November 2006
An Actor's Nightmare Presents
#1 April Rain
By Jerome Wetzel
To Malissa Dailey, My Grandmother
She Will Be Greatly Missed
December 1 B.G. ~ Dr. Smith’s Base
Her thoughts drifted down the hall to the newest section of the base, where a prison had been set up. Inside was a girl, no, a woman, whom
November 19 B.G. ~
April sat on the couch, watching the news report. The results of the election scrolled across the screen. She frowned as the final results of the governor’s race were revealed: Jerry Butkis 52%, Richard Kennedy 48%. She had liked the young Democrat immensely and was disappointed that he had lost. She consoled herself with the fact that Kennedy, at only thirty-four years old, had served two prosperous terms as mayor of
She flipped through the channels, looking for something else to watch. As a young teenager, April spent almost every evening talking on the phone or watching t.v., especially when no one was around to tell her not to. Tara was here somewhere, but other than showing up to make her younger sister do chores,
April wondered what her older sibling did all of the time. Since
A phone rang somewhere in the house. April ignored it. It was
“April?” asked a voice softly from the hallway.
“What is it?” asked April, turning around to see her older sister, Tara, enter the room. She hoped that
“April...,” trailed off
“
“It’s Mom and Dad,” said
“What happened?” asked April, feeling salty wetness on her own warm cheeks.
“They died,” said
“How?” asked April.
“A terrorist attack,” said
“Maybe they did make it,” said April.
“They didn’t,” said
“Why would anyone do something like that?” asked April. “Blowing up a building full of innocent tourists?”
“It’s the world we live in,” sighed
“But
“That was Mom and Dad’s boss on the phone, Dr. Smith. He said that the company will provide for us, and he already made arrangements with children’s services for you to live with me. I can be your guardian until you turn eighteen,” said
“But they won’t come back this time. It won’t be the same,” said April.
“No, it won’t,” agreed
May 16 B.G. ~
“Thank you so much, Officer,” said
“Quit being so rough!” complained April, trying to pull away from her.
“Don’t you tell me to do anything, young lady,” said
“I almost found him this time,” said April anxiously.
“This is ridiculous! How many times do I have to tell you, quit looking for Dr. Smith!” said
“I just want to know more about Mom and Dad’s death,” said April.
“It was a terrorist attack. Leave it at that,” said
“Ow! No, it wasn’t,
“
“I’ve never even talked to the man! How do you know that his intentions are good?” asked April.
“Trust me, I know,” said
“You just don’t want the money cut off!” said April.
“How can you say that?” asked
“Because it’s true! You are willing to let him cover up our parents’ deaths because he paid for your college loans, and he’s paid for us to live these past few years. Don’t let him pay you off like a miro!” said April.
“How dare you even imply that?” asked
“You have a funny way of showing it,” said April, shaking free of her sister’s grip and stomping away.
“Come back here right now!” shouted
“You’re not my mother! Don’t tell me what to do!” said April loudly.
“I am in charge of you, legally, but if you keep pulling this crap, I won’t be. Even Dr. Smith can’t hold off the authorities forever. Do you really think that they’ll let me keep you if I can’t control you?” asked
“I don’t care!” said April. “I don’t want to live with someone like you!”
“Do you want to go to a foster home?” asked
“Better that than stay with you!” said April.
“You don’t really mean that. You’re angry. Get in the car,” said
“Yeah, right,” scoffed April, walking right past the car and slamming the door, almost pinching
“You are so grounded until your eighteenth birthday, young lady!” said
“Whatever,” said April, walking down the block.
“Come back to the car. We’ll talk about this,” said
“I’m not going back anywhere with you. You never listen to me anyway,” said April.
“I’ll listen to you. Please just come home with me,” begged
“No!” screamed April.
“April Mae, if you don’t turn around and get in that car right now, I’m marching right back into the police station and telling them to come get you and keep you in jail,” said Tara, stopping.
“You wouldn’t,” said April, turning around at the use of her full name. Born at night on April 30th, their parents hadn’t been able to resist giving her the name.
“Only if you make me,” said
April considered her options. She didn’t think that Tara would let her rot in jail, but
September 12 B.G. ~
April smiled as the man that she was in love with climbed out of her bed and got dressed. “Do you have to hurry off so soon?” she asked, wrapping the sheet around her.
