The Dissenters - A Series of Perpetual Presents

By O.T Strange

Just and Lola and her friends managed to escape the clutches of the evil Amelia and the tyranny of her Kapple Corporation.

They find themselves in a strange broken reality, apparently ruled by a mysterious Blue coloured man.

Meanwhile back home, the cycle of events that led to them being thrown into a future forgotten, are once again in motion.

At some point, these two worlds are destined to collide.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jul 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9780244099350

Book preview

The Dissenters - A Series of Perpetual Presents

The Dissenters - A Series of Perceptual Presents

Copyright

O.T Strange - 2018

Copyright © 2018 by O.T Strange

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

First Printing: 2018

ISBN  978-0-244-40154-2

O.T Strange

https://twitter.com/The_dissenters

Chapter One

A

melia was pacing around and huffing impatiently around in her small room, even though Lola was only a little over an hour away her patience was fighting a losing battle against her growing excitement.  It still stung her that she couldn’t go with them all up to the Cape and this was going a long way in ensuring that the wait for her best friend was as painful as a visit to a trainee dentist.

Calm down Amelia, Lola shall be here soon enough., Amelia kept repeating quietly to herself. in the dim hope that some semblance of belief in the words might set in. 

Argh! Who on earth am I kidding!, she exclaimed slumping backwards with her arms stretched out moodily on her bed.

She glimpsed back down at her watch for the fifteenth moment that minute and then back over at her powered down creation that laid dustily on her bedside table, still cursing her dad for refusing to let her join her friends.

Suppose there's not much point in the stupid thing now., Amelia murmured to herself.

When her phone rang, Amelia grabbed it from beside her pillow and hurriedly answered.

Lola! Where are you?

If the concept of hell is not only real, but in fact a hot and stinky bus, then I am currently sat in it!, Lola replied, in a tone spiked with irritation.

What’s up, you sound muffled or something?, Amelia shrugged, knowing Lola was prone to dramatic exaggeration to say the least.

Well, my current highlight is that some guy has chosen to stink out the toilet after eating, what smells like a really bad taco or something even worse, so now I am sat here with a bag over my head., she explained moodily.

Amelia tried hard to sound sympathetic over her raucous laughter, Well it shouldn't be too much longer now hun, I will be there to meet you at the station this time, I promise.  Shall I bring you some air fresheners?, she joked.

Yeah, yeah, real funny, maybe I'll bring you some of this guy’s stink as a special gift! There is certainly enough of it to go around!, Lola replied grumpily.

Maybe you should have taken that lift from Tommy after all., Amelia smiled knowingly.

No way, I would rather sit on a stinking bus with a bag over my head, than spend another minute with that moron., Lola moaned.

Well you got your wish then., Amelia said sarcastically.

Just you wait until I get there Amelia; I am gonna slap you so hard! , Lola laughed.

Thanks for the heads up!, Amelia grinned.

Well with a bit of luck I should be with you just after four., Lola added.

Awesome, I can't wait to see you!, Amelia said just as the sound of Lola's phone cutting out beeped annoyingly in her ear.

That girl seriously needs to get herself a new phone., she frowned before heading out of her room to find some bedding for Lola.  As she stepped out onto the landing her Dad had just arrived home.

Hi sweetheart!, he called out to her.

Hi Dad, you're back early?, Amelia replied.

Yeah I figured you might need a lift to pick up Lola? , He smiled.

Yes please!, Amelia replied, darting down the stairs and embracing her Dad in a warm hug.

You’re welcome sweetheart. I'll go and get changed then we can head on out to the station, if that’s cool by you?

Yup!, Amelia smiled before dashing back upstairs to finish sorting out Lola's bedding.

This essentially involved Amelia throwing a pile of bedding untidily onto a foldout bed on her floor, she did very briefly consider tidying the heap of mismatched pillows and bed covers but then her Dad called from downstairs.

Ready when you are sweetheart!

Cool, I'll be right down, she replied grabbing her bag, and quickly throwing in her phone.

By the time, she had rushed downstairs her Dad was already making his way to the car.

You really didn't have to do this Dad., Amelia said as she climbed into the front seat.

Yes, I did.  I felt really bad that you had to miss out on your trip. And I wanted to try and make it up to you., he smiled.

Aw Dad, don't be silly. I completely understand, you didn't really have much of a choice., Amelia said reassuringly.

Well either way, I just wanted to let you know I felt bad about it and I also thought that maybe you and you and I could take a look at that interesting sounding device of yours sometime? And Lola is pretty smart, maybe she might like to help too?

Yeah maybe, although to be honest with you Dad I am just about done with the whole project, feels like it is going nowhere so I am probably just gonna ditch it., Amelia frowned.

Just as her Dad was about to pull away, he stopped the car abruptly.

Amelia! What have I told you before?

Is this about peeing in the shower again?, Amelia joked.

Ha ha ha, very funny, but no.  What I mean is, about sticking to things, seeing them through, no matter how difficult they might seem., he said earnestly.

