Project Rescue - A Shifter Novel (NaNoWriMo19)
Chapter 34 - Sick Memories

“She did it again!” Madrid yelled. “By damn, she remembered everything.”

I blushed and tried to hide behind my hair, but it the sides were too short and I wasn’t that girl who hid anymore.

“I knew she would, but I don’t understand why he would use the setup for both places.” Matheus was proud of Seri.

I smiled at the men. “I told you he was getting senile. He can’t remember passwords, gate codes or tunnel layouts. He keeps the same thing. It was how I could get into his safe. He used the same number too many times.”

“You got into his safe,” Eagle asked incredulously.

“Yes. I stole his books, well, the copy of his books. He keeps three set of books. One for the government, who are always after him, two for himself in case he misplaces one. I took the original. I turned into the council here. I want him stopped,” I explained, rubbing my arms to ward off the chill I had gotten.

“Wow,” complimented Madrid. “Can you get me a copy for the government?”

“Uh, yes. I have one in my rucksack but someone will have to make a copy. I’m sure my mate can figure something out.” I turned my head and looked at Matheus with one brow raised. I knew he would have something. The man was ready for everything.

“I think I may have something already cooked up,” announced Matheus, with a huge grin on his face.

“Just what I thought,” I told Madrid.

I got up to get the copy out of my rucksack, remembering the paperwork was in my backpack inside my rucksack. I opened by backpack and pulled the papers out, walking over to Matheus. I handed him the papers, not leaving his side until the copy was done. Yes, I trusted my mate but I couldn’t bear to be without the paperwork for any length of time. I ran for my life because of this paperwork.

“It’s okay, Seri, I understand,” Matheus whispered.

I looked at him, giving him a grateful look he understood. I guess the paperwork became my security blanket. I wanted to get the monster any way I could. And, this was one way. The monster kidnapping girls, trying to get them pregnant and succeeding. The girls killing themselves. I couldn’t let him get by with any of his crimes anymore, whatever I had to do to bury him I would do.

“Oh, look, boys, we have company again,” I called out, laughing like a crazy person. “They’re in riot gear too.”

All the guys ran across to the monitors. They would look and laugh, especially at Barbosa. He looked like an idiot. A complete and total douche.

“Now, I know you have something for riot gear, boy scout,” Madrid prodded, looking at Matheus in the eye with a small smile.

“You know me too well. Watch and see what I have for their piddly riot gear. Does anyone want Barbosa killed now or later?”

I raised my hand. “Keep the walking dick with ears alive. I want to kill him myself,” I implored.

Madrid and Matheus nodded their heads yes, causing me to let a breath out I didn’t know I was holding. I knew Matheus knew I had to make sure the monster was dead. I want to look him in the eye when he dies. And, I would look him in the eye when I did it.

“I’m going to show everyone why riot gear versus go-go gadget is not a good idea,” Matheus boasted. “One, two, three.” A screen dropped, looking as if you were playing a game that has shooting in it. He pulled the trigger, killing three of Barbosa’s men in a second. He picked out the next few targets, locking onto them and pulling the trigger. Everytime he would lock on to people, the bullets would follow their heat signatures and kill them. He shot everyone except Barbosa and Antonio, leaving Barbosa for me.

Barbosa and Antonio ran, dodging around the trees and running full out until a few miles away.

Barbosa put his hands on him knees, panting for breath. “What the hell kind of gun was that? It locked on the target and didn’t stop until they were dead. Why did they leave us alive,” he panted out, giving Antonio a glare.

Antonio knew why he was getting a glare from Barbosa, he wasn’t out of breath but Barbosa was. Barbosa didn’t exercise regularly and it showed. He was getting fat and lazy. “I’ve never seen a gun like that. And, the only reason we are alive is because they want to kill us themselves.”

“Ha! It if was easy someone would have already succeeded. I’m not an easy kill and neither are you. They would be dead before they ever reached me. My boys need to have some fun too and Selina will be their prize.”

Antonio wanted to shudder but he showed no emotion on his face. He didn’t say anything else to Barbosa. It was as he wanted it to be, only speak when spoken to. He hated it as much as Selina did.

“We need to head back to the compound and regroup. I may need to call up reinforcement from California,” Barbosa muttered, not realizing he had said anything out loud.

Antonio would need to replace a reason to leave the compound. He needed to let his true boss - the government - know about the reinforcements. He wanted them to make their move quickly.

Matheus put his screen back up and leaned over to get Selina’s paperwork. He walked over to her and the General, handing Selina her paperwork and the General his copy.

“Thanks, Matheus,” I whispered, walking over to my backpack and putting the paperwork back and putting everything in my rucksack. I walked back over to the men, watching Madrid as he looked at his copy.

I watched as Madrid went over the copy of my paperwork. It was a lot different than the books the government had been given. I knew the paperwork I had given him showed all of his pipelines, payments and kidnappings. “Selina, do you remember the girls names who killed themselves or Barbosa killed?”

“Yeah,” I said quietly. I remembered every girl or woman. Their names were etched in my brain. I knew looking at the names would cause a heart rending and gut wrenching response from my body. I cried for each of them. I buried a lot of myself, marking each name and grave in my memory. I wanted their families to have them back. It was the reason I remembered.

“Can you do this, Selina,” Matheus whispered in my ear.

I nodded my head, taking Madrid’s paperwork from him and replaceing a corner to sit in. This was going to be painful and I didn’t like showing emotions to anyone. I went down the list, marking the girls names and putting their grave coordinates beside them, so they could be found. I would go down three names and wipe the tears off my face. I knew marking the names would bring back the way they died. I don’t call it suicide. I call it as I see it. They died because the monster took them. It was the only reason they were dead. The mated one’s were ashamed and didn’t want to bring shame to their mate by carrying a bastard child. I could understand but I couldn’t. Why not give the child to some shifter who couldn’t have children, talk to their mate. But, it was a big ask considering they were captive and it was his son.

I finished up the long list and went to the bathroom first to wash my face. After I was done I went and handed the paperwork back to Madrid. I went back to the table and started cleaning up. As I did Eagle shooed me off and took the dishes to the sink. Eagle did all the dishes but the other men helped by putting the left-overs away and wiping the table. I was left to sit at the table with my memories.

Madrid walked over to Selina and sat next to her. “Are you okay?” She nodded. “I’m sorry I brought all this up again. I want to help the ones who are still alive. I’m not sure how to help the dead ones.”

“I put the coordinates by their names, it’s where they are buried. I wanted their families to get them back at some point,” I mumbled, wiping another tear away.

“Thank you. I know their families will be thankful but I will keep your name out of everything, okay?” Madrid quietly said.

I nodded, trying everything in me to get rid of the memories I now had again. I watched the men walk back over to the table, each giving me a nod. It was quiet and I didn’t need quiet. So, I did the only thing I could think of...I got mad. “When do we go after the monster?”