{"id":329,"date":"2014-12-30T06:06:21","date_gmt":"2014-12-30T06:06:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/?page_id=329"},"modified":"2021-12-06T18:46:49","modified_gmt":"2021-12-07T00:46:49","slug":"part1","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/00carter\/episodes\/episode8\/part1\/","title":{"rendered":"Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

Episode 8: \u00a0FANthrax<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Part 1<\/strong><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

On the second floor of a quiet house a few miles outside the city limits of Toronto, Ontario, a single window glowed amber in the fading twilight.<\/p>\n

Inside, a large man hunched over his desk. Although he was young, barely out of his teenage years, the man\u2019s appearance was intimidating, even frightening. Long, tawny hair trailed halfway down his expansive back and hung in curtains over his shoulders as he hovered above his work. His beefy hand rose to stroke his double chins, the thick fingers tugging absently at his unkempt beard.<\/p>\n

The females in Terrance Phillip\u2019s life — friends, always just friends, except for his mother — told him that if he would only cut his hair and shave that beard once in a while, he might actually have a shot at picking up a woman. Terrance — or TP, as he now preferred to be called — didn\u2019t believe them. All the hair hid his fat rolls and gave people something besides his girth to notice about his physical appearance. Besides, it was just easier not having to mess around with going to the barber or shaving every morning.<\/p>\n

It was easier to hide behind the hair, just as it was easier to claim that he was too busy for a social life, what with community college and his pizza delivery job, and that he would rather stay at home than go out, anyway. In reality, the existence he lived was a lonely one. But even for the loneliest of souls, life is not without its pleasures.<\/p>\n

Terrance, bending over his scrapbook, was immersed in one such pleasure. Last night had been the best of his life. Eighteen hours later, he was putting the finishing touches on the page that would preserve it, a memento he would always have to look back on, an exquisite record of a dream come true.<\/p>\n

He had collaged every scrap he\u2019d salvaged from the concert he had attended the night before, from his ticket stub right down to the bits of confetti he\u2019d plucked from his hair and beard after the show. He had listened to all of the band\u2019s albums in chronological order as he\u2019d worked, singing along to the lyrics he knew by heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cNa-na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na-na, na\u2026 na-na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na\u2026\u201d<\/em> he belted out in his toneless voice, using glue dots to carefully adhere the confetti pieces to his scrapbook page. \u201c\u2026I wanna show you how good it will be\u2026 Never needed anyone the way I need you right now\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

He drummed his slightly gluey fingers on the desktop, smiling down at the case of the CD that was playing, where the youthful faces of his four idols grinned up at him from a pit of colorful balls. It was their greatest hits album, Best of The Moffatts<\/em>, and until last night, Terrance had never heard the songs on it sung live and believed he never would.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d been a boy of fourteen when his favorite band, The Moffatts, had gone their separate ways. For nine years, he had regretted never having convinced his mother to take him to one of their concerts, thinking it was now too late. And then, just a few months ago, the announcement that had left him weeping for joy in front of his computer: a one-night-only Moffatts reunion show, right in his hometown of Toronto!<\/p>\n

It had seemed almost too good to be true that the four brothers would be reuniting for this one show on the complete opposite side of the country from their own home city, Vancouver. But the news was more than a dream. For Terrance, it was a dream come true.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d thrown all of his energy into preparing for the show, and now that it was over, he felt oddly depleted, lethargic. It had been a difficult day. On the one hand, he\u2019d reveled in the memories of seeing his favorite band live after all these years. But on the other, the post-concert depression had affected him physically almost as much as emotionally. He\u2019d felt tired, under the weather, all morning, as if he were coming down with the flu. But he knew it wasn\u2019t that. All he had was a case of the blues.<\/p>\n

After lunch, he\u2019d printed out his photos, sorted through his souvenirs, and sat down to scrapbook, hoping the memories and music would lift his spirits. And they had. He had worked happily through the afternoon.<\/p>\n

He reached for the last piece of metallic confetti, plucking it up carefully between his sausage-like fingers so as not to smudge its shiny surface with his fingerprints. He dropped it into place on the scrapbook page and drew his fingertip along its edges to smooth it down. The swiping motion was too quick, and the edge of the confetti sliced into his index finger.<\/p>\n

