�Go home!� Selma whispered to John�s puzzlement as she looked past him and into the street.
�I just wondered if he could help me fix my bicycle. The repair needs two sets of hands,� he lied about the repairs. The bicycle was in good working order and he�d brought it along to the community to get in some exercise between investigations. It was his excuse to talk alone with the elusive Mr. Purvis.
�He�s not here, now go back home!� Selma shut the door firmly, accentuating her insistence.
John frowned and then turned to the street. There was no point pursuing a brick wall. His thoughts went to his next avenue of investigation and decided he would walk to the supermarket. It would only take about ten minutes and he didn�t plan on buying much.
A few friendly faces greeted him as he passed making him all the more curious why Selma�s attitude had suddenly changed.
�Hey Mr. Donaldson,� a man in his mid thirties waved as he mowed his lawn. His two children played with a ball along the path. �Welcome to our community!�
�Thanks,� was all he said. Jarred was the one he wanted to talk to. For some reason he seemed different from the others he had met but couldn�t put his finger on the reason why.
People were out and about in Meadowlands far earlier than in DC he noticed. He smiled thinking about Monica and how intimate they had been the previous night. It was superb, as though their relationship had been that way forever. He wondered if the fact that he had been laid was written all over his face. Typical male thought, he scolded. Mind on the case, he reminded himself.
There were a couple of vehicles parked outside Jarred�s store suggesting that it was indeed not too early for it to be open.
Walking through a few of the aisles he looked up to see something he hadn�t noticed the last visit. Why did a small community store need security cameras? There was one looking down on each aisle. He resisted the urge to wave and continued his search for the owner.
�Ah Mr. Donaldson, back for more steak I see.� Jarred�s joyful face appeared in the dairy section.
�It was delicious, melt in the mouth.� He decided to initially reciprocate some of that cheer. �I thought we might have a barbecue tonight, invite a few people over as a get to know you gesture.�
�I could accommodate that.� He brushed past John on his way to the meat section. �If you want beer, the liquor shop is next door.�
It was almost as though he was too friendly, John thought. Was it all a show for the cameras? Plainly it was time for John to test.
�So you married Jarred?� There was no ring on his finger but for someone who supported �the children� so readily it made that FBI agent curious.
�Um, not yet but I plan on being.� The lack of eye contact had John�s radar activated so he pressed with the questioning.
�What�s her name? You plan to start a family soon?� It was working. Instead of the outgoing man of earlier he was clearly becoming more introverted. He pressed on. �Monica and I were discussing it last night in bed and we decided that we might give it a few years before starting a family.�
Jarred suddenly turned and mouthed the words, �Stop!� John wasn�t that easily dissuaded.
�She wants to get a job first to build up enough of a nest egg so we can live on my wage until the children are old enough to be more independent. That is �if� we can have children. Not every couple can I hear. Also I�m no spring chicken.�
Without a reply he took John by the elbow and directed him towards a doorway that led possibly into the storage area.
Stealthily both men walked past packing boxes and into a back alley to where the cameras did not extend.
�She gone, okay?� Jarred was on the verge of tears.
�Who�s gone? Your fianc�?� John queried.
�Yes, Emma.� His eyes glistened with newly formed tears. �They came and took her in the night.�
�You're the one who warned us? You called us this morning?" Doggett already knew the answer by his reaction. �Who took her and why?� John pushed.
�I don�t know who. They had hoods. They came in the middle of the night and took her from our bed. It was punishment.� Jarred bubbled the answer. He was clearly agitated.
�Punishment for�?� He was on the brink of getting somewhere further.
�For sleeping together before we were married. It�s in The Covenant.�
�F*cking Covenant!� John thought. �Emma who? What�s her last name?� With a hasty idea he took the folded piece of paper from his pocket.
�Stanton. Her name is Emma Stanton. What�s that?� Jarred temporarily ceased his tears.
�It�s a list I acquired from your Captain Chuck.� He hated the man more by the minute. �Emma Stanton!� John pointed to the name he just knew would be listed.
�No! You shouldn�t have that!� He urged as John began to move down the alley. He knew what he had to do next. �You will disappear too or your wife.�
�I promise you Jarred.� John returned the call. �I�ll get her back for you!� Then he was gone.
