since the wolf incident. He hadn’t heard the thing cry out in that taunting manner it normally did. Jake was starting to feel secure in the fact that perhaps he and the others may have actually brought it down. A part of him though, would not give in to that belief.

He stood there half dressed, the top drawer to his dresser open, staring down at what he held in his hand. The grey velvet covered box, no larger than two inches by three, fit almost hidden in the palm of his large hand. He let his fingers caress the softness of it as he debated in his mind on what he should do.

Jake really wanted to give it to Cal. A part of him wanted to give her something, something that showed her how he felt. And what he held in that box summed it up more than any words he could say and would had a hard time telling her anyway. It would be so easy if circumstance were different. He could just give her it. But with it being Christmas, he didn’t want what was in that box to be taken out of context. Jake didn’t want Cal to feel that he
 
just wanted to hand her something. That wasn’t it at all. Jake wanted Cal to have it, and since it was Christmas, he now had an excuse to give it to her, not a just a reason.

The silencing of the blow dryer told Jake that Cal would be stepping from the bathroom soon. Quickly he placed the box back in his drawer and shut it.
 
He could hear Carlos and Rickie’s laughter coming from the next room. He guessed Carlos laughed at Rickie, even Jake had to admit to himself that Rickie’s singing was funny. And it helped some with the unexplained nervousness he was feeling.

“Can you hear that?” Cal stepped out of the bathroom pointing back with her thumb. “Rickie’s making up words to
Hark, the Herald Angels Sing
.”

Jake stepped away from the dresser to listen to Rickie singing badly, ‘Mark and Harold made me sing, boring tunes about dumb things—come on Carlos play the right notes.’ Jake shook his head and laughed. “Sometimes, and I hate to admit it, he really makes me laugh.”

“Why don’t you go join them, Jake?”

“No.” He shook his head. “I’m staying with you.”

“I got all the glue out of my hair . . . finally.” Cal set her brush on her dresser and Jake moved it over three inches to a more appropriate place. Opting not to yell at him, Cal grabbed his hand and put it to her hair. “It’s soft now, just like you like it.”

Jake’s fingers ran through it. “It’s getting long.”

“Not all of us have the convenience of being our own barber. Why don’t you let your hair grow some?”

“Oh, I hate my hair long. It’s way too curly.”

“You have curly hair?” Cal reached up to rub the buzz.

“It’s really curly hair.”

“Jake . . .” She moved to him.

Rickie knocked once and stepped in. “Sarge, Cal.” He cleared his throat. “You two are cordially invited to attend a most bodacious Christmas celebration in the other room. Carlos and I would like very much if you guys would join us. We’re going to do a little concert, exchange gifts, and . . . enjoy the sparkling tree we made.” He looked to Jake who watched Cal. “Cal-babe, what do you say?”

“I’m sorry, Rickie.” Cal shook her head. “I just don’t celebrate Christmas.”

“Why, are you Jewish?”

A smile broke on Cal’s face. “No . . .”

“Jehovah’s Witness?”

“No, I . . .”

“Atheist,” Rickie continued.

“Rickie, it’s not that. It’s just I . . .”

“Cal-babe, come on and enjoy and celebrate the birth of our savior.” He placed his hand on his chest and lowered his head. “Besides, I worked really hard on that tree. Carlos and I ran outside real fast to pull out of that bush in front of the door.”

Cal felt bad. “Rickie, I just don’t want to celebrate Christmas since Jessie is gone.”

“Why? Didn’t she like Christmas?” Rickie asked.

“She loved it.”

“So why did you stop having it for her?”

“Rickie,” she whispered. “She’s not with me.”

“Babe, that is not true. She’s like, always here. So like, why don’t you and the big guy come on over to the wish gift exchange and you can shower your kid with gifts.” Rickie nodded as if saying, so there.

There was no more hesitation in Cal.

^^^^

Jake didn’t sit on the floor with them; he stood leaning against the wall, arms folded, watching and listening.

