THE FERALS Part 10
Silvy waited by the locked door and listened for any noises. It was eerily silent in both directions. She couldn’t hear anything that Pat was doing. She wasn’t even sure what Pat was doing or why. She knew it had to do with the news broadcasts. That was about it.
Footsteps from outside started Silvy from her thoughts. She held her breath as they stopped right outside the door. Pat had said to go to her if something happened like this. She didn’t know if she should wait to see if the person left or go to her now.
The person tried the handle nearly causing Silvy to scream but she held it in. That had made her choice for her. As quietly as she could, Silvy walked to where Pat had disappeared. She turned to the corner to see her sitting on the floor with all her gear littering the floor. Pat had her laptop next to her and many other things Silvy couldn’t identify. A pen light dangled from her mouth.
When Silvy came up to Pat, the light dropped. “What are you doing? What happened?” Pat looked behind her with her eyes wide.
“Someone tried to open the door. I didn’t know what to do.” Silvy held her hands together so Pat wouldn’t see them shake.
Pat’s expression softened. “You did the right thing. Here, sit down with me. I need your help.”
“What about the person trying to get in?”
“They won’t come in. They were probably just checking to make sure the door was locked. Now, hold this light for me.” Pat handed Silvy the pen light.
Silvy took but her hands were shaking. She tried to hold it with both hands and keep them from moving but it only helped a little. Pat didn’t seem to mind. She just moved the light in Silvy’s hands to where she needed it.
“What are you doing to the news servers?” Silvy glanced back hoping no one would appear from around the corner. It caused the light to lower, and Pat had to reach out and move Silvy’s hands again.
“So, you know how the law states you can’t turn off the news? And you know how it is being blasted everywhere?” She looked to Silvy for a nod. When she did, Pat continued. “There are messages hidden in those broadcasts. Messages that make everyone afraid of Ferals.”
“Then why do you and Tom want to help them?”
“The messages don’t work on everyone. Take you for example. You interact with them on a daily basis. It’s obvious why they don’t work on you. You see beyond the lies. Other’s brains don’t take in those messages. There aren’t many but hopefully there are enough.” Pat went back to working on the server.
She finally pulled it out and placed it in her lap. “Get me a small screwdriver out of my bag.”
Silvy rummaged through her satchel until she came across a little screwdriver with a strange end. “Is this it?”
“Yeah, that’s the one.” She held out her hand and Silvy placed the tool in it. “Now. What I am doing is changing the message.”
“Why not just delete the one that’s running?”
Pat half chuckled. “Because it wouldn’t change how everyone felt about Ferals. They are already programed. We just need to adjust that programming.”
“That is brilliant.” Silvy smiled wide. Her heart grew warm knowing she was helping others see Ferals for who they really were.
She continued to watch as Pat opened the black box and work her magic. Change was finally going to happen.
