Chase Shustack

Take me out back and shoot me.

The man in the uniform burst into laughter.

Ha!

You'd think so, wouldn't you?

But it doesn't matter whether you live with it or not.

There are people in this country who know exactly what happened, and they'd rather blow their own brains out than even talk about it.

It's not exactly top secret information, just something no one brings up to be polite.

Then what did you bring me here for?

To let you know that we're watching you, son.

The USRDS has eyes and ears in every computer, phone, and camera in this country.

We know your address, the address of your parents, where you work, what you do when no one's home.

We know you, Alan.

We can follow every step you make, whether it's physical or digital.

Now, we don't care a damn whether or not you know all about America Needs You, or whatever name we called it back then.

He leaned in, close enough that I could feel the heat of his lips on my nose.

His chiseled, square face looked immense in the dim light.

His eyes were small and dark, but they pierced into mine with such intensity, I thought they would drill into my sockets.

But if you keep causing trouble like you were, then we'll have another volunteer for what we need done.

Are we clear?

Yes.