The Sunshine Dame of Doom (19 page)

“We take a look into it.”

“So, that means we’re not leaving this place just yet.”

“No. Let’s finish this.”

Clark turned to her and said with a grin:

“So, the great Apocalily is back in another crusade, to save the world for democracy and the highest values!”

“I’m just doing this because this Shane character pisses me off!”

“I don’t believe you.”

“I don’t care what you believe.”

“I think you do.”

“Then I do.”

Some signs of civilization became visible on the roadside.

But Lily had to fiercely step on the brakes, causing some rubber to stain the pavement. In the unofficial border to Downtown, a group of about fifteen guerrilla-looking men stood in front of the ambulance, blocking the way and pointing machine guns. 

Shane was about to enter the gigantic complex that comprised several TV studios, when a strident voice calling her name made her stop. She turned around to see what the fuss was all about.

“You!” The middle aged woman said grinding teeth and pointing a forefinger at Shane. “You!”

“Yes, I guess we all realized you’re addressing me.” Shane replied serenely.

“You awful, evil woman! How could you? How could you?”

“I gather you and your small group have something to speak with me about. What can I do for you, Principal Hildenbrandt?”

The educator stood right in front of the elegant woman, with a mob of angry men and women behind her.

“You lied to us all!” The principal said. “You’re nothing more than a fraud under loads of make-up!”

“What seems to be the problem, Missus Hildenbrandt?”

“That educational event you and your minister so much bragged about is a farce! You just wanted to kill innocent children to maculate the image of a great woman.”

Naturally, lots of people stopped what they were doing and gathered around the scene, hoping to become bystanders for a very promising spectacle based on somebody else’s disgrace.

“Great woman…” Shane whispered. “I really wish I knew what you’re talking about.”

“I bet you do! I was taking those innocent children to your so called event when this woman, Lily, stopped me right on time. And she told me what you actually wanted to do to them.”

“Which was…?”

“Oh please! You had arranged for Lily to turn into a flesh-eating monster, so she would later kill the poor children!”

Voices started to buzz all around.

“And why would I do such thing?” Shane asked calmly.

“To discredit the great Apocalily!”

The buzz turned into loud and surprised conversations.

“I see.” Shane responded placidly. “These are very serious accusations, Agnes. Are you prepared to substantiate them with something more than just the words of a possible renegade?”

Agnes Hildenbrandt kept her eyes on the woman, but couldn’t argue back. Taking advantage of that favorable momentum, Shane said:

“Anyway, thank you very much for bringing such important matters to my attention. I’ll check into all your concerns and rest assured I’ll come back to you.”

But the crowd following the principal started to scream and protest. Sensing the situation was about to aggravate, the circle of bystanders closed on them, anticipating more tumults for their amusement.

“Oh no!” Hildenbrandt finally spoke. “You’re not going to talk your way out of this!”

“All right” Shane replied. “What do you want me to do? I’m all ears.”

The principal hesitated again “Well, I…” She cleared her throat. “As a citizen of this city, also a representative of the parents whose children study in my school, many of them with me today, I demand that you are arrested under the accusations I just brought upon you.”

“That’s right!” Somebody in her group screamed.

“Okay.” Shane said. “Let’s suppose I’m arrested. Then, who’s going to take care of things? You, Missus Hildenbrandt, perhaps some of the ladies and gentlemen you dragged to this thing, or maybe one of you folks, who interrupted your works to gift us with your so meaningful attention?” She raised her voice to address everybody.

All of a sudden, a huge number of men wearing riot police gear, armed with shields, clubs and tear gas came out of the TV station complex. They didn’t seem to be there to arrest Shane. Most people in the crowd retreated. Even curious bystanders get scared when situation changes from spectacle to threat.

“Or perhaps I should open the gates and invite the drifters in,” Shane continued “and everything I built just for you will go down the drain. Do you still remember how life was before I took you in and gave you a home?”

She advanced to the principal, who took two steps back.

