Adapt (4 page)

Daniel lay in bed with his computer by his side. A portable entertainment system that he used for everything. Movies, music research, it was almost part of the furniture. He opened his emails to see one from Gavin.
He didn’t waste any time
. Pages upon pages of case details, company info and Gavin’s own educated hypothesis on events.
The man’s legendary for sending over so much.
He began to scroll through the wealth of information. He realised the need to make it quick as he was due up for work in a matter of hours.

How long has that been on?
he thought whilst inspecting the webcam. The blue light surrounding the camera was alight.
That’s not normal.
He began searching the desktop.
The webcam’s not even on. It’s definitely not on. This computer has been playing up for a while, maybe it’s just a malfunction.
He stared at the blue light not knowing what to do.
Shit, what if someone is controlling it? Has someone just tapped in this moment by luck maybe? What should I do? Shut it down.
He was startled and began to talk to himself.
Maybe it’s a hacker, looking for personal information.
Daniel had little understanding of hacking.
No one is going to hack me. Why would they? Maybe they’re stealing. I haven’t got anything to steal.
Daniel poked his tongue out at the screen for a few moments and the light went off.
How to solve a misfiring computer? Poke your
tongue out at it.
Daniel closed the laptop, he felt uneasy but in reality he didn’t really believe he had been hacked.
The timing’s too perfect. How could they time it just as I turn the damn thing on? I’m being paranoid, it was just a glitch.

Over the following days Daniel would occasionally think about what had happened. It would come in and out of his mind. Undisturbed by the event but a seed planted all the same. Sometimes he would do something out of character in front of his computer to see if the light would come on again so he could show Matt. Matt would say it was a malfunction, putting his mind at ease; he was sure he would say it was a glitch. Most of the time he would forget it, but occasionally he would do something random.

The long days behind the wheel were taking their toll, adding to his stresses. He couldn’t wait to have time off. He looked forward to spending time with family over Christmas. He blocked out the unusual banter from colleagues, although he felt they might be behind it if he was being hacked.

Daniel didn’t manage to attend the court that week as he had hoped, the reason being that he was persuaded into doing overtime that day. That Wednesday, the day he had planned to travel to London, he felt upset. Not because he had missed the court case but because he missed Susana. He was unwinding in his room after a long day and thought of her.
I could have been lying next to her now. Her soft voice, sweet smell and sensual touch. Instead I’m here thinking about the fact I start at five tomorrow morning.

Daniel looked in the mirror; he began to think of how he greets Susana. He analysed his mannerisms, as he felt the need to boost his confidence.
Coolness isn’t learnt in the mirror
, he thought. He glanced over at the laptop on his bed. The blue light wasn’t on but the discomfort that it might come on unbeknown to him was a little unsettling. He walked over to close it.
Imagine that, someone tapping in and looking at you talking to yourself in the mirror.

Daniel walked alongside his drinking partner, the pair staggering as they traversed through the town centre. The haze from his altered perception making each step challenging in his quest to maintain upright. The street lighting helped guide their way along the cobblestones. They were not alone, fellow revellers had left their drinking haunts, each with their own battle to stay on their feet. A man down an ally to their right was paying the price for his night of excess, Daniel not sober enough to notice. Snowflakes fell to the pathway, melting on arrival, losing to the smattering of grit that had been dispersed earlier that evening.

“Here we are,” said Vince as they approached a woman braving the cold. She wore a parka jacket with her hood shielding her cheeks.

“We need a cab,” Daniel told the woman. She studied her clipboard.

“There will be one back in a few minutes,” she said.

“Thanks,” said Daniel.

Vince was rubbing his clean shaven cheeks in an attempt to warm them. “I will wait here with you,” said Vince, “it’s only a short walk back to my place.”

“Wake me up when my cab gets here, then,” suggested Daniel with his head resting on the cab office window.

“That was a good night,” said Vince.

“I think I’m going to feel it in the morning.”

“You were going for it on the dance floor, mate.”

“That must explain the funny looks I’ve been getting all night,” said Daniel.

“I gave you funny looks as well,” said Vince.

“With enough drinks in me I’m not too proud to hit the dance floor. Once you get going it doesn’t matter what’s playing.”

“We should go there more often,” said Vince.

“I didn’t understand what that young woman was saying about the internet,” said Daniel.

“I heard that. I don’t know what she meant by it, mate,” replied Vince.

“I asked her what she meant, but she poked her tongue out and walked off.”

“I saw a couple of people poke their tongue out at you; what’s that about?” asked Vince.

“I don’t have a clue,” said Daniel. “I’ve been experiencing all kinds of strange things recently. A couple of drivers have been really off with me. Is there a joke going around about me or something?”