*****
Quickly stuffing the folded paper back into his pocket he almost ran back home. By then Monica would have had her morning run and would probably be showering. He looked forward to holding her once more but even more so sharing the news he had gleaned.
So Selma may not have been so loopy after all seeing clocks and trees. It was her way of coping with the loss of her daughter. For some reason it was punishment for breaking The Covenant. It was an example to others in the community to obey or have someone dear taken away from you. Clearly the townsfolk had been frightened into complying with the law no matter how archaic and unjust it was.
He also knew it went deeper than just fear but that was why he needed to talk to his colleague. Maybe she had a clearer answer as to why the people seemed almost as though they were hypnotised or drugged.
Jarred was an exception though. There was something about him that was different to the others. That was a mystery that he would need to jointly work out with his partner.
In his possession he held the list of all those who had disappeared. He knew it now. It was no coincidence that both Selma and Frank�s daughter and Jarred�s fianc� were both listed and they were gone. Selma�s nephew was probably there too.
It was time they called Skinner for some back up. They more or less knew what was happening in Meadowlands. They had the name of a felon. With the FBI�s back up they could locate where the thirty or so people were being held. At the back of his mind he pleaded that they were not dead.
�What�s this?� John stopped running as his house came into view. �What the f*ck!� John stormed up to the man who stood at the Donaldson�s open front door. �What�s going on here?�
�Just a routine inspection Mr. Donaldson,� mentioned the cocky small, balding man. �Unless of course you have something to hide.�
�Do you do these routine inspections with all the residents?� He tried to look past the man and into the house. What he made out were a few people going through all their belongings.
�Just to the ones reported by the community.� Chuck had an annoying way about him that made John bristle.
�Reported for what?!� One of the men was walking out the door with two FBI issue guns.
�For breaking curfew last night,� he turned to the man behind and seeing the weapons swivelled back with a malevolent look. �And for possessing firearms, I see.�
John shifted uneasily and wondered if Monica was indeed back and if so where was she?
�My wife, where is she?� John had a serious feeling that all was not right.
Just then there was a rumble in his pocket and he pulled out his cell phone.
�John Donaldson,� he looked at his smug accuser with daggers.
�Agent Doggett, it�s Skinner,� came the welcome reply but at exactly the wrong timing.
�Yes Sir.� John decided to say as little as possible.
�That list of yours. I got a team on it and it seems they are all residents of Meadowlands.� John knew he had been right but that was further confirmation.
�So you want me to come in Friday instead of Monday?� He had to throw Chuck off the track.
�What?� Skinner questioned but then he knew. �Someone�s listening.�
�So the head of the company wants me there for a special meeting?� John continued the charade.
�The Lone Gunmen have that file and are still working on the deciphering.� Just then the phone was whisked from his fingers. �Hey!� John frowned his irritation.
�According to Epistle Twelve, paragraph nine of The Covenant there will be no cell phones in Meadowlands,� the leader reminded.
�Geez, I must have missed that one.� John chuckled at his sarcasm.
�And no expletives.�
�Geez?� John looked at him with a questioning face.
�Geez is a derivative of Jesus.� Self-righteousness abounded.
�Well I didn�t know that, thanks for pointing it out.� �Charisma�, my ass, thought John. This man was downright annoying! �So when can I get back in my house?�
�Sir?� A man dressed in black came to the front door and Chuck listened. �The rest of the place is clean.� Chuck just nodded.
�Can I get in now? I need to talk to my wife.� It was then that an uncomfortable feeling grew in the pit of his stomach as the parting words of Jarred�s came back to him. �You will disappear too or your wife.� �Oh no!� John�s face crinkled up with comprehension.
�When you give back what you took from me you can have your wife back.�
The sudden urge to throttle the man was subdued by the fact that if he moved adversely it could affect the well being of his colleague.
�Where is she?� He tried to get in the front door but was stopped by the burly man in black.
�Mr. Simmonds wants his possession back first.�
�What possession?� No way was he giving in that easily and giving away hard evidence. They could be bluffing and Monica was still on her way home from the jog.
�What a pretty color blue she was wearing!� That comment was enough to erase the bluff. �Beller, get security to put a 24/7 watch on this place. Mr. Donaldson is not going anywhere until I get my possession back.�
Just then he felt something sharp in his thigh and consciousness slipped from his body.
