The Darkest Choice - Chapter Seven

Being the early bird isn't always a good thing. Sometimes you don't gain a single advantage, and sometimes instead of a worm, you find a crack.

A crack in the ceiling.

Wondering how five minutes made such a big difference in the number of people showing up, Clarisa circled the meeting table, scrutinising vases and counting the number of chairs in the room, pretending they accurately represented the number of attendants. And then of all places, her eyes fell upon the ceiling, and she did not like what she saw.

A deep crack, about three inches in length, had appeared on the plaster board. Now, normally she wouldn't have cared for the natural wear and tear of furnishings, but this one caught her by surprise.

The crack was Dark.

She felt her heart skip a beat. Something was definitely wrong, especially if it had to manifest in a Headquarters meeting room. She was seriously considering the idea of standing on the table for a closer look when the door opened. In poured at least six of the attendants, Jonas being one of them. The burly man strolled in with a grin and boomed,

“Hey, Clarisa! Ain't seen you in a while.”

Clarisa returned the sentiment with a warm smile.

“How's it going?”

“Bad, honestly,” Jonas revealed his actual state of mind. “Johnson's treating me like I'm the dumbest imbecile that's ever walked the earth. He treats everyone like that, to be honest. He's arriving anyway, you'll have a taste of it.”

“I… look forward to it,” Clarisa nodded jocularly.

He asked as a few more attendants streamed in, “How's it going with Kathryn? Giving you any trouble?”

“It's only been two sessions, I can't tell very much at this point,” she replied. “But we're making some progress.”

“That's good to know,” Jonas said as he fidgeted with the artificial flowers in the vase. “Don't let him find out, though.”

“You mean Johnson?” Clarisa glanced at him quizzically.

“Yeah. He didn't give you that assignment, and he probably wouldn't want another hassle now that we're in this crisis.”

Clarisa was about to ask when people started referring to the situation as a crisis when Johnson appeared in the room with a flash of green light. Instantly, the place fell silent and all eyes were alert and fixed on the leader. Clarisa made a quick survey of the room and found that everyone from Johnson’s team as well as the former members of Jonas’ team was gathered.

“As you all know you're here for a briefing,” Johnson barked in the sergeant-like voice they all knew too well, but now even crustier. “However, I have several quick and important announcements to make before we begin. The first? Expect big pay cuts starting today.”

As Johnson didn't bother to make the news easier to swallow, everyone didn't bother to hide their long faces. Clarisa, though unaffected by this information, observed Leo, who depended heavily on the funds. He looked like he secretly wished to give Johnson one big uppercut.

“Second? I expect more effort from all of you. I repeat, all of you, including those previously under me. Now that funds are pulled this department is slacking more than the lines on the utility pole outside my front garden. The loss of Jaydis and Larry hasn't been helping very much either. Our aim right now productivity. Let me spend a minute singling out those of you who especially need to wake up your idea: Jonas.”

Jonas rolled his eyes.

“I need you more active, organised, and with a better sense of urgency. You're not even trying. How you’d managed to earn your position, I have no clue. Don't make me repeat what I said the last time. Tim, Damien and Antonna…”

Jonas sighed, the lectures routine to him now. Clarisa’s ears pricked up to hear what there was to say about the girl she had inducted, the girl she had mentioned to Kathryn, the girl who was the best in Johnson’s team...

“Too careless. Reckless, in fact. Never considering the consequences of your actions.”

Though bold and decisive, Clarisa would hardly consider Antonna reckless. She had witnessed her in action, and Antonna always weighed the consequences. As Johnson went on picking out flaws in everybody, Clarisa decided that he was not to be taken too seriously.

“Leo,” Johnson finally called out. The scrawny young man looked up at him with intense eyes.

“You work harder than most here, but still not hard enough.”

If there was anyone who matched her level of dedication, it was Leo without a doubt. His icy stare never faltered, and Clarisa thought Johnson totally deserved it.

“Clarisa.”

A bit startled, she faced Johnson earnestly, ready to hear whatever criticism he had for her.

