Chapter Eight
Sitting in a corner of the cafeteria, Ben hunched over his tray, using Jared’s bucket as a shield as he glowered at the rest of the room. His shaggy hair lay matted and soaked from the last glass he’d had splashed in his face by a passing coworker. Water dribbled down under the collar of his jumpsuit. A small puddle formed around his feet, and he figured he looked like a soggy scarecrow.
Guess I sorta deserved this. Francis done learned me a lesson, that … that … He reviewed a few memorized phrases. That villainous crook-pated puttock.
For the moment, Cleaners came and went without giving him a second glance, but he eyed them all with suspicion, nerves jittery. Who among them was already plotting the next ambush? Would it be a bucket to his handsome mug? A spritz into an ear? Maybe a sponge chanted to contain a whole pool’s worth of water?
Sure, he could’ve snagged a bit of grub and eaten in his room, but he didn’t enjoy feeling like a coward. He’d brought this trial-by-water on himself.
Jared shifted in his bucket. “Ben?”
Ben spoke around a mouthful of garlic mashed potatoes. “Yuff?”
“Will I ever be normal?”
Ben swallowed and belched softly. “Aw, don’tcha worry, kid. You ain’t gonna be stuck as sand forever. We’ll get’cha fixed up right and good, sure-for-shootin’.” Even as he said this, Ben hoped they’d find a way to follow through with that promise.
“No. I mean normal. Like you and everyone else here.”
Ben snorted. “If we’re your definition of normal, you gotta get a better dictionary. We ain’t exactly your everyday joes and janes.”
Jared churned around, grains scraping against the side of the bucket. “I know people are scared of me. I don’t like it.”
“Ain’t so much as scared as worried.”
“Is it because I can do things they can’t?”
Ben scratched his chin. “Sorta, kinda, mebbe? I mean, everyone can do things nobody else can, if you figure it right. You’re different, sure. So what? You’re yourself. I’m me. Dani’s Dani. We all gotta be okay with that, otherwise we’ll all go crazy sooner or later.”
“Like my dad did?”
Ben frowned. They hadn’t told Jared much about Destin, the former Chairman, but the kid seemed to have inherited a certain amount of knowledge from his father and knew more than he should’ve—about the Cleaners, HQ, and Destin himself. Despite Jared’s good behavior so far, Ben worried about what else might’ve been handed down from father to son. Fortunately, Jared hadn’t been affected by the emotional virus Dr. Malawer had unleashed. If the kid had succumbed to a supernatural rage, who knew what he might’ve done before they got him back under control. If that would’ve even been possible …
Shucks, we even gotta tone down playtime, sometimes. Keep him rememberin’ to act all proper, even when he’s havin’ fun. Share your toys, Jared. Clean up the mess, Jared. Don’t become an insane, unstoppable force of Corruption, Jared.
“Might be,” he said. “Destin sure did forget who he was and got dragged down into the muck ’cause he didn’t have no firm footin’.”
“Maybe that’s why people are scared. They think I’ll be like him someday. That’s why the Board wanted to get rid of me, isn’t it?”
Ben frowned. “Ain’t gonna lie. Some folks might be thinkin’ that way. Fact is, though, any of us could go sour if we aren’t careful. Nobody’s pure mud and no one’s pure spit-shiny. But you’re a good kid, Jared. I know it. Dani knows it. Francis knows it. You ain’t gonna wind up like your daddy.”
Jared remained silent, and Ben took the opportunity to shovel a few more forkfuls down his throat. At the same time, Jared’s questions poked at a few sensitive worries of his own—mainly, what might be causing the kid’s current predicament. Ben never much liked the Board, even in his heyday, and never fully understood the extent of their inhuman powers.
Could the Board itself be messing with Jared’s physical presence, experimenting with ways to neutralize him? He drew on powers from both the Pure and Corrupt Pantheons, but none of his behaviors so far suggested any nasty inclinations. He enjoyed adventure stories and comic books, kept his room clean for the most part, and followed instructions—though sometimes it took a bit of explaining the rationale behind certain requests for him to acquiesce.
Aside from his fluctuating powers, he came across like any other kid plucked off the streets, even if his mental and emotional maturity lagged a few years behind what his normal body suggested.