Chapter Eight
When John woke he was stiff, sore and disorientated.
Slowly lifting himself to stand he squinted until his eyesight adjusted to the dimness. He had been lying on his hard kitchen floor for goodness knows how long, must have been over eight hours according to the microwave clock. With what had he been injected?
Stumbling around on jelly legs he found the light switch but decided against it, preferring for those outside his home to think he was still out to it.
With the light of the open fridge door he found a drinking glass and poured himself some water to rehydrate his parched throat.
Feeling his jacket pocket he sighed when the list of names was gone. At least he had committed the names to memory and Skinner had a faxed copy.
�Monica,� he whispered to himself all of a sudden remembering that she had been taken from him. Where the hell could she be? Was she okay? If that son of a bitch touched her he�d be ground beef! �Phone!� He half thought, half spoke.
Dialling Skinner�s number on the kitchen phone only left him with an automated message about the inability to ring outside of the town
�F*ck!�.
What the next day would bring was far from his mind. All he wanted to do was find Monica and all those other missing people and get the hell out of that freaky town.
Resting his head in his hands he propped himself on the kitchen bench and just reflected. What should be the next step?
�Pinenut Fairway�, he thought then vocalized. �According to The Bible we�re not to venture past number 26!�
Strength coming back to his legs he climbed the stairs and used the bathroom, freshening himself up. After changing into clean clothes he made his way downstairs and checked the security situation. There were two guards out the front and one at the back door. How would he leave without being detected?
Deciding he needed wheels he opened the door that connected the garage with the house and brought his bicycle inside. No way was he going to draw attention to himself by taking the Expedition.
Having a bright idea he reached for the phone again and the Meadowlands directory. Finding the right number he dialled.
�Selma, it�s me John Donaldson, please don�t hang up,� he pleaded.
�You�re bringing disgrace to our community,� was all she said and John feared she would not listen so had to think quickly. �Just give him back what he wants.�
�Your daughter, I think I can find her.� There was silence but at least she was listening. �They have Monica too and many other children. Selma, we�ll make them pay for our suffering.�
After a long silence her croaky voice came back,
�What do you want me to do?� He heard a sob in her voice.
�Anything, just distract the guards for one minute while I get away. I promise I will do everything in my power to find them and return them.�
She hung up without a response but John knew she was really on his side.
With his bicycle by the back door he waited. It was only about five minutes later when he heard screaming coming from across the road. There was some shuffling at the back door and he knew he would have to open it to see if the guard had been duly distracted.
�..
The post briefly vacated, he quickly closed the door behind him and just made it safely to the bushes when the guard returned with a huff and a shake of the head. As furtively as possible, he tip-toed with his bike across neighbors� lawns. As another curfew dictated all pets would be inside so the chance of a dog alerting the inhabitants was minimal.
He eventually reached a road and made his way in the direction of Pinenut Fairway.
All was dark again, the moonlight the only guiding light until it was safe to turn on his bike lamp. He wondered how long it would be until they discovered him missing and then would they know where he went? He couldn�t take the chance. As quickly as he could he needed to locate the missing people no matter where they were.
Eventually reaching house number 26 he looked beyond into pitch black as though the moonlight had suddenly ceased. Taking an energizing breath he rode into the darkness and was relieved that he still felt bitumen beneath his wheels.
Once well beyond the town limits he deemed it safe for some illumination. It seemed as though the roadway was covered by a canopy of trees and that�s why the moonlight had been blocked. After a couple of kilometres the vegetation opened up again and he was surrounded by pastures.
What he was looking for he didn�t know but all his senses were on ultra alert. The night air was crisp helping his still groggy head to clear. He had lived in the city for too long it appeared. The quietness of the countryside was almost eerie.
About another kilometre up the road he came to a standstill. The road suddenly came to a T intersection and he was left to make a decision on which way to go. Was he making any headway at all? Perhaps he was totally off track. Something deep within him told him though that he was right. There was something about his time spent with Monica that had her rubbing off on him.
It was only for a moment he propped there just looking around when he saw it. Diagonally opposite from where he stood on his bicycle was a laneway. In the dark he could barely make it out. Somehow he knew it was the right way and hopped back on the seat to cycle up the bumpy path.
Around him looked like open fields making him doubt his resolve. Then he made out an inconsistency on the horizon. There were black objects against the star-filled sky. Could there be buildings?