“Sorry, lots to do today,” he said, buttoning his shirt. “What are you going to do?”
“Oh, I am busy myself. A project that I’m working on,” said April.
“What kind of project?” asked Zeke.
“Oh, just a little surprise,” said April.
“Can I have a hint?” Zeke asked.
“Nope,” April said with a sly smile. “It’ll become clear when I’m good and ready to make it clear to you.”
“You can’t do that,” he said, groaning.
“Do what?” April asked innocently.
“Look so sexy right when I need to leave. It’s just not fair,” said Zeke.
“Zeke, what did I do to deserve you?” asked April. “You are the sweetest man. I look horrible! I haven’t even showered! My hair is a mess!”
“I think that you couldn’t look better,” he said, going to her and kissing her tenderly.
“Ok. I won’t argue,” said April, smiling.
“Can I see you tonight?” he asked.
April hesitated, considering what to say. “Maybe,” April said.
“Maybe? What kind of answer is maybe?” he asked.
“Just go!” she ordered, laughing.
“I’m calling you, and I will see you tonight,” he said.
“We’ll see,” she said coyly. She fell back on the bed as he ducked out the door, happy. She wished that she didn’t have to leave him without an explanation, but if he truly loved her like he said that he did, he’d understand.
“I found her,” said Dr. Smith as soon as
“Where?” asked
“
“I’m so sorry, sir,” said
“I’ve already dispatched four agents. Don’t worry about it,” said Dr. Smith dismissively. “She’s a young woman now, not a child. Maybe it wasn’t wise to keep her in the dark. We should have told her what was going on.”
“I wanted to protect her,” said
“I know that,
“Did Zeke go?” asked
“Yes,” said Dr. Smith. “He feels really guilty that he didn’t notice that she was gearing up to leave. She left him a note saying that she couldn’t explain what she was doing, but she’d be back.”
“He showed me,” said
“Ah, young love,” said Dr. Smith wistfully, then made himself get back to business. “When my agents get to her, I’ve instructed them to bring her back to my house in
“Oh, no. I couldn’t,” said
“It’s safer for you there than here. I won’t send you out on any missions. You can stay safely hidden away,” said Dr. Smith. “I have a great security system, and I’m beginning plans to build a base in a few years, so I would love to get your input on that project.”
“I don’t have anything to offer you,” said
“Your computer skills are extraordinary. You can work in my control room,” said Dr. Smith.
“What about April?” asked
“We’ll find a job for her, too. Something that won’t have her globe trotting,” said Dr. Smith.
“I really just want her to come home and live a normal life,” said
“I think that it’s too late for that. She clearly isn’t the type of girl to stay put,” said Dr. Smith.
“I just don’t know if I’m ready to devote my life to your cause. I mean, that cause killed Mom and Dad,” said
“Your parents died working towards a noble goal,” said Dr. Smith.
“I know that, but they still died,” said
“Nothing will happen to her,” said Dr. Smith. “Just come back with me and we’ll work everything out. I know that you are already packed up to move.”
“Yeah. My bags are upstairs,” said
“She doesn’t hate you,” said Dr. Smith. “She’s twenty-one and she’s chosen to continue to live with you. That says that you must have gotten through to her, at least somewhat. She could have left three years ago, and she didn’t.”
“But she still acts like she hates me!” said
“It’s ok,” said Dr. Smith. “You come and get in the car. I’ll send my son to fetch your bags.” He turned and yelled out the front door. “Dakota! Come in here!” A tall man, about forty years old, with broad shoulders and large muscles appeared in the door.
“
“Hi,” said Dakota gruffly, nodding.
“Hello,” said
“Dakota, will you go and get
Dr. Smith put an arm around
October 12 B.G. ~
April ducked behind a gardening shed. She saw her targets close by. One looked much older than he was, with a bald head and wrinkles accented by his time spent in the rough climate of the desert, which matched his deep tan. The brown hair around the fringes of his head was just starting to go prematurely gray. The other man was a little bit younger, and looked a lot younger. He had dark skin and short hair. He was clean shaven, and his neatly dressed appearance was in sharp contrast to the rumpled look of the slightly older man. They were busy studying a piece of yellowed paper, and wouldn’t see her approach. Pulling a long, wicked dagger from its holder, she advanced slowly and quietly. No one else was in sight in the early morning hour.
