get the fuck off this site. You have nuts for a girl, I’ll tell you. You just bring a couple of strangers along because they agree with what you’re saying. What did they give you in return even? Nothing, apparently. Just some fabrication. What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“Listen,” Alan said. “We’ll go. Because if I can’t get your commitment before showing you the proof, then it’s really not worth getting your commitment at all. I need to know that you’re open enough to believe in something that could do as I describe, before I show you. It’s my requirement, you can take it or leave it, but if you leave it, you’ll be fucked. It won’t be my issue anymore. And your friend, Bell—the team member you just fired—will know before the night’s out, the proof.” Alan’s smile was broad, almost taunting. “And you’ll know something’s up when she doesn’t return to try to work for you, when you can’t even get her to return your fucking phone calls. And you will call, asshole, because you’ll have a feeling, just the tiniest feeling inside, that you missed out on something big, something that would have saved the life of you and your whole fucking crew.
“And when the ten years are almost up, it’s going to be the name of our fucking cause that you hear about on every news station you turn to. You won’t even be able to escape the name. What do you think Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC are going to be talking about when we’re nearing the last days, huh? It’s going to be a fucking war they’re talking about. I’m talking about survival, Arnold. Who is doing what and has the best chance of saving the most people? We have the guarantee. You think Avery’s just a fucking nuisance today, but before it’s all said and done, he’s going to be the one people talk about the most. The government, the people, and everyone will be trying to sabotage him, help him, get on their knees to him, worship him, kill him. He’ll be the name on everyone’s hearts and minds, and in the end…he’ll be the only name that matters. By then you’ll be willing to cut off a fucking limb just to have a minute with him, you ignorant piece of shi—”
Arnold cocked back and lunged forward to throw a punch but was held back by two of his team members.
“Get the fuck out of here, all of you,” he screamed, white bits of spittle flying from his mouth. “You’re fired Bell! And you’ll be the one crawling back to me in a day, because you fucked up the one thing that could’ve saved your worthless life!”
Bell said nothing, only looked down uncertainly. Danny put an arm around her shoulders.
“Don’t worry,” he said into her ear. “Wait until you see the proof. You’ll see.”
“Let’s get out of here,” Alan said, and the three of them turned and headed back toward the trees.
“You’re in a fantasy, Bell,” Arnold continued to scream. “You’re in a fantasy if you think that this is going to go anywhere.” Arnold took a couple of deep breaths, they were loud and ragged. His crew was still holding him back. “You know how long I’ve been working on this and you bring him over here because he makes up some LIE! BITCH!”
“Jesus Christ,” Alan said, looking over his shoulder as they passed the beginnings of the ship. “Dude must have been in love with you, Bell.”
“Yeah, guy loves you like Asians love homework,” Danny said. “Isn’t that right, Alan?”
Alan chuckled. “Shut up Danny.”
6
“Should I be worried?”
Alan raised his eyebrows. They were inside a bowling alley just before 12am. Alan had purchased couple of games, some food, and rented shoes for everyone. Now they were seated in front of the monitor meant for keeping score. Danny was dipping his fries steadily into a small container of ketchup and