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The eX Factor
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The eX Factor Who’s idea was it dress us in black? I wondered as we pulled the barricade. We were a full block away from our destination, it was a part of town that I knew fairly well. Today it was a theatre, a genuine center of activity during normal non-virus times. I had seen several<b> events </font></b>and concerts at this venue over the past several years, but I had never imagined the place so desolate. The street was empty of personnel with patrolmen holding back a small group of seemingly desperate confused citizens, and news people, a good 10 feet back from the blue wooden saw horses. At least that’s what they remind of each time I see them. It doesn’t matter that there are block letters spray painted in white spelling “POLICE” of them, they still bring to mind the trusty carpenter’s aides . The door of the van quickly slides open. I adjust the chin strap of my helmet, grab the supply case and jump out onto the pavement. The first thing that hits me as I exit the vehicle is the oppressive humidity. High of 94 degrees today I heard someone mention at the precinct earlier this morning. It’s almost Noon and it wouldn’t surprise me if we already passed that prediction. Why do we need to wear black in this heat? Is it so that everyone can easily recognize us? I would have thought that the van with ‘Bomb Squad’ displayed on the side would have been adequate. The van is already black. By the time we show up at the scene, everyone has already been cleared out. Truth is, we could run into the place with cut-off jeans and ripped Van Halen T-shirts and anyone within eyesight would immediately know who we were. If the worst was to happen, I’m sure it wouldn’t matter what we were wearing in the rubble. The walk down the vacant street is the worst part, dealing with the anticipation of what will come next. My partner, PJ, is along for the job. She hasn’t been at this for very long, but we all need learn these skills from somewhere. Some things just can’t be taught in the classroom. I’ve been at this for more years than I can care to count. “You ready for this, Old Man?” PJ says in my direction, clearly trying lighten the mood. “Yeah. Another day, another detonator dollar. One day all this glory will be yours alone. But not today.” I wink back at her. Upon entering the building we followed the directions given to us by our coworkers wearing blue. They led us right to the spot, as if it were marked with a giant X. The first thing we noticed, was that this wasn’t a prank or a false alarm of any kind. Whoever placed this here couldn’t have picked a better or more devious location. Between the duct work, the old pipes and the original steel structure there would be enough shrapnel to rip through any protective material we may have been donning. The pile of plastic explosives and containers of unknown, but apparent, liquid accelerant would certainly see to that. This was not a drill. “Holy shit…” PJ summed up my thoughts exactly. “This is some handcrafted homemade devastation, here. We need to be extra careful.” I reply without averting my gaze. A visual inspection of the device appears as if several old PCs have been tied together, along with what looks to be some sort of digital alarm clock on top. For a brief second I had to really hand it to them for being able to get all of this material in here unnoticed. That must have been quite the undertaking. I settle down beside the unit and attempt to get to work on diffusing this horrific nightmare. I don’t remember seeing anything quite so complex. Painstakingly created over years, I would guess. Even though the temperature in the building was far lower than outside, my vision was getting blurry from the sweat on my forehead running down into my eyes. The first few connections were evident and removed without issue, but things began to get progressively more complicated. Suddenly, an audible click could be heard, and the alarm clock instantly lit up with a digital reading of 30 seconds. Then 29… “What happened?” The sound of panic was evident in PJ’s voice. “I’m not sure, must have tripped something I didn’t see.” 24… After another quick glance I was able to determine that there were only 3 wired connections still live. A red, a black, and a green. 19… Needing to act quickly, I grab the black wire, take my snippers in hand, say a quick prayer and cut it. … Red and Green. I get hold of the green wire next. My mind suddenly goes blank. Sweat is dripping down from my face like tears… maybe they are tears. 5… my hands are visibly shaking. “What you waiting for! Cut the green! Cut it now!” PJ screams at . I look into her face, “I… I can’t…” “I love you Dad, but you’re an idiot.” The Princess stares at in utter disbelief. I’m instantly regretting entering into this conversation. “I don’t expect you to understand.” Referring to my most recent contact with my Ex-partner. “What’s to understand? “ her arms flying , palms in the air. “Just block her! Say bye-bye MF’er, and move on.” “Maybe it’s easy for you to turn your feelings about people on and off, like a light switch. I can’t do that. Sometime I wish I could.” She seemed to stare right through me, “You still care about her? After the mean things she said about you, and wanting you change?” “Look, it’s been 8 years since your mother left us. I still love her and I always will. I don’t run around telling people I love them and try plan a future with them if I don’t mean it. It’s a process. Yes, I love her, but I don't know for how long, it may not last forever. There is enough space in my heart love more than 1 person. I hope yours is large enough and I sincerely hope that you fall in love this hard one day so you know how it feels, too.” A smirk forms on her face, “That sounds awful.” “Sometimes it is, Princess.” I tell her, “Sometimes it truly is.” |
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