The Broken IV: Vengeance

by A. L. Frances

  “Again, English please,” Phil says.

  “The fallen angel is the number six. I think we’ve got six minutes, maybe even six seconds to take her out. Either way, I don’t think we have long.”

  “Six minutes or seconds, are you fucking kidding me? You never told me that when we spoke about it before,” Matthew protests. “We might as well throw the towel in now, lads. Six minutes or seconds. How the bleeding hell am I going to jump from a helicopter and get to her heart in six minutes or seconds? Talk about setting me up to fail. Who made that fucking bullshit rule up?” Matthew punches the wall. “For fuck’s sake! Shit! Shit! Shit!”

  “It’s going to be okay,” Alannah whispers. “I believe in you. Everyone inside this room believes in you. You’ve been selected for a reason and you will achieve the right outcome. You’ve got us by your side.” Alannah smiles. “And, if you go down, we all go down, so we might as well try and win this thing together.”

  Knowing Alannah’s right doesn’t calm Matthew down in the slightest. The fate of the world is resting on his shoulders and it’s starting to feel heavy.

  Looking to the group of misfits he has surrounding him, Matthew exhales deeply, “Midnight it is, then! Now let’s go find a helicopter to steal and make a plan.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  “Showtime!”

  The raven is flying over the Atlantic Ocean. She has travelled the globe in record time, gliding from country to country, leaving her trail of mass destruction behind. The fully formed mist is ready and waiting to pounce. Developing rapidly, this hungry element is desperate to take possession over every human body. It successfully deceives all those who encounter it. Its victims assume it is a regular thick fog on a cold winter’s night, and walk into it, not knowing its true deadly nature. Embedded deep within is the Dark Empresses final implantation: molecules of her DNA filled with poison, just waiting to be ingested.

  Proud of her evil accomplice, Jezebel has been waiting for her to arrive back at Moycullen, so she can reward her for her efforts. But the raven hasn’t made it back just yet. Moments away from the birth of her empire, Jezebel looks out of the window and becomes engulfed by a huge sense of empowerment.

  A true sight of beauty greets her eyes. Moycullen has been completely taken over by her precious suffocating mist. Seeping through the cracks, the ever so obedient mist creeps into Jezebel’s room. Yanking her window open, Jezebel hangs her head outside. Inhaling the toxic haze, she closes her eyes and rolls her head back. The sweet, sweet poison circulates around her, sending orgasmic sensations throughout her black veins. Tilting her head as far back as it can go, Jezebel opens her eyes and stares at the beauty of her vortex. Jet-black and bubbling away, much like her subservient mist it waits for her command to activate its true power and potential.

  Leaning back into the room, Jezebel slams the window shut and turns to her desk. Reaching inside the drawer, she removes another of her sacred possessions – the bulky black leather-coated worn-looking book with the silver upside-down cross on the front. Opening it, she flicks through the pages. Finding the entry she desires, Jezebel’s senses kindle.

  Raising her arm, she chants the following: “In noctis tenebris et coepit eat. Effectum esse coepisset. Ut non debet dici potentia tua. Asserentes auctoritatem tuam. Capere. Capere. Capere!”

  As the thick black substance drips from her mouth onto the pages, Jezebel smears it into an upside-down cross and slams the book shut.

  Eve is tucking Honey into her crib. Her daughter looks up and gives her a gummy grin. Smiling back, Eve’s heart warms. But the unconditional love she holds for her daughter is only adding to her pain. Fighting back the tears, Eve is totally unaware of how this evening is going to pan out. A multitude of thoughts circulate inside her head. Honey lets out an innocent little chuckle and Eve chuckles back. Reaching inside the crib, Eve strokes Honey’s curly hair and softly sings, “Princess, my baby princess, no matter where I might be. Princess, my baby princess, with you I will always be. Princess, my baby princess, my heart will always belong to thee. Princess, my baby princess, it’s time to go to sleep.”

