Chapter Three:

  Jax and Julie (feat. Wendy) by way of I.C.E.

  “Where secrets lie in the border fires, in the humming wires

  Hey man, you know you’re never coming back”

  -Red Right Hand by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds

  Live from MPR news in Minneapolis, I’m Barb Petersen. The hunt for the Ohio serial killer that investigators are referring to as ‘The Propagandist Killer’ still goes on. As new victims are found, some missing internet celebrities and influencers such as the popular YouTube sensation Mr. Beast have now been linked to the killer via leaked evidence and photos that point to similar circumstances regarding their disappearance. The FBI director has said they are exploring all leads but isn’t offering much other information to the public, though the FBI director has come out pointing possible correlation with the many missing LGBT performers previously linked with the ICE raids across the country.

  The United States President is planning a visit to Minnesota as the Governor has been forced to step down by the President. Her replacement Richard Pierce, CEO of AI company, ChristAI. This move furthering the divide in the US while increasing the presidential power over the states. With the lead up to the President’s visit, the National Guard has been deployed and have begun constructing CC buildings also known as “Christ Camps” to hold some of the last to find Minnesota as a sanctuary state. The military presence at the Canadian-US Boarder continues to increase as Russian and Chinese warships have been been in a stalemate while the U.S. and World Leaders continute to hurl insults and threats, many wondering if world war three is finally upon us. We will have experts in the field to discus further on that and more to come within the hour, but first the weather.

  Jax sat in the Wendy’s drive through half listening to NPR, while staring at the dark van in the rear-view mirror, it’s tinted windows and large dark shapes.

  They themselves drove a beat up, but well loved, 2006 Crown Vic with over 250,000 miles on it. The AC didn’t work, currently, it was late October in Minneapolis but with the humidity of climate change the high of today had risen to a hundred degrees. It was getting hot in the car, the sun was fitting in right overhead nearing that strange straight down place where shadows hid.

  The car in front of them moved forward, finished talking to the A.I. talk box. Jax pulled forward.

  “Welcome to Wendy’s! Will you be saving money with our subscription program or trying our pay-later plan today?” the menu yelled

  “No. Picking up for FoodRun, code E, T, three, four, zero” Jax stated.

  “Thank you. Please pull ahead to the last window for pickup and have a frosty fresh day!”

  Jax grabbed the grease-stained bag from a ten year old kid who would have been in school had it been years prior but instead was part of the great American work force.

  The house was on the edge of Lake Calhoun, once renamed to Bde Maka Ska then re-changed. It was where all the multi-million dollar mansions sat looming over the lake with large floor to ceiling windows and fancy well furnished balconies. Where the people who could afford to FoodRun Wendy’s at 1 pm on a Tuesday lived. With all the fees added on their total that $20 value meal turned into a monstrous eighty not including the 60% tip.

  Jax drove past houses that were architectural wonders, angles, and sharp edges, with winding road driveways, and four car garages that were houses themselves. Jax thought of their own 500 sqft studio apartment, where one room was a kitchen, bed and work room pushed together in a Lego module like formation.

  As Jax drove the winding road they saw the same dark van stopped at a cross street waiting up ahead. They stopped at their sign waiting. The van’s passenger window cracked open. A black gloved hand reached out and waved them forward. A bead of sweat dripped down Jax’s face as their stomach creeped. They saw a car turning in from behind.

  They hit the gas hard. So did the Van, ramming into the front of Jax’s Crown Vic. Jax body ripped forward pulling their seat belt taut.

  Quickly the passenger was out of the van. With the body of a t-ball coach, he wore a black mask over his lower face, a baseball cap, plain black shirt, and camo pants. He had his hand on the gun at his hip as he headed towards the driver side, towards Jax. The driver backed out giving them room.

  The agent heading towards Jax pulled a small hammer from his belt with his left hand and without a word smashed Jax’s closing window. Dropping the hammer, he grabbed his phone from a clip and leaving his gun and pushed a meaty forearm across Jax’s chest pinning them to the seat. Blurred vision watched as he waved the phone’s black thick case in their face, a camera’s eye flashing in the sunlight. An Apple like transaction notification sound, too happy in the moment. Jax swears they can see a creeping smile under the fabric mask.

  Then the seat belt was undone. He was grabbing them and pulling Jax from the car. The other man in from the drivers seat had begun to walk over zip ties ready.