“Like I said, thanks for bringing me your concerns, Principal Hildenbrandt. I’ll look into them, I’ll take them to the minister and we’ll surely get back to you.”

Then, addressing everybody again, Shane said “Now, you may all return to your wonderful jobs, sophisticated lifestyles, with all possible fringe benefits you seem to enjoy so much. And this time, try to show a little gratitude for a change!”

The principal lowered her eyes. Most parents in her group scratched the back of their heads. Bystanders lost interest, many of them disappointed with the peaceful outcome of the standoff. Everybody slowly came back to their businesses.

“Good.” Shane spoke. “I appreciate it.” She turned her back on the mass and walked proudly into the complex, followed by her entourage of riot policemen.

Once inside, Colonel Talbot ran to her.

“I need to talk to you, madam.”

“Yes colonel.”

“Well, first, I saw what just happened out there. This can be a matter of concern.”

“Not at all, as you can see, I handled things.”

“Sure, and you excelled in it as usual!”

“Thanks. Now you can stop kissing my ass and get to the point.”

“Yes ma’am. It’s just that I’m kind of worried about the whole Lily situation. She’s on the loose now, and things can still run out of control.”

“Hardly. Have you and your men been to the Industrial Zone and got the package?”

“Oh yes madam, the flock is being gathered in the hangar as we speak.”

“Good. Then don’t lose any sleep over it. There’s more than one way to kill a myth. Now, if you excuse me, I have a speech to deliver on national TV.”

“Friends of yours?” Lily asked Clark.

“Yes!” The man replied, narrowing his eyes.

“Really?” She asked surprised. “You do know the question was meant to pull your leg, right?”

“And it did. But I know those two guys on the front row.”

Clark jumped out of the ambulance.

“Hey Pedro, Raul, what the heck are you up to? Put down the weapons, man!”

“Mate!!!” They ran and hugged him. “Jesus, man, you made it out! I can’t believe! You got
cojones
,
mano
!”

“You’re tougher than you look, hombre!”

“Well, I had some help.” Clark pointed at the vehicle windshield.”

“I can see that!”

“We’ve been attacked.” Pedro informed.

“Really?”

“Yes, I guess we suffered a little payback for the rebellion at the power plant. You can’t stay here. You have to join the others.”

“We got a sick woman in the ambulance. She needs medical attention badly. But it’s not the zombie fever, or whatever they call it.”

“
Si, tu tranquilo
. You and your friend go to a place called
Fleur du Soir
. It’s a restaurant that’s sheltering us. You just follow this road and take a right at the only gas station in town, can’t miss it. Once there, you look for a guy named Tess. Tell him you’re with the group who escaped the power plant.”

“Got it.”

“You’d better run, man. There’re some bad people looking for you and the
chica
.”

“Okay, be seeing you guys.”

“Godspeed,
amigo
!”

They hugged again and Clark climbed back to the vehicle.

“So, it seems you’re growing in the ranks of the revolutionaries!” Lily said. “This is kind of cool. You’re the bad ass warrior now!”

“Not yet, but I’m working on it.” He responded humbly.

The men cleared the path for the ambulance.

“Where we go now?” Lily asked.

“Just follow my lead, chica.”

They found the restaurant and pulled over by its glass door. Two sentries walked to both sides of the vehicle, also pointing weapons.

“I want to see some hands!”

“We need to talk to Tess.” Clark said.

“For the moment, you need what we tell you to need.”

“There’s a sick woman in the back” Lily spoke. “She needs help.”

“This is your problem.”

“Fine” Mate said. “Just tell Hector, Vince, Maria and the rest of the bunch that you denied help to Mate Clarkson and Apocalily.”

“Jesus, man! What’s with you and going straight to the point? Get this thing to the parking lot while I open the backdoor.”

“Hey, nice seeing you again!” Vince said.

“Glad you made it!” Hector spoke, with a bandage covering part of his shoulder.

“They dragged me out of there before I even knew what was happening.” Mate recalled. “Last thing I remember was a big ball of fire where the warehouse should be. A little after that, they knocked me out.” 

