Floaters Read online

  Samantha called Tippy right away and relayed this information to him. At Tippy's request, she handed the doctor the phone.

  “Doctor, I have someone here who wants to talk to you. You may relay the information you have given us.” Samantha told him.

  All they could do is stand there and listen as the doctor spoke into the phone, 'I understand', and 'I see'. Once he hug up the phone, Samantha was rushing up to him.

  “What was that all about?”

  “Well, looks like you have some friends in high places. We can have your son's blood results in a couple of hours if you wish to wait. It shall be ready then.”

  “Wow!” Samantha mouthed, looking at her husband. However, Randy wasn't too thrilled about this news.

  “Why would a newspaper pay for test results?”

  Samantha's phone rang again. It was Andrew Damaree.

  “Good day Mrs. Gordon. I realize you just talked to my associate Tippy Robinson. The reasons I have called is because there is a small development.”

  “Ok. What's up?”

  “Is your husband present?”

  “Yes, we are just outside the doctor's office waiting for Jimmy's test results.”

  “Ok, go to your car, then put me on speaker.”

  Andrew told them that it was of the utmost importance they do as he said. They had to leave right away for a trip and to bring the family and the Floater with them.

  “Are you flipping serious?” Randy Gordon squealed into the phone.”

  “Sorry Mr. Gordon, but yes, I am very serious. It's very important for the safety of your family. I don't know all the particulars, but I can assure you you a scientist has declared the danger your Floater is.”

  “Ok, ok, lets just say we go where ever you say, why would we take the damn Floater with us if it is dangerous?”

  As long as you don't touch it. You will be fine. The scientist will be there so it can be examined.

  “I don't know about this Mr. Damaree. We don't even know who you are.”

  “I understand your skepticism. I was at first also, but I have since been convinced. You don't have to come and I won't force you, but please don't put your family in jeopardy.”

  Looking at his wife for her assurance, she nodded acceptance of what Mr. Damaree was saying.

  “Alright, just tell us where to go and what to bring and we will be there. We have to pick up, the doctors report and check on our neighbours.”

  “That's fine, the plane leaves in a couple hours, so to make sure you don't miss it, I will send a car to pick you up.”

  Hanging up from Mr. Damaree, they looked at each other in disbelief. Neither of them wanted to be the first one to voice their opinion. This direction of events was foreign to them. Talking to an online reporter who is suggesting they leave immediately is absurd. But who wants to take a chance on not believing a crazy story like that. Surely not them. It's not worth the risk if it involves their lives. It was Randy, who first spoke.

  “Alright, let's just do this. What could we lose. If he is a crackpot, then we will just treat this trip as a holiday. No harm done. The first sign of trouble, we can just turn around and come back.”

  “You're right. And the thought of an alien or foreign substance on earth frightens me. I don't want to take that chance.”

  “Come on Samantha, get that 'alien' word out of your head. I don't think it's some kind of creature running around. It cannot even move. Its definitely bacterial.”

  “Yeah, maybe, but the quicker we move the better. Let's just go before that car gets to our place.”

  Fifteen minutes later they were driving towards the Wrights place. They had Jimmy's test results with them. Brett came running up to the car overly excited. Seeing the distress look on his face, Samantha jumps out the car and rushed to him.

  “What's wrong, Brett?”

  “It's my mom! I cannot find her anywhere.”

  “Maybe she has gone to the store Brett.”

  “No, her purse is here, and the television is still on. She would never go to the store without her purse.”

  “Where is your dad?”

  “In the barn, where he always is. He is sound asleep.”

  “Alright Brett.” Looking at Jimmy she told him, “Jimmy, help Brett look around or call around. We will go to the barn and wake Mr. Wright.”

  “Ok Mom.”

  The two boys ran into the house, while Samantha and Randy walked towards the barn. They find him passed out drunk but to no avail could they wake him. They weren't about to leave Brett there alone with a drunk, so they decided to take Brett with them.

