Yeah, he was doing the right thing. Once he talked with the head Bagger, he’d get his condo. A fancy penthouse suite that came with a hot tub on a rooftop patio. He pictured himself soaking in a huge bath with jets massaging his feet while drinking champagne. He would sleep in a king sized bed with satin sheets. And there would be a big screen television playing movies in the background while he lounged about. Now that would be living! Colin thought back to the group of people he’d walked past when the Baggers escorted him into the casino. He’d drawn a bit of attention. There had been that girl, the pretty blonde one who needed a hairbrush and a bar of soap. Maybe they would give her to him if he asked. Colin was certain that any girl would be more than grateful to show their appreciation if he managed to get them out of the Plaza and into his warm condo. Maybe he could have two or three. Hell, it was a big crowd, he could have a new one every week. He’d have to stock up on soap and pick up some clothes from Forever 21 and Victoria’s Secret so he could pretty them up first.
The door opened and a few Baggers entered the room. Colin immediately scrambled to his feet, annoyed himself for being so jumpy. But it wouldn’t be good to get caught sitting down, not when he needed to be on his guard. He studied the men. The one in the middle had to be Leon. The Baggers surrounding him were the kind that must have been military or bouncers in a past life. They were big; one of them had to be at least six and a half feet tall. Colin knew the type. They were men who took orders well, grunting all the while. But the one in the middle, the one named Leon, he was interesting. Clean cut and a bit on the shorter side, he wore a pair of jeans and a nice dress shirt. His face had a soft pleasant look, back before the world ended, he had probably been the type of guy that guys liked and girls only friended. Nodding at the grunts behind him, he moved towards Colin while the bigger apes guarded the door.
“It’s a very brave move to come here by yourself,” the man said. “I am to assume you’re alone?”
“Yeah,” Colin said.
“Very brave,” the man said with a nod of his head. “I can’t think of any human who would do such a thing. Not with what’s happened.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Most of you are frightened of us. I must say, while our reputations aren’t the best, they’re not exaggerated either.”
“You won’t hurt me,” Colin said.
“You’re certain?”
He wasn’t, not one hundred percent, but Colin knew that showing fear wouldn’t get him anywhere. No, he had to display confidence if he wanted to be taken seriously. It wasn’t like he’d gone to the Baggers without having some sort of plan. He’d been thinking about it for weeks.
“I’m sure,” he finally said, pleased that his voice didn’t crack or show emotion.
The man smiled widely. “Well, color me intrigued. Won’t you sit down?” He paused, waiting.
“Colin.”
“Colin.” The man repeated the name, the smile not leaving his face. “Please take a seat. Put your feet up. I promise not to be offended. You can call me Leon. Shall we continue with our first name basis?”
Colin moved back over to the couch but didn’t sit. He waited until Leon gracefully planted himself on one of the leather chairs beside the coffee table. The bouncers stayed by the door, their eyes watching Colin intently.
“Can you call off your goons?”
“Who them? Ignore them. They’re just here to make sure you don’t try and hurt me.”
“Hurt you?”
Leon smiled. “But of course. We don’t know you. You could be hiding a weapon. I have a right to be protected too. There are a lot of people who want me dead, wouldn’t you agree?”
Colin had to press down tightly on his lips to keep from laughing out loud. This was the guy that everyone was afraid of? The guy, who according to that freak Daniel, had tortured Mason repeatedly?
“Can I offer you a drink?” Leon asked. “Coffee? Tea? Juice? Something stronger?”
“Sure. Coffee.” For a moment he considered ordering something stronger. Why not? Little things, like the legal drinking age, no longer existed. But he needed to be clearheaded. He cautiously lowered himself onto the chair beside Leon, but he didn’t put up his feet. No, best to keep them both planted firmly on the ground.
“But of course.” Leon nodded to one of his apes and the man left the room.