  Eve lowers the adjustable crib side and kneels on the floor. Resting her head against the pillow, next to her daughter, Eve whispers, “Everything I do, I’m doing for you and your future. Being your mother has been the best thing ever and I am lucky that I have you.” She wants to tell her daughter exactly how she feels in the hopes that it is getting through to her in her dreams. “You see, before you came along, I had no clue what unconditional love was. I love your father, don’t get me wrong, but there’s something about having a little person that’s part of you that creates a special kind of love, and I’m so grateful that I got to experience this with you.”

  Honey sucks in her little pink lips and her eyelashes flutter.

  “You’re so pretty.” Kissing her on the cheek, she whispers in her tiny ear, “Baby girl, Uncle Thomas is going to look after you this evening as mummy has got a particularly important job to do, okay?”

  Honey mumbles in her sleep.

  “I’m going to take that as a yes!” Eve laughs. “Don’t tell anyone, but Mummy has to help your granddaddy save the world. Yes, you have a granddaddy, who you will meet soon. From what I remember about him, he is kind, he is caring, and I know he is going to love you oh so much, Honey.” Wiping the tears from her cheek and chin and desperately trying to compose herself, Eve continues, “Uncle Thomas is going to protect you and keep you safe while I’m gone. You will be taken care of, my princess.” She kisses her on the head once more, her tears landing on Honey. “I will always love you, my baby girl. You will always be my first ever true, true love, no matter what. I just really want you to know that.”

  Smelling the fragrant scent of her hair for a final time, Eve stands and raises the crib side and locks it in place. Turning, Eve sees that the mist is seeping into her room, invading her space.

  Panicking, she says, “Thomas…”

  “I’m here, don’t worry,” he replies. He’s sat in the rocking chair, rocking back and forth.

  “Please come and protect her,” Eve requests as she wipes her face yet again. “This mist cannot touch her skin, or she will become possessed instantly.”

  “Don’t worry, she has a protection layer on her already.” Pointing to the ceiling, he winks and says, “Had a chat with the big man upstairs before I came.”

  Eve relaxes a little and her posture slumps.

  Standing, Thomas makes his way to Eve and places his hands on shoulders. “I’m more concerned about you. Are you sure about this?”

  “Never been surer about anything,” Eve says with her head high.

  “And you remember exactly what you have to do and timings etcetera?”

  “Yes. I’ve got it burned inside my mind.”

  “Have you told anyone?”

  “Not a soul.”

  “Okay, then let’s get this show on the road.”

  “Let’s,” she replies.

  “Eve, I just want to say that what you’re doing is truly admirable.”

  “I’m doing this for my daughter to have a future and nothing more, so please just promise me that you will protect her at all costs.”

  “I promise. And Eve…”

  “Yes.”

  “Mother wanted me to tell you that she will be with you every step of the way and she’s crazy proud of you.”

  Saying nothing, Eve looks to the clock. Clearing her throat, she says, “Right, it’s almost time. I must go.” As she walks towards the door, Eve looks back at the crib a final time before whispering, “Sweet dreams, my princess.” She cleans her face off for a final time before opening the door and leaving the room.

  Making her way to the main room, Eve is met on the middle landing by Elisabeth. The pair snarl at one another. Eve says nothing to her biggest rival. A deafening silence circulates aroun
d them. Entering the main room, Eve heads straight for Lewis, who is standing in his spot with his head low.

  Hugging him, she whispers in his ear, “I love you. Thank you for always loving me and giving me the best gift ever.”

  “I love you so much and right back at ya. You, Honey, Freddie, Terrance, Rupert and Hope are my life.”

  Tickling the tip of her nose onto his, Eve smiles.

  Hearing the rustling of feet, Eve looks to the door. The children slowly begin to fill the room. Led by Freddie, Terrance and Rupert, row after row of children fill the space. With their heads low, every child stands in their usual place. As the last child enters the room and takes up their position, a giggle travels round the room and echoes through Eve’s eardrums. Looking up high, she smiles as she sees Hope whizzing across the ceiling. Another innocent baby she is going to help free from the sadistic shackles. Thud. Thud. Thud. The walls tremble. Eve knows this can only mean one thing. Jezebel is on her way.