  “But what about my mom and my dad. I cannot leave him here if mom is not back.” he protested when they told him what their plan was.

  “Brett, did your mom sleep in her bed last night?”

  “Doesn't look like it. It's so weird, mom never goes missing like this.”

  “Brett, your mom came to my house last night looking for the Floater. I didn't give it to her, but she was pretty pissed off. Why would she do that?”

  “Really! I don't know why. She didn't even want me to have it. She said let Jimmy keep it at your house.”

  “I bet she saw that news program last night and wanted it.” Jimmy said.

  “News program?” Asks Brett.

  “Oh, you don't know. Your video generated lots of views and has gone viral.”

  “Really! I haven't even checked this morning. Just went about my chores and looking for mom.”

  “Listen, Brett, we have discovered that the thing you found is dangerous. Now some people think its precious or maybe worth money. I think your mom saw that on tv last night and came over to get the Floater.”

  “Now that sounds like her, but you didn't give it to her right?”

  “Right, but that doesn't mean she didn't go in the barn to try and take it.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “I honestly am not sure I even know what I am saying, but I think something may have happened to her when she tried to take it.”

  “You're scaring me Mrs. Gordon.”

  “Sorry Brett, I don't mean to. I am just trying to figure out what happened.”

  “You think somehow this Floater has something to do with her disappearance?”

  “Maybe, maybe not. Remember, Jimmy got really ill when he touched it, but he dropped it right away. I am thinking your mom went to the barn and got it. After that, I don't know. We have been told not to touch it.”

  Brett had a look of fright on his face not knowing what became of his mother.

  Randy Gordon interjected, “Listen, here is what we can do. We will go by the police station and report her missing. We just cannot leave you here on your own. We are going on a trip, so we can also leave a note here for your mom just in case she comes back.”

  Relief flooded over Brett, “And what about dad?”

  “We will have to bring him with us. You go pace a bag and we will get your dad in the car. Then we are going to the police station.”

  “Brett, don't worry about your parents. You're always taking care of them, let my parents handle this. It's the best thing to do right now.” Jimmy assured him. Reluctantly, Brett went inside to pack some clothes for him and his father.

  They arrived at the police station to file the missing person report. It was explained to them, they have to wait forty-eight hours before acting upon a complaint.

  “We are going on a trip and we just cannot leave Brett here on his own.”

  “When a person files a missing person report, we will accept all the necessary forms that are filled out. Once the forms are put into the system, their name will go out live as missing. Sometimes we find people way before the twenty-four or forty-eight hour deadline.”

  “So shall we check back with you then?”

  “Yes, you can call us but if we find out anything, we will definitely call you.

  Brett, knowing his mom will be searched for, he did relax a bit. Then they went to a fast foo
d restaurant and got coffee for Brett's dad and a full meal for the boys.

  When they arrived back home, Randy went right to the Floater to make sure it was still there. Samantha went inside to pack clothes for everyone. Brett and Jimmy stayed with Brett's dad to make sure he drank more coffee.

  “Come on Mr. Wright, you must drink some more coffee.” Jimmy told him.

  It wasn't long before he seemingly had come to his senses. As he realized it was Jimmy Gordon in front of him, he asked, “What you doing here boy?”

  I am at my own house and so are you, Mr. Wright.

  Hamilton Wright looked around and took in his surroundings. Not familiar with his usual everyday surroundings, he wasn't pleased. Did he get totally blitzed and don't remember coming here. Why would he come here anyway. He has never been to Brett's friend's farm.

  “How did I get here Jimmy?”

  “My dad brought you.”

  “What? Ok, why am I here. I need to get back home.” He was adamant because he knew he had a newly stashed bottle of liquor in the barn that Kathleen got for him.

  “Dad, mom's missing and the Gordon's have reported it to the police.”

  “Police? What do you mean missing?”

  “I couldn't find her anywhere. She left last night and never came back.”

  “Where did she go?”

  “She never said, but the Gordon's said she came here long after I went to bed.”

