Travis waited until the subway car filled, clearing the platform. Looking carefully to see if anyone was watching, he stepped behind a pillar and slip shifted. He emerged in a bathroom stall marked “Out of Order” and listened for any other presence in the filthy room. Hearing nothing, he stepped from the stall and washed his hands for good measure.
This job was pretty normal by his standards. Just a routine surveillance on a conspiracy suspect. His usual approach would have had him riding the train to the station like everyone else, but he was running a bit late this morning and what was the point of being a member of The Guard if you couldn’t break rules on occasion?
Satisfied that he had not been observed, Travis opened the restroom door with a bit of paper towel and merged into the crowded train station. The mark should be on the next train. Closing his eyes, Travis scanned the occupants until he found the mark. Something was wrong, but Travis couldn’t quite figure out what it was.
He opened his eyes just as a security guard approached. “Excuse me, may I see your ticket?” The guard said. The politeness of his words contradicted the suspicion in his eyes. Travis showed him the Guard mark on his palm and was amused at the instant change in attitude. A flash of fear showed on the security guard’s face as he took an involuntary step back. “Sorry to have disturbed you, sir. Is there anything I can do to help?” Despite the offer of help, the body language of the security guard betrayed his hope that Travis would decline.
“I think I have all that I need. Thank you.” Travis said. He continued to look at the now sweating guard for a moment. Then he looked away in dismissal. The frightened guard walked quickly to the platform exit.
Turning back to the task at hand, Travis reached out for the mark again. Not finding him, Travis began to quickly scan others, looking for any trace…someone who had seen the mark, someone who might have overheard him. Nothing. Furious at the security guard for distracting him and a bit frightened at the prospect of confessing to a failed overwatch, Travis increased his scanning pressure. Around him several people bent over with nosebleeds. Others squinted against headaches or nausea. Still Travis could find no trace of the mark.
Turning back to the restroom, he knew there was only one choice. By this time the Watchers already knew he had missed his opportunity. Returning to Sanctuary and confessing a failed overwatch was bad, but if he failed to do so he would be marked as a runner and from that there was no return.
Feeling a bit nauseous himself, he stood in the stall marked “Out of Order” and slip shifted back to Sanctuary.
I liked this a lot. Excellent setting. It hooked me right away. Thanks for posting.
Now this is the type of story I like to read. Can I read more?
wow – wonderful setting- paranoia and spec fiction coupled with commentary on our social decline – you painted a very clear picture of your world with well established characters and strong emotions. I enjoyed reading this alot.
welcome to Friday Fiction. You have captured it perfectly – getting the blood on the page – and just going with the story. I will enjoy reading more of your work – and of this character.
visitors can find my entry at http://annieevett.blogspot.com/2009/06/virtual-invasion.html
Always interesting to see how people sketch in their worlds in short pieces and it was well done here. As Chris says you hooked me in, with me it was when that “slipshift” phrase cropped up, I read on to find out what that was and you introduced many more interesting, briefly mentioned but nonetheless well-explained concepts along the way.
Very well-composed. I look forward to reading more of your work.
Mine own: http://eclecticchair.wordpress.com/2009/06/26/fiction-friday-stephen-shakespeares-rough-morning/
Thank you everyone for your kind responses. This was a first for me, so i was a bit nervous. I cannot wait for next week’s installment, so I think I will just continue this story. You should see another post soon.