“I don’t know,” said Vince. “I go to work, do my job and go home again. I don’t get involved in work politics, and hardly go into the mess room. If there was something going around I would be the last to know.”

“If you find out before me, let me know.”

“Will do, mate.”

“I’m getting a pit paranoid. Personal information seems to be doing the rounds. Info that I can’t see how other drivers are privy to.”

“Maybe you told me and I told them,” said Vince.

Daniel’s head began to spin. The street lamp opposite kept moving. The more he tried to focus on it, the faster it travelled. “Hold on a moment,” said Daniel whilst rubbing his forehead. “Ian, it was Ian. Life’s Journal, he told me. He knew where I had been on my day off, something I didn’t publicise.”

“I didn’t think you were on Life’s Journal.”

“I’m not. So who’s writing about me on there?”

“I don’t have a profile on the site either, mate, so I can’t even check for you. I never go out drinking with anyone else from work so I’m as baffled as you. Try typing in your name on the net.”

“I tried that,” said Daniel. “I couldn’t find anything.”

The woman with the clipboard waved at him. “Your car’s here,” she called.

“Have a good Christmas, Vince.”

“You too, mate. I should have put that bet on. It’s going to be a white Christmas after all.”

Daniel shook Vince’s hand and staggered toward the red Mondeo.

“I wouldn’t worry about work, mate,” Vince called out. “I’m sure it will become clear.”

Daniel turned and attempted to focus on the silhouette of his colleague standing in front of the cab office window. “I think one of them might be hacking me,” he called back. Vince laughed as Daniel struggled to enter the cab.

Calmly he scanned the vicinity. The room was empty. He had already searched the fourteenth floor; it was clear. The windows were no more, glass fragments lay across the floor. He slowly walked to the window and examined the damage outside. He soaked in as much information as he could. The building over to the far right was now a heap of rubble. The streets were empty but the sound of gunfire was continual. Peering out of the window he could see the trees gently swaying, the leaves dancing to the breeze. He could feel nothing and could sense no air movement. The only senses at his disposal were sight and sound; they hadn’t failed him so far.
This is the spot.

He lifted the M98B, his sniper rifle of choice, and pointed it toward a building still standing beyond the park. The flash of a gun barrel had not a second before highlighted the sixth floor window for him. His retina lined up with the scope. 40x zoom was perfect for the distance. No sign of his target. The debris filled the air, his vision tainted by grey dust particles refusing to settle.
Movement
. His target was not stationary, he was moving back and forth in a panic. The target found refuge away from the window.
Damn, I should have taken the shot
. With only one bullet left the marksman needed precision.
He’s back
. The target jerked,
left to right. The marksman had elevation, from the fourteenth floor, he was comfortable with the angle. He fired.
Missed
.

He knew all he had now was his sidearm for protection. He reached to equip the M9 pistol. He didn’t feel the hand grab his shoulder and pull him around. In the blink of an eye he was now facing an enemy. He didn’t feel the blade thrust into his chest. He felt nothing as his enemy’s weapon penetrated deep into his body.

“Shit.”
You sneaky bastard. Oblivious to the enemy in the room.
Daniel threw the control pad onto the floor and shut the games console down.
Never play a first person shooter whilst pissed. I had better get some sleep if I want to see any of Christmas Day tomorrow.
Daniel was out the second his head hit the pillow.

There was knocking at the door. Daniel tried to open his eyes; they felt glued shut.

“Are you getting up today?” his mum called. “There’s a bacon sandwich on the go if you want one.”

“I will be up in a minute,” he called back.

Daniel rose out of bed, aimed for the shower then dressed in a shirt and jeans. He entered the kitchen to find his mother, father and younger brother sitting around the island unit.

“Merry Christmas,” they said together.

“Merry Christmas,” Daniel replied. He hugged his mother and kissed her on the cheek, then went to shake his father’s and brother’s hands in traditional fashion. He eyed his bacon sandwich and took his seat to devour the breakfast.

“Did you have a good night?” his mother asked.

“It was good, strange but good.”

“Strange?” she queried.

“Don’t worry about it, it’s nothing of importance. What time is everyone coming up?”

“They are going to let the kids open their presents,” said his father. “Then they are going to head to us.”

“That will be nice,” said Daniel. “So they will be here for dinner.”

“Yes, we have an extra table,” said his mother. “We should get us four, Dominique, Ray and the four kids seated okay.”

“It should be fun,” said Daniel.

“I’m going to put my feet up for a bit,” said his father.

“I will come with you, Harry.” Daniel’s mother and father left the kitchen. Matt looked over at Daniel.

“What was strange about last night? Did you have any trouble?”

“I’ve had a lot of unusual things happening. I think someone at work is hacking me.”

“Hacking you,” said Matt. “A bit paranoid, don’t you think?”

