Roy Villein's Arc

Chapter 3 of 11

Roy sat in the truck outside the public library, engine ticking as it cooled. The historical society had given him the science, but he needed more—specific handling procedures for what came next. Inside, fluorescent lights hummed over rows of metal shelves. He found the reference section and pulled down industrial safety manuals, outdated but detailed. Page after page showed him dosage calculations, exposure limits, containment methods. The librarian never looked up from her desk. An hour later, Roy walked out with handwritten notes folded in his breast pocket. He knew exactly how much would be enough. Hunger hit around six. Roy drove to the diner on the industrial side of town—red vinyl booths, chrome counter stools, neon sign buzzing in the window. Factory workers filled the place, voices loud after their shifts. He ordered coffee and kept his head down. At the next booth, two men in ChemCorp coveralls talked about the loading dock schedule. Thursday nights, skeleton crew. The supervisor always left early. Roy sipped his coffee and listened. They were confirming what his contact had already told him. The plan was solid. After he paid, Roy walked three blocks to where the town historical society kept its outdoor displays. A metal plaque stand stood on the sidewalk, banners hanging from it about research hours and archive access. But Roy's eyes went to the dead tree behind it. The bark peeled in long strips. No leaves, no life. A sign at its base explained what industrial runoff had done to the roots. Roy stared at the twisted branches. This could have been any tree from his farm. The poison worked the same everywhere—slow, thorough, permanent. He got back in the truck and started the engine. The research was done. The schedule was confirmed. Tomorrow night he'd get what he needed from loading dock B. The executives had killed his land with their chemicals, and now those same chemicals would give him justice. Roy pulled onto the empty road, his notes still tucked against his chest. Everything was ready.