  “The orphanage is just over there,” Matthew says to Phil and Hermon, who lie on the ground next to him in the forest overlooking the Delaware River.

  “What, where those green lights are in the distance?”

  “I think so. But to be honest, I’m not sure because this fog is throwing me off. I mean surely it is, right? Where else are you going to get green lighting inside?”

  “True.” Looking to his watch, Phil says, “Mate, we haven’t got long. What are we going to do about the helicopter issue?”

  “If Brennan doesn’t turn up soon, I’m just going to have to jump in the deep end.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, it’s all or nothing, right?”

  “Oh gosh, mate, what you gonna do?”

  “I’m thinking of catching her off guard as she’s leaving.”

  “Leaving…”

  “Yeah, if I can reach her before she starts rising, I might stand a chance of grabbing her on land. And then I’ll just, you know, improvise by wrestling her to ground to complete the deed. I think I’ll be strong enough, don’t you?”

  “Yeah mate. Sure,” Phil says, sounding unconvinced.

  “What other option do I have without a helicopter?”

  “I know, mate. Right, well, if you’re gonna do that, then I’m coming to help you.”

  “Thank you,” Matthew says as he smiles at his friend’s support.

  “Do you have the crucifix, Matthew?” Hermon asks.

  “Yeah, it’s here,” he replies as he pats his jacket.

  Panicking, Matthew reaches inside his trouser pocket. He sighs with relief as he feels the outline of the heart-shaped locket. Matthew is ready to follow through with the commitment he made to himself. Aware that he will be faced with her any moment now, Matthew will finally have the ability of ramming this tainted item down the evil bitch’s throat as she lies dying.

  “How you feeling?” Hermon asks.

  “I’m ready. And I just want to say thank you for everything. If it wasn’t for you, we’d have no clue how to defeat her. I’m forever grateful.”

  “Don’t mention it. I want the world rid of her, too.”

  Standing with Eve and Elisabeth on either side of her, Jezebel holds the worn-looking leather book firmly in her hand.

  “It is time,” she bellows. “Fear should be spread across this planet. We will take what is mine. What has always been mine. And you will exist under my ruling. Come, my children, show you true selves.”

  As soon as Jezebel has made her command, every individual in the room transforms. An almighty scream goes up as they appear to rejoice. Jezebel’s eyes light up as she takes in the view before her. She’s very aware that this is just the beginning. Shortly every child will officially join the empire created by her. And the best bit is they will remain a mirror reflection of her too. Raising her arms, Jezebel feels electrical forces accelerating around her body.

  “Children of the world unite. Go! Ignite the evil within. Kill any living adult you can find. Snap their necks, rip out their hearts, slit their wrists, do what is needed to get the job done. Ensure that they are dead. Gather, my children of darkness, go! Temimi. Temimi. Temimi.” And just like that, almost everyone inside the room disappears.

  Across the globe, children are levitating out of their beds, and adults are being restrained inside them. Adults who are awake are being taunted and choked, and the children are being empowered. The poisonous mist intertwines with their bodies and seeps into their every pore. Children of Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia, Africa, Europe, Brazil, Russia, Germany… the children of the world are all transitioning together under Jezebel’s command! Every child around the world drags their bodies towards their parents’ and any adult within their reach. Paralyzed, the adults are powerless. They can only move their eyes and endure watching their possessed children drag their way over to them, ready to devour their souls.

  As she sees this unfold in her mind’s eye, Jezebel’s veins pump with electrical energy. Gaining more power than ever before, Jezebel believes she is now unstoppable.

  She peers at Eve and Elisabeth. “You two, follow me.”

  “Yes, Dark Empress,” they reply, bowing their heads.

  “As soon as we leave, I will rise up and commence the next phase of the vortex. It is imperative that you guard me at all costs, do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes, Dark Empress.”

  Content that Eve and Elisabeth will protect her, Jezebel drags her feet towards the door. Lugging her body, Jezebel twitches her head. As the door flings open, she’s instantly met by a gust of the mist as it bursts through the open doorway.