A moment of silence passed. Colin shifted around, waiting for Leon to speak. Surely the man must be curious to know Colin’s secrets. How much should he give up right away? All of it? Or should he keep Leon on the hook, giving away bit by bit, reeling him in slowly?
“My men tell me you have information for me. I must admit, you’ve got me very curious. As I said, your kind does not willingly show up on my doorstep. I would say it’s very brave or very stupid. You took a very big risk coming here.”
“What can I say,” Colin said. “I like to live dangerously.”
Leon leaned forward, his hands resting on his knees. “So what sort of stories do you wish for me to hear? What is so important that you’d risk your life this early in the morning?”
Colin started to speak, but his voice cracked. Swallowing hard, he tried again. “Uh, I have information on Aries. I know you’re interested in her.”
Leon smiled. “Aries? That girl? What makes you think I care about the likes of her? She’s just a child and I’m a very busy man.”
“Oh come on,” Colin said. “I know you want her. Everyone knows. You sent that guy pretending to be Clementine’s brother. You’ve been holding Mason hostage. Good job, by the way. We don’t want him back. Feel free to kill him. Daniel too.”
He’d decided that the tough guy image was the role he needed to play. This would be no different than performing. He could practically imagine the movie cameras capturing his every moment as he recited his lines. The perfect character. A combination of tough guy and brilliant negotiator. Piece of cake.
“Okay, you’ve got me,” Leon said with another smile. “Yes, I find Aries to be a person of interest. But I feel that way about many people. Electricians. Carpenters. Plumbers would be a real bonus. Anyone who knows a trade. I would like to find doctors too. Healers have become an endangered species these days. Do you know of any?”
“Maybe.” A little bit of a lie. Larissa, the girl they’d picked up at the University of British Columbia had been studying to become a nurse. That was almost just as good. Colin did a quick mental breakdown of everyone in their current camp, wondering who else might be worth bargaining for. The more he could trade to Leon, the more powerful he’d become.
“Some people are far more interesting than others,” Leon said. “Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Yes, of course.”
The door opened. A nervous looking girl with watery eyes came in, holding a tray filled with a pot of coffee. Her clothing was dirty, not that filth was any indication of being Bagger or human. Colin could tell by the way she moved that she was no Bagger. There was too much mistrust and fear in her eyes when she glanced at Leon. But she was pretty, gorgeous actually, maybe a few years older than him. Surely she wouldn’t mind a younger guy as her savior. Yeah, she’d make a great addition to his penthouse suite.
Leon nodded at her briefly before turning his attention back to Colin.
“If I am to understand you correctly, you are saying you know where Aries is? And you’re willing to bring her to me?”
“Yes and no,” Colin said. He watched while the girl filled two coffee cups from the same pot. She placed one in front of him before putting down some cream and sugar. He picked up a creamer, one of those tiny packages that they used to give out in restaurants and turned it over in his hands, casually checking to make sure it hadn’t been tampered with. “I will tell you where she is. You have to go get her for yourself.”
“And what do you want in return?”
“Comfort. A place in one of your condos. I want to join your side.”
Leon brought the coffee cup up to his lips, but he kept that annoying smi
le, even while he took a sip. Colin didn’t like it. Leon didn’t seem to be taking him seriously. He’d expected that, but the smug attitude was getting on his nerves. He’d expected the guy to be threatening. But this was more like they were negotiating over buying a new car. It unnerved him and Colin couldn’t explain why.
“Drink up,” Leon said, nodding in the direction of Colin’s cup. “I’m not trying to poison you. It’s not my style. I prefer a more direct approach.”
The creamer slipped through Colin’s fingers and he stumbled to pick it back up. Opening it, he tipped it into the black liquid. Leon was playing with him and Colin wasn’t going to call the man’s bluff. He took a big gulp, grimacing as the coffee burned his tongue.