“And finally . . .” Carlos said. “Because I’m being the generous guy this year, I’m giving you, Rickie, the entire video collector’s edition of Scooby-Doo.”

“Dude.” Rickie smiled. “That rules. Thanks. Now it’s my turn.” He cleared his throat as his hands moved out with pretend gifts. “Ah, yes, this is for Carlos.” He extended his hand to Carlos. “It’s strings for your guitar, a small case of them.”

Carlos smiled. “Thanks.”

“I’m the sensible shopper, guy. Cal-Babe, I got you a tee shirt.”

Cal pretended to take the package. “What kind?”

“It’s black with a skeleton evil looking thing, a cool one. And this is for you, Sarge.” Pretending, Rickie tossed an ‘air’ gift Jake’s way. “Sarge, you’re supposed to catch it. It’s a hat to cover up that bald thing you got going on with your head. And finally. . .” Rickie turned to the empty spot next to Cal. “Jessie-Babe, for you I give you a dozen CD’s that will drive your mother nuts.” Rickie looked up to Jake. “Sarge, it’s your turn.”

Jake walked into the room. “I’m not the gift giving guy, so basically, Carlos and Rickie . . . you are screwed. But Cal . . .” He moved to her and crouched down beside her. He extended the grey Velvet box and flipped the lid. “I got this five years ago for saving Chuck’s life. I always carry it. You’ve saved my life more than once up here and I want you to have it.”

Cal stared at it, speechless, and the room was quiet, but only briefly.

“Sarge,” Rickie spoke up. “That’s got to be like, the sappiest thing I ever saw. Weren’t you like, embarrassed to do that in front of us?”

Jake’s head lowered and he gave a groan of frustration.

^^^^

Something was up. Wrong. Jake knew it. After returning to their room, Cal sat at the desk, the medal before her, just staring at it. She hadn’t said anything to him at all. After waiting long enough for the silence to break, Jake approached her. “Hey?” He stopped before her.

“Why did you give this to me?”

“I never had someone special to share Christmas with. I wanted to do this. You know, Cal, I was thinking, what I wouldn’t give to had been rampaging around the crowded malls with all those rude people, just to shower you with gifts. That is something I’ve never gotten to do. I would have given you this eventually. It’s just that Christmas seemed like a good time.” He watched her lift the lid.

“Jake,” Cal spoke soft and lifted the small gold medal from the box. “How can I put this . . . I can’t . . . I can’t take this from you.”

“Yeah, you can.” He cupped her hand around it. “It would mean a lot to me. No one, with everything you’ve been through, deserves this more than.”

Cal was speechless. Words wouldn’t even come from her mouth. She moved her lips to mouth the words ‘thank you’ and softly she kissed Jake. “It’s a great gift.” With a gentle smile she placed the medal back in the box and closed the lid. She grabbed Jake’s hand and laid the box in it. “Thank you for it.”

“What are you doing?” He looked down at it.

“Jake, I cannot take this from you. It wouldn’t be right or fair.” She cupped her hands over his. “The thought of you wanting me to have this is
 
gift enough for me. It means so much.”

Jake partially closed his eyes and his tilted his head. “Cal, I need you to know how much it means to me for you to have this. I want you to take this. Please.” He extended the box. Cal just looked into his eyes but didn’t reach for it. With lowered eyes, Jake stepped back. “I apologize for putting you on the spot with this at the gift exchange. I shouldn’t have done that.” He turned his back to her and took the box back to his dresser. He opened the drawer and stared at the box gripped so tightly in his hand he could have crushed it. Jake took a deep breath and swallowed deeply before returning it to its spot. He was wrong in his thinking that giving the gift to Cal would be hard to do. Having her not take it was even harder. But that wouldn’t be for long, Jake knew. And as if it were a game, he would win, he vowed that Cal would end up with the medal whether she wanted it or not.