Tag: science fiction

The Cleaners Part 24: How to Make an Angry Grandma

I awoke one morning to find my wheelchair had been bedecked with green and red Christmas tree baubles. It shone in the dusty light of the sun coming through my window. Careful not to knock any of the fragile ornaments to the floor, I maneuvered myself into the chair and pushed myself to the door.…… Continue reading The Cleaners Part 24: How to Make an Angry Grandma

The Cleaners Part 23: Kaitlin’s House

“Oh, Henry’s not so bad,” mumbled Cindy through her bologna and cheese sandwich and waving away the idea of Henry being bad with her free hand, “He acts a little crazy, but I think he’s coping well with what he’s been through. Don’t get me wrong, he should have told you a lot more about…… Continue reading The Cleaners Part 23: Kaitlin’s House

The Cleaners Part 22: What Happened to Jimmy Xeon?

I had no idea how long we’d been driving. It didn’t help that I couldn’t trust my memory. What if I’d forgotten a whole night in a hotel? It sounded unlikely, but given the nature of recent events, that was small comfort. Unable to endure the oppressive silence I asked Henry if we could listen…… Continue reading The Cleaners Part 22: What Happened to Jimmy Xeon?

The Cleaners Part 21: The little boy and the old woman

It must have been the calmest, most orderly abduction ever committed. Henry grunted and made inconsiderate comments about my weight as he lifted me from the wheelchair into his sedan. I welcomed him to leave me in the chair so I could call a Helper to take me home if I was too fat for him, but…… Continue reading The Cleaners Part 21: The little boy and the old woman

The Cleaners Part 18: Built upon the Boxes

In the harsh LED lighting, it took me a moment to realize that Joseph Hyland’s office contained anything more than boxes. After some contemplation, though, I could see that the boxes, which ranged from tiny cardboard containers to huge wooden crates, had been expertly arranged to form a platform, easily eight feet tall, on which Mr.…… Continue reading The Cleaners Part 18: Built upon the Boxes

The Cleaners Part 17: Training

Patricia rolled to a stop in the shadow of a massive, ugly building. Grey concrete and steel extended multiple blocks on either side with an array of windows so small and evenly spaced, they might have been battlements in a medieval castle.  It could not be less like the Youngstown office except that it was impeccably clean.…… Continue reading The Cleaners Part 17: Training