“It’s good, no?” Leon asked. “I must admit, I like my java. Back before all this happened, I was a bit of an elitist. I used to order my beans online from all around the world. I even tried that specialty stuff made out of cat feces. I had expensive tastes.”
“Yeah, it’s good,” Colin said, but in all honesty, he couldn’t have told the difference between McDonalds or a fancy imported blend. It all tasted like burnt crap to him until he put in enough sugar.
“Now let’s go back to what you want for this bit of information,” Leon said, dismissing the girl with a wave of his hand. She gave Colin a frightened look before turning and rushing off. She obviously couldn’t get away fast enough. “You want to be a part of my world? You think you have what it takes to be one of us?”
“Yeah,” Colin said, going back to his tough guy character. “I’m cool. I can do lots of good stuff. People know who I am. I could work both sides. Gather information for you.”
“That would be very useful to me,” Leon said. “Finding spies are difficult.”
“And in return, you can give me some of the good life,” Colin said. “A nice apartment. Real food.” He raised his cup of coffee. “More of this.”
“That’s an awful lot for a tiny bit of information,” Leon said. “If I am to get this right, you’ll give up Aries? Spy on a few others? And in return you want my protection? You want to live in the buildings my people have cleaned out and made hospitable? Perhaps you want a woman? I saw the way you looked at Karen.” He took another sip of coffee. “Oh come now, don’t be modest. You’re a man, no different than the rest of us. We all have needs and desires.”
“Yeah, I guess so,” Colin said. Best not to look too eager. “She’s pretty. Not quite my type though. But I guess I can’t be overly picky during the apocalypse.”
“True,” Leon said, flashing his perfect row of white teeth.
“So what do you think?” Colin asked. “Do we have a deal or not?”
“I suppose that depends on whether or not I believe you and your information.”
“She’s in West Vancouver. At Lighthouse Park. She’s taken about fifty or so refuges under her wing. You’re welcome to all of them.”
Leon put down his coffee cup on the table before looking straight into Colin’s eyes. They were cold, as if there was nothing there. For the first time, Colin began to understand that Leon was quite different than his first impression. The man wasn’t harmless at all. Even if he did dress like a salesman, there was something beneath the surface that Leon managed to hide quite well. And it was starting to come out. The constant annoying smile with the perfect white teeth, they didn’t mean anything once Colin noticed the darkness of his eyes. The black veins. That mark that showed his true self. From the other side of the couch, Colin hadn’t noticed. He’d almost forgotten.
Big mistake.
“That’s it,” Leon finally said, his voice calm and steady. “That’s what you had for me? I think you’re asking for too much to be honest.”
“Hey, I’m taking a chance,” Colin said. “It’s a big risk. I’d be doing all the work.”
“A risk?” Leon raised his eyebrow. “Because your people would tear you apart if they found out you were playing for the other team?”
“Well, yeah, maybe.”
“I doubt it,” Leon said. “Your kind are parasites. They cower in the darkness and scuttle away at the sight of everything. They are nothing to be afraid of. The worst they might do is banish you. Smack you on the bottom and send you on your way. Cast you out. Me on the other hand, I am something to fear.”
Leon’s smile disappeared.
Colin paused, his fingers wrapped around his mug.
“I’m afraid your betrayal to your people has been nothing but a waste,” Leon said. “I have no intentions of doing business with you. See, I know who you are. Don’t look so surprised. It’s in my best interest to find out everything I can. I know you’re nothing but a coward, a boy who will do anything to keep your own skin. Your own group can’t stand to be in the same room with you. They consider you a problem. And you are, my dear boy, you are. Aries is right to mistrust you. If you would betray your people so easily, you will betray me. I have no use for your kind.”
“That’s a load of bull,” Colin said. “I can be loyal to the right people. Give me a chance. You won’t regret it. I’m giving you Aries.”
“You can’t offer me what I already have.”