“Someone locally is up to something. I had a lot of reactions.”

“Like what?”

“People I don’t know making bizarre comments. It’s only around town really.”

“Maybe it’s a joke,” said Matt.

“I don’t think so. The webcam light on my laptop came on the other day. Since then people have been poking their tongue out at me.”

“It’s nothing,” said Matt as he picked up his cup of tea and made his way to the living room.

Daniel leaned on the worktop in front of the kitchen window. Three inches of snow across the lawn. An immaculate white blanket. Twigs of the trees glistened in daylight.
What on earth is going on? Someone will have to tell me.
Daniel picked up his coffee and followed to where his family congregated. The living room reminded him of Christmases of his childhood. In the far corner stood a Christmas tree, meticulously decorated by his mother. A few of the decorations were twenty years old yet they looked pristine. A golden angel looked over them all from the tip. An array of presents wrapped in red and gold paper contrasted with the brown carpet.

Daniel rested on the armchair and glanced at the open fire. An oak mantle, and floral tiles bordering the fireplace. The fire breathed heavy, a soothing quiet roar as the wood converted to smoke and ashes. A log collapsed, enticing the fire to spit. The skin on his hand warmed from the radiating flames. The family shared a few presents with each other, hardly denting the pile of gifts that awaited his nieces and nephews. Daniel handed out the ones from himself.

“Thank you, Daniel, it’s lovely,” said Clarissa, holding up the cream dress.

“I hoped you would like it, Mum.”

“It’s perfect.”

Daniel’s father and brother opened theirs at the same time.

“That looks an interesting read,” said his father. “I’ve read the first one from this series.”

“I couldn’t remember if it was the right one but took a chance,” said Daniel.

“The first one was good. It’s set in the Cold War,” said his father.

“A new set of guitar strings – thanks, man,” said Matt. “I’m going to put them on now.”

Daniel opened the presents he had been gifted.
Every year I say don’t get me anything but I still end up with some good stuff.
Matt attached the strings to his acoustic guitar. He proceeded to play a classic. The sound of Asturias pleased Daniel’s ears. The perfectly timed caressing of the nylon strings seamlessly provided a close rendition.
I would love to play like that
. Daniel examined the speed of his brother’s fingers.

“They feel good,” said Matt. Clarissa had left to prepare the kitchen. The smell of turkey in the oven made its way throughout the house.

“That smells good,” said Daniel.

“An aroma that makes you think of childhood,” said Matt.

“We had some good Christmases, growing up.”

“Except the year I gave you a bad back,” said Matt.

“I remember that. I let you throw me that time.”

“Of course you did,” teased Matt. The pair often practised their judo training on each other. Despite the age gap Daniel rarely championed in their duals.

“It’s been a few years but I reckon I could take you these days,” said Daniel.

“Is that a challenge?” asked Matt.

“For a later date.”

“Thought so,” said Matt. “I had better go and wrap up the kids’ presents.”

Daniel looked over at his father, who had his eyes closed.
Making the most of the quiet
. The fire raged on and he became enchanted by the flame. A large log supporting others looked ready to collapse.
I wonder how Susana is spending Christmas. She’s
single and her family all live in Croatia. She must be with friends. I will ask her when I see her.

“Daniel,” his mother called. “Can I borrow you for a minute?”

“So long as you give me back,” he said whilst on the way to the kitchen. “What do you want me to do?”

“Could you peel some potatoes?” she asked.

“Yeah, sure.” Before he finished peeling the first potato the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it,” he said. Daniel opened the door.

“Merry Christmas,” shouted the four children.

“Quick, come in out of the cold,” he said. “Where’s Mummy and Daddy?”

“They’re getting stuff out of the car,” said Freya.

“And I thought you did the driving, Freya,” said Daniel to his seven year old niece, the eldest of his sister’s children.

“Don’t be silly, Uncle Danny,” she replied. Daniel knelt down and held out his arms.

“So where’s my hug?” he asked. Daniel’s two nieces, Freya and Alana, reached out for him followed by his two nephews, Marcus and Luke. The cuddle was the best present he could hope for. When the whole family were together he was filled with warmth.

“We got this for you,” said Marcus as he handed Daniel a neatly wrapped gift.

“What could this be?” he asked.

“Can you guess?” asked Freya.

“Could it be clothes?” he said.

“Yes, I think you will like it,” said Alana. She was the quietest of the four but would always say something sweet. Daniel opened the gift.

“Wow, a jumper,” he said, “that’s lovely, I will wear it now.” Daniel put the grey woollen jumper over his shirt.

“Looks good,” said Marcus.

Daniel’s mother, father and brother came to greet them. At that moment Dominique and Ray turned up at the door with their overnight bags. Daniel kissed and cuddled his sister and gave Ray a handshake.