He tapped the bucket with his fork. “Tell you what. Once I’m done stuffin’ my gullet, we’ll get’cha down to Maintenance and see what a handyman or two might make of you. Mebbe one of ’em can figure out how to get’cha back to your old self.”
Jared mumbled a response, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. As Ben tried to think of another way to encourage the boy, a figure entered the cafeteria. His black jumpsuit contrasting sharply with HQ’s white walls, tiled floors, and the colorful array of other Cleaners’ uniforms. Ben recognized the chimney sweep he’d passed in the hall, and had also seen meeting with Francis earlier. He kept an eye on the guy while chomping through a pile of taters and a dense cube covered in red sauce the cafeteria menu claimed was meatloaf.
After a glance around, the chimney sweep went down the food line, ending with a heaping tray of nothing but cheesecake slices. His brush was strapped to his back in a modified leather holster with a strap that ran from his belt to his shoulder.
Ben tried to think of the last time he’d seen a chimney sweep around HQ. Certain types of Cleaners were more common these days than others, and chimney sweeps definitely didn’t have the presence they used to.
Eh. Ain’t none of my business, whatever he’s doin’ here. Don’t gotta be nosy with everyone here. Ben refocused on his meal, turning his thoughts toward Dani’s date.
“This seat taken?”
Ben looked up to find the chimney sweep standing across the table from him, tray in hand. A stocky bull of a man, the sweep could’ve stood in for many of the brick fireplaces he most likely worked on. The white threading on the left breast of his black jumpsuit read Rafi.
Ben gestured for him to sit. “Naw, it ain’t. But I’s warnin’ you, that there’s the splash zone.”
“Oh, I know.” The sweep slid onto the bench, setting his tray down. “It’s an interesting test you’re running. Never heard of anyone trying to recharge their powers. Though,” he frowned, “I guess I never heard of anyone losing them.”
“First time for everythin’.” Ben checked around to make sure nobody was sneaking up on him with a glass of water—or a bucket. “How’dja hear about that, anyhoo? Francis nudge you to give me a dousin’?”
“No.” Rafi picked up a slice of cheesecake and ate it in two bites. “Spotted the announcement on one of the bulletin boards.”
Ben spluttered. “It’s on the bulletin board?”
The sweeper nodded. “And the latest company memo.”
Groaning, Ben swiped droplets from his brow. “I really oughta start payin’ attention to the memos.”
The chimney sweep extended a hand. “Rafi.”
“Ben. But everyone ’round here usually just calls me ‘hey, you’ or ‘get ’em!’” They shook. “Where you comin’ from, Rafi? Ain’t seen you ’round here that I can remember.”
“I was transferred to the European HQ for a couple years,” he said. “Solo operation that required some top security clearance.”
Ben nodded. The Cleaners had a presence in practically every government and major business across the world—after all, office buildings and military compounds still needed trash cans emptied and windows wiped down—and a chimney sweep’s abilities made for excellent infiltration work. They often got assigned to what the Board liked to call “white ops,” slipping in and out of highly secure facilities to deal with Scum and Corruption even more covertly than usual. He’d even read a report that suggested Scum had been kept from getting their hands on a few dirty nukes thanks to a chimney sweep’s intervention.
“European HQ, huh?” Ben waved his fork around. “Fancy. Why come back here?”
“Aside from completing my assignment?” Rafi said. “I’m actually back on the Chairman’s orders. Special gig that needs a little extra muscle.”
“Yeah? What’s Francis got you doin’?”
The sweep’s expression turned rueful. “Sorry. I’m not allowed to say. It’s—”
Ben took another bite. “Above my pay grade. I get it. I ain’t gotta know everythin’ he’s up to, and honestly, I don’t wanna know. So, whatcha trottin’ my way for? Ain’t figurin’ it’s ’cause you’re wantin’ to recruit me for the company talent show.”
Rafi blinked. “There’s a talent show?”
