Episode 6: The Man Behind The Mask - Part 4

Memory File: 0015

Time: 5:35 P.M.

          Night is falling, and we’ve managed to make it to a safe place for now. Kate, Meryle, and myself have made our way to a small chapel located on the outskirts of town. Kate is trying to get Meryle to calm down after what she just witnessed. I didn’t mean to scare her; I was trying to save her after all. But I suppose I can’t expect her to understand. When compared to those infected with Grim... I suppose I’m a monster as well.

          After transforming, I immediately attacked both of the Grim soldiers that entered the bar and forced them outside. I was thankful that the bar was located only on the city line. Those that saw the Grim appear would most likely be shrugged off as the drunken biker crowd, which they most likely were. But that doesn’t mean someone with half a brain wasn’t in the wrong place and at the wrong time.

           These Grim were different than those that I had come across skulking around town in the last few months. For one thing they clearly could speak, a feature that I hadn’t seen in the rest. The ones I came across in the past were more primal in nature, but these two were clearly in control of their actions. During our fight they referred to one another as “Bat” and “Spider.” Code names based on their forms obviously. They put up a fight but I was easily able to overpower them. They seemed surprised that I was capable of fending them off, and even more so that I was injuring them. Noticing that both of them were becoming more desperate each time I beat them down, I decided to end the fight before they did something that might be seen by anyone stupid enough to come back to the bar.

The armor that encases my body after the transformation feels like leather, but is stronger than any metal I’ve studied before. Aside from being protected, my strength and speed are increased beyond measure. Even without transforming, my strength and reaction time are beyond that of a normal human. There are numerous other abilities that I discovered as well, but only a few I have come to fully understand for fear of the danger others posses. One in particular that I have grown quite fond of can best be described as a kinetic punch. Potential energy seems to build up inside of any part of my body at will and can exert a tremendous amount of force when converted to kinetic energy. Reeling my fist back for several seconds and then releasing forward has been more than enough to incapacitate several Grim in the past.

            After demonstrating this attack to my two dance partners, specifically the one dubbed “Spider,” They quickly realized it was a losing battle, and “Bat” carried his wounded accomplice away into the sky. Normally I would hunt them down so that they wouldn’t hurt anyone, but I noticed Meryle slipping into shock and Kate struggling to provide her aid. As I approached, Kate instantly stood between me and Meryle without hesitation and told me to stay away. I undid the transformation so that she could hopefully see a friendlier face, but it was of little aid.

            After a much heated debate on Meryle’s safety, I convinced Kate to follow me to the abandoned chapel in which we currently reside. I can see that Meryle has finally fallen asleep and Kate is now coming towards me. Might be best to record this, just in case she knows something I don’t.

Listen, Just let me explain-

NO, you don’t get to talk right now. Understand me? Because as of right now the only thing on my mind is making sure that little girl is safe, and If I don’t like the answers I’m going to get from you, then so help me if you even fart in the direction of that kid I will end you. Got it?

...Yes.

Now... Do you work for Dynatech?

No.

Have you ever worked for them?

Yes.

When?

For the last eight years.

When did you leave?

About two months ago.

... Did you work under Jacob Cain here in Kingston Heights?

No.

Who did you work for?

Elizabeth Cain.

Elizabeth Cain? Wait, someone is related to that asshole?

Only through marriage.

Jacob had a wife? Great... Just great. Now I know who’s going to come knocking down my front door this time.

Problems?

You’re not asking questions yet. Remember?

Sorry...

What are you doing here, in Kingston Heights?

I’m not sure. I was brought here after I caused a breach in security at the research facility in London.

Why did you do that?

My father worked for Dynatech after the company he worked for was bought out. After his death, Elizabeth Cain blackmailed me into working for her. She threatened to ruin my father’s name by blaming him for a crime he didn’t commit. I eventually discovered what Elizabeth had my father and me working on, and I tried to destroy it.

What was it?

A mutagenic virus that they called-

Grim, I know.

What!? How?-

How many times do I have to say it, you don’t get to ask questions yet, now calm down. Last one... What are you?

...I’m not sure. After the test subject I tried to destroy injured me, I was brought here. I remember screaming in pain as a man dressed in green surgical clothes operated on me. I assume that he changed me in some way. After that, I was driven with a desire to protect Meryle, and an even stronger urge to destroy the Grim. But to answer your question, I have no idea.

I have a hunch...

And?

I think your damage control. I think Jacob Cain had a backup plan for this town. I was wondering how they were going to pull this off without the outside world knowing. Even after his death that son-of-a-bitch is still giving us problems.

Jacob Cain is dead? How? When?

Your turn I guess. Jacob’s death is between me and my new friends, as for the when... Two months ago.

Was he the one... That did this to me?

Jacob wasn’t just a businessman; he was known for being a very skilled surgeon as well, among other things...

You have to tell me... I need to know what he did to me... Maybe whoever killed him can tell me! You have to tell me!

HEY! Right now you’re not doing a good job of convincing me your best interests are that little girl. So lower you damn voice and calm down.

... I’m sorry, I have to know... What’s happening to this town? You mentioned a plan?

Jacob Cain had almost half the people in this town on the company payroll in some way or another, and when it came time to administer the company flu shot, everyone got something else.

All of them are infected?!

Whoa, easy there. Sit down, what’s wrong?

Seven... I’ve killed seven.

Seven what?

Grim, since I awoke in the lab. I’ve killed seven of them. Stalking around town or in the woods... I didn’t know... I didn’t know...

Jesus... You really are out of the loop, huh?

I DIDN’T KNOW! God...DAMMIT!

STOP IT! CALM DOWN! You’re gonna tear this place apart if you don’t calm your shit right now!

Huh... huh... What have I done?...

Four months...

What?

We got about four months before the virus mutates everyone involuntarily. If you really want to make this right, you’ll come with me and let me explain the rest... Cause the truth is this, you have no idea how much bigger all this really is, pal. But I have some friends that are going to help us make this right.

Ani can do it!

Shit... How long have you been there, Meryle?

I didn’t mean to spy on you... Mr. Masters was sad. I wanted to help.

Thank you Meryle, Mr. Dornan must be very proud of you.

Wait, what!? Dornan? Your last name is Dornan!?

Yeah, that’s what everybody calls daddy too.

What’s wrong?

Christ, I’ll tell you later. Right now we need to get her home and you need to make some new friends.

Kate?

Yeah, kiddo?

Could you do me a favor when you get home?

Sure thing, whatcha need?

Could you ask Ani to go to the cave near where the river lets out into the lake?

Why?

... My friend is there and he really needs someone to take care of him. I’ve been doing my best but he is still very sick...

...Meryle... Who is this friend of yours?

He told me not to say...

Meryle, I really need you tell me right now. Who is your friend?

... The red dragon... But don't say I told you! I don’t like when he gets mad!