  “Why would she come here.”

  Brett filled his father in on what's been happening. It wasn't until he saw Randy Gordon walk towards them with a plate of food in his hand. It was then that he realizes something weird has been happening.

  “I am happy to see your awoke Hamilton. Here, take this plate of food so we can go. A car will be here shortly to pick us up. We don't have much time.”

  “Much time for what?”

  “Didn't the boys fill you in on what's been happening?”

  “They told me my wife is missing.”

  “Yes. We left her a note at your house in case she comes back and we reported her missing to the police.”

  “It's not like her to get up and walk away. Wonder where she went.”

  “Samantha said she came here after eleven last night.”

  “Brett just told me. But after she left here, where would she go?”

  “Maybe she just needed time away, to think about things.”

  Hamilton could hear the implications in his voice and knew he meant his wife just wanted to get away from him. This wasn't true, though, because his wife has been happy just the way things were. “What are you implying?”

  “Nothing. Listen, the truth of the matter is, something strange is happening. This thing the boys found, others are finding them too. It is all over the world and I am told they are dangerous. I think your wife went into our barn to get the Floater, but something happened after that. What, I don't know.”

  “Why on earth would she go into your barn without permission I might add, to get this thing?”

  “She probably thought it was valuable if she saw the news last night about the President having one. But if she had checked online first, she might have seen this thing could be harmful.”

  With the wheels spinning in his brain along with the stale alcohol, he concluded this is probably what happened. He knew his wife loved money and if this Floater thing was worth something, she'd want to get her hands on it.

  “Let's just say this is what happened, you have the Floater right? Why do we have to go with you to where ever your going?”

  I am told it is more of them about. Like in the millions, all over the world. Where we are going, is safe, so I am told. We won't try to make you go with us, but I think Brett should be with us.

  “And I think he should stay right here with me. I am not going anywhere with all this crazy talk.”

  “And do what Hamilton? Drink? What about your son? What will he do with his mother missing and his best friend gone? Tell me, what will your son do? Sit around and watch his father drink himself to death.”

  The moment Randy said that, he regretted it. He knew he was out of order. “I am sorry Hamilton, I should not have said that.”

  The guilty look on Hamilton's face said it all. “But you're right, I have not been a good role model. If only I had taken one day out to get sober, I might have helped Kathleen.”

  Looking directly into Randy's eyes, he said, “I appreciate you looking out for my boy. I will come with you for his sake, and for the sake of Kathleen.”

  “Your decision to join us is just in the nick of time!” Randy told him nodding to the car coming up the drive. “Our ride is here.”

  Chapter 6

  St. George, Jamaica

  Baron Davis and Latrell Taylor

  It was dark, shadowy and cool on Sunday morning at St. George Lake. It is said the best fish are just waiting to be caught, but only very early mornings. Baron and Latrell had done just that. They left around four am for their fishing trip. It was now five am as Baron and Latrell sat in their small narrow row boat. Even though members of the public had been warned not to fish on St. George Lake, they just choose to ignore these warnings. This has been their usual ritual, every Sunday for the pass five years.

  No warnings would keep them away from their usual trip. The morning was peaceful but not too quiet. They could hear the early morning songs of the birds chirping and the animals in the area. The snapping of a twig as an animal stepped on it. The sound of a mother duck quacking as she kept vigil by her young, trailing behind. Or the sudden flight of a startled animal running off into their own safe place. This was the most tranquil, the lake has ever been in years. They had two flashlights that gave illuminist light into the boat, allowing them to see each other. The background trees were lost in the darkness as the boat bobbed along the lake. It was a beautiful picture perfect painting view to behold. But in some ways very eerie at the same time.

  They had caught about ten fish that were in their ice-chest flapping around looking for an escape. They wanted to catch no less than twenty before they were prepared to call it a day. Baron had his sneakers off as he hated fishing with anything on his feet.

