*All characters copyrighted to Poseidon Simons

Chapter 14

Trouble At

The Factory

 

                "Kia, did Griffin come by your place?"

                She laughed, "No Don, he didn't, and I don't blame him."

                Don frowned, "But he's not here...I can't find him."

                "Really?..he's not just looking around the city?  The place is new to him; wouldn't he WANT to check it out?"

                "Well...I guess that IS a possibility...all the same, can you guys look for him too?  It'd take me forever if I had to search on my own."

                "Um..."  Don waited as he heard Kia shouting something to the others with her.  When she spoke to him again she sounded cheerful, "Yeah, we'll help.  Where should we meet if something happens?"

                Don thought about it for a little, "How about Mrs. Jackson's flower shop?  Does that work for you?"

                "Sure.  Call back in an hour if you can't find him, okay?"

                "Sure...thanks, Kia."

                "No problem."  She hung up after that.

                Don sighed and hung up, "Where DID you go, Griffin?"

 

                "Hello?.."  Griffin called out...

                ...no answer.

                He tried again, "Hello, is anyone here?"  Still nothing.  Griffin smiled and sat down.  No one was here?  That worked for him!  But still...what about that guy who'd spoken to him over the speaker?  He'd said he'd be here to help.  Somewhere in the factory there was a loud crash of metal on metal.  Griffin paid it no attention.  As far as he was concerened, that meant that this place was old enough to fall apart.  No one came here at all.  He sighed happily and relaxed against a large piece of machinery, "Finally...no one around me.  I can let myself think clearly."  He didn't get much time though.  Only a moment later, he heard another crash.  Now, he wasn't stupid, but either the place was SO old that it was going to collapse at any second, or someone was here and trying to get his attention...or purposely destroying the place for some reason.  Whatever, Griffin was on his guard now.  He began sneaking around the factory, watching for any sign of movement, "Wait a minute..."  He glanced around...something had just struck him as odd about this place..."There's no dust!"  He froze when he realized it.  No dust meant that this place was used.  A LOT.  But by who?  He flinched when he heard another crash, this time very close to him.  Okay, so the place wasn't so old to fall down any instant.  Griffin climbed up the machinery and watched for any signs of people.  They WERE here.  He was sure of that.

                Heavy footfalls sounded down a machinery made hallway.  Griffin watched the path closely, waiting for someone to come.  It was strange...the footsteps kept getting louder, but no one was coming!  They sounded like they were practically on top of him and there was STILL no one there!  A small movement toward the ceiling caught his eye, "Who--"  Was all he said as a robot, walking ON the CEILING, slammed its fist into his head, knocking him out.

                When Griffin came to, his arms and legs...and wings and tail...were held in restraints.

                "You're up..."

                Griffin could still move his head, and looked toward the voice.  It was the same one from the speaker, "Who are you?.."  He wanted to hold his head, but his hand couldn't reach him.

                After a moment, the man--who was covered from head to toe in clothes...even to the point of wearing a mask!--touched a button on the wall, releasing Griffin from his bonds.  Griffin slumped to the floor, clutching his head and wishing the ringing would go away.  The masked man spoke, "The restraints were there in case you'd be violent when you woke up."

                Griffin scowled, "Lousy way to treat a visitor."

                "I have my reasons.  My name is Kain."

                "Griffin...but you knew that already."

                "Indeed I did."  Griffin could almost see Kain smiling, "Again, welcome to Dragon Isle.  I'd let you see my face, but I'd rather keep it to myself...a...condition, you see."

                "Whatever..."  Griffin stood up, ignoring the fact that he swayed slightly.  The ringing was starting to slow down a bit, and he could listen without wincing in pain, "Can you tell me why you had to knock me out?"

                Griffin felt like Kain was smiling again, "Certainly.  You see...the entrance to the part of the factory I live in is secret, and I don't want anyone except those I trust to know where it is.  Sadly, this means that I might have to do the same thing when you leave."

                "Why not a blindfold?"

                This time Kain laughed, "I know how you were brought up, Griffin.  You'd be able to find your way back through here if you were conscious.  I can't take that chance with you yet."

                "...how can you live here if you're all alone?  You'd need to get out a bit, wouldn't you?"

