It’s Saturday January 10th, 4pm. And James and Michael are at a hotel in Montreal.

James wakes up from his sleep. The first thing he does is puts on his jacket, steps outside and flicks the flint on the bic lighter. He’s struggling to get it lit. After 10 flicks of the bic lighter the flame stays on this time.

Michael opens the sliding door and says to James, “hey man I’ve been thinking while you were asleep about what happened yesterday….”

James takes a puff of his cigarette, exhales, and then yawns the biggest yawn. “Yeah just say what you’re thinking.”

“How did you manage to get the driver of the transfer van to release me?”

“I spiked his coffee with the I.D. Tech. It didn’t take much to convince him that I had full control of his body. I just told him what he needed to do. After everything happened I just wiped his memory clear of what he did.”

“I don’t believe that. You can actually wipe memories?”

“Yes, the I.D. Tech can be used for all sorts of things. There’s still too much I haven’t figured out about it…” James coughs. “Anyways the police must have set up roadblocks in a 300 miles radius of that gas station. We’re safe here for now. It will take them 1 week just to search every community.”

James grabs the phone from his pocket. He had it turned off the whole night.

‘James what’s going on? You have your phone off. I tried calling. I just need to know you’re okay.’ the text reads from Vanessa.

*meanwhile at an undisclosed location*

“Sir we’ve received 300 tips about Michael since yesterday,” the information officer says to Sevro, the lead investigator from before.

“Okay. Did you verify all of them?” he says.

“We verified 256 of them. All were false sightings of Michael.”

“Well what’s going on with rest?”

“We are currently investigating them sir.”

“Just great. If we don’t find him soon I’ll be talking with the Premier.”

James calls Vanessa on a burner phone from outside the hotel. Vanessa picks up the phone right away. “Where are you? I’ve been so worried.” She starts crying. “You should be home with your kids. I had to tell them a lie, and you know I never tell lies. Honestly you shouldn’t be disappearing with your current condition.”

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Honey. I can’t say anything over the phone, but I’m fine. I’m with a friend.”

“That’s what you always say. You’ve been hanging out with friends way too much lately. Something’s going on. Listen I don’t want to think like this but does this have something to do with Michael? His face is all over the news.”

James pauses. He doesn’t know how to respond.

“I expect an answer!” Vanessa shouts.

“I’m not with Michael. I told you I’m with a friend. And we’re not too far away.”

“You have to come home soon….”

“I will babe. I don’t know how long I will be gone but I promise I’ll be there with you… and I’ll be reading the kids their bedtime stories.”

James hangs up. He’s having trouble breathing. He feels like he’s drowning in a puddle of lies and it keeps getting worse. He walks inside the hotel, and just feels lifeless.

“Was that your wife you called?” Michael asks.

“Yes. She’s not holding up too well. I mean a man diagnosed with cancer who just disappears like this… what’s wrong with me.”

“Wait, you have cancer?”

James realizes he spilled the beans to a person he would never have said that to. “Yes I do but don’t be concerned with that.”

“Wait. That explains it. You’ve felt like you’ve had nothing to lose. That's why you kidnapped me.”

James just stares at the painting on the wall… it’s a copy of the Mona Lisa. That’s when James gets a brilliant idea.

“Hey Michael. Have you ever stolen anything really valuable?”

“Well yeah. I stole a 40 inch flatscreen T.V. once.”

“Not that valuable. I mean something worth much more than that.”

Michael just sees James staring at the painting. “You don’t actually think… you can steal that painting?”

“Oh hell no. The Mona Lisa is impossible to steal… I mean it was stolen once in 1911 but now it’s under the highest security. There’s an art museum here in Montreal. I’ve read things about it online.”

“So we’re going to become art thieves?”

“Yes and no. Depending how successful we are, we may do a lot more.” James smiles.

“Wait how the hell can you go from stressed and sad, to happy in a matter of minutes?”

James has been acting erratically the past week since the doctor handed him his diagnoses. He thinks to himself maybe this is partly the reason he’s burying himself further in a hole. Maybe the feeling of vengeance has guided him this far. Whatever it is, he realizes he can’t stop. He’s acquired the most powerful technology in the world. But what else is in store?

*flashback 16 years ago*

“Dad I’m sorry I forgot the camera.”

“Son. I’m pretty sure that was the biggest fish we caught this week. Marvin told us the person who catches the biggest fish this week gets a Guide for free. But we don’t have proof now.”

“I know dad… maybe we'll catch another big one tomorrow."

"Yeah I hope so. But I'm kinda tired of fishing for Pike. Wanna try brown trout?"

"That sounds good."

"Listen James. There's another reason I brought you out here. I want you to feel what it's like doing something good for a change. I mean fishing is a clean sport. It keeps you out of trouble. Can you kind of understand what I'm saying?"

"I think so. I don't want to end up in jail if that's what you're saying. I've had lots of fun today dad."

James and Eric are getting ready to eat dinner. Eric says, "son we almost forgot to pray. Can you pray this time instead of me?"

"I guess so. I never do it though."

"Don't be embarrassed. You'll have to do it a lot when you have your own family."

"Dear Lord, thank you for my dad. I thank you that you have given us the opportunity to fish today. Lord, give me a better memory so I don't forget the camera next time." Eric chuckles. James pauses.

"You're doing fine son. Keep going."

"I thank you for this dinner we are about to eat. I ask that you bless this meal. In Jesus' name. Amen."