Colin paused. “You don’t have her. I saw her this morning, right before I left.” That wasn’t quite the truth. He’d snuck past her tent and seen the shadow of her sleeping body. For a brief moment, he’d pictured the expression on her face if she knew of what he was about to do. But he hadn’t actually seen her, had he? That sleeping form could have been anyone. No, he’d know if Aries was gone. The whole camp would be in tears. They were a bunch of sappy suckers.
“She’s as good as mine.” Leon leaned forward. I know where Aries is, stupid boy. I’ve known all this time.”
Colin’s hands were trembling. He clamped them tightly together, hoping Leon wouldn’t notice. “I don’t believe you.”
Leon put his empty cup down. “I already had the information you just gave me.”
“Then why haven’t you raided the place?”
“You want to join our side and already you’re questioning my actions?” Leon picked up a napkin and wiped his fingers. His voice was oddly calm, as if he was discussing the weather. “I have my reasons. They don’t concern you. And I don’t think I have much use for you.” He nodded towards his apes that moved around until they were on each side of Colin. One of them put a big hand on Colin’s shoulder, squeezing hard enough to send sharp pain down his entire arm.
“You are a terrible negotiator,” Leon said. “You have no idea how it works. You were so eager to give her up, you didn’t think about what it might cost you. If it had been me, I would have kept it to myself as long as possible. I would have waited until I’d proven that I’m worth keeping around. But to go and spill the beans instantly, you rendered yourself useless.”
All those ideas of living in the lap of luxury faded in an instant. Colin knew he’d have to do some quick thinking if he was going to get out of there. Screw the tough guy routine, he needed to change his character quickly.
“I can give you others,” he said, hating that his voice suddenly went up several octaves. “I know a doctor. And a girl who was studying to be a nurse. Hell, I know a plumber. I can get you these people.”
The room grew silent as Leon looked him straight in the eyes. The Bagger behind him clenched down harder on his shoulder. Colin slouched down, trying to escape the hand, but he couldn’t.
“Oh come now,” Leon said. “We both know you’re lying.”
“I’m not.” Colin was nearly crying now. He couldn’t think, not with all that pain shooting down his arm. If only the guy would let go of him long enough to think of a way out of the situation. “Call off your goon.”
“No, I don’t think so,” Leon said. He stood up, brushing off his pants and straightening his tie. “It’s been a pleasure, Colin, but that’s all it is. I wish you luck on your next journey.” He turned and headed towards the door, pausing before he touched the handle. “Take him outside. I don??
?t want blood on my couch.”
As the Baggers hauled him out of his seat, Colin screamed for the first time. It wouldn’t be his last.
Game over.
Mason
“Your friend is here.”
Mason looked up. Karen sat down next to him, pushing aside the bowl of porridge he’d been eating. Mason glanced past her, checking the front gates. He hadn’t heard anyone being brought in. Such things were often broadcast loudly, the Baggers liked to make a scene when they captured fresh meat. It was meant to cause more anxiety. Less hope. It worked.
“Which friend?”
“One of the guys.”
“Be more specific.”
“I think his name is Colin?”
The instant relief he felt was quickly replaced with panic. Every day he watched the gates, worrying that when they opened, he’d see them bringing in Aries, Michael or Clementine. Maybe even Daniel. The people he considered his friends. His family. He was always relieved when another day went by and they didn’t show up.
Mason had no idea where they were living these days. He knew Aries had abandoned their last safe house, a big sprawling mansion in the middle of Shaughnessy, one of the richest parts of Vancouver. Where they were hiding now was anyone’s guess. But Mason also knew that Colin wouldn’t have voluntarily left on his own. No, the guy was too much of a coward. He refused to do pretty much anything if it held a hint of danger. So if the Baggers had caught Colin, where were the others?
“Where is he?” Mason asked.
“That’s the thing,” Karen said. She reached over and grabbed some of Mason’s bread, tearing off a piece and stuffing it in her mouth. “He’s in the office, talking with Leon. Hanging out, like they’re best buds.”