A New Order Read online

  “Oh, Frank.” Henry said. “That’s really good.”

  “Maybe Professor Hulk was right,” Frank said. “Maybe we don’t change time. Just create an alternate universe.”

  Excitedly Henry perked up. “Beginnings two, three. Multiverse. Can you imagine?”

  “Can you imagine if we could go to Beginnings one?” Frank asked. “It would be fucking … I mean, flipping beautiful.”

  “A Beginnings Multiverse,” Henry said.

  “Jesus Christ.”

  “Dad! He may be here listening.”

  “Then if he is, he can hear me telling you, you are a goddamn moron. There is no multiverse …”

  “Professor Hulk said.”

  “There is no Professor Hulk.”

  “Clearly you aren’t up on your comics.”

  “Clearly you’re an idiot.” Joe rubbed his brow. “Now can we just get back to this, please.” He looked at Frank who raised his hand. “What?”

  “If we can just find our way back to Beginnings like three or four.”

  “Probably five,” Henry said.,

  “Probably,” Frank nodded. “We don’t have to worry about being confused.”

  Joe took a calming breath. “When you figure out how, let me know.”

  “I’ll ask God.”

  “You do that.”

  “I have to find him first.”

  “I’m sure you will.” Joe then looked at Dean who raised his hand. “Since we’re acting like students, what Dean.”

  Dean pointed at Henry. “Can he just let us know what he found. We can figure out the how and whys after.”

  “Good idea.” Joe turned to Henry. “What did you find.”

  “Nothing much.”

  Joe’s head dropped to the desk.

  “No, Joe, listen. I didn’t have a chance,” Henry defended. “I was too busy covering our tracks with Jason. I thought we could go through all together. Figure out how Frank screwed things up. It had to be him. No offense Frank.”

  “None taken.”

  “I know it wasn’t me. I didn’t do anything,” Henry said. “I hung out with a nice woman all day and night, lied about who I was. Everything.”

  “They’re testing the samples that somehow appeared in my bag,” Dean said. “Then I think they’ll want to tackle the time trip to Billings to get the antibiotics. They’re gonna go to the warehouse right after the plague while the supplies are still good.”

  “That’s a good idea,” Joe said.

  “That was Catherine,” Dean replied. “I’m sure she is, was a welcome addition here. She knows, she’s been waiting for us.”

  “Maybe she can give us some help,” Joe said. “At least on some major things. Figure out who else is here that shouldn’t be.”

  There was a knock on the door.

  Everyone drew silent.

  Frank pointed back. “That’s kind of scary. The knock at that right moment. You have to admit…”

  “Shut up,” Joe said then aimed his voice at the door. “Come in.”

  The door opened and a young man stepped inside. All faces were upon him and Frank, Joe, Dean and Henry had the same lost look.

  His hair was darker, kind of wavy but only because he probably needed a hair cut. He wore a blue tee shirt and blue work pants, he looked Polynesian, but it was hard to tell.

  “Sorry to interrupt,” he said and put a folder in the bin on Joe’s desk. “These are the work orders for the quarantine wing you wanted to see right away.”

  Joe stared at him. “Thank you… um, son.”

  There was an awkward silence to the room.

  The young man looked at Henry and spoke with a slight hint of attitude. “They’re all done.”

  “Okay,” Henry replied.

  “All of them.”

  “Um .. thanks.”

  He looked at Dean. “Hey.”

  “Hey,” Dean replied.

  The young man took a step and stopped. “Are you mad at me?”

  “No. Why? Should I be?” Dean asked.

  “No, you’re just being weird right now.”

  Frank interjected. “Dean’s trying desperately to find God, but he’s having a hard time right now.”

  “Well, that’s odd,” he said. “But you are with the right person.” He pointed to Frank. “He’s the man with that stuff.”

  “I am.”

  “You are. And I’ll let you go. I’ll see you tonight.” He walked to the door.

  “Who?” Frank asked. “Me?”

  “No,” he chuckled. “Dean. You’re funny.”

