The One vs. “Burned in Blood” Konrad Raab

[TheOne]

{NUMBERS: Chapter 1}

Well, she's still gone.  Still out of my grasp and protection.  Once again under the presumed rule of The Prophets, and there isn't anything I know what or how to do immediately to change it.  I can't barge in.  I can't go to her quarters.  I know she's not where she was when I ran the place.

The fact is, I know nothing...

Since finding out that she had been taken hostage, again, by The Compound, and most likely by the man who preceeded me, I have been feeling completely lost.  I have felt like a failure.  I have felt like I don't know what to do or where to turn, and it led me to going in a direction I never would have thought to be right or trustworthy.  More importantly, It led me down a path that could lead me to a life that I end up leading the rest of my life, all for the safety of another.

And it makes me question, is she worth it?  Is The Oracle truly that being in life where I am sworn to protect at all costs, including anything selfish or beneficial to myself?  It's where I stand nowadays, wandering aimlessly, still thinking about that night.  I think about the fact that my one confidant, the one person, the one FRIEND, the one person who I felt loved me like family, felt like she turned on me because it was her parents who allowed The Oracle to be captured and taken from, what I was to believe, was our safe haven.  Was Hailey in on it?  Was she truly part of the bigger picture to make me look like the horse's ass of everything?  Did she set me up?  Or was it truly just her parents, and their selfishness, like mine, to live on the proverbial "high horse" at The Compound, and be so easily bribed and manipulated?

None of this, not one little iota, did I know an answer to...

It's why I went to that airport... It's why my shoulders brushed with APPARENT strangers... It's why I was willing to sell my soul that day, for the hopeful safety of The Oracle, and in that moment, nobody knew, nobody was aware, but the fields ere being tilled so the seeds could be planted.

This whole nightmare of a situation, which I had hoped to avoid, was playing out piece by piece in front of me, moment by moment, and lingering in every thought and memory that that I had.  Nobody could stop it.  Nobody could change it.  Nobody even KNEW about it, but yet it was there.  I had sold my soul, given up everything, and all for The Oracle.  But was I some hero?  Was I some antihero?  Was I some villain turned good guy?  I didn't know nor did I care.  I knew what I had done and I knew it was right at the time and in the moment.  I knew that it had gotten to the point where things needed to be elevated to a level that I, alone, could not reach, and thankfully, someone took me as a credible enough source to accept it as a real lead, and run with it.

But like I said... It all lingered...

I didn't know where to go next.  I didn't have anywhere to turn to.  Everywhere that I would have normally searched for answers, and everywhere I would have turned for guidance was apparently gone in the blink of an eye.  I was alone.  I was on a journey where all that was in front of me, or behind me was the sound of the wind and nature, and not a soul in sight.  But with that feeling, I was still on MY PATH, MY JOURNEY, MY GOAL, MY COMMITMENT, and honestly, MY FUCKING PURPOSE, to finding The Oracle, saving her, and hoping that it led to the discovery of who I was, and righting the personal ship of life that I had, effectively, laid aground, on a deserted island, in the middle of only God knows where.

The border is obvious to The One.  A river that marked the spot she drove across, thinking she was freeing The Oracle from the grasp of The Prophets.  But in reality, it's just that, a river.  Something made by nature, and given a "border" by humanity.  Something that, in reality, is just there because of how the Earth formed.

This reality hasn't stopped The One, however.  She looks at the river, effectively dividing the Midwestern town into halves by county, as her 43rd Parallel... Her "Line of Demarcation..." Her personal DMZ...

It's this river that marks the spot where The Oracle was under her parents thumb, and free.  One simple river, yet marking freedom for a young girl who had been abused for so long.

This river has been a staging point for The One for several days.  She knows her presence is known on the other banks.  She knows that The Prophets are aware she is standing opposition to them, pacing back and forth, nightly, trying to come up with her next steps.  She knows that she's being watched and she doesn't care.  She also knows they don't dare to do anything because of the jurisdiction differences, and the fact she stands in a place where The Prophets and The Compound hold no power.  But it doesn't stop her mind from racing.  It doesn't prevent her from trying to figure out what she needs to do next.

The One, her mind is fixated on the idea of getting to the other side, getting back to The Compound, and saving The Oracle once again, but she realizes that it will only come with a plan, and one that can be executed with surveillance far greater than it's ever been.