Clark exchanged compliments and high fives with the ones he got to know so well, and was even graced with a tender hug from Maria. He recognized some, but most men and women in that huge lobby were strangers to him. Tess, their gentle host, wasn’t in there.

At least forty people were gathering in the room. Nevertheless, Tess’ place was big enough to hold way more than that.

“Why are there so many people in here?” Mate asked.

“It’s a kind of emergency meeting.” Vince responded.

“We’ve met with Pedro on the way here.” Clark said. “He told me you’ve been attacked.”

“Yes. Some heavily armed soldiers came to the Industrial Zone, beat up a lot of residents and even kidnapped some others, men, women and children.”

“That’s why we set up that road block you met.” Hector spoke. “Pedro and Raul volunteered for it.”

“There’s no way to know where they took the ones they abducted.” Maria whispered.   

“We rescued a woman, but she needs medical attention.” Lily said.

“I can help you with that.” Aaron offered while he finished patching up a shred wound on Maria’s leg. “How bad is this woman hurt?”

“Well, she’s more like poisoned. It’s something called luxomol, luxavil…”

“Luviximil” Aaron corrected her. “I know the drug. It’s a heavy stuff. I can deal with it, but I need to take her to a hospital.”

“Yes, we have one.” A young man named Ahmed spoke. “It’s not exactly the cleanest place on Earth, but we can arrange everything you need. I take you there.”

“She’s in an ambulance back in the parking lot.” Lily informed. “Door is open, key is in the ignition.”

“Let’s go.” Aaron said and he left with Ahmed.

“And you are Lily Master, I presume.” Hector came to her. “It’s surely an honor and a privilege to make your acquaintance!”

“Thanks.” She shook hands with him. “The honor is all mine. Clark told me about you and your group. What you did took a lot of courage.”

“And a little temporary insanity” Vince completed, also shaking hands with her.

Clark introduced her to the ones he knew.

“Oh my God!” Natasha screamed hysterically, moving fists up and down. “You’re Apocalily, right? God, you’re alive! We’re saved!!!”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Tess said, getting into the room. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves in here.” By using a remote control, he turned on a big TV attached to the wall and increased volume. “We’d better listen to this.”

Shane was on the screen, beautiful and glamorous as ever.

“…I know that most of you know me, but some of you don’t. Then, let me introduce myself…”

“This is probably being broadcasted from coast to coast,” Prashant said “which in this case means from one edge of the town to the other edge of the town.”

“She doesn’t speak to both Uptown and Downtown very often.” Tess informed. “Normally, she only speaks to the worthy ones. This can’t be good.” 

Shane on TV:

“…there’s a reason why I’m coming to your homes today. Sorry to interrupt your regular programs, but what I have to say is of the utmost importance. I know many of you have been hearing rumors carelessly spread. I’m here to tell you exactly what happened in the same clear and straightforward way I always conduct myself, hoping to address all your concerns and put your minds at ease.”

Population could see her on giant screens located at strategic points along Uptown. In Downtown, people saw her in bars, restaurants, hospitals, or at home. She could also be heard by means of a powerful loudspeaker attached to a tall pole in the center of the city.

Shane continued on TV:

“Some time ago, a group of lowlifes, renegade terrorists invaded our power plant, coming from the back roads around Gingerbread Dam, in a treacherous attack. Their plan was to deprive you of running water and electricity to make us weak and exposed to a wider attack. That’s why the North District was temporarily out of power. But you have nothing to worry about. The invader’s coward attempt to ruin our lifestyle has been foiled by the courageous efforts of our troops, restoring electricity and water to sustain our families.”

“But I’m afraid we’re not out of the woods just yet. Most of the thugs were captured, but some of them are still at large. Actions and measures are in place to find and arrest those evil characters, but we need your help.”

At that moment, a picture of Lily, not a very flattering one, appeared on the screen, a serious face staring at the viewers.

“I told you this wasn’t good.” Tess spoke.

