Oceans of Red Volume One Read Free Page B

corner of his eye, Greg said, “Strange isn’t it?  All these demons and no sign of Angels or God.  Makes you wonder…”
    The dull pain inside her began to boil, turning into anger she would not release.  “You need to quit talking like that.”
    “Why?  Will I be struck by lightning?” he laughed.
    Rolling her eyes, she returned her gaze to the rising sun.  “He’s out there.  I know he is.”
    “He’s got a fine way of showing it.  We call them demons because that’s what they call themselves.  But we don’t really know what they are. Or where they come from.”  He winced as she frogged his leg with her fist.  “Ouch!”
    “If they aren’t, then why do exorcisms work?  Ho w stupid can you be?  I’m really tired so can we get this over with?”
    “Fine.  But before you start arguing, promise to hear me out first.  Okay?”
    She nodded.
    “I think we need to set off alone.  Just a few days should do it.”
    Sighing, she stared at him, but remained silent.
    “Think about it.  The side effects from the inoculation would level the playing field.  We go out, just the two of us.  First, you get infected, and I’ll give you the injection.  Then I get infected and you give it to me.  After that, we can go anywhere we want.  We can infiltrate any corporation to get to any leader.  We’ll be as strong as them, we’ll be able to control the link, and they will never see us coming.”
    Still quiet, her face continued to show no emotion.
    “Well?  What do you think?”
    Although she answered softly, her anger was apparent.  “I think you’re an idiot.  What did you think I’d think?  What happens in the amount of time you’re under their control?  How much will they learn about the operation?  Have you thought about any of this at all?”
    He smiled.  Raising his eyebrows in a Groucho Marks impression, he flicked at an invisible cigar.  “Frankly , my dear, you seem unappreciative of the connotations of this endeavor.”  Seeing no smile appear on her face, he continued in his own voice.  “Really, Rem.  What do you take me for?  Of course, I’ve thought it through.  Hypnosis.  We wipe each other’s minds before we go in to the processing house.  Wait for the other to return outside, and wah-la, back to normal.”
    She moved, stretching her legs out in front of her.  “What if we don’t go back outside?  We don’t even know what they do in there!  And what if hypnosis doesn’t work?  We can’t possibly k now if the mind wipe will work after we’ve been infected.  Even those who have been decontaminated can’t always remember what happened while they were infected.  This is a stupid idea.”
    H e placed his hand on her shoulder.  “They’d never see this coming.  They’re used to people fighting back and then turning themselves in.  Many who are tired of being hungry and on the run give up every day.  They don’t know about the serum.  This could work.”
    “I’ll think about it, but you swear you will not make one move without me.”
    He nodded.
    Shaking her head, she repeated, “Swear.”
    He looked away for a moment before answering.  “I swear.”
    “Good.  Let’s go find Shane.  You know sh e’s probably worked herself into a meltdown waiting to hear about the mission last night.”
    Smiling, he answered, “Yeah, little sisters are such a pain.”
    Giving him a small shove that threw him off balance, she replied, “Shut up, Greg.”
    ***
    Fifteen-year-old Shane paced her room, nervously watching the clock.  Six thirty in the morning, and still no sign of her brother and sister.  “They know I hate it when they don’t show up on time.  It’s been hours since they talked to Dad.  This time, I’m really going to give it to them.”  Exhausted, she dropped on the bed.  “Shane do this, Shane do that.  Go here, Shane. Get me one of those, Shane.  Everyone thinks I’m incapable of doing anything at all, but they sure want me