  CRACK!

  The Driver’s head exploded with a red mist before his legs gave and he hit the pavement with a sick thud. The man grabbing Jax stopped and looked back behind the car.

  CRACK!

  Jax watched his brains paint the open car door, like the flash from a picture. Then they stared at the slumped man. Eye’s open, head leaking life onto the road. Jax began hyperventilating and shrunk into their seat, crawling back and getting small. They peeked over the back seat saw the quick image of someone holding a rifle, a pink corvette. They sucked down into the back and huddled in child's pose uncomfortably in the crack between front and back seat. They heard foot steps running to the car and a women muttering

  fuck fuck fuck fuck

  Jax was confused by the sweetness that naturally came from the feminine voice they heard swearing, but fear was overtaking and they couldn’t catch their breath. Big glups wheezed through and begged to be brought to blood and lactic acid and adrenaline coursed through them. Jax saw images of the agent’s masked face replaced with their father’s. They were stuck frozen and shivering when the back door opened.

  “Oh, sweetheart. It’s okay.” Jax felt a gentle hand run across their buzzed head landing on a trembling shoulder. no they whispered under breath.

  “I’m here to save you.” The gentle voice told Jax as a sharp pain poked their neck and darkness took them.

  Oh fucking shit-ass. This is sooo messy. Oh shit, oh fuck ass cunt, shit.

  Julie swore at her self continually as she did the following…

  Julie took the Cruel Intentions style cross necklace hanging from her neck and unscrewed the top, snorting two big spoon fulls of coke, took a deep breath and quickly dragged Jax towards her pink corvette. The streets seemed empty as Julie frantically looked around. Breathy heavy, she needed to take small but surprisingly powerful for her size timed slides. Julie looked before continuing the drag to the back seat. Jax once again lay in the space between only now in a top down convertible with Julie’s cooling Rifle laid over the back seats. Julie returned to Jax’s car and grabbed the Wendy’s bag, Jax’s phone, and the tote bag. Julie got in the driver’s seat of the corvette and reversed, turned into a side street and headed home.

  It was an old brick Victorian style mansion engulfed with neglect, an overgrown lawn, and plants that Homer Simpson'd the property. The mailbox at the front of the driveway was stuffed full of mail and in the driveway sat a boat within which nested a fat raccoon named Jeffery, who lived among scraps of wood, metal, fast food trash, and a couple of old dog beds. Julie pulled in with a quickly cooling Baconator value meal and a stirring, wanted, last hope.

  Julie Grey, was at wits end. It quite literally had to be today. The last two delivery drivers she had ordered were taken too fast. Their credentials, while better, higher targets though. With Jax they might have time, might have gotten away fast enough, and with the disabled cameras, she had some time, just tonight, then to the safe house till The President arrives. The last messages she received from Russia were urgent, ominous and threat filled.

  Julie knew it had to be someone seemly random, that was part of the rules. That was better, a stranger is better! Stranger to who she wondered.

  Most people who she had once trusted and maybe even would have called friends (besides Greg of course. The angel!) were all gas-lighting, ignorant, people pleasers who would rather hide from the truth! But, if truth was to be told most people she knew were also old and or dead and she needed someone young. Young and capable of learning. It was seemingly hard to teach an old dog new tricks. Most people were also right assholes thought Julie, they called her a kook and left her to die. Fuck’em she would not intrude their social tea parties with her crackpot ideas and inventions any longer!

  Julie reminisced then, of the good old days of hardy funding and relaxed regulations. A time of true human experimenting; of working on Edgewood and the Montague project. Oh, the things she was able to uncover then would only lead to the greatest of discoveries in her own private work after years of advancement.

  Julie parked her car in the garage, grabbed the Wendy’s bag and thew into the boat before grabbing the Rifle and poking Jax.

  “Are you faking? If you are don’t attack me. I’m only here to help I swear.” Julie lied.

  Jax woke with a sudden shock at the smell of ammonia, confused by their similar predicament in a totally different car and setting. Before them stood an older, but youthful 5 '3 woman wearing a knit cardigan over a leopard print jumpsuit, her hair a frizzy unkempt mop of fading orange and reds like fallen leaves belonged tangled within, right beside the forgotten clip hanging on for dear life near her shoulder. She stared through a large pair of owlish glasses, jumping back and lifting the Rifle to Jax.