“I have nothing to say about you. You work for free, what can I possibly have to say about you?”

The sudden change in tone of voice captured everyone's attention.

“Highest success rate, I have no idea how this girl does it, but all of you please learn from her example.”

Clarisa could now see why anyone disliked her. She could already feel glares of jealousy being shot her way. Automatically she voiced,

“Johnson, I believe I'm not the only one who makes an effort here.”

The leader brushed aside her remark, “According to what I’ve observed, I don't think I can share that belief.”

Clarisa suppressed a frown while Johnson got down to business, “I'm in charge of both teams now, and you’ve all been assigned to curb a territorial dispute in Central Africa. There's a temporary cease-fire, and if you’ve watched the news, you should know it's located at the White Nile. I'm splitting you up into two groups. Clarisa, Antonna, Gary, Ryan and Jonas, you have the savannah. The rest of you will take the village. You have the whole day to clear the Darkness in these areas, and you'll report back here immediately after you're done. Questions?”

Ryan piped up, “Sir, there are ten of them doing the village, while they're only five of us doing-

“Clarisa’s worth six of you. Anything else?”

An awkward silence ensued before someone else spoke up,

“Johnson, Jonas normally gives us a few days to complete a large-scale assignment like this one-”

“That was Jonas’ management. Inefficient. Anything else?”

The crowd sizzled with questions, but the fear of being put down secured the lid on the pot.

With that, Johnson turned on the projector, and the screen displayed a high-definition photograph of an African village, the houses composed of straw and mud bricks.

“Well then, get it done.”

The ten in charge of the location disappeared from the room. Johnson clicked to the next slide, which presented a scenic image of a tropical savannah. The five exchanged looks of anticipation before teleporting to their destination.

They were greeted at once by a rush of oppressive heat, the afternoon sun overhead brushing life onto the luscious golden blades. The grassland appeared vast without end, with just a few trees standing in lonely clusters. Insects buzzed in their ears and around their legs, and discomfort overcame them immediately.

“I don't see no Darkness in this furnace,” Gary remarked.

“We don't even know how big this place is, you're speaking too soon,” Jonas countered. “Anyone brought water?”

“Here.” Antonna stepped up with two large canteens in each hand. “Only got four of them though, if one of you could share with me…”

“I don't mind,” Clarisa offered. Antonna smiled and handed out three canteens to the men. On the spot, Jonas gulped away half of his share, and said as he closed the container,

“We'll just get more from home when we run out. For now just trek on, and keep your eyes open.”

In two hours, droplets of perspiration were running down their necks and fatigue weighing down their calves. Jonas had gone to refill his canteen four times, and Ryan had grown tired of Antonna’s singing.

“Our mouths are dry and here you are making a huge racket,” he grumbled.

“Thought your mouth would be too dry to complain,” she quipped.

“This is stupid. We're wasting time,” Gary expostulated. “We only have one day, and this is a warzone, friends. There could be so much Darkness we're overlooking, and we're still walking together in a single direction.”

“Fine,” Jonas agreed. “We’ll split up, go anywhere you like within this savannah, and if you see anything broadcast immediately.”

The five separated in different directions. Upon appearing in another region of the grassland, Clarisa sensed a source in the vicinity. Vibrations of the Darkness pulsated through her veins, and her intuition easily led her to its exact location. She gasped at the sight of the White Nile, its waters jet black and sloshing tremulously along the banks. The soldiers had been shooting on opposite sides of the Nile, and several had fallen and drowned in the water, their hatred and fear becoming food for the Darkness. On the other side of the river was the village where the ten other perceivers were assigned to. The Darkness had gone there in pursuit of the trembling villagers. All this information flooded her mind without her having to reach for it. She called out telepathically to her colleagues,

[It's here.]

They arrived by her side instantly, and gawked at the dark waters as they heard Clarisa's explanation.

“Easy,” Ryan said as soon as she had finished, “Go touch it.”

“It's… not that simple,” Clarisa began. “I need to-”

“Suck it up and be brave? You're good at that!”

