He Is Not Alone

Friday morning, I start up the RV and head north. I think it is a good time to see Canada and maybe take a trip to Alaska. Upon reaching the border, I realize that my passport will let everyone know where I am. So, I head to Washington State and on to Oregon. Over the summer, everything is great. No voices in my head, nobody following me and overall a very relaxing time.

I have been thinking about the reach of the government. My whole life is open to them. So, I begin to look for ways to become invisible to all of them. The first step is to get my money out of the Country. It needs to be available. Some quick research shows that I can transfer it offshore as they say. The accounts have grown over the last few years. I now have over 20 million in the investment accounts. I make a few phone calls and send a couple of emails and within days I have an account offshore. I am told that the IRS might be able to find out who the owner is, but they cannot transfer, or place holds on the accounts. I contact the investment company and wire 18 million to the new account. The remaining money is left for my use.

Next, I need a new identity. This is harder. I am pretty sure that the information on the web is tracked or even created by the government. I must find a way to change my name and disappear.

Eventually, I find out that simple spelling errors are often a way for people to change their identity. For me, I changed the spelling from Smythe to Smith. I requested my birth certificate and it comes back as Smith instead of Smythe. Apparently, no one bothered to check. Got to love government workers. With a new birth certificate, I get a new driver’s license in California, Social Security and passports were harder to come by. But I also found that you can search the Internet for your name. Then ask Social Security for a new card. Since I had a birth certificate, I searched for someone with my new name and birthday. I found several that matched. I then searched the web for their addresses. I was in luck; one of the Will Smiths had recently passed away. I sent a request for his social security card and had it mailed to a mail forwarding company. Within 30 days, I had a new card, my driver’s license and application for passport submitted. I was now Will Smith.

As fall approached, I head back south towards Florida for the winter. I arrive in the Orlando area and set up for the winter at a Thousand Trails campground. This area has so much to do. I am a big fan of Disney’s parks and of course Harry Potter at Universal Studios. I have read all of the books and have watched the movies several times. It is during a trip to Universal that I run into someone. Although I am not actively reading minds, I do tend to make sure I am not being followed. It is while I am standing in line waiting for the Hogwarts Train that I sense something different. Not threatening but just the opposite, nothing. It is like a black hole formed near me. I cannot sense any thoughts at all, but I can tell someone is there. As I look around, I can see people, but not sense them. It appears to be centered on one young lady. She is not looking at me or showing any signs of interest, but I can tell it is her. Finally, she turns away and leaves the platform. “Will, you are not alone” I hear it plain as day, but she is gone.

I’m kind of in shock when the conductor asks me to board the train. I slowly walk onto the train, but my mind is still going over what has happened. The rest of the day, I am searching the crowds for any sign of her or anyone like her. If I am not alone that must mean that there are more people like me, where are they?

The next few weeks I am on constant alert. Everyone I meet I am reading their minds, still no additional contacts. Over time, I start to lose interest and begin to fall into my normal routine.

One of my favorite things to do in FL is taking long walks into the woods and groves. It is so peaceful. When I get a chance I also like to rent a kayak and take a leisurely trip down the Peace River. Several times I have had to spend the night along the bank before returning to the RV or the car. Peace River Campground is one of my favorite places to camp. It is out of the way in a small-town area. No big government nearby and no reason for anyone to look for me here. I can relax.