  “I am.”

  “You are.” He walked out.

  The silence continued.

  “Anyone have a clue who that was?” Joe asked.

  Everyone shook their heads.

  “Check the rec, Joe,” Henry said. “His name will be on it.”

  “Good idea.” Joe pulled the folder. “Who the hell else is here. We have him, Catherine, William …”

  “WHAT!”

  The word blasted from all three of them.

  Joe dropped the folder. “You didn’t know …?”

  “My father …” Dean said breathless. “My father is alive. Oh my God, how… I ….”

  “You didn’t see him?” Joe asked.

  “I gotta go. My dad is alive.” Dean flew out of the office.

  “Me, too,” Frank followed.

  “I want to see him.” Henry raced behind them.

  “Wait!” Joe yelled, staring at the open door. “Goddamn it, I can’t run as fast as you.” Grumbling, he stood and started to leave. Before he did, he paused, lifted the folder and opened it, looking at the name. Joe dropped the folder. “Oh, brother. Only in Beginnings.”

  EIGHT

  “Guys,“ Henry shouted and then followed it with a whining, “We don’t even know where he is.“

  Dean and Frank stopped. They had made it rather quickly from Joe’s office to just behind the warehouse not far from town.“

  Henry caught up to them. “We don’t. We don’t have a clue where William is. It’s been years since we saw him last. It wasn’t even in Beginnings.”

  “He’s right,“ Frank said, then looked around. “I thought my dad was chasing us.

  “He’ll catch up.” Dean said.

  “Let’s just wait here for my dad,“ Frank said. “Maybe he’ll have an idea.“

  “I doubt it,“ Dean said. “He was just as shocked as we were.“

  The voice asking, “Who and why were they shocked?“ Came first, then Jason stepped from behind the building.

  Henry jumped a little and looked at him. “Are you following us?“

  “Why would I do that?” Jason asked. “I was just checking my equipment in the warehouse. And why am I not surprised you three are together.”

  “Maybe because we’re always together,’ Frank suggested.

  “Maybe because you three just got back from time traveling,” Jason said.

  “If you think we’re hiding something,” Henry said. “You know we aren’t. I gave you that history.”

  “You did.” He turned to Dean. “How is Millie?”

  “Who?” Dean asked.

  “Your daughter?”

  “Oh, Millie,” Dean said. “She’s fine. I thought you said silly.”

  Henry added, “And there aren’t really any silly people in Beginnings.”

  “Which is a shame,” Frank said. “Especially since Robbie encouraged it with the Silly Song.”

  “I loved that song,” Henry said.

  “Me, too.” Frank nodded.

  “I’m not stupid.” Jason held up his hand. “But for the sake of this ruse I’ll pretend I am. Where are you headed?”

  “To see my father,’ Dean replied. “Which … by the way, do you know where he is?”

  “I am assuming he is where he always in this time of day.”

  “And … if we pretended I didn’t know where that was,” Dean said. “Could you tell me.”

  �
�Why would I do that?” Jason asked.

  “Fuck.”

  Jason glanced at Frank with a ‘hmm.’

  “What?”

  “Have a good day, gentlemen. Find me if you need me. And oh.” He snapped his finger. “When you do find you father, please be careful on what you say in regards to the time trip. Some only know the trip was taken, they don’t know the where or when, some people aren’t even aware. Your father has limited knowledge and he doesn’t know about the destination of Vegas.”

  “Got it.” Dean gave a thumbs up.

  Jason turned when Joe arrived. “Hello, Joe, not surprised either that you’re here.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Joe asked.

  “Nothing. Again, all of you…” Jason swirled a finger. “Find me when you need me.”

  Joe joined the trio and once Jason was out of ear shot, he faced them. “Eventually, we’re going to have to break down and ask him how things could have changed.”

  “Especially my father,” Dean said. “He died in Ashtonville...”

  “No,” Joe said. “He didn’t. He died here, remember, history was changed, you three did that.”