\u201cOw!\u201d hissed Terrance, pulling his finger back as if he\u2019d been burned. He held it up to the light to inspect the damage and saw a long slash across its tip. Beads of blood were starting to appear between the parted flaps of skin. It stung terribly. \u201cUncle Fucker, that hurts!\u201d he exclaimed, sticking his finger in his mouth. He sucked on the blood, and his saliva worked to soothe the sting in his finger.<\/p>\n

\u201cTerrance! Dinner!\u201d his mother\u2019s voice drifted from downstairs. Terrance turned down the music a little, checking the wall clock mounted among his Moffatts posters. It was already six o\u2019clock.<\/p>\n

\u201cMooooom<\/em>, I told you — it\u2019s TP!\u201d he called back. He looked down at the nearly-complete scrapbook page. He hated to leave it unfinished, but he also hated missing mealtimes. With a sigh, he paused the CD player and rose from his chair.<\/p>\n

As he hoisted himself to his feet, a wave of nausea hit him suddenly and severely. Terrance doubled over, wrapping one arm protectively around his stomach while he clapped his other hand across his mouth. He tried to fight his gag reflex, but his efforts were in vain. After a couple of dry heaves, a sickly burp gurgled out of his throat. In its wake came the vomit, rising unstoppably up his esophagus like magma in a volcano.<\/p>\n

He finally erupted, projectile vomiting right over his desktop. As the acidic chunks of his partially-digested stomach contents spattered across his scrapbook, he cried out in horror. Not only because his day\u2019s work, his lifetime\u2019s memories, was ruined, but because the vomit, like hot magma itself, was tinged bright red.<\/p>\n

A second attack of uncontrollable vomiting choked his cry. What finally brought his mother racing upstairs to his room was the thud of her son\u2019s heavy body slamming into the floor above her as he collapsed.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201c008!\u201d Agent K shouted, causing the blond-haired agent on the other side of the gym to look up from his punching bag and run over.<\/p>\n

\u201cMornin\u2019 K,\u201d Nick replied, out of breath. It was then that he noticed the young man standing next to his boss. This couldn\u2019t possibly be good news. \u201cWhat\u2019s up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a surprise for you, 008,\u201d K replied. Nick looked at him expectantly, and he continued, \u201cThis is one of our new recruits, Chris Brown.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay\u2026\u201d Nick hoped this conversation wasn\u2019t going the way he knew it would. He already had so much on his mind after everything that had happened to him over the last few months; the last thing he needed was…<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be paired with you while he\u2019s in training.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAww, come on, K!\u201d Nick whined and then looked at K with a raised eyebrow. \u201cYou really want me training a new agent?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no one else who can, 008, so I don\u2019t have a choice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I don\u2019t have time for a shadow, K.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll make time<\/em> for a trainee, 008, or I\u2019ll make time for you<\/em> by keeping you away from any missions for another six months. Is that clear?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick groaned. \u201cYes, inescapably clear, K.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood.\u201d He patted Chris on the back, then looked back over at Nick. \u201cI\u2019m sure you two will get along just fine. Try to stay out of trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n

I was trying to stay out of trouble in the first place,<\/em> Nick thought to himself. How am I supposed to get anything done with this kid following me around like a shadow?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cSo\u2026\u201d Chris said once K walked away, noticing Nick deep in his own thoughts.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, sorry, man,\u201d Nick said as if waking himself up. He shook Chris\u2019s hand. \u201cNice to meet you, Chris; I\u2019m Nick. Please don\u2019t call me 008.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chris laughed and shook Nick\u2019s hand. \u201cHey, Nick. And you don\u2019t have to call me Chris; people usually call me Styx.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCool, Styx,\u201d Nick said before an awkward silence crept up on them. He looked back and saw the unoccupied sparring ring; an idea struck him like a moonwalking penguin that wasn\u2019t paying attention to where it was going. \u201cSo, how about we get to know each other better and start your training at the same time?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good to me,\u201d Styx replied, looking over at the same spot and flashing Nick a smile that he was sure made him as popular with the girls as Nick\u2019s trademark grin had made him. Styx followed Nick over to the mat and took off his hoodie, revealing a wifebeater that showed off his defined muscles. Nick hadn\u2019t expected anything less since he knew that strength and agility were important qualities that HimTak looked for in its trainees. The question he had now was, Just how strong and agile is this kid? And why does K seem to think that no one else around here can train him?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s start with one round, and we\u2019ll see how this goes. Alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYep!\u201d Styx nodded as he stepped onto the large mat and got into a fighting stance with his right fist near his ear and his left fist closer to the front of his face. Nick hit the start button on the automatic buzzer and got into his own fighting stance as they stared each other down, waiting for the first bell to sound. As it did seconds later, Nick and Styx moved closer to each other, careful not to bring their fists down from their faces.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, how old are you?\u201d Nick asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwenty-two. You?\u201d Styx responded, taking a shot at Nick.<\/p>\n