  He sat back, and relaxed with his feet propped up on the side of the boat. Baron was a patient man and he just waited for that nibble on his line.

  Latrell had his rod propped between his legs as he poured hot steaming coffee from his thermos. This was heaven for them on this early Sunday morning. The dark sky was slowly slipping away as the morning sun peered its head over the horizon. They both knew they would have to leave before the sun fully rose. They had church services to attend and their wives would never forgive them if they got back late.

  It was a blinding glare of a sparkling brilliant shine that caught Latrell's attention. Standing up into the boat, squinting his eyes and hoping for a better look. 'What the hell is that' he wonders.

  “Hey Baron, check it out!” Latrell said with enthusiasm.

  “Huh, where?”

  “Ova there, dat ting inna di wata. Check out di shine pon dat bad boy!”

  Baron followed his friends eye of vision to the item floating in the water.

  “Whoa dude! Yuh right, dat cud be one of dem deh Floatas everyone chatting bout. Its all ova di internet.”

  “Sure looks like it to mi. Lets guh closa,” said Latrell, picking up the oars and rowing towards it. As they drew closer to the light floating on the water, the more magnificent it became. The path between the boat and the Floater had been locked in by an invisible navigator, entrancing them and edging them to come further.

  “Damn dat looks like a giant diamond. Yuh tink it might be worth sup'm?” Asked Baron wonderingly.

  “It sure looks like it. Let's get that bad boy in the boat and take it somewhere to have it evaluated.”

  “Righty-O. mi pon it! Move a likkle closa Latrell, suh mi can grab it.”

  Latrell rowed the boat closer and Baron leaned over to pick it up. The minute he touched it
, a shiver of electricity ran through his body. The Floater trembled as Baron gripped it tightly. Baron had a look of horror on his face as he realized it was moving in his grip. Releasing his grip, not liking the trembling in his hand, he dropped it immediately in the boat.

  “Hey dawg dat neva feel gud. It like its alive or sup'm. Mi nuh touching dat again!” Said Baron, breathing hard as if he just ran a marathon.

  Latrell laughed so hard at his friend, “Yuh should ave seen di look pon yuh face man! Yuh did suh fraid even mi nearly pee'ed mi pants!”

  “Nuh funny dawg, dat ting weird. Mi sey wi put it back inna di wata.”

  “No dawg, dat ting may be worth sup'm. People all ova finding dem. Sum'ady bound to gi wi funds fi dat.”

  “Is dat suh, den mi tell yuh wah, yuh can tek it weh eva yuh wa!” Baron informed him with sarcasm.

  “Hol'aan, mi get a nibble pon mi line. Let wi catch a likkle more fish an den wi can guh. Mi excite for get it back an find out wah wi can get for it.”

  “Yuh always thinking bout funds Latrell. One day it wi be di death of you!” With that, shaking his head, Baron casts out his line in hopes of a nibble too.

  The morning passed quickly, and the sun was almost to its fuklest. Baron felt a tickling on his toe but he simply ignored it thinking it was a fly. He called it a day when he saw they had more than twenty fish in the ice-chest. Standing and getting ready to pull in his line, his right foot felt weird and he looked to see the Floater attached to his toe. He jerked his foot back and forth to shake it off, but the Floater just wouldn't pop off his toe.

  Calling out to Latrell, he sat on the plank and kept shaking his leg in hopes of flinging it off. Latrell turned when he heard the desperation in Baron's voice. Looking down to his foot he saw the Floater had covered his toes.

  “Wah di hell?” was all he could manage from his lips.

  “Get it off, get it off!” screamed Baron in a panicked voice. He could now feel tingles going up his foot and around his ankles.

  Latrell dropped his rod and dashed over to help his friend. Bending over, without a second thought, he grabbed the Floater with both hands and pulled. It was no longer hard and shining, but a dull blended colour with no substance to it. Latrell was able to stretch it a bit but it wouldn't release the foot. Latrell pulled and pulled, but to no avail, it would not come off Baron's foot.