Cycling with all his strength he came to a sign. Retrieving his flashlight he flicked it on and hovered it over the words.
�Meadowland Farm,� he read aloud startling himself with his own voice. It seemed to echo around him. Then out of nowhere came a rumbling sound. It came from the distance but from behind him. He turned to see nothing but knew in his heart that his time was limited. �This has to be it!� he reassured himself and cycled up the windy path.
There would have been four buildings two of them sheds and the other two seemed to be residences. What kind of farm was it? It was hard to tell in the night light but the smell suggested dairy.
He could feel her vibes but why was everything so dark and quiet?
�Monica,� he whispered but knew it was for his benefit. He willed her to be all right. If she wasn�t, if all those missing people were harmed or dead he wouldn�t be responsible for his own actions when he faced Chief F*cking Chuck. Walking up the front stairs of the first residence he shone the flashlight in a few windows.
The distant rumble grew nearer.
The front door was unlocked, if not he would have smashed it in. Quickly heading from room to room his eyes grew wider and his heart beat furiously. Each room was filled with beds just like a dormitory. In each bed was a person. There would have been over thirty. Flashing his light from one face to another didn�t seem to wake them, as though they were all in a coma.
�Monica!� he spoke more loudly as he realized these people were not going to wake up so easily.
The rumble was turning out to sound like a vehicle, maybe two and it was coming his way.
�..
�Monica!� Frantically he went from face to face but she wasn�t there. Feeling tears come to his eyes he bit them back to try and think more clearly. Quickly running out the door he made his way to the other residence that was half the size of the first. Once again the door was unlocked. From room to room he searched but the place seemed unoccupied.
What was it with that place? Why was there no-one there to stop him?
Feeling swelling panic he reached the final door as he heard the additional sound of the beating of helicopter rotors.
It was locked, the only room in the place. With a swift kick he had it knocked in.
�Monica!� he called seeing one lone person in a bed by the barred window. Swiftly reaching her side he rolled her over to see her sweet sleeping face. Giving a deep sigh of releasing anxiety he tried to revive her but she seemed to be as deeply asleep as the others.
No matter whether he was caught or not by the town�s henchmen he would go down fighting!
Lifting her under her shoulders and behind her knees he carried her out of the bedroom and out into the night where he could see the light of two helicopters and a fleet of vehicles closing in on them.
�John?� Monica�s croaky voice was honey to his ears.
�Monica, are you okay? Can you walk? We have to get the others out of here.� John held her steady as she tried to get her footing and then saw the approaching armada.
�What�s happening?� her eyes squinted as though bringing into focus the distant troops.
�Never mind that now. We need to wake the others.� He helped her across to the other dwelling and up the stairs.
�John, I�m tired, I can�t��.� She slumped in his grip. �I think they drugged me.�
�Monica, you have to stay with us!� John used a stronger tone to get her attention and took her into the first room. �See if you can wake these people. I�ll go to another room.�
Not wanting to leave her but knowing time was limited he raced down the hallway and into the end room. Shaking some of the people he found the person who seemed the most receptive and worked on them.
�I�m here to help you. Wake up! We have to get out of here.� It must have been a boy in his early teens. John felt immediate sympathy for him and the parents who didn�t know where he had been for who knows how long.
�What?� He slowly roused, too slowly for John�s liking.
�Do you want out of here or what?� Now�s your chance buddy.� John looked up as though listening to the approaching sounds. �Hear that? We don�t want to be here when they get here.�
With that the boy was suitable roused to get out of bed and help wake the others.
�John?� Monica appeared in the hallway with a number of clearly sleepy people behind her. �There�s no time. If we escape the helicopters will see us.�
People were slowly walking out of both bedrooms as John thought hastily.
�Go wake the others, I have an idea.� He brushed past the still sleepy people and into the living room where there were more individuals gathering. With a scan of the room using his powerful flashlight his eyes landed on a mat to one edge of the room. Lifting it revealed not what he was expecting. With a sigh he began to stretch to full height but caught sight of something under one table. Something that was not very noticeable unless someone was looking for it.
�Everyone, listen up!� The dark room was silent as he moved the small table to reveal a trap door in the floor. He lifted the flap as he spoke. �We need to all go down here to hide. If you all want your freedom we�ll need to pretend that we got away.� He shone his flash light at the opening.