Reaching the pair, she snaked her arm swiftly around the follicley challenged one’s neck, pressing the blade against his throat. She didn’t push hard enough to draw any blood, but had the knife in position so that his friend wouldn’t try anything stupid, like trying to wrestle the weapon out of her hands. The dark one backed off, surprised at her sudden pounce. He raised both hands as her hostage began to whimper, shaking like a leaf.
“Stay back!” April warned the younger man.
“It’s all right. There’s no need to do anything rash,” he said.
“Charlie…,” groaned the prisoner.
“It’s ok, Elias,” said Charlie. “No one is going to do anything.” He reached slowly behind his back and April tensed, digging the blade slightly deeper into the soft flesh. A single bright, red bead rolled down the gleaming blade. The man began to shake even more. She hoped that he wouldn’t dig the knife into himself and do serious damage. She wasn’t done with him yet. The young man’s dark hand reemerged with a wallet. “Here. Take my money. Eli doesn’t carry any. This is all that we have. Please take it and let him go.”
“I don’t want your money,” sneered April. “Put it away, then turn around and walk to that shed.” She cocked her head, indicating her hiding place of a few minutes ago.
“Ok,” said Charlie in a placating voice, keeping his hands in the air. She followed him, pushing Elias in front of her. She motioned them both into the shed, then closed the door with the hand that wasn’t holding a knife.
“Tie your friend up,” she ordered Elias. “Tight. No funny business.” Nervously Eli shuffled forward a few steps, looking at Charlie for direction. Charlie nodded, holding his hands behind his back so that Eli could tie them with a plastic band that April had left on the floor. When Charlie was bound, she tied up Eli and made sure that both of them were secure. Only then did she put away her knife and relax.
“What do you want with us?” asked Charlie.
“It’s not you that I want. It’s your boss,” said April.
“Boss?” asked Eli in confusion. “We don’t have a boss. We work for ourselves.”
“I think that she means our benefactor,” said Charlie. “The one who gives us the money.”
“I want you to call him and tell him to come here right now,” said April.
“It’s hard to call with my hands tied,” said Charlie.
“Don’t be smart with me. I’ll dial,” said April, reaching into the young man’s front pocket and pulling out his cell phone. She flipped through the phone numbers programmed into it, then frowned in confusion. “His name isn’t in here. What name do you have him listed under?”
“We don’t know him,” said Elias. “He funds us completely anonymously.”
“He’s telling the truth,” said Charlie. April regarded him suspiciously. She believed the older man, but wasn’t sure that she believe Charlie. There was something about him that unsettled her. Then it occurred to her what it was: he reminded her of her parents when they were in a bad situation. She moved to him and held the knife under his chin.
“You’re one of his agents,” said April accusingly.
“Charlie, what is she talking about?” asked Elias.
“I have no idea,” said Charlie.
“You’re brave, I’ll give you that. You’re lucky that I don’t slit your throat right now,” said April.
“I don’t know anything,” insisted Charlie.
“Well, we’ll see about that. Even if it turns out that you don’t know who your sponsor is, I do, and he’ll surely send someone after you soon. I think that we’ll just sit here and wait until then,” said April.
“Whatever your grudge is, we don’t have anything to do with it!” said Elias.
“Elias, please calm down,” said Charlie. “We’ll wait as she suggests, and when she gets tired of waiting, then she’ll know that we were right.”
“We shall see,” said April.
“Brack!” cursed Wiley Hist, Dr. Smith’s new almost nineteen year old Australian agent.
“You kids and your new slang,” said Mark Hall, shaking his head. Mark had worked for Dr. Smith for decades, and before that, served in the ongoing war in the
“Brack isn’ new,” said Wiley. “It’s been aroun’ for a’ least five years.”
“I never heard it until you came to work with me,” said Mark. “I’ll second the meaning behind the word, even if that word is just plain dumb. I don’t see any of them.”
“Dr. Smith said that they were in t’ shed, near as he can tell,” said Wiley.
“Well, I believe him, but we can’t just sneak up and bust in. The shed isn’t that big,” said Mark. “That crazy woman could gut one of our boys before we could stop him.”
