Chapter 13 A Kind Gesture

Landry drove into the park, with Kevin sitting at his side, and pulled over by the sidewalks lined by long afternoon shadows. Kevin wound down the window and squinted out into the park, his wondering gaze searching for Mirabel—or her mother.

“Do you see them anywhere?” he asked, looking around the park for any sign of them.

“There they are.” Landry found them seating—alone, on an old beat-up wooden bench, at the far end of the park.

Mirabel laid in her mother’s arm, fast asleep. The single mother sat under a towering oak which shielded them from the scourging sun. She looked pale and sadder than before, making Kevin wonder what might have caused this.

Climbing out of the car, Kevin took out a large bag filled to its capacity from the back seat. It felt really heavy, and some of its contents were peeking out. “I’d be right back.” he said, and walked into the park.

“Good day, ma.” he greeted her when he got to where she sat, but she seemed lost in deep thought that she didn’t see him standing there.

“I’m sure you’d recognize me.” he said—this time louder, hoping to draw her attention.

She was immediately drifted from her thought. Bright rays from the sun pierced her eyelids as she attempted up at him. She squeezed her face as if in a painful struggle to recognize him.

Kevin didn’t see any trace of recognition on her feature. Then his lips peeled back in a half-smile as he helped her remember. “I am the one who’d given the money to your daughter yesterday.”

“It was you?” Her face lit with recognition, and a faint smile appeared on her lips. “Thank you so much.” she spoke in a native accent. “We would have both died from starvation if my daughter hadn’t stumbled upon you yesterday.” she spoke weakly. “I’m really grateful for your help.”

Kevin’s eyes were drawn to the little girl who was fast asleep in her arm. His smile slipped and his expression turned pensive. “Is she alright?”

Her troubled gaze met his. “After the money you gave Mirabel got exhausted, we’ve been starving, and ever since then Mirabel has been doing the little she could to get us a meal, but her effort had yielded nothing. No one will listen to her. These people care nothing about us.”

It became clear in her voice that she was on the verge of tears. “And when the hunger became intense, she cried herself to sleep.”

Kevin felt a prickle in the pit of his belly as he listened. He bent for a closer look.

“Can I?” he stretched his hands to take Mirabel from her.

She let go of Mirabel, and Kevin took her up in his arm. She was still fast asleep. “Is your apartment around?” he asked.

“It’s over there.” she pointed to a manor few clicks from where they stood.

“Alright then, let’s go over to your house.” he carried Mirabel carefully in his arms, struggling with the bag which he hauled behind.

“Wait, please, let me help you with the bag.” she insisted.

“Actually, the bag and everything in it is for you and your daughter.” Kevin declared, handing the bag to her. “I got those foodstuffs from the market today. This should be enough to take care of your feeding needs, at least for a week until my next visit.”

Awe transformed her face. Her mouth fell open as she glanced into the bag full of fruits, palatable food, and some kitchen utensil. It left her speechless.

“Thank you very much.” she extolled, tears rolling down her eyes. “You’ve just saved my life and that of my daughter. I will forever be indebted to you for this.”

She almost got on her knees, but he rebuked her saying, “oh, c’mon, no need for that. Please wipe those tears off. It breaks my heart to see you like this.”

Kevin smiled as she watched her clean them off. It gave him full satisfaction and happiness to see her in such a jubilatory mood. She carried the bag carefully and followed him behind as he carried her daughter to the old Ambury house.

When they’d reached the door, she opened it and led the way inside. Dropped the bag at a corner and guided him into Mirabel’s room. Kevin gently placed Mirabel on her little bed and closed the door quietly—careful not to wake her.

There were many family pictures on the wall—weddings, birthdays, inaugurations, graduations. Kevin’s arms were crossed behind his back as he walked around, glancing at each one of them.

He observed that most of the pictures there were of Mirabel—when she was a little younger. A particular picture caught his attention. It was a photograph of a man in his early 50s, dressed in an old navy uniform. Judging from his appearance, Kevin guessed him to be Mirabel’s dad.

“That’s my husband.” came a voice behind.

He turned and found Mirabel’s mum. She stood beside him, looking at the picture. “He died from skin disease a few months back.”

“I’m so sorry.” he said, sympathetically.

“We didn’t have the required amount to pay for his treatment.” she went on, a slight tone of sadness in her voice. “No hospital would admit him.”

“He was serving in the military?”

She nodded, turning to look away. The memories were all too painful to bear. Kevin clearly understood how she felt at that moment and felt sorry for even bring up the topic.

“His colleagues always talked about how he bested them all at everything he does. After he passed away, that’s when our problems began. And ever since then, we have been living on alms and donations from kind-hearted individuals; we’ve been struggling to keep up with the house bills. And feeding, too, became a problem.”

Touched by her ordeal, he said, “Come live with me. I will make sure you and your daughter are well taken care of.”

His gesture was met with a blank stare.

“I appreciate what you want to do for me and my daughter, really. I am grateful for the kindness you’ve shown to us, but this manor is like home to me—to us. This is where I married my husband, and this is where he wanted us to raise Mirabel until she matures into a woman. I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to decline this one.”

