Pacific Station Vigilante (Book 2): The Negative Man [Stormfall] Read Free Page A

was always one of us saying ‘make sure we’re safe before’ and then what we really wanted to do.  I knew though it was only a matter of time before Jericho grew his wings and wanted to explore.  Especially with all the negative press powered people were getting lately on the east coast.  I told him time and time again that things were different out west.
    “Do you think we’ll ever not be hunted by those covert guys?  I mean it’s been two years, but I swear I still think I see them from time to time.”
    I knew it wasn’t his imagination.  Cooper was still out there and I knew the man.  He wouldn’t stop until he found us and killed Jericho.  “One day we will be.  Just know I’m doing everything I can from the inside to find a way for us to live normal lives again.”
    He smiled.  “I’d really like to see my mom one day.  I know it’s stupid and she probably doesn’t remember me –”
    “A mother never forgets.”  No child deserves to think their mom forgot them.  “I’m sure she’d be so happy to hear from you.”  What I really meant was I was confident she’d be so happy to know you didn’t die that day.
    “Thanks dad.  Well, I’m going to grab one more slice and finish this project.  I have a few ideas in my head on how to power the hydraulics to make this work.”
    I had no idea what he was talking about, but that was par for the course.  “If you need anything, just let me know.”

Project Jericho 7 –
    18 Years Old
     
    Today was supposed to be a joyous day.  Jericho had just graduated college with a double major in computer science and electrical engineering.  Unfortunately, our identities were finally compromised.  With a gun pointed at my head by a former friend and colleague, I was ready for this to end.  “What are you waiting for, Cooper, pull the damn trigger.”
    Cooper seemed to hesitate.  “Not until you tell me everything I need to know about that monster you’ve been raising.  When he comes back, we need to know how to contain him.”
    Was he serious?  “That’s never going to happen.”  For emphasis, I spit on his shoes.  “When he gets back, you’ll have to deal with the mess you’ve created.”
    Two armed soldiers moved forward.  “If he’s not going to tell us, just kill him.  We don’t want to be here when that thing arrives and is pissed off.”
    “That thing has a name, it’s Jericho.”  They talked about him as if he was a disease.  It made me sick to know I lived in such a world.  “Maybe one of you two has the brass balls that Cooper doesn’t seem to possess.”
    Cooper hit me in the mouth with the butt of the pistol.  “Ellison, I knew you were a sentimental fool, but this has gone too far.  If you don’t help us, I’ll have your legacy branded as a traitor.”  He seemed to think ruining the name of a dead man was sufficient motivation.
    It wasn’t.  “You’ll rot in Hell for what you’ve done, Cooper.  You think what you’ve done is to help this country?  No, the only thing you’ve accomplished is to help incite fear and panic.”  Whether they liked it or not, supers were here to stay.  “You were so blinded by anger and hate that you unknowingly created an enemy out of a friend.”
    It hit him I wasn’t about to crack.  He cocked the pistol and pointed it back at my head.  “I’d do anything to protect my country from those abominations.  Yeah, we might’ve opened Pandora’s Box, but we also have to shut it.”  He couldn’t even look at me.  “This is your last chance Ellison.  Don’t make me do this.”
    I smiled, knowing my fate was resigned.  “You’re right Cooper, we did open that box.  But if you think you can shut it now, you’re sadly mistaken.”  Closing my eyes, “I don’t regret a single thing I’ve done.  When they write about this in years to come, I’ll be the hero and you’ll be the villain.”
    “Goodbye Ellison.”  Those were the last words I heard