One small girl moved forward in the group.
�I�ll go first. I hate this place. I want to go home.� She moved over to the nodding agent.
�See if there�s a light source.� The energy in the air was increasing as the fleet seemed to have found the small lane, the final leg to Meadowlands Farm. The helicopters must have landed because their sound was not as clear. As soon as there was an orange glow from below a steady stream of people descended the ladder to the secret room under the house.
There were more than first thought. John did an impromptu count. Forty-one people and mainly children in their teens. John�s stomach churned at the senseless cruelty of punishing families by taking away their children.
�That�s everyone,� Monica had done a final check of the rooms just as car headlights shone through the front windows.
�Quick, get down there with them Monica.� John did a nervous check over his shoulder as he heard footsteps coming up the stairs.
�You�re coming too?� Monica started down the ladder.
�I�m right behind you.� Placing the small table back over the trap door, he then slid underneath and into the opening as the front door was forcibly kicked in.
�..
Instinctively all forty-three of the room�s occupants were quiet, listening to the flurry of activity above them. When John had stepped onto the earthen floor the room�s glow had been extinguished. They could then make out some light from above. There was a small square of brightness from the trap door and slivers of luminosity through loose floor boards.
A few muffled voices sounded urgent but no words could be deciphered. Monica moved up close to John, needing the comfort of his strong arms around her. Her mind was still cloudy. She only imagined what the others were feeling. Some would think it like a dream but just awake enough and nervous enough to know it was all too real.
Footsteps could be heard scouring each room and angry voices told of the levelling of blame. At one stage Monica thought she heard the voice of Charles Simmonds but in an instant it was gone.
The ground began to vibrate with a rumble that had the occupants wanting to vocalize but too afraid to let out their fear. Each had made their own friends in their time there on the farm and John could see that many were receiving their own tactile comfort from said companions.
Listening to any sound that would give away what was occurring above, they waited out their fate.
After a good ten minutes the rumbling ceased and all seemed a little quiet from above. Thankfully no-one spoke because John could imagine that those above were either not there or deliberately staying quiet to hear any errant sounds. That�s what he would do if the tables were turned.
Suddenly there was a scraping, dragging noise from above and then a blinding shaft of light from the open trap door.
The gasps of fear were inaudible but evident.
�..
Just as swiftly the trap door slammed closed and there was a heavy thud on the floor.
The occupants waited for events to unfold.
John hugged Monica tightly as they sat on the floor, looking up just imagining what could be happening.
Then the footsteps started again but that time they sounded different from the first as though more sure footed and stealthy.
John imagined what that meant and wanted to breathe a sigh of relief but not wanting it to be premature still waited.
Again there was a blinding light but this time accompanied by a familiar, welcome voice from above.
�Agent Doggett, Agent Reyes, are you down there?� It was the voice of Assistant Director Skinner.
�Yes, we�re here!� John called and immediately stood and announced, �Ladies and gentlemen, it�s over.�
The collective sighs of relief were pleasant to the agents� ears. In their time on the X-Files they had solved many cases but to solve this one was truly special. It was saving the young lives of these children who would once again be reunited with their parents and loved ones in Meadowlands.
John and Monica were the last to climb the ladder to freedom. Each child and the two adults who had been abducted gave them a handshake or a hug.
Justine Purvis gave an extra big one to Monica.
�Thank you,� she smiled with tears in her eyes. �I was so homesick. I never thought I�d see my mother again.�
�We�ll see you before we leave Meadowlands okay?� Monica had assured her. Justine looked at John as she passed.
�You are a lucky man to have her.� Justine smiled and climbed to liberty.
�I certainly am,� John turned to face a still partially spaced out Monica and slipped his arms around her waist. He wanted to show his appreciation and his admiration before climbing the ladder and being on show.
�The case is solved. We don�t have to act married any more,� Monica reminded with a giggle.
�Who said I was acting? I�m hopeless at acting anyway,� he snorted. �I like the real thing too much.�
�You want to really be married?� Monica teased, holding up the hand displaying her wedding ring.
�Hey, hey, hold your horses. Don�t jump the gun there.� He produced that sexy half smile and questioned with his look. �Do you think Skinner might give us the next couple of days off?�
�He might. What did you have in mind?� Her lips were edging to touch his.