So she paces...

Night after night...

She doesn't hide her existence from those who watch her because she wants them to know her mind is plotting her next move, and to have them constantly guessing what it could be.  So she paces in plain sight.  She makes her presence felt.  She will sit and stare across the river, seeing reflections of scopes and headlights turning off, and wanting to be sure they know they are as well known to her, as she is to them.

But the reality of being this "open" to those watching creates another potential flaw in the planning stage.  Because one night, as she paces, staring down the cavalry that is awaiting her attempt to cross the bridge, there is rustling in the grass and bushes behind her, an uncommon occurrence for this part of the river's edge.  And as she turns around, it's a face she didn't expect making the noise, as a disheveled Hailey appears in the moonlight, looking The One dead in the eye.

The One: You...

Hailey: Before you say anything, I...

The One cuts her off.

The One: Shut up... Why are you here?

Hailey: I'm here because you were right.  This was all my fault.  This was me making the biggest fucking mistake, and me doing, like you said, and handling it... My parents, they don't know where I am.  My brother, he doesn't know where I am.  My phone, it's in a ditch by my house, and I'be been walking, this whole way, trying to find you... I figured you wouldn't crossover until you had a plan, and I hoped I could make it here before you did.

The One: You knew...

Hailey: I didn't... I didn't know anything from them.  My brother, he didn't either, it's why he called us.  He believed in her safety.  I believed in it, and I was FUCKING wrong, ok?!  I get it!

The One looks away, snarling.

Hailey: I promise... I took you under my wing for a reason...

The One snaps back.

The One: YEAH YOUR REASON!  WHAT ABOUT MINE?!  I TOOK THE OATH, AND DAMMIT YOU'RE THE ONE WHO MADE ME BELIEVE AN OATH WAS WORTH STICKING BY!

Hailey is quick to fire back.

Hailey: WHICH IS WHY I WILL MAINTAIN MY FUCKING INNOCENCE UNTIL THE DAY I DIE!  BECAUSE I WAS NOT A PART OF THEIR FUCKING PLAN!  WE... WE rushed and it left too many breadcrumbs for that motherfuker to find her, and my parents only fucking care about themselves.  They don't care about my brother or me.  They want their sexcapades... So FUCK YOU for thinking I'm one of them!  You and I bonded because we both saw the fucking TRUTH.  And if you can't believe in me, if you can't love me like I love you like family, then fuck this, The Oracle can deal with it and I'll walk away...

The One clinches her fists, and begins to pace heavily.

The One: ... B... But how?!  How did you not know this was going to fucking happen?!  They're YOU'RE FAMILY!  Why should I believe a fucking WORD you are saying right now?  Huh?  Seriously?!

It's at this point The Oracle's brother steps out from the same shadows as Hailey did.

Brother of The Oracle: Because I'm here, too...

The One freezes.

Brother of The Oracle: I'll be honest... You can trust her.  I trust her, too.  Over all of this time, I saw what my sister meant to you both.  I saw what you did to keep safe.  I didn't believe it at the time, but I believe you are the only ones who can save her now.

The One: But... You were captured, too?!

Brother of The Oracle: They tried to get me, but I fought back.  Once they realized I wasn't an easy target, they just took my sister.  That's when I went ino hiding, and saw you both come back, saw the whole encounter with her parents, and then when you left, I saw how Hailey handled her parents.  That's when her brother came out and stood by her side, and they were cornered.  It brought me out of hiding to side with them, and her family caved.  They gave us money, they gave us information, they gave us everything, and that's when I told Hailey we needed to find you ASAP.  You proved yourself... You saved US once, and I believe you can save my sister again.  If you pulled what you did with us at The Compound, I can't believe that you don't have something...

Hailey steps forward.

Hailey: He's right.  We know you have to have something up your sleeve...

The One: Yeah, and that's neither here, nor there.  He just said your parents gave y'all everything, including money.  Money can sure buy a lot, and because of that it buys the fact I don't know WHO I trust anymore...

Brother of The Oracle: Then believe the fact I'd throw it all at your feet.  Hailey has nothing.  I have it all right here...

The brother pulls out the wad of cash used to bribe Hailey's parents into giving up The Oracle, and he throws it down at The One's feet.

