Alter-Self - Chapter 6a

 Cameron saw only the flash of movement before Jerry flew sideways and hit the wall. He gaped, his mind already working. The FBI had arrived! He turned, a smile starting, but it froze in place. Peter’s angry expression followed the kick in slow motion. Simultaneously, the guard beyond the door yelled out and reached for a weapon. Cameron was still even with him. He could see it coming, could feel his own death drawing near. He reacted, throwing himself toward the monster of a man and locking the arm to his side, preventing the draw. Both men fumbled, fighting each other for the weapon while more grunting and fighting broke out on the other side of the door.

Cameron could only focus on one thing: the gun. He couldn’t think about Peter’s face. He couldn’t think about the impossibility of it. Death clawed at him like an eager puppy. The guard had his hand locked around the weapon. The gun lifted, despite Cameron’s efforts, and all he could do was lock his own hands in place, diving for the trigger.

The shot deafened him with its proximity and it took a moment to hear the guard’s guttural cry of pain and curses. The one thing he could feel was the man’s loosened grip. Cameron yanked the gun away from his distracted fingers and flung it past him down the corridor.

With a growl of angry rage, the monster guard reached for him, hand intended for his throat.

Cameron grabbed it, not fighting the forward momentum, and pushed down even as he moved to the side. Dropping his weight over the arm, he reached around the meat of the palm and locked on, releasing his other hand. As expected, the guard attempted to retract, realizing the danger, but it was too late. Cameron twisted the hand as it retracted and sent the six-foot man to his tiptoes as the arm twisted painfully and his joints locked together at Cameron’s behest.

Now what? He backed the man a few steps, circling and trying to remember the next part of the move. Bah! Why hadn’t he paid more attention in class?

Jerry came crashing out of the hallway with Peter close behind. The two dove for each other and Cameron thrust the arm forward and down like a shield to prevent them from crashing into him. The guard followed, dropping to his knees.

Ah, that was it! Cameron kneed the man in the face and shoved him away. Confidence flooded him as he turned to face Jerry. Jerry slammed a hand into a large red circle near the top of the door and an alarm sounded, blaring through the hallway and shifting the lighting to a red glow. Cameron and Peter growled in unison and dove simultaneously. Cameron reached him first, grabbing the man’s wrist even as he flailed toward Peter.

Back behind them, the door to a second room burst open and another six men poured into the area.

Jerry cackled as if he’d suddenly won.

Cameron felt no guilt as he snapped the man’s arm and slammed him straight into the cinder wall.

Peter pushed past him, facing the men with his chest wide. “Stop. Enough. The FBI are on their way.”

That did the trick. The men’s hostility level shifted to nervous energy that dissipated quickly into running away.

Misty peeked out through the door looking the worse for wear. “I’m so tired.” She stared at them.

Cameron reached for her at the same moment Peter did. Both men stopped and stared at each other in horrified wonder. “How are you awake?”

“How are you not asleep?” Peter countered. “She woke me up right when we were in Jerry’s office.”

“I’ve had no glitches in consciousness.”

“Awkward.” Misty broke between the two. “Although I will say I’m grateful that it’s true because if not, I was going to be seriously creeped out.”

Cameron and Peter chuckled simultaneously.

Cameron gestured toward his counterpart. “So, I guess that answers one question, sort of.”

Peter frowned. “I’m just worried we’re going to have to relive this from the other perspective when we fall asleep.”

“Will we?” Cameron considered this, head spinning. “We need to find my phone. I was afraid they’d search me, so it’s in my car.”

The pair moved in unison again, both chuckling at the other as they returned to Jerry’s office. Loud thumping on the other side of his office door accompanied grunts as a body smashed against the thick wood.

“Grieves, patience.” Peter called, grin widening.

He opened the door, timing it carefully, and Grieves caught himself before his next rush. “Peter?”

Peter nodded, opened his mouth to reply, but stopped himself.

Cameron took the lead. “I told you he was in too deep.”

“Where’s Jerry?”

“Unconscious at the least, dead at the worst.” Cameron waved behind himself. “Can you call an all-hands and get him into custody? There are two more guards, one unconscious, the other unknown, and six others ran away when we said the FBI was coming.”

“All-hands?” Grieves looked from Cameron to Peter and back. “How did you know we call it that?”

Shoot. Peter cleared his throat. “I mentioned it, sir. Sorry. We need to move fast, though. He’ll disappear if we don’t, and we definitely don’t want that to happen.”