“It's not that simple,” Clarisa repeated calmly. “If their combined negative emotions are stronger than me, then I may need a catalyst.”

“And are they stronger than you?” Jonas asked.

“Yes,” she admitted. “But I’m sure water can help.”

“You mean this?” Antonna held up her canteen.

Clarisa smiled. “Yes, that's perfect.” She took the container and walked over to the edge of the Black Nile. Resolutely, she poured the contents into the river, then waited to feel its effect before turning to the others.

“It's working, but we need more. A lot more.”

Jonas’ eyes suddenly widened and he pointed behind her. “Clarisa look out!”

It was too late. The four perceivers watched as the Nile rose up like a tidal wave, reached out monstrously and swallowed Clarisa whole in one big thrust. The wave shrank back into the river, which continued on with its torrential flow as if nothing had happened. She was taken so quickly, it took awhile for their minds to accept that she was gone.

Ryan finally turned to the others and said shakily,

“What the heck, now what?”

Antonna was the first to recover. “She said we need a lot more. So get more.”

“Not us,” Gary protested. “Only Clarisa can affect the Darkness, and she's gone!”

“Wrong,” Antonna said firmly. “Even if we can't affect the Darkness, we have to try.”

“Are you crazy?” said Ryan. “Clarisa. Is. Gone. What can we do without her? Nothing!”

“Listen to Antonna,” Jonas ordered in his booming voice, “The two of you go get some more water, pronto.”

Ryan’s face distorted in bafflement while Gary's fell in silent despair. Once they had teleported, Jonas and Antonna picked up the existing canteens of water.

“You ready?” Jonas cautioned.

“She's not gone, you know,” Antonna whispered. “I know her.”

“I know her better than you do,” Jonas replied. “And you’re right, she can't be.”

Together, they heaved the water into the river. Again, no effect was observed. Gary and Ryan soon appeared with new canteens, and spilled theirs clumsily over the black waves.

Wrong move. The river lurched up onto the bank and crawled steadily towards them. They shrieked and ran as the water chased them, widening the Nile metre by metre.

“Calm down!” Jonas called as he backed away from the water, “Your fear is luring the Darkness!”

“We didn't do anything!” Ryan shouted, shuffling frantically away from the currents. “This maniac worked itself up!”

“I'll get more water,” Antonna informed before teleporting. In five seconds she returned with four pails. “My maid’s cleaning the garage,” she shared, in some hope of lightening the mood. They each grabbed a pail and flung the water behind them as they ran. Emptying them all together triggered another insane reaction on the Nile’s part. A jet of ink spurted out in an upward trajectory, some of which splashed onto Ryan's waist, causing him to screech out in pain. He fell on his side, clutching at his torso.

“Help me!” he pleaded. The shoreline was closing in on his feet now, but his movements were impaired. At once, Jonas took hold of him and they teleported ten metres away from the river.

“Water!” Jonas ordered Antonna.

“What's the use? We're making it worse!” Gary cried when Antonna obeyed.

“Believe it works and it'll work,” Jonas chided the two men. “It's not working cause you don't believe it will.”

“We have to leave!” Ryan whimpered. “This one's too hard for us!”

“We’re not leaving Clarisa behind. Keep moving!” Jonas pushed. The river had widened to the point that it looked like an ocean, and was gaining on them at a rate only teleportation allowed them to keep up with.

“Antonna…” Jonas pressed. At that moment, Antonna appeared with more buckets, but at the wrong location. She had underestimated the distance the Darkness had covered. They only managed to see her for one second before she was swept along with the currents, far beyond sight.

“Antonna!” Jonas cried. His hands still grasping tightly onto Ryan, he turned sharply to Gary, who needn’t an order to know what to do. For the time being, that left the two of them to stay on with the chase.

“Please just let me go,” the wounded Ryan begged. “I'm of no help now.”

“You know Johnson’s new policy,” Jonas said grimly. “He wouldn't allow that.”

Before Ryan could argue, the two perceivers heard something roar behind them.