Nick ducked and moved to the side, taking a swipe at Styx. \u201cTwenty-six.\u201d He tried to launch a roundhouse kick, but Styx narrowly avoided it. \u201cWhere are you from?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVirginia.\u201d Styx launched a kick of his own, but Nick was already on the other side of the mat, ready to throw another punch at him. \u201cBut I was recruited here from Duke University in North Carolina.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDuke, huh?\u201d Nick\u2019s punch landed on Styx\u2019s arm, not its intended target. Unfazed, Styx tried to counter, but Nick blocked his punch.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I was a drummer in the marching band.\u201d Styx tried to kick Nick in the stomach but once again missed his target. He shook it off and refocused himself.<\/p>\n

Nick watched him closely as they circled each other, formulating his next question. If there was one thing he\u2019d learned from his time listening to Grasshopper and his wacky proverbs, it was that fighting was like a dance. One person leads, the other person follows, and right then, he was leading. The next move was his, and he needed to figure out what that move would be. He wasn\u2019t going to let his new shadow get the best of him during their first sparring session. \u201cSo,\u201d Nick said, taking a step to his right and smirking as Styx did the same. \u201cHow does someone go from being a marching band drummer to this?\u201d Nick took this time to quickly step forward and throw a punch at Styx.<\/p>\n

Styx, anticipating that Nick would strike, blocked the punch, although not as well as he had hoped since the force of the hit did jolt him slightly. \u201cWell, I got my degree in Criminal Justice. I also learned how to fight when I was about sixteen because guys kept trying to kick my ass for hanging out with their girlfriends. I was sick of getting into trouble and wanted to know how to get myself out,\u201d he explained between kicks, punches, and dodges from both sides.<\/p>\n

Nick chuckled. \u201cGirl trouble, huh? I\u2019ve been there.\u201d Styx caught Nick\u2019s next kick and pushed him to the ground. The move impressed Nick since he probably would have done the same thing. He then realized why K had assigned Styx to be his trainee: they were very much alike. Still, he wasn\u2019t sure if that would work to his advantage or be more trouble than he\u2019d already expected.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot anymore, though,\u201d Styx said with a sigh. \u201cWell, actually, now I have a different kind of girl problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow so?\u201d Nick asked, climbing to his feet. They had been circling the mat during the lulls in their conversation, but Nick was about to test a way to keep Styx on his toes. He remained in his place as Styx responded to his last question.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy girl is pissed \u2018cause I can\u2019t spend as much time with her as I should,\u201d Styx explained. He guessed that Nick was trying to surprise him with a random attack, which only caused him to be even more guarded while he continued, \u201cI think she\u2019s about ready to kick my ass. She\u2019s sexy as hell, but she could rearrange my face if she wanted to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds rough,\u201d Nick replied, knowing quite a few girls who matched that description — most of whom worked for HimTak. \u201cWhat does your family think of her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey love her.\u201d Styx wondered when Nick would make his next move. \u201cEveryone thinks we\u2019re a hot couple.\u201d He was beginning to grow impatient but knew that Nick was counting on that. \u201cWhat does your fam\u2019 think of you working here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cActually,\u201d Nick began, finally making a move to swiftly kick Styx\u2019s feet out from under him. He smiled with satisfaction as Styx fell hard to the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh Nicky, be gentle! Don\u2019t hurt the fresh meat too quickly!\u201d he heard a familiar, effeminate voice call and looked up to see his secretary, Mr. Lancybassy, standing just inside the door. Lancy ran his eyes up and down Nick\u2019s sweaty body. \u201cWhat can I get you to do to get that sweaty with me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long have you been standing there?\u201d Nick asked Lancy, holding his hand down to his defeated trainee.<\/p>\n

