I came home after being given the good new of pregnancy. I sat down to enjoy a cup of hot cocoa when a red notice notification arrived. I changed into something subtle. A sweatshirt and khakis. I tied my hair into a messy ponytail and walked out the door. DD was working from the study upstairs. Cheryl was doing online classes in her bedroom. I quietly walked and Henry reminded me that I don't have a permit. I waved my phone at his face as one automatically appeared on the screen. A woman in a humble truck came to take me to my destination. I told him not to worry. I will be back as soon as possible. Henry asked me if I was going to hurt someone. I said that I am not going to punish someone. This is a private think tank but it is invite only. He wished me luck and told me to be back before DD finishes his work. He won't be pleased if I get infected. I went to his office and collected the burner phone that he used to call me in L.A. I told him that it was for orderly disposal. DD wished me luck as he watched me walk out the door. I made Tanya blot me out of as many cameras as possible. I was taken from a different route. I stayed hidden till I reached my destination. When the doors I first received a round of applause for my pregnancy. I was taken to the torture chamber. The man in question was certainly in the military once upon a time. I was asked to interrogate him. I gave him a sense of ease. Then I made him feel in control and he blurted everything and much more. I used a syringe and filled it with air and inserted it into his bellybutton. I pushed the plunger and carefully pulled it out. I waited till he passed away. Then I used an electric saw to cut him to pieces then I spent some time cleaning the mess.
He willingly gave me a list of names. The guys made a kill list and I asked for instructions to destroy a burner phone that could get us cooked. I was told to melt it. Which meant a road trip elsewhere. The phone was placed in a metal cup and placed into four thousand degrees. I watched as the thing melted till it was a liquid goop. I made one little pit stop for a perfect cover story. Then I stopped at an Asian grocery store. I picked up a few boxes of tea, some exotic fruits and spices. I was taken home and was told that the next few meetings will be on video conference. Since Henry and the others were absent. They asked me how it was. I smiled, "I was helping abuse victims. It was exhausting." DD grinned ear to ear, "I am going to read this about the news or are you going to tell me." I explained about a woman who was beaten badly and her five year old son too. I had to spend some time explaining that under the law of the land under no circumstances is hitting a helpless woman or child legal. Since I am an abuse victim I managed to reach her somehow. Now she is going into hiding with her baby. The boy is in shock that his daddy is a beater. The man is currently serving jail time but unfortunately he will be released soon and then the concussion begins. He will probably put them both in a few missing persons websites.
I tried to make chicken soup but was ushered out of the kitchen. I said that I was interested in a specific recipe. But regardless I had to tell her what to do and was sent to the living room to enjoy some saltines and a sweet tea. DD looked youthful as he stared at me. I blushed eight shades of red as I asked him if he had finished his assignment. He said that he was bored so he is taking a break. I asked him if he ordered the stuff to baby-proof the house. DD said that it will arrive tonight and then he will have the staff take it from there. The cook came with the soup and a platter filled with slices of toasted sourdough bread and a spicy compound butter. DD and I ate the soup and left for Cheryl too. I happily massaged my husband's shoulders and got him some chocolates to snack on. I left my bag and walked up to the bathroom. When I came back Cheryl and DD were searching for a website on our smart TV. Cheryl was clutching a brochure that happens to be my cover story. After they located the web browser they typed the website and saw me as one of the people leading group chats with physical or sexual abuse victims. My background as a police officer made things a lot easier. DD had the proud dad face and the others took pictures and passed it along to relatives. One of the videos was one that I had to do after killing that acolyte. I gave an introduction that this is a safe space and that no one is here to judge them. Only listen and share lived experiences.
I bought a brand new laptop since my old one was broken beyond repair. I sent my old one to Tanya so she can salvage the parts. The others in the enterprise sent me a flash drive to check my new computer for any sort of bugs and new programs for me to use. I was about to hit the restart button when Henry came in. He requested if I could talk to my contacts in the police department. Apparently one more of his buddies was murdered. He was getting angrier so I casually asked around. The one in question was someone brand new. So I couldn't give him a definitive answer. He was satisfied to know the name of the detective in charge. I had a feeling this newbie was going to block Henry very soon. I wished him luck as I sat down. I reminded Henry that I am pregnant so any and all stress inducing situations are off limits. He gave me a knowing smile as he went to find the others. I switched open my laptop and clicked the icon resembling a skull. It immediately opened to show multiple people on the other end. They waved happily as I sat down to figure out who was the next one to die. The guys said that they used anonymous tips to send a few to jail. They sent an incriminating recording of some consorting to commit crime. Obviously they checked the video for any sort of alterations whether it was A.I. or not before anyone did anything.
As the conference progressed a few logged out and new ones signed in. We discussed who we were going to hunt next. I was told to chill till I give birth. But like I said itch time comes with a price. I explained that I was hypnotized so if I don't follow the status quo then my mind is going to show me horrible things. I explained a few things that occured. One of them asked if I had managed any sort delaying mechanism. I told them that I am going to start seeing things. As I turned around I saw a zombie. It's skin has fallen off. The muscle fibers were visible but mostly the skull was visible. Tanya asked me to describe the scenery and I chose to switch places since stress was a no-no. I closed my eyes and saw myself walking on a barely lit road. The lamps flicked on and off randomly. The air smelled of decay and stale tobacco. The moonlight illuminated a path to an abandoned hospital. The floor was littered with medical documents and old newspapers. The air smelled like a toilet left unflushed for a while. I saw a black mass sneaking a peek and I decided to just say it. I took a deep breath and yelled, "I am pregnant." The scene remained as is. I tapped my feet as a sign of impatience and slowly the scene changed into a bustling working hospital. The lights came on. The gunk sank into the floor. The air started smelling like disinfectant. Nurses started running around with charts. Sick people were seen complaining. Hoping to bump up line. Babies were crying and I heard arguing. A woman slapped a man and stomped off. An orderly came and directed me to one the rooms. SHE was waiting for me while viewing my charts. SHE gave me a tut before tucking me in bed. SHE gave a me a look and walked off to face the world. I apologized for ruining her surprise but I am on the borderline so I am not taking any risks. SHE gave me smirk, "That's not an apology. That's an excuse and a hidden accusation." I took a deep breath, "I am sorry." SHE smiled, "Much better. Now get some rest."
I got out to see that an audience was waiting for me with baited breath. I waved and winked. A few gave a round of applause while the others were concerned about exposure. I told them that once the itch was over I would be going back to sleep. I just have to find someone. Tanya opened her tablet to find me a victim. I told Tanya to text me since I have an overwhelming urge to pee. I logged out and did my business. One of the geeks sent me a virtual reality headset. It gives me a sense that I am outside. I made it clear that only the real McCoy will do. I was told that Henry is on a warpath. I am systemically killing his friends. If we are not careful he might put two and two together. He would find out from the M.E. the time of death of my recent victim. I was surprised. Soft serve did something. I felt like a proud mom. I happily asked her for details and was told that I can see in the virtual reality if I can promise that Henry won't sneak a peek. I said that I can't make any such promises. Moving on I walked out and Cheryl jumped up in surprise. I gave her a hug and sat down to watch TV. I found nothing interesting so I pulled out the tablet charging on the coffee table. I found a travel video. It was about a place called Imari in the Saga prefecture. The views were breathtakingly beautiful. I wondered what it would take to end this lockdown so I can see the world. Henry came with a tablet and flipped the screen to show me a young woman. She immediately said that I look nothing like the one who stayed at her apartment. I sound absolutely nothing like the woman who stayed with her. Apparently the woman wouldn't shut up even if you put a gun to her head. Henry took a deep breath and apologized before he left.