Anomaly Original

8/9/2019 Anomaly Original

1/22

Anomaly

by Alex Haitz


2/22


3/22

Time is like the wind; it lifts the light and leaves the heavy.

-Domnico Cieri Estrada

Men talk of killing time, while time quietly kills them.

-Dion Boucicault

Clocks slay time.... time is dead as long as it is being clicked off by

little wheels; only when the clock stops does time come to life.

-William Faulkner


4/22


5/22

- 1 -

Prologue(Day 0, Evening)

Hugh left the tent in a rage. How could they have mistrusted him

like that? They had to take 3 days to decide ifhe was fit for the

task? This simple little task?! He started pacing near the entrance

of the tent. Left, right, left, right. John threwopen the tent flap

and walked out. Hugh.are you seriously angry? Normally, we

wouldnt let any

one

of you

r po

sitio

n perfo

rm a task like th

is. Th

is

should be an honor. Yea, I know, Hugh said, it just seems like

youhad to think about it for too long. Like you thought I wasnt

up for the job or something. That I wasntqualified.for

something like this. What made you finally decide, huh? Dont

have anyone else to do it? Is it because everyone that could have

done it is offworkingon the John quickly covered Hughs

mouth. Shh! John said. Dont say it! He took his hand offof

Hughs mouth. Sorry, Hugh said, I keep forgetting.

John and Hughwere standingoutside of the HQTent of their

encampment. The encampment consisted of about 20 tents

tucked away in a valley in the desert on the outskirts of town.


6/22

- 2 -

They were hidden in the perfect spot. They could climb up the hill

concealing them from the city and monitor the open desert plane

to see if anyone was approaching the camp. They were in such a

secluded area of the desert that the chances of any random

person stumblingon their camp were below miniscule. Although

the camp was hidden deep in the desert, they were still close

enough to the city that they could reach it in under an hour. It

was the perfect hideout.

Also, their camp was completely clean. They had no papers or

data relating to their mission. In fact, the only equipment they

had was camping-related. Because of this, they could abandon it

at any time and not have to pack anything. So if any wanderer

happened towalk into their camp, it would look to that person

like a bunchof camping buddies out in the desert.

Not only was their camp clean, but their conversations were as

well. They never spoke a word that could connect to their

mission. Even though they were out in the desert, surrounded by

20 miles ofopen wasteland, they werent going to take anychances. The plan had to be absolutely perfect. There was no

room for mistakes.


7/22

- 3 -

Well, you need to stop forgetting! John said. Im sorry, Hugh

said, it wont happen again. That had better be true this time,

John said as he walked back towards the tent. Come on. You still

need to be briefed. Hugh looked at John for a moment then

looked up at the sky. The desert stars were emblazoned across

the sky in a magnificent display, twinkling down on the camp

from above. Hugh sighed before looking back down at John. He

walked back to the tent and they both re-entered.

The Administration was still sitting calmly in their chairs. Hugh

gave a skeptical look at John before turning back to The

Administration and sitting back down in his chair.

Did you clear your head? asked the man in the 4th

chair.

Yes, Hugh responded.

Are you thinking straight now? Can we give you your briefing?

Yes.

Alright, the man said. Im just going to start over from the

beginning. Hugh relaxed in his chair and propped his legs up onthe chair in front ofhim. We need you toguard The Item until

it can be utilized in our plan. Its currently at a house back in

town. Since a lot of the other members have been busy and out

of town, its been unguarded for 3 days. This is top priority right

now. Its a weakness in our plan that we have to deal with as


8/22

- 4 -

soon as possible. Youll be living in the house and keeping

constant watchover The Item. It may seem boring and

unimportant, but I assure you, its not. This is completely vital to

our plan. It needs to be guarded. Are youup for this task?

Hughwas staring at the roofof the tent as the man finished up

his little speech. He contemplated what this job would entail. It

seemed fairly safe. After all, it was assumed that noone knew

about their operation but the people involved in it. How bad

could just staying in a house for a few days be?

Hugh looked back up at The Administration and smiled. Of

course Ill do it. Id be glad too. The man smiled back and said,

Thats what I was hoping tohear. He stood up and shook

Hughs hand. Youwill be driven to the house in the morning, he

said. Once there, The Item will be in one of the rooms upstairs.

Just keep it safe until another member arrives to collect it. Do

youunderstand? Yes, sir. Hugh responded. Great, the man

said, nowget back to your tent and get some sleep.

