G Hopf - Driver 8 - A Post-Apocalyptic Novel

Kyle looked at the phone, concern grew to fear. He quickly dialed the number. The phone clicked several times then started to ring.

“This is Operator Fourteen, number to connect,” a woman’s voice said.

“Connect me to Lima Four Two Six,” Kyle said.

“Connecting,” the operator said.

The phone clicked several times.

“Hello,” Portia answered.

“Are you okay?”

She hesitated.

“Portia, are you there?” he asked.

She could hear his troubled tone. “I, I’m fine and you?”

“I was told to call you.”

“You were? Who told you to do that?”

“Number Two, he said I needed to call you. Is something wrong? Did something happen?”

Again she paused not knowing how to answer.

“Portia, tell me.”

“It was an accident, I didn’t mean to be trouble. I just lost my composure,” she stuttered unable to get the right words out.

“Calm down and tell me what happened.”

“You know Melissa, the little…”

He interrupted her and said, “Yes. I remember her.”

“Well, they did a round of tests yesterday and she was picked to be banished. I couldn’t just let her get thrown out without talking to her one last time. Anyway, there was an incident,” she said and paused.

“What happened?”

“I tried to force my way into the holding room and well, a guard had to subdue me. It was really bad, but Number One, he, he’s forgiven me. I just need to do something for him and all will be forgotten.”

“Do what?”

“I don’t know yet. He said he’ll summon me when it’s time. Those were his words.”

Kyle sighed heavily. Number One wasn’t known for giving pardons so if there was one, it was coming at a heavy price.

“I’m sorry,” she cried.

“Don’t, no, don’t cry. You need to think clearly. I need you to not get emotional, do you hear me? I need you strong. Whenever someone is leading with their emotions they make bad decisions.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“It’ll be fine. I’ll be home soon and get this worked out. And don’t accept any deals from Number One until I get back, do you understand? No matter what.”

“Yes, I understand,” she replied. “Kyle?”

“Yes.”

“I’m scared.”

“Don’t be. I’ll be home soon and straighten this all out. I’m going to hang up. Again, don’t accept any deals until I get home.”

“I won’t.”

“I’ll see you soon, bye.”

“Bye.”

When the phone disconnected, Kyle cursed loudly and punched the door. This was the last thing he needed to worry about.

Barry appeared and asked with a sneering grin, “Is she okay? I heard the incident at the infirmary yesterday was quite dramatic.”

Kyle didn’t know what to say and now more than ever he needed to watch what he said. He had already gotten on Barry’s bad side but if Number One had something on Portia he was in a no win situation.

“I hear my dad is going to make her a deal. I can’t remember the last time my dad has done that. Your wife must be quite the enchantress to get my dad to not bring down the hammer of the law against her because I do believe what she did is punishable by banishment.”

Still Kyle was speechless.

“Whatever it is, I know this truth, you lose.”

And right there, it was confirmed. Kyle was in a no win situation. In other words, he knew he was fucked.

“Where my father isn’t one for making deals with the exception of your lovely wife. Maybe you and I can make a deal.”

“And what could you possibly offer? And secondly, why would you ever want to help me? I believe I choked you out, put a knife to your face and threatened to kill you.”

“I can forgive. I’m a man that can be bought.”

“I’m a driver, I don’t have anything of value.”

“Oh yes you do. You have something that is priceless.”

“And what’s that?”

“A reputation.”

Seconds after hanging up with Kyle the phone rang again. She picked it up and said, “Kyle?”

“No, this is Bravo One. There’s a car out front, get in it. It will take you somewhere.”

“But I’m not dressed.”

“Get in the car now,” Bravo One ordered.

She put the phone down, walked to the front door and opened it to find a large SUV parked out front. Should I wait? She asked herself.

The driver exited, stepped around and opened the rear passenger door.

Think Portia, think. Kyle said don’t do anything until he got back .

Seeing that she wasn’t coming, the driver approached and said, “I need you to get in the car.”

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll find out soon enough, now, go get in the car.”

It took all off her strength to take that first step but once she did the momentum took her all the way until she was seated in the back.

When the driver closed the door she heard Number One. “Hi Portia, are you ready to know what this unorthodox plan is?”

Kyle sat quietly, both of hands on the steering wheel in a white-knuckle grip. His teeth grinding and jaw clenched as he stewed over his predicament. Barry was right, Number One never offered deals, if he was anything, it was predictable. Knowing Portia was being granted a pardon in exchange for something led him to believe it couldn’t be good. Then there was Barry, he hadn’t asked yet, but he had a good idea what he asking for and that was most likely to keep quiet while Barry leveraged what influence he had on behalf of Portia. Knowing Portia was in Number One’s clutches both panicked and angered him.

Barry also sat quietly, while Kyle was going over his potential options.

“We’re getting closer. What do we have, a little less than a day?” Barry asked hoping to get a response from Kyle. His previous attempts failed to illicit even a nod or grunt.

Hearing Barry’s voice only made Kyle grip the wheel tighter, if that was possible.

“I think we should talk, I really do. Don’t you want to know what I can offer to help you and your wife?” Barry asked.

“I want to wait until I hear more from Portia,” Kyle said, finally breaking his silence.

“But by then, it may be too late.”

Kyle chewed on that response. There was truth to that reasoning. Information was his friend and the more he had the better. “Fine. What are you offering and for what?”

“I want you to kill my father,” Barry said calmly.

Kyle slammed on the brakes, bringing the truck to a stop but forcing Barry into the dash. “What?”

“Christ man, how about warning me before you do that shit!”

“You just asked me if I would kill your father. Do you know how many guards are around him at all times?”

“Yes, but…”

“And how do I do it without getting caught. The last thing I want to do is die and leave Portia a widow.”

“But all you…”

“You’re joking, right? This is a stupid childish prank, a test,” Kyle asked once more interrupting Barry.

“If you’d let me finish I’ll tell you everything, I just need you to close your mouth for five minutes and I can break it all down for you.”

Kyle’s nostril’s flared and his face turned flush. “Go ahead,” he snapped.

“I’ll easily get you in front of my father, just us three, from there you can take him out. Once I’m in charge, I’ll pardon your wife and you two can go back to living you happy life.”

“How is that a deal at all? I don’t even know what your father is proposing to Portia, for all I know it could be benign.”