Jimmy was shoving a tent into the trunk of the Bentley as Matty and Zacky were checking under the hood. Johnny sat nearby, a smoke plugged firmly between his lips. And Brian was propped up next to him a serene expression on his face as he was scribbling away on a notepad.

Jimmy groaned, “Stupid piece of-”

“Jimmy, seriously…” Johnny muttered as he stood up to help the taller male. “Have you never gone camping?”

Jimmy snorted. “Not in a Bentley.”

“Not ever,” Zacky commented drily as he dropped the hood back in place and dusted his palms on his jeans. Jimmy just rolled his eyes as he stroked his beard.

“Sure. And you went camping all of?”

“Twice, which is a lot more than you, dude,” Matty laughed. Zacky shot his brother a grateful look. The younger male lifted his shoulders then slapped a palm against the roof of the car. “Well, you’re all set to go.” He paused before pulling his brother into a one-armed embrace. “Be careful, you.”

Zacky set his jaw but allowed his brother to hug him for longer than he thought necessary. Then he stepped back and nodded.

“I’ll try to get a message to you once we get out.” He sucked at his snakebites. “I…” Matty shook his head, squeezing his shoulder hard.

“Just stay safe. I’ll…tell Mom and Dad you’ve gone on vacay.”

Zacky gritted his teeth at the mention of their parents. “Whatever works.” He glanced at his friends who were all waiting to go. “Right…let’s go meet Shads…”

* * * * *

“What the Hell, Johnston? You should’ve contacted me right away! Dammit! You were the one who called Code Red!” Jason growled furiously into his radio. “Where the fuck did he go? And why did you call the tail off?”

His men stood behind him, watching on in steely silence as he barely held onto his control. It wasn’t often Jason reacted this strongly to anything; definitely not like Shadows used to.

“Damn it, sir.” He sighed as he managed a semblance of calm. “I’ll get my men out there. Don’t worry. We’ll bring him in.” He gritted his teeth as he finally suggested something that made him want to tear his own balls off. “Bring Valary here. I’ll use any means necessary to get him back.”

One of the soldiers started slightly at that. “Commander?”

Jason turned to glare at his men. “That wasn’t a request.”

The soldier saluted and promptly turned to do his superior’s bidding. Jason finished his call to the Mayor then hung up the phone to wait.

* * * * *

Matthew gunned his bike heading for the outskirts of town. The roar of the engine jarred at his senses and he almost hesitated. But, then he gave head to his bike and sped down the highway with what one would call reckless abandon, except he wasn’t usually given to that…

There was a calculated risk in being so conspicuous, but he had to balance it with the chance that he would be caught if he didn’t get out of there immediately. When he hit the limit of the town, he swerved onto the side road and parked his bike. He glanced back down the highway, knowing he couldn’t linger for long, but he had to make one call.

He flipped his phone out, breathing deeply. He dialled in a number then hit send. He held the phone up to his ear and stared down the highway. The corner of his lip twitched up slightly when the other person answered with an anxious edge, “Shads?”

He chuckled, low. “Hey, Berry…it’s going down.”

* * * * *

Matt Berry swung out of his bunk, phone glued to the side of his head as he grabbed his bag and ran for the door. Eskino poked his head out of the door of his study.

“Kid?”

“Gotta go, that was Shads!” Matt called back as he raced for the front entrance. The General chuckled.

“Hold up.” He came out of his office, holding a weapon holster in his hands. Matt paused and looked back at him.

“General?”

Eskino held the holster and handgun up. “You’ll need these. And, Berry…you need to tell your friends the truth.” The younger male grimaced, shifting uneasily in his boots.

“They might not understand…”

“I’m sure they’ll forgive you.”

Matt closed his eyes then opened them again. “What about Shads?”

Eskino smiled, kindly. “He knew what was going on.”

Matt turned his head away, remembering back to the day of his ‘execution’. “The plan…” He shook his head. “It doesn’t excuse what you made him do.”

The General sighed. “That’s between him and me…just you worry about getting them what they need.”

Matt nodded, closing his eyes once more another thought coming to mind; but, he brushed it away before he could let it take hold. He couldn’t think about his… He shook his head hard and moved forward to take the offered weaponry.

“Thanks, General.”

Eskino nodded. “Luck, kiddo…”

Matt frowned. “Don’t believe in luck.”

