Tearing The Shroud Read Free

that, maybe I better,’ Vincent said as he pulled out his ID and followed Flea into the cafeteria.

    They worked their way through the line and piled their plates with what the placard claimed was, ‘Chicken Noodle Casserole topped with “delicious” — albeit slightly green — “gravy”’. Flea headed toward the south side of the building.
    ‘Hey, isn’t this area for the cafeteria workers or something?’
    Flea stopped. ‘You’re kidding, right?’
    Vincent dipped his chin. ‘No, I...just figured — ’
    ‘C’mon bud.’ Flea walked away.
    Vincent noticed how much quieter it was in the smaller area and commented on it.
    Flea said, ‘I figure if you can’t get good food, at least you don’t have to eat with five hundred people.’
    ‘I never thought about it; I just went where everybody else did.’
    Flea shook his head. ‘That’s exactly what I was saying to you yesterday; you’ve got to start making your own decisions. Last year I was okay living with reclusive-roommate guy, but that stops as of tonight.’ He raised an eyebrow. ‘Now stop doing what people tell you...and follow me.’
    Vincent got his usual three glasses of water while Flea filled his with soda then headed toward a table surrounded by five people Vincent didn’t know. His mouth went dry but he took a breath and followed Flea.
    Vincent glanced at his tablemates. The guy on his left was out of shape, wore horn-rimmed glasses, and had greasy hair. He looked like a cross between a rocket scientist and a mechanic. Next to him were a guy with bad acne and frizzy blond hair and a girl with glasses who resembled the wicked witch of the west. Beside her was a cute brunette with elfin features and hair a little longer than Vincent’s. Her almond-shaped light brown eyes tilted up at the corners. An intense guy with a five o’clock shadow, thin hair and a mustache completed the group. The whole procedure had taken only a few seconds, and went unnoticed by everyone except mustache guy, who nodded as if to say, ‘Nice move.’
    That guy doesn’t miss a thing.
    ‘Vincent, let me introduce you to the gang.’ Flea gestured like a circus ringleader. ‘The guy on your left is Mike Goodall.’ Mike looked up from his food and smiled. Vincent noticed the unwashed look also applied to his teeth.
    ‘The next young, uh, man, is E.T. We’re not sure what his name actually is, but he’s as close to an alien as you’re ever likely to meet.’ E.T. ignored the jibe and saluted Vincent with his fork.
    Flea’s voice took on an icy tone. ‘The next person is Emily Gustafson.’
    Flea liked everyone. What’s up with that?
    Emily batted her eyes myopically at him in what Vincent could only guess was some attempt at flirting.
    ‘Moving right along, we have the fourth member of our little group, Julie Reave.’ Julie met his look directly and smiled warmly. Her second tooth from the middle sat slightly misaligned.
    What a perfect imperfection. His heart flip-flopped a couple of times and he smiled back. ‘I...am, uh...it’s a pleasure to meet you.’
    She giggled. ‘Charmed, I’m sure.’
    Flea cleared his throat. ‘If I may interrupt? This is Alan Welsh, also known as Knife.’
    Vincent felt his ears go warm and snapped his eyes to the mustachioed guy. He smiled at Vincent. Actually, it wasn’t really a smile; it was more like he had bared his teeth. The semi-feral grin made Vincent feel like he was on the dinner plate instead of the chicken noodle goop. He nodded in return. ‘Knife? That’s an interesting name. How’d you get it?’
    ‘The Magic Man gave it to me,’ he said, with a shrug. ‘Once he gives you a name, it sticks.’
    ‘Where is Magi tonight?’ Flea asked.
    ‘No one knows,’ Knife said. ‘He’s disappeared. Kwai Chang found a note that said something about going to L.A. to get married, but even he doesn’t know the full story. You know Magi.’ He laughed quietly. ‘He’ll turn up somewhere.’
    Vincent was