“Oh, sure. You oughta see Francis ride a unicycle while jugglin’ flamin’ sponges. Carl and I,” Ben patted the spray bottle at his hip, “were workin’ up a few magic tricks, like pullin’ dust bunnies out of a hat and tellin’ fortunes with a squeegee board. Dani was thinkin’ of tryin’ a bit of ventriloquism with her lizard.”
“Lizard?” The sweep’s eyebrows rose.
“Yuppers. Cute little fella named Tetris. I was gonna put a suggestion in that he be made the company mascot, but now I’m worried they’d take me seriously.”
Rafi had that look—the one people got when they couldn’t tell if Ben was being serious or not. Sometimes it just didn’t feel like the day was complete until he’d gotten that look at least once.
“Well, as interesting as that all is, it’s not why I wanted to talk to you.”
“Figured as much. So what’s the catch?”
“No catch. It’s just that, with being on the other side of the pond for so long, I lost touch with a lot of current events over here. I was hoping to get caught up to speed. Fill in the gaps so I can feel more on top of things when I start working on my current assignment.” Rafi picked up another cheesecake slice and pointed it Ben’s way. “From everything I’ve heard, it seems like you and some of your friends have been at the center of some of the bigger happenings here. You and that apprentice of yours—”
“Whoops.” Ben wagged his fork in warning. “Dani ain’t my apprentice no more, and unless you wanna get her in a right ol’ huff, you gotta avoid callin’ her that at all costs.”
Rafi raised his hands. “Thanks for the warning. I’ve asked around a little, and you’ve got a …” He coughed into a fist. “A reputation.”
“I does, huh? For what?”
“For being honest. For not hiding behind the bureaucratic bunk a lot of Ascendants pad their reports with.”
Ben grinned. “Upper management sure does love their paperwork, don’t they?”
Rafi returned the grin. “Muck and mutter, yes. That’s why I’ve never applied for a raise. I like where I’m at.”
“You and me, both. I’ve worn that suit once, and ain’t never goin’ back.”
The sweep’s disbelieving look returned. “You were an Ascendant?”
Ben waved that off. “Dusty old history. Don’t give it much thinkin’ these days.”
“I see.” Rafi studied him with renewed interest. “And now you work as a consultant?”
“Yuppers. I’ve been around, up and down more than most, if you can believe it. Seen some muck that’d drive a man mad. Even went a bit loopy myself for a bit. Francis don’t want none of that experience to go to waste.” He glanced around. “And I got some unfinished business of my own I aim to see done and dealt with, sooner or later.”
Ben’s radio crackled on his belt, and Dani’s voice came through. “Ben? We’re coming back and could use an extra brain or two to figure out exactly what happened out here.”
He grinned at Rafi, patted the radio, and then thumped his own head. “See? So long as my noggin’ is intact, they’ll keep payin’ me to use it.” Rising, he put his hand on Jared’s bucket. “Tell you what. I gotta go help a few folks, but howsabout we meet tomorrow and I can getcha all caught up?”
Rafi saluted with yet another cheesecake slice. “Sounds perfect. I’ll find you sometime in the afternoon.”
“Ben!” Jared cut in. “Look out.”
Rafi snapped his head from side to side. “Where’s that voice—”
A splash of water blinded Ben for a moment. He blinked his vision clear and looked behind himself to see a janitor standing with an empty cup, smiling sheepishly.
“Did it work?” he asked. “Should I try again?”
“Aw, c’mon! We was havin’ a conversation here.” Ben swiped at his face and flicked water back at his latest tormenter.
Every last drop flowed off his face, onto his hand, and flew in a liquid ball to strike the other Cleaner straight in the chest. The janitor jerked and dropped the cup. He gaped at Ben, as did Rafi and several other nearby Cleaners.
Ben shot to his feet. He patted his face, finding it entirely dry. He stared at his hand, and then at the janitor, who looked back in shock as water ran down his suit.
A grin spread across Ben’s face. He focused inward, searching for what he knew must be there. Deep within, the tiniest flame of Pure energy burned. A moment later, it guttered and extinguished. He reached for the puddle on the floor, straining to stir up the slightest ripple. He couldn’t sense the element anymore, but it had been there. His old power. Just for a few seconds.
“Well, bust my britches wide open.” He glanced around the cafeteria. “Anyone got a fire hose handy?”