A grim smiled flashed across the General’s face. “Neither do I, Berry.” He clapped a hand to the younger male’s shoulder. “Take care. And let me know when you catch up with them.”

Matt nodded again, feeling as if his head would fall off with all the affirmative motion. Then he hooked the holster to his belt, slipping the gun in place.

“Well, thanks…”

“Hopefully you won’t need to use it,” Eskino murmured. Matt grimaced in agreement. They stood for a moment staring at each other. “Well, you should go.” Matt heaved a sigh and turned for the door, walking out.

* * * * *

Eli stood in his study, phone in hand, brow furrowed deeply. Melissa faced him, lips drawn in a thin line.

“Tell me you got onto him,” Elijah said in a tight voice.

Melissa said in restraint, “He didn’t answer, and I felt it prudent you tried yourself.”

Elijah shook his head. “You didn’t think to leave a message?”

“He doesn’t know me, sir.”

“He knows of you.”

Melissa rolled her eyes, her retort sounded bitter, “Who doesn’t?” Elijah glowered at her belligerence.

“Don’t Mel. That’s all in the past.”

Melissa laughed harshly. “The past has a lot to answer for.”

His lips twitched faintly as he lifted the phone to his ear. “Too right. I’ll call him.” He glanced toward the window. “Do me a favour.”

She shook her head. “I’m sorry, I don’t see how I can do any more than I’ve already done for you, sir?”

Elijah turned his head away, sorry that he had dragged her into his intrigue, yet there was a lot at stake now and he knew that there was no way to change the circumstances. He didn’t say as much to her, though.

“Mel, this is the last thing I will ask of you.”

She pinched the bridge of her nose. “Fine.”

“Pack our bags. We’ll be leaving tomorrow.”

Melissa blinked but made no protest just inclined her head in acknowledgement and went to do just that, leaving Elijah to call his old friend.

He watched her leave once again thinking about the past she had alluded to. She had come to him soon after the riots, after her release from jail. She was a broken woman who needed rehabilitation and friendship and most importantly a safe place to hide. He’d given it to her in return for her expertise, and in the course of several years they had formed a trusting partnership. And now, he was putting her in an untenable situation.

But, she was a brave woman. Strong in her own right. And, the past had made her ready to face anything. He smiled at that thought, but then it faded when his call connected. Except it was only an answer machine.

“Dammit, Pasan…I need you to answer my call. For the love of all that is good.” He clenched his jaw before continuing his one-sided dialogue. “I have something important to talk about, and we can’t do this over the phone. I need to see you. You need to meet me. It’s…been way too long. And, it’s time.”

* * * * *

He stared at the phone in silence, pondering the message his long-time friend had left. He never answered when Elijah called. Not because he didn’t want to talk to him, far from it. He would do anything to be able to converse about everything that had passed. No. It was due to the secrets that they both held close to their chests. And for the safety of his family.

Long Beach wasn’t New Huntington, but it was close enough to still be influenced by the smaller city’s politics. It unnerved him how backwards NH was in its policies. Backwards and oppressive. It also greatly saddened him. The laws in Long Beach weren’t so stringent. Of course, rock music was still frowned upon but people didn’t get arrested for it. Instead they were educated and steered toward more valuable use of their talents. Come to think of it, that was still an oppression of sorts.

“Dad?”

He shifted his gaze from his phone to the door of his study. His son, Arin, who still lived at home at twenty-one, was leaning there a pair of drumsticks in hand. He smiled slightly.

“Yes?”

“Wanna come jam with me?” Arin’s hopeful tone tugged at his heart strings. He nodded as he stood, but paused for a moment as his gaze lingered on his phone again. Then he glanced at the other message he’d received from a Brian Haner Snr. And the interesting information he had passed on. He groaned inwardly before glancing at his son, who was patiently waiting for him.

“Got any new stuff, son?”

Arin nodded. “The guys said I have a good ear for this.” The guys being his little band, Confide. They played underground gigs and sure he should’ve been against it. But the joy in his son’s eyes was too hard for him to ignore. So, he turned a blind eye, mostly. Except really he kept both eyes wide open, waiting for a change.

One that he had a feeling was coming sooner, rather than later. And perhaps that was exactly what society needed.

He stood and went to join Arin.