Yeah I know.  I guess I am just a bit frustrated with it and am not really sure what the point of making the damn thing was anymore, but I'll get over it., Amelia said trying to convince herself as much as her Dad.

I understand sweetheart, please let me know if I can help out somehow, it is kinda what I am here for., he added warmly before starting up the car once more.

Thanks, Dad., Amelia replied with a broad smile on her face before leaning into him for a hug.

Although, having said that, I do hope that you are NOT still peeing in the shower or your Mum will go crazy!, he laughed.

…

Evan was staring blankly out of the window whilst Scarlett babbled away at him. He had pretty much managed to tune her out and was uttering the odd Yeah and Absolutely, just often enough to appear as if he was listening. Deep within his thousand-yard stare, with an enormous sense of relief, he noticed that he was probably less than twenty minutes away from home.

Are you coming to the diner bro?, Tommy yelled over Scarlett's constant banal chatter.

We only had lunch an hour ago?, Evan replied.

Yeah, but the diner might have some new stuff already and besides I am like totally starving!, Tommy explained patting his stomach.

I think I’ll just head home thanks, Nana is expecting me., Evan lied.

No worries bro!, Tommy yelled as the car lurched sideways violently, to a chorus of loud car horns beeping in anger around him.

Woah, where did you learn to drive man?! , Tommy shouted at a confused and scared looking driver beside them.

Evan instinctively reached out and gripped the door handle, before saying a quiet prayer that he might actually make it home in one piece, even though this was probably a fairly standard driving maneuver to experience when Tommy was at the wheel.  

What are you doing tomorrow? I thought we could all go over to the mall, you have no idea how much I have missed civilization!, Scarlett said excitedly.

Erm, I don't have much money left to be honest., Evan shrugged whilst desperately trying to think of a more solid excuse that he wouldn’t be able to attend.

Oh, don't worry about that, I can lend you some, I still have Daddy's credit card., Scarlett chirped whilst waving the card in Evans face.

In the absence of any suitable excuse Evan found himself saying, Sure, thanks, yeah, that sounds great..

He now found himself wishing that Tommy might crash the car after all, at least it would give him the perfect excuse for not to attending, even if that was by being dead.

Awesome, we'll pick you up at ten, won't we Tommy?, Scarlett announced and requested in one voice.

Ten o’clock?  IN THE MORNING? Seriously? I like totally need to sleep for a week or something man., Tommy yawned.

Ten o'clock it is then., Scarlett said ignoring Tommy's complaints.

Great., Evan said through the least fake smile he could muster as the Tommy screeched his car to a halt.

We're here bro!, Tommy announced proudly as he sat revving the engine loudly.

Thanks Tommy, Evan said as he hurriedly opening the car door and dragging his bags behind him.

No worries dude, see you tomorrow!, Tommy shouted as he and Scarlett sped off noisily.

Evan shook his head in dismay at the prospect of having to endure another day with the pair of them tomorrow before picking up his bags and heading towards his front door.

As he swung open the door to his house he could hear Nana shouting from the front room, HIT HIM! SMASH HIM!

He dropped his bags and ran into the front room, only to find Nana dressed in her full Bruins Ice hockey uniform, including helmet, jumping and shouting at the Ice hockey game on her TV.  Whilst Evan was used to his Nana being a little eccentric, however the sight of her in full ice hockey kit was a new one on him.

Oh Evan, err, Hi, erm, I’m sorry, I didn't think that you were coming home until later?, Nana said awkwardly.

No, I am sorry Nana, I didn't mean to interrupt you and your, erm, game., Evan replied.

Nana reached out to the television remote and paused the game and removed her helmet, Don’t you worry Evan, I was just catching up on the Bruins game from last night, it really is quite exciting., Nana explained.

Yes, so I can see.  I shall leave you to it and go unpack., he smiled warmly.

Did you have a nice time?, Nana called out before putting her helmet back on.

Yeah it was alright, although it was just a little full on without Amelia being there.  Amelia seems to calm Tommy and Scarlett down a little bit. Lola was about to strangle the pair of them by the time we left., Evan explained.

Who could blame her in all honesty, the pair of them behave like spoiled brats., Nana said with zero concern of causing offence.

They can be quite intense, even at the best of times.  I'll make dinner for us if you want?, Evan offered.

That would be lovely Evan, thank you., Nana replied before turning the game back on and returning to her shouting and cheering on of her team.

No worries Nana., Evan smiled as he left her to her willing her team on to win a game that they had already lost the day before.

...

Beans, TV and the rest of the former Kapple soldiers were winching up the final log into place, to complete the makeshift wooden cabin that they had been working on.

I don't care what anyone says boy, I ain't seen a building go up as quick since my old Jehovah Witness neighbors threw up a church overnight., Beans exclaimed wiping the streams of sweat from his forehead.

Huh? Sorry sir, I don’t understand., TV gasped as he settled the last log into its resting place.