  “Don’t make any sudden moves. Okay?” Julie asked slowly lowering the gun.

  “Where am I? What happened?” Asked Jax.

  “You were about to be ‘disappeared’...” she finger-quoted with a single hand.

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  “...by the US Gestapo, till I stepped in and saved you.” Julie stared at them for a long moment before continuing. So young, she thought.

  “I need you, I need you to trust me. I can explain everything inside. Please. I’ll make some tea.”

  “I…You killed those people.”Jax thought aloud.

  “They would do worse to you, please just come and have tea. Listen to what I have to say. I’ll let you get you bearings, meet me inside when your ready.” Julie took the Rifle and entered the house leaving Jax lying in the back of the pink corvette.

  After a moment alone, Jax found their phone and bag. Thought of running, thought about messaging someone but could think of none. They grabbed their stuff and walked inside.

  The house of Julie Grey, as Jax stumbled through the entry hall, was relatively clean. High ceilings with a crystal chandelier, polished hardwood floors, an ornate wooden staircase with a carved banister that lead upstairs, and an open closet flanking the entrance with coats spilling from it. There were a few black wheel tracks that marked the wood of the floor, and stacks of books with loose paper stacked and lined the walls. Some were magazines long out of print or local newspapers. They stood hip high in some of the corners as a seeming continuous trail into the rest of the house.

  Jax didn’t notice it at first but as they held a door frame to steady themselves while taking off their boots they saw writing on the walls. Mostly indecipherable, but there were a few words like “Hole” “Greg” “Dr. Halloren” that Jax caught with most of it hard to make out looking like a mix of unrecognizable languages and strange math equations.

  Julie appeared and led Jax past the staircase down a short hall and into the sitting room. On the way Jax noticed old black and white photos as well as degrees and certificates lining the walls in the hallway, it seemed to Jax that at one point this woman was an influential scholar of some kind. Jax wished they could look up the woman's name but had no idea who this was.

  Inside the sitting room was large bay windows had been covered in a mosaic of painted newspaper. Rich wallpaper which had the same crazed writing in pencil and pen like a possessed Sam Neil covered the walls. There were large bookcases and more stacks of books, two white boards covered in equations that seemed to go nowhere forever, and centered was a marble fireplace with an ornate mantelpiece.

  In front of the fireplace sat old worn leather chairs arranged for conversation around a small table filled with more books and papers.

  “Please take a seat and make yourself at home. My name is Julie, Julie Grey.” she gestured towards the chair and Jax sat down on the edge, not fully comfortable and subconsciously ready to leave at a moment's notice.

  Jax felt uncomfortable as Julie stared at them with a crazed grin, and was even more unsettled at how it continued while a kettle screamed from the room next door for what felt like a minute before Julie finally snapped out of her staring.

  “Let me get you some tea” Julie said before rushing off into another room leaving Jax.

  Once Julie had left, Jax stood and paced gingerly in a circle once, before going towards the fireplace mantle where an ornate clockwork owl sat, its claws gripping the edge with an implied strength in the dirty brass. There were three picture frames, only two standing, surrounding the owl on mismatched sides.

  Black painted thin wood framed a mostly blank cardboard backing, except for a torn corner of notebook, fallen sadly to the bottom. Crooked and out of place. Written in purple marker was symbols and letters. To Jax it looked like O and P were exchanging a credit card. P was simultaneously shining a flashlight on F and sending wi-fi to O who was on a Ferris wheel. P also had a big stick, but really it just reminded her of chemistry or all the weird equations written on the walls.

  A fat rosewood frame stood next to it, inside a colored picture, though still of a different time; it showed a younger woman with Julie’s glasses and same crazy smile. She was in Paris hugging a large man in a too tight union jack tank-top bearing a red face and heavy features. It was in front of the Eiffel Tower.

  Jax went to the other side of the owl and lifted the fallen, long and plain, framed photo. An even younger Julie or maybe it was the distance of the picture and the comparison to the people she stood near. Fuzzy in its black and white, brown stains creeping along its top corner near reaching the head of Julie, who was standing at the end of a line of white coat, suit and tie wearing scientists. Her in contrast being the only dress and one that looked unique even in monochrome. Julie and the Seven white men.