“Yes.” Lily agreed. “I look fat in this picture.”

“You look pissed in this picture, sis.” Vince realized.

“Maybe they did some reverse Photoshop.” Clark said.

Shane on TV (voice over):

“…Believe me, this woman is not what you think she is. As I’m sure most of you know, her name is Lily Master, but what you don’t know is that she’s actually a con-artist who took advantage of a tragic event in an elementary school to build herself the image of a saint, taking credit for the brave work of several police officers, the real heroes. There’s no such thing as Apocalily, it’s just a media invention blown out of proportions.”

“And there’s a reason why I’m mentioning her. She was part of the group that invaded and terrorized the power plant. And she’s one of those who escaped. Oh yes, this horrible woman is among you now. Recently, Lily used a very important educational event announced all over town to spread a lie through our community, saying it was all a plot to assassinate children to discredit her.”

Clark glanced at Lily “She’s smart.”

Lily nodded.

Shane continued on TV:

“It’s such an absurd, huh? But some people believed. Well, let’s show this vicious, intemperate girl we’re not fools. Lily Master is nothing more than a scoundrel and a looter, who just wants to infiltrate your homes and steal everything you hold dear.”

“Yep, she means business.” Clark commented.

“It’s okay.” The Australian woman replied. “I’ve been called worse things.”

Shane was done talking about Lily, which became obvious when a picture of Hector, also not a pretty one, appeared on the screen.

Shane on TV (voice over):

“According to our intelligence, the leader of the terrorists is this man. His name is Hector Dryland, convicted of murder and sentenced to life prior to the plague. He was in prison, but we believe he found a way to escape incarceration when the pandemic broke loose. His record also includes robbery, rape, theft, among other offences. He’s a brutal, ruthless and dangerous criminal who’s now at large in our city…”

“I guess you’re famous too.” Mate spoke to Hector.

“You also look fat in this picture, bro.” Vince observed.

“And pissed.”

“Well, at least I don’t need any Photoshop for that.” Hector responded.

Shane’s face was back on TV:

“We have the situation under control, but we need your help. Those terrible people might be walking among you, decent people, right now. So, be on the lookout all the time. If you see any of them, please report to the authorities immediately…”

Tess muted the TV with the remote control.

“Sorry, folks” He said. “This is all I can take. And I believe I speak for all of you.”

“I’m disappointed.” Vince sighed. “How come they didn’t show my face on TV? I can also look like a murderer, burglar and rapist with the help of some software.”

“She surely fed the people with a truckload of nonsense.” Maria spoke. “Now, everybody in town thinks we’re Jack the Ripper.”

“Yes, she’s really good in manipulating the fear of others.” Tess agreed. “And the only way to counteract such damage is by also going live on TV. To us this is virtually impossible. Now the population is afraid of us.”

“What about folks in Downtown?” Hector asked.

“Oh, don’t worry about them. My waiters and I did a thorough job telling people here Shane is not to be trusted.” He cleared his throat “Now, enough about her for the moment. I’d like to welcome the newcomers to my humble establishment, best cuisine in town, also safe harbor for street fighters and road warriors. My name is Tess, at your disposal.”

Lily and Clark nodded.

“Thank you for taking us in.” The Australian girl said.

“Don’t mention, dear. It’s always a pleasure to defy this system somehow. Speaking which, you all meet Shane.” Tess stretched an arm to the TV, for the blonde woman was still talking. “She’s our local queen bee, so to speak.”

“So, you met her before, I mean personally.” Lily said.

“Oh yes, my darling” Tess replied. “I was once very welcome in her little wonderland. And she was so sweet to me, you should’ve seen it. That was before she found out about my sexual orientation, of course. Then she took on a real nasty edge and kicked me out of Heavensville, that’s how she calls Uptown. But it’s not so bad. I’m living out my dreams of owning a restaurant, also headquarters for all sorts of nefarious activities, which I hope annoy Shane very much, if she knew it of course. Actually, she scares the hell out of me.”