“I wish we coulda brought our guns,” said Wiley. “A well placed sniper shot, and she’d be down for t’ count.”
“Easy, cowboy. This is a non-lethal mission only,” said Mark. He picked up his walkie talkie. “Can you get a line of sight, Phil?” Static answered him before the voice came back.
“Nope. Zeke and I don’t see a thing,” answered Phil.
“Ok,” said Mark. “We’re going into a holding pattern. Me and
“Roger,” said Phil.
“Me name’s not
“I know, kid. Never mind,” said Mark, knowing that it would be far too much effort to explain the reference to the teen. He waved his hand and crept towards the shed, Wiley following. They reached the structure without problem and took up positions on either side of the main door.
“On three?” mouthed Wiley silently.
Mark shook his head. No. Direct action wasn’t going to work. Then the door opened. Wiley started in surprise, but luckily Mark was ready for anything and immediately sprang into action.
“Are you satisfied?” asked Elias, a minute before the confrontation.
“It’s only been a couple of days,” said April. “They’ll come.”
“I doubt that,” said Charlie. “We told you that we have nothing to do with whatever it is that you’re bent out of shape about. Please let us go.”
“Shh!” said April. “I hear something.” She moved to the door of the shed, and pressed her ear against it. She had thought that she heard movement, but didn’t hear anything now.
“I don’t hear anything,” said Charlie.
“Shut up!” hissed April. She heard it again. The unmistakable sound of a gun being cocked. Pulling out two guns of her own, she kicked open the door, staying low. A large man, older but in shape, sprang through the entry, gun drawn. April fired several rounds into him, making sure to aim for the head. Her preciseness was lucky for her, because he had been wearing armor, and only one shot got through. Otherwise, she never would have stopped the man.
“Drop your weapons!” yelled April, peeking out the door. She aimed her gun right at Wiley. He nervously put his own down and obeyed her gesture to get into the shed. April closed the door again, then turned to her new prisoners.
“Mark? Mark!” said Wiley, seeing his boss on the ground.
“He’s still alive,” said April, seeing Mark’s chest rise. “Turn around right now, hands behind your back.” Wiley did as he was told, and she tied him up and shoved him next to Charlie and Eli. Eli was out cold, lying on the ground.
“What happened to him?” asked April.
“He fainted,” said Charlie, but April could see a bruise growing on the man’s face.
“I was right. You did know what was going on, but clearly your partner didn’t,” said April.
“Yes, you were right,” said Charlie. “I think that it’s time we talked about this.”
“It’s too late for talk,” said April. “You lied to me for days. I’m not about to listen to you now.”
“We have y’ surrounded,” said Wiley. “It’s only a ma’er of time. Jus’ give up and no one will ge’ hurt.”
“Your friend is already hurt,” said April, nudging Mark with her foot. He didn’t move.
“Please,” said Charlie, looking her in the eyes. “I don’t know why you’re doing this, but it doesn’t have to end like this. Just let us go.”
“No way,” said April. She turned as she heard approaching footsteps. “Who is it?”
“Calm down, April. It’s me. It’s Zeke,” said a voice from the other side.
“Zeke? What are you doing here?” asked April, hoping that it was a cruel joke, but knowing that it wasn’t.
“April, I work for them, too. Just let me in and we’ll talk about this,” said Zeke.
“You lied to me! You were just using me!” said April.
“April, listen to me,” shouted Zeke. “I do love you. You have to believe that. I was assigned to keep an eye on you and your sister, but I really did fall for you.”
“You work for that villain, Dr. Smith!” cried April. “He is an evil man! You can’t be good!”
“Dr. Smith isn’t evil,” said Zeke. “He’s a kind, good man. He wants to help you.”
“Dr. Smith killed my parents!” said April. “You don’t understand!”
“April, Dr. Smith didn’t kill your parents. Gee…,” began Zeke.
“I won’t listen to you!” said April. “You’re lying. You just want me to let these people go. Back off or I’m going to start killing them, one at a time!” She was hysterical now, but she couldn’t help it. The one good thing in her life, the only person that she had trusted, had turned on her. First
“April, please. Let’s talk,” said Zeke.