Grieves nodded, coming back to himself. He grabbed for his radio and called for backup even as he moved into the office, taking in the hidden opening without comment. Peter followed him back into the hallway as a guide while Cameron and Misty watched.

“This is creepy.” Cameron shook his head.

“Makes sense if you ask me.” Misty shrugged. “What other explanation works?”

“Alternate reality.”

She chuckled. “Maybe you should be the writer.”

“Maybe not.” He pulled her into a hug, burying his head in her frizzy hair. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I was terrified. You smell awful, by the way. Did you two have to wade through the sewer?”

Misty’s tan skin turned beet red, and she pulled back self-consciously. “I guess you’ll figure it out once you live the other side.” She cleared her throat, hands held protectively in front of her.

Cameron could tell he’d said something wrong, but he had no idea what it was. “I’m sorry.”

The blanket statement had minor effect, but at least she met his eyes again. “You should be more worried for Ce than me. Ronald Clement knows, or will know everything that’s happened. He’s not going to be happy.”

Cameron’s heart hitched. He turned, suddenly eager to find the exit. More guards charged down the hallway and past him. None balked at the hidden entrance and none stopped to give the pair a second glance until Mike showed up, trailing the rest. “You two, come with me, please. We have a few guests.”

Cameron and Misty followed him back toward the office where several uniformed police and suited agents stood waiting.

The tallest man turned as they approached. “Cameron? I’m Agent Burns.”

“We have to get to Ce and Teresa. They could be in danger.”

He held up a hand. “Already managed. She’s in a safehouse, and I have men on their way to arrest Ronald Clement as we speak. I try my best to let the Duoconscientum live how they want to live, but extortion, murder, attempted murder, insider trading, and a slew of other items on his list make that impossible.”

“What are you going to do with him?” Misty stared at the man in awe.

Cameron couldn’t help but laugh. Some people would’ve taken her expression as infatuation. He saw an author lost in her work.

“We’ll set him free; put him back to sleep.”

“You’re going to kill him?”

“Better than letting him live, don’t you think?”

Cameron watched the man’s impassive face shrewdly. “How old are you?”

“Fifty-two. A bit of an odd question.”

“Let me rephrase. How long have you been ‘awake’?”

“A while.” Burns grinned at him. “Let’s get your statements so you can head home.”

“No, wait. Come on, you have to give me some hints here. I don’t want to go crazy.”

Burns shrugged. “I’m not a Duocon babysitter. We do, however, try to help each other when we can. Sometimes we have clues that someone is going to ‘wake up’. I’ve watched over a few myself.” He winked toward Misty, making Cameron frown.

“How many lives have you lived as a cop or an agent or something within law enforcement?”

“Including military service?” His brows rose.

“Yes, including the military.”

“Well,” he stared at the ceiling, lifting a few fingers, then dropped his dead-eyed stare back to Cameron. “At least one.”

Misty blew out a breath, frustrated by his evasion. “Oh, come on!”

Burns grinned.

Cameron considered his words. “Are you saying that I would have woken up even without the accident?”

Burns gave him another piercing look, the grin still in place. “How easy was it to recognize Peter’s life the first time?”

“I realized it within a few minutes; after seeing Teresa’s picture.”

“A few minutes. That’s a lot closer than most of the new Duocons I run into. It probably would have only taken a visit to Tucson or seeing Celina’s face. I guess the accident just finished tearing the veil between you.”

Cameron pondered on that.

Burns turned toward his men, giving a few orders, then looked back at the pair. “Cameron, please give your statement to Agent Carter; and Misty, I’ll take yours.”

Cameron followed a second agent in and answered questions, still half-distracted by the understanding that he might have ‘woken up’ either way. He’d blamed the accident all this time. It didn’t really matter either way, but the thought still nagged.

When the agent’s questions ended, Misty rejoined him near the guard offices. “I’m ready to go home.” She frowned. “I stink, and I feel attracted to a fifty-something year old Duo-whatever-you-called-it.”

“You think he’s cute?” Cameron nearly burst into laughter, but Burns was too close and glared toward Cameron as his mouth opened.

Cameron snapped it closed.

“We’re done with you both. Please head home, and if we need you again, I’ll let you know.” Burns gave Misty another flirtatious grin. “Don’t forget that I have another self. He happens to be just about your age.”

“You do?” Her eyes widened, making Cameron cover his mouth as he laughed into his fist.

“I think you should go to dinner at Cameron’s next week.” He winked at her before turning away.

Cameron’s jaw dropped and Misty’s followed it. “Shawn?” They both hissed together.

Chapter 6                        Epilogue