Chapter Ten: and Ara the Ace Card by Tina Semanas Hungry, that is the only way to describe how Duenna Black was feeling, crazy hungry, ravenous you might say. After hearing that there was an open spot in the circle of five, Deanna Black saw nothing but red. It was all she ever wanted. No more order taking, no more being left out and forgotten, no more being everyone’s doormat, wiping their muddy lives all over her while all she could do is take it. The early childhood wounds that were left from being constantly abused and ridiculed by three morally sick older brothers never healed, festering hatred remained her lot. The human taste for revenge never leaves you, and Duenna Black was famished. The initial shock of hearing that Professor Finkbiner was cast out for violating state ideology was shattering. Duenna Black read every journal article on politics and social engineering Ruth ever wrote; truly the Professor was a shining knight for women’s advancement, and now she was found to be a full-blown rebel. It seemed implausible? How could this remarkable lady of iron, after 30 some years serving the State, turn into a malleable figure of wax? No matter? This was Duenna Black’s chance. Pulling her glider into “M. Sanger Luxury Condominiums” there she sat obsessing over the last thing told to her during the Conclave interview. An indifferent Dr. Gladstone finished with this cryptic injunction, “If you want in, my dear Madylyn, you must make yourself valuable to us. You have all the credentials, but as it stands, you still are rather slavish, dull, lacking any appeal. Prove your importance. You need us to want you.” That last comment cut deep, it felt like icy water being splashed on a raw nerve. Duenna Black never felt wanted by anyone - - and now she was being asked to do the impossible, make herself wanted by the four most venerable people on the planet. Ara Dias was the answer, her ace in hole. As the fates would have it, the two recent state fugitives were Ara’s blood relations. And blood runs thick, Professor Finkbiner’s tragedy gave proof to the fact. Now to secure Ara’s loyalty was Duenna Black’s top priority. The door to apartment 217 slowly opened up to a chilly reception; the tattooed skull face didn't add any warmth or welcome to Lacy’s lack of allure. Stepping aside to let Duenna Black in, Lacy snidely remarked, “I knew it was you. Like a shark smelling blood in the water...come on in.” Motioning her to sit on the couch, Lacy continued, “I’ll go fetch your prize protege...I must warn you though, the recent news has wrecked her bad.” Instead of sitting, Duenna Black walked slowly over to the large picture window to look out over the view of lake. Standing with arms crossed she was held spellbound watching the greenish blue waves crashing on the large rocks below. Suspended just above the horizon was a mantle of gray flannel clouds blocking the rays of the afternoon sun resulting in angry shadows being cast over the surface of the rolling water. Out from the back room came a sullen, puffy-eyed 12 year old girl. Ara plopped down on the leather couch as far away from Duenna Black as she could. With her arms tucked and crossed deep in her long sleeve sweatshirt, Ara barely had enough strength to even lift her head and recognize her teacher’s presence. Duenna Black turning to meet Ara feigned a genteel motherly concern, “My dear girl, I can’t imagine your anxiety. A brother and home mentor out on the run, enemies of the people, being hunted like a pair of pack wolves or mangy coyotes. How your heart for civility and justice must be divided by your love of family...that is if there even is such a thing? I am here to help you and guide you through this mess. It may sound crazy, but in light of the apparent trouble; never before has a girl your age been offered such a great opportunity!” Ara with a confused look replied, “Opportunity? I don't understand? How is this an opportunity? More like a horrid nightmare if you ask me?” Looking up and into Duenna Black’s devilish green eyes, Ara tried to hide her disgust. Smiling, the older woman said, “Ara, think about it. You and I both know that your brother Drew was close to you. You even tried to keep his little secret hidden which eventually ruined him and terminated the life of your naive mother.” Pausing, Duenna Black walked toward the window soaking in the view. “You know, he will come calling...and when he does you must turn him in. I will be right by your side. Just think, it has been over 30 years since anyone had the stupidity to try to escape from the factories. The Sisters have perfected male compliance, a social marvel. And now we have two escapees on the loose. They must have learned how to cheat the system? That means they have secrets or an irrational genius working for them that must be examined, understood and contained!” Walking over to sit next to Ara, Duenna Black in a hushed dispassionate tone leaned in and said, “Whoever is able to capture these two deviants will receive the favor of the State, probably national recognition, celebrity acclaim, and I am sure The Sisters will expedite your Vitup status. Maybe you will be asked to apprentice with the Doyenne Conclave? Who knows? I may even put a good word in for you?” Ara flashed, “You? Why would The Sisters listen to you? You teach a group of silly girls. Where is the importance in that?” “Careful young miss,” Duenna Black took a deep breath clenching her hands to tight fists, “I have more power over your young life than you can begin to fathom. I will look past this display of disrespect for now, considering the disorientation you must be dealing with. But don't try my patience.” Discarding any last hint of kindness, Duenna Black stood up with a fury that matched the crashing waves in the window behind her, “Ara, you must comply to the following directives, do you hear me?” Ara, feeling the severity of the Duenna’s