  Julie lifted the screaming kettle from the gas flame, took a cast iron pan, brown and black grease thistle crusting its edges. She hefted it in her hand, inspecting it for a moment before opening the oven with her foot. Inside the oven, lay stacks of pans, the top one still lined in an equally dirty tin foil. Julie cursed under her breath and set the kettle and cast iron back down in their spots on the oven, killing the gas before the kettle’s whisper turned yell again.

  Julie took a breath and stared at the long scoped rifle that sat precariously in the corner of the fridge and wall like a broom would, and as the many voices in her head spoke and judged and planned and calculated. All of them her own and none a psychosis, she thought.

  She opened the fridge and in the small gutter under the butter tray she pulled two glass tincture bottles, opening one and squirting a quarter of the dropper into the back of her throat with a grimace and creeping smile. Julie excitedly grabbed a metal serving tray, set it down on her wooden cutting board then set the bottles on the tray, practically dancing.

  This was a special occasion and possibly her last chance to use them. It had been so long since they had pulled them out, at least twenty years. At least since Greg. It was him who gave her the gift on one of their anniversaries.

  Julie took out her dusty 2009, Paul Cardew Designed Alice in Wonderland tea set. It included teapot, four Cups, four saucers, a Trivet, with Creamer and Sugar Basins. Each with paintings and quotes from the book. Julie held the teapot in arms like sending a hug and her mind quieted as she read the lid, three times in succession.

  "You'll see me there", said the cat and he varnished

  "You'll see me there", said the cat and he varnished

  "You'll see me there", said the cat and he varnished

  Julie lifted the lid and filled the pot with tea bags then hot water from the kettle. She rummaged through one junk drawer then another and pulled out a silver cigarette case, adding it to the tray, before pocketing one of the tinctures, the one she hadn’t drank yet, and wouldn’t have, not today.

  Jax was still standing at the fireplace kind of looking at the photos, but more staring at the wall trying to decipher whatever they could. They had found a couple more words Moon, Horse, Sea of Insects. That was when Julie backed through the door with a tray.

  “Do mind clearing off that table?” Asked Julie “You can just toss those books on the ground”

  Jax did, then sat back down. Julie placed the tray between them and sat down.

  Julie stared at the ground. Before suddenly shaking herself out, unabashed she raised her arms in the air, waving like a bikini bottom beach dance. Then, not so quick as to jump scare Jax, but in a fluid record scratch of aura went to elbow leaned in and smiling. Full attention on Jax, who nervously laughed.

  “May I see your hands?” Julie asked, smiling ear to ear.

  “Sure, I guess.” Jax put their hands forward like dog paws as they leaned forwards and towards the tea pot inspecting it. Julie took their hands in hers, squeezing a bit and then turning them over staring at Jax’s palms and the lines on them.

  “Where did you get this?” Asked Jax, doing her own inspection. “I used to watch the Alice in Wonderland cartoon when I was a kid, like almost every night. When I was maybe ten I watched that weird one from the 80s not knowing what it was. Gave me crazy nightmares. The bone puppets, you know? You ever see it?” Jax asked

  “No I can’t say I have” Julie looked into Jax’s eyes “But I understand the sentiment.”

  “Are you going to tell me my future or something?” Jax asked. Julie traced a finger along one of the lines in Jax’s palm and their hand instinctively closed with the ticklish sensation. With that Julie turned them over while still holding hands with Jax. Looking at their tattooed knuckles, Julie laughed softly.

  “No, I’m afraid palm reading isn’t my expertise. Tell me your sign, let me grab my tarot cards.” Julie paused, “I know some of your future, yes.” another pause, “or you know I can give you a reading if you’d like” she laughed again then stopped and raised up their hands as one, just a bit before asking, “Your tattoos?” In a concerned mom kind of tone, though that didn’t seem her intention.

  Jax stared down at their hands, the warmth coming from Julie’s was something Jax hadn’t felt in a long time. It put them off their game, talking about childhood stories to some stranger. What if she asks about their parents, fuck I mean she just killed two people.

  Jax pulled their hands away. Rubbed them together their strength and dexterity as clear as their beauty. They loved their hands and working with them. Jax nubbed their fingers and stared at the words across the knuckles They/Them.

  “Yeah, what about it?” Asked Jax.