Kevin’s lips curved out a feeble smile, expressing his disappointment. “It’s ok.” Reaching deep into his pocket, he took out a card. “If ever you need anything, anything at all,” he handed the card to her. “Just call me.”

A man in his late sixties, dressed in a black tuxedo, pushed the door open and walked into the large decorated grey-walled office. William was seated behind an enormous desk, signing on a long journal that hung from his table.

“Mr. Mottek,” he raised his eyes momentarily to glance at the man as he stepped into the office, before returning his gaze back on the journal he was signing on. “I’ve been expecting you.”

“Just Frank is fine,” the man corrected. “Since I’m not yet married.”

William immediately stopped scrawling and turned to look at him, no trace of emotion on his face. “Do you have the file I’d requested?”

He took out an A2 sized envelope and placed it on the desk. William picked up the envelope and probed its exterior, which gave no clue of its content. He tore into the envelope and pulled out an extensive file, examining it closely, eyes running through the text comprising names and figures written in bold letters.

“We’ve had a growing incidence of humans capable of transforming themselves into animal-like beings.” Frank started off. “I believe we call them shifters. They can shape shift themselves to look just like an animal. We ran analysis on one of them earlier, and the result proves that they are a genuine threat to this city. They showed some tendency of superhuman strength, incredible speed, and quick reflexes after they have transformed.”

William’s interest was stirred, and he clamped his fingers together. “Do we have any strategy in place to catch these shifters?” he raised an eyebrow.

The door opened, and both men turned to look in that direction. Derik walked in, shutting the door behind him. He knew he’d interrupted something—could tell from the way they were both staring at him.

“I’m sorry if I’d interrupted anything,” Derik apologized, directing his gaze at William. “The men that raped your daughter, I caught one of them last night—their leader, to be precise, and he is now in our custody. I tried interrogating him earlier, but he would not respond to any of my questions.”

He nodded his head, clearly impressed. “And my daughter?”

“Although she’s still recovering, but she is now awake. The doctor is making preparations to discharge her soon, possibly tomorrow.”

William again nodded in satisfaction. “I was just discussing with Mr…”

Frank glared at him.

“Frank Mottek.” he immediately corrected. “I believe I was asking if we’ve come up with any strategy to track down these shifters. Yes, shifters, that’s what we call them, right?”

He affirmed with a nod, clearing his throat. “In other to catch these shifters, we would need help from one of them. We already have one in the laboratory and you would marvel at the things this shifter could do.”

“Wait a minute,” Derik cut him off. “I thought the point of this entire operation is to catch them, and not work with one of them.”

“Well, here is the thing, this shifter in our custody is one of ours, a lab attendant, Mrs. Eulich Clayton. She wasn’t born a shifter. Mrs. Clayton only volunteered to undergo a genetic transmutation process which altered her genetic makeup and created a gene in her which is similar to that of a real shifter. She understood the necessity of this experiment, and that’s why she volunteered for this.”

“Why haven’t I been informed of this earlier?” he asked, sounding pissed. “Why wait to tell me about this now?” he choked back his rage.

“Transforming a human into a shifter is no easy feat. No one has attempted such an experiment before. It wasn’t something we’d thought would be possible. The probability of us succeeding at it was pretty low, that’s why we kept everything about this experiment from you until we have completed the process. I did not want to raise your hopes.”

Frank paused for a moment, and then continued. “Now, as a shifter, Mrs. Eulich’s senses have improved considerably. By this I mean, she can spot a rat from a mile away, she can track even the faintest of smell, and her hearing ability is quite incredible. Do you know what’s most interesting about her? She can sense another shifter just by mere physical contact.”

Derik raised an eyebrow—impressed by what he was hearing. “You’re saying, just by mare physical touch, she could tell if a person is a shifter or not.”

“Exactly.” Frank confirmed.

“Interesting.” William remarked. “When does she start working with us on the field?”

“Right now, we are testing her vitals to be sure she is in perfect condition before we do anything else. A day or two from now, Mrs. Eulich would be ready for an experience in the field.” he paused. “Another thing you should know.”

William raised his eyebrow inquisitively

He continued, “Most of the shifters in this city lurk the City Park. I believe a greater percentage of the houses that surround that park belong to these shifters. Every day, while we fold our hands and do nothing, these shifters grow in their number. And if we don’t do something about it quickly, they would overrule this city.”

Again, he paused as if looking for the best way to present his idea in words. “I suggest we burn down those houses that surround that park, to rid ourselves of these anomalies.”

“What? No!” Derik rebuked. “Some of those people living there are innocent. We can’t just burn their houses simply because they live with those shifters whom they do not know about.” he turned to look at Frank. “You said it yourself, Mrs. Eulich could help us dictate who is a shifter and who isn’t. I suggest we wait until she is out on the field with us?”

“What you are suggesting is suicidal, Mr. Rushford.” Frank answered firmly. “There are tons of these shifters living in those houses. Do you think they will stand down and watch us while we sniff out who is and who isn’t a shifter among them? If they decide to attack us during this process, even our armed force wouldn’t stand a chance against their numbers and strength. They would annihilate us in an instance.”

He gulped hard and turned to William. “This is the only way. We have to burn down those houses.”