The Blackfire Protocol by Clifford Beck - HTML preview

Chapter 4

After his discharge from the hospital, Frank spent the remainder of the semester at home recovering as per the doctor’s instructions. He realized he would have to repeat the eleventh grade, yet this did not seem to bother him. His parents saw this acceptance as a positive step and tried to provide him with the tools he would need to re-enter school in a few months. In time, he again gravitated toward history, but his interest had changed. Instead of diving back into American history, Frank chose European history, specifically, early to mid-twentieth-century history. Although there was something unsettling about the fascist domination of Europe and the slaughter of so many innocent lives, Frank pressed on, hoping to learn what it might be that drives that degree of narcissism. But the more he read, the more involved he became, until one night while at the dinner table his father asked how he was feeling. It was a question any concerned parent would ask under the circumstances.

“Well,” Frank replied. “My head still feels a little foggy once in a while, but it doesn’t last long. I usually just lie down when it happens. I think I’ll be fine once I get back to school.”

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This was an acceptable answer and probably normal given the situation, but they had been noticing the books Frank had been reading and became curious. “So, Frank,” his father continued. “Why the interest in World War II?”

His father, Clark, had a Master’s Degree in government and, after twenty years of teaching, decided to retire. Nevertheless, it was his father who was the expert in all things government, and seeing his son take an interest that leaned towards fascism was concerning. On one hand, he was learning what kind of person commits such horrible crimes against humanity. On the other, with Frank’s change in personality, there was the very real concern that he might become too involved in reading of such people and that he might begin to identify with them. His father also understood that for everyone, it is belief that defines reality, and he feared that his son’s beliefs may be altered by the change in his personality. However, in regard to his father’s question, Frank’s answer was quickly forthcoming. “Well,” he began. “I think it’s important that we try to improve upon ourselves by learning about the ugly things our species has committed.” He then quoted George Santayana. “Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.”

His father saw this as both a glimmer of wisdom and a positive step in Frank’s recovery. However, his response was nothing more than a rouse, a misdirection designed to hide what was really going on in his mind. He was developing the ability to hide his thoughts, disguising them within the garb of progressive thinking. This was a skill that would

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serve him well later in life, and he would spend a great deal of time honing it to a fine edge.