  “Retreat, my precious creation. Now that the children have accepted the evil, I need you to fill the sky and merge with my vortex to release the portal.”

  Exiting, the mist travels up and rests at the vortex. The two elements combine and sparks begin to fly. The vortex is now becoming a deep grey. As the ground clears, Jezebel steps outside. Peering at Eve and Elisabeth through the gap in her hair, Jezebel orders, “Protect me.”

  “Yes, Dark Empress.”

  Rolling her head back, Jezebel closes her eyes, reaches her arms out and chants, “Surge sursus. Surge sursus. Surge sursus!”

  Turning her head, appearing suspicious, Elisabeth says, “I think I hear something behind that bush.”

  Putting out her arm, Eve says, “I will go. Protect her at all costs.”

  “Shit, shit, shit, shit, one of them is walking over, mate,” Phil says. “Oh fuck, we’re dead. We’re dead. Get your fucking cross thingy – quick!”

  “Calm down,” Matthew says, his heart in his mouth. “Just stay still and be quiet.”

  “Oh shit, mate, she’s already travelling into the sky. Good luck grabbing her legs now,” Phil whispers. “We’re so dead.”

  “Phil, seriously, you need to shut up and stay still,” Matthew snaps.

  Laying on the ground completely stiff, Matthew, Phil and Hermon try to hold their breath to minimise movement. The entity enters the forest and begins gliding through the trees. Matthew’s heart pounds. Fear is travelling round his body at an insane rate. He’s got to take action, he’s come too far to lose now.

  “Just breathe deeply. It’s you or her, mate. It’s you or her,” Matthew mutters to himself. “Please, God, if you can hear me, now would be a real good time to help us out.”

  Matthew hears twigs snapping next to him. Just as he is psyching himself up to attack and tell Hermon and Phil to run and save themselves, he hears, “Father.”

  “What the f…” Phil mumbles.

  Confused, Matthew goes to stand up.

  Grabbing his arm, Phil says, “Mate, don’t go out, it could be a trap.”

  “Father, it’s me, Eve. Please, I’m here to help you, but I can’t stay long.”

  “Let go of me, it’s her. I know my da
ughter’s voice when I hear it,” Matthew says as he leaps up off the ground. “Eve,” he cries out.

  Transforming into her human form, Eve puts out her arms. “Father, it is true.”

  Matthew’s sight has gone blurry through his tears. He stumbles over a branch, twisting his ankle. Not letting this stop him, Matthew hobbles his way over to his daughter and leaps into her arms. Matthew holds her close. Tears stream down his face. The whole moment feels as if it is going in slow motion. Brushing her hair back off her face and kissing her on the head, Matthew sobs.

  “Darling, oh my, I haven’t stopped looking for you. All this time, my princess. I knew I’d find you.”

  Crying uncontrollably, he sees Phil and Hermon appear at the side of him. “It’s her. It’s really her.”

  Phil’s eyes well up with tears.

  “Eve, darling, this is…”

  “Phil, Lewis’s father,” Eve says, still tucked into her father’s arms. “I know. Hi, Mr Parkinson.”

  “Come here, you,” Phil says as he joins the duo and squeezes them tight.

  “And that is Hermon. He’s helped us work out how to defeat her.”

  “Hi Hermon,” Eve says.

  “Hi, young lady. I’ve heard so many things about you.”

  Matthew holds Eve by the shoulders to get a good look at her. “I can’t believe it. Darling, you’re coming home.” Throwing his arms around her once more, Matthew doesn’t want to ever let her go again in his life.

  “Father, I don’t have long,” Eve whispers. “Elisabeth will come looking soon if I don’t go back. Listen to me, you cannot defeat her alone.”

  “Yes I can, I just have to stab her heart with this,” Matthew says as he shows her the crucifix.

  “Father, you are mistaken, you have to stab the silver heart that hangs around her neck. There is no way for you to get close, so I will have to go and snatch it from her.”

  “No way!” Matthew protests. “There’s not a chance that I’m letting you near that evil bitch again. You will stay here, and I will go and do it.”