It is during one of these trips that I am just relaxing on the river. I purchased a bright red two-person kayak and take frequent trips up and down the river. On this day, I am taking the kayak downstream. I have a friend at the campsite that will drive my car down to a spot outside of Brownville, FL, about 20 miles away. We have done this several times. Often, he and his wife would take the trips with me. Today, I am on the river alone. Peace River is a slow-moving river. At spots, the water is so shallow that you have to get out and drag the kayak around the shallow spots. I have been on the river for about 5 miles when suddenly, I am shot! Out of the woods along the river two men come running up to the bank. Both of them have what look like M-16 rifles. The first shot was off and hit me in the upper leg. I begin to paddle to the other bank when I sense them. It was stupid; I was too relaxed and let my guard down. It takes a few seconds, but both of them throw their rifles into the river and sit on the bank. I get out of the kayak and crawl into the woods and out of sight. After a few minutes, I slowly crawl back to the river, so I can see them. They are talking to each other. With them in sight, I can read their minds and find out they were told to terminate me. It appears I am still not clear of our government. I am so angry. Why can’t they leave me alone? Without thinking about it, I lash out at the two men across the river. They both immediately pass out and fall into the river, dead. It is clear now that I not only can read minds, change their thoughts, but I can control life. What have I become? Am I now God?

I stop the bleeding and head downriver to find some help. Within a few miles, I come to a bridge crossing over the river. It is I-17/35 below Zolfo Springs. I pull the kayak onto the bank and make my way up to the roadway. As luck would have it there is a Highway Patrolman sitting there watching traffic.

“Excuse me officer, but I need some help,” as I stumble up to the car.

The officer looks at me then down at my leg. Blood has dried on the pants and he can see the bullet hole. He is immediately on the radio calling for help. He has me sit down in the back seat and begins a hundred questions about what happened. I explain that I was kayaking down the river when two men took a shot at me. He asked where this happened and I told him. After a few minutes, the ambulance arrives and I am on my way to the hospital. The wound is superficial and I am patched up and released. As I am leaving the hospital, the officer approaches me with some information. They found the bodies of two men floating down the river. He wanted me to look at them and see if they were the two that took a shot at me. Since we are already at the hospital, I agree. One look at the two bodies and I tell him that they are the two. There is no sign of injuries, so an autopsy will have to be performed. There was no identification on them either. I didn’t tell him that they were government men. That would only raise more questions. After all the paperwork was done, I was released and take a cab back to the RV.

Someone was here. I could tell as soon as we drove up to the RV that someone had been here. I could not sense anyone now, but the rig was unlocked. Inside, whoever it was, was looking for something. The drawers were open and stuff was thrown all over the place. They had found me, but who, how and why?

It is time to move and I need to get another RV and car. I need to be able to disappear again. I need time to figure out who found me, how they found me and why they are trying to kill me and then put a stop to it.

The next morning, I pull out and head towards Tampa. Along the way, I see some signs for Lazydays RV. Pulling in, I find the first salesman I can. “Doug, I need a new RV. I will be trading this one in, but I am running late for a reunion out west. Can we find something and get the paperwork done today so I can leave this evening?”

“Well, Will, that will depend on the loan paperwork and what you find that will work? What are you looking for?”

“First, I will be paying by wire transfer, if that is okay. As for a rig, it is just me, but I like my living space. I am thinking about a 38 foot or so diesel pusher with a couple of slide-outs. I want a generator, two A/C units; I would prefer a slightly used rig. I like and prefer quality so something on the higher end.”

Several hours later and I am the proud owner of a 2014 Monaco Dynasty with a tow dolly. This rig is nicer than the first one I owned. It is the same basic layout with the living room upfront with a hide a bed and sofa, kitchen, no island then bathroom leading into the bedroom, king size bed with a closet along the rear wall. This one is a diesel pusher, it has more power for the mountains and four slide outs. A lot more room and the interior is outrageous. The furniture is cream-colored cowhide. The woodwork is all real wood with a dark cherry finish. Lots of windows and a really comfortable ride. The vehicle is registered to Will Smith and paid for in cash with the wire transfer.

A quick stop at a nearby used car dealer and I own a 2012 Hyundai Tucson. Now to put some distance between where I was and whoever is after me. I managed to drive through the night and end up outside Mobile, AL. After finding a campground and getting set up, I lay down for a nap. Its late afternoon when I get up, time to figure out who wants me dead.

My first call is to Susan. Hopefully, she might be able to provide some information as to what is going on in Washington.