Hugh nodded and turned around. Alongwith John, he walked

towards the exit. As they neared the tent flaps, the man in the 2nd

chair yelled at them. Ohwait! Hugh! Hugh and John turned

back to face them. Yes? asked Hugh.


9/22

- 5 -

Theres one more thing, said the man, it may be important.

Oh yes? And whats that? asked Hugh.

It has been reported that The Item has somepeculiar side

effects. Members have reported a lot of anomalies that occur

around it. You may want to be careful around it. I just thought

you should know.

Hugh nodded. Thank you for informing me. Ill keep an eye out.

Hugh and John exited the tent. The warm, crisp desert night air

surrounded them again as they walked away from the HQTent.

Im going togo play poker with some of the guys, John said,

want to come? Nah, Hugh said, Im going togoget some

sleep. I feel tired. Alright, John said, Ill see you tomorrow,

ok?

Ok, Hugh said as he neared his tent. See you tomorrow.

He watched as John entered a tent at the other end of the camp.

The stars were still twinkling in the sky as Hugh entered his tent.

Once inside, he stripped down and got into bed. As he lay on his

cot, he got to thinking about tomorrow. About having toguard

the item.


10/22

- 6 -

However, he let these thoughts fade away as he listened to the

guys at the other end of the camp talk and laugh. And finally,

driftingoff into slumber, he thought about the stars outside in

the desert sky.

Little did he know, however, that tomorrowhe would be seeing

the stars from a new perspective. Up close and personal.


11/22

- 7 -

Chapter 1: An Offer(Day 0, Morning)

Desmond walked through the rotatingglass doors of the Tyrexx

buildingwith a slight amount of anxiety. Although in need of

money, he wasnt sure ifhe was up for whatever his contact

would assign him. He decided to just brushoffhis worries and

take whatever he needed to do. He walked across the fairly large

and semi-busy foyer to the desk.

May I help you, sir? asked the woman sitting at the desk.Yes you may, Desmond looked at her nametag. Felicity.

Thats a name you dont hear everyday. She smiled and said,

Well, thank you! Desmond smiled then slightly shook his head,

becoming serious again. Anyway, he said, I need to see He

reached intohis pocket and pulled out the note. uhh, Mr.

Glass. Felicity started typing at her computer. Do youhappen

to knowhis first name, sir? Oh yea, Desmond said, looking at

his note again, its uhh, Raymond. I actually have anappointment withhim for 11:30. She typed some more. Oh,

Desmond? she asked. Yep, he replied, Thats me. Okhes

on the 11th

floor, room 1142, she said. Desmond smiled. Thank

you, he said.


12/22

- 8 -

Turning away from the front desk, Desmond proceeded towalk

to the elevators. Even thoughhe wasnt really nervous anymore,

he still seemed tohave some second thoughts about this.

Approaching the doors, he pressed the up arrow and waited. The

doors slid open and the open elevator was waiting there for him.

For a moment, he just stood there, mind empty, staring at the

elevator floor. This moment soon passed however and he

entered the elevator. Pressing the button marked 11, the doors

slid closed, causing the elevator to shake and begin to rise. The

numbers began fly past. 45678

He could back out now, ifhe wanted. There had to be better

alternatives toget some quick cash right? He could wait a little

longer for a better alternative. But, before he knew it, the

number 11 dinged on the display, causing the doors to slide

open, revealing a neatly dressed man.

Desmond? he said.

Yes? Desmond replied.

You are Desmond? the man asked.Yes, I am, he replied.

Great, the man said, come with me.

Well, too late to back out now.


13/22

- 9 -

The man led Desmond down a longhall of doors that seemed to

stretch to eternity. He felt like he was being lead down the long

tunnel with the light at the end.

So, Desmond, the man said, bringing Desmond out ofhis

thoughts, how are you today?

Uhh, Desmond said, goodhow are you?

Doinggreat, the man replied, but Ill be doing even better if

you accept what we have for you to do.

What if I dont accept? asked Desmond.

Then we have other perfectly capable people who can do it for

us instead, the man said. But, it would be foolish for you to not

accept this. This is, in a manner ofwords, an offer youwont

want to refuse.

The man stopped at a door about halfway down the hallway. The

door read Raymond Glass 1142.

So, Desmond said, what is it that Mr. Glass does exactly?

Well, the man said, hes an engineer. Just like all the otherpeople workinghere on this floor. However, this is just

somethinghe does on the side. Sort of like a cover up. Here, he

grabbed and turned the door handle, youll see.