After swiping Nick\u2019s hand away, Styx kicked his legs out and jumped to an attack-ready position. \u201cYou distracted me,\u201d he spat. \u201cRematch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not bad though, kid. Just takes time and training; you should\u2019ve seen me when I started.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lancy giggled. \u201cHe was tripping over himself every two steps. I\u2019d rush to help him, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI still want a rematch, man.\u201d Styx grinned good-naturedly. \u201cSee if I can\u2019t teach you a move or two.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBoys, boys, as much as I\u2019d love to watch you fight over me, Red has requested the honor of your presence in her office.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNew and already being requested\u2026\u201d Smirking at Nick, Styx moved towards the door to leave, only to be stopped by Lancy placing his hand on his chest. He let out a small \u201coh.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh honey, not you; she wants Nick.\u201d Lancy pouted seductively at Styx. \u201cYou can stay in here and get all sweaty with me.\u201d His pout became a wide grin.<\/p>\n

Nick pushed his way past them, trying hard to hide his own growing smile. \u201cYou boys have fun.\u201d When he was safely away, Nick let his suppressed chuckle become a hearty laugh.<\/p>\n

Quickly, he made his way to the infirmary, curious as to why HimTak\u2019s resident doctor, Red Jewel, would send someone to disrupt a training session. Pushing his way through the doors, Nick started to say some smartass comment but stopped himself when he saw Jay and K standing in the room, waiting expectantly. K\u2019s face was serious, showing no signs of the softer side Nick had been able to glimpse that one time on the Disney mission months earlier.<\/p>\n

Nick shifted his eyes from K and Jay to Red. Her face was solemn, though she attempted to smile when she saw him walk into the room. \u201cWhat\u2019s new?\u201d Nick asked, dispensing with his usual quirky banter. He could see this was not the time.<\/p>\n

\u201cAn old friend just called me\u2026\u201d Red started.<\/p>\n

\u201cWas she not a good friend?\u201d Nick asked playfully.<\/p>\n

\u201cNick! Not now.\u201d Red continued, \u201cShe works for the CIDPC — Canada\u2019s Center for Disease Control, basically. There\u2019s been an outbreak of some new virus that no one is able to pinpoint the origin of. The threat is fast-acting: those who are infected feel fine one minute; the next, they are vomiting blood. The cases they have seen come in do not last long. So far, it seems to have a high fatality rate. Dozens of people have died already, and many more have fallen ill.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick didn\u2019t know what to say. This really was serious.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy friend Jeanie called me to see if I can be of some assistance. I have some resources available to me that she desperately needs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does her needing your help have to do with me?\u201d Nick asked, feeling a bit selfish for seeming to care only about himself at a time like this.<\/p>\n

\u201cNick, we need you to go with Red,\u201d said K. \u201cThis sounds like an act of bioterrorism. We need to find out how this disease started, how it is spreading, and hopefully how to contain the threat. You and Red will fly to New York, where you will meet up with Brian. The three of you will continue to Canada to investigate the outbreak. Hopefully, Red will be able to figure out not only what — or who — started it, but also how to contain, if not cure, this disease.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have no time to gather any items,\u201d added Jay. \u201cYou and Red are leaving immediately for the airport. Red is already ready to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was just in the training room,\u201d Nick protested. \u201cI\u2019m covered in sweat and sure I smell funky. Can I at least clean up?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jay and K looked at each other, then verbally agreed: \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe packed your gear already, buddy — well, I did \u2018cause I have the fashion sense.\u201d As they walked out of the infirmary, Jay handed Nick a bag, ignoring the look he earned from K. \u201cYou\u2019ll find enough clothes for a week. Everything else you need will be in the car in New York. They\u2019re already closing airports up north, so you\u2019ll be driving to Canada after you meet Brian. You can clean up then.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick reluctantly took the bag from Jay and followed Red down to the garage. Whistling appreciatively at the flash of leg Red showed as she entered the car, he climbed into the back seat beside her. The car raced off to take them to the airport. After only a few minutes, the quiet became unbearable for Nick. Leaning in towards Red, he touched her leg and whispered in a pouty tone, \u201cToo bad we\u2019re in such a rush; it would have been nice to take a nice, long road trip alone with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Red rolled her eyes and pushed him away. \u201cI wish they\u2019d let you shower before we left. Maybe if they had, I wouldn\u2019t have minded some \u2018us\u2019 time.\u201d She smiled, her blue eyes sparkling mischievously at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s always the ride home, Jewel.\u201d He smirked back at her. \u201cThere\u2019s always the ride home.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Part 2<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Episode 8: \u00a0FANthrax Part 1   On the second floor of a quiet house a few miles outside the city limits of Toronto, Ontario, a single window glowed amber in the fading twilight. Inside, a large man hunched over his desk. Although he was young, barely out of his teenage\u2026<\/p>\n

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