“I don’t have time to talk,” said April. She pointed her gun at Mark’s head. Her finger shook, and she wasn’t sure that she meant to pull the trigger, but she did. This bullet succeeded where the others had failed. Wiley turned pale and Charlie closed his eyes, as if in physical pain.
“April? What did you do?” asked Zeke.
“I told you, I’m not playing around. One of them is dead,” said April. There was a long silence.
“We can work this out, April,” said Zeke finally, struggling to get the words out.
“No, we can’t,” said April. “I need transportation out of here. You have ten minutes.”
“I have a jeep a mile away,” said Zeke. “I can’t get it here in ten minutes, but…”
“Twelve minutes. No more, no less,” said April. She wasn’t sure what had happened to her, but she had finally snapped. She just needed to run away and hide. She could escape this. It wasn’t too late.
“Ok, just calm down,” said Zeke. “I’m radioing my partner. He’ll bring the jeep around.”
“Tell him to hurry or another one dies!” yelled April.
“Please, April. Please don’t hurt them,” pleaded Zeke. “I know that you’re better than this. You’re not a monster.”
“Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! I don’t want to talk to you!” yelled April.
“All right,” said Zeke. “All right. Just don’t hurt them.” The wait for the jeep was the longest of their lives, but finally Phil pulled it up just outside of the hut.
“I want you two to back off one hundred yards,” said April. “Leave your guns at the door. I’m coming out, but I’ll have a hostage with me, so don’t try anything.”
“Ok,” said Zeke. “Please, April. Reconsider this.”
“Lay your guns down and move it,” said April. She surveyed her prisoners as she gave Phil and Zeke time to do as she had asked. Eli would be too heavy to move while he was out. Charlie looked too confident. She chose Wiley. He, at least, seemed nervous.
“I’m coming out!” said April, not sure why. If they had truly moved as she had asked, they wouldn’t hear her.
Phil stood next to Zeke, watching April pull Wiley out of the shed. “I can take her,” said Phil, sniper rifle held behind his back, at the ready.
“No,” said Zeke. “It’s too dangerous. She could kill Wiley.”
“But I can do it!” said Phil. “I promise…”
“No,” said Zeke.
“I c…,” said Phil.
“No,” said Zeke, watching her go. She was fumbling at the door. She shoved Wiley to the ground.
“He’s clear,” said Phil. “It’s time to…”
“No! Let her go!” said Zeke, turning and grabbing the gun out of Phil’s hand. He threw it to the ground.
“Watch out!” said Phil. Zeke turned. The jeep was heading right at them, gathering speed. He didn’t have time to think, but merely ran for the nearest cover, which was far away in the open desert.
“Ahh!” screamed Phil, and Zeke heard a crunch. He turned to see his partner on the ground as the jeep’s back tires ran over him. The front ones clearly already had.
“Phil…,” said Zeke. He didn’t have time to think much. The jeep was turning towards him. He got a glimpse of April’s eyes, and saw only madness. What had driven that sweet woman whose bed he had shared to do these unthinkable deeds? He didn’t have time to ponder it, as he had to keep running.
“Hurry!” shouted Wiley, struggling to get back into the shed while he was still bound. He crawled across the sand, moving like a snake. Zeke made Wiley his goal and ran as fast as he could. He saw the Australian make it inside, but the shed was still thirty yards away and the sound of the jeep was getting louder behind him. He wasn’t going to make it.
At the last second, Zeke faked right, then dove left. The feign worked, and the tires missed Zeke’s boots by inches. The jeep sped past him, but this time it didn’t turn around. He watched it disappear into the sunset.
“You coulda had ‘er,” said Wiley, as Zeke got up and walked towards him. “Why didn’t you shoot? You had your extra gun…”
“Shut up,” said Zeke, untying the Aussie.
“Thanks,” said Charlie, not bothering to ask Zeke why he had let the crazy woman go. He already knew. He could tell in just the brief exchange.
“What about him?” asked Wiley, indicating the still unconscious Eli.
“I’ll think of something to tell him,” said Charlie. “You guys should get out of here before he wakes up.”
“An’ Mark…,” began Wiley.
“I’ll take care of him,” said Charlie.