I get a disposable cell phone. It is one of those pay as you go things from Wal-Mart. I put about 60 minutes on the phone and call Susan from the parking lot.

“Hello?”

“Susan, this is Will.”

“Will, where are you? I have been trying to reach you ever since the President died.”

“Sorry about that. After what happened at the Mall of America, I didn’t want to have anything to do with anyone in the government, but, things have changed. I need to talk to you in person, but I am not coming to Washington. Can you come meet me?”

“Where are you?”

“I’m outside Mobile, AL. If you can come down to Mobile, send me a message when you will be here. I will call you. Susan, do not bring anyone with you. Understand?” I give her an email address to use for contacting me.

“Sure. I will set something up and email you on Monday.”

“Good, talk to you next week then.”

Monday morning Susan emails me that she will be in Mobile by 6 pm on United.

I call her cell phone a little after 6:20. She is to meet me at the Melting Pot restaurant in Mobile at 8 pm.

As soon as Susan enters the restaurant, I can tell there is a big problem. She is very nervous. As she sits down, I know why.

“Susan, you know that someone tried to kill me. I can read your mind and now I know that you set it up. Why?”

“Will, you don’t understand. I had to do it.”

“Why?”

“After we returned to Washington and Kimberly quit along with the President having a heart attack, the Director wanted to know what happened to you. I knew you wanted to be left alone, so I told him you were dead. He was greatly pleased and I received a promotion. The problem was I couldn’t have you showing up again. I was trapped. I had to make sure you didn’t resurface. So, I asked two friends of mine to track you down and make sure you didn’t surface again. What happened to them? They haven’t checked in.”

“They drowned.”

“Oh, did you do it?”

“Yes. They took a shot at me and nearly missed. I was shot in the leg. When I saw them, I had them throw the rifles into the river and die of heart attacks. I’m sorry, Susan, but I cannot have you trying to kill me. It’s not good for my health.”

“Are you going to kill me too?”

“No, I can’t do that. But I need you in a safe place until nobody knows about me and I feel safe.”

“You’re going to kidnap me?”

“I don’t know what I am going to do yet. Did you bring anyone with you?”

“No, the Director thinks I am following up on a terrorist leader. He expects a call tomorrow with whatever information I have.”

“Where are you staying?”

“La Quinta Inn by the airport.”

“Fine, let’s get you back to the hotel.”

We arrive back at the hotel and I finally decide what to do with Susan. I can’t hurt her, but she needs to be out of the way. So, once we are in the room, I put the plan into action.

“Susan, I am sorry, but you need to be relieved of your duties with the FBI and I can’t have you remembering and telling others what has happened. This is the best I can do without hurting or killing you.”

She looks at me and starts to say something when suddenly she starts sobbing uncontrollably. She then starts to shake violently. I leave the room, making sure not to touch anything. Once downstairs, I find a house phone and call the front desk.

“Front Desk, how can I help you?”

“I was just walking past room 207 and heard a woman crying. She sounded like she was in pain. Someone should look in on her, she might be hurt.”

“I will have the manager go up there immediately. Can I have your name and room number please?”

“I rather not get involved any more than I have too. My wife may not understand.”

“I understand. The manager is on his way now.”

“Thanks!”

As I walk out of the building, I hear the clerk say he is calling an ambulance.

Susan will be treated for a stress-related breakdown. It will take some time before she is released. Her job at the FBI will be lost and she will probably be medically retired. As a benefit, anything she says about me will not be believed. Eventually, she will find another line of work.

Tuesday morning, I pack up the rig and head out I-10 towards the West coast. Mississippi and Louisiana seem to fly by. By late afternoon I stop at the Lafayette KOA. I decide to spend a few days here to recoup from the events of the last couple of weeks.

Wednesday is a down day. I did head into Scott, LA to the Coffee Depot for a cup of coffee and a doughnut.

I’m sitting there, kind of daydreaming when a young lady asks if she can sit with me.

“You are Will Smythe and you are not alone.”