                This time, when Kain laughed, it sounded like he felt sick, "Because of my...condition, I can only eat a few certain foods.  I don't have to shop very often anymore...in fact, I don't get out much, myself.  I have some people do my errands for me."  He turned around, "Enough pleasantries.  Come on.  I can give you a room in this place.  There's quite a bit of unused stuff in here."

                "Actually..."  Griffin could feel other things quite clearly now, and hunger wasn't too far down the list, "I'm in need of a breakfast...if that's okay..."

                "Quite alright.  I anticipated this.  I had someone bring in some groceries before you arrived.  You eat a bit more than a bowl of cereal, I'm guessing?"

                "Well, depending on what you've got here, I'd need the cereal, plenty of fruit, eggs, some bread, milk, juice, a glass of water, and--hey, are you alright?"

                Kain looked ready to throw up, even WITH the mask on, "I'm...I'm fine...I think I just heard you wrong...did you say...ugh..."  He held his mouth a little.  Griffin thought the guy was gagging!.."Did you say...eggs?"

                "Yeah, what's wrong with..."  He trailed off as Kain suddenly shot out of sight.  Barely a second later, he heard Kain throwing up..."What's wrong with him?..his condition again?"  He waited patiently as Kain came back.

 

                Kain wished he could throw up, "He EATS eggs?!!!!  WHAT did those humans DO to him?!!!!"  Eggs!..EGGS!  Griffin ATE unborn children!  That DEFINATELY conflicted with some of Kain's morals...few they may be.

                When Kain felt he had his sickened feelings under control, he ventured out, mask still on his face, "I'm fine now...Griffin, I'm...sorry, but you'll never eat...eggs...while you're on this island."

                Griffin shrugged like it was no big deal, "I can make up for it with some other stuff...but it'd sure be nice if I COULD have eggs...they boost my energy levels throughout the whole day."

                "Interesting...maybe if I--What am I thinking?!!!"  He stopped himself before he went back into heaving fits again, "Well, what do you say about the room?  It has all the latest training equipment, as well as simple weights and a bar if you don't like machinery.  I don't have those gel capsules like your old home did, but the beds are comfortable...and big enough for two, if you're so inclined.  There are plenty of woman I allow in here who would DIE for a chance with you."

                Griffin's eyes bulged for some reason, "No!  Thank you, but NO!"

                Kain shrugged, "Well, the offer still stands.  Will you take the room?"

                "I don't know...I have some friends who're probably looking for me about now.  I'd need to tell them where I am..."

                "Uh...no.  I can't allow anyone else to know about this place...it would attract a few specific...unwanted guests.  I'm sorry."

                "I can't accept it then.  I...I owe them."

                "I thought you'd say something like that.  NOW!"  Kain stepped back as his men let loose the robots, "I don't take no very well, Griffin.  I paid to create you.  Thousands of pounds of gold went into hundreds of failures to make you.  It took me YEARS to get you here.  I won't allow you to leave."

                "What the--"  Griffin growled and took an interesting fighting stance, "A trick!  Why you damn little bastard!  I'll get you for this!"

                Kain laughed and shed his clothing.  He wanted to blend in with his robots and help the attack.

 

                Griffin crashed into the things, infuriated, "Look at all these people!  He lied!  When I find him I'll...that's wierd...they all look alike?"  He stopped thinking about that and concentrated on fighting.  It took a bit of doing, but he managed to break at least three of the things before one managed a good hit on him.  He held the arm that had been hit, scowling, "Where did that man go?  I need to find him!"  Unfortunately, the metallic monsters continued their assault.  There was nothing he could do.

 

                An hour later, Don called them, "I haven't found any sign of him, what about you?"

                "Nothing here, Don."  Kia answered, "Don't give up yet...we haven't checked even HALF the city, you know."

                "Yeah, I know...I just can't figure why he'd leave..."

                "Because of Julie?"  Kia asked, laughing a little.

                "That's why he was so eager to leave your apartment?"

                "Yup."

                "Maybe... ...How much of the city do you think is left?"

                "Me?  I'd say we might have gotten a little less than an eighth done.  The place is big, Don."

                "You're right...think we can finish before nightfall?"

                "Honestly?..no."

                Don sighed, "I thought you'd say that.  Alright, I'll call back in an hour."  He hung up.