Outcasts by Alan Janney Read Free Book Online

breath-taking?”
    “Not the word I’d choose.”
    “Her skin can absorb small amounts of gasoline, and then burn like a torch for short periods of time. A fascinating side-effect. Unfortunately her hair always gets consumed in the flames, but her eyes and lungs and sinuses are impervious now. The virus is truly astonishing, yes?”
    “I know nothing about it. No one has told me a thing.”
    “Well, truth be told, Ogre, we know very little. Even me. I just inject my subjects with it, and then tinker with their bodies while the virus burns. It’s actually not even a virus. We just call it that. It works; that is enough.”
    “Why are you here, old man?”
    “For your blood.”
    I shook my head. “You can’t have it.”
    “Yes. Yes I can. You see, dear Ogre, I don’t care if you live. If I must, I’ll murder you in your cage and then get the blood. We can do either.”
    “Why do you want it?”
    He shrugged. “You’re a genetic abnormality, even without the disease. You’re an outlier. A giant. A beautiful one. And I require your DNA for a project.”
    “What project?”
    “It’s a secret.”
    “Release me and you can have my blood peacefully.”
    “Forgive me, but I’d prefer you dead, in fact. I cannot control you. I’m not here to bargain with a man behind bars.”
    “Release me and you can have my blood and the secret identity of the Outlaw.”
    His breath caught. His face was already pale, but what color he did possess drained away. He gripped his staff with both hands.
    “You possess this information?” he asked. His voice wavered pathetically, like he was faint.
    “Yes.”
    “A former colleague told me the Outlaw attended Hannah’s memorial service but there were hundreds of mourners. I couldn’t divine his identity from the photographs.”
    I nodded. “I’m sure he was there.”
    “Do you know where he is now?”
    “No. I’m in a cage, old man. How would I know? But I know his name. And his address.”
    He shifted in excitement and his eyes were wild. “I’m surprised you couldn’t use this information to bargain with your captors.”
    “I tried. They weren’t interested. I think he’s got guys protecting him from the inside.”
    “Fascinating. Some of your jailers know the Outlaw’s identity, and they aren’t blabbing? He is truly the most remarkable man. Such loyalty! How does he do that?”
    “Don’t know. Don’t care.”
    “We have a deal. You provide me blood and a name. In exchange, I provide you freedom.”
    I arched an eyebrow.
    He smiled and said, “You can trust me, Ogre. No foul play. I am a gentleman. I promise .”
    “The Outlaw’s name is Chase Jackson. He’s a senior at Hidden Spring High. Now let me out.”

Chapter Four
    Friday, January 5. 2019
     
    Someone pounded on my front door. Then did it again. And again.
    I groaned and rolled out of bed. Nine in the morning. Too early for visitors, especially near the end of Christmas vacation. Probably Samantha. She wanted me to start jogging. I was going to throw the couch at her.
    I stumbled down our townhouse’s two flights of stairs to the main floor, full of sunlight and the remnant fragrance of Dad’s coffee. I opened the door. Special Agent Isaac Anderson stood there, looking like a winded and worried FBI Captain America.
    “Hey FBI,” I grunted. “It’s early. Come back later.”
    “Chase, pack your bags. We gotta go. Now.”
    “Aw, why? I haven’t even had breakfast-”
    I paused. Isaac Anderson was…here. At Chase Jackson’s house. Not at the Outlaw’s house. At Chase Jackson’s house.
    I observed, “You just called me Chase.”
    “I’ve known your identity for several weeks. I tracked you, but never told anyone. Get your stuff.”
    “Wha-”
    He blurted, “Tank’s loose. The Chemist freed him from his cell last night.”
    My heart turned cold. “Katie. Tank will try to see her again.”
    The world came crashing in. I had noticed sirens in the distance. Helicopter blades