  They all replied with an, “Oh yeah.”

  “Oh, yeah,” Joe shook is head. “In my memory, he passed away taking a nap. His heart.”

  Dean scratched his head. “So his heart is the issue. Obviously, something happened that fixed it or got it under control.”

  “Or brought it to light earlier,” Joe said. “If you go by ways I was thinking that we could save Robbie. You know, a heads up about the heart.”

  “Would that have worked?” Frank asked.

  “Hard to say,” Dean replied.

  “Okay, one thing at a time.” Joe held up his hand. “Find William. We should split up, maybe …” He paused. “Frank, can you put down your phone please.”

  “One sec,” Frank’s fingers moved. “I’m finding William.”

  “And how in the hell …” Again. Joe paused when he heard a ding.

  Henry lifted his phone. “Me. I follow Frank on Hoi Book.”

  “You posted on Hoi Book?” Joe asked.

  “Yeah, just asked, If I were Dean where would I find William and …” Tightly closed lips Frank smiled, when non stop beeps rang out. “Oh, yeah.” He lifted his phone again.

  “Did we get an answer?” Joe asked.

  “Yeah and …” Frank paused to laugh. “Dean, this is so great. William replied, ‘Tell my son I don’t want him to find me.’”

  “Frank!” Joe snapped. “Where is William?”

  “Oh,” Frank said. “Looks like Containment.”

  NINE

  Okay, Frank thought, It doesn’t look like containment.

  The welcome sign and wreath on the door was the first sign that things were a bit different.

  “This is new,” Frank said.

  “Aren’t you perceptive,” Joe said with sarcasm.

  “I am.”

  “You’re also an asshole, go inside.”

  Frank was well aware of what Containment looked like, after all he had been going there since it was developed.

  The front door was always a raw metal color, now it was painted almost a copper with a branch and dried flower wreath on the door.

  Inside Containment was always like some plain bland office from the 1950’s, An old metal desks, file cabinet, a single chair for whoever worked security, and security door that led to the main portion of containment.

  When they made containment they left that front office how it was. Tacky paneling and lime green walls.

  That wasn’t how it looked when Frank walked in. It caused him to stop and everyone else to slam into him.

  “Frank!” Joe scolded.

  “We’re in the wrong place,” Frank said pushing back.

  “We are not. Go.” Joe shoved him forward.

  “Dad, I’m telling you.”

  “And I’m telling you. Go.”

  Frank moved farther inside. Gone was the paneling and green paint. It was replaced with white walls with bead-board paneling. A sofa and two chairs were in the room, with tables that had flowers and books.

  It looked like a waiting room.

  The desk was gone as well, replaced with a counter, where Bill from Security sat, probably on a stool, and he was reading.

  “Bill,” Frank said.

  “Frank.”

  “Is William back there?” Frank asked.

  Bill looked at his watch. “Yep, for another two hours.”

  “Good.” Frank reached for the security pad.

  “Wait. Frank, come on,” Bill said. “You know the rules.” He pointed to a sign that read, ‘No weapons beyond this point.’

  “Has that always been there?” Frank asked.

  Bill chuckled. “You’re funny.”

  “I am.”

  “You are.”

  “Christ,” Joe mumbled.

  “Been there since you initiated it,” Bill told him.

  “Quick quiz,” Frank said. “I initiated it … why?”

  “Because a resident took a knife from Oliver and stabbed William.”

  “Ouch.” Frank flinched.

  “Who’s Oliver?” Dean asked.

  “Look.” Bill pointed. “Leave me out of your petty shit, okay. Also …” he pointed to another sign under it that read, ‘no intoxicated persons permitted.’ “We good, Dean?”

  Dean laughed when he read the sign. “Um, yeah. I’m not Frank.”

  “No one is.”

  “Christ,” Joe grumbled. “Okay, okay, let’s just check our weapons and go inside.” Joe removed his revolver and placed it in the bin that Bill lifted.

  Dean lifted his hands. “I have none.”