  “Are you trans?” Juliet asked with that same ear to ear smile not unkindly.

  “Yeah, I am. Is that a problem?” Jax moved as if it leave and Juliet put a hand out towards their leg urging them to sit again.

  “No, no, not in the slightest. I think it’s actually a lot better that way.” she laughed. Jax’s eyebrow raised and Julie continued, “I only ask because, I just didn’t expect many of you to be left or so open about it.” Juliet raised her hands to her shoulders looking around as if to be searching, “Since so many have left the country or been rounded up, I mean I know Minnesota is one of the last few standing states but no longer, right? I’m sure you’ve seen the news. President’s coming and all.” Julie continued smiling as if it was all a joke, but Jax wasn’t mad and it only confused them. In response Jax just stared at them, daggers.

  “But don’t you worry…” She leaned forward, “...I’ll kill him for you.” She winked and laughed a cackling witchy laugh. Jax couldn’t help a small smile from creeping up. “Now Tea!” Julie grabbed the pot and began to pour it into two cups sitting on saucers while Jax watched in a trance of picturing the old women killing The President of the United States.

  Julie felt like the acid was starting to hit, but damn, she could use some more coke. Or adderall. She was fingering the small dropper bottle in her pocket. The tincture was a mixture, though mostly concentrated xylazine. Juliet’s mouth watered dryly as she willed herself steady and hard as a fucking rock! Grabbing the tea pot while multitasking with her drug fidget spinner. She began to pour tea into the two cups that sat in their saucers.

  "O Mouse, do you know the way out of this pool? I am very tired of swimming about here” Lined the outside of the small china plates. Alice hid beneath the cup.

  Jax’s cup was filled first and they were thirsty so reached for the cup immediately curious. Jax didn’t drink tea, was more a Rockstar or Kickstart person with the occasional Starbucks treat.

  Near fingers on tiny adorable handle their hand was slapped by Julie.

  “Hey!” they pulled back, rubbing the red mark where she hit.

  “I’m sorry, didn’t mean to go that hard on you.” Juliet laughed, “It’s just, so you asked earlier where I got this tea set, and it was a gift from my late husband. He was British and knew how to really make a cup of tea. I actually hated the stuff before he taught me how to make a proper cuppa and now I love it! So please, indulge me just a moment.”

  “Is that him up there?” Jax asked, pointing and looking towards the mantle.

  Julie had the xylazine tincture in hand, had already taken a calm breath, then quickly and casually took a full dropper squirted it across into Jax’s cup then put the lid back on and put in on the tray, she then picked up the other tincture she had placed on the tray. All the while Jax looked away towards the picture of Greg.

  “Yes, yes that’s him. He died and then I sent him away. I miss him everyday.” Julie told Jax

  Jax looked back and watched as Julie took a bottle with no label and dropper, filled it half full and then squirted it into each of the cups.

  “What’s that?” Jax asked.

  “That’s the secret ingredient, it’s what makes it good!” Julie smiled and lifted the saucer, then the cup, and drank. Pinky sticking out, twitching a bit. Jax looked down at their cup with its swirling word plate, words similarly swirled inside the cup but fell into the dark tea, drowning thought Jax. They noticed two bottles sitting on the platter, thought nothing of them, or of tea, which they knew little about and drank.

  It wasn’t very full. Little more than an espresso which is what it reminded Jax of, something they had accidentally ordered once. The pure bitterness of coffee with water. This was even less than that and Jax realized it was one drink and now their cup was empty. They saw the words.

  I wish I hadn't cried so much!” Said Alice, as she swam about trying to find her way out.

  It was then that everything went black and fuzzy for Jax.

  Julie watched as Jax drank the cup in a few gulps then went slack jawed staring into her cup. Julie’s leg bounced up and down in a rhythmic thump watching, until Jax was once again drugged into a stupor.

  Julie caught the cup from Jax’s relaxing hand and set it on the tray. She took out her necklace, held the spoon and with the headless cross, knocked a sizable pile of snow onto the back of her hand before snorting it.

  “Alright baby, hard part’s over. Jax!” She yelled the name and Jax’s head lolled at zombie attention. That new xylazine mix working wonders compared to the tranq injection.

  “Stand up now, come on Jax. It's time to meet your future.” Julie said as she stood and began to help Jax to their feet and lead them through the house to the basement. Where her lab was.