Brother of The Oracle: That's more money than I've ever held, even with those two being my parents.  You want money to prove it... Hailey doesn't have any of it... And you can look at that bundle and tell it's from them...

The One sees the bundle, and recognizes it as how The Prophets used to payoff people, rather than in bricks of bills.  They would do it in rolls of cash and make the person count it out to ensure there was no dye packets inside.  The One growls.

The One: Man... I don't know who to believe anymore!  Fuck I don't know why I should believe ANYONE and not just go on my own?  I mean, why shouldn't I just believe you're both scamming me like everyone else has used me in the past, huh?

The brother approaches The One.

Brother of The Oracle: You remember when you sprung us?  I didn't believe you.  I was against you.  I thoguht you were only there to abuse my sister and take her life slowly like my parents.  You freed us.  You gave us a place you legitimately felt we were safe.  Greed makes people do dumb things.  Hailey, she wasn't greedy.  Her parents were.  I wasn't greedy, either.  I just want my sister safe and free of everyone who wants to harm her.  And that's you're fight as well, isn't it?

The One looks down, right as her phone begins to ring.  Seeing the caller ID she turns away from the two and walks further away before answering.

The One: Talk to me...

Voice: We;ve verified it's legitimate...

The One: Was there a doubt?

Voice: Of course there was.  The deal is officially on the table, now...

The One: Don't act yet...

Voice: Why?

The One: I may be able to make this easier on you and your team, and everyone else as well..

Voice: How?

The One: I'll explain later, but the deal is accepted...

Voice: No... There is no deal until you divulge everything...

The One: You have what you need.  I've shown you I'm willing to cooperate.  Now let me organize the rest because it'll just make our lives a little easier, OK?

Voice: Answer me, or no deal...

The One: Trust me, or I can have everything erased, that you have.  I'm not stupid, and I have self-destruct mechanisms built in...

Voice: You don't get to drive the bargain, here...

The One: You're right.  I don't DRIVE, the bargain.  I AM the bargain.  I'll be in touch soon...

She hangs her phone up and turns back, approaching Hailey and the brother of The Oracle.

The One: So... Be honest with me... Are you guys being honest, and are you in?

Both Hailey and The Oracle's brother nod.

The One: Then you both do EXACTLY as I say going forward.  And both of you understand that there WILL be repercussions for ALL of us in this, not just one or two of us.  We aren't going to be fucking heroes.  But we're doing what is right, and getting what we want done, done.  We will end up being in the crosshairs of a lot of really pissed off people when all is said and done.  But... We do this all right, then we will bring the "Walls of Jericho" down with a blaze of hellfire and brimstone, the likes of which they would never imagine.  But the truth is, we have to sacrifice ourselves to achieve what we ultimately want...

The Oracle's Brother and Hailey look at one another, effectively considering the prospect without saying words.  The Brother nods without hesitation.  Hailey takes a deep breath, and slowly begins to nod herself, as they both turn back toward The One and affirm their intent to proceed.

The One: Good, because you had better be.  If not, a lot of lives will be far worse off than just mine or yours if The Oracle isn't freed.

Hailey: My only goal in this is finishing what I started, and earning my place in the annals of what is right...

Brother of The Oracle: And my only goal is saving my sister.  I'd die for her safety and freedom from our parents...

The One: Then that requires you trust WHAT I say and WHEN I say it.  What is going to happen will make us look, to some, like we sold our soul, but in the end history will write our final chapter...

The One turns back and stares across the river, again looking out toward the destination that she feels is where they will be headed next, while Hailey and the brother of the Oracle stand behind her, joining in looking in that direction.

Reluctance.  That is what I feel knowing Hailey and The Oracle's brother are back in the mix.  I don't know how much they can be trusted, but their adamant nature gives me a gut feeling it is legitimate.  I also know that, thankfully, I hold the cards.  I am the one who knows what the plan is, and what is going to happen.  And that's why I called the man back, and I told him the plans I had made, and finalized my "deal with the Devil."  My plans, involving Hailey and the brother, should make things even more decisive once finally executed.

Because one way or another... Help or no help... By hook or by crook... I will free The Oracle once and for all.  Not for my sake.  Not for my sanity.  To own up to a word I gave, and swore I would always, ALWAYS, uphold.