  Henry dropped in a pocket knife.

  Frank placed in his pistol and harness. “All of them?”

  “Yeah, Frank, usually you’re ready.”

  “I wasn’t thinking,.” Frank removed a pistol from behind the waist of his pants, then one from the side of his thigh. He reached to the other leg and pulled a huge knife, strapped belt was another.

  “Good lord, Frank,” Joe griped.

  A ping rang out when Frank dropped a small round object in the bin.

  “What’s that?” Bill asked.

  “It’s one of those God balls. Not the God in Beginnings and it wouldn’t be his balls, that would be obscene, God balls that make electricity. Never know.”

  “You’re smart.”

  Joe called out. “Please don’t,” When Frank opened his mouth.

  “Oh, yeah, one more.” Frank lifted his leg to the counter, pulled up his pant leg and removed another small handgun. “That’s it.”

  “You can go in. Here’s you gun check receipt.” Bill handed him a slip of paper.

  “Look at that. Thanks.” Frank punched in the code, it was the same, and he stepped inside. He was pretty excited to see what William had done to the place.

  The walls were freshly painted with pictures. Frank bobbed his head to the nice, soft elevator music that played. “That.” He pointed up. “Is a nice touch.” He looked to his left. The dining room no longer looked institutionalized, but homey and warm.

  The men’s sleeping quarters, which was a huge open room was now sectioned off with walls.

  “Henry,” Joe said. “You need to look into the history and let me know when all this changed.”

  “I’ll do that, Joe.”

  “And that …” William’s voice carried down the hall. “Is exactly what I’m talking about. Good Job.”

  The sound of applause carried to them.

  Dean stopped walking.

  Frank pointed to the double doors at the end of the hall. “Social skills room. You ready?”

  Dean ran his hand across his stomach and nodded. “Yeah.”

  A light, one Frank never saw was above the skills door. It was illuminated red. It went off and the door opened.

  William held the door as residents filed out.


  Frank knew how he felt upon seeing William he could only imagine how Dean was feeling. He looked over his shoulder.

  Dean stared, mouth slightly open, color drained some from his face. He was in shock.

  Henry, on the other hand, lifted his arm high in the air, waving frantically. “Hi, William, hi!”

  William gave a quirky look to Henry and lifted his hand in a partial wave.

  “Oh my God.” Henry spun to Frank. “Did you see that? William waved.”

  He didn’t look too different. Last Frank saw him was in Ashtonville, even though time had changed and William passed away in Beginnings. He was slightly heavier which probably offset any aging he had done.

  He gave a gentle pat to the residents as they walked by him.

  “I’ll pop by before I go home,” he said. “Great session guys. Great.”

  William kept a smile on his face until the last person walked out, then he pulled the door closed. The smile dropped from his face when he looked at Dean.

  “Man, William,” Frank held out his hand. “You look good.”

  William awkwardly shook it.

  “William.” Henry jumped forward, embracing him. Arms around William’s waist, head against William’s chest.

  “What is wrong with you, two?” William gently pulled Henry from him.

  “Dad.” Dean gushed, almost in shock and stepped to him.

  William inched by and looked at Frank. “Why do you post on Hoi Book if you don’t read the comments people leave?”

  “What? I did.” Frank said.

  “Then you didn’t read mine,” William said, moved by Frank. “I clearly stated that I didn’t want to see him.”

  “I thought you were joking.”

  “You know better.” William paused by the little office door. “Joe are you hear to encourage this or to just do your usual end of day visit.”

  “Not here to encourage,” Joe said. “I tried to stop them.”

  Frank gasped loudly. “You lie.”

  “Oh, I do not.,” Joe waved him off.

  “Dad.” Dean moved to him. “Look, I …”

  “No, you look, Dino.” William was firm.

  “Wow,” Frank commented. “He hates you.”

  “Frank,” Joe scolded.

  “I don’t hate my son,” William said. “I have to be firm. He knows he can’t come here.”

  “Ever?” Frank asked.