�Oh, I was sorta looking forward to that picnic lunch in the park and the make-out session you promised.� His face was plain wanting her to add the expression.
�That all? You want Skinner to give us the next couple of days off for just a picnic?� Monica screwed up her face in mock misunderstanding.
�Not just that.� He paused for effect. �I want to spend a couple of days and nights with you. The only screams I want to hear are from you wanting more.�
�Hmm, Agent Doggett, that could be arranged.� It was time for the kiss but it needed to be brief. Their boss was waiting above. Hopefully he was being distracted by organizing what to do with the throngs.
Their mouths opened from the start and merged. Each swell of the lips they increased the pressure until they were deeply interlaced.
�Agent Doggett?� Skinner�s voice announced it was time to go. Reluctantly they parted but knew that just because their sham marriage had ceased was no excuse to stop something they both enjoyed immensely. �Good job agents. I�ll fill you in on our side after we get some statements from these people.�
As the agents looked around the room, towards the front door they saw Chuck Simmonds grudgingly being taken away by FBI vested men. He turned to give the two an evil glare before being yanked out the front door.
Monica moved to the window to see all the commotion outside. Looks like the cavalry had saved the day. Her eyes went steely seeing another form being escorted into a Police care. It was someone she and John never figured would play the prominent role in the Meadowlands deception.
Epilogue
Two days later, 9pm
�This is our last night here,� John stated the apparent but wanted Monica to elaborate.
�What did you have in mind?� Monica�s naked body rested against his in their bed after they had once again made love that could have cracked walls. �An all nighter?�
�I don�t think my body could take it,� he chuckled. �No, just thinking about this place and whether I would ever really live in a community like this.�
�I know what you mean. It�s probably too rural for me.� Monica pondered. �The pressure and grind of DC is what I crave in my blood. Maybe when I�m older and want to settle down.�
�Jarred said we can come back and visit whenever we like.� John gave his lady a squeeze. �We can stay with him and Emma.�
�Aren�t they sweet together! They will make great new community leaders.� Monica shifted onto her side so she could look into her lover�s eyes. She couldn�t get over how blue they were and how attractive they were when he was contented. �Skinner says Chuck will get life for what he did here.�
�Yeah, and Frank Purvis might get the death penalty. Abducting children, drugging them and forcing them to work on his farm, threatening them with torture if they tried to escape.� John�s eyes went understandably chilly. �His own daughter, god damn it!�
�If it wasn�t for the Lone Gunmen accidentally cracking the password on that file Skinner wouldn�t have known where to find us.� Monica continued to muse. �So did you hear about what�s happening to the farm now?�
�I overheard Kersh talking to Skinner and he said that the cattle all need to be moved to uncontaminated pastures.� John began feeling lightly over Monica�s back and down her thigh. Did he know what he was doing to her? �Something about soils samples coming back positive for a chemical called Psilocybin. In other words the cattle were eating magic mushrooms, it collected in their muscle tissue and the townsfolk were eating it at barbecues.�
�That�s why many of them seemed dazed or hypnotized especially at that town meeting.� Monica once again snuggled into her lover�s body. �Why were we okay?�
�Well you didn�t eat any meat and maybe for me it was just a matter of time.� John felt Monica�s foot slide up and down his calf and knew she was getting ready for more mutual loving. �Jarred wasn�t affected because he�s actually a vegetarian.� He went quiet for a moment and then continued on another subject. �What the clincher here is that dodgy Covenant signing. As if it�s going to hold up in court after all these people testify they were drugged and coerced into signing. An indemnity against any family hardship? My ass!�
�Let�s hope that all this will be a lesson for other communities.� She rolled over to lightly lie on top of him until they were face to face. �John, what will we do tomorrow when we go home to DC? Will all this be in the past? The last two days with you have been amazing.�
�You mean us, when we�re not married any more?� Both hands rested on her ass and then started feeling over the silky surface. �I really don�t know Monica, but I�m willing to have a go at this, at us.�
�You are?� Monica smiled widely.
�What sort of man do you think I am?� He lightly frowned but she found it so sexy. �Make love to a woman for three nights running and then say it was all part of the act?�
�You�re a man whom I love endlessly and always will,� she grinned and went in for a kiss making sure her body touched his in all the right places for another round of physical adoration.
The End