14/22

- 10 -

As the man opened the door and walked in, Desmond could see

an illustrious office before him. A well dressed man was looking

out the glass window, which apparently was the whole back wall

ofhis office, onto the foyer below. Potted plants and expensive

paintings adorned the room. There even appeared be a small bar

against the left wall. Mr. Glass appeared to be fairly successful at

his job.

Sir, the man said, Desmond is here.

Thank you, said Mr. Glass, turning away from the window. You

may go now. The man turned and left the office, leaving just

Desmond and Mr. Glass alone together.

Mr. Glass sat down in his chair behind his desk. Have a seat, he

said. Desmond sat down in one of the two chairs in front of the

desk. The fancy, wingback leather chair was one of the most

comfortable chairs he had ever sat in. This helped him relax

slightly and take his mind offofhis troubling thoughts.

Well, Desmond said, youre supposed tohave a job for me todo?

Yes, Mr. Glass said, thats right. He must have noticed

Desmonds tense demeanor because he proceeded to say You

seem worried. Is something bothering you?


15/22

- 11 -

Sort of, Desmond replied, Its just that Im not sure whether or

not Im up for whatever youhave for me. Because, I mean, a job

that pays $10,000 has tohave some risks right?

Mr. Glass smiled. I see what you mean. Well, it may have some

risks. But, if you are stealthy enough, or for that matter, lucky

enough, youll be just fine.

Oh, really? Desmond said, Now youhave me intrigued. Please

continue.

Mr. Glass stood up from his chair and began towalk to the bar.

Before I begin, Id like tohave a drink. Youwant anything?

No, Desmond said, Im fine.

You sure? said Mr. Glass, I have just about everythinghere.

Any drink you could possibly imagine. Come on, itll take a load

off. Calm you down.

Well Desmond said, I suppose Ill have something.

Great, Mr. Glass said, whatll youhave?

Surprise me, Desmond replied.

Aha! said Mr. Glass, Adventurous. I like it. Keep up a mindset

like that and this job will be a breeze.Well thats good tohear, Desmond said, Oh and by the way,

dont make it too strong. Not muchof a drinker.

Adventurousyet cautious, said Mr. Glass, smiling, even

better.


16/22

- 12 -

Mr. Glass returned to the desk with two drinks in hand.

Tell me what you think, he said, handing a drink to Desmond.

Desmond reached for the drink, brought it tohis mouth, and took

a sip. Very exquisite, sir. Perfect blend and balance. said

Desmond. Thank you, said Mr. Glass, but then shook his head,

Anyway, to business.

Mr. Glass took a sip from his glass as well before puttinghis legs

up and resting them on his desk.

Firstly, Im just going to flat out state what your mission before

going into the finer details. he said, Basically, all youhave to do

is go to a house and retrieve an item.

Well, said Desmond, leaning back in his chair, that doesnt

sound too bad.

Youre right, said Mr. Glass, it doesnt. Although, it may not be

as simple as that. The house could possibly be guarded. We are

not sure of that at this time though.

So, said Desmond, Mr. Glass, is this

Please, said Mr. Glass, call me Ray.

Oh, right. Well, Ray, is this person thats guarding the house, ishe going to be armed.

Ray placed his drink on his desk and stood up, facing the window

again.


17/22

- 13 -

We dont know for sure, he said, we are almost certain he will

have some form of defense though. So, we arent going to take

any chances.

He walked back tohis desk and opened a drawer. After reaching

inside, he pulled out a handgun. Desmond fidgeted slightly in his

chair.

Ray noticed this, smiled, and said, Dont worry. Its not loaded.

He reached into the drawer again and pulled out a box of

ammunition. He set it next to the gun and sat back down in his

chair, grabbinghis drink and bringing it tohis mouth for another

sip.

This is your protection, he said, Have you ever used a gun

before?

No, Desmond said, I havent. But it cant be that hard, right?

Not at all, Ray said, just push this button here. He pressed a

button on the side of the gun and the clip fell out of the bottom.

Load the clip. He placed a single bullet in the clip. Replace the

clip. He shoved the clip back intogun. and then simply pull

the trigger.Ok, said Desmond, thats pretty easy.

Ray removed the clip and the bullet from the gun. Now, this gun

isnt registered, he said, So dont get caught with it or youll be

in trouble.


18/22

- 14 -

He reassembled the gun and gave it to Desmond alongwith the

ammunition.

So, Desmond said, what does this item look like?

