SECOND WIND
a serial fiction adventure
by Michael Beazel
Number Two
Nice suit. Black with a matching tie and crisp white shirt. My hair is short. Really short.
Like I just took a pair of clippers to it without the guard. This elevator ride is taking a little
longer than I expected – hence the chance to check myself out in the chrome walls. I then get
the urge to go up. All the way up to the top floor. Very specific. I don’t know why, but I get the
feeling that my life depends on it.
Can’t wait to get my head straight again. Then maybe I’ll know why I feel the need to do
the things I feel the need to do. Until then, I’m going to trust myself – whether I know why or
not.
Who were those guys? I didn’t kill their director. I don’t think I did. Maybe if I could just talk
to them. Maybe they would listen… what am I thinking?! They were shooting at me! Back to
Plan A – get the hell out of here. DING! I ready my handgun like a pro as the door slides open.
I move quickly through my new environment – an office space divided into cubicles. I am
drawn toward the center of the room. Over one row… then two. Then I stop at a slightly
familiar desk. I kneel down and reach under the seat and pull out a blue duffle bag. Now
where getting somewhere! I unzip the top, reach in and pull out a compact sport parachute!
You have seriously got to be kidding me!
The elevator door opens and Wendell and Austen storm in with rifles at the ready! I drop
to the floor! I hope they didn’t see me.
“Careful, Austen”, says Wendell.
I spy an emergency stairwell about thirty feet to my right. I need to get there before they get
here. I pause for a moment then pop up and fire two rounds into the ceiling. Wendell and
Austen drop to the floor. I make a run for the emergency door. The rifle boys recover and
open up on me! Office supplies and bullets fly all around me! I reach the door at full speed
(for me) and throw my shoulder into it. It flings open with ease as I fall down on its other side. I
hear footsteps closing as I gather my wits. I fire two more rounds back at my attackers then
head up the stairs.
When I run out of steps, I exit onto the roof. I spot a two-by-four lying nearby. I can hear the
guys coming up the stairs. I jam the plank under the doorknob. It’s at a weird angle – I hope it
holds. I walk to the edge of the building and take a peek over the side. I didn’t realize how high
up I am. I wish you could see the look on my face! I take in a deep breath and strap the chute
to my back.
The door rattles then the gunshots ring out! Then the door bursts open! I turn to face them.
“Hands up!” says Austen.
“There’s nowhere to run, Kagan!” adds Wendell.
Did he say “Kagan”? Is that me? Before they get set, I reach into my jacket pocket, pull out
a flashbang and pull the pin.
“What’s that?” says Austen.
“Don’t be stupid, Austen”, replies Wendell, “It’s a…”
I drop the flashbang at their feet. It goes off with a bright flash and a loud bang! But by then
I am diving over the side!
I have clearly lost my mind! I count to seven then pull the ripcord. The chute opens with a
tremendous tug on my body then settles into a pretty cool glide. My eyes are drawn to a
parking garage about two blocks away and steer my canopy that way.
It’s pretty far away, but I make it. I land and tumble to a stop. Then I gather my chute. A
quick glance up reveals Wendell and Austen frantically searching high and low for me. I smile
at my own cleverness, then look at the multitude of cars before me.
One of these must be mine.
To be continued...
copyright 2010
a serial fiction adventure
by Michael Beazel
Number Two
Nice suit. Black with a matching tie and crisp white shirt. My hair is short. Really short.
Like I just took a pair of clippers to it without the guard. This elevator ride is taking a little
longer than I expected – hence the chance to check myself out in the chrome walls. I then get
the urge to go up. All the way up to the top floor. Very specific. I don’t know why, but I get the
feeling that my life depends on it.
Can’t wait to get my head straight again. Then maybe I’ll know why I feel the need to do
the things I feel the need to do. Until then, I’m going to trust myself – whether I know why or
not.
Who were those guys? I didn’t kill their director. I don’t think I did. Maybe if I could just talk
to them. Maybe they would listen… what am I thinking?! They were shooting at me! Back to
Plan A – get the hell out of here. DING! I ready my handgun like a pro as the door slides open.
I move quickly through my new environment – an office space divided into cubicles. I am
drawn toward the center of the room. Over one row… then two. Then I stop at a slightly
familiar desk. I kneel down and reach under the seat and pull out a blue duffle bag. Now
where getting somewhere! I unzip the top, reach in and pull out a compact sport parachute!
You have seriously got to be kidding me!
The elevator door opens and Wendell and Austen storm in with rifles at the ready! I drop
to the floor! I hope they didn’t see me.
“Careful, Austen”, says Wendell.
I spy an emergency stairwell about thirty feet to my right. I need to get there before they get
here. I pause for a moment then pop up and fire two rounds into the ceiling. Wendell and
Austen drop to the floor. I make a run for the emergency door. The rifle boys recover and
open up on me! Office supplies and bullets fly all around me! I reach the door at full speed
(for me) and throw my shoulder into it. It flings open with ease as I fall down on its other side. I
hear footsteps closing as I gather my wits. I fire two more rounds back at my attackers then
head up the stairs.
When I run out of steps, I exit onto the roof. I spot a two-by-four lying nearby. I can hear the
guys coming up the stairs. I jam the plank under the doorknob. It’s at a weird angle – I hope it
holds. I walk to the edge of the building and take a peek over the side. I didn’t realize how high
up I am. I wish you could see the look on my face! I take in a deep breath and strap the chute
to my back.
The door rattles then the gunshots ring out! Then the door bursts open! I turn to face them.
“Hands up!” says Austen.
“There’s nowhere to run, Kagan!” adds Wendell.
Did he say “Kagan”? Is that me? Before they get set, I reach into my jacket pocket, pull out
a flashbang and pull the pin.
“What’s that?” says Austen.
“Don’t be stupid, Austen”, replies Wendell, “It’s a…”
I drop the flashbang at their feet. It goes off with a bright flash and a loud bang! But by then
I am diving over the side!
I have clearly lost my mind! I count to seven then pull the ripcord. The chute opens with a
tremendous tug on my body then settles into a pretty cool glide. My eyes are drawn to a
parking garage about two blocks away and steer my canopy that way.
It’s pretty far away, but I make it. I land and tumble to a stop. Then I gather my chute. A
quick glance up reveals Wendell and Austen frantically searching high and low for me. I smile
at my own cleverness, then look at the multitude of cars before me.
One of these must be mine.
To be continued...
copyright 2010