Beans paused as he caught his breath, Now I ain't too good with words, but what I mean to say is..., Beans paused again before taking a few deeper breaths.

What I mean to say is, am sorry I was so hard on you when we first met. Without you and your boys here, we would still be living like a bunch of tree hugging hippies, with nothing to cover us but a few leaves down our pants., Beans smiled.

Thank you, sir., TV replied nervously.

I call the game play like I see it son and from now on y’all can call me Beans., Beans said proudly.

Before adding, What's your name again boy?

TV..., TV began before swiftly adding, Don't ask.  It's a long and really rather dull story., TV added looking a little embarrassed.

How are you guys doing?, Scarlett interrupted from below.

We are pretty much done here little missy, you and yours can start making the place look respectable, ain't that right TV?, Beans shouted down in reply.

Oooh, do I detect a potential 'Bromance’ brewing here?, Scarlett teased.

What the hell are you talking about missy?!, Beans shouted.

OK! Calm down Beans, I am only having a joke with you., Scarlett apologised, I'll go and get Tam and the others, we'll have this place looking like home before you know it!, Scarlett laughed before heading back towards the main group.

That girl talks more nonsense than a wino on a weeklong hooch trip., Beans muttered quietly.

Hooch?, TV asked looking confused.

You know, hooch? Moonshine, Booze, Alcohol?, Beans explained.

Alcohol? Of course, sorry I didn’t recognise those other words, we didn't have too many opportunities for that kind thing back home.

You seem like a bunch of decent young men, how come y’all ended up as a corporate goon squad?, Beans asked.

I sometimes wonder that myself sometimes, but in short it all comes down to my Mum and Dad I guess. Although in all honesty that’s probably not an entirely accurate description of them., TV smiled weakly.

Ole Beans, knows that feeling son, my Mum and Dad were a real couple of dead beats.

But as Grandma used to say, 'It ain't where you came from, it's where you is at., Beans said patting TV on the back in an attempt to cheer TV up.

TV smiled, She sounds like a wise woman.  The truth of the matter is, between you and I, Mum and Dad were far from dead beats.  In their eyes I am the dead beat, I just didn't meet their expectations. Growing up as the son of the creator of the world famous I-Chip, made living up to people’s expectations not easy., TV frowned.

Beans looked deep into TV's eyes as he carefully considered his response.

The way I see it, that's their loss son, you are a good ole hard working American boy.

I guess you are right, maybe us all ending up, wherever we are, could be the best thing that ever happened to me., TV smiled through his emotion flushed eyes.

Damn straight boy, now come on, am sure that bossy missy Lola has a ton more stuff for us to do., Beans winked.

…

Beans and the guys have just finished up building the cabin!, Scarlett shouted as she entered the clearing where the rest of the group were gathered.

Wow, seriously?  That didn’t take them long!, Tam replied.

I know right?! And it looks, like totally amazing!, Scarlett enthused.

Thank god for that, my back is killing me after trying to sleep on this damn tree root underneath me!, Evan complained rubbing his back.

Beans and the guys might be good, but I would hardly call them Gods., Tam joked.

The group erupted with laughter before Evan had any chance to construct any coherent or witty response.

Sorry to interrupt the party guys, but some of you might want to come and see this., Glock called down from the upper ridge.

Can't it wait?, Lola complained as she watched the others excitedly grabbing their things to take to the freshly built cabin.

I don't want to worry anyone unnecessarily, only I suspect that we could be expecting some company, although I guess that can wait., Glock shrugged before walking away.

Tam, you, Scarlett and the others go and make a start helping everyone getting settled, Lola and I will come and join you shortly., D shouted over his shoulder as he, Lola and Evan jogged to catch up with Glock.

OK people, let's get cracking on making this place our home, Tam ordered, hoping to keep everyone positive, despite Glock’s worrying words.

Since when did I get second placing in the ‘who is in charge’ order?, Scarlett tutted quietly as Tam continued organising the big move.

I seriously hope that you are just being dramatic here dude., D said half in hope and half in desperate sarcasm.

All I can say is that I have been analysing the local network feed that Evan hacked into, let’s put it this way, there is some seriously weird stuff on that feed., Glock replied.

Weird? You mean like living in three different dimensions in the space of a month?!, Evan muttered sarcastically.

Shut up and listen Evan., Lola shouted.

I would listen, if Glock wasn't talking like some kind of fricking role-playing dungeon master Saddo!, Evan yelled back at her.

Recognising that Evan and Lola were within a hairs breadth of coming to blows, D stepped in between the pair, with his arms held out wide, How about we all just shut up and listen to what Glock has to say., D calmed.

Isn’t that exactly what I was just saying!, Lola hollered in response.

Lola, please, just be quiet, for one single minute please., D said with quiet assured authority.

Have we finished bickering yet?, Glock asked, staring impatiently at Lola and Evan, who both shrugged in the resigned acknowledgement that they were at the very least being a little childish.

Glock switched on a small flat screen and tapped away on a battered looking keyboard, "I have cleaned up the video a little,