Truth be told, said Ray, we have no idea. All we know is that

its in one of the bedrooms upstairs.

How could you knowwhere it is but not what it looks like? said

Desmond.

I honestly dont know, said Ray. I get my information and

orders from a higher power than myself.

So youre not in charge? Desmond said.

I am in charge of selecting someone for this job, said Ray. But I

am not in charge of this whole ordeal.

Ordeal? said Desmond. How big is this thing?

Big enough to be important to this whole country, said Ray.

Possibly even the entire planet.

Desmond leaned back in his chair, dumbstruck. You cant be

serious, can you? Just getting an item from a house is important

to the whole planet?

I am completely serious, said Ray.

Why arent the police doing anything about this then? Or theeven the government for that matter? said Desmond.

Because we cant afford to mess this up. Only us people on the

inside are the ones who know about this. Even then, there are

only 5 people amongus who know about this item, includingus 2

in this very room.


19/22

- 15 -

I see, said Desmond, So, whats so special about this item that

it could threaten the whole planet?

Honestly, Ray said, We dont know. All we know is that there

is an underground community of sorts that want touse it for

whatever their goals are. We think they are some sort of

anarchists or something similar. Anyway, whoever they are, they

want touse the item to accomplishwhat they believe is best for

the planet. But trust me, whatever they are going to dowill most

certainly NOT be best for the planet. Chances are it will utterly

destroy it.

So, basically, said Desmond, I just have togo to this house, get

the item and bring it back to you? And Ill have saved the world?

Basically, yes, Ray said. But youhave tounderstand, if they

know that we knowwhat theyre up to, theyll abort, and well

never be able toget the item. So, Im going to call you tomorrow

and tell youwhen you should go to the house.

He opened another drawer in his desk and pulled out a piece of

paper and a pen. Heres the address to the house, he said,

writing it on the paper and handing it to Desmond. Desmondbegan to reach for it but then Ray pulled it back. By showing you

this address, this would mean that you are accepting this mission.

Do youwant to accept it? Of course, Desmond said, For

$10,000, thisll be a breeze. Great, Ray said, handinghim the


20/22

- 16 -

piece of paper, But remember, dont go anywhere near there

until I call you tomorrow. We cant mess this up.

Gotcha, said Desmond, standingup.

Ray also stood up and walked Desmond to the door. So

remember, Ill call you and tell youwhen togo, ok? And also, if

anyone is there, dont kill them, just injure them. We arent

murderers.

Right, said Desmond, openingup the door. The man whohad

brought Desmond to the office was waitingoutside.

You can take Desmond back to the elevators, John, Ray said.

John began towalk down the hall way with Desmond.

A couple minutes later, John returned to Rays office. Ray was

lookingout of the window again.

Hes gone, sir, said John.

Ok, said Ray, turning around, So, whats new?

Well, the organization has let me right in, said John, It appears

that they believe I am one of them. No suspicions or anything like

that.Great, said Ray, anything else?

Not really, said John, But Ive got togo now. They are

expecting me back at camp.

Alright, said Ray as John opened the door and walked out,

Good luck.


21/22

- 17 -

Chapter 2(Day 1, Morning)

Hughwas awoken by the sound of a Jeep engine outside ofhis

tent.

Time togo, a voice said.

Hughopened his eyes to see John holdingopen the tent flap and

peering in. Ok, Hugh said, Just let me get dressed first.

John let down the tent flap as Hughgot out of bed and began to

get dressed. Outside, John checked his watch.

9:02

We have 58 minutes before we should be there, John called

into the tent, nohuge hurry. Within 2 minutes, Hugh emerged

from his tent. Alright, he said, lets go.

Hugh and John got into the Jeep whichwas being driven byanother person. Ok, John said to the driver, lets get out of

here. The man stepped on the accelerator and the Jeep roared

out of the camp. The dust flew into the air and obscured their

viewof the camp, whichwas soon out of sight.


22/22

- 18 -

Ok, said John as the Jeep raced across the desert, once youget

there, youwill only have to stay for maybe 2 or 3 days. Some

members from Washington are coming soon toget it.

I see, said Hugh, So, what exactly is this item going to be used

for in Washington?

I honestly dont know, John replied, Like you, Im also kept in

the dark about a lot of these things. Truth be told, I dont even

knowwhat this item is. The only thing The Administration said

was that it would be used tohelp the mission along.

Nothing much else was said until they could see most of the city

on the horizon.

Documents

Anomaly Original