sudden change in demeanor, quickly replied, “Yes mam.” “That’s better. Make this easy. All I need you to do are three things. Number One: wait for your brother or home mentor to contact you. Tell no one about them but me, and make them think they are safe in your presence. Can you do that?” Ara hesitated. “Can you do that?” Duenna Black blasted. “Yes.” Ara said. “Ok. Number Two: take this and keep it on you at all times.” Duenna Black showed Ara a penny sized chip. “This is a highly tuned microphone and satellite identifier. This will help us monitor your constant conversations. Do not lose this! Understand?” “I get it.” Ara was growing sick. “And finally, I want you to be merciless to the other girls in class. I want you to learn coldness, friendships are verboten, dominate. You have incredible mental gifts, but they will only be of use to The Sisters, and to me, if you learn cold calculation. Here is a little secret I will share: success in this State has no room for compassion. The male leadership lost their foothold on power years ago because they were kind to minorities and women. They foolishly allowed for the exception to have a voice based on compassion, which only opened the door to their demise. Remember, kindness turns you into a doormat - - it allows deceivers to get the upper hand. The faster you lose the better nature of our gender the quicker you rule. Got it?” Ara wasn’t tracking. “Ara, do you understand? If you can't perform these three things you will be of no use to me. The sooner hatred becomes you, the stronger you become. Think of Drew Dias as your test case. If you can cut off sibling pity and loyalty, you will be able to overcome anyone.” Duenna Black handed the small coin to Ara, turned again to look out one last time over the churning waters. Pleased with herself she said, “Don't you just love a good storm?” ---------------------------------------------------------------- Hungry, crazy hungry, ravenous you might say. Drew hadn't eaten for two days. Turning to Phen, he asked, "I can't run for much longer. We need to stop." Phen replied, "Athan gave us directions to a place called Kramer's. It is a few miles away. Hang in there Drew." Driving an older model glider, Phen was able to dismantle the satilitte feed and artificial intelligence relay that placed a marker to the central highway patrol. Phen was driving dark and undetected. Over a highway pass he saw a bent roadsign that read "Dayton city limits, next three exits." Kramer's was a five minute drive from this point. The city of Dayton was a grungy, gray bombed-out pile of rubble. No longer inhabitated nor allowing commerce or trade of any kind, Dayton was a virtual ghosttown. It was notoriously known to be the home to the "Last Resistance or the LR'. An all-male political party fighting for gender freedom. After their failure, the city was faced with forced relocation 50 years prior by order of the State. Athan was aware of a small pocket of the LR who still met in secret - - they were waiting for another chance to resurrect the manpower and infrastructure of the party. Hidden underneath a fading Kramer's pub building, the LR met in tunnels and underground shafts planning and monitoring every move of The Sister's governmental affairs using sophisticated enhanced cellular global technology. But the key to the LR's success was their ability to recruit a team of the best female enginneers sympathetic to their cause; women of goodwill and longing for the return of traditional values. It was a dangerous endeavor, but for the many who joined the resistance, it was worth it. They felt alive being apart of the fight for freedom. From the outside, Kramer's looked like an unassuming watering hole for vagrants and miners. Inside and underneath was a beehive of activity. It was here Athan told Phen he would find food and cover. Irving Avenue was a winding road on the southern outskirts of Dayton littered with boarded up houses and burnt out buildings. A slanted sign for a nearbye University was still hanging as they neared the location for Kramers. Charred remains of a cluster of larger buildings could be seen in distance, but no sign of lights or life could be traced. Phen saw an old green Kramer's sign with 10 to 20 tents and tin-shantys huddled underneath. A fire was smoldering from a metal trash barrel as a group of gnarly bearded men tried to warm their hands in cold silence. "This must be it Drew?" Phen apprehensively said. "I dont like it, What if there are cut-throats and rogue plastics in these tents? I have heard that some of the meds during transformation surgury have made many go mad?" Drew grew anxious as the men around the fire noticed their glider as it slipped in the back parking lot. Parking near a back entrance Phen motioned for Drew to grab any gear they may need because he was sure the moment they left the vehicle it was fair game for any wandering vagrants. "Here goes nothing!" Phen knocked on an old rusted out door. On the other side an angry voice shouted, "I told you Ranks to get lost, I already gave you a drink!" Opening the door was a 7 foot bearded giant of a man. Looking at Phen and Drew he instantly recognized their appearance. "Get in here, quick! Athan called and said you were going to arrive hours ago. I thought you were dead?" Looking at the muscular build on this beast of a man, Drew felt a warm rush of hope. Shaking his massive hand Drew asked in unbridled relief, "You know us? How do you know us?" The large man smiled a toothless grin, "Drew and Phen, honored to meet you both. Jim Defabio's my name. Been watching all the reports on the two of you non-stop. The authorities want you in a bad way. But they wont get you here, not in Kramer's, we may not be smart, but we know crazy!" With a boisterous laugh, Jim slapped them both on the back and said, "You must be hungry? Follow me."
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