Page 194 of Johnny

things happened? They had footage, Johnny. Four different government agencies raided the whole

place. They had paperwork, and photos, and airplane manifests proving that senators, and movie

stars, and hell, even some past presidents all went down to partake in the things that creep was selling

on that island. And what happened? They just killed that guy in his cell and called it suicide and

everyone just went along with it. People don’t want to know what’s really happening. They want a

good job that pays well. They want those checks to appear in their bank accounts every two weeks.

They want to take vacations, and buy cars, and new homes. They want a dog or two. And maybe, one

day, a kid. That’s all they want. They want the same thing as you. Don’t you get it? As long as the Way

provides that for a certain segment of the population, the status quo is just fine.”

“But the status quo isn’t fine. People are rising up all over the place. They’re tired of it. They see

through it. They—”

“For fuck’s sake, Johnny. The Way is behind that too. All of it. Every bit of it. You don’t think that

they’re not controlling the masses by organizing protests? If what you told me is true, they own

charities just so they can use displaced populations in their sick science experiments. Just so they can

use the people all those protesters rise up about. I mean, think about it. They are the most powerful

group of people on the planet. They have the ability to start and fund wars. The whole world spins on

the axis of the Way.”

“Jesus,” I huff. “I thought I was the most cynical guy on this planet. But you, Megan Machette?

You’re way more suspicious than I am.”

She sighs. “I just know a little more about what’s happening than you do.”

“Like what?”

“Like—”

“You know what?” I say. “Stop. Don’t tell me yet. Can’t we just have this one night? Don’t we

deserve a few hours of peace? Why do we have to talk about this now?”

“Because in a few short hours our lives will be over, Johnny!”

She is becoming hysterical.

So I do the opposite. I calm myself down and take a deep breath. Then I say, “Don’t you think that’s

the best reason of all to forget about it? At least for a few hours? And just enjoy the time we have

left?”

She huffs and folds her hands on her stomach and looks up at the sky. “Fine.” She points up.