“Well, see ya,” said Wiley, not sure what else to say. He had to chase Zeke, who was already heading towards Phil. Zeke got to his friend, slung him over his shoulders, and began walking towards the nearest town, never saying a word. Wiley followed, just as silent.
October, 12 B.G. (still) ~ Wester
“No, we lost her,” said Dr. Smith to Tara, putting a hand on
“We won’t find her,” said
“It’s my fault. I’m sorry,” said Zeke, from where he was standing at attention near the door.
“No, don’t be ridiculous,” said Dr. Smith. “If it wasn’t for you, they all might have died. You…”
“I let her kill Mark. I let her run over Phil. I didn’t even try to stop her as she ran away,” said Zeke.
“You couldn’t have known,” said Dr. Smith. “I’m going to see Mark’s family and I’ll tell them in person.”
“He has all of those kids…,” said Zeke.
“Seven children,” said Dr. Smith “That oldest, Katie, is quite the pistol.”
“And because of me, their father is gone,” said Zeke sourly.
“It wasn’t your fault. Look who you did save,” said Dr. Smith. “Phil will recover.”
“I heard that he asked to not be my partner anymore,” said Zeke.
“He asked to be transferred to Smitty’s construction crew because he found he didn’t have the stomach for battle. It had nothing to do with you,” said Dr. Smith.
“I need to take a leave of absence,” said Zeke.
“How long?” asked Dr. Smith, after a pause. There wasn’t really any way that he could stop Zeke from going.
“I don’t know,” said Zeke. “I’ll be in touch.”
“Take care,” said Dr. Smith. He watched
“Was it really not his fault?” asked
“You read the report. You tell me,” said Dr. Smith.
“I don’t think that it was,” said
“I have people looking for April. We’ll find her,” said Dr. Smith.
“No, you won’t,” said
“Really? Are you sure?” asked Dr. Smith.
“Yes. She doesn’t want to be found. We shouldn’t force her to be,” said
February, 3 B.G. ~
“Hello?” asked April nervously as she entered the dark room.
“Hello,” said a voice from the shadows. April stepped forward and realized that the voice must belong to the person sitting in the large leather chair, back turned to her.
“I heard that you had a proposition for me,” she said, staying alert. After nine years on her own, doing dangerous work, April had long stopped trusting anyone, especially figures hiding in the shadows.
“I heard that you have a grudge,” said the voice.
“A grudge? Now why would I have something so trivial as a grudge?” asked April.
“You hate Dr. Smith,” said the voice.
“Yes, I do,” she answered honestly.
“Why?” asked the voice, clearly a female.
“He killed my parents. He took away my sister, and my lover,” said April. “He almost got me.”
“Yet you have been unsuccessful in tracking him down,” said the voice.
“I have been able to track agents of his, but no, I haven’t found him,” admitted April.
“Yes, I know. You found his house in
“It was abandoned,” said April.
“You show no restraint in killing his agents when you find them,” said the voice.
“I torture them first,” said April. “One day, one of them will break.”
“Yet you never returned to
“No, I haven’t,” said April.
“Why?” asked the voice.
“The only agent there… I know that he won’t ever talk. I could see it in his eyes,” said April.
“What if I told you that I could get you in his base?” asked the voice. “What would you be willing to do for me to have his head handed to you on a platter?”
“Anything,” said April quickly, with passion.
“Good,” said the voice. “You have to promise me that you won’t kill him until I tell you to. You’ll need to get some information for me before you can blow your cover.”
“They’ll recognize me there,” said April.
“Not if we disguise you,” said the voice. “You go under cover in the base for a few months, help me, then you can kill them all if you like.”
“No problem,” said April. “Who are you?”
“My name is Jenas,” said the voice. “Do you need to know what I have against them?”
“No,” said April. “It’s a pleasure doing business with you Jenas.” The chair turned around. “Y… you’re a goose! But you talked!” The human had seen a lot living in the world, but never an intelligent goose.
“Is that a problem?” asked Jenas.
December 1 B.G. ~ Dr. Smith’s Base
“She was already dead,” said Katie grimly.
“How?” asked
“I hear someone coming!” he shouted.
“My phone’s ringing,” said a very confused Katie.
“Answer it!” shouted